Title
SUBJECT: Second Reading - Adoption of Ordinance 2501 Amending Section 15.32.080, “State Connection Regulations - Backflow Control Devices” of the Merced Municipal Code to Mandate that the Only Approved Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems Allowed to Be Installed Within the City be a Multipurpose Design and a “Passive Purge” System Pursuant to NFPA 13D and the California Building Code
REPORT IN BRIEF
Second reading of Ordinance introduced on June 3, 2019 to Amend Section 15.32.080, “State Connection Regulations - Backflow Control Devices,” mandating that the only approved Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems allowed to be installed within the City be a Multipurpose Design and a “Passive Purge” System Pursuant to NFPA 13D and the California Building Code.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion adopting Ordinance 2501, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, amending Section 15.32.080, “State Connection Regulations - Backflow Control Devices” of the Merced Municipal Code.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve the amendment of the ordinance as recommended by staff; or,
2. Deny amendment; or,
3. Refer to staff with specific direction; or,
4. Continue action to a future City Council meeting, specify date
AUTHORITY
Article II, Section 200 of the Charter of the City of Merced, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13D, and the California Building Code.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2018-19 Adopted Budget
DISCUSSION
Residential Fire Sprinklers have been required in California since 2011; they are being installed in new residences throughout Merced. NFPA 13D is a residential sprinkler design standard focused on one- and two- family dwellings and manufactured homes. The intent is to provide an affordable sprinkler system in homes while maintaining a high level of life safety.
In making plumbing connections, the customer must also comply with regulations of the state and county departments of public health. They must make sure that the fixtures do not cause an unprotected cross connection or backflow between City water and any unapproved source of water. To maintain the security of the water and prevent backflow, the type of Residential Fire Sprinkler approved for installation in the City of Merced should be a multipurpose design and a Passive Purge system as per NFPA 13D and the California Building Code.
In this type of system, the piping is intended to serve both domestic needs and the fire protection needs from one common piping system throughout the dwelling unit. A passive purge system is a multipurpose type, where a single toilet (or multiple toilets) is supplied in addition to the fire sprinklers. A single check valve is required in this type of system. The NFPA recommends installing the system as a loop, or locating the toilet on a remote portion of the system to ensure the water moves through a majority of the system when that single plumbing fixture is used.
The City has made it a matter of practice to have builders use this type of system, we seek to formalize this practice in the Adoption of Ordinance 2501.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
No appropriation of funds is needed.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Ordinance 2501