OSHA Office Sprinkler System Requirements

Sprinkler systems are a means of fire protection required in offices and buildings. According to research conducted by the National Fire Protection Association, sprinkler systems save lives and money. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration set specific requirements in place to ensure sprinkler systems used in an office environment are installed and used responsibly and safely.

OSHA Requirements

• OSHA requires any office or building sprinkler system to be in full compliance of the NFPA or National Board of Fire Underwriters at the time of installation. Some NFPA requirements include conducting an initial water distribution system analysis. Installers should not make the assumption that water supply is adequate. NFPA recommends fire flow testing and marking of hydrants (identifying the specific addresses of hydrants). Fire sprinkler systems must also be investigated for reduction in the main drain residual pressures. NFPA requires written records to identify specific gauges that have been replaced, with these files being available for at least five years. NFPA 13 sets the standard that the area where the fire could spread should correspond with sprinkler coverage. This means the simultaneous flow of sprinklers must provide a hydraulic demand for the both flow of water gallons per minute and the system pressure pounds per square inch, which will produce the proper discharge to cover areas affected by fire.

Fire Sprinkler Equipment

• Only approved equipment may be used for building facility sprinkler systems. Employers are responsible for making sure this standard is met and only approved sprinkler systems are used. This includes design and installation measures for such systems.

Acceptance Tests

• According to OSHA requirements, all employers must perform and record an acceptance test of sprinkler systems installed for employee protection after January 1, 1981. Acceptance tests include: flushing underground connections, hydrostatic tests of piping in system (testing the strength and leak-resistance of vessel, pipe or other hollow equipment internally). This also includes dry-pipe system air, valve operation and drainage facilities test. This includes having all dry sprinkler pipes and fittings installed so that systems may drain properly.

Water Supply

• Sprinkler systems are generally installed throughout an office or building. Every system should be installed with a design to allow one sprinkler the capability of water flow for at least 30 minutes. There should be an alternative method of water supply in case the automatic water supply is out of service. Employers must ensure hose connections are attached for firefighter use when needed.

Sprinkler Spacing and Alarms

• Sprinklers should be spaced in the manner of providing a maximum protection area per sprinkler with minimal interference to the discharge pattern of a building or structure to weed out fire hazards. There should be a minimum vertical clearance of 18 inches.

Maintenance

• Proper maintenance is crucial to any fire prevention plan or policy. For this reason, OSHA requires that sprinkler systems be properly maintained by employers. Systems must be inspected and tested regularly for efficient operation.