The sprinkler piping needs to be arranged so that each tenant
area is under a separate control valve [note: multiple tenants up to 7500-ft2
may be under a single zone per 120-3-3-.04(74)(z) modification to the 2000 LSC,
which added Section 36.3.5.1.1], waterflow switch, and inspector’s test so that
upon the activation of any initiating device in that zone, a signal is received
by the Fire Alarm serving that tenant indicating the zone (i.e. tenant’s fire
area) where the fire is located in accordance with NFPA 72 (1996), Section 1-5.7
requirements. Also, having multiple tenant spaces of appreciable area (i.e.
exceeding 7500-ft2) under a single control valve is not good engineering
practice and should not be permitted per 2000 LSC, Section 4.6.1.2.
When
adjacent tenant spaces have to shut down the system for a new
tenant/repairs/etc. and they are all under the same control valve, then this
would impair the protection for the existing tenant requiring a fire watch (e.g.
if the system is down for more than 4-hours), evacuation, and/or placing them in
an unacceptable risk. Additionally, if an adjacent tenant moved-in with a more
hazardous occupancy (e.g. high-piled storage, manufacturing occupancy, etc.),
this would cause an unjust burden on the existing tenant to have to disrupt
their business to accommodate any required modifications of the piping in their
area for upgrading the system. Responding Fire Fighters having to shut down the
system after a fire for mop-up operations would also leave the adjacent tenant
unprotected which is not preferred just after a fire where incipient fires may
be brewing. Finally, one tenant area may not require a Fire Alarm yet the
adjacent tenant may – or each tenant may wish to use their own separate Fire
Alarm system ~ not permitted if the two areas are in the same fire area.