Is Electrocution a Risk for Sprinkler Pipe Contact?

7/27/2022

I have a new AHJ that is absolutely adamant that there can be zero contact between fire lines and electrical work - wiring, Romex, fixtures, conduit, low voltage, phone line, etc....

We all know the dangers and risks associated with CPVC systems when they come in contact with your normal residential type wiring. Everyone has gotten good at 'staying away from the orange pipe.'

But this AHJ is now requiring our above ceiling inspection on every type of job be the final inspection prior to cover up. This is to ensure that nobody has the opportunity to touch our pipe with their work (yes, this includes PVC, Pex, copper, HVAC as well) after he has signed off on our install.

The only code that I can find to support him is in NFPA 13 stating that non-system components can not be supported by sprinkler piping. I think we all know and appreciate this rule as well.

His opinion is that he can not sign off on a system knowing that there is contact with an electrical component. This component could somehow energize the steel piping network and electrocute his responding fire fighter who first touches the FDC to hook up his hoses. Having a zero tolerance policy for contact helps him sleep at night.

I personally told him that the theory is ridiculous because the steel pipe and all the electrical components are all typically supported by steel hangers, attached to the same steel building... His same theory applies to the next person who touches a ceiling grid, fixture, register, or maybe flush a toilet or touches a door knob!

But he won't take it from me. If his opinion is out of line, he needs to hear it from an electrical and fire engineer. I'd love some solid evidence that some occasional incidental contact with high or low voltage wiring poses no real threat to electrocuting a fire fighter.

The electrical system has its own integrated safeties to keep from energizing other building components, right?

A little formal advice here will save every (local to my area) contractor a whole lot of headache. We can get our AHJ back to being a fire inspector instead of a building inspector. Thanks for your considerations!

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12 Comments

Paul Pinigis

7/27/2022 08:14:36 am

I can see prohibiting the use of the sprinkler piping for grounding purposes, but to worry about a piece of romex touching is overkill. You are absolutely correct in your assessment of the continuity of conduction through the hangers, to the structure, and to everything else hanging from the structure.

Ask him for the code refence to support his position.

M. Newell

7/27/2022 08:22:13 am

We run into this quite a bit with AHJs here in Texas. I believe it is derived from NFPA 13, 2019 17.1.3.1 Support of Non-system components. I believe they take it has since you shall not use piping or sprinkler systems hangers to support non-system components they just don’t want anything at all to touch the system components.

Pete

7/27/2022 08:38:13 am

This AHJ could have had a friend get electrocuted that way. Propose the use of insulated gloves.

Everybody has a boss.

Chief Building Official, Mayor, etc.Be tactful, and present it as a grievance causing undue hardship to yours and adjacent trades. If you're unhappy with the response, tell your union delegate to sue the jurisdiction. Team up with the local electical worker's union to share the expense. I promise it will be resolved, and it will set precedence for future work in the city. You might even have an electrician buy you a beer afterwards.

PETE

7/27/2022 09:12:06 am

I want to expand on my comment.

My suggestion is not to say every time there is a technical or code interpretation disagreement, rush to litigation. With all respect due to the AHJs, the finality granted to AHJs on all matters is both broad and ambiguous. That power should be limited.

OK. What is the limit? In my estimation, when a group of competent people are performing standardized installations based on the uninformed opinion of one person- that should be where the AHJ's power is limited. And that is why a legal remedy exists. When the jurisdiction is held accountable for the financial impact of the AHJ decisions, whims, etc. that is the balance of power that corrects the unfairness. And, if you're performing code-compliant installations, I wouldn't worry about any impact to your working relationship with the AHJ in the future. If anything, they should be more amicable/ flexible moving forward.

Blaine Parkerson

7/27/2022 10:00:50 am

Maybe take a meter and show him how there is continuity between the sprinkler pipe and ground and also between the pipe and say the electrical conduit. Explain that if a live wire were to contact the sprinkler pipe, it would short to ground and trip the circuit protection device (aka the breaker). Maybe also propose a discussion with the electrical AHJ to help explain how the electrical safeguards protect the fire fighters.

Todd E Wyatt

7/27/2022 10:45:55 am

As an AHJ (Chief of Life Safety & Construction Branch of the Healthcare Licensing and Surveys for the WY Dept of Health), I was expected to include the applicable Code reference(s) when citing a non-compliant condition. In this AHJ role, I was also charged with enforcing the provisions of the (adopted) Code(s), render interpretations of the Codes, adopt policies and procedures in order to clarify the application of the Code provisions, granting modifications for individual cases where meeting the strict letter of the Code was impractical, reviewing alternative materials, design or methods of construction and approving those that meet the intent of the Code(s).

What I could NOT do was develop create unwritten requirements based on my personal opinions and experience. Numerous jurisdictions have amended the model Codes (e.g. ICC, NFPA) for their state, county, and/or municipality but this requires a dedicated process of checks & balances during the review period. As others have recommended, requesting the Code reference the AHJ is citing for this “noncompliant” condition is your first actionable item. If the AHJ cites a Code reference you feel is an incorrect interpretation, most building departments have a procedure for requesting a review of this interpretation by a third-party and/or a committee of AHJs not associated with this building department.

Anthony

7/28/2022 12:58:11 pm

This.

AHJ is not a code development individual

Kody Karch

7/27/2022 11:46:44 am

I recall when working in Denver, Colorado there was a 669 Sprinkler Fitter who passed away by touching a sprinkler pipe sensing line coming out of a fire pump control panel. The panel was somehow wired wrong and electrified the piping.

Very sad story. It certainly brought some attention to the subject, and I do not blame any AHJ/Contractor/Owner from wanting any other trade to "piggyback" off of sprinkler piping.

Ed Santos

7/27/2022 07:04:27 pm

When AHJ or his inspector asking me something that is not writen on the code, I asked him to put into writing his findings and state his particular references code the basis of such findings.

Ronnie Morales

9/1/2022 03:22:13 pm

NFPA® 13 Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems 2022 Edition

16.16 Electrical Bonding and Grounding.

16.16.1 In no case shall sprinkler system piping be used for the grounding of electrical systems.

16.16.2* The requirement of 16.16.1 shall not preclude the bonding of the sprinkler system piping to the lightning protection grounding system as required by NFPA 780 in those cases where lightning protection is provided for the structure.

17.1.3.1* Sprinkler piping or hangers shall not he used to support non-system components.

A.17.1.3.1 The rules covering the hanging of sprinkler piping take into consideration the weight of water-filled pipe plus a safety factor. No allowance has been made for the hanging of non-system components from sprinkler piping. NFPA 13 provides the option to support sprinkler piping from other sprinkler piping where the requirements of 17.1.2 are met.

jason

11/18/2022 12:34:12 pm

to answer the title yes a sprinkler fitter can get electrocuted- we were on a union project and the fitters were removing a piece of pipe when they both received an electrical shock, thankfully there were no injuries. Temp lights were installed and during the pipe removal the wire somehow wrapped around the pipe stretching it to the point of breaking.
The sprinkler AHJ should conduct his inspection per NFPA . the city/town has inspectors that monitor all the other disciplines on a project so he should bring his concerns to their attention so he has more time to do his prescribed job. everyone has a boss keep working up the food chain.

Steve Sciotto-Fire Marshal

3/9/2023 04:38:09 am

You say everyone knows the issue cpvc and wiring but I run into this on almost all my fire sprinkler 13D inspections when the sprinkler pipe is run first. The electricians are all over it.

Is Electrocution a Risk for Sprinkler Pipe Contact?

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