1. The governing primary code document is UFC 3-600-01; the secondary governing code document is applicable chapters of the NFPA 13.
2. All designs shall be reviewed by the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Public Works life safety systems manager and approved by Joint Base Lewis-McChord Public Works. All new construction installations, remodel and retrofit work requires inspection and acceptance by the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Public Works. All acceptance testing shall be coordinated with the Fire Prevention and Inspection Branch of the DES and the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Emergency Command Center to ensure availability of personnel to support operational testing.
3. Final acceptance testing must be scheduled 7 to 10 days prior to day of testing.
4. New pipe schedule designed systems are not acceptable, all new systems shall be hydraulically designed.
5. Plastic pipe is only acceptable in residential occupancies. However, plastic pipe is discouraged for use in any application given the military environment it is subjected to, and is not allowed when exposed and subjected to physical damage.
6. All system valves require tamper switches, excluding post indicator valves.
7. Back Flow Preventers require testing by a Washington State certified BPA tester. The tester shall complete and submit the required Joint Base Lewis-McChord BPA form linked to this design standard. The BPA shall be installed by a certified, licensed installer. Reduced pressure BPA's are not acceptable. Flushing the BPA is required after installation.  Acceptable backflow preventers are listed on the Washington Dept. of Health approved backflow preventer list. The backflow preventer specific make, model, design, size, and approved installed orientation must match the approved list.
8.  Residential sprinklers and intermediate level rack sprinklers shall be fast response type.
9. All designs shall be reviewed, approved, stamped, and signed by the Fire Protection Specialist prior to submitting for government approval.
10. Preliminary and Final Acceptance Testing shall be witnessed by the Fire Protection Specialist. The USACE representative and/or DPW representatives shall be invited to attend and witness, but are not required to be present.
11. The Joint Base Lewis-McChord Public Works Water and Sewer department shall be invited to witness all pipe flushing (above and below ground).
12. Underground pipe work will be performed by a State of Washington Level U Certificate of Competency underground contractor IAW WAC 212-80-093.
13. All drain valves require plugs or caps downstream of the drain valve.
14. Sprinkler systems are required to have a dedicated water supply feed pipe from the water main. Tapping into the fire suppression system water main to supply the building with domestic water is not acceptable. Supplying the fire sprinkler system from the domestic water feed is not acceptable.
15. All as-built drawings, test certificates, maintenance and repair manuals, and related system documentation shall be provided to JBLM DPW.  
16. Heat tape, heat cable, and heat tracing are not allowed for any application. All wet pipe systems including standpipes shall be in the interior of buildings and/or within heated enclosures.
17. Use only like materials on a sprinkler system, do not mix materials.
18. All metal pipe shall be a minimum of Schedule 40 regardless of CRR. Any pipe less than schedule 40 is not acceptable on JBLM.
19. All fire sprinkler system materials shall be domestically manufactured.
20. For wet pipe systems, eliminate wet pipe alarm valves and install electric bell as secondary notification device.  
21. The only color allowed for fire suppression pipe and related equipment is red.
22. All wet systems shall be designed with test port, site glass, main drain at riser.
23. All fire sprinkler systems shall have line pressure gauges at riser for each system.
24. In new construction facilities, locate fire sprinkler risers in a separate riser room or mechanical room both having direct access from the exterior of the building, and located so it is accessible to DPW without entering secured areas. In renovation projects, locating a sprinkler riser inside a riser room is preferred, if the sprinkler riser is located in the open area of the building it must be enclosed inside a lockable cage to protect it from damage and tampering. Bollards may also be necessary in warehouse facilities.

 Design Standards