City of Walla Walla
Home MenuFire Sprinkler Information
- City of Walla Walla fire sprinkler ordinance for basements over 1,500 sq. feet
- Certification requirements for fire sprinkler designers and installers
Underground Sprinkler Main Installation
Washington State law requires that the installation of the underground portion of a fire protection sprinkler system be installed by either a licensed sprinkler contracting company or contracting company with a Level U license.
Permit applications for the installation of underground fire protection sprinkler system piping from contracting firms that do not meet the requirements of state law will no longer be accepted.
The following information is provided to clarify the requirements of state law:
Definition of:
- “Fire Protection Sprinkler System” – an assembly of underground and/or overhead piping beginning at the connection to the primary water supply, whether public or private, that conveys water with or without other agents to dispersal openings or devices to extinguish, control, or contain fire or other products of combustion. The fire protection sprinkler system (with the exception of residential combination systems) starts at the point where the last non-fire water use is taken from the supply mains. This is the point just downstream of the last tap for domestic or process water, the last water control valve that is required by a city or other authority, or the point where water can be considered non-flowing.
- “State Level U Certification” – a certificate of competency holder who is qualified to certify the installation of the underground portions of fire protection sprinkler systems in conformation with the recognized standards adopted bythe chief of the Washington State Patrol, through the director of fire protection.
- “State Level U Licensing” – a sprinkler contracting company licensed by the chief of the Washington State Patrol through the director of fire protection, to contract and/or offer to bid on the installation of the underground portions of fire protection sprinkler systems in conformance with the recognized standards adopted by the chief of the Washington State Patrol, through the director of fire protection.
License and certification requirements:
- Only a company or individual licensed as a fire protection sprinkler systems contractor, who has at least one designer on staff certified by the chief of the Washington State Patrol, through the director of fire protection, can bid, offer to bid, contract, or perform the designing, installation, inspection, testing, maintenance, and/or servicing of a fire protection sprinkler system.
Qualifications for preparation of layout drawings, installations, inspections, testing or maintenance.
- Only licensed fire protection sprinkler system contractors shall execute contracts for the design, installation, inspection, testing, or maintenance of fire protection sprinkler systems or any part of such a system in the State of Washington.
- Exceptions:
- Only licensed contractors who have achieved at least State Level U licensure shall execute contracts for the installation, inspection, or maintenance of underground portions of fire protection sprinkler systems in the State of Washington.
Subcontracting.
- Subcontracting of any work under the purview of chapter 18.60 RCW involving unlicensed contractors is strictly prohibited and a violation of chapter 18.160 RCW.
Definitions:
- “Fire protection sprinkler system contractor” – a person or organization that offers to undertake the execution of contracts for the installation, inspection, maintenance, or servicing of a fire protection sprinkler system or any part of such a system.
- “Fire protection sprinkler system” – an assembly of underground and/or overhead piping or conduit beginning at the connection to the primary water supply, whether public or private, that conveys water with or without other agents to dispersal openings or devices to extinguish, control, or contain fire and to provide protection from exposure to fire or other products of combustion.