BUILDING CONTRACTOR/SUB-CONTRACTOR INFORMATION

AFPD Fire & Life Safety Related Requirements

This document addresses some preliminary requirements of the Aspen Fire Protection District for aspects of building projects, direclty or indirectly related to fire and life safety systems. Other requirements or recommendations may be noted during subsequent site visits and/or construction inspections.

Please contact the Fire Marshal's office for more information.  970-925-5532

Aspen Fire has adopted the 2021 International Fire Code.  The AFPD Code Amendments to the 2021 IFC can be found on our website at:   www. aspenfire.com, under the Fire Marshal's Office drop down menu.

INSPECTIONS:

• Rough-In Inspections -- Sprinkler and/or Fire Alarm
  • Any sprinkler or fire alarm inspection must be scheduled by the respective permit holder. 
  • The Aspen Fire marshal requires that all sprinkler rough-in inspections be completed in a single inspection of the entire system, unless it is proven to be logistacally impossible.
  • A request for a second "rough-in" sprinkler inspection shall require a meeting at the start of the building project among the Fire Marshal, the sprinkler contractor, and the general contractor.
  • Approval for a second sprinkler "rough-in" inspection will only be considered if the need can be illustrated and a plan can be made that shows a clear line of delineation between inpsections so that the life safety system is not compromised.
• Final Inspections -- Sprinkler and/or Fire Alarm: (Ref: NFPA 72 17.7.2 Protection During Construction)
  • Final acceptance inspection for sprkler & fire alarm shall not be scheduled until the residence is "move-in" ready, and work by all other trades is completed.  Inspections scheduled before the residence is ready WILL result in a failed inspection. Premature inspections can, and have, resulted in false alarm calls with emergency response.
  • Final inspections must be scheduled by the fire sprinkler and/or fire alarm contractor. Both fire sprinkler contractor and fire alarm contractor must be present for the final inspection.

LOCATIONS, Life Safety Equipment/Devices:

• Fire Alarm Control Panel Location: (Ref: NFPA 70 110.26 Spaces Around Electrical Equipment)
  • Fire Alarm Control Panel MUST be located in a full-height area, easily accessible in the event of emergency response for the safety of firefighters.  Any deviation from the stamped, approved fire alarm plans must be authorized by the Fire Marshal's office. The acess door to fire alarm control panel must be labeled with appropriate signage for emergency responders.  Enclosed spaces, i.e. crawl spaces, are not considered acceptable locations for the fire alarm control panel.
• Sprinkler Riser/Control Valves Location:
  • Sprinkler Riser/Control Valves MUST be installed in a full-height, easily accessible areas for the sagety of firefighters. Any deviation form the stamped, approved sprinkler plans must be authorized by the Fire Marshal's ofice. Access door to the sprinkler rise system must be labeled with appropriate signage for emergency responders. Enclosed spaces, i.e. crawl spaces, are no considered acceptable locations for the sprinkler riser system.
• Fire Department Connection (FDC):
  • Fire Department Connection shall be located on the ADDRESS side of the structure, in an unobstructed, easily accessible location. A clear space of 36" to either side of the FDC must also be maintained to allow for working space for emergency responders. A site visit can be scheduled to verify the location.
• Exterior Horn & Strobe:
  • The Exterior Horn & Strobe shall be installed above the Fire Deparment Connection, at a height and location that ensures the strobe is visible upon approach by emergency responders. The horn/strobe can be located no more than 36" to either side of a vertical line above the FDC. A site visit can be scheduled to verify the location.
• Knox Box:
  • ​​​​​​​A Knox Box is required on any structures in which a fire suppression system is installed. The Know Box shall be installed 18" above the Fire Department Connection. A site visit can be scheduled to verify the location.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Sprinkler Coverage in Attics and Crawl Spaces: (Ref: AFPD 2021 Int'l Fire code Amendments)
  • ​​​​​​​Sprinklers are required in crawl spaces & attics if there is fuel burning OR electrical equipment installed, as per the Aspen Fire Department Int'l Fire Code amendments.
• Knox Boxes: (Ref: 2021 Int' Fire Code, Key Boxes, Section 506.1, Where required)
  • A Knox Box (key box) is required for any sprinklered structure in which an NFPA 13, 13D or 13R system is installed, to provide immedate access for emergency responders. 
    • Residential Structures - Series 3200 Knox Box
    • Commercial Structures - Series 3200 Knox Box, or next larger appropriate size.
  • Location: The Knox Box shall be installed 18" above  the Fire Department Connection. A site visit can be scheduled to verify location.
  • Knox Boxes can be ordered byb going to : http://www.knoxbox.com/Products
  • Recommended keys to place in Knox Box:
    • Main entrance to residence (or laminated card with access code is keyless entry).
    • Access to fire sprinkler riser system room.
    • Access to fire alarm control panel.
    • Elevator key if residential elevator has been installed.
    • Any information vital for emergency response and for residents' safety.

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