The following are general requirements of the Central Calaveras Fire protection District for new commercial buildings. These comments are for new commercial buildings only. Plans submitted for approval represent requirements that apply. All of the following comments shall be printed on a sheet attached to the plans submitted for approval.

Address of the proposed building shall be posted and visible from the roadway fronting the property. Whenever the numbers on the building will no be clearly visible the access roadway, the numbers will be placed at the access roadway and the driveway. Address numbers shall be visible from both directions of travel on the roadway fronting the property. Said numbers shall be a minimum 3 inch letter height, 3/8 stroke, reflectorized and contrast with their background, or may be a minimum 5 inches and contrast with their background. When more than one address or suite numbers are proposed, numbers will be required on the front and back doors of each proposed suite.

All new commercial buildings larger than 4,500 square feet shall be protected by an automatic fire sprinkler system per the latest edition of NFPA Pamphlet 13. Design and construction to be completed by a currently licensed fire sprinkler designer and contractor. Two sets of plans shall be submitted for review and approval prior to issuance of a building permit. The system and all control valves shall be monitored by an approved private licensed central monitoring station. A letter of agreement with the approved private licensed central monitoring station shall be submitted prior to final inspection of the project. The design and location of the fire department connection and placement of control valves shall be approved. Ballards shall be provided to protect appliances from vehicle damage when necessary. All fire sprinkler control valves and related appliances shall be visibly labeled.

All new commercial buildings larger than 1,500 square feet but smaller than 4,500 square feet shall be protected by an automatic fire alarm system per the latest edition of NFPA Pamphlet 72. Design and construction to be completed by a currently licensed fire alarm designer and contractor. Two sets of plans shall be submitted for review and approval prior to issuance of a building permit. The system shall be monitored by an approved private licensed central monitoring station. A letter of agreement  with the approved private licensed central monitoring station shall be submitted prior to the final inspection of the project. All new commercial buildings regardless of there size or other protection measures shall have an approved automatic fire alarm system installed when the occupancy classification is A, E, H or I. Said system shall be tested and approved by a recognized listing agency. The electronic fire detection system shall be used only for the detection and warning of fire or life safety systems and no other shall be interfaced to it.

Provide and maintain an approved manual fire alarm system per the California Code of Regulations (CCR), which is consistent with standards by the latest edition of the NFPA. All new commercial buildings regardless of their size or other protection measures shall have an approved manual fire alarm system installed when the occupancy classification is A, E, H or I. Two sets of plans shall be submitted for review and approval prior to issuance of a building permit. Said system shall be tested and approved by a recognized listing agency . The manual fire alarm system shall be used for the warning of fire or life safety, no other systems  shall be interfaced to it.  

An approved illuminated indicator board shall be provided at an approved location or locations within more than on building or zone will be monitored.

Provide and maintain portable fire extinguishers with a minimum rating of 2A10BC. Maximum travel distance to portable fire extinguishers shall not exceed 75 feet. In large open areas there shall be one extinguisher per 3,000 square feet. The maximum travel distance from laundry rooms shall not exceed 50 feet. One 40BC rated extinguisher shall be provided in each kitchen area. Fire extinguishers shall be mounted so that the top of the extinguisher is not higher than 5 feet from the ground. Fire extinguishers shall be currently serviced when installed, serviced every 6 years, serviced after each use and inspected every six months.

Provide an approved hood extinguishing for cooking surfaces in all commercial building kitchens per NFPA Pamphlet 96. Two sets of plans and specifications shall be submitted to this office for review and approval prior to construction.

Approved access shall be provided to all sprinkler, alarm or other system components that will be utilized in the event of an emergency. An application must be obtained from the fire district to purchase access devices.

Hazards and hazardous materials shall be identified by approved regulatory safety signs that meet the latest edition of NFPA. Fire protection devices or other components that will be utilized in the event of an emergency shall be marked in an approved manner.  Areas to be labeled with 4 inch letters contrasting with the background to assure good visibility.

Provide approved panic hardware at all required exit doors. Flush, edge or surface bolts or any other type of device that may be used to close or restrain the doors other than operation of the panic hardware locking device are prohibited. Provide appropriate illuminated exits signs at all required exits. Exit and exit directional signs shall be electrically illuminated and two lamps shall be energized from a separate circuits, one of which shall be used only for such signs, separated from all other circuits in the building an independently controlled. “This Door To Remain Unlocked During    Business Hours” to be labeled above all required exit doors. Provide exits signs at every required exit doorway and wherever otherwise required to clearly indicate that direction of egress, an exit sign with letters having a principle stroke not less than ¾ inches wide and at least 6 inches high.

Maximum occupant load sign must be posted in a conspicuous place near the main exit.

A Knox Box shall be provided for access keys, maps, MSDS or other  applicable items.

The final plans shall be approved only when stamped and/or signed by authorized Central Calaveras Fire District personnel.

Commercial Building Final Acceptance

Final acceptance of the project is subject to inspection and testing from the Central Calaveras Fire Ditsrict. 72 hour notice required previous to inspection and testing.