Automatic fire sprinkler systems are required to be installed in many newly constructed buildings located in the unincorporated areas of Stanislaus County.  This document outlines those structures that must be equipped with fire sprinkler systems and includes information about special provisions that may be used for certain isolated buildings or groups of building that are not served by municipal water systems. Contact the Office of the Fire Marshal at 552-3700 if you have questions or need additional information.

New Structures Requiring Automatic Fire Sprinklers

• All Group A occupancies that exceed 5,000 square feet.
• All Group B occupancies that exceed 5,000 square feet.
• All Group E occupancies that exceed 5,000 square feet.
• All Group F-1 occupancies that exceed 5,000 square feet except that woodworking operations exceeding 2,500 square feet shall be equipped with automatic fire sprinklers.
• All Group H occupancies.
• All Group I occupancies.
• All Group L occupancies.
• All Group M occupancies that exceed 5,000 square feet or contain high piled or rack storage arrays.
• All Group R occupancies that meet one or more of the following criteria:
1. Exceed 5,000 square feet.
2. Contain 5 or more dwelling units under one roof.
3. Contain a floor area 30’ above ground level or are 3 or more stories in height.
4. Include cluster homes. 
5. Are constructed on lots that are less than 5,000 square feet.
• All Group S-1 occupancies that exceed 5,000 square feet.
• All Repair Garages that exceed 5,000 square feet.
• All Group S-2 commercial parking garages over 5,000 square feet that are used for the storage of commercial trucks or buses.
• All Group S-2 enclosed parking garages except those located beneath R-3 occupancies.
• All Group U occupancies that exceed 5,000 square feet except for non-residential buildings and unoccupied structures that are located in Agricultural zones and permitted by the planning department under Stanislaus County Code Section 21.20.020(A).
• When required by Conditions of Approval issued by the Department of Planning and Community Development.

Existing Buildings Requiring Sprinklers

All existing structures that exceed 5,000 square feet when additions, alterations, or repairs are made within any 12 month period that exceed 50% of the value of the of an existing building. 

Exceptions:

1. Non-residential buildings and unoccupied structures that are located in Agricultural zones and permitted by the planning department under Stanislaus County Code Section 21.20.020(A).
2. Buildings and structures classified as R-3 or U occupancies.
3. Portions of existing buildings separated by one or more area separation walls, constructed in accordance with the current edition of the Building Code, when each portion does not exceed 5,000 square feet.

Special Provisions

For isolated buildings or groups of buildings classified as either Group M or R occupancies and located in rural areas where water is not available from a municipal water system, a sprinkler system meeting all of the following criteria shall be considered an alternative to systems in full compliance with the applicable NFPA Standards.

• Sprinklers are designed and installed as per applicable NFPA standard.
• The required sprinkler demand (not including hose stream allowance) is provided by a hydro pneumatic tank for a minimum duration of 15 minutes.  The tank may be pressurized by the domestic well pump and may serve both the fire and domestic supply but must have a tank equal to or greater than the calculated sprinkler demand.
• A separate storage tank or other approved water supply acceptable to the fire department is provided that is capable of providing an additional 30 minutes of sprinkler and hose stream demand (buildings classified as Group R-3 are exempt from this requirement).
• An approved sprinkler system monitoring alarm is provided.