VC 12 fire department violation - expose and locate curb side valve

The fire department said I need to have a curb side valve for my sprinkler system. The resolving of this VC 12 violation has become a major problem. My plumber says the piping on which the valve should be placed is not wide enough. My plumber said it needs to be 2 inches in size. The size of piping currently there is one and a half inches in size. Plus I’m told I need an architect regarding the placement of the valve. What kind of architect do I need? What should their speciality be? Does anyone have any idea of what the cost should be for all this work? So far, the plumber wants $8,900.00 to install to piping and the valve. Will the architect be as (or heaven forbid) more expensive? Any advice anyone can give me about this issue will be appreciated.

ferney1c

in Fire 9 years and 3 months ago

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thetinkerswagon | 9 years and 3 months ago

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to everyone else out there: the first inclination of any homeowner being told anything by anyone that is going to cost them money, including if they are being told it by gov’t agencies, is to question what they are being told and try to see if there is a way out of it. In my opinion, the plumber in this case should have delved into this with the homeowner and brought up issues of grandfathering (and this may not be grandfathered) and tried to see if there were other ways out of this. it seems he did not, he told her what she needed by today’s code and wrote the quote. when I called the engineer, he did not even entertain pipe sizes, valves, and valve location with me. he asked how old the system was and said “let’s see if this can be grandfathered”. Even if the OP ends up having to pay him for chasing this down (and she can do it on her own but I suspect the engineer will be fair with her; he said his expediter is at 9 metro tech daily), it is going to be a lot less costly than her alternative. The Fire Dept used to do regular inspections on our buildings and the non sense and mis application of codes and laws i heard was incredible. sometimes I was able to say it to them and get them to back off, other times i had to be quiet because if you question the wrong guy, they may start running around the building looking for violations which do not exist. and in no way am I saying the FDNY is wrong here, but they have to be questioned. Steve

thetinkerswagon | 9 years and 3 months ago

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I called the engineer. if you are who i think you are, your house is older. he is asking why they issued that now – maybe you do not need that valve as it can be grandfathered. or maybe the valve is buried in the yard? he then suggested someone find out who did the install – and they will have a file on your building at 9 MetroTech – and see if they have a drawing of the location of the valve or if the firm is still in business call them. So really, the valve may be there and if the line is too small you may be grandfathered??? Steve

thetinkerswagon | 9 years and 3 months ago

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you do not mention your plumber’s area of expertise. if I were to proceed with something like this, I would get a plumber who is engaged in fire safety work (All State Sprinkler, Capital Fire and there are others; even though I was certified to inspect sprinkler systems, we kept all state on a monthly check in case we ever needed anyone fast in an E) and start putting questions to them as to what needs to be done. if they confirm an architect is needed for this, so be it. but I suspect a PE may be able to do it as well. you know, I am going to stop writing here, now. I think I know who you are and I think I am going to make a call on your behalf and reach out to you off of here. Have I been to your house? I have a PE I can ask. years ago, when I worked in commercial buildings, I had a list of people I can call, but that is no longer the case. and I cannot make these call except for customers as I will use up my favors. I will call the PE tonight. stand by. Steve