Trade Topics
October 2004
Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems
Pricing Guidelines
An informational Client Bulletin Prepared by TiCon, a General Contractor, for the Tenants, Owners, Brokers and Managers of Commercial and Industrial Properties in the San Francisco Bay Area
Automatic fire sprinkler systems are very common in buildings over 10,000 s.f. in area and most tenant improvements will require alteration of existing systems under the following conditions:
- There is a suspended acoustic ceiling or sheetrock ceiling being installed in an area that was previously open to the roof
- There are new walls being installed that will interfere with the spray “circle” (approximate diameter 15 feet) of existing head(s).
- The are new enclosed spaces (soffits, raised floors, chases etc) requiring fire protection
The Governing codes for this fire protection work are: NFPA chapters 13 & 25 and Title 19 of the California Code of Regulations. Enforcement jurisdictions are the California State Fire Marshall and local Fire Protection Districts.
Pricing for Tenant Improvements
Head alteration (new heads or relocation of existing heads) – Bay area buildings under three stories where the work area is unoccupied. The ‘move in‘ cost shown in this table is an adjustment figure required to make the unit cost per head work.
| Scope of work |
# of heads |
Cost per head |
‘Move in’ cost |
| Add or relocate |
1 to 5 |
$135.00 |
$425.00 |
| Add or relocate |
6 to 20 |
$125.00 |
$485.00 |
| Add or relocate |
21 to 50 |
$115.00 |
$675.00 |
| Add or relocate |
51and up |
$108.00 |
$1075.00 |
|
Pricing for New Construction
Bay area single story buildings, includes both upright and (100% T.I. ) pendant heads. Does not include bringing water to building or street tie in work which must be quoted on a case by case basis.
| Scope of work |
Building S.F. |
Cost per S.F. |
| Install New Overhead System |
10,000 |
$1.95 |
| Install New Overhead System |
20,000 |
$1.82 |
| Install New Overhead System |
50,000 |
$1.67 |
| Install New Overhead System |
50,000 + |
Quote |
|
Pricing for Retrofitting existing buildings
Unoccupied bay area building with suspended acoustic ceiling. Does not include bring water to building or street tie in work which must be quoted on a case by case basis.
| Scope of Work |
Building S.F. |
Cost per S.F. |
| New Overhead System In Existing Building |
10,000 |
$3.51 |
| New Overhead System In Existing Building |
20,000 |
$3.39 |
| New Overhead System In Existing Building |
50,000 |
$2.49 |
| New Overhead System In Existing Building |
50,000 + |
Quote |
|
Pricing for Design and Permits
The sprinkler contractor must prepare drawings separate of those submitted by the design professional as well as a permit fee to the fire district. Permit submittals require survey, design, hydraulic calculations and product specification.
- Design Fees
- New buildings: $ 8.00 to $10.00 per head
- Tenant Improveme
- 1-5 heads: $400.00
- 6-20 heads: $ 650.00
- 21 – 50 heads: $990.00
- Permits (These vary from city to city but are nominal in comparison to total cost.)
These prices are presented in a ‘rule of thumb’ context. Actual prices may differ depending on job size, complexity, site conditions and market forces at the time of bid. The general contractor’s markup and proportionate (for this trade) share of general conditions, is not included.
Trade contributor; Northern California Fire Protection, Inc. – San Jose Ca.
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