Proactive Efforts to Provide Save Built Environments

Presented by: Florida Fire Marshal and Inspectors’ Association

Chuck Akers Executive Director

Objective

To familiarize the participants with:◦ The basis of Plans Review authority for Fire plans review ◦ Cover criteria and guidelines set forth in Codes and

Standards outlining the minimum requirements for a set of construction documents

◦ Provide a synopsis of Code requirements involved in the plans review process

◦ Discuss common Challenges and issues found during the fire plans review process

◦ Provide guidance to assist design professionals in solving plan review problems

References

Florida Statute 553Florida Statute 63369A-60 Florida Fire Prevention Code Uniform Fire Code, NFPA 1Life Safety Code, NFPA 101Florida Building CodeF.A.C., Chapter 61C-5 and Chapter 61G15IFSTA Fire Inspection and Code EnforcementNFPA Fire Protection Handbook

How does Fire Prevention get involved in Plans Review ?

Many Sates throughout US do not include Fire Service in Plans Review – existing Code Enforcement only

Proactive approach, plans review prior to permit and construction aids in avoiding issues that may need to be addressed as existing facility – more efficient and effective

Per the NFPA Fire Protection Handbook, Section 12, Chapter 1, “Effective, fire safe design begins with conscious analysis and decisions making early in the design process. This broad overall approach includes consideration of both interior building functions and layout, as well as exterior site planning.”

Authority to Review Plans

553.79 Permits; applications; issuance; inspections.—(2) …….In addition, an enforcing agency may not issue any permit for construction, erection, alteration, modification, repair, or demolition of any building until the appropriate firesafety inspector certified pursuant to s. 633.081 has reviewed the plans and specifications required by the Florida Building Code, or local amendment thereto, for such proposal and found that the plans comply with the Florida Fire Prevention Code and the Life Safety Code. Any building or structure which is not subject to a firesafety code shall not be required to have its plans reviewed by the firesafety inspector.……….The enforcing agency shall issue a permit to construct, erect, alter, modify, repair, or demolish any building or structure when the plans and specifications for such proposal comply with the provisions of the Florida Building Code and the Florida Fire Prevention Code and the Life Safety Code as determined by the local authority in accordance with this chapter and chapter 633.

633.081 Inspection of buildings and equipment; orders; firesafety inspection training requirements; certification; disciplinary action(1) Each county, municipality, and special district that has firesafety enforcement responsibilities shall employ or contract with a firesafety inspector. The firesafety inspector must conduct all firesafety inspections that are required by law………..

NFPA 1, Uniform Fire Code

1. 1.14 Plan Review.1.14.1 Where required by the AHJ for new construction, modification, or rehabilitation, construction documents and shop drawings shall be submitted, reviewed, and approved prior to the start of such work as provided in Section 1.14.1.14.2 The applicant shall be responsible to ensure that the following conditions are met: ◦ (1) The construction documents include all of the fire

protection requirements.◦ (2) The shop drawings are correct and in compliance with

the applicable codes and standards.◦ (3) The contractor maintains an approved set of

construction documents on site.

1.14.3 It shall be the responsibility of the AHJ to promulgate rules that cover the following:

(1) Criteria to meet the requirements of Section 1.14

(2) Review of documents and construction documents within established time frames for the purpose of acceptance or providing reasons for nonacceptance

1.14.4 Review and approval by the AHJ shall not relieve the applicant of the responsibility of compliance with this Code.

1.14.5 When required by the AHJ, revised construction documents or shop drawings shall be prepared and submitted for review and approval to illustrate corrections or modifications necessitated by field conditions or other revisions to approved plans.

Establishing Procedures

Full or Partial Plan Review Process – nearly all a partial process

Develop working relationship with all agencies and stake holders, Fire Department, Building, Zoning/Community Development, Engineering,Public Works

Keep in mind all stake holders include the proponent (Owner/Developer)

Access to building normally established during Site Plan review or Development Review Committee process – requirements contained in NFPA 1 and NFPA 241.

A.1.1 The following is a suggested procedure for determining the Code requirements for a building or structure: (1) Determine the occupancy classification by referring to the occupancy definitions in Chapter 6 and the occupancy Chapters 12 through 42. (See 6.1.14 for buildings with more than one use.)(2) Determine if the building or structure is new or existing. (See the definitions in Chapter 3.)(3) Determine the occupant load. (See 7.3.1.)(4) Determine the hazard of contents. (See Section 6.2.)(5) Refer to the applicable occupancy chapter of the Code, Chapters 12 through 42. [See Chapters 1 through 4 and Chapters 6 through 11, as needed, for general information (such as definitions) or as directed by the occupancy chapter.]

A.1.1 continued(6) Determine the occupancy subclassification or special use condition, if any, by referring to Chapters 18 and 19, health care occupancies; Chapters 22 and 23, detention and correctional occupancies; Chapters 28 and 29, hotels and dormitories; Chapters 32 and 33, residential board and care occupancies; and Chapters 36 and 37, mercantile occupancies, which contain subclassifications or special use definitions.(7) Proceed through the applicable occupancy chapter to verify compliance with each referenced section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, and referenced codes, standards, and other documents.(8) Where two or more requirements apply, refer to the occupancy chapter, which generally takes precedence over the base Chapters 1 through 4 and Chapters 6 through 11.(9) Where two or more occupancy chapters apply, such as in a mixed occupancy (see 6.1.14), apply the most restrictive requirements.

Do you have a full set of construction documents for the project?New building/large addition – Extensive list in FBC, SECTION 106 CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTSArchitecturalStructuralElectricalMechanicalPlumbingFire protection SiteFBC, 106.1 Submittal documents. Construction documents, a statement of special inspections and other data shall be submitted in one or more sets with each application for a permit. The construction documents shall be prepared by a registered design professional where required by Chapter 471, Florida Statutes or Chapter 481, Florida Statutes

Some facilities exempt from application of FBC but not FFPC and others exempt from FFPC but not FBC◦ IE: Farm buildings exempt from FBC but not FFPC as

applicable, one- and two-family dwellings exempt from FFPC but not FBCR, manufactured buildings exempt from parts of both Codes, etc., check Statutes on-line for prohibitions

Interior alteration/small addition

ArchitecturalStructural (As necessary)Electrical (As necessary)Mechanical (As necessary)Plumbing (As necessary)Fire alarm or protection (As necessary)

Are the correct Codes and Code Editions being utilized for the design documents?◦ F.A.C. 69A60, 69A-60.005◦ NFPA 1, Chapter 2, 2006 Ed.◦ NFPA 101, Chapter 2, 2006 Ed.

Determine Type of Construction for Building◦ Some types of construction do not allow use of

combustiblesNFPA 101 Handbook Construction Type Matrix

◦ Site visit may be necessary

COMMENTARY TABLE 12.1 Cross-Reference of Building Construction Types

NFPA 220

1(443) l(332) ll(222) ll(111) ll(000) lll(211) lll(200) IV(2HH) V(111) V(000)

BINBC

1 A 1 B 2A 2B 2C 3A 3B 4 5A B

IBC

- I A I B IIA IIB lllA lllB IV VA B

SBC

I II - IV1 hr IV UNP V 1hr V UNP Ill VI hr VI UNP

UBC

- I FR II FR II l h r II N III 1hr III N IV HT Vl hr V N

BINBC - BOCA/National Building CodeFR - Fire resistiveHT - Heavy timberIBC - International Building CodeN – Non-requirementSBC - Standard Building CodeUBC - Uniform Building CodeUNP - Unprotected

Base Concepts

Prescriptive - 4.4.2 Prescriptive-Based Option, NFPA 101

4.5 Fundamental Requirements.Multiple Safeguards. The design of every building or structure intended for solely on any single safeguard. An additional safeguard(s) shall be provided for life safety in case any single safeguard is ineffective due to inappropriate human actions or system failure.

4.5.2 Appropriateness of Safeguards. Every building or structure shall be provided with means of egress and other fire and life safety safeguards of the kinds, numbers, locations, and capacities appropriate to the individual building or structure, with due regard to the following:

(1) Character of the occupancy, including fire load(2) Capabilities of the occupants(3) Number of persons exposed(4) Fire protection available(5) Capabilities of response personnel(6) Height and type of construction of the building or structure(7) Other factors necessary to provide occupants with a reasonable degree of safety

Performance Based - 4.4.3 Performance-Based Option.

Design IAW Chapters 1 through 5, NFPA 101◦ SPFE Engineering Guide to Performance-Based Fire

Protection◦ Intent of Guide

Provides information to qualified engineers and AHJ to determine and document achievement of fire safety goals for a projectIdentified parameters that should be considered in performance-based design analysis or designProvides a means by which engineers can develop fire protection measures that provide levels of safety deemed acceptable to the stakeholders

1.15, NFPA 1 Technical Assistance.1.15.1 The AHJ shall be permitted to require a review by an independent third party with expertise in the matter to be reviewed at the submitter's expense.1.15.2 The independent reviewer shall provide an evaluation and recommend necessary changes of the proposed design, operation, process, or new technology to the AHJ.1.15.3 The AHJ shall be authorized to require design submittals to bear the stamp of a professional engineer.1.15.4 The AHJ shall make the final determination as to whether the provisions of this Code have been met.

Classification of Occupancy and Hazard of Contents

A. Determine Occupancy Classification◦ See Chapter 3 of FBC◦ See Chapter 6 of Life Safety Code

a. Changes of Occupancy – facility shall evaluated IAW Chapter 43, NFPA 101

B. New Construction - Check the detailed Occupancy Requirements◦ Chapter 4 of FBC◦ Applicable Chapters in the Life Safety Code

Modernization or renovations shall be evaluated IAW Chapter 43 of NFPA 101 and or FBC, Existing

43.1.2 Applicable Requirements.◦ 43.1.2.1 Any building undergoing repair, renovation,

modification, or reconstruction (see 43.2.2.1.1 through 43.2.2.1.4) shall comply with both of the following:

(1) Requirements of the applicable existing occupancy chapters (see Chapters 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 24, 26, 29, 31, 33, 37, 39, 40, and 42) (2) Requirements of the applicable section of this chapter (see Sections 43.3, 43.4, 43.5, and 43.6)

43.1.2.2 Any building undergoing change of use or change of occupancy classification (see 43.2.2.1.5 and 43.2.2.1.6) shall comply with the requirements of Section 43.7.

43.1.2.3 Any building undergoing addition (see 43.2.2.1.7) shall comply with the requirements of Section 43.8.

43.1.2.4 Historic buildings undergoing rehabilitation shall comply with the requirements of Section 43.10.

43.1.2.5 Nothing in this chapter shall be interpreted as excluding the use of the performance-based option of Chapter 5.

Existing features may remain if they do not violate Existing Code requirements or create a Life Safety violation. (1-4.6)

Egress Requirements Common ProblemsChallenges

Occupancy Chapter and Chapter 7 in the Life Safety Code◦ Common Problems◦ Remoteness of exits◦ Travel distances◦ Common path of travel◦ Dead ends◦ Egress width◦ Doors◦ Corridors◦ Doors into corridors

Protection of Means of Egress – new vs. existing

Security measures◦ Electronic locks

Single exit requirements

Elevator lobby egress

Egress Discharge

Stairs

633.0215 Florida Fire Prevention Code (11) The design of interior stairways within dwelling units, including stair tread width and riser height, landings, handrails, and guards, must be consistent with chapter 10 of the Florida Building Code. - townhomes, apartments, etc.New vs. Existing – look carefully◦ Remember only one handrail required for existing stairs is

acceptableSee FL special provisions in FFPC LSC for short run of steps on changes in elevation of less than 21 inches

Features of Fire Protection

Construction & Compartmentation◦ Must defer to Florida Building Code per 633.0215 Florida

Fire Prevention Code (2) The State Fire Marshal shall adopt the National Fire Protection Association's Standard 1, Fire Prevention Code but shall not adopt a building, mechanical, or plumbing code.

Fire BarriersSmoke PartitionsSmoke BarriersVertical OpeningsSpecial Hazard Protection

Unusual Features

A. Vertical Openings – protected, unprotected, allowedB. Atriums – not as common as they once wereC. MezzaninesD. High Wind Zones and protectionE. Green Building TechnologyF. Florida Accessibility CodeG. Special Structures and High-rise Buildings

1. See Chapter 11, NFPA 101

Interior Finish, Contents, and Furnishings

Chapter 10, NFPA 101, applies to new and existing occupancies◦ Remember Rhode Island?

Sound proofing◦ Decorations for Special Amusement Building◦ Its primarily the contents that ignite first, then the

building

Mechanical Systems

FBC Mechanical usually more stringent - does refer to NFPA Standards Air-Conditioning, Heating, Ventilating Ductwork, and Related Equipment.◦ NFPA 90A, Standard for the Installation of Air-

Conditioning and Ventilating Systems,◦ NFPA 90B, Standard for the Installation of Warm Air

Heating and Air-Conditioning Systems

Ventilating or Heat-Producing Equipment.◦ NFPA 91, Standard for Exhaust Systems for Air

Conveying of Vapors, Gases, Mists, and Noncombustible Particulate Solids◦ NFPA 211, Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces,

Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances◦ NFPA 54, National Fuel Gas Code

Commercial Cooking Equipment◦ NFPA 96, Standard for Ventilation Control and Fire

Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations

Elevators

61C-5, State Elevator Safety Code, F.A.C. ◦ Adopts ASME A17.1, Safety Code for Elevators and

Escalators

Fire Protection Features and Systems

Basis of Design Documents◦ Fire Alarm and Detection Systems

FBC, 105.3.1.2 4. Any specialized mechanical, electrical, or plumbing document for any new building or addition which includes a medical gas, oxygen, steam, vacuum, toxic air filtration, halon, or fire detection and alarm system which costs more than $5,000. Documents requiring an engineer seal by this part shall not be valid unless a professional engineer who possesses a valid certificate of registration has signed, dated, and stamped such document as provided in Section 471.025, Florida Statutes.Design documents laid out IAW 61G15-33.006 (2) a-i, 61G15-32.008, NFPA 72, and FBC Chapter 9

Fire Protection ◦ FBC, 105.3.1.2 2. Fire sprinkler documents for any new

building or addition which includes a fire sprinkler system which contains 50 or more sprinkler heads.

Design document laid out IAW 61G15-32, 61G15-32.004 (2) a-jA Contractor I, Contractor II or Contractor IV, certified under

Section 633.521, Florida Statutes, may design a fire sprinkler system of 49 or fewer heads and may design the alteration of an existing fire sprinkler system if the alteration consists of the relocation, addition or deletion of not more than 49 heads, notwithstanding the size of the existing fire sprinkler system.

NFPA Handbook, Chapter 1, Section 12:

◦ The primary concept of creating fire safety in structures today involves the philosophy that the building itself must be designed to be either self-protecting or self-controlling from fire and fire spread.

◦ A building should not be designed today that relies solely on the fire service to provide complete protection for the occupants of the building and property………….

Summary

FS 553 and FS 633 establish requirement for Fire Plans ReviewNFPA 1 Section 1.14 allows AHJ to require plans submittal and establish a system for review Annex A, A.1.1, NFPA 101 provides good guideline for determining the Code requirements for a building or structure: Remember to work with all stakeholders – we’re all in this together

Conclusion and Questions