61G15-32.004. Design of Water Based Fire Protection Systems

(1) Water Based Fire Protection Systems include automatic sprinkler systems of wet, dry, fine water spray (mist), manual, and deluge valve controlled types, pumping systems, standpipes, fire water mains and dedicated fire protection water sources. Items to be considered in the design or analysis of water based fire protection systems are, as applicable to the particular project: water supply system, occupancy and classification, control, installation requirements, interoperability and performance requirements.

(2) The design specifications shall be based on the Florida Building Code, the Florida Fire Prevention Code, or as required by the local authority having jurisdiction. The Florida Building Code and the Florida Fire Prevention Code are incorporated by reference in Rule 61G15-18.011, F.A.C.

(3) For Engineering Documents pertaining to Fire Protection Systems exempted by the threshold requirements for mandatory use of professional engineering services, the Engineer of Record shall determine the level of detail shown on plans for a Fire Protection system. All such plans shall include a disclaimer stating the Fire Protection system is exempt from professional engineering services and shall provide a clear understanding of the minimum system requirements expected to be installed by the contractor and permitted by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). In the event the Engineer of Record provides more information and direction than is minimally required, he or she shall be held responsible for the technical accuracy of the work in accordance with applicable codes, standards, and sound engineering principles.

(4) To ensure minimum design quality in Fire Protection System Engineering Documents, said documents shall include as a minimum the following information when applicable:

(a) The Point of Service for the fire protection water supply as defined by Section 633.102(24), F.S.

(b) Applicable NFPA standard to be applied, or in the case where no such standard exists, the engineering study, judgments, and/or performance based analysis and conclusions.

(c) Classification of hazard occupancy for each room or area.

(d) Design approach, which includes system type, densities, device temperature rating, and spacing for each separate hazard occupancy.

(e) Characteristics of water supply to be used, such as main size and location, whether it is dead-end or circulating; and if dead-end, the distance to the nearest circulating main, as well as its minimum duration and reliability for the most hydraulically demanding design area.

(f) When private or public water supplies are used, the flow test data, including date and time of test, who conducted test or supplied information, test elevation, static gauge pressure at no flow, flow rate with residual gauge pressure, hydrant butt coefficient, and location of test in relation to the hydraulic point of service.

(g) Valving and alarm requirements to minimize potential for impairments and unrecognized flow of water.

(h) Microbial Induced Corrosion (MIC). The Engineer of Record shall make reasonable efforts to identify water supplies that could lead to Microbial Induced Corrosion (MIC). Such efforts may consist of discussions with the local water purveyor and/or fire official, familiarity with conditions in the local area, or laboratory testing of water supplies. When conditions are found that may result in MIC contamination of the fire protection piping, the engineer shall design corrective measures.

(i) Backflow prevention and metering specifications and details to meet local water purveyor requirements including maximum allowable pressure drop.

(j) Quality and performance specifications of all yard and interior fire protection components.

(k) For high hazard occupancy classifications, storage occupancies, and factory occupancies, as defined in Sections 307, 311, and 306, respectively, of the Florida Building Code, Building, and high-rise buildings, as defined in section 202 of the Florida Building Code, Building, a determination of whether a fire pump is required and if so, the specific volumetric flow and pressure rating of the pump. The Florida Building Code is incorporated by reference in subsection 61G15-18.011(6), F.A.C.

(l) A verification of whether a firewater storage tank is required on site and if so, a determination of the size and capacity required.

(m) Owner’s Certificate. In storage occupancies, the Owner’s Information Certificate is required from the property owner as it clearly defines the storage configuration of the space for the current and future use of the property, as required by the codes and standards set forth in subsection 61G15-32.002(7), F.A.C.

(5) Contractor submittals which deviate from the above minimum design parameters shall be considered material deviations and require supplemental engineering approval and documentation.

(6) In the event the Engineer of Record provides more information and direction than is established above, he or she shall be held responsible for the technical accuracy of the work in accordance with applicable codes, standards, and sound engineering principles.

(7) This rule shall be reviewed, and if necessary, repealed, modified, or renewed through the rulemaking process five years from the effective date.

Rulemaking Authority 471.008, 471.033(2) FS. Law Implemented 471.033(2) FS. History–New 5-19-93, Formerly 21H-32.004, Amended 4-2-00, 6-26-01, 6-15-15, 8-24-16, 7-25-19, 3-23-22, 6-29-23.