The purpose of the amendments is to update the Board’s rules regarding professional responsibilities of Engineers designing Fire Protection Systems.

 

DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION

Board of Professional Engineers

RULE NOS.:RULE TITLES:

61G15-32.002Definitions

61G15-32.008Design of Fire Alarms and Detection Systems

61G15-32.009Design of Fine Water Spray (Mist) Fire Suppression and Control Systems

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the amendments is to update the Board’s rules regarding professional responsibilities of Engineers designing Fire Protection Systems.

SUMMARY: Proposed responsibilities of Engineers regarding designing Fire Protection Systems.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: During discussion of the economic impact of this rule at its Board meeting, the Board, based upon the expertise and experience of its members, determined that a Statement of Estimated Regulatory Costs (SERC) was not necessary and that the rule will not require ratification by the Legislature. No person or interested party submitted additional information regarding the economic impact at that time.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 471.008. 471.033(2) FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 471.015(7), 471.033, 471.033(2) FS.

IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN THE FAR.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Zana Raybon, Executive Director, Board of Professional Engineers, 2639 North Monroe Street, Suite B-112, Tallahassee, FL 32303; [phone].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

61G15-32.002 Definitions.

(1)  through (6) No change.

(7) Codes and Standards: Those nationally recognized codes and standards adopted directly or by reference in Chapter 633, F.S., Fire Prevention and Control; the Florida Building Code; (2007) and the Florida Fire Prevention Code. set forth in Chapter 69A-60, F.A.C. The Florida Building Code and The Florida Fire Prevention Code are incorporated in reference in Rule 61G15-18.011, F.A.C. Applicable codes and standards also include those promulgated by State and local authorities having jurisdiction. In the event the codes and standards fail to cover or address a specific protection requirement, alternative research, test results, and engineering data may be utilized, relying on the Engineer of Record for Fire Protection to make an informed engineering decision. This definition is not intended to preclude the use of new technologies when said technology has been demonstrated to provide equivalent or improved protection above that of published National Fire Protection standards.

(8) through (10) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 471.008, 471.033(2) FS. Law Implemented 471.005(7), 471.033(2) FS. History–New 5-19-93, Formerly 21H-32.002, Amended 4-2-00, 6-26-01, 3-26-09, 10-11-10,                      .

 

61G15-32.008 Design of Fire Alarms and Detection Systems.

(1) No change.

(2) The design specifications shall be based on the Florida Building Code (2007), 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) No change.

(4) To ensure minimum design quality of Fire Alarm and Detection Systems Engineering Documents, said documents shall include as a minimum the following information when applicable:

(a) The documents plans shall be clear, with a symbols legend, system riser diagram showing all initiation and notification components, and cabling requirements. The documents shall iIndicate locations where fire ratings are required as determined by the system’s survivability requirements,. and shall identify the general occupancy of the protected property, and for each room and area unless it is clear from features shown.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) Identify the Class and Style of circuits as listed in the NFPA 72, which is contained within and incorporated into the Florida Fire Prevention Code.

(e) through (h) No change.

(i) The documents plans shall include a site plan of the immediate area around the protected building, structure or equipment when alarm devices are required outside the structure.

(j) No change.

(k) For fFire detection systems utilizing smoke detection in situations where smoke stratification is anticipated, the design shall provide the necessary criteria to mitigate the detection problems.

(l) Systems designed using Performance Based criteria shall be identified and referenced to design guides or standards approved by the local authority having jurisdiction consistent with standards adopted by the Florida Fire Prevention Code and the Florida Building Code (2007).

(m) The system design must indicate if the system is to provide a general evacuation signal or a zoned evacuation for all high-rise buildings or multi-tenanted properties as defined in section 2 of the Florida Building Code, Building (2007).

(n) through (o)  No change.

(5) through (7) No change.

Rulemaking Specific Authority 471.008, 471.033(2) FS. Law Implemented 471.033 FS. History–New 5-19-93, Formerly 21H-32.008, Amended 3-26-09,                    .

 

61G15-32.009 Design of Fine Water Spray (Mist) Fire Suppression and Control Systems.

(1) Fine water spray (mist) systems include water based fire suppression and control systems based on National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 750, which is contained within and incorporated into the Florida Fire Prevention Code.

(2) through (3) No change.

Rulemaking Specific Authority 471.008, 471.033(2) FS. Law Implemented 471.005(6), 471.033(2) FS. History–New 4-2-00,     .

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Board of Professional Engineers

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Board of Professional Engineers

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: December 8, 2016

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: January 13, 2017