The purpose and effect for Rule 61G15-32.001, F.A.C., is to clarify existing language and to add tasks for which an Engineer of Record is responsible; for Rule 61G15-32.002, F.A.C., it is to add a new requirement with regard to Fire Protection ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION
Board of Professional Engineers

RULE NO: RULE TITLE
61G15-32.001: General Responsibility
61G15-32.002: Definitions
61G15-32.003: Common Requirements to All Fire Protection Engineering Documents
61G15-32.008: Design of Fire Alarms, Signaling Systems and Control System
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose and effect for Rule 61G15-32.001, F.A.C., is to clarify existing language and to add tasks for which an Engineer of Record is responsible; for Rule 61G15-32.002, F.A.C., it is to add a new requirement with regard to Fire Protection Delegated Engineering Documents; for Rule 61G15-32.003, F.A.C., it is to add new requirements for Fire Protection Electrical Engineering Documents; for Rule 61G15-32.008, F.A.C., it is to replace old definitions of fire alarms, signaling, and control systems with new definitions and to establish new requirements for such fire alarms, signaling, and control systems.
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: General Responsibility; Definitions; Common Requirements to All Fire Protection Engineering Documents; Design of Fire Alarms, Signaling Systems and Control System.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 471.008, 471.033(2) FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 471.005(7), 471.033 FS.
IF REQUESTED IN WRITING AND NOT DEEMED UNNECESSARY BY THE AGENCY HEAD, A RULE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP WILL BE NOTICED IN THE NEXT AVAILABLE FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE WEEKLY.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT, IF AVAILABLE, IS: Carrie Flynn, Executive Director, Board of Professional Engineers, 2507 Callaway Road, Suite 200, Tallahassee, Florida 32301

THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS:

 

61G15-32.001 General Responsibility.

Fire protection engineering documents shall be prepared utilizing in accordance with applicable technologies technology and shall comply with the requirements of the authority having jurisdiction. The documents shall identify the Engineer of Record for the project. Both the Eengineer of Rrecord for the fire protection system and the delegated engineer, if utilized, shall comply with the requirements of the general responsibility rules, Chapter 61G15-30, F.A.C., and with the requirements of the more specific rules contained herein. The Engineer of Record for the Fire Protection System(s) shall provide design requirements in writing to the delegated engineer if one is used and shall review the design documents of the delegated engineer for conformance to his written instructions in accordance with Rule 61G15-30.005, F.A.C. Any Fire Protection Delegated Engineering Documents must be included in the final set of documents filed for permit.

Specific Authority 471.008, 471.033(2) FS. Law Implemented 471.033 FS. History–New 5-19-93, Formerly 21H-32.001, Amended________.

 

61G15-32.002 Definitions.

(1) through (9) No change.

(10) Fire Protection Delegated Engineering Documents. Fire Protection System Engineering Documents prepared by a delegated engineer to whom the Engineer of Record for the Fire Protection System has delegated responsibility for the design of a fire protection component or system and which are signed sealed and dated by the delegated engineer.

Specific 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,_________.

 

61G15-32.003 Common Requirements to All Fire Protection Engineering Documents.

(1) through (8) No change.

(9) Fire Protection Electrical Engineering Documents shall additionally meet the requirements of Rule 61G15-30.003, F.A.C., Engineering Documents.

Specific Authority 471.008, 471.033(2) FS. Law Implemented 471.005(7), 471.033(2) FS. History–New 5-19-93, Formerly 21H-32.003, Amended 4-2-00, 6-26-01,_________.

(Substantial rewording of Rule 61G15-32.008 follows. See Florida Administrative Code for present text.)

 

61G15-32.008 Design of Fire Alarms, Signaling Systems and Control System.

(1) Fire alarms, signaling and control system include but are not limited to fire protection supervision, emergency alarm circuits, activation of life safety system controls and remote signaling of emergency conditions.

(2) The design specifications shall be based on applicable codes, when applicable, or alternate engineering sources including published underwriter’s engineering documents, and sound engineering practices.

(3) For fire alarm plans on small systems below the threshold requirements for mandatory use of professional engineering services, the Engineer of Record shall specify the minimum system requirements.

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

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

(b) Locate initiation and notification devices and connections to related systems on the floor plans and sections when needed for clarity). Related systems include, but are not limited to sprinkler systems, elevator controls, smoke control systems, dampers, and doors.

(c) Strobe intensity and speaker output ratings for all notification devices.

(d) Identify the Class and Style of circuits as listed in the NFPA 72.

(e) Identify the functions required by the alarm and control systems including the transmission of emergency signals being monitored or annunciated.

(f) Indicate whether the fire alarm is conventional or addressable, and indicate all zoning.

(g) Locate surge protective devices and required protective features.

(h) Locate system devices that are subject to environmental factors, and indicate requirements for the protection of equipment from temperature, humidity or corrosive atmospheres, including coastal salt air.

(i) The 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) In buildings were smoke detection will be obstructed by walls, beams or ceiling features, the Engineer of Record shall provide applicable design and details to direct the installer to mitigate the obstructions. In buildings with smoke detection under a pitched roof, the plans shall indicate the roof pitch and a building section shall be provided as part of the Engineering Design Documents.

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

(l) Systems designed using Performance Based criteria shall be identified and referenced to design guides or standards acceptable to the Florida State Fire Marshal or the Florida Building Code.

(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.

(n) Wiring requirements for underground, wet locations, campus style wiring, protection against damage and burial depth shall be specified or indicated on the engineering design documents.

(o) Complete requirements for operations and maintenance procedures, manuals, system documentation, and instruction of Owner’s operating personnel, as needed to operate the systems as intended over time.

(5) In the event that the Engineer of Record elects to specify specific equipment and to show the required wiring, battery and voltage drop (circuit analysis) calculations shall be completed. The calculations shall be completed using the equipment manufacture’s data and applicable NFPA 72 procedures.

(6) System test requirements shall be noted on the Engineering Design Documents.

(7) When the engineer determines that special requirements are required by the owner, insurance underwriter or local fire code amendments these requirements shall be documented or referenced on the Engineering Design Documents.

Specific Authority 471.008, 471.033(2) FS. Law Implemented 471.033 FS. History–New 5-19-93, Formerly 21H-32.008,  Amended_________.