To comply with Section 633.027, Florida Statutes (2008), that requires the owner of any commercial, industrial or multiunit residential structure of three units or more constructed of light-frame trusses, to install a symbol adopted by rule of the ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES
Division of State Fire Marshal

RULE NO: RULE TITLE
69A-3.012: Standards of the National Fire Protection Association and Other Standards Adopted
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: To comply with Section 633.027, Florida Statutes (2008), that requires the owner of any commercial, industrial or multiunit residential structure of three units or more constructed of light-frame trusses, to install a symbol adopted by rule of the State Fire Marshal on a location near the main entry of the structure.
SUMMARY: The proposed rule establishes the dimensions, color, and location of a symbol to be applied to every commercial, industrial and multiunit residential structure of three units or more constructed of light-frame trusses.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: No Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost was prepared.
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.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 633.01(1), 633.022, 633.0215 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 633.01, 633.022, 633.0215 FS.
IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW(IF NOT REQUESTED, THIS HEARING WILL NOT BE HELD):
DATE AND TIME: Tuesday, March 17, 2009, 10:00 a.m.
PLACE: Auditorium, Florida State Fire College, 11655 N. W. Gainesville Rd., Ocala, Florida 34482
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Jim Goodloe, Chief, Bureau of Fire Prevention, Department of Financial Services, 200 East Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0329, phone [phone]
Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this program, please advise the Department at least 5 calendar days before the program by contacting Belinda Chukes at [phone].

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

69A-3.012 Standards of the National Fire Protection Association and Other Standards Adopted.

(1) through (5) No change.

(6) Notice required for buildings with light-frame truss-type construction. Purpose: The purpose of this rule is to require the placement of an identifying symbol on buildings constructed with a light weight truss component in a manner sufficient to warn persons conducting fire control and other emergency operations of the existence of light-frame truss-type construction in the structure.

(a) Definitions:

1. “Light-frame truss-type construction” means a type of construction whose primary structural elements are formed by a system of repetitive wood or light gauge steel framing members.

2. “Approved Symbol” means a Maltese Cross measuring 6 inches horizontally and 6 inches vertically and is of a bright red reflective color and is designed in accordance with Figure 1.

3. Townhouse means a single-family dwelling unit constructed in a group of three or more attached units with property lines separating each unit in which each unit extends from foundation to roof and with open space on at least two sides.

(b) Any commercial, industrial, or multiunit residential structure of three units or more, (excluding townhouses) that uses horizontal or vertical light-frame truss-type construction in any portion thereof, shall be marked with a sign displaying an approved symbol designed in accordance with Figure 1. Each approved symbol shall include within the center circle one of the following designations:

1. Structures with light-weight truss roofs shall be marked with the letter “R”.

2. Structures with light-weight truss floor systems shall be marked with the letter “F”.

3. Structures with light-weight truss floor and roof systems shall be marked with the letters “R/F.”

(c) The approved symbol shall be marked within 24 inches to the left of the main entry door and:

1. May be permanently attached to the face of the building on a contrasting background, or

2. May be mounted on a contrasting base material which is then permanently mounted on the face of the building.

(d) The distance above the grade, walking surface or the finished floor, to the bottom of the symbol shall be not less than 4 feet (48 in).

(e) The distance above the grade, walking surface or the finished floor, to the top of the symbol shall be not more than 6 feet (72 in).

(7) In single tenant structures with multiple main entry doors, such as big box retail stores, department stores and grocery stores, the authority having jurisdiction may require that other main entry doors of the structure be marked with an approved symbol.

(8) In Multiple tenant structures and covered mall buildings with multiple main entry doors, the authority having jurisdiction may require that other main entry doors be marked with an approved symbol. In such structures, approved symbols shall be marked on one side and spaced not closer than 100 feet or at each end of the structure when such structure is less than 100 feet in length.

(9) The owner of each new structure required to comply with this section shall mark the structure with the approved symbol prior to receiving a certificate of occupancy.

(10) The owner of each existing structure required to comply with this section shall mark the structure with the approved symbol within 90 days of the effective date of this rule amendment.

(11) Where there is disagreement between the owner of the structure and the authority having jurisdiction as to the presence of light-weight floor or roof systems within the building, the owner shall be granted not more than 45 days to provide written verification of his position from a licensed engineer or licensed architect. Failure to provide the written verification within the allotted time shall require such owner to comply with the rule as though light-weight floor or roof systems are present within the building.

 

Figure 1:

Light-Weight “Roof” only

 

Light-Weight “Floor” only

 

Light-Weight “Floor & Roof”

Specific Authority 633.01(1), 633.022, 633.0215 FS. Law Implemented 633.01, 633.022, 633.0215 FS. History–New 5-14-86, Amended 2-12-87, 4-8-90, 10-30-91, 4-3-95, 11-27-01, Formerly 4A-3.012, Amended 8-7-05, 5-18-08,_________.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Jim Goodloe, Chief, Bureau of Fire Prevention, Division of State Fire Marshal, Department of Financial Services

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: The Honorable Alex Sink, Chief Financial Officer, State of Florida, and Agency Head, Department of Financial Services

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: September 15, 2008

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: September 26, 2008