William Jolley, Case #103069-09-FM; The subject of the Petition is the code requirements for monitored fire alarm systems in new and existing structures. Fire suppression systems in existing structures are not required to be monitored under certain ...

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES
Division of State Fire Marshal

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the Department of Financial Services, Division of State Fire Marshal has issued an order disposing of the petition for declaratory statement filed by William Jolley, Case #103069-09-FM on March 06, 2009. The following is a summary of the agency's disposition of the petition:
The subject of the Petition is the code requirements for monitored fire alarm systems in new and existing structures. Fire suppression systems in existing structures are not required to be monitored under certain prescribed circumstances; however, fire suppression systems are required to be monitored in new structures. Monitoring requires the system to automatically notify the authority having jurisdiction when the suppression system is activated. The Petitioner wants to know whether a structure that was required to be monitored when new, is no longer required to be monitored once it is inspected as an existing structure. The answer is found in National Fire Protection Association standard 101-4.6.12.1, adopted by rule of the Department, which requires that once an existing life safety feature is installed, it cannot be removed or reduced where such feature is required for new construction.
A copy of the Order Disposing of the Petition for Declaratory Statement may be obtained by contacting: Lesley Mendelson, Assistant General Counsel, 200 East Gaines Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0340, or by e-mailing your request to [e-mail].