The Board proposed the rule amendment to update and clarify the rule language regarding the design of various fire systems.

 

DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION

Board of Professional Engineers

RULE NOS.:RULE TITLES:

61G15-32.004Design of Water Based Fire Protection Systems

61G15-32.005Design of Gas Agent Fire Suppression Systems

61G15-32.006Design of Foam and Foam Water Fire Suppression Systems

61G15-32.007Design of Dry Chemical and Miscellaneous Fire Suppression or Control Systems

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

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Board proposed the rule amendment to update and clarify the rule language regarding the design of various fire systems.

SUMMARY: The proposed rule amendment clarifies and updates the rule language regarding the design of various fire 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 concluded that this rule change will not have any impact on licensees and their businesses or the businesses that employ them. The rule will not increase any fees, business costs, personnel costs, will not decrease profit opportunities, and will not require any specialized knowledge to comply. This change will not increase any direct or indirect regulatory costs. Hence, the Board 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: 471.033 FS.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Zana Raybon, Executive Director, Board of Professional Engineers, 2400 Mahan Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32308; [phone] or by electronic mail [e-mail].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

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

(1) through (6) No Change.

(7) This rule shall be reviewed, and if necessary, repealed, modified, or renewed through the rulemaking process five years from the effective dateNo later than 90 days prior to December 31, 2026, the Board shall review and amend, modify, or sunset this rule if it determines this rule creates barriers to entry for private business competition, is duplicative, outdated, obsolete, overly burdensome, or imposes excessive costs. Failure by the Board to act in accordance with this provision will result in the expiration of this rule on December 31, 2026.

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,                         .

 

61G15-32.005 Design of Gas Agent Fire Suppression Systems.

(1) Gas Agent Fire Suppression Systems include, but are not limited to, CO2, Halon, inerting and purge gases, and all other gaseous formulations and multi-phase agents released for the purpose of fire control or extinguishment.

(2) The Fire Protection System(s) design specifications shall be based on applicable NFPA standards when available, or alternative engineering sources and good engineering practice when required.

Rulemaking Authority 471.008, 471.033(2) FS. Law Implemented 471.033 FS. History–New 5-19-93, Formerly 21H-32.005,                      .

 

61G15-32.006 Design of Foam and Foam Water Fire Suppression Systems.

(1) No Change.

(2) The Fire Protection System design specifications shall be based on applicable NFPA standards, when available, or alternative engineering sources and good engineering practice when required.

Rulemaking Authority 471.008, 471.033(2) FS. Law Implemented 471.033 FS. History–New 5-19-93, Formerly 21H-32.006,         .

 

61G15-32.007 Design of Dry Chemical and Miscellaneous Fire Suppression or Control Systems.

(1) No Change.

(2) The Fire Protection System design specifications shall be based on applicable NFPA standards, when available, or alternative engineering sources and good engineering practice when required.

Rulemaking Authority 471.008, 471.033(2) FS. Law Implemented 471.033 FS. History–New 5-19-93, Formerly 21H-32.007,                   .

 

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

(1) through (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) through (e) No Change.

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

(g) through (n) No Change.

(o) 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) through (7) No Change.

(8) This rule shall be reviewed, and if necessary, repealed, modified, or renewed through the rulemaking process five years from the effective dateNo later than 90 days prior to December 31, 2026, the Board shall review and amend, modify, or sunset this rule if it determines this rule creates barriers to entry for private business competition, is duplicative, outdated, obsolete, overly burdensome, or imposes excessive costs.  Failure by the Board to act in accordance with this provision will result in the expiration of this rule on December 31, 2026.

Rulemaking 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, 3-28-17, 7-25-19, 3-23-22,                       .

 

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, 2022

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: January 20, 2023