The purpose of the amendment is to add new language to update and clarify the rules.

 

DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION

Board of Professional Engineers

RULE NOS.:RULE TITLES:

61G15-32.002Definitions

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

61G15-32.004Design of Water Based Fire Protection Systems

61G15-32.008Design of Fire Alarms and Detection Systems

61G15-32.010Design of Smoke Control Systems

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the amendment is to add new language to update and clarify the rules.

SUMMARY: Update rule texts.

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 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; and the Florida Fire Prevention Code. The Florida Building Code and the Florida Fire Prevention Code are incorporated by 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 the Fire Protection System 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) Material Deviation: Any deviation or variance from the design parameters established and documented by the Engineer of Record that significantly alters the ultimate performance requirements of the system.

(9) 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, 3-28-17,             .

 

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

(1)  through (3) No change.

(4) The applicable code(s) and standard(s) to be used in the preparation of the Fire Protection System Layout Documents shall be shown on the Fire Protection System Engineering Documents. When codes and standards are not available or applicable, and said layout documents are to be based on engineering judgment, any reasons and assumptions made to develop the fire protection concept shall be identified on the Fire Protection System Engineering Documents.

(5) No change. 

(6) When Fire Protection Llayout Ddocuments contain material deviation from the Engineer of Record’s Fire Protection System Engineering Documents, such Llayout Ddocuments are not compliant unless they are accompanied by revised Engineering Documents prepared, signed, dated made and sealed by the Engineer of Record for the Fire Protection System.

(7)  through (8) No change.  

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

Rulemaking Authority 471.008, 471.033(2) FS. Law Implemented 471.005(7), 471.033(2) FS. History–New 5-19-93, Formerly 21H-32.003, Amended 4-2-00, 6-26-01, 3-26-09,              .

 

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

(1) Water Based Fire Protection Systems include, but are not limited to, automatic sprinkler systems of wet, dry, fine water spray (mist), manual, and deluge valve controlled types, pumping systems, standpipes, fire water mains, and dedicated fire protection water sources. Items to be considered in the design or analysis of water based fire protection systems are, as applicable to the particular project:  water supply system, occupancy and classification, control, installation requirements, interoperability and performance requirements.

(2) The design specifications shall be based on the Florida Building Code, 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) For systems below the threshold requirements for mandatory use of professional engineering services, the Engineer of Record may specify the minimum system requirements only.

(2) through (4) renumbered (4) through (6) No change.  

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,                      .

 

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

(1) Fire alarms and detection systems include fire protection supervision, emergency alarm circuits, activation of life safety system controls and remote signaling of emergency conditions.  Items to be considered in the design or analysis of fire alarm and detection systems are, as applicable to the particular project:  occupancy and classification, monitoring, control and communication, cabling and supervision requirements, installation requirements, interoperability and performance requirements.

(2) No change.

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

(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) No change.  

(b) Locate initiation and notification devices and connections to related systems on the floor plans and sections when needed for clarity. Related systems include elevator controls, smoke control systems, dampers, and doors release, any other systems or elements directly or indirectly controlled or monitored.

(c) through (g) No change. 

(h) Identify and lLocate 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) No change.

(j) In buildings where 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) through (o) No change. 

(5) through (6) No change.

(7) When the Eengineer of Record 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.

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,              .

 

61G15-32.010 Design of Smoke Control Systems.

(1) Smoke control systems include, but are not limited to, smoke exhaust systems and pressurization systems for the purpose of providing a tenable environment to allow occupants to exit the building

(2) The Fire Protection System(s) shall be based on the Florida Building Code, the Florida Fire Prevention Code, applicable NFPA standards, when available, or on alternative engineering sources and good engineering practice when required. 

Rulemaking Authority 471.008, 471.033(2) FS. Law Implemented 471.033(2) FS. New________.

 

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: April 10, 2019

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: May 9, 2019