Lee County Fire Marshal’s Association

Knowledge and Integrity

ARTICLE NUMBER: AS 1999-01

 

SUBJECT: Location of Sprinklers in Shell Buildings

 

OBJECTIVE: To provide a reasonable approach to installing sprinkler heads in shell buildings that are not quite ready for tenant infill.

 

CODE REFERENCES: NFPA #13, Chapter 4

 

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 19, 1999

 

BACKGROUND: Sprinklers installed in noncombustible shell building spaces without ceilings are required to be within 12" of the roof. Many times, the tenant spaces are to be finished by the occupant, a short time later. This requires the heads be lowered after the shell is CC’d. Requests have been made to install the heads at the approximate level of the future ceilings to accommodate tenant infill work that is to be performed when the shell is complete.

 

POLICY/PROCEDURE: Sprinkler heads shall be permitted to be installed at the future ceiling level of noncombustible shell buildings when all of the following:

 

1. The space is to remain empty. No use or storage is permitted within the space.

 

2. A ceiling must be installed for a tenant to occupy the space.

 

3. A sprinkler inspection is required prior to occupancy to determine proper coverage.

 

4. No combustible construction is included as a part of the shell space.

 

* This is a non-binding interpretation or position. Check with the appropriate Authority Having Jurisdiction. *

 

ARTICLE NUMBER: AS 2002-01

 

SUBJECT: Sprinklers on Lanais

 

OBJECTIVE: Uniformity of Application

 

CODE REFERENCES: NFPA 13R, 2-6 Exception No. 3

 

EFFECTIVE DATE: Ongoing (Issued June 2002)

 

BACKGROUND: In Lee County, about 15 years ago, a decision was made to not require sprinklers on lanais that had hurricane protection installed. There were a number of reasons (not necessarily in order of importance).

 

1. Hurricane shutters were not required by the SBC.

 

2. The majority of installations were after original C.O. of a structure.

 

3. Lee County did not want to discourage the installation of hurricane shutters by requiring

    permits which would drive up the cost.

 

4. The majority of hurricane shutters would primarily be used in the event of a storm (we did

     realize that a number of them would be used for security purposes as well).

 

5. There were already thousands installed.

 

6. It was felt that when total glass, vinyl, or other permanent enclosure was provided (permits

    required) sprinkler coverage should then be provided. At that point Code issues including

    energy efficiency, egress, emergency escape, and electrical need to be addressed.

 

7. Hurricane shutters were not interpreted to create an “enclosed space”. It was recognized

    that a tension that would exist. Some people would use the roll down shutters more often

    than just storm conditions. It was not felt that use would outweigh the potential benefit of

    encouraging storm protection. What if there is a fire at the same time of a storm? Again,

    weighing the known probability of a storm (deploying shutters on a 48 hour notice of a real

    storm) to the unknown probability of a fire did not tip the scale enough to warrant sprinkler

    protection of the lanai. To take the issue to an extreme, hurricane shutters on the bedroom

    windows eliminate the emergency escape openings required by Code. There comes a point

    when we have to stand back and say we’ve done the best we could for all the potential risks

    in the constructed environment.

 

POLICY/PROCEDURE: Sprinkler protection will not be required on lanai’s that have only hurricane shutters installed.

 

* This is a non-binding interpretation or position. Check with the appropriate Authority Having Jurisdiction. *

 

ARTICLE NUMBER: FA 2002-01

 

SUBJECT: Supervisory Signals

 

OBJECTIVE: To provide direction and standardization in the use or “approval” of proprietary, remote, and central station facilities.

 

CODE REFERENCE: FBC 903.9, FFPC 101-9.7.2, Lee County Land Development Code 6-653

 

EFFECTIVE DATE: March 1, 2003

 

BACKGROUND: The question has been raised “How can Lee County and the various Fire Districts allow or “approve” the use of Remote Station supervisory facilities without inspecting and monitoring them to verify Code compliance?” The logical answer to the question is, “We can’t.” The 1999 edition of NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm Code, adopted by the Florida Fire Prevention Code provides specific criteria for Central Station Service, Proprietary Supervising Station Systems, and Remote Supervising Station Systems. Each has requirements for Facilities, Equipment, Personnel, Operations, Disposition of Signals, Record Keeping & Reporting, and Testing and Maintenance. Central Station service is the most reliable, requiring third party “listing” for the verification of the above components as well as installation of the fire alarm system. Proprietary Supervising Stations are owned and operated by the owner of the protected premises. They have similar requirements including runner service and notification of the AHJ for alarm, supervisory, and trouble signals, but lack the third party “listing” verification, with that function left up to the inspection by the AHJ. Remote supervising stations are those that are located anywhere in the country, and do not require runner service or notification to the AHJ of systems down conditions. All of the above components of the remote station necessary for proper operation and transmission of alarm and other signals are again the responsibility of the AHJ to verify and monitor for compliance with NFPA 72. Obviously, this cannot be accomplished when the remote station is not located in the community where that service is utilized.

 

POLICY/PROCEDURE: Only Remote and Proprietary supervising station services which are able to be directly inspected, monitored, and enforced by Lee County and the various local fire districts for compliance with the provisions of NFPA 72 will be permitted. Listed, Central Station Service will be acceptable in all cases where supervisory signals are required.

 

* This is a non-binding interpretation or position. Check with the appropriate Authority Having Jurisdiction. *

 

ARTICLE NUMBER: AS 2000-03

 

SUBJECT: Inspection of Underground Fire Line Flush

 

OBJECTIVE: Clarify Procedure

 

CODE REFERENCE: NFPA 24 (1992)

 

EFFECTIVE DATE: June 20, 2000

 

BACKGROUND: Clarification request made during the January 2000 Lee County Fire Marshal’s Codes & Standards Meeting.

 

POLICY/PROCEDURE:

 

1. Underground mains and lead-in connections to system risers shall be flushed thoroughly

    before connection is made to the fire sprinkler system, standpipe or other fire protection 

    system piping. The flush shall be conducted after final connections have been made to the

    back flow prevention device and at the point of service.

 

2. Prior to the required full bore flush, the lead in connection to the back flow may be flushed

    per the manufacturers installation instructions, and as required by the local water utility.

 

3. The inspection of the flush will be witnessed from the designated point of service to the base

    of the riser, at a flow not less than the demand rate of the system until thorough cleaning is

    attained.

 

4. When the flush is complete all open butts will be capped.

 

5. Should the underground fire line be disassembled for any reason, a complete full bore flush

    is required prior to connection to the system riser.

 

6. A copy of the inspection results (Pass/Fail) will be given to the contractor upon completion of

    the inspection.

 

* This is a non-binding interpretation or position. Check with the appropriate Authority Having Jurisdiction. *

 

ARTICLE NUMBER: FA 1999-03

 

SUBJECT: Use of Listed Fire Alarm Devices

 

OBJECTIVE: Clarify listed devices

 

CODE REFERENCE: NFPA 72, State Fire Marshal Rules 4A-48

 

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 20, 1999

 

BACKGROUND: Question: Can a weatherproof device that is listed to be used with a specific weatherproof surface box be used without utilizing this listed back box when installed in wet or damp locations (i.e. substituting surface mount weatherproof back box with a sticky back foam gasket and flush mounting the device)?

 

POLICY/PROCEDURE: NFPA 72 (1-5.1.2) requires that all equipment constructed and installed in conformity with this code shall be listed for the purpose for which it is used.

 

Response to the specific question is:

No, since Devices, which derive their listing by combining with another device, must be installed together, as tested, to achieve their listing.

 

* This is a non-binding interpretation or position. Check with the appropriate Authority Having Jurisdiction. *

 

ARTICLE NUMBER: WS 2005- 01

 

SUBJECT: Water Supply During Construction

 

OBJECTIVE: Standardize application

 

CODE REFERENCES: NFPA 1; 16.4.3.1.1 and 16.4.3.1.3, NFPA 241; 8.7.2.1 and 8.7.2.5

 

EFFECTIVE DATE: April 14, 2006

 

BACKGROUND: NFPA 1; 16.4.3.1.3, requires “… underground water mains and hydrants … shall be installed, completed and in service prior to construction work.”  Exception: Completion of the water mains and hydrants may be on an alternate schedule approved by the fire official.

 

Due to the rapid growth development in the County, many developments are started with approved Development Orders, but the infrastructure is often incomplete at the start of construction.  Since the water supply is an integral part of the Development Order and the Building Permit, a water supply for firefighting is of equal importance.  Many projects are built in phases and the Exception to NFPA 1; 16.4.3.1.3 does allow the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) to approve an alternate schedule, such as installing water mains in phases as the project continues.  This exception does NOT address alternatives means of water supply.  Many projects are allowed to start construction, especially if they are masonry, without the water supply, but the water supply does not get installed until just prior to when the Certificate of Completion is required.  NFPA 1; 16.4.3.1.1 further requires a water supply when combustibles accumulate.  This period in construction is usually when the wood trusses and other interior building materials are brought to the site.  This creates a potential fire problem and there is no water for fire fighting activities.

POLICY/PROCEDURE: The provision to have a water supply on-site for firefighting purposes prior to the start of construction and prior to the accumulation of combustibles shall be:

 

1) If the development is to be completed in phases, the water mains and fire hydrants

    shall be installed for the phase under construction.

 

2) The water mains and fire hydrants shall be installed, tested, and operational prior to the start

    of construction and of a size to meet the minimum water supply requirements of the Lee

    County Land Development Code. If the project is to have all masonry walls, the water supply

    shall be operational prior to the introduction of combustibles to the site.

 

3) Forms boards used for masonry construction do NOT constitute accumulative combustible.

 

* This is a non-binding interpretation or position. Check with the appropriate Authority Having Jurisdiction. *

 

Policy And Procedure Manual