Page Title

Lee County Fire Marshal’s Association

Knowledge and Integrity

ARTICLE NUMBER: AR 2005-01

SUBJECT: Access Roads to Construction Sites

OBJECTIVE: Standardize the installation and maintenance of access roads

EFFECTIVE DATE: April 14, 2006

CODE REFERENCES: Lee County Land Development Code, Sections 10-291 and 10-296, Table 4; NFPA 1; Sections 16.1.4 and 18.2

BACKGROUND: Due to the rapid growth within Lee County, many new developments and commercial sites are being constructed. The construction sites consist of multiple structures contain combustible materials. Also there are the required laborers to complete the projects.

NFPA 1; 16.1.4 requires that fire department access roads be provided at the start of the project and through completion of the project. Many of the developments do not provide a good stabilized and crowned roadway for access of fire and EMS apparatus to all areas of the construction site. Emergency vehicles are not able to traverse the roadways provided or the roadways are poorly maintained.

POLICY/PROCEDURE: All access roads to construction sites as required by the Lee County Land Development Code (LDC), Section 10-291, shall meet the construction requirements of the Lee County LDC, Section 10-296, Table 4(5)(b)2. This section requires access roads to have a six (6) inch minimum stabilized sub-grade LBR40. The access roads shall be crowned and open ditched to provide adequate draining of water as required by NFPA 1; 18.2.2.5.2. The access roads shall access every facility and the access roads shall be no closer than ten (10) feet and no further than thirty (30) feet from any structure. The width of the access road shall no less than twenty (20) feet. Turning radius of the access roads shall be as approved by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). Access roads with dead ends in excess of one hundred fifty (150) feet shall be provided with provisions for the turning around of fire and EMS apparatus. Any bridges installed in the access road shall be designed for a live load sufficient to carry the imposed loads of fire and EMS apparatus with a minimum thirty seven (37) ton capacity. When required by the AHJ, access roads shall have approved signs and shall prohibit the obstruction of the access road.

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

ARTICLE NUMBER: IF 1999-01

SUBJECT: Carpet as Baseboard

OBJECTIVE: To allow carpet as a baseboard for a maximum height of 4 inches.

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 19, 1999

CODE REFERENCES: NFPA 101:6-5.2.3 , SBC 803.1.2

BACKGROUND:

It is a common practice to use carpet as the baseboard. This is specifically permitted in the Building Code. The test described in NFPA 101 for textile materials on walls (NFPA 265) places a gas burner 12 inches above the floor for the test. During the test based on this configuration their would be no flame exposure to the carpet.

POLICY/PROCEDURE:

Carpet which continues up a wall for no more than 4 inches as a baseboard is permitted, if the carpet is the same as the carpet permitted for floor covering in the occupancy.

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

ARTICLE NUMBER: FA 2005- 02

SUBJECT: Supervisory Signals

OBJECTIVE: To provide direction and standardization in the use or “approval” of the supervision of automatic fire sprinkler systems.

EFFECTIVE DATE: April 14, 2006

CODE REFERENCE: FBC 903.4, FFPC NFPA 101-9.7.2, Lee County LDC 6-653

BACKGROUND: The above reference Codes require “approved” remotely located facilities to receive alarm and supervisory signals. Most of these facilities are located outside the geographic boundaries of Lee County, making it impossible to evaluate these services in order to verify Code compliance. The 2002 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 the 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 of compliance, 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 geographic area 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 within Lee County for compliance with the provisions of NFPA 72 will be permitted. Listed Central Station Service meeting the contract requirements of NFPA 72, Section 8.2.3 will be acceptable in all cases where alarm and supervisory signals are required to be received by an approved, remotely located supervising station.

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

ARTICLE NUMBER: FA 2000-02

SUBJECT: Damp or wet location

OBJECTIVE: To clarify what is an “outdoor area” a damp or wet location by code.

CODE REFERENCES: NFPA 70: Article 1, & NFPA 72:1-5.5 (c) (96 edition)

EFFECTIVE DATE: February 15, 2000

BACKGROUND:

Questions are still being asked concerning damp and wet locations.

Is a device installed in a parking garage a damp or wet location? Is a device on a

screened porch or covered walkway considered a damp or wet location?

POLICY/PROCEDURE:

1. The following definitions from the National Electric Code are used to

determine if a location is Damp, Dry or Wet.

NFPA 70 The National Electric Code, Article 100 Definitions

Damp Location: Partially protected locations under canopies, marquees,

roofed open porches, and like locations, and interior

locations subject to moderate degrees of moisture, such

as some basements, some barns, and some cold-storage

warehouses.

Dry Location: A location not normally subject to dampness or wetness. A

location classified as dry may be temporarily subject to

dampness or wetness, as in the case of a building under

construction.

Wet Location: Installations underground or in concrete slabs or masonry

in direct contact with the earth, and locations subject to

saturation with water or other liquids, such as vehicle

washing areas, and locations exposed to weather and

unprotected.

2. Another issue is that the equipment must be listed to perform under humidity

exposure

NFPA 72 (1-5.5 c) 1996 edition. The equipment must perform under the following

conditions, which is less than our South Florida climate conditions.

“(c) At a relative humidity of 85 percent and an ambient temperature of 86ºF. ”

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

ARTICLE NUMBER: FA 1999-02

SUBJECT: Fire alarm devices located in damp or wet areas or areas subject

to high humidity.

OBJECTIVE: Clarify requirements for devices located in damp, wet or areas subject to high humidity.

CODE REFERENCE: NFPA 72, 1993 Edition; NFPA 70, 1993 Edition; State Fire

Marshal Rules 4A-48

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 20, 1999

BACKGROUND: Question: Is it acceptable to install indoor type fire alarm devices in covered outdoor spaces or other areas exposed to the normal Florida humidity or in areas that may be pressure washed (i.e. parking garages, apartment covered walkways, screen porches)?

POLICY/PROCEDURE: NFPA 70 (110-11) requires that NO conductor or equipment shall be located in damp or wet locations or where exposed to

gases, fumes vapors, liquids or other agents having a deteriorating effect on the conductors or equipment UNLESS said conductor or equipment is IDENTIFIED for use in the operating environment.

Response to the specific question is;

NO. THE PROCEDURE IS TO COMPLY WITH THE NATIONAL ELECTRIC

CODE.THIS MEANS THAT NO CONDUCTOR OR DEVICE SHALL BE

INSTALLED IN A DAMP OR WET LOCATION AS DEFINED BY NEC ARTICLE 100(A) UNLESS LISTED FOR USE IN THESE AREAS.