61G15-32
EFFECTIVE DATE: 12/29/2019
61G15-32.002 Definitions
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the amendment is to delete unnecessary language and add new language to update and clarify the rules.
SUMMARY: Update required certifications.
61G15-32.002 Definitions.
(1) Engineer of Record for the Fire Protection System(s): The Florida licensed Registered Professional Engineer who develops the Fire Protection System(s) design criteria; performs analysis as required: and is responsible for the preparation of the Fire Protection System Engineering Documents. Except to the limited extent provided in subsection 61G15-32.002(10), F.A.C., the Engineer of Record for the Fire Protection system(s) is responsible for providing sealed, signed and dated Fire Protection System Engineering Documents that are in full conformity with the applicable design standards set forth in rule chapter 61G15-32, F.A.C.
(2) through (5) No change.
(6) Fire Protection System Layout Documents: Layout drawings, supporting hydraulic calculations, catalog information on standard products, and other construction data prepared by either a the licensed contractor or a licensed Engineer of Record that provides detail on the location of risers, service cross mains, distribution branch lines, devices, equipment, sprinkler heads, sizing of pipe and/or curcuits, hanger locations, and supporting hydraulic calculations and also serves as a guide for fabrication and installation of a fire protection system. Fire Protection System Layout Documents are based upon engineering direction provided in the Fire Protection System Engineering Documents and require no additional engineering input.
(a) If prepared by a licensed contractor, tThese documents do not require the seal of a Florida licensed registered engineer.
(b) If prepared by a licensed engineer, these documents are Engineering Documents and therefore meet the definition of Engineering Documents in Rule 61G15-30.002(4) and accordingly, require sealing by a Florida licensed engineer in accordance with Rule 61G15-23.001, F.A.C., Signature, Date and Seal Shall Be Affixed.
(c) If prepared by a licensed engineer other than the engineer who prepared, signed, dated, and sealed the Fire Protection System Engineering documents, that engineer shall additionally meet the requirements of Rule 61G15-27.001, F.A.C., Procedures for a Successor Professional Engineer Adopting as His Own the Work of Another Engineer.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 7/25/2019
61G15-32.002 Definitions
61G15-32.003 Common Requirements to All Fire Protection Engineering Documents
61G15-32.010 Design 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.
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.
(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.
(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.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 3/23/2022
61G15-32.004 Design of Water Based Fire Protection Systems
61G15-32.008 Design of Fire Alarms and Detection Systems
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the amendment is to update rules regarding responsibility.
SUMMARY: Update rule text to match other rules in Chapter 32.
61G15-32.004 Design of Water Based Fire Protection Systems.
(1) through (2) No change.
(3) For Engineering Documents pertaining to Fire Protection Systems exempted by the threshold requirements for mandatory use of professional engineering services, the Engineer of Record shall determine the level of detail shown on plans for a Fire Protection system. All such plans shall include a disclaimer stating the Fire Protection system is exempt from professional engineering services and shall provide a clear understanding of the minimum system requirements expected to be installed by the contractor and permitted by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). In the event the Engineer of Record provides more information and direction than is minimally required, he or she shall be held responsible for the technical accuracy of the work in accordance with applicable codes, standards, and sound engineering principles For systems below the threshold requirements for mandatory use of professional engineering services, the Engineer of Record may specify the minimum system requirements only.
(4) through (6) No change.
(7) No 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.
61G15-32.008 Design of Fire Alarms, Signaling Systems, and Control Systems.
(1) through (2) No change.
(3) For Engineering Documents pertaining to Fire Protection Systems exempted by the threshold requirements for mandatory use of professional engineering services, the Engineer of Record shall determine the level of detail shown on plans for a Fire Protection system. All such plans shall include a disclaimer stating the Fire Protection system is exempt from professional engineering services and shall provide a clear understanding of the minimum system requirements expected to be installed by the contractor and permitted by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). In the event the Engineer of Record provides more information and direction than is minimally required, he or she shall be held responsible for the technical accuracy of the work in accordance with applicable codes, standards, and sound engineering principles For systems below the threshold requirements for mandatory use of professional engineering services, the Engineer of Record may specify the minimum system requirements only.
(4) through (7) No change.
(8) No 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.