Licensing Section Updates

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Licensing Section Updates
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ADVISORY BOARD

• Governor Foster has recently appointed two new
  members to the Advisory Board. Ronnie Whiddon of
  Custom Security of Baton Rouge has been
  reappointed as an At-Large representative. Mike
  Maggio from ADT has been selected to represent
  the Baton Rouge region replacing Howard Sanders
  who transferred to Texas. A meeting will be
  scheduled in the next few weeks to discuss your
  associations request to keep track of Continuing
  Education Units.

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The final version of the fire protection rules
are currently at the Legislative Oversight
Committee. They will be official at the end of
April. I will be sending all Fire Protection
contractors a copy of the rules and they will
also be posted on the offices web page located
at (www.dps.state.la.us/sfm).
FIRE PROTECTION RULES
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Investigative Update

• October of 1999, 1174 complaints received 845
  complaints investigated or 72 of the cases in
  the data base.
• April of 2000 complaints received 1387 (an
  increase of 213 complaints in 6 months). 1040
  complaints investigated or 75 of the cases in
  the database (an additional 195 investigations
  since October).

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Total number of complaints cleared 903A
complaint is cleared when it is determined to be
invalid or administrative action is
proposed.Total number of complaints closed
588A complaint is closed when it is found
invalid, the administrative appeal process is
completed or a fine is paid. A case is first
cleared then closed.
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Number of investigations resulting in
administrative actionAdministrative actions
includes Warnings, Cease and desist orders,
fines, suspensions and revocations. Fire
includes fire extinguisher, fire suppression,
fire alarm and sprinkler.Burglar 492
Fire 211
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• Cases investigated but unable to substantiate,
  rescinded or turned over to others for follow up
  by type
• Unsubstantiated cases are a result of lack of
  evidence, uncooperative witnesses, or being
  unfounded.Burglar 82 Fire 128

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• Total Dollar Amount of Fines Collected
• 121,695.00
• There are numerous cases on appeal which are
  still pending where additional money may be
  collected.

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Number of complaints by year
(Actual date violation occurred not when
discovered) Unknown 34
1995 or before 21
1996148
19971961998495
1999322

200018

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• Number of investigations by year
• (Actual date violation occurred not when
  discovered) Unopened 347
• 1995 or before 4
• 199683 1997349
• 1998421 1999301
• 200034

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Louisiana Burglar Fire Alarm AssociationState
MeetingMay 18, 2000

• Michael C. McLean - Staff Fire Alarm Specialist
• Office of the State Fire Marshal Code Enforcement
  and Building Safety

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Topics of Discussion?

• Special Locking Arrangements of NFPA 101 - Life
  Safety Code
• Why do I have to submit to the Fire Marshals
  Office?
• License Requirements
• Submittal Requirements
• Questions and Answers
• New Fire Marshal policy that concerns all fire
  alarm contractors.

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Why is the State Fire Marshals Office getting
in my business?!! We never had to do this
before?!

• R.S. 401574, Part B - No repair, remodeling,
  or addition shall be made to any structure,
  watercraft, or movable affecting the exits,
  stairs, seating arrangement, fire protection, or
  other details of construction covered by this
  Part until plans and specifications therefore
  have been submitted to and reviewed by the fire
  marshal and appears to him to satisfactorily
  comply with the laws, rules, regulations, and
  codes of the state.

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We know that many of you have this impression of
the Fire Marshals Office!
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The Fire Marshals Office is mandated to enforce
state law, but also wants to work with you!

• Create open lines of communications
• Inform you about Fire Marshals policies that
  affect your businesses
• Insure that these locking systems allow for a
  safe building through code compliance

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NFPA 101 - Life Safety Code Special Locking
Arrangements (where permitted in occupancy
chapters)

• 1015-2.1.6.1 - Delayed Egress Locks
• 1015-2.1.6.2 - Access-Control Egress Doors
• Please note that Access-Control Systems that
  automatically provides free egress (via door
  hardware and not through sensors) are not
  required to be submitted.

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1015-2.1.6.1 Delayed Egress Locks

• Only allowed in buildings with low and ordinary
  hazard contents.
• Building must be protected by a supervised
  automatic fire detection system or a supervised
  automatic sprinkler system. (only contractors
  with a Class D license shall be able to install
  this type of system due to the required fire
  alarm panel)
• Doors unlock upon activation of the supervised
  automatic sprinkler system, or activation of one
  heat detector or two smoke detectors of the
  supervised automatic fire detection system.

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1015-2.1.6.1 Delayed Egress Locks (cont.)

• Doors unlock upon loss of power controlling the
  lock or mechanism.
• Doors unlock upon disablement of the supervised
  automatic sprinkler system or supervised
  automatic fire detection system protecting the
  building.
• Irreversible process releases the lock within 15
  seconds with a force of not to exceed 15lbf nor
  require to be continuously applied for more that
  3 seconds.
• The release process shall activate a signal in
  the vicinity of the door to ensure those
  attempting to egress that the system is
  functional.

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1015-2.1.6.1 Delayed Egress Locks (cont.)

• The re-locking of the releasing device shall be
  by manual means only!
• Signage shall be provided on the door adjacent to
  the releasing device in letters at least 1 high
  and at least 1/8 in stroke width on a
  contrasting background that reads PUSH UNTIL
  ALARM SOUNDS. DOOR CAN BE OPENED IN 15 SECONDS.

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1015-2.1.6.1 Delayed Egress Locks - Occupancy
Requirements

• Chapter 8 Assembly - permits installation on
  main entrance/exit doors.
• Chapter 10 Education - permitted.
• Chapter 12 Health Care - permitted, provided not
  more than one such device is located in any
  egress path.
• Chapter 14 Detention - not permitted.

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1015-2.1.6.1 Delayed Egress Locks - Occupancy
Requirements (cont.)

• Chapter 16 Hotels and Dormitories - permitted,
  provided not more than one such device is located
  in any egress path.
• Chapter 18 Apartments - permitted, provided not
  more than one such device is located in any
  egress path.
• Chapter 20 Lodging or Rooming Houses -
  permitted, provided not more than one such device
  is located in any egress path.

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1015-2.1.6.1 Delayed Egress Locks - Occupancy
Requirements (cont.)

• Chapter 22 Residential Board and Care -
  permitted on exterior doors in small facilities
  and permitted, provided not more than one such
  device is located in any egress path in large
  facilities.
• Chapter 24 Mercantile - permitted.
• Chapter 26 Business - permitted.
• Chapter 28 Industrial - permitted.
• Chapter 29 Storage - permitted.
• Chapter 30 Day Care - permitted.

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1015-2.1.6.2 Access-Controlled Egress Doors

• A sensor to unlock the doors is provided on the
  egress side arranged to detect an occupant
  approaching the doors.
• Doors shall unlock upon loss of power to the
  sensor.
• Doors shall unlock upon loss of power to the
  access control system that automatically unlocks
  the doors.
• Doors are arranged to unlock from a manual
  device. (see code for specific mounting heights
  and location)
• Signage shall be provided on the door adjacent to
  the releasing device PUSH TO EXIT.

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1015-2.1.6.2 Access-Controlled Egress Doors
(cont.)

• The manual release device, when operated, shall
  result in the direct interruption of power to the
  lock - independent of the access control system
  electronics and the doors shall remain unlocked
  for at least 30 seconds.
• Activation of the building fire protective
  signaling system (if provided) shall
  automatically unlock the doors. Please note that
  if the fire alarm system is required, then only a
  D licensed contractor is allowed to perform
  this installation and if the fire alarm system is
  not required, then either a D or D-1 licensed
  contractor is allowed to perform this
  installation.

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1015-2.1.6.2 Access-Controlled Egress Doors
(cont.)

• Activation of the building automatic sprinkler or
  fire detection system (if provided) shall
  automatically unlock the doors. Please note that
  if the automatic sprinkler system is supervised
  and/or the fire detection system is required,
  then only a D licensed contractor is allowed to
  perform this installation. If the automatic
  sprinkler system is not supervised then a D,
  D-1 or a Burglar licensed contractor is allowed
  to perform this installation. If the automatic
  fire detection system is a non-required fire
  alarm then a D or D-1 licensed contractor is
  allowed to perform this work.

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1015-2.1.6.2 Access-Controlled Egress Doors
Occupancy Requirements

• Chapter 8 Assembly - permitted and the doors
  shall not be locked from the egress side when the
  assembly occupancy is occupied.
• Chapter 10 Educational - permitted.
• Chapter 12 Health Care - permitted.
• Chapter 14 Detention - not permitted.

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1015-2.1.6.2 Access-Controlled Egress Doors
Occupancy Requirements (cont.)

• Chapter 16 Hotel and Dormitory - permitted.
• Chapter 18 Apartments - permitted.
• Chapter 20 Lodging or Rooming Houses - not
  permitted.
• Chapter 22 Residential Board and Care - not
  permitted in small facilities, but permitted in
  large facilities.

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1015-2.1.6.2 Access-Controlled Egress Doors
Occupancy Requirements (cont.)

• Chapter 24 Mercantile - permitted, provided the
  building is protected by a supervised fire
  detection system (class D license) or an
  automatic sprinkler system. (class D license if
  supervised)
• Chapter 26 Business - permitted.
• Chapter 28 Industrial - permitted.
• Chapter 29 Storage - permitted.
• Chapter 30 Day Care - permitted.

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Submittal Requirements for Special Locking
Arrangements

• Lets look at the checklist (submittals prior to
  6/6/00)
• System Description
• Fire System Modification Exemption Request Form
  (submittals prior to 6/6/00)
• Memorandum 2000-9
• Access Control and Delayed Locking Systems
  Exemption Request Form (submittals on and after
  6/6/00)

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Questions and Answers
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QuestionThere are numerous HVAC installers who
do not know the code and consequently do not know
when and where duct detectors should be
installed. Does the SFM have any intention on
requiring that these people get a license or
attend some type of education so they can learn
the requirements?

• Answer
• At the present time, the Office of the State Fire
  Marshal has no intentions to regulate HVAC
  contractors through our Licensing Section.
  Normally, industries choose to have licensing
  requirements, not our office. The location of
  duct detectors is checked and verified by both
  our Plan Review Section and by our inspectors in
  the field.

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QuestionMany fire alarm customers, who use
remote station notification, request that the
remote station first call the location before
dispatching. Especially nursing homes. (Is it
acceptable to notify the protected premises prior
to rolling the fire trucks?)

• Answer
• No. 724-4.6.1 requires that the alarm signals be
  transmitted immediately to the public fire
  service communications center.

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QuestionNFPA 721-5.2.5.2 states that the
connection to the light and power service shall
be on a dedicated branch circuit. It is my
understanding that a Digital Alarm Communicator
located beside the main fire alarm control panel
is part of the fire alarm system and should be
able to be powered by the same dedicated circuit
branch that is permitted by NFPA 72? If not,
please explain why?

• Answer
• This office agrees that the DACT is part of the
  fire alarm system and shall be powered by the
  dedicated circuit branch.

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QuestionAre all sprinkler systems required to
have supervision? If so, does supervision mean
emergency forces notification (i.e. remote
station monitoring, central station monitoring,
etc)?

• Answer
• No. There is a difference between approved
  automatic sprinkler systems and supervised
  automatic sprinkler systems as identified in
  NFPA 101 Life Safety Code. Supervised automatic
  sprinkler systems are required to sound and
  display all supervisory signals either at a
  location within the protected building that is
  constantly attended by qualified personnel or at
  an approved, remotely located receiving facility
  (i.e. proprietary, remote station, or central
  station) pursuant to 1017-7.2.1.
• 1017-7.2.2 does require that all waterflow
  alarms be transmitted to an approved proprietary
  receiving facility, remote station, central
  station, or the fire department.

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QuestionIn the past, when strobes are placed in
large rooms or buildings without obstructions,
the hundred foot rule has been followed and
approved. Recently a submittal was marked
incorrect for a strobe placed in a church
sanctuary. It was designed using a 110-candela
strobe. The area covered was slightly more then
designed, but less than 100 feet. My questions
areA) Is there a 100 foot rule?B) Since a
strobe is not required in a church but was
requested by the owner, does it still have to
meet the strobes listed coverage?

• Answer
• A) 726-4.4.1.1 requires visual devices to be
  spaced in accordance with Figure 6-4.4.1.1 and
  Tables 6-4.4.1.1(a) and (b). The separation
  between devices shall not exceed 100 ft.
• B) No.

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New Fire Marshal Policy

• After 6/6/00 all non-required fire alarm systems
  requesting an exemption to official plan review
  shall be submitted on a exemption request form
  labeled - Non-Required Fire Alarm Systems
  Request For Exemption.
• Lets look at Memorandum 2000-10.

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Thank you for having us!