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MODULE 9
Fire Protection System Plan Review Process
OBC 107
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OVERVIEW OF MODULE 9
In this module we will:
• The requirements in chapter one related to the Seal Law, adequate plans,
construction documents and shop drawings.
• Coordination between the building department and the fire department
• What to look for on construction documents, why to check the applicable
codes and Standards, and that the use of a checklist is essential.
• Design assumptions and check listings and manufacturer’s installation
instructions for equipment
• The process of submittal, plan review, communication, recommendation,
adjudication, appeals right and the certificate of plan approval.
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General Fire Protection System Plan Review
House Bill 231 - “The Seal Law”
• Regulates the submission of plans by
registered architects and engineers
• Requires that all plans, drawings,
specifications, and/or data submitted
for approval to obtain a building
permit must have the seal of a
registered architect or engineer
• Exceptions to the seal requirement
are listed in OBC Section 106.2.1.
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General Fire Protection System Plan Review
BBS Certified Fire Protection System Designer
• References Section 107.4.4 OBC, Chapter 4101: 7-5 OAC, Section
3781.105 ORC
• Places his/her signature and board-assigned system designer
number on reviewed plans
• The board may establish separate certification categories for specific
types of fire protection systems.
• 3 Types
•
Water-based fire protection system
•
Special hazard suppression system
•
Fire alarm system
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Plans to be adequate
•Construction Documents
• Documents that consist of
scaled design drawings and
specifications for the purpose
of construction of new
facilities or modification to
existing facilities.
•Shop drawings
• Scaled working drawings,
equipment cut sheets, and
design calculations.
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Coordination with Fire Department
• (OBC 901.2.1.1) Submit a copy of
construction documents related to
fire protection to the local fire
official
• (OBC 901.2.1.2) Provide advance
notice of when acceptance tests
are scheduled to both the building
official and the fire official.
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Coordination with Fire Department
BBS certified master plans examiner
•Reviews the fire protection plans for the building department
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How to handle differences between code and
referenced standards
• Where differences occur between provisions of these codes
and the referenced standards, the provisions of these codes
shall apply.
• OBC 102.5
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What to look for?
Identify scope of work
• A fire protection system is required to be properly installed,
repaired, operated, and maintained in accordance with the
OBC and the OFC.
• A building owner or designer may elect to install a fire
protection system that isn’t required by the code
• It still must comply with the applicable provisions of
chapter 9 of the OBC and the OFC.
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What to look for?
Identify type of system
• Section 902 Definitions
Identify who is taking responsibility for the design of the system
• The owner may be required to engage and designate a
registered design profession to act as the registered design
professional in charge
Ensure adequate information is shown on the plans to perform
a code review and inspection
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Review the code requirements for specific types of
system
This includes but is not limited to:
• Suppression
• Standpipes
• Fire alarm
• Fire extinguishers
• Smoke control/removal system
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Familiarize Yourself with Layout:
Site plan:
• Fire apparatus access road-FAAR
• Floors
• Egress
• Fire protection systems proposed
• Fire protection water supplies
• Fire Hydrant systems
• Exceptions to code/standard
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Check plan for details of
code compliance
• Recommend using a checklist
• Specifically see plan
examination checklist BBS
Form 2-1
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Review design assumptions
• Uses
• Hazards
• Exceptions
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Check Listings and Manufacturer’s Installation
Instructions for Proposed Equipment
• Spot check calculations against plans
• Communicate any discrepancies between code and
construction documents with the submitter.
• OBC Section 114 Products and Materials
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Ask Submitter How Discrepancies Will Be Resolved
• Discrepancies are observed and and communicated with
the applicant/designer in writing.
• Applicant has two options
• Revise drawings
• Refer to the building official for determination of
noncompliance.
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Provide Report to Building Official
• The building official shall
• cause the construction documents to be examined for
compliance with the rules of the board by assigning
the examination duty to an appropriately certified
plans examiner.
•
The plans examiner shall
• determine whether the construction documents are
adequate as required in section 106 of the OBC.
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If the building official decides to
approve
• The plans examiner shall communicate the
findings and recommend the conditions
and type of approval to the building official.
• The building official shall evaluate the plans
examiner’s recommendations and any
communications received from the fire
official.
• The building official shall endorse or stamp
such plans as approved and issue the
certificate of plan approval
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If the building official decides to issue an order
• When items of noncompliance with the rules of the board
are found by the plans examiner, the building official shall
• evaluate the plans examiner's report and any reports
received from the fire official
• render a final determination as to whether the items of
non-compliance are to be communicated to the owner in
the form of an adjudication order.
• determine whether any approvals are possible, and issue
the appropriate approval as described in section 105.
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Appeal Rights
• OBC 110.1 Hearing and right of
appeal, local board of building
appeals.
• Request for a hearing
• Rendering of a decision
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Approved plans is license to build in accordance
with approved plans!
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Lessons learned in Module 9:
• The “Seal Law” requires that all plans, drawings, specifications,
and/or data submitted for approval to obtain a building permit
must have the seal of a registered architect or engineer, there are
few exceptions to the “Seal Law”
• Shop drawings are scaled working drawings, equipment cut sheets,
and design calculations
• It is recommended to use a checklist when checking the plans for
details of code compliance.
• When discrepancies are found between the code and construction
documents the submitter has two options revise drawings or to
refer to the building official for determination of noncompliance.
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