STATE OF LOUISIANA
Department of Public Safety and Corrections
Office of State Fire Marshal Code Enforcement and Building Safety
8181 Independence Boulevard
Baton Rouge, Louisiana  70806
225-925-4920

PAUL SMITH
FIRE MARSHAL

FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM

EDWARD GREMILLION, PE, CE
DAMMON ENGINEERING INC
1095 FLORIDA AVE
SLIDELL, LA  70458-0000	RE:  P0333921
STARLIGHT MISSIONARY SANCTUARY
2100 SECOND ST
SLIDELL, LA  70458-0000

NFPA 101, 2003

ASSEMBLY OVER 300 OCCUPANTS

Dear Applicant:

Please be advised that we have made a general review of the drawings, calculations, and equipment data for the proposed Fire Suppression System, based on the submittal package received for the above referenced project.  This review is governed by the Official Manual of the Office of State Fire Marshal, which contains the adopted laws, codes, rules, and regulations of this office.  This review, in no way, shall permit and/or authorize any omissions or deviations from the specific requirements of the Official Manual.  Requirements cited in this review do not relieve the licensed fire suppression system designer and the Professional Of Record, when required by LA RS 37, from complying with all the requirements contained in the Official Manual.  Subsequent to our general review of the submittal package, we have determined that the drawings, calculations, and equipment data appear to satisfactorily comply with the adopted laws, codes, rules and regulations of the State Fire Marshal, subject to the following requirements and review qualifications:

NOTE:  THE COMMENTS LISTED BELOW IDENTIFY APPARENT DEFICIENCIES DETECTED IN OUR REVIEW OF THE DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED.

1.	13: 14.1.3   Working plans shall be drawn to an indicated scale, on sheets of uniform size, with a plan of each floor, and shall show those items from the following list that pertain to the design of the system:   The deficiency is that the shop drawings did not adequately indicate the following required information:

	(4)	Full height cross section, including structural member information and including ceiling construction.  The cross section is incomplete; it does not extend through the building, so as to show the raised areas at and behind the choir loft, and does not provide sufficient detail.

	(30)	Where the equipment is to be installed as an addition to an existing system, enough of the existing system indicated on the plans to make all conditions clear.  Information is not provided regarding the existing system riser. 

	(41)	Information about backflow preventers (manufacturer, size, type). 

2.	13: 14.4.4.5  Friction Loss. Pipe friction loss shall be calculated in accordance with the Hazen-Williams formula with C values from Table 14.4.4.5, as follows:
(1)	Include pipe, fittings, and devices such as valves, meters, flow switches in pipes 2 in. or less in size, and strainers, and calculate elevation changes that affect the sprinkler discharge.

The drawings do not show and the calculations do not include loss for a backflow assembly between the point of connection of the domestic water and the sprinkler piping, which is required for conformance to the Louisiana State Plumbing Code 2000 ed.

a)	LSPC  606.1.1  The water distribution system shall be protected against backflow.  Every outlet shall be protected against backflow.

b)	LSPC  606.3.6  Connections to automatic fire sprinkler systems shall be required to meet the minimum requirements as referenced in Appendix D of the Louisiana State Plumbing Code.

c)	LSPC  D104.2  As a minimum, the following types of devices or methods shall be installed and maintained by water supply system customers immediately downstream of the water meter (if provided)  or on the water service pipe prior to any branch line or connection serving the listed customer types and categories:

Table D104

Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Preventer:  10.  Fire Protection/sprinkler systems using antifreeze in such systems.

Double Check Valve Assembly: 1.   Fire Protection/sprinkler systems

The deficieny is that neither is a Double Check Valve Assembly indicated between the water 
service pipe and the fire protection/sprinkler system nor is a Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Preventer indicated between the water service pipe and the antifreeze system and, also, the pressure loss, which will be caused by the installation of these devices, is not included.

If one or more backflow preventers are contemplated for installation, provide applicable documentation to this office for review, complete with supporting hydraulic information, prior to installation.  Do not send complete calculations for review unless the calculations cause revisions to the piping system requiring a re-submittal.

Otherwise, the Architect / Engineer is to note the revised residual pressure loss of the backflow preventers, at system demand, and the revised system demands on the S.F.M. reviewed and stamped drawings, and adjust the placard information, accordingly. 

In that the calculations, as submitted, indicate 5 psi "margin", it does not appear that there exists a reduced pressure principle backflow assembly that can be installed in the private main or riser without creating pressure loss that would cause the system demand to exceed the supply.

If reduced pressure backflow preventers are installed at the antifreeze loops, the installation shall conform to 7.5.3.2 and should not create a more remote design area. 

______________________________________________________________________________________

NOTE:  THE FOLLOWING COMMENTS IDENTIFY ISSUES FOR INFORMATIONAL AND CAUTIONARY PURPOSES OR ISSUES THAT COULD NOT BE VERIFIED IN THE SUBMITTED DOCUMENTS.

3.	This fire protection system review is limited to the original plan review scope as per State Fire Marshal letter P0306706. 

4.	This review applies to the riser(s), piping lay-out and sprinkler head locations, for compliance with NFPA 13, 2002 edition, as shown on the drawings for the above referenced project. 

5.	This review is based on a system supplied by a city water supply of 66 psi static and 54 psi residual pressure, flowing 1230 g.p.m. through a circulating city main; test indicated as performed by Slidell W.D., on 05/10/07 at 10:00 A.M.. 

6.	The system, at the Sanctuary, was reviewed as a light hazard occupancy class.  The calculations indicate the following system demand, as submitted:

	a)  55 psi at 373 gpm at the base of riser and 59 psi at 473 gpm at the source; indicating 5 psi "safety margin".

	b)  The system demand was based on a discharge density of 0.10 gpm/ft2 over a 1950 ft2 design area, incorporating the area increase of  11.2.3.2.4 for a sloped ceiling.

	c)  The system demand includes the discharge of K - 5.6, quick response standard coverage sprinklers and allows 100 gpm outside hose flow. 
	
7.	13: 8.16.4.6.1   Means shall be provided downstream of all backflow prevention devices for flow tests at system demand.

25: 9-6.2.1  All backflow preventers installed in fire protection system piping shall be tested annually in accordance with the following:
(a)	A forward flow test shall be conducted at the system demand. 

8.	13: 8.6.2.2.1 (a)  The protection area of a standard spray sprinkler, determined in accordance with 8.5.2.1 and figures 8.6.4.1.3.1,  shall not exceed, per Table 8.6.2.2.1 (a), a maximum of 130  ft2 and the maximum distance between sprinklers is limited to 15 ft. where the construction type is combustible with members less than 3 ft. on center. 

Verify that the raised platform is not of such framing. 

9.	LRS 40: 1574   Based on the information provided on the drawings submitted for review, this review does not include the following:

	a)  13:  4.1 and 8.1.1 (1) and (4)   Areas, from which sprinklers have been omitted, where omission is not specifically allowed by this standard.

	b)  13: 8.14.1.1 and 13: 11.2.3.1.8 (3)  Concealed spaces enclosed by combustible construction or containing significant amounts of combustibles not meeting a specific Exception to both of these sections.  (If sprinklers are omitted, due to the concealed spaces conforming to provisions of 8.14.1.2.1 through 8.14.1.2.15, but not conforming to 11.2.3.1.8 (4), the minimum required area of sprinkler operation would be 3000 ft2, which has not been calculated.)

i.	Verify that any combustible  paper or vinyl faced batt insulation in concealed spaces above ceilings or at the roof and/or installed or vertically at walls of attic-like spaces above ceilings conforms to both 13: 8.14.1.2.12 and to 13: 11.2.3.1.8 (4)(c), for the manner in which it is installed.
ii.	Verify that any framing or enclosure of soffits, ceiling curbs, or voids are not combustible.
iii.	Verify that the finished wall framing at the perimeter of the building is not combustible.

	c)  13: 8.14.3.1  Stairways of combustible construction.

	d)  13: 8.15.3.1  Sprinkler piping installed in unheated spaces, including "attic-like" spaces above ceilings, where insulation is installed on the ceiling, between the heated area beneath the ceiling and the sprinkler piping, so as to restrict the transfer of heat from heated spaces below the ceiling to the sprinkler piping.   Insufficient information is provided on the drawings to determine that the pipe will be installed within the thermal envelope; i.e., in space that will be maintained heated to a minimum temperature of 40 degrees F, during all freezing conditions, including times of non-use. 
	
10.	Although written responses, describing resolution to the comments regarding the sprinkler system in this review letter, which do not require modification of the system scope or layout as indicated on the plans and which do not affect the hydraulic design as submitted, are not required to be submitted back to this office, the Professional of Record, (when required by LA R.S. 37:155) otherwise the Owner, shall not be relieved of the requirement to comply with all citations indicated in this letter, as well as all requirements of the Official Manual of the Office of State Fire Marshal, Code Enforcement and Building Safety.

	a)  For example, if conformance with the applicable Code or Standard specifically requires that certain sprinklers or devices be changed, added, or relocated in such a manner that the hydraulic design is not significantly affected, installation of the sprinklers or devices needed to conform with the requirements of the referenced section of the Code or Standard is adequate.  Correspondence and acknowledgement would not be needed.  The professional of record or designated representative shall note and initial the minor modifications on the reviewed drawings, in a color, which differs from the State fire Marshal review notations.  If, however, the additions or relocations cause revisions to the system calculations or result in significant changes to the sprinkler or piping sizes or layout which can not be communicated on a simple sketch or which require replacement of the reviewed drawings, a re-submittal, with fee, would be required.

	b)   For example, if the letter requires that piping, devices, or an area be heated, installation of the devices to supply heat needed to conform with the requirements of the referenced section of the Code or Standard is adequate.  Correspondence and acknowledgement would not be needed.  If, however, other means are taken, a freeze protection submittal, as correspondence to Jean Carter of this office, would be required.

	c)  Regarding the noted deficiencies in the drawings, as submitted, corrected drawings are not to be returned for review and not to be presented to inspector.  However, if corrections require redesign of the system, then the entire revised package shall be resubmitted, along with application and review fee.  The deficiencies are noted to bring attention to the issues addressed, for requirement of more careful coordination of the work in the field, or to point out that those issues, which could not be adequately reviewed, due to lack of sufficient information on the drawings. 
	
11.	One set of drawings, one set of calculations, and one set of equipment data, were received for review, were marked by review as "set 1 / 1", and, bearing the State Fire Marshal review stamp on the drawings, were returned, by mail, to the applicant. 

Changes to construction in the field which are not consistent with the reviewed documents are not authorized unless reviewed by this office for compliance with Code.  Modifications to reviewed plans must be submitted to this office by the Architect/Civil Engineer for review prior to final inspection.  If an Architect or Civil Engineer is not required by RS 37:155, revisions shall be submitted by the Owner.  Submittals shall include plans, completed application, a minimum $55.00 review fee, and a copy of the most current plan review letter.

Occupancy of the project is permitted only upon the receipt of the applicable Contractor's Material & Test Certificate as per NFPA 13, Fire Alarm System Certificate and Description as per NFPA 72, or other certification as required by the applicable codes and a satisfactory inspection of the completed construction had been made by this office.

To arrange for inspection of the project, please contact the District Office at the phone number below two (2) to three (3) weeks in advance.  The plans stamped reviewed by this office must be available on job site at time of inspection.  Certificate of completion must be provided to the inspecting Deputy for final inspection.

This review is valid for 180 days from the date of this letter.  Construction permits must be issued and/or construction must commence within this time period.

REVIEWED BY:
JOHN MOORE
ARCHITECT

CC:
Starlight Missionary Baptist Church
Austin Fire Equipment
Property Insurance Association*
St Tammany Fire Protection District No 1*
City Of Slidell*
New Orleans District*     5042194600