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

HENRY H. FRY
DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY

RENOVATION

EDWARD GREMILLION, P E, C E
DAMMON ENGINEERING, INC
1095 FLORIDA AVE
SLIDELL, LA  70458-0000	
RE:  P0289482
FAITH BIBLE CHURCH
57209 ALLEN RD
SLIDELL, LA  70458-0000

NFPA 101, 2003

ASSEMBLY 300 OCCUPANTS OR LESS

Dear Applicant:

This is to advise that we have reviewed the drawings and specifications for the subject proposed construction and have determined that they appear to satisfactorily comply with the adopted laws, codes, rules and regulations of The State Fire Marshal subject to the following requirements:

1.	LRS 40:1730.25  The documentation provided for the subject facility appears to comply with The Commercial Building Energy Conservation Code based on ASHRAE/IES 90.1-1989 (Energy Code). 

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

2.	101:12.2.10  Exit signs complying with NFPA 101:7.10 shall define exits and access to exits where the exit is not immediately apparent.  (Locate exit signs from Vestibule such that 2 exits are indicated. Exit cannot be through the 2 hour partition.) 

3.	101:8.6.10  Draftstop attic into areas not to exceed 3,000 sq. ft. each.  (Plans indicate new square footage at 3,386 square feet.) 

______________________________________________________________________________________

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

4.	Building is designed with a 2 hour separation between the two assembly areas. This allows the building to be unsprinklered and to not have a fire alarm system.

	a)  101:8.2.2.3  A required fire separation shall be continuous from foundation through all intervening construction to the roof deck, from outside wall to outside wall or from fire barrier to fire barrier.

	b)  101:8.3.5  Penetrations through rated construction shall be sealed by approved firestop systems or devices tested in accordance with ASTM E-814 or ANSI/UL 1479 or by assemblies of firestopping materials capable of preventing the passage of flames and hot gases when tested and rated in accordance with NFPA 251.

	c)  Notify the District Office identified at the end of this letter for inspection of all completed fire and/or smoke barrier walls before any construction is installed that would conceal such construction and prevent a proper inspection.  Access to randomly selected areas may be required by the inspector at time of final inspection if this notification is not given.

	d)  Provide detailed instructive cut sheets of the fire penetration sealing system used to the inspector at time of inspection.  Random selective sampling by the contractor will be observed by the inspector. 
	
5.	LRS 40:1731-(Effective 8/15/95)  Provide handicapped accessibility in accordance with ADA-AG (Accessibility Guidelines - September 1994).  This does not include a review for compliance with the Federal Americans with Disabilities (Civil Rights) Act of 1990.  Compliance with state regulations and requirements does not guarantee compliance with federal law.
"CAUTIONARY/INFORMATIONAL" items and paragraph references are noted as follows:

	a)  Section 36.201(e) of the Federal Register 28 CFR Part 36 states that "religious entities" are exempt from the requirements of title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Since it appears that the facility is operated by a "religious entity", a review for ADAAG compliance has not been performed on this submittal.

Please return ALL reviewed documents with a written request for full ADAAG compliance review, if the exemption does NOT apply.  A separate plan review application and fee will NOT be necessary. 

6.	This project is reviewed in accordance with the requirements of the 2003 Edition of the NFPA 101 Life Safety Code.  Effective January 1, 2004, the 2000 Edition of the International Building Code (IBC) was adopted as part of the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code.  This project is subject to the requirements of that code.  The Office of the State Fire Marshal does not review for compliance with the IBC requirements except as noted in RS 40:1728 and LAC 55:V:305. 

7.	LAC 55:305  Insulation and insulation assemblies shall meet the requirements of Section 718, International Building Code, 2000 Edition.

	a)  Concealed and exposed insulation shall have a flame spread of 0-25 and a smoke developed of 0-450 in accordance with IBC 718. 
	
8.	101:7.2.1.3  Provide landings outside exterior doors level with the interior finish floor. 

9.	Doors/Locks:

	a)  101:7.2.1.5  Locks on doors in means of egress shall not require the use of a key, special device or special knowledge to open in the direction of egress.

	b)  101:7.2.1.5.9  Doors shall be openable with ONLY one releasing operation.  A two-step release, such as a knob and an independent slide bolt, is NOT acceptable.

	c)  101:12.2.2.2  Doors in a required means of egress serving over 100 may be provided with a latch or lock only if it is panic hardware. 
	
10.	LAC 55:V:303D  Provide listed portable fire extinguishers in accordance with NFPA 10.  (Refer to Appendix E for distribution information.) 

11.	HVAC system shall be constructed in accordance with 101:9.2. 

12.	101:9.2.1  Install smoke detectors to automatically stop the fan in HVAC duct systems over 2000 cfm in accordance with NFPA 90A:6.4.2(1).   

	a)  90A:6.4.4.3  Where smoke detectors required by Section 6.4 are installed in a building NOT equipped with an approved protective signaling system as specified by 6.4.4.2:

	a. The smoke detector activation required by Section 6.4 shall cause a visual AND an audible signal in a normally occupied area, and

	b. Smoke detector trouble conditions shall be indicated visually OR audibly in a normally occupied area and shall be identified as air duct detector trouble.

Provide a remote alarm indicator/annunciator in accordance with 72:6.10.2 for these conditions. 

13.	Inadequate electrical systems have been found to be a major cause of fires throughout the state.  The "Professional of Record" (Architect/Engineer) if required by LRS 37:155, otherwise, the Owner shall comply with the 2002 NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, for all proposed electrical work in this submittal.    

14.	NOTE: Please enclose a copy of this letter with future submittals or other correspondence pertaining to this project. 

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.

Compliance with code requirements for fire protection systems, such as Fire Alarm, Sprinkler and Suppression Systems, is determined by separate shop drawing submittal and is not included in this review.

This review applies to work indicated in the drawings or specifications.  Existing portions of the facility of building unaffected by the new work shall comply with LAC 55:103B thru 55:103F.

This review shall in no way permit and/or authorize any omissions or deviations from the specific requirements of the adopted codes, rules and regulations in accordance with R.S. 40:1574.1(B).

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.

This office requires certification of the completed project in accordance with the approved documents (certificate enclosed).

Occupancy of the project will not be permitted until we receive the completed certificate and a satisfactory inspection of the completed construction has 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.

REVIEWED BY:
LINDA BURCH
PLAN REVIEW DEPUTY

CC:
Faith Bible Church
Slidell Fire Prevention*
City Of Slidell*
New Orleans District*     5045685500