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

NEW CONSTRUCTION

EMMETT DAMMON
DAMMON ENGINEERING
1095 FLORIDA AVE
SLIDELL, LA  70458-0000
RE:  P0295056
FIRE DISTRICT 7 STATION #5
HWY 435
ABITA SPRINGS, LA  70420-0000

NFPA 101, 2003

ASSEMBLY 300 OCCUPANTS OR LESS
STORAGE

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.	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. 

2.	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). 

3.	This exception is intended to allow the exemption from the ADAAG requirement to provide accessible elements within the living quarters of facilities which provide sleeping, living, cooking and bathing areas for employees who must meet specific physical criteria, in order to perform job functions, which would preclude the employment of a handicapped person. (KITCHEN AREA ONLY).

	After consultation with the Office of Rehabilitation Services, it has been determined that this office will not require the lodging occupancy of this facility to comply with ADA-AG requirements with the following stipulations:

	1.  No floor plan modifications are permitted.

	2.  Other occupancy types, such as business, shall conform to the provisions for accessibility.

	3.  Visual alarm notification shall be provided if a fire alarm system is required by Code.

	4.  No attached office spaces are allowed with this exception.

	5.  If a complaint is received about discrimination in hiring of handicapped individuals or concerning handicapped accessibility to any part of the facility, then this office shall reserve the right to investigate the complaint and, if justified, shall reserve the right to require the facility or a portion thereof to be upgraded to comply with the accessibility requirements enforced by this office.

	6.  Please note that this document indicates specific compliance with state regulations and does not guarantee nor attempt to circumvent compliance with federal law. 

4.	This exception is intended to apply to the storage and industrial portions of the building only.

	After consultation with the Office of Rehabilitation Services, it has been determined that this office will not require the storage/industrial area(s) and associated toilet/bath portions of this facility to comply with any of the ADA-AG or LSC requirements for individuals with disabilities, with the following stipulations:

	1. No floor plan modifications are permitted.  Office additions and spaces created which constitute a change in use will require the upgrading of all existing non-complying features to conform with the provisions for new construction.

	2. Provide features of accessibility for the public and administrative areas.

	3. Visual alarm notification shall be provided if a fire alarm system is required by Code.

	4. If a complaint is received about discrimination in hiring of handicapped individuals or concerning handicapped accessibility to any part of the facility, then this office shall reserve the right to investigate the complaint and, if justified, shall reserve the right to require the facility or a portion thereof to be upgraded to comply with the accessibility requirements enforced by this office.

	5. Please note that this document indicates specific compliance with state regulations and does not guarantee nor attempt to circumvent compliance with federal law.  

______________________________________________________________________________________

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

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.  Particular deficiencies and paragraph references are noted as follows: (SHEETS H-1 & H-2 INCLUDED DETAILS AND H.C. INFO.).

	a)  4.13.6  Provide maneuvering clearance at doors in accordance with figure 25(a)(b)(c). (SEE SHT. A-1 @ ENTRANCE DOOR #7). 
	
6.	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.

	a)  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.

	b)  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. 
	
7.	10:1.5.3  Fire extinguishers shall be conspicuously located where they will be readily accessible and immediately available in the event of fire. Preferably they shall be located along normal paths of travel, including exits from areas. 

8.	NFPA 10:1.5.10  Top of fire extinguisher, having a gross weight less than 40 lb, shall be not more than 5 feet above the floor; 3-1/2 feet if gross weight 40 lbs or greater. 

9.	LRS 40:1653 and 40:1628  All work and inspections of fire alarm, fire suppression, automatic sprinkler and fire extinguishing systems or portable fire extinguishers shall be performed by a State of Louisiana certified agent. 

10.	Domestic cooking equipment in the KITCHEN shall only be used for warming or limited cooking producing no grease laden vapors.  Otherwise, cooking equipment shall be protected in accordance with NFPA 96. (OWNER SHALL SUBMIT A LETTER OF COMPLIANCE TO BE FILED WITH THIS OFFICE). 

11.	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 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:
EDWIN LEE
PLAN REVIEW DEPUTY

CC:
St Tammany Fire District No 7
Division Of Permits & Inspections (Stam)*
New Orleans District*     5045685500