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

EDWARD GREMILLION, P E, C E
DAMMON ENGINEERING, INC
1095 FLORIDA AVE
SLIDELL, LA  70458-0000
RE:  P0329384
BENS FORD BAPTIST CHURCH FELLOWSHIP
58521 HWY 439
BOGALUSA, LA  70429-0000

NFPA 101, 2003

ASSEMBLY OVER 300 OCCUPANTS
EDUCATIONAL

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.	Contact the local building official of the applicable local political subdivision to coordinate compliance with State Uniform Construction Code requirements.  LRS 40:1730.23 mandates the enforcement of building codes by municipalities and parishes in Louisiana, as described by LRS 40:1730.28. 

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

2.	101:7.5.1.3  Two exits are required from Classroom 201.  Minimum distance between them, measured from closest jambs, shall be 1/2 the maximum diagonal length of space or area (1/3 the diagonal is permitted if the building is protected throughout by an approved SUPERVISED sprinkler system per 9.7). 

3.	101:14.2.11.1.1  Provide an operable window (or outside door) from All Classrooms.   Such window shall provide a clear opening of not less than 20" wide by 41" high, or 34.2" wide by 24" high.  The bottom of the opening shall be not more than 44" above the floor. 

4.	101:12 & 14.3.2  Separate Utility Room 103, Janitor andUtility room 213 from other parts of the building by 1 hour fire resistive construction with self-closing 45 minute labeled door/frame assembly or provide automatic sprinkler protection in accordance with Section 9.7 and smoke partitions with self-closing doors in accordance with 8.7.1.2 and 8.4. (Sprinkler piping for isolated hazardous areas connected to domestic water supply shall comply with 101:9.7.1.2). 

5.	101:12.3.4  Provide a fire alarm system in accordance with 101:9.6. 

______________________________________________________________________________________

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

6.	Section 36.102(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. 

7.	101:7.2.1.3.1 and 7.1.6.3  The floor elevation shall not change by more than 1/2" from one side of a door to the other.   

8.	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. 

9.	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. 

10.	101:7.2.2.2.1  Stairs shall comply with the appropriate Stair table.

	a)  44 inch minimum width.

	b)  7" maximum and 4" minimum rise.

	c)  11" minimum tread depth.

	d)  6'-8" minimum headroom.

	e)  12 feet maximum height between landings.

	f)  Landings (See 7.2.1.3, 7.2.1.4.4 and 7.2.2.3.2).

	g)  Stair treads shall be uniformly slip resistant. 
	
11.	LRS 40:1651  Submit chemical fire suppression system shop drawings with plan review application and fee prior to installation of any work of this section.  Such work shall not commence until shop drawings have been found to be in compliance with applicable codes by this office. Submittal shall include a copy of this letter and shall be in accordance with the rules for such by this office.  (Systems include hoods, halon, wet or dry chemical systems, etc.) 

12.	LRS 40:1651  Submit fire alarm system shop drawings with plan review application and fee prior to installation of any work of this section.  Such work shall not commence until shop drawings have been found to be in compliance with applicable codes by this office.  The submittal shall include a copy of this letter and shall be in accordance with the submittal requirements outlined in the memorandum dated June 24, 1993 which was distributed from this office to all state licensed fire alarm contractors, architects and engineers.  Specify the "Type of Signaling System" to be utilized, identify the monitoring station, describe the evacuation system ("zoned" or "general"), and include information concerning the means of protecting fire command centers, circuitry, and other essential equipment, such as may be required for high-rise buildings, as applicable. 

13.	Shop drawings for fire protection systems, such as Fire Alarm, Sprinklers, and Suppression Systems, that are required to be submitted to this office for review, shall be routed through the "Professional of Record's" (Architect / Engineer) office, and shall be stamped with his "Shop Drawing Review Stamp" or equivalent, indicating that shop drawings have been reviewed by him for conformance with plans, specifications, and appropriate codes. 

14.	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. 

15.	NFPA 10:5.1.4  Provide portable fire extinguishers within the following travel distances (See Tables 10:5.2.1 and 5.3.1);

	a)  Travel distance to a fire extinguisher shall not exceed 75 feet for Class A, C and D fires.

	b)  Travel distance to a fire extinguisher shall not exceed 30 feet for Class B fires (liquids).  (50 feet allowed for Light (low) Hazard 10-B, Ordinary (moderate) Hazard 20-B and Extra (high) Hazard 80-B.)

	c)  Travel distance to a fire extinguisher shall not exceed 30 feet for Class K fires (cooking appliances). 
	
16.	NFPA 10:1.5.6  Fire extinguishers shall not be obstructed or obscured from view. 

17.	NFPA 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. 

18.	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. 

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

20.	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).  Where fire alarm system is required, duct detectors shall be connected to building alarm system. 

21.	101:12.7.8.3  Occupant capacities will be set and posted by the inspecting officer upon final inspection. 

22.	LRS 40:1730.45 and LAC 55:V:2601  The documentation provided for the subject facility appears to comply with The Commercial Building Energy Conservation Code based on ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1- 2001, and the International Energy Conservation Code, 2000 edition, as applicable. 

23.	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:
OTIS RAMKE
ARCHITECT

CC:
Rev Lin Martin
Bogalusa Public Works Department*
Bogalusa Building Inspector*
New Orleans District*     5042194600