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:  P0324975
PLATFORM CRANE BLDG C
DOSS DRIVE
SLIDELL, LA  70458

NFPA 101, 2003

BUSINESS
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.	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. 

2.	High hazard storage (including oxidizers) or processes are not included in this review.  If this facility is planning to handle or store materials of this nature, then plans and details shall be resubmitted for review prior to starting construction. 

3.	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.  

4.	This review does not apply to work in UNDEVELOPED SPACES indicated in drawings.  Before any work is commenced in that area, plans and specifications shall be reviewed by this office.

NOTE: This applies to buildings A, D and E labeled as future on sheetg C-2. 

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

5.	LAC 55:V:303.D  Provide listed portable fire extinguishers in accordance with NFPA 10.  (Refer to Appendix E for distribution information.) 

______________________________________________________________________________________

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

6.	This exception is intended to allow the exemption from 'truncated dome' provisions of the ADA-AG at areas requiring detectable warning surfaces.  

	After consultation with the Office of Rehabilitation Services, it has been determined that this office will not require this facility to provide 'truncated domes' as the tactile warning at areas required to provide detectable warning surfaces, with the following stipulations:

	1.  The only acceptable alternative tactile warning at areas required to provide detectable warning surfaces is a surface with a profile of minimum 1/4" deep grooves that are spaced 2" to 3" on center and scored into concrete at all locations that detectable warning surfaces are required.  The scoring shall run perpendicular to the path of travel.  A grid scoring pattern is permissible.

	2.  Other than the profile of the tactile warning, the detectable warning surface must comply with Section 4.29 of the ADAAG.  (Note that the area of the detectable warning surface must have an integral color that contrasts with adjacent pedestrian and vehicular way surfaces.)

	3.  This exemption does not apply to public rights of way.

	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. 

7.	LRS 40:1731-(Effective 8/15/95)  Provide access to persons with disabilities 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:
	
	a)  4.6.2  Accessible parking spaces shall be located on the shortest accessible route of travel to an accessible building entrance.

	b)  4.17  Provide at least one standard stall as shown in Figure 30(a) or 30(a-1).

	c)  4.22.5 Provide at least one accessible urinal with an elongated rim at 17" maximum above the floor.

	d)  4.28.1 Where emergency warning systems are provided, they shall include both audible alarms and visual alarms complying with 4.28.2 and NFPA-72.

	e)  4.1.3(13)  Provide a maximum counter height of 34" at sink OR provide a maximum counter height of 36" at sink if knee space exists under sink. (Provide in kitchens)

	f)  4.1.3(16)(a)  Provide low level mounted exit signage in accordance with 4.30.1, 4.30.4, 4.30.5 and 4.30.6 (raised character, letter size, mounting) at all required exit doors to the exterior, exit stair doors and horizontal exit doors. 
	
8.	101:7.2.2.2.1 / 101:7.5.4.4  Stairs shall comply with the appropriate Stair table and ADA-AG.

	a)  Stair treads shall be uniformly slip resistant. 
	
9.	101:7.2.2.3.3  Projections or lips at nosings of stair treads that are a tripping hazard are not permitted. 

10.	101:7.2.2.4.4.10  Where a stair handrail is not continuous between landings, it shall continue to slope for a depth of one tread beyond the bottom riser and shall extend 12" level with the landing at the top riser.  In addition, if a handrail is to provide for handicapped accessibility, an additional 12" extension is required at the bottom level with the landing in accordance with ADAAG 4.9.4(2). 

11.	101:7.2.2.4.4.7 and 7.2.2.4.4.6(1)  Handrails shall be continuously graspable along the entire length.  Handrails shall be from 1-1/4" to 2" in diameter. 

12.	101:7.2.2.4.4.5  Provide a minimum clearance of 2-1/4" between the handrails and the walls or guards to which they are attached.   

13.	101:7.2.2.4.5.3  Guard rail openings shall be such that a 4" diameter sphere shall not pass through, up to a height of 34". 

14.	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. 

15.	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. 

16.	101:8.2.2.3  Fire compartments shall be formed by fire barriers that are continuous from foundation through all intervening construction to the roof deck, from outside wall to outside wall or from fire barrier to fire barrier, including continuity through all concealed spaces, such as those found above a ceiling, including interstitial spaces. 

17.	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. (This requirement applies for elevator controls on shaft walls, electrical outlets, light switches, etc.).

	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. 
	
18.	8.3.3.1  Wall openings required to have a fire protection rating by Table 8.3.4.2 shall be protected by approved, listed, labeled fire door assemblies and fire window assemblies and their accompanying hardware, including all frames, closing devices, anchorage, and sills in accordance with the requirements of NFPA 80, Standard for Fire Doors and Fire Windows, except as otherwise specified in this Code.

NOTE: Vinyl frames do not meet this requirement. 

19.	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). 
	
20.	NFPA 10:1.5.6  Fire extinguishers shall not be obstructed or obscured from view. 

21.	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. 

22.	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. 

23.	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. 

24.	LRS 40:1625  Submit automatic sprinkler system shop drawings with plan review application and fee prior to installation of any work to this system.  Such work shall not commence until the shop drawings are reviewed and appear to satisfactorily comply with the laws, codes, rules, and regulations enforced by this office.

Be advised that a sprinkler system that satisfies the requirements of NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, NFPA 13, NFPA 13R and/or NFPA 13D may not necessarily be considered by the building insurance underwriters as "full coverage" or "fully sprinklered", for insurance purposes. 

25.	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. 

26.	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. 

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

28.	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. 

29.	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. 

30.	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:
Platform Crane
St Tammany Fire Protection District No 1*
City Of Slidell*
New Orleans District*     5042194600