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:  P0327031
CARPET WORLD
8833 W JUDGE PEREZ DR
CHALMETTE, LA  70043-0000

NFPA 101, 2003

MERCANTILE CLASS B

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.	101:36.1.4  This review is based on an occupancy classification of MERCANTILE CLASS B in accordance with 101:6.1.1 and this section. 

3.	RS 40:1563  The state inspector shall verify existing conditions and issue a report citing non-conforming conditions at the time of final inspection.  In particular, the following issues were discovered in plan review that are of life safety concern and may be deficient:

	a)  SECOND FLOOR OF STRUCTURE IS REPORTED TO BE UNCLASSIFIED AREA AND IS NOT REVIEWED UNDER THIS SUBMITTAL. 

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

4.	101:36.2.2  Enclose interior stairs with 1 hour fire resistive construction including self closing 1 hour labeled door/frame assemblies. (101:7.2.2.5.1) (STAIR TO SECOND FLOOR) 

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.	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)  4.9.4  Provide handrails at both sides of all accessible stairs.  Handrails shall comply with 4.9 and 4.26.

	b)  4.9.4(2)  Handrails at stairs shall extend at least 12" beyond the top riser and at least 12" plus the width of one tread beyond the bottom riser (See Figure 19).

	c)  4.9.4(4)  The gripping surfaces of handrails at stairs shall not be interrupted by newel posts or obstructions.

	d)  4.19 Lavatories shall comply with the following:

	1. 4.19.6 Mirrors shall be mounted with the bottom edge of the reflective surface not more than 40" from the floor. 

7.	101:7.1.5.1  Headroom shall be not less than 7'-6" in a means of egress with no projection less than 6'-8" nominal height from the floor. 

8.	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.   

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.	101:7.2.1.5.9  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. 

11.	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. 
	
12.	101:7.2.2.3.3  Projections or lips at nosings of stair treads that are a tripping hazard are not permitted. 

13.	101:7.2.2.4.1  Stairs and ramps shall have handrails on both sides and shall be provided within 30 inches of all portions of the required egress width of stair. 

14.	101:7.2.2.4.4.1  Handrails shall be no lower than 34" nor higher than 38" above the leading edge of the tread surface. 

15.	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. 

16.	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". 

17.	101:7.2.2.4.5.2  Guard rails shall be at least 42" high. 

18.	101:36.2.8  Provide illumination of means of egress in accordance with NFPA 101:7.8. 

19.	101:36.3.3  Interior walls and ceilings shall have a flame spread of 0-200 and a smoke development rating of 0-450. 

20.	101:36.5.1  Utilities shall comply with the provisions of Section 9.1. 

21.	Compliance with the 2005 NFPA 70, National Electrical Code (NEC), is mandated by RS 40:1730.28.A(7). Contact the local Building Official of the applicable local political subdivision or a Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Council registered third-party provider to verify plan review and inspection requirements of the proposed electrical work. 

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

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 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:
ERIC PARNELL
ARCHITECT

CC:
Stuart Duncan
St Bernard Parish Government
St Bernard Fire Prevention*
New Orleans District*     5042194600