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, P.E., E.E
DAMMON ENGINEERING
1095 FLORIDA AVE
SLIDELL, LA  70458
RE:  P0307997
SLIDELL MEMORIAL CARDIOLOGY SUITE
1001 GAUSE BLVD
SLIDELL, LA  70458-0000

NFPA 101, 2003

HOSPITAL

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:

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

1.	NFPA 70:517.13  Wiring in patient care areas shall comply with NFPA 70:517.13(A) and (B).( PROVIDE CUTSHEETS ON REDUNDANT GROUNDED CONDUIT IN PATIENT CARE AREAS COMPLIANT WITH NEC 517.13 PRIOR TO PLACEMENT OF ELECTRICAL WORK. SEE ENCLOSED REFERENCE MATERIAL ON REDUNDANT GROUNDING. QUESTIONS REGARDING THE DOCUMENTATION REQUESTED MAY BE DIRECTED TO MR. KEN ROBICHAUX WITH THIS OFFICE.) 

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

2.	Modifications to the existing sprinkler system shall be in accordance with NFPA 13.

	a)  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. 

3.	Modifications to the existing fire alarm system shall be in accordance with NFPA 101, NFPA 72 and ADA-AG.
	a)  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. 
	
4.	101:4.6.11  Buildings or portions of buildings shall be permitted to be occupied during construction, repair, alterations, or additions only if all means of egress and all fire protection features are in place and continuously maintained for the portion occupied.( MAINTAIN ACCESS TO EXITS DURING CONSTRUCTION FROM OCCUPIED AREAS OF THE BUILDING. THE FIRE ALARM AND SPRINKLER SYSTEM SHALL REMAIN OPERATIONAL AT ALL TIMES DURING CONSTRUCTION IN OCCUPIED AREAS OF THE BUILDING.) 

5.	101: 18.2.7 and 101: 7.7.2 Fifty percent or more of the stairs shall empty directly to exterior of a sprinkled building at the ground floor. Inspector shall verify. 

6.	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:

	a)  4.5  Ground and floor surfaces shall be stable, firm, and slip-resistant.

	b)  4.5.2  Thresholds shall comply with requirements of this section regarding changes in level.  (Not more than 1/2" height and beveled if over 1/4").

	c)  4.13.9  Door hardware shall comply with this section. Hardware shall not require tight grasping, tight pinching, or twisting of the wrist to operate.

	d)  4.1.3(16)  Permanent signage shall comply with 4.30.

	1.  Signage, where provided for permanent rooms and spaces shall provide;
		a.  braille and raised lettering as per 4.30.4, 
		b.  letter/symbol to background color contrast as per 4.30.5, and 
		c.  a 60" height from floor to the centerline of the sign as per 4.30.6.

	2.  Other permanent signs which provide direction to or information about functional spaces of the building shall provide;
		a.  letter character width to height proportion as per 4.30.2, 
		b.  character height proportion based on height of sign from finish floor as per 4.30.3, and 
		c.  letter/symbol to background color contrast as per 4.30.5.

	e)  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.

	f)  4.13  Doors shall provide 32" clear width. (Consider 3'-0" door).( NO DOOR SCHEDULE PROVIDED)

	g)  4.1.1(3)  Employee work areas shall be designed and constructed so that individuals with disabilities can approach, enter and exit. 
	
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.	101:7.2.1.5.9  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.	101:7.2.1.3  Provide landings outside exterior doors level with the interior finish floor. 

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

12.	101:18.2.9 Provide emergency lighting according to NFPA 101:7.9 including exit discharge (exterior).( PROVIDE EMERGENCY LIGHTING AT EXTERIOR EXITS.) 

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.  Electrical work/modifications may include, but not limited to the following: lighting fixtures (interior, exterior and site); receptacles; panelboards; panel schedules; load schedules; utility company or service transformer KVA size, number of phases, voltage and secondary short circuit amps; fixture schedules; wire type, size and circuiting; single line diagram; properly sized new and existing protective equipment, including service disconnect(s), panelboard(s), circuit breakers and fused switches, sized for available short circuit amps; properly sized system grounding conductor and grounding electrode(s); connection of the system grounding and bonding at the service disconnect enclosure(s); properly sized overload or overcurrent and short circuit protective devices for conductors, motors, transformers and equipment; properly sized conductors for equipment grounding and bonding of all metallic conduit and enclosures; installation of ground fault circuit receptacles; etc. 

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.	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:
GORDON CAMERON
ARCHITECT

CC:
Slidell Memorial Hospital
Healthcare District*     2259254270
State Plumbing Board Of Louisiana*
Slidell Fire Prevention*
City Of Slidell*