Plan Review
Prior to the issuance of a building permit:
Work Requiring a Fire Permit
Any work requiring a Fire Permit MUST have the permit completed online at http://buildinginspections.coj.net and a TEMPORARY or WAITING status permit number issued PRIOR to turning the plans in for review. Paper copies of permit applications are not accepted.
Plans are to be submitted by the Architect, Engineer or Owner to the Building Department for the initial review. The Building Department will make their review and forward the plans to the Fire Department for review. The initial review by this section will consist of a life safety review based on the current edition of the Florida Fire Prevention Code. A general life safety review will consist of means of egress and related issues, paths of travel, general building layout, fire walls and separation, fire department access and location of fire hydrants and any required fire system. This review is for all proposed construction. Requirements for egress, suppression systems, fire alarm systems and general fire safety issues are to be addressed prior to issuing a building permit. This is to include all storage information-i.e. racking systems, material handling, all methods and arrangement of warehouse storage areas, and any special hazards areas. The designated Engineer of Record (EOR) for Fire Protection is responsible to gather and present ALL information for fire protection at this state of review. Failure to comply will result in a delay of the Certificate of Occupancy. Adherence to A-J only does not relieve the EOR from securing the necessary information. The EOR is for fire protection systems and NOT just fire sprinklers. The design of the next phase of review and the time for review is dependant on this information. For buildings equipped with a fire sprinkler system, the Owner's Information Certificate is to be filled out and submitted with the initial submittal. Smoke control system calculations and layout are to be included in this phase. This is to include alarm system interface and sequence of operation.
After the issuance of a building permit:
The review of fire suppression, alarm, special hazard conditions and other fire permits may take place after building permit issuance. The fire suppression system contractor will submit the layout and scope of the suppression system from the direction of the EOR. Drawings are to be to scale and follow the guidelines of applicable NFPA standard – code. The EOR is to ensure that all fire protection-suppression issues are addressed and met. The EOR will submit any necessary addendum to the fire sprinkler package to ensure a complete fire suppression system. This is to include storage layout, flammable-combustible liquids issues, combustible and corrosives, etc. The use of FM Standards is to be submitted for approval prior to the submittal of the drawings. Since there are no life safety provisions, the EOR is responsible to get approval prior to the issuance of the building permit. This means Fire Marshal approval and the entire fire compartment is to meet FM standards.
For code inquiry, interpretations, or general questions, the owner, Architects, the EOR or fire protection system contractor-license holder or minimum NICET Level 3 ONLY are to meet with any of the fire officials to discuss code issues and interpretations.
If all relevant information is not supplied, expect a delay in issuance of required permit.
As a policy of plan review, contractors can NOT perform their own flow tests. When a water flow test is needed, please contact Gary Pate (JEA) at pategw@jea.com to secure a water flow test. The test must be current – within 1 year of the date of submittal. Please request existing data before applying for a new test. Existing data is provided at no charge, but a new test costs $82. When a private fire main is involved, the contractor may perform their own flow test ONLY if it is observed by the plan review section.
Full height cross sections are required for all drawings. Wall sections are a part of a full height cross section and a complete full height drawing showing ceiling pitch and combustibility must be included. This also applies to roof decks that serve as a heat collection member of the fire protection system. Most commercial structures have a level roof cross section and a pitched section. The pitched section must be used. Note any reasons on the drawings for not using the pitched section. All drawings that use water that use water for the base of suppression are to show the source of water. This is to include the size and type of the supplying main-i.e. circulating, dead end, etc.
Inspection Procedure
Inspection requests are to be called in to the city's automated system @ 630-0254 or by computer @ http://buildinginspections.coj.net. Enter the permit number and appropriate inspection type. Problems with the automatic call in can be addressed at (904) 630-1110 between 7AM and 4PM. Explain that you are having a problem and ask for help. The automated system is 24 hours. The types of required inspections and numbers for the inspections will be given at the time the system permit is issued.
Underground Fire Mains
Underground fire mains require 3 separate inspections that may be made in one trip by the inspector. The 3 inspections are 1) flushing inspection, 2) pressure test, 3) visual. The underground fire main is required to be hydrostatically tested to min 200 psi for 2 hours. Please refer to the Inspector Test Certificate for Underground Piping for allowable leakage or NFPA 13. The installing underground contractor will have joints exposed showing the rating and type of piping materials and the type of restraints. All writing is to be turned up in the ditch. C 900 is the ONLY type of PVC allowed in fire mains. No other type of PVC will be allowed. DO NOT have any type of pump hooked up during the required 2 hours of the pressure test. Gauges are to be placed in a readable location with the provision to release pressure at the far-opposite end of the system. The flushing location should be the floor flange or one piece in building riser system. Provide provision for full flushing of the main at the full flow. The flushing inspection may be obtained at the end of the pressure test. This will be a full flow of the pipe diameter to ensure a through cleaning. The underground contractor shall make provisions for water runoff and any possible damage. A minimum of Class 5 Fire Protection Contractor license is required for underground installation and must be registered and complete the permit process in room 281, Ed Ball Building, 2nd Floor PRIOR to beginning any work. General Contractors are responsible to check for the license of underground (Class 1, 2 or 5 fire Protection Contractor issued by the State Fire Marshal). The fire sprinkler contractor must check the license for the underground PRIOR to hook up to the floor flange. Any discrepancies must be reported to the plan review section at (904) 255-8560 for proper action by the State Fire Marshal.
Aboveground Piping (Interior)
Above ground piping shall be pressurized to 200 psi for 2 hours prior to arrival of the inspector. The test gauge shall be arranged to be easily accessible and have the provision to be bled off from the far-opposite end of the system. System shall be checked for head placement, pipe size and pipe type. All writing shall be readable. Special Hazard systems shall follow the required test procedures per each applicable code.
Please note that if the inspector's test ids placed on the riser, the contractor must receive permission from the Fire Marshal prior to placing the inspector's test on the riser. There must be a valid reason to do so. If permission is given to place it on the riser, then a temporary drain must be placed on the far-opposite end of the sprinkler system to be used during above ground tests.
Temporary CO'S
The issuance of a Temporary CO PCO/PST is to be coordinated with the Building Department. Forms for a temporary CO are to be obtained from the Building Department, Ed Ball Building, 214 N. Hogan Street, 2nd Floor, Jacksonville, Florida 32202 or online.
Plan Reviewer / Inspectors
Capt. Bob Ratliff - 255-8320 - bratliff@coj.net
Forms
1. Fire Permit Application
2. Fire permits will be required for 010708.pdf
3. FireSprinklerSystemDesignCriteria010708.pdf
4. SubmittingPlansForReview010708.pdf
5. Owners information certificate.pdf
6. Plan Review Checklist 010708.pdf
7. Plan Review Fees 010708.pdf
8. PlansAbovegroundStorageTanks010708.pdf
9. Fire and Rescue after hours billing form.pdf
10. Fire Marshal Fees for services provided.pdf