Fire Plan Review Checklist

Building New Construction Plan Review

Applicable Base Codes

• Florida Fire Prevention Code, 5th Edition
• NFPA 1, Uniform Fire Code, Florida 2012 Edition
• NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, Florida 2012 Edition
• NFPA 13, 2010 edition
• NFPA 72, 2010 edition
• City of Orlando Fire Code, Chapter 24 

General Review

• Drawings signed and sealed.
• Fire Department Site Access – See Fire Site Plan Review Checklist.
• Underground Main Design Documents – See Fire UG Main Plan Review Checklist.
• Fire Sprinkler Design Documents – See Suppression Plan Review Checklist for BLD permits.
• Fire Alarm Design Documents – See Fire Alarm Review Checklist.
• Fire Extinguishers.
• Special Hazards Suppression System.
• Lock Box at Main Entrance.

Life Safety Code (NFPA 101)

• Occupant Load; Signage.
• Number of Exits: Remoteness: Arrangement: Capacity; Rating.
• Changes in Elevation – Ramps.
• Exit Doors – Delay egress; Access Control; Hold Open Devices.
• Doors, Rating, Panic Hardware, Width.
• Travel Distance.
• Common Path of Travel.
• Dead End Corridors.
• Stair Details-riser, run.
• Handrails.
• Guards.
• Stair Rating and Fire Doors.
• Stair Discharge to Public Way.
• Exterior Stairs – Separation, Protection.
• Aisles.
• Corridor Rating and Fire Doors.
• Corridor Width: Doors Opening Into.
• Emergency Lighting.
• Exit Signs.
• Vertical Openings: Atriums, Escalators.
• Protection from Hazardous Areas.
• Smoke Detectors Required?
• Fire Alarm System Required?
• Sprinkler System Required?
• High Rise Building.
• Stair Pressurization.

Fire Site Plan Review

Fire Department Access

• Drawings signed and sealed.
• FD access 20’ clear width, 13’-6” height.
• Coordination with hydrants and FDC.
• Turnarounds for dead ends 150’ or more in length.
• Cul-de-sac min. inside diameter 36’ and the min. outside diameter 60’.
• FD access min. right hand turn radius 25’.
• If the building set back more than 150’ from the paved FD access, provide a fire lane.
• If the building over 30’ in height and setback more than 50’ from the paved FD access, provide a fire lane.
• Gates provide sufficient access width (20’) and height (13’-6”).
• Automatic fence installed on 24-hour occupied structures; optical sensors.
• Fence obstruction to hydrants, hose lay distance, FDC, egress path.

Fire Underground Main Plan Review

Underground Mains (NFPA 24)

• Engineer design documents are signed and sealed.
• Shop drawings have only minor changes from engineered documents.
• Hydrants – distance to FDC, curb face, structures.
• Hydrants – clearance 7’6” front/sides and 4; rear.
• Color coding statement for hydrants.
• Point of connection clearly marked and shown as private from this point onward.
• Plans must state UG main installed and tested per NFPA 24, 200 psi.
• Dead-end mains pipe size and distance.
• Pipe not installed under buildings.
• Cover depth minimum of 30”.
• Pipe size, diameter, and type.
• DR 14 for fire service only, DR 18 for combination use only if provided
• documents state that pipe will withstand testing for 200 psi.
• Details of joints, restraint, thrust blocks, and hydrants.
• Corrosion protection on buried metallic parts.
• Electronic supervision of backflow control valves.
• Sectional valves every 6 hydrants.
• Water supply analysis for large, complex systems.

Building - Additional/Alteration Plan Review

General Review

• Drawings signed and sealed.
• Key Plan indicating scope of work and existing systems.
• Substantial Improvement; Change of Use.
• Fire Department Site Access – See Fire Site Plan Review Checklist.
• Underground Main Design Documents – See Fire UG Main Plan Review Checklist.
• Fire Sprinkler Design Documents – See Suppression Plan Review Checklist for BLD permits.
• Fire Alarm Design Documents – See Fire Alarm Review Checklist.
• Fire Extinguishers.
• Existing Systems Shown.
• Special Hazards Suppression System.
• Lock Box at Main Entrance.

Life Safety Code (NFPA 101)

• Occupant Load; Signage.
• Changes in Elevation – Ramps.
• Number of Exits: Remoteness: Arrangement; Capacity; Rating.
• Exit Doors – Delay egress; Access Control; Hold Open Devices.
• Doors, Rating, Panic Hardware, Width.
• Travel Distance.
• Common Path of Travel.
• Dead End Corridors.
• Stair Details-rise and run.
• Handrails.
• Guards.
• Stair Rating and Fire Doors.
• Stair Discharge to Public Way.
• Exterior Stairs – Separation, protection.
• Aisles.
• Corridor Rating and Fire Doors.
• Corridor width: Doors Opening Into.
• Emergency Lighting.
• Exit Signs.
• Vertical Openings: Atriums, Escalators.
• Protection from Hazardous Areas.
• Smoke Detectors Required?
• Fire Alarm System Required?
• Sprinkler System Required?
• High-Rise Building.
• Stair Pressurization.

Fire Alarm Systems Plan Review

Fire Alarm Plan

• Check for proper License and Insurance.
• Shop drawings not sealed by engineer.
• Reference to NFPA 72 and 70.
• Location of FACP or annunciator panel clearly accessible/visible from entry.
• Smoke detector located at panel.
• Point to Point wiring, EOL device shown.
• Proper spacing/coverage/location of spot detectors (heat & smoke).
• Proper spacing/coverage/location of beam detectors.
• Proper location of duct detectors.
• Proper spacing and location of pull stations.
• Proper location of detectors associated with door holders.
• Proper location of detectors associated with stair pressurization.
• Proper spacing/coverage/location of notification appliances.
• Add condition that audible notification be checked during inspection.
• Sprinkler flow switches monitored.
• Sprinkler tamper switches monitored.
• Fire pump monitored.
• Battery calculations.
• Device legend.
• Fla. Accessibility notification requirements met.
• Emergency forces notification.
• Elevator control room, shaft, and recall.
• Special systems, VESDA, etc.
• Apartment smoke detectors, every floor-bedrooms-sleeping area (hallway).
• Show smoke evacuation sequence of operation.
• Fire Department lock box at main entrance.

Building – Fire Suppression Plan Review

General

• If the new structure is greater than 5000 sq ft in area, do the drawings contain an automatic fire sprinkler system (City of Orlando Fire Code)?
• If there are over 49 heads in scope of work, are the sprinkler design drawings signed and sealed by Florida registered engineer?
• Is the applicable code (NFPA 13, 13R, 13D, 14, 20) and edition correct and shown on the drawing?
• Site drawing indicating point of service from City main included?
• Have details of hangers, valves, sprinkler arrangement been provided?

System Type

• Wet Pipe, Dry Pipe, Deluge or Pre-action?
• Where the pipe cannot be maintained about 40oF, have adequate freeze protection provisions been included (NFPA 13)?
• Is the type of system appropriate for the specified application (NFPA 13)?
• Are dry-type valve rooms heated and lighted (NFPA 13)?
• Does the system have an electronically monitored alarm valve or water flow device (NFPA 13)?

Hazard Classification

• Light, Ordinary I, Ordinary II, Extra or Storage?
• Does the hazard classification correspond to the potential fuel load (NFPA 13)?
• Is the design density consistent with NFPA 13 classifications (NFPA 13)?
• Are the sprinkler zones less than the maximum permitted (NFPA 13)?

Hydraulic Calculations

• Are hydraulic calculations included?
• Is the date of flow test within 1 year?
• Is hydraulic nodal information shown on drawings?
• Is the calculated zone the most hydraulically demanding?
• Does the zone contain the correct number of heads (NFPA 13)?
• Do the Calculations use the correct C Factor (NFPA 13)?
• Does the supply curve exceed the system demand? 

Sprinklers

• Are quick response (QR) sprinklers used on light hazard occupancy (NFPA 13)?
• If applicable, does the dry system have uprights or return bends with pendants (NFPA 13)?
• Is the distance between sprinklers less than or equal to 15 ft (NFPA 13)?
• Is the area of coverage per sprinkler less than the maximum permitted (NFPA13)?
• Are the sprinklers less than 7’-6” from a wall unless by small room exception allowing up to 9’ (NFPA 13)?
• Do obstructions have additional heads for coverage?
• Do the soffits that require which obstruct discharge have adequate coverage?
• Have provisions been made to drain all parts of the system (NFPA 13)?
• If there are elevator shafts or chutes, are they sprinkler protected (NFPA 13)?
• Are all concealed spaced sprinkler protected unless excluded by NFPA 13?
• If there are vaults, are they protected in accordance with NFPA 232?
• If there are commercial hoods, are they protected in accordance with NFPA 96?

Standpipes/Mains

• If the building exceeds 2 stories and more than 50’ in height, or exceeds 30’ to the highest occupied floor, is a Class III system installed (City of Orlando Fire Code)?
• Does the standpipe have 2-1/2” hose valves with 1-1/2” reducers (NFPA 14)?
• Does each Class III standpipe systems contain at least two FDC’s on opposite sides of the building (City of Orlando Fire Code)?
• Is the FDC located within 100’ of the nearest hydrant (NFPA 14)?
• Does each FDC have a check valve inside the building (NFPA 13)?
• If a standpipe is required, do the fire hose valves provide coverage within 100’ of hose and 30’ of spray (NFPA 14)?
• Are the fire hose valves located at the intermediate landings of the stairs (NFPA 14)?
• If a combination standpipe is used in a high-rise, does each floor have separate control valve and flow switch (NFPA 13)?
• Is the dedicated standpipe riser at least 4” and combination risers at least 6” in diameter (NFPA 14)?
• Does the most remote riser have two a 2-1/2” outlet on the roof (NFPA 14)?
• Do stairs with access to the roof have an outlet at the highest landing, and stairs without roof access have roof outlets (NFPA 14)?
• Do the calculations indicate at least 100 psi at the roof manifold of the most remote riser (NFPA 14)? 
• Does the system have pressure-reducing valves for fire hose connections if the pressure exceeds 175 psi (NFPA 14)?
• Does the supply curve exceed the demand when flowing 1000 gpm (NFPA 14)?

Fire Pumps

• Do the drawings indicate installation in compliance with NFPA 20?
• Does the fire pump room contain adequate drainage (NFPA 20)?
• Does the fire pump room have adequate emergency lighting (NFPA 20)?
• If electric driven, does the fire pump have a reliable power source (City of Orlando Fire Code)?
• If diesel driven, does the fire pump have sufficient fuel, battery, and exhaust capacity?
• Does the drawing show a fire pump bypass (NFPA 20)?
• Is the fire pump room separated by 2-hour rated construction (NFPA 20)? 

Fire Suppression Plan Review

General

• Are the shop drawings on the contractor’s title block?
• Do the drawings meet the engineer design documents?
• Is the applicable code (NFPA 13, 13R, 13D, 14, 20) and edition correct and shown on the drawing?
• Site drawing indicating point of service from City main included?
• Do the drawings show dimensions and diameter of each pipe?
• Do the drawings show risers locations and dimensions?
• Have details of hangers, valves, sprinkler arrangement been provided? 

System Type

• Wet Pipe, Dry Pipe, Deluge or Pre-action?
• Where the pipe cannot be maintained above 40oF, have adequate freeze protection provisions been included (NFPA 13)?
• Is the type of system appropriate for the specified application (NFPA 13)?
• Are dry-type valve rooms heated and lighted (NFPA 13)?
• Does the system have an electronically monitored alarm valve or water flow device (NFPA 13)? 

Hazard Classification

• Light, Ordinary I, Ordinary II, Extra or High-Pile Storage?
• Does the hazard classification correspond to the potential fuel load (NFPA 13)?
• Is the design density consistent with NFPA 13 classifications (NFPA 13)?
• Are the sprinkler zones less than the maximum permitted (NFPA 13)?

Hydraulic Calculations

• Are hydraulic calculations included?
• Is the date of flow test within 1 year?
• Is hydraulic nodal information shown on drawings?
• Is the calculated zone the most hydraulically demanding (NFPA 13)?
• Does the zone contain the correct number of heads (NFPA 13)?
• Do the calculations use the correct C Factor (NFPA 13)?
• Does the supply curve exceed the system demand?

Sprinklers

• Are quick response (QR) sprinklers used on light hazard occupancy (NFPA 13)?
• If applicable, does the dry system have uprights or return bends with pendants (NFPA 13)?
• Is the distance between sprinklers less than or equal to 15 ft (NFPA 13)?
• Is the area of coverage per sprinkler less than the maximum permitted (NFPA 13)?
• Are the sprinklers less than 7’-6” from a wall unless by small room exception allowing up to 9’ (NFPA 13)?
• Do obstructions such as columns and beams have additional heads for coverage?
• Do the soffits that require which obstruct discharge have adequate coverage?
• Have provisions been made to drain all parts of the system (NFPA 13)?
• If there are elevator shafts or chutes, are they sprinkler protected (NFPA 13)?
• Are all concealed spaced sprinkler protected unless excluded by NFPA 13?
• If there are vaults, are they protected in accordance with NFPA 323?
• If there are commercial hoods, are they protected in accordance with NFPA 96? 

Standpipes/Mains

• If the building exceeds 2 stories and more than 50’ in height, or exceeds 30’ to the highest occupiable floor, is a Class III system installed (City of Orlando Fire Code)?
• Does the standpipe have 2-1/2” hose valves with 1-1/2” reducers (NFPA 14)?
• Does each Class III standpipe system contains at least two FDC’s on opposite sides of the building (City of Orlando Fire Code)?
• Is the FDC located within 100’ of the nearest hydrant (NFPA 14)?
• Does each FDC have a check valve inside the building (NFPA 13)?
• If a standpipe is required, do the fire hose valves provide coverage within 100’ of hose and 30’ of spray (NFPA 14)?
• Are the fire hose valves located at the intermediate landings of the stairs (NFPA 14)?
• If a combination standpipe is used in a high-rise, does each floor have separate control valve and flow switch (NFPA 13)?
• Is the dedicated standpipe riser at least 4” and combination risers at least 6” in diameter (NFPA 14)?
• Does the most remote riser have two a 2- ½” outlet on the roof (NFPA 14)?
• Do stairs with access to the roof have an outlet at the highest landing, and stairs without roof access have roof outlets (NFPA 14)?
• Do the calculations indicate at least 100 psi at the roof manifold of the most remote riser (NFPA 14)?
• Does the system have pressure-reducing valves for fire hose connections if the pressure exceeds 175 psi (NFPA 14)?
• Does the supply curve exceed the demand when flowing 1000 gpm (NFPA 14)?

Fire Pumps

• Do the drawings indicate installation in compliance with NFPA 20?
• If electric driven, does the fire pump have a reliable power source (City of Orlando Fire Code)?
• Does the drawing show a fire pump bypass (NFPA 20)?
• Is the fire pump room separated by 2-hour rated construction (NFPA 20)?
• Does the fire pump suction have an eccentric reducer (NFPA 20)?
• Are elbows parallel to horizontal fire pumps at least a distance of 10 times the intake diameter from the pump suction (NFPA 20)? 

Equipment Submittals

• Are the products listed or approved for the application (NFPA 13)?
• Do the sprinklers cut sheets correspond with the hydraulic calculations and drawings and do they provide the adequate coverage?
• Are the correct temperatures and orientation specified for each sprinkler?
• Are all control valves and flow indicating devices electronically monitored in accordance with NFPA 72 (City of Orlando Fire Code)? 

Most Common Reasons for Disapproval

• Incomplete summary of codes, including missing code references and incorrect editions listed.
• Sprinkler and fire alarm design documents, including hydraulic calculations, missing from submitted building permit plans when required.
• Fire extinguisher locations missing from plans.
• Insufficient remoteness of exits.
• Point of service location on site plan not clearly shown.
• ISO and necessary fire calculations not provided.
• Incorrect spacing of sprinkler heads.
• Incorrect spacing of fire alarm notification devices.
• Incorrect or missing door ratings in fire-rated missing assemblies.
• Incorrect locking devices on doors.
• Lack of necessary egress from elevator lobbies.
• Hold open devices shown without corresponding smoke detectors.
• Incorrect color coding of fire hydrants.