RESPONSIBILITY RULES FOR ENGINEERS

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Article # 9004

RESPONSIBILITY RULES FOR ENGINEERS - Part 2 of 3

Taken from the Florida Administrative code CHAPTER 61G15-32,33

CHAPTER 61G15-32 RESPONSIBILITY RULES OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS CONCERNING THE DESIGN OF FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS

61G15-32.001 General Responsibility.

61G15-32.002 Definitions.

61G15-32.003 Common Requirements to All Fire Protection Engineering Documents.

61G15-32.004 Design of Water Based Fire Protection Systems.

61G15-32.005 Design of Gas Agent Fire Suppression Systems.

61G15-32.006 Design of Foam and Foam Water Fire Suppression Systems.

61G15-32.007 Design of Dry Chemical and Miscellaneous Fire Suppression or Control Systems.

61G15-32.008 Design of Fire Alarms, Signaling Systems and Control Systems.

61G15-32.009 Design of Fine Water Spray (Mist) Fire Suppression and Control Systems

61G15-32.001 General Responsibility.

Fire protection engineering documents shall be prepared in accordance with applicable technology and the requirements of the authority having jurisdiction. The documents shall identify the Engineer of Record for the project. Both the engineer of record for the fire protection system and the delegated engineer, if utilized, shall comply with the requirements of the general responsibility rules, 61G15-30, F.A.C., and with the requirements of the more specific rules contained herein.

61G15-32.002 Definitions.

(1) Engineer of Record for the Fire Protection System(s): The Florida Registered Professional Engineer who develops the Fire Protection System(s) design criteria; performs analysis as required: and is responsible for the preparation of the Fire Protection System Engineering Documents.

(2) Fire Protection Component: Any individual part, subsystem or device to be incorporated in a Fire Protection System.

(3) Fire Protection System: Any assembly of Fire Protection components, materials, equipment, which require design to form a fully functional fire protection system.

(4) Listed: A fire protection component tested by a nationally recognized fire protection equipment testing organization. Recognized organizations include, but are not limited to Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. and Factory Mutual Research Corporation.

(5) Fire Protection System Engineering Documents: The fire protection system engineering drawings, specifications, prescriptive and performance criteria, water supply analysis and other materials or representations, which are submitted with the general construction documents pursuant to 553.79(6)(c), FS, that set forth the overall design requirements and provide sufficient direction for the contractor to layout the construction, alteration, demolition, renovation, repair, modification, permitting and such, for any public or private fire protection system(s), which are prepared, signed, dated and sealed by the Engineer of Record for the Fire Protection System(s).

(6) Fire Protection System Layout Documents: Layout drawings, hydraulic calculations, catalog information on standard products, and other construction data prepared by the licensed contractor or Engineer of Record that provides detail on the location of risers, cross mains, branch lines, sprinkler heads, sizing of pipe, hanger locations, and hydraulic calculations and also serves as a guide for fabrication and installation of a fire protection system. Fire Protection System Layout Documents are based upon engineering direction provided in the Fire Protection System Engineering Documents and require no additional engineering input. These documents do not require the seal of a Florida registered engineer.

(7) Codes and Standards: Those nationally recognized codes and standards adopted directly or by reference in Chapter 633, Florida Statutes. Applicable codes and standards also include those promulgated by the State Fire Marshal as well as by State and local authorities having jurisdiction. In the event the codes and standards fail to cover or address a specific protection requirement, alternative research, test results, and engineering data may be utilized, relying on the Engineer of Record for Fire Protection to make an informed engineering decision. This definition is not intended to preclude the use of new technologies when said technology has been demonstrated to provide equivalent or improved protection above that of published National Fire Protection standards.

(8) Material Deviation: Any deviation from the design parameters established and documented by the Engineer of Record.

(9) Layout: The location of risers, cross mains, branch lines, sprinkler heads, sizing of pipe, hanger locations, and hydraulic calculations based on engineering documents.

61G15-32.003 Common Requirements to All Fire Protection Engineering Documents.

(1) The Fire Protection System Engineering Documents shall provide the engineering requirements to be used in the preparation of the Fire Protection System Layout Documents and to indicate the nature and scope of the work, and to describe, detail, dimension, label and define the Fire Protection Components, System(s), materials, assemblies, equipment and its structural and utility support system(s), insofar as they involve the safeguarding of life, health or property.

(2) The Fire Protection System Engineering Documents shall specify the applicable requirements for the acceptance testing of the fire protection system and components, which shall be based upon applicable codes and standards, where available.

(3) The occupancy of the area or description of a specific hazard being protected by the Fire Protection System(s) shall be shown on the Fire Protection System Engineering Documents.

(4) The applicable code and standard to be used in the preparation of the Fire Protection System Layout Documents shall be shown on the Fire Protection System Engineering Documents. When codes and standards are not available or applicable, and said layout documents are to be based on engineering judgment, any reasons and assumptions made to develop the fire protection concept shall be identified on the Fire Protection System Engineering Documents.

(5) Structural support and structural openings required by the Fire Protection System shall be shown on the Fire Protection System Engineering Documents and shall be referenced on structural engineering documents.

(6) When layout documents contain material deviation from the Engineer of Record's Fire Protection System Engineering Document, such layout documents are not compliant unless they are accompanied by revised Engineering Documents made and sealed by the Engineer of Record for the Fire Protection System.

(7) Requirements for activation control systems, sequence, operating parameters, interlocks, safety related devices, indicators and alarms, shall be shown on the Fire Protection System Engineering Documents, unless shown on other related documents.

(8) Any information deemed appropriate by the Engineer of Record to assist the Authority Having Jurisdiction in understanding the owner’s intended use and proposed protection of the building or facility and to provide sufficient direction to the installation contractor or other interested parties regarding the layout of the system(s), shall be included in the Fire Protection System Engineering Documents.

61G15-32.004 Design of Water Based Fire Protection Systems.

(1) Water Based Fire Protection Systems include, but are not limited to, automatic sprinkler systems of wet, dry, fine water spray (mist), manual, and deluge valve controlled types, pumping systems, standpipes, fire water mains and dedicated fire protection water sources.

(2) To ensure minimum design quality in Fire Protection System Engineering Documents, said documents shall include as a minimum the following information when applicable:

(a) The Point of Service for the fire protection water supply as defined by 633.021(17) F.S.

(b) Applicable NFPA standard to be applied, or in the case where no such standard exists, the engineering study, judgments, and/or performance based analysis and conclusions.

(d) Design approach, which includes system type, densities, device temperature rating, and spacing for each separate hazard occupancy.

(e) Characteristics of water supply to be used, such as main size and location, whether it is dead-end or circulating; and if dead-end, the distance to the nearest circulating main, as well as its minimum duration and reliability for the most hydraulically demanding design area.

(f) When private or public water supplies are used, the flow test data, including date and time of test, who conducted test or supplied information, test elevation, static gauge pressure at no flow, flow rate with residual gauge pressure, hydrant butt coefficient, and location of test in relation to the hydraulic point of service.

(g) Valving and alarm requirements to minimize potential for impairments and unrecognized flow of water.

(h) Microbial Induced Corrosion (MIC). The Engineer of Record shall make reasonable efforts to identify water supplies that could lead to Microbial Induced Corrosion (MIC). Such efforts may consist of discussions with the local water purveyor and/or fire official, familiarity with conditions in the local area, or laboratory testing of water supplies. When conditions are found that may result in MIC contamination of the fire protection piping, the engineer shall design corrective measures.

(i) Backflow prevention and metering specifications and details to meet local water purveyor requirements including maximum allowable pressure drop.

(j) Quality and performance specifications of all yard and interior fire protection components.

(3) Contractor submittals which deviate from the above minimum design parameters shall be considered material deviations and require supplemental engineering approval and documentation.

(4) In the event the Engineer of Record provides more information and direction than is established above, he or she shall be held responsible for the technical accuracy of the work in accordance with applicable codes, standards, and sound engineering principles.

61G15-32.005 Design of Gas Agent Fire Suppression Systems.

(1) Gas Agent Fire Suppression Systems include, but are not limited to, CO2, Halon, inerting and purge gases, and all other gaseous formulations and multi-phase agents released for the purpose of fire control or extinguishment.

(2) The Fire Protection System(s) design specifications shall be based on applicable NFPA standards when available, or alternative engineering sources and good engineering practice when required.

61G15-32.006 Design of Foam and Foam Water Fire Suppression Systems.

(1) Foam and Foam Water Fire Suppression Systems include local application, total flooding, high and low expansion foams, and foam-water sprinkler systems.

(2) The Fire Protection System design specifications shall be based on applicable NFPA standards, when available, or alternative engineering sources and good engineering practice when required.

61G15-32.007 Design of Dry Chemical and Miscellaneous Fire Suppression or Control Systems.

(1) Dry chemical and miscellaneous systems include, but are not limited to, dry chemical systems, explosion control systems, and fire control structures.

(2) The Fire Protection System design specifications shall be based on applicable NFPA standards, when available, or alternative engineering sources and good engineering practice when required.

61G15-32.008 Design of Fire Alarms, Signaling Systems and Control Systems.

(1) Fire alarms, signaling, and control systems include, but are not limited to, fire protection supervision and alarm circuits, activation controls, and remote signaling.

(2) The Fire Protection System design specifications shall be based on applicable NFPA standards, when available, or alternative engineering sources and good engineering practice when required, and shall comply with the provisions of Rule 61G15-33.006, F.A.C.

61G15-32.009 Design of Fine Water Spray (Mist) Fire Suppression and Control Systems

(1) Fine water spray (mist) systems include water based fire suppression and control systems based on NFPA 750.

(2) The fire protection system(s) shall be based on applicable NFPA standards when available or on alternative engineering sources including full scale fire testing and good engineering practice when no applicable standard exists.

(3) Design of fine water spray systems requires specific knowledge of hazards, physical containment and fire dynamics. A “pre-engineered” listed system shall be installed only after the engineer of record has evaluated the project specific protected hazard.

CHAPTER 61G15-33 RESPONSIBILITY RULES OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS

CONCERNING THE DESIGN OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

61G15-33.001 General Responsibility.

61G15-33.002 Definitions.

61G15-33.003 Design of Power Systems.

61G15-33.004 Design of Lighting Systems.

61G15-33.005 Design of Communications Systems.

61G15-33.006 Design of Alarm Systems.

61G15-33.007 Design of Lightning Protection Systems.

61G15-33.008 Design of Grounding Systems.

61G15-33.009 Design of Instrumentation and Control Systems.

61G15-33.001 General Responsibility.

Electrical Engineering documents shall be prepared in accordance with applicable technology and with the requirements of the authority having jurisdiction. The documents shall identify the Engineer of record for the electrical systems project. Electrical Engineering documents shall be prepared in accordance with the requirements of the applicable codes and standards as defined herein. The engineer of record is responsible for determining the applicability of appropriate codes and standards to a given project. In the event the codes and standards fail to cover or address a specific requirement or situation, alternative research, test results, engineering data, and engineering calculations shall be utilized. New technology may be utilized when said technology has been demonstrated to provide equivalent or improved performance. Construction documents shall indicate the nature and character of the electrical work and shall describe, label and define the required electrical systems components, processes, equipment and material and its structural utility support systems. Both the engineer of record for the electrical system and the delegated engineer, if utilized, shall comply with the requirements of the general responsibility rules, 61G15-30, F.A.C., and with the requirements of the more specific rules contained herein.

61G15-33.002 Definitions.

(1) Engineer of Record for the Electrical Systems. The Florida Registered Professional Engineer who develops the electrical system design criteria or performs the analysis and is responsible for the preparation of the electrical documents for the project.

(2) Electrical Component. An individual electrical device to be part of an electrical system.

(3) Electrical. Any device or mechanism that operates due to the action of electricity.

(4) Electrical System. Any system, assembly of electrical components, materials, utilities, equipment, work system, machines, products or devices which require electrical energy in order to perform its intended function.

(5) Electrical Engineering Documents. The electrical drawings, specifications, reports and other documents setting forth the overall design and requirements for the construction, alteration, modernization, repair, demolition, arrangement, and/or use of the electrical system, or analysis or recommendations, as prepared by the Engineer of Record for the Electrical System.

(6) Electrical Submittals. Submittals, catalog information on standard products, or drawings prepared solely to serve as a guide for fabrication and installation and requiring no engineering input. These submittals do not require the seal of a Florida registered engineer.

(7) Codes and Standards. Those nationally recognized Codes and Standards adopted directly or by reference in Part II, Chapter 553, Florida Statutes. Applicable codes and standards also include those published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA), as well as those promulgated by the state fire marshal and other state and local authorities having jurisdiction.

61G15-33.003 Design of Power Systems.

(1) Power systems convey or distribute electrical energy. Items to be included in the design and analysis of these systems are: steady state and transient loads, short circuit protection (design and analysis), load flow, voltage drop, harmonics, and protective device coordination.

(2) Electrical engineering documents applicable to power systems shall at a minimum indicate the following:

(a) System Riser Diagram

(b) Conductor Ampacities (sizes) and insulation type

(d) Main and distribution panelboard locations and sizes

(e) Circuitry of all outlets and devices

(f) Short circuit analysis

(g) Load computations

(h) Electrical legend

(i) Grounding and bonding

(j) Instrumentation control

61G15-33.004 Design of Lighting Systems.

(1) Lighting systems convert electrical energy into light. Items to be included in the lighting design and analysis are: Average illuminance, Equivalent spherical illuminance, Uniformity ratios, Visual comfort probability, special purpose lighting, and the requirements of the Florida Energy Efficiency Code, part IX, Chapter 553, Florida Statutes.

(2) Electrical engineering documents for lighting systems shall, at a minimum, indicate the following:

(a) Lighting fixture performance specifications and arrangements

(b) Emergency Lighting

(d) Lighting Control and circuiting

61G15-33.005 Design of Communications Systems.

(1) Communications systems are utilized to convey messages or data. Items to be included in the design or analysis of these systems are: Human factors engineering, cabling requirements, installation requirements, performance requirements, backup power requirements, the interrelationship of the various systems, and applicable regulatory requirements.

(2) Electrical engineering documents for communications systems shall, at a minimum, indicate the following:

(a) System riser diagram

(b) Equipment legend

(d) Device type and locations

(e) Backup power sources where applicable

61G15-33.006 Design of Alarm Systems.

(1) Alarm systems are used to monitor and alarm a fire or other emergency condition. Items to be included in the design or analysis of these systems are: structure alarm requirements, location and audibility, types of alarms and initiation devices, notification requirements, installation requirements, backup power requirements, applicable regulatory requirements, and the provisions of rule 61G15-32.007, F.A.C.

(2) Design documents for alarm systems shall, at a minimum, indicate the following:

(a) System riser diagram

(b) Device types and locations

(d) Notification requirements

(e) Backup power requirements

(f) Where applicable, backup power sources and inter-ties to other systems/components

61G15-33.007 Design of Lightning Protection Systems.

(1) Lightning Protection Systems are passive systems used to protect building and structures from damage caused by lightning and static discharges. Items to be considered in the design or analysis of this system include the requirements of NFPA-78.

(2) Electrical engineering documents for lightning protection systems shall indicate:

(a) Air terminals height and spacing

(b) Arrangement of Main and Down conductors

(d) Legend

(e) Testing requirements of grounds

61G15-33.008 Design of Grounding Systems.

(1) Grounding Systems are passive systems used to establish an electrical potential reference point in an electrical system for the proper dissipation of energy in case of abnormal or transient conditions.

(2) Design documents for grounding systems shall indicate at a minimum the following:

(a) type and location of grounding electrodes

(b) bonding requirements

(d) conductor material type, size and protection requirements

(e) separate grounding systems, properly bonded, per code and use requirements

61G15-33.009 Design of Instrumentation and Control Systems.

(1) Instrumentation and control systems are used to automate processes. Items to be included in the design and analysis of these systems are: reliability of control of critical processes, safety of personnel, and suitability of instruments and control devices in the environment in which they are installed.

(2) Electrical engineering documents for instrumentation and control systems shall indicate, at a minimum, the following:

(a) A description of the control system functions, or a functional diagram

(b) Specifications of control instruments and their location

Article # 9004 TEST QUESTIONS:

1. If a water supply for a fire protection system is dead-ended what needs to be documented?

The temperature of the water.
The distance to the nearest circulating main.
The occupancy of that room.
All of the above.

2. What fire protection documents need to be sealed by the Engineer of Record?

Nationally recognized codes and standards referenced in Chapter 633.
Fire protection system layout drawings.
Fire protection system engineering documents.
All of the above.

3. What must be described in a fire protection system engineering document?

The occupancy of the area.
Structural supports and openings.
Fire protection components.
All of the above.

4. Communications systems design should include what?

Human factors engineering.
Color of equipment.
Special ring tones for in-house calls
All of the above.

5. What defines a "listed fire protection component"?

The Florida Fire Testing Lab.
It has been tested by a nationally recognized fire protection equipment testing organization.
A circle with a line across a fire symbol.
All of the above.

6. Besides water, what other fire suppression agents can be used?

Halon.
Foam.
Dry chemicals.
All of the above.

7. Which item(s) must be included in a lighting design and analysis?

The heat load for the building
Color of fluorescent bulbs.
Equivalent spherical illuminance.
All of the above.

8. What are lightning protection systems designed for?

Lighting emergency exits.
Protect the building from damage caused by lightning and static discharges.
Insulation from water damage.
All of the above.

9. What do Power Systems do?

Convey electrical energy.
Convey heavy equipment.
Convey people.
All of the above.

10. Fire alarms, signaling, and control systems include what?

Alarm circuits.
Activation controls.
Remote signaling.
All of the above.

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