Plans Review Checklist

BUILDING: NEW CONSTRUCTION PLAN REVIEW

Applicable Base Codes
  • Florida Fire Prevention Code 7th Edition
  • NFPA 1 Uniform Fire Code 2018 Edition
  • NFPA 101 2018 Edition
  • NFPA 13 2016 Edition
  • NFPA 72 2016 Edition
 
General Review
  • Plan Drawings signed and sealed (1 full size hard copies, 1 digital copy)
  • Underground Main Design Documents - See Fire UG Main Plan Review Checklist.
  • Fire Sprinkler Design Documents - See Suppression Plan Review Checklist
  • Fire Alarm Design Documents - See Fire Alarm Review Checklist.
  • Fire Extinguishers.
  • Special Hazards Suppression System.
  • Knox Box on building (if applicable)
  • Knox Key Switch on gated properties
 
Life / Safety Code (NFPA 101)
  • Occupant Load; signage.
  • Number of Exits: Remoteness: Arrangements: 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.
 

UNDERGROUND FIRE 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 will withstand testing for 200 psi.
  • 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.
  • Water supply analysis for large, complex systems.

BUILDING: ADDITIONAL / ALTERATION PLAN REVIEW

General Review
  • Drawings signed and sealed (2 full size hard copies, 1 digital copy)
  • Key Plan indicating scope of work and existing systems.
  • Substantial Improvement; Change of Use.
  • Fire Department Site Access - See Fire UG Main Plan review Checklist.
  • Fire Sprinkler Design Documents - See Suppression Plan Review Checklist.
  • Fire Alarm Design Documents - See Fire Alarm Review Checklist.
  • Fire Extinguishers.
  • Existing Systems Shown.
  • Special Hazards Suppression System.
  • Knox Box at Main Entrance (if applicable)
 
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?
  • 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 (hear & 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.
  • FL. 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.
  • Knox Box at main entrance.
 

SITE PLAN REVIEW

Fire Department Access
  • Drawings signed and sealed (2 full size hard copies, 1 digital copy)
  • 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 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”).
  • Knox Key Switch required on all access gates on commercial properties
  • Fence obstruction to hydrants, hose lay distance, FDC, egress path.
 
 

MOST COMMON REASONS FOR DISAPPROVAL

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