Plans for a 942 device, Simplex addressable fire alarm system with voice evacuation for a 6 story hospital. 

                                                        
Reviewed using FFPC 8th edition effective Dec. 31, 2023.
Reviewer: PJ Webb 904 209 1744 pwebb@sjcfl.us
 
To schedule fire inspections please call 827-6842 (automated system). Questions about inspections please call 209-1740x1.
Review by the AHJ shall not relieve the applicant of the responsibility for compliance with the Code.
 
For questions regarding comments you may reach me at either: 904 209 1744 or pwebb@sjcfl.us.

1) The plan is scaled, but it is not printed to the proper scale.  Reprint the plans at the appropriate size per the scale indicated.

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Monday, March 23, 2026 PJW- Per RTC, "Refer to JCI. Re-printed to scale." 

3) Are you utilizing private operating mode in accordance with NFPA 72 as per NFPA 101:18.3.4.3.1(2). If not, visual/audible notification will need to be provided per NFPA 101:9.6.3.1.  If yes, indicate this on the plans. 

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Monday, March 23, 2026 PJW- Per RTC, "Refer to JCI. Should be private mode."  In addition a response has been provided on separate letter head from TLC engineering based on a Teams Call on 12/22/2025 at 2:30 pm.  P Webb was not present.  The response states" The project design is utilizing Private mode complying with NFPA 101:18.3.4.3.1 Occupant notification is permitted by #2 (Where the private operating mode in accordance with NFPA 72 is used....) in accordance with NFPA 72 definition of private mode: NFPA 72:3.3.193.1 Private Operating Mode- "audible or visible signaling only to those persons directly concerned with the implementation and direction of emergency action initiation and procedure in the area protected by the fire alarm system. This definition correlates with the requirement of the Florida Building Code section 449.3.12.2. "Audible and visual notification appliances shall only be permitted to be located at the care providers' stations, the soiled workroom, soiled holding room, clean workroom, staff lounge, medication preparation room, and nurse or supervisor's office, and other staff rooms or areas as determined by the governing body of the facility." 

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Monday, March 23, 2026 PJW Reviewer Response- I have printed the original email from P Webb to the Fire Marshal with the reviewer's stance regarding the above to include in the plan package.  The email also includes the Assistant Fire Marshal's response to the design team.  The reviewer was not a part of the December Teams meeting with the Fire Marshal.  This comment will need to be signed off by the Fire Marshal if the response is suitable to him.   

5) Vestibule 1300.00 pull station is inside the interior doors.  Relocate it to the exterior doors.  NFPA 72:71.15.9.4. 

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Monday, March 23, 2026 PJW- Per RTC, "TLC, relocate fire alarm pull station as per STJ comment.  FA-1-1 PS moved to exterior doors."

7) Add visible notification to the following locations per NFPA 101:9.6.3.6: ADA TLT 1345A, Bereavement 1301, TLT 1301A, ADA TLT 1226A, press 1206, ADA PT TLT 1206A, Control 1217, TLT 1219A, TLT 1215A, Office/Consult 1231, Office 1235, Managers 1403, MGR 1421, MGR 1423, Biomed 1414, FAC OFC 1416A, OFC 1113, OFC 1114, Storage 1116, OFC 1124, OFC 1112, OFC 1111, Office 1170A, OFC 1170B, Badging 1177, Armory 1175B, Property 1175A, HRMOR 1180A, Buyers office 2536, TLT 2259A, TLT 2259B, TLT 2239A, TLT 2239B, Anes workstation 2302, OR office 2272, Office 2101A, Med Dir 2109B, Med Ofc 2109A, OFC 2010, Super. Office 2150A, OFC 2124F, OFC 2124E, Workroom 2420, OFC 2124D, OFC 2425E, OFC 2425D, OFC 2430Q, OFC 2430P, PFC 2430N, SPD MGR 2412, OFC 3217, Family Consult 3214, OFC 3112, SHWR 4234, TLT 4100J, and OFC 5100B. 

Also provide in any similar spaces that may not have been mentioned above.

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Tuesday, March 24, 2026 PJW- Per RTC, "TLC:Response- The majority of the rooms indicated in the comments are either patient toilets or single-office occupancy. The project design is complying with NFPA 101:9.6.3.6.1 "Areas not subject to occupancy by persons who are hearing impaired shall not be required to comply with the provisions for visual signals.  The project also complies with NFPA 101:18.3.4.3.1 (see explanation to question #3 above". 

Tuesday, March 24, 2026 PJW Reviewer Response-  Citing NFPA 101:9.6.3.6.1 is not accepted by this office without a signed letter on letterhead from the owner indicating that the hospital will not employ anyone who is hearing impaired, which is a broad term that can include impairments at certain frequencies. In addition the response cites private operating mode as referenced in NFPA 101:18.3.4.3.1 as discussed in the response to comment 3. I have printed the original email from P Webb to the Fire Marshal with the reviewer's stance regarding the above to include in the plan package stating that private operating mode only exempts devices in patient care areas. It is the building code that only requires devices in certain spaces for private operating mode, not the fire code.   The email also includes the Assistant Fire Marshal's response to the design team.  The reviewer was not a part of the December Teams meeting with the Fire Marshal.  This comment will need to be signed off by the Fire Marshal if the response is suitable to him.       

9) Label on either the floor plan or the riser diagram what each module monitors and what each relay controls.  Some are labeled but not all.  Example (AI06) MD1.4.3 etc. 

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Tuesday, March 24, 2026 PJW- Per RTC, "TLC:Refer to JCI. All relays updated to reflect device control."

11) Is armory 1175B occupied, or is it a storage room?  If occupied, provide visual notification.  NFPA 101:9.6.3. 

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Tuesday, March 24, 2026 PJW- Per RTC, "TLC: Storage Space, no alarm is required."

13) The plans reference smoke control system devices and information.  The smoke control system for this building has not yet been submitted for or approved.  So our office has no idea how the system will be engineered/designed and what fire alarm tie ins will be required. Either:

A) Remove all smoke control references/devices and sheet FA-213 from the plans.  Once the smoke control system is submitted and approved, a revision will be required to add the smoke control devices to the plans. 

B) Wait to resubmit your plans once the smoke control system has been submitted and approved by this office.    

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Tuesday, March 24, 2026 PJW- Per RTC, "TLC:Refer to JCI. SC-801 - SC-901 separated for separate review per FM request. 

Tuesday, March 24, 2026 PJW Reviewer Response- Sheets SC-801 through SC-1000 provided with these FA drawings.  Engineered sheet E011 provide by revision separately setting the design. 

15) Provide updated device count once the additional devices are added. 

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Tuesday, March 24, 2026 PJW- Per RTC, "TLC: Refer to JCI.  1287 devices.