Please check back here regularly for updates and announcements concerning the State Fire Marshal's Plan Review section.
ACT No. 104 of the 2024 Regular Legislative Session will become effective on July 1st of this year (2025). This Act limits the practice of architecture by civil engineers to Factory and Industrial (Group F), Storage (Group S), High Hazard (Group H), and Utility and Miscellaneous (Group U) occupancy classifications subject to the following limitations:
(i) For Factory Industrial and Storage, the total proposed occupant load shall be unlimited.
(ii) For High Hazard, the total proposed occupant load shall not exceed two hundred ninety-nine occupants. The occupant load shall be defined and determined by the method set forth in the currently enforced building code.
(iii) For Utility and Miscellaneous, the total proposed occupant load shall not exceed two hundred ninety-nine occupants. The occupant load shall be defined and determined by the method set forth in the currently enforced building code.
The requirements for a Professional of Record to be identified on a plan submittal to this office is not new. This law changes the requirements such that after the effective date, plans that do not identify a licensed architect as the Professional of Record for specific occupancy types, and that exceed the thresholds listed in current law (summarized below), must be rejected by this office in accordance with RS 40:1574.1.C.(1).
Specifically, after July 1, 2025, an architect OR a civil engineer (subject to the limitations above), that is licensed in the State of Louisiana will be required to be identified on the plan submittal for new construction, changes in occupancy, additions, and renovations costing in excess of $125,000, where the gross floor areas listed below are exceeded:
Factory and Industrial (Group F) - 5,000 square feet
Storage (Group S) - 6,250 square feet
Utility and Miscellaneous (Group U) - 5,000 square feet
High Hazard (Group H) - 1,500 square feet
After July 1, 2025, an architect that is licensed in the State of Louisiana will be required to be identified on the plan submittal for new construction, changes in occupancy, additions, and renovations costing in excess of $125,000, where the gross floor areas listed below are exceeded:
Mercantile (Group M) - 4,000 square feet
Residential (Group R) - 4,000 square feet
Education (Group E) - 2,500 square feet
Institutional (Group I) - 2,500 square feet
Assembly (Group A) - 2,650 square feet
Business (Group B) - 4,000 square feet
As usual, plans submittals do not require an architect to be identified as the Professional of Record where the thresholds listed above are not exceeded.
Current law RS 37:155 states, in part, “Occupancy classifications and gross floor areas are as defined in the current editions of the codes which comprise the state uniform construction code and which are identified in R.S. 40:1730.28.” The current 2021 Edition of the International Building Code (IBC), Sections 302 and 508, define the occupancy classification of buildings – both the primary occupancy classification and that of multiple occupancies. Each portion of a building is required to be individually classified, therefore buildings that contain multiple/accessory occupancies are also subject to the thresholds and requirements listed above. For example: a 20,000 square foot warehouse (Storage occupancy – Group S) that contains a 5,000 square foot office area (Business occupancy – Group B) will require an architect, not a civil engineer, due to the business portion exceeding the threshold for Group B occupancies.
The Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Council (LSUCCC) has adopted the 2021 editions of the ICC codes while the 2015 edition of NFPA 101 Life Safety Code remains in effect. Click HERE for a complete listing of codes.
Executive order JBE 17-14 halting the code adoptions until July 1, 2018 has been rescinded. As such, the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Council (LSUCCC) has adopted the 2015 editions of the I-codes. Please refer to the LSUCCC webpage for a complete listing of the adopted codes and amendments.
This short video explains the options and procedure for reviewing fire protection system shop drawings using the IMS online system.
In conjunction with the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Council, updated editions of the fire protection and life safety codes and standards will be effective on July 1, 2017. See memo for a listing of the referenced codes and standards.
The OSFM Plan Review section is looking for experienced licensed architects and engineers to join our team. The work consists of managing an assigned portion of construction projects throughout the state to ensure compliance with the requirements of applicable laws, rules, and codes as they apply to all commercial structure types (excluding one- and two-family dwellings) and their associated fire protection and life safety systems. Team members often consult with building owners, designers, and architects and engineers of prospective construction projects, local jurisdiction officials, and other team members to facilitate compliant construction and economic development in the state.
Serious inquirers may contact:
Joe Delaune, Chief Architect
[email protected],
(225) 925-4911
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/louisiana/jobs/1669480/architect-3
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/louisiana/jobs/1669813/engineer-4
Requests for Plan Review may now be made online through our secure portal here: Online services allows you to submit Plan Reviews
Once you create a logon ID and password, you will be able to track your project, receive immediate email notifications of status changes, and schedule your inspection. Please keep your LogonID and Password in a secure location! You will need this to access your project.
You may begin to enter your project information at any time and will be assigned a project number upon initial entry. However your submittal will not be received by this office for review until the application is complete, the appropriate fee has been submitted, and the plans and specifications are attached or received.
Interpretive Memoranda
Click here http://sfm.dps.louisiana.gov/sfm_interp.htm for a complete list of Interpretive Memoranda published by this office.
Classroom Security for Existing Educational (Grades K - 12) and Day-care Facilities
This office has received numerous requests for variances to code required locking arrangements in reaction to the recent outbreak of violence occurring in schools nationwide. The intent of this memo is to address the current unprecedented security needs of our educational system and the economic hardships associated with retrofitting existing hardware installations. Specifically, this memo addresses requirements that will allow for one additional releasing operation on existing classroom doors. Read more here:
Formal Interpretation 2013-01
IBC A-2 Assembly Occupancies - Sprinkler Threshold Increased to 300 Occupants
Effective January 1, 2013, one of the major thresholds for requiring sprinkler systems in Group A-2 Assembly occupancies was increased from 100 occupants to 300 occupants. In a vote taken by the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Council (LSUCC) in December, the International Building Code (IBC) Section 903.2.1.2, 2. was amended in order to provide relief to buildings in this classification. Buildings that are intended for food and/or drink consumption are classified as A-2 occupancies and are affected by this change. Please note that the additional criteria requiring sprinkler protection still apply, (such as "fire areas that exceed 5,000 square feet; fire areas located on a floor other than the level of exit discharge; bars with live entertainment, dance halls & nightclubs, miscellaneous other circumstances). Also, a few other structural modifications / reinstated allowances were included in the vote. The full notice can be viewed here:
Adoption of the 2010 ADA-ABA Accessibility Guidelines
On October 1, 2011, the Office of the State Fire Marshal began reviewing under and enforcing the new 2010 ADA-ABA Accessibility Guidelines as mandated by state law
Release Date of Updated ADA Rules
Posted 10.18.11
The following excerpt is from the Department of Justice ADA homepage.
https://archive.ada.gov/regs2010/factsheets/title2_factsheet.html
Plan Review for DHH Health Care Facility Licensing Requirements:
Posted 09.22.11
The Office of the State Fire Marshal is now providing plan review for determination of compliance with the Health Care facility licensing requirements on behalf of the Department of Health and Hospitals. All facilities that require a plan review prior to licensure by DHH must be submitted to the State Fire Marshal prior to application for licensure. The memorandum and the plan review checklist can be viewed here: Formal Interpretation 2011-06
Act 391 of the 2011 Louisiana Regular Session becomes effective on August 15 of this year. It involves code enforcement for fire protection and egress systems in commercial buildings.
Posted 08.16.11
New Accessibility Standard Update:
Posted 09.13.11
In the 2011 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature, House Bill No. 536 was passed and then signed by the Governor.
Prior law defined "ADAAG" as the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines in effect on Sept. 1, 1994, as adopted by the US Department of Justice pursuant to the ADA. New law defines "ADA Standards" as the 2010 Americans with Disabilities Act Standards for Accessible Design as adopted by the US Department of Justice pursuant to the ADA and any subsequent amendments or additions to or editions adopted by the Department of Justice.
The Office of State Fire Marshal will begin enforcing the new Accessibility Standards beginning October 1, 2011. Free copies of the standard can be ordered from United States Access Board website: https://www.access-board.gov On the 'Home' page, look in the right hand column for 'Order Publications', click on that link and you will find an order form. You will want to order the 'ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines.'
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