7.1 General Approach
where the work area consists of a portion or portions of
a building, the requirements herein shall be limited to
the work area(s) in which work is being performed,
unless when specified by the GSA regional fire protection
GSA's approach in the construction of new facilities and
engineer that the requirements shall also apply throughout
projects in existing facilities is to incorporate efficient,
the floor on which the work area(s) are located or
cost-effective fire protection and life safety systems that
otherwise beyond the work area. Performance based
are effective in detecting, extinguishing or controlling a
designs are also encouraged.
fire event that results in improving overall building safety.
The primary goal is to protect human life from fire and
A registered fire protection engineer is required to be a
products of combustion. The secondary goals are to
full participant of the architect/engineer (A/E) design
reduce the potential loss from fire (i.e., Federal real and
team for each phase of the project from concepts through
personal property, maintain client agency mission
design, construction, final acceptance, and occupancy.
continuity, and control environmental impact) to the
The design team fire protection engineer must have at
Federal Government and taxpayer.
least 6 years experience from which at least 3 consecutive
years are directly involved in the fire protection
Scope
engineering field. This same or an equally competent
professional must remain on the A/E's project staff for
This chapter provides the technical fire protection and life
each phase of the project and shall perform the following:
safety requirements and design criteria for GSA facilities
to meet the goals identified above. The majority of the fire
Analyses and provides criteria for the following:
protection and life safety requirements are contained in
Building Construction
numerous national codes and standards. Compliance
Occupancy Classification
with national codes and standards is explained, and areas
Means of Egress
where GSA's requirements differ from the referenced
Fire Alarm System
national codes and standards are delineated. The
Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), for all technical
Water Based Fire Extinguishing System(s)
requirements in this chapter, for all fire protection and
Non-Water Based Fire Extinguishing System(s)
life safety code interpretations and code enforcement
Smoke Control System(s)
requirements is the GSA regional fire protection engineer.
Calculations for the following:
Egress
Applicability
Water Supply
The technical fire protection and life safety requirements
Smoke Control (Fire Dynamics)/Timed Egress
are primarily directed to the construction of new facilities
Audibility for Fire Alarm System
and renovation projects. However, for renovation projects
211
FIRE
PROTECTION
&
LIFE
SAFETY
7.1
General Approach
Revised March 2005 PBS-P100
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