Fire and Life Safety Plan Examination and Permitting
Hello Fort Myers Beach, San Carlos Island and surrounding areas!
This month we would like to highlight some excellent news from the Life Safety Division of the Fort Myers Beach Fire Department regarding a new service we introduced this year. We are very excited to announce that we are now conducting Fire and Life Safety Plan Examination and Permitting for our community.
What does this mean?
Examining plans submitted for multi-family and commercial structures will be completed by a Fort Myers Beach Fire Department Specialist to ensure compliance with fire and life safety codes rather than being sent out of the area for review by a third party.
What items are being looked at?
The plan examination process is detailed and begins with assessing the site, checking the available water supply, and gathering information regarding the usage of the structure. It is during the plan examination process that the fire plan examiner will review essential life safety items for the safety of occupants and first responders.
What fire codes are used?
Similar to the codes the Life Safety Specialists use when conducting an inspection, the plans examiner will use all applicable fire codes based on the use, starting with the Florida Fire Prevention Code. The Florida State Fire Marshal also recognizes the National Fire Protection Association codes. Information on approved current editions can be found in the Florida Administrative Code (Page 69A-60).
After all these years, why now?
In an effort to provide our community with the best service in life safety, we determined our community deserved to have a plans examiner locally, rather than a third-party service. We feel that our previous process lacked a sense of community responsibility, and we desired to keep the process in the community. Providing this service in-house allows us to be available to community needs, answer questions, and ultimately be more responsive to those who use these services. Since implementation, this has streamlined our process resulting in incredibly enhanced customer service and responsiveness.
In addition to the technical responsibility of examining plans, to enhance our services and create a “one-stop shop” for the life safety needs of our community, the Fort Myers Beach Fire Department Life Safety Division assumed the responsibility of issuing fire trade permits. Fire trade permits relate to Florida Statutes Chapter 633.202 and the installation, alteration, or modification of a fire and life safety system such as fire sprinklers, fire alarms, fire suppression systems, and propane tanks.
If you are interested in more information about our plans examination or permitting services, or any other services offered by the Fort Myers Beach Fire Department, please contact us at (239) 590-4200, email us at Info@FMBFire.org, or visit us on the web at www.FMBFire.org. You can also subscribe to the Fire Chief’s “Scoop” to stay up to date on weekly activity.
Thank you for your support and make it a safe day!
Matt Love, FMBFD Fire Chief