1.0
Purpose
This
document provides guidance for the request and approval of alternative
materials and methods to satisfy prescriptive fire and life safety code
requirements and the method to request exemption from DOE fire protection
requirements.
2.0
Scope
This document describes the
procedure used to determine prescriptive fire code equivalencies and to justify
exemptions from DOE requirements. Section 6.0
below details a complete list of current, approved equivalencies and exemptions.
Documented
requests and approvals of exemptions and equivalencies at Jefferson Lab are also
available in Docushare.
3.0
Responsibilities
Note: Management authority may be delegated to a
task-qualified TJNAF employee at the discretion of the responsible manager.
Fire Marshal: determine whether an equivalency to, or exemption
from, a fire protection code or standard requirement is necessary and prepare a
request
4.0
Process
Steps
Ř Equivalencies: equivalency requests
are prepared for approval for configurations of fire protection and life safety
conditions that are determined to provide an acceptable level of
protection, safety, and/or an equivalent level of performance of required
systems, methods, or devices.
Ř Exemptions: exemption requests
are prepared for configurations related to noncompliant fire protection and
life safety-related conditions that are determined to be in direct violation of
a national standard, code, or DOE requirements.
o
Document the conditions, costs, and benefits (usually in the
context of a Fire
Hazard Analysis [FHA]), and present the rationale for a proposed exemption.
4.1
Exemption- or Equivalency-Request Documentation
4.1.1 The level of documentation necessary to support an
exemption or equivalency will vary, depending on the issue. At a minimum, each
analysis identifies:
· specific-site location or condition at issue;
· paragraph and/or section of the code or standard which
addresses the issue;
· discussion as to why the literal requirements of the
code or standard cannot be met; and,
· discussion justifying the conclusion regarding the
alternate configuration as acceptable or equivalent from a safety
perspective to what is stipulated in the code or standard.
4.1.2 Exemptions and equivalencies that are programmatic in
nature (affect more than an individual component or design feature) are supported
through the facility FHA,
if applicable.
4.1.3 Where more than one exemption or equivalency request
exists for a single facility and/or system, the request, evaluation, and
discussion must demonstrate that the
cumulative effect of such conditions will not increase the level of risk beyond
an acceptable level.
4.2
Approval
4.2.1 The Fire Marshal submits the proposed equivalency or
exemption to the TJNAF Director’s Safety
Council for institutional approval.
4.2.2 The Chief Operating Officer submits the request to the
Thomas Jefferson Site Office (TJSO) for review and transmittal to the cognizant
DOE authority for final review and approval.
4.2.3 Upon receipt of approval of the submitted exemption or
equivalency request the Fire Marshal implements any compensatory measures that
may accompany the approval.
4.3
Review
DOE-approved
fire-protection exemptions and equivalencies are reviewed every three years in
accordance with guidelines set forth in the Authority
Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) delegation letter. These reviews evaluate ongoing
need, continued validity of stated assumptions and compliance with applicable
requirements.
5.0
Reference
· International Fire Code-2006; paragraph 104.9
Alternative materials and methods
6.0
Approved
Equivalencies and Exemptions
· Fire
Sprinkler Protection for Experimental Halls A, B & C – September 27,
2010
· Manual
Pull Stations, Beam Enclosure – April 21, 1995
· National
Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 101 Equivalency Approval – February 4,
2008
·
TJSO
Approval of Very Early Smoke Detection Apparatus (VESDA) Isolation –
September 24, 2012
7.0
Revision
History
|
rev |
summary |
date |
|
0.4 |
triennial
review: updated header and footer per discussion with T. Minga, 04.15.2022;
updated 7.0 per footer dates; made general edits and format updates (e.g.,
bullets, spacing, etc.) |
04.18.2022 |
|
0.3 |
periodic
review; updated TPOC from D. Kausch to T. Minga |
06.02.2019 |
|
0.2 |
periodic review; updated TPOC from D.Kausch
to E.Douberly |
06.02.2016 |
|
0.1 |
periodic review; updated links and references; added
6.0 Approved Equivalencies and Exemptions |
09.17.2013 |
|
0.0 |
new
content; initial release |
09.28.2009 |
|
|
ISSUING
AUTHORITY |
AUTHOR |
APPROVAL
DATE |
NEXT REVIEW
DATE |
rev |
|
|
|
Fire Protection Department |
04.18.2022 |
04.18.2025 |
0.4 |
|