A Word from Jake

Would this be considered a branch circuit extension?

This was sent by someone working in Lake Worth.

Till next time

Be safe work safe

Jake

This weeks post deals with battery operated smoke alarms and when you can use them.

Florida building ‘code allows us to use battery operated smoke alarms under certain conditions, the following text is from FBC Resdientila section R314.

2017 FLORIDA BUILDING CODE RESIDENTIAL

SECTION R314 SMOKE ALARMS¨

One-family and two-family dwellings and townhomes undergoing a repair, or a Level 1 alteration as defined in the Florida Building Code, may use smoke alarms powered by 10-year nonremovable, nonreplaceable batteries in lieu of retrofitting such dwelling with smoke alarms powered by the dwelling’s electrical system. A battery-powered smoke alarm that is newly installed or replaces an existing battery-powered smoke alarm as a result of a Level 1 alteration must be powered by a nonremovable, nonreplaceable battery that powers the alarm for at least 10 years. The battery requirements of this section do not apply to a fire alarm, smoke detector, smoke alarm, or ancillary component that is electronically connected as a part of a centrally monitored or supervised alarm system, that uses a low power, radio frequency wireless communication signal; or that contains multiple sensors, such as a smoke alarm combined with a carbon monoxide alarm or other multisensor devices, and is approved and listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory

Repairs, as defined in Chapter 2, include the patching or restoration or replacement of damaged materials, elements, equipment or fixtures for the purpose of maintaining such components in good or sound condition with respect to existing loads or performance requirements.

Level 1 alterations include the removal and replacement or the covering of existing materials, elements, equipment, or fixtures using new materials, elements, equipment, or fixtures that serve the same purpose.

These just recently showed up in the stores.  They are 10 year non-replaceable battery types that do interconnect wirelessly.

The interconnection was always a problem because in NFPA 72 it calls for these to be inter-connected but where not available until recently. They have Carbon monoxide alarms also available with the 10 year battery and it is also interconnectable.

But as stated above they are only allowed in a Level 1 alteration or a repair as defined by FBC.

So if your inspector was requiring the interconnection we now have them available to us.  The above package was around $80 for the two-pack., and the carbon monoxide one was $80 each.  They can be connected to you phone through another option that costs around $100.  So technology if finally catching up to our needs in the field.

Till next time be safe work safe

Jake

Just wanted to say Happy fathers day to all of our fathers out there.

Without you we would not be here!!!

Be safe work safe

Jake

This weeks picture comes from John Seegers of WPB,FL.

Great picture, just don’t know what they where thinking!!!!

Yes that is a shower and yes it works!!!!  WOW

Thanks John

Jake

This weeks post is from NFPA 72 when placing smoke alarms near cooking appliances in dwelling units.

NEW REQUIREMENT FOR 1/1/2019

29.8.3.4 Specific Location Requirements

(5) Effective January 1, 2019 smoke alarms and smoke detectors used in household fire alarm systems installed between 6 ft. and 20 ft. along a horizontal flow path from a stationary or fixed cooking appliance shall be listed for resistance to common nuisance sources from cooking. (2017).

The following is from NFPA 72 appendix “A” 2017

These are four examples that show how to place smoke alarms when encountering cooking appliances within a certain distance. The zone from 6’ to 20’ and what type of smoke alarm needs to be placed in these zones.

Click on each figure to see an enlarged view.

Till next time be safe work safe

Jake

This week we will deal with the locations again, this time it’s for when we place smoke alarms near a ceiling fan, and/or a forced air supply registers.(A/C or Heat)

29.8.3.4 Specific Location Requirements

(7) Smoke alarms and smoke detectors shall not be installed within a 914mm (36 in.) horizontal path from the supply registers of a forced air heating or cooling system and shall be installed outside of the direct airflow from those registers.

(8) Smoke alarms and smoke detectors shall not be installed within a 914 mm (36 in.) horizontal path from the tip of the blade of a ceiling-suspended (paddle) fan.

So if you have a 52” fan then you will need to be 62” away from the box in the ceiling for the fan in order to pass the rough inspection.

Till next time work safe be safe

Jake. 

We have had a lot of inquires for Continuing Education these past few weeks.  Attached find our flyer.

Note!

If you are a newly licensed contractor that received your license after August 31,2016 you will only need 7 hours of continuing education.

Those hours are specific and are covered in our SEMINAR 1.

For those of you that received your license after August 31, 2017 you do not need any Continuing Education, but will just have to pay the renewal fees. If you have any questions you can email me and I will let you know what you need to do to renew your license.  jleccemail@hotmail.com

You can click on the images below to make them bigger so you can read them!!!!!!

Till next time be safe work safe.

Jake