The SC engineering law contains exemptions to when an engineer is required that are based on building use and size parameters. Most buildings that fall under the engineering exemptions are not required to be equipped with a sprinkler system by the currently adopted building code; however, the SC Fire Protection Sprinkler Systems Act(§40-10) allows the referenced NICET IV in lieu of the PE in the lead design role. Therefore, in such situations, they can complete the FSSSS form for buildings that fall under the exemptions. Unless the law in SC changes, the IRC sprinkler mandate for one and two family dwellings is anticipated to create a lot of demand for the FSSSS forms and these NICET IV's will surely be able to find a lot of available design work with all the new homes that qualify under §40-22-280(B)(2) [because they are less than 5000 SF area and less than 3 stories tall...]. NFPA 13D systems, especially multipurpose piping systems, are very simple systems compared to NFPA 13 systems and should not normally require the involvement of a PE. Now, if the lead singer for Hootie & the Blowfish outgrows his home in Mount Pleasant because his new solo country album is rocketing up in the charts, and he decides to build a sprinklered "McMansion" somewhere in SC, and it is over 3 stories or over 5000 SF, then he will need to have a PE design the sprinkler system for it.
The exemptions to the engineering law are found in §40-22-280 of the SC Code of Laws. Specifically, see §40-22-280(B): Section 40-22-280. (A) This chapter may not be construed to prevent or to affect: (1) the practice of any other regulated profession or trade where the practice of the profession or trade may legitimately overlap the professions regulated by this chapter; (2) the work of an employee or other subordinate of a person holding a certificate of registration under this chapter; (3) the engineering work of regular employees of the government of the United States officially performing their duties for their employer on federal lands within this State, in the practice of engineering for the government, and where specified by federal statute; (4) the surveying work of regular employees of the government of the United States officially performing their duties for their employer on lands within this State, in the practice of surveying for the government, and where specified by federal statute; (5) the work or practice of a regular employee of a public utility, a telephone utility, or an electrical utility by rendering to the employing company engineering service in connection with its facilities which are subject to regulation, supervision, and control in order to safeguard life, health, and property by the Public Service Commission of this State, so long as the person is actually and exclusively employed. Engineering work not related to the exemption in this item where the safety of the public is directly involved must be accomplished by or under the responsible charge of a professional engineer; (6) the work or practice of a regular employee of an electric cooperative, when rendering to the employing cooperative engineering service in connection with its facilities which are subject to regulations and inspections of the Rural Electric Administration, if the person is actually and exclusively employed. Engineering work not related to the exemption in this item where the safety of the public is directly involved must be accomplished by or under the responsible charge of a professional engineer; (7) the work or practice of a regular employee of a state authority which is licensed by and subject to the safety regulations of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and which sells and distributes electric power to consumers, so long as the person is actually and exclusively employed. Engineering work not related to the exemption in this item where the safety of the public is directly involved must be accomplished by or under the responsible charge of a registered professional engineer; and (8) the work of a general contractor, specialty contractor, or material supplier in the preparation and use of shop drawings or other graphic descriptions used to detail or illustrate a portion of the work required to construct the project in accordance with plans and specifications prepared under the requirements of this chapter. (B) If drawings and specifications are signed by the authors with the true title of their occupations, this chapter does not apply to the preparation of plans and specifications for: (1) farm buildings not designed or used for human occupancy; (2) buildings and structures less than three stories high and less than five thousand square feet in area, except that buildings of assembly, educational, hazardous, and institutional occupancies as defined by the International Code Series regardless of area are not exempt from the provisions of this chapter; and (3) alterations to a building to which this chapter does not apply, if the alterations do not result in a change which would otherwise place the building under the application of this chapter. (C) This subsection may not be construed to prejudice a law, ordinance, regulation, or other directive enacted by another political body or a requirement by a contracting authority which would otherwise require preparation of plans and specifications under the responsible charge of a professional engineer or professional surveyor. David W. S. Blackwell, II, PE, CFI-I, CFPE Engineering ---------------------------------------------------------------- Office of State Fire Marshal 141 Monticello Trail Columbia, SC 29203 Phone: 803.896.9833 Fax: 803.896.9806 Email: [email protected] OSFM Website: http://www.llr.state.sc.us/firemarshal.asp ---------------------------------------------------------------- -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Ben Young Sent: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 5:40 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: walk in Ovens David, Having done work in North and South Carolina, I've always been vexed by this part of Title 40. This is from section 40-10-250. "(2) a fire sprinkler contractor licensed in this State with a qualifying party holding a NICET Level IV Technician Certification in "Fire Protection Engineering Technology Automatic Sprinkler System Layout" if a specific statute, regulation, or ordinance does not require the services of a licensed professional engineer. The qualifying party must be the individual completing the form, and he must place his name on the lower right hand corner on the first page of the form with the words "Qualifying Party" after his name and with his qualifying party certificate number." Is there a specific statute, regulation or ordinance not in Title 40 where a PE isn't required? >From reading this, it seems that according to SC law, there's no difference between a NICET IV and a PE from the standpoint of filling out the FSSSS. is that correct? _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [email protected] To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[email protected] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field)
