2011 Call Count: 1236
2010 Call Count: 1252
On Duty: Red

Remember when road conditions deteriorate due to inclement weather to reduce your speed, pay attention, and be ready for the worse. Most of all put down the cell phones!!!!
BFPD 
The Fire Prevention Bureau has the responsibility of applying the fire prevention and building codes to all commercial buildings within the Boles Fire Protection District boundaries. Commercial buildings have their plans reviewed prior to construction and are inspected during construction, upon occupancy by any new business or tenant, and regularly throughout the year. Regular inspections of all commercial buildings are designed and intended to minimize the possibility that a fire would start and limit the spread of a fire should it occur. The greatest priority in commercial building inspections are schools and assembly buildings making sure that the occupants will have the ability to rapidly and safely exit the building in the event of a fire. Building Permits are also required for any new duplex’s and multi family residential structures. 

Any new business, change of business ownership or change of tenant is required to contact the Boles Fire Protection District for a Fire Inspection of the premises and purchase a Occupancy permit from the Fire District. The cost of the permit is a one time fee of $35.00.  The contact number is 636-742-2515 for this inspection.

Information about commercial and resident inspections:

On February 8, 2007 the Board of Directors of the Boles Fire Protection District updated it’s current ordinances and adopted the 2006 International Fire Prevention and Building Codes. The Fire Prevention Bureau issues building permits for all new and remodel commercial occupancies along with all new and remodel of duplexes and multi family occupancies. Permits are also issued for all control burns and air curtain devices, fireworks stands and displays, along with any new commercial occupancies, commercial tents, and commercial hood suppression systems. 

Common Mistakes on Commercial Projects:

I. Preliminary meetings are very beneficial. We would prefer to meet with the Owner, Architect/Engineer and Franklin County Building Department. Obviously simple interior finishes and small single tenant buildings do not typically require such a meeting. If you are doing anything unusual it probably would be helpful. Typically, a couple of days notice is required for scheduling purposes.

II. When making revisions, please cloud or otherwise identify the changes on your plans. This will make it much easier and (less time consuming) to verify that the changes now comply with the code and/or adopting ordinance.

III. Typical errors on plans include:
A. Failure to identify the correct code edition. Typically, the adoption dates for the County and the Fire District are not the same, so you need to verify the correct code edition before you begin design.
B. Failure to properly determine the Use Group of the building. This is the first thing that the design professional must do. Also remember that many buildings are mixed uses and you have several options within the code for dealing with them. Plans should clearly show which one of the mixed use options is being used, if applicable.
C. Once the Use Group is determined, the next thing that must be done is to determine the minimum type of construction allowed for the proposed building. The code clearly identifies each of the construction types and often we see a mixture of constructions within the building, e.g. metal stud walls and a wood truss roof C this would have to be classified as a type V or wood frame building since it does not comply with the fire resistance and combustibility requirements for a noncombustible type II building.
D. Failure to include a site plan. This typically occurs on franchise type operations where they have a limited number of plans and they use it throughout the country. Many construction requirements are based on building set back distances and accessibility to the building.
E. Failure to identify any hazardous materials (according to the International Fire Code©) and submit the information required to determine if a given occupancy is a high hazard of if limited amounts can be allowed within the basic use group. 
F. Restaurants of types III, IV or V construction invariably run into problems with clearance to the combustible roof structure from the range hood exhaust duct. The International Mechanical Code© and NFPA 96 - Standard for Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations provide for several methods to reduce the clearance from the typical 18" minimum required to combustible materials.
G. Failure to identify the appropriate design number and details for any fire resistance rated assemblies in the structure. You need to identify the UL, Gypsum Association or FM design number and system used on the plans. Your details should clearly show the items required for construction from the chosen design. Notations such as AL-528 similar automatically throw up a RED FLAG  to the plan reviewer that something does not
agree with the tested design. Along with this, you need to show details of how you are going to protect penetrations of floor/ceiling assemblies and walls. Again we need reference numbers to tested and approved through-penetration fire-stop systems. Typically, we would expect to see sufficient detail for each size and type of opening to be protected.
H. Fire rated swinging fire doors are a complete assembly consisting of: fire rated door and frame; ball bearing hinges (three per door, typically); closer (if using spring hinges C two are required per door), latching device (dead bolt is not acceptable), if panic hardware is required, it must be fire exit hardware, not just an exit device.
I. Provide a complete hardware schedule. It is also helpful if you provide catalog cut sheets showing the lock functions so we can verify the hardware meets the egress requirements.
IV. A fire prevention building permit is required PRIOR to the start of any construction. The permit is not just for inspections. If you need to start with the footings and foundations prior to the issuance of a permit, you need to send a letter requesting footing and foundation authorization. If the building height and area issues fire separation distance issues and exterior exiting are resolved, we will issue a footing and foundation letter. This will allow you to begin work at your own risk, before the actual permit issuance. If you go beyond that point, you will need your permit. In very rare cases, we have issued exterior wall and roof letters, but this is highly unusual.



Permits

The following is information that will need to be submited to receive a building permit.

Permits
Information to Submit for a Permit:
Application Form:   The Fire Permit Application shall be filled out COMPLETELY and ACCURATELY.
Application Form: Can be obtained at Boles Fire Protection District Headquarters at 2731 Highway T, Labadie, MO. 636-742-2515
Submit two (2) sets of construction documents, as listed below, for review.  Once the permit is approved one set will be returned to the permittee.  This approved set will need to stay on the job site for use by our Inspectors until the final inspection and occupancy is approved.
Unless stated otherwise all construction plans, spec books and hydraulic calculations must be properly signed and sealed by the appropriate design professional.

New Building
Full civil plans water main size and fire hydrant locations. 
Architectural plans including code information block and height area calculations 
Electrical plans.
Fire alarm and sprinkler plans 
Mechanical plans. 
Structural plans. 
Spec book, if applicable. 
  If this building is designed to have more than one tenant, please verify how each tenant space will be addressed. 
Provide a copy of the site and floor plan on a single CD disc for use by our firefighters to create a Pre-Incident Response Plan for this building.  The file shall be one of the following formats:  .DWG, .DXF, .VCD, .GCD, or .DW2.
Additions
Full civil plans including water mains and hydrant locations.
Architectural plans including code information block 
Electrical plans. 
Fire alarm and sprinkler plans if applicable. 
Mechanical plans. 
Structural plans. 
Spec book, if applicable. 
Provide one copy of the site and floor plan on a CD disc for use by our firefighters to create a Pre-Incident Response Plan for this building.  The file shall be one of the following formats:  .DWG, .DXF, .VCD, .GCD, PDF or .DW2.
Alteration / Interior Finish
Architectural plans including code information block
Electrical plans. 
Mechanical plans.
Underground Fire Main
Detailed shop drawings.
Automatic Fire Sprinkler / Standpipe System
Detailed shop drawings. 
Hydraulic calculations for each design area and standpipes. 
Cut sheets on any special sprinklers.

Fire Alarm System
Detailed shop drawings. 
Cut sheets for each component of the system.

Hood Fire Suppression System
System drawings including descriptions and dimensions of the hood and all cooking appliances / equipment located under the hood. 
Kitchen floor plan showing location of the manual-pull and K-Class fire extinguisher. 
Note:  Pre-engineered systems plans do not need to be signed and sealed.
All Other Types of Fire Suppression Systems
Detailed shop drawings. 
Cut sheets for each component of the system.

Q. Who is responsible for obtaining the permit?
A. While the property owner is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the permit is obtained before work is started, he or she may assign the duty of obtaining the permit to the contractor, architect or other authorized agent.
ANY CONSTRUCTION STARTED WITHOUT FIRST OBTAINING A BUILDING PERMIT WILL BE CHARGED DOUBLE THE PERMIT FEE.
Q. When can I start work?
A. The Fire District permit is required to be issued and on the job site when the work starts , except that footings and foundations may be installed (at the owner’s risk) before the Fire District permit is issued.
Q. Why do I need a fire permit when I have a building permit?
A. State statutes assign the responsibility of fire protection to Fire Protection Districts. Therefore, Fire Protection Districts are responsible for adopting and enforcing Fire Codes. Fire Permits enable Fire Protection Districts to perform inspections that ensure your property complies with the adopted Fire Codes for fire and life-safety.
To help insure the safety, health and welfare; and, in general, to secure safety to life and property from all hazards incident to the design, erection, repair, or use and occupancy of all buildings, structures or premises in the Boles Fire Protection District, we have adopted Ordinance Nos. 20, 21,22, and 23 The Fire Prevention Code.
The Boles Fire Protection District Inspectors are Missouri State Certified Fire Inspectors. This assures that we have the expertise to recognize potential fire hazards, and to help provide solutions to mitigate these hazards. Further, Boles Fire Inspectors have expert knowledge regarding the principles of combustion and fire growth such as the combustion process – or how fire works, phases of fire, heat transfer, flame spread, factors affecting fire growth, fire resistance in construction, fire loads, fire containment in buildings, elimination of ignition sources and many other fire related matters.
Inspections:
Q. When do I call for an Inspection?
A. There are three different times in the construction sequence when a Fire District Inspection will be required.
The first required inspection is a Rough or Framing Inspection.  This Inspection needs to be conducted and approved before any underground fire main, sprinkler piping, walls and/or ceilings are insulated or covered.  It is OK to cover one side of walls so long as all of the framing, plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling work associated with this portion of your project has been completed and is still visible for inspection.
The second inspection should include a drywall inspection and any fire protection system testing. This is to insure that areas are covered and the drywall is properly installed. It also assures all fire suppression and fire alarm systems are working properly.
The third required Inspection is called a Final or Occupancy Inspection.  This Inspection must be made when the permitted work is completed and approved before being furnished or occupied.  Please be aware that you will need approval to occupy or use the area covered by your permit from both the Boles Fire Protection District and the county code agency involved with your project.
Due to the nature of commercial construction it is not uncommon to have separate inspections for both wall cover and ceiling cover.  Also phase rough and final inspections are possible for projects.  Please talk with the Fire Inspector assigned to your project about phase inspections.
If a plan approval letter was generated, all items listed on the letter must be resolved before calling for an inspection.  A copy of the approved plans and a copy of the plan approval letter must be at the job site at the time of inspection.
Q. Do I need to have a county inspection approval before calling for the Fire District Inspection?
A. The Fire District does not require anyone else’s approval, such as, electrical or plumbing Inspector approval, prior to being called for an Inspection.  You can request a Fire District Inspection once the work is complete.  However, please be aware that the Fire District works along with the Franklin County inspectors at times and it is best to try and setup your inspection when the county inspector can be present. This is not a requirement but may saving time and confusion during the construction project.
Q. Whom do I call to request an Inspection?
A. A request for inspection must be received at least 48 hours in advance.  Please call 636-742-2515 after the phone answers, dial extension 5, follow the directions and leave a voice mail message.
Q. What information do I give when I call to request an Inspection?
A. The following information is needed to schedule an inspection:
1) The day/date you need the inspection, e.g., Tues., July 11th;  
2) The Boles Fire Protection District permit number, e.g., 05-1234; 
3) The address of the project and suite number, if applicable;
4) The type of inspection, e.g., wall or ceiling - rough, re-rough; final, re-final, etc.;
5) Your name and phone number; and 
6) Any comments or instructions, such as, Go around to the rear door, etc.
Q. How soon after I call can I expect my Inspection?
A. The inspection will general be scheduled 24 to 48 hours after the message is received during normal business hours. Someone will return your call to confirm a time and date.  
Q. Can I request a specific time for my Inspection?
A. We will make every attempt to meet the request.
If the inspection needs to be scheduled for a specific time due to the testing of a fire suppression and/or detection system, please leave this information on the Fire District Inspection request line.
Q. How do I cancel an Inspection after I made the request?
A. During normal business hours, please call 636-742-2515.  After normal business hours please call the Inspection Request line and leave a voice message.
Q. Must I be present when the Inspector comes?
A. Rough Inspections - we recommend that someone familiar with the project be on site for the Inspection so that any necessary corrections can be explained.
 Final Inspections – in most case someone familiar with the project must be on site to shut off power to exit signs and emergency lighting and/or conduct other systems test. All personnel needed to test sprinkler and alarm systems if applicable.
Q. What needs to be on-site for the Inspection?
A. The Fire District approved plans any plan approval letter, if applicable, and permit card must be at the job site at the time of inspection.  
Q. If I need to talk to an Inspector, when can he/she be reached?
A. You general reach one of the inspectors by calling 636-742-2515 and leave a message and one of the inspectors will return your call as soon as possible.
Q. What do I do if I have a code related question during the day when an Inspector is not available?
A. Please call 636-742-2515 and if no one is available leave a detailed voice message and an Inspector will call you back as soon as possible.
Q. How do I know if my Inspection was approved?
A. Please look at the Fire District Permit Card.  The Inspector will either sign the card approving the Inspection or will leave detailed notes as to what corrections need to be made in order to obtain Inspection approval.
Q. What will happen if my inspection does not pass?
A. Once the needed corrections are made you will need to call 636-742-2515 to get a re-inspection.  
Q. How will I know what corrections to make?
A. The Fire Inspector will write on a Fire District corrections form the violations found that will need to be corrected.  
Q. What do I do if I don’t understand the required corrections?
A. Please call 636-742-2515 to speak to the Inspector involved with your project.
Q. Will I have to pay any additional fees if I do not pass the Inspection?
A. An additional $25.00 inspection fees will only be charged when an inspection has been scheduled but cannot be conducted due to:
Building, or portion(s) of the building requiring access for the inspection, is locked or inaccessible, 
Building or surrounding area is unsafe, as determined by the Fire Official, 
Fire District approved plans, permit card and/or other construction documents are not on the work site, 
Work is not complete enough for an inspection or corrections have not been made as noted, as determined by the Fire Official, or 
The area to be inspected has been covered or concealed in any manner without first obtaining the approval of the Fire Official.
Q. How can I pay for the additional fees and when will I get a re-inspection?
A. Any additional fees, a check, will need to be paid at the Boles Fire Prevention Bureau office.  No fees will ever be collected in the field. Once the fees are paid an Inspection can be scheduled as soon as the next business day. The owner or contractor must request a re-inspection as the inspection will NOT be automatically rescheduled.
Q. When can I move in furniture, fixtures, equipment, and/or supplies?
A. Items that can be moved in or installed at any time include:
Any furniture, fixtures and/or equipment that are permanently attached, wired or plumbed, such as movable systems furniture, ice makers, etc. 
Shelves that have to be attached to the floor. 
Walls or counters that are built into the building.
Items that must wait until certain life safety items are inspected and approved include:
Typical retail fixtures. 
Movable desk, chairs, and file cabinets. 
Restaurant small wares. 
Supplies of any type.
Q. When can I occupy or use the area covered by the Fire District Permit?
A. Please be aware that you will need approval to occupy or use the area covered by your permit from both the Boles Fire Protection District and  the County Code agency involved with your project.
Q. When can I request a final or occupancy inspection?
A. As soon as all of the work has been completed.
Q. If I contract with a builder for the construction, who is responsible to call for final inspections and occupancy approval?
A. While the property owner is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the final Inspection and occupancy approval are obtained, he or she may by contractual arrangement assign those duties to the contractor, architect or other authorized agent.
Fees:
The following fees apply to commercial construction projects along with duplex and multi family permits:
ANY CONSTRUCTION STARTED WITHOUT FIRST OBTAINING A BUILDING PERMIT WILL BE CHARGED DOUBLE THE PERMIT FEE.
Commercial:
• Permit fee.  $50.00 plans review/processing (when the application and drawings are submitted) fee plus $75.00 for the first $2,000.00 construction cost and $2.50 for each additional $1,000 of estimated construction cost over the $2,000.00.
• Extra inspection fee .  An additional $25.00 inspection fees will only be charged when an inspection has been scheduled but cannot be conducted due to:
Building, or portion(s) of the building requiring access for the inspection, is locked or inaccessible, 
Building or surrounding area is unsafe, as determined by the Fire Official, 
Fire District approved plans and/or other construction documents are not on the work site, 
Work is not complete enough for an inspection or corrections have not been made as noted, as determined by the Fire Official, or 
The area to be inspected has been covered or concealed in any manner without first obtaining the approval of the Fire Official 
• Other fees may apply.  See Ordinance 22 for a complete list of fees and explanations.