Fire Protection Engineering
Smoke Control Special Inspections
At Rigsbee Engineering, our primary concern is ensuring the safety of your building and its compliance with both local and international regulatory standards. As fire protection engineering specialists, our employees are deputized by the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) to perform Smoke Control Special Inspections along with experience in San Diego and Reno. This specialized service verifies the effectiveness and performance of your building's smoke control systems, in accordance with the standards set forth by the Los Angeles Building Code, the California Building Code, the International Building Code (IBC) Section 909, and local amendments.
Service Overview
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Our Smoke Control Special Inspection service includes a meticulous inspection of smoke control systems in accordance with the CBC/IBC Section 909. We evaluate the design, operation, and functionality of smoke barriers, smoke management systems, and ventilation equipment to ensure they meet the stringent requirements of the CBC and the Los Angeles Building Code. At Rigsbee Engineering, we adhere to a systematic and stringent process for our smoke control special inspections:
01
Pre-Inspection Review: Our process begins with a detailed review of the smoke control system plans, smoke control rational analysis, mechanical plans, electrical plans, fire alarm plans, and compliance documentation, ensuring alignment with both the Los Angeles Building Code and CBC Section 909. We will attend a kickoff meeting to ensure all trades are aware of what is required in order to keep from having delays caused by unknown code requirements or testing expectations.
02
On-Site Inspection: After pre-testing by the trades is complete, our experienced team performs an extensive on-site inspection/testing of your smoke control system, verifying its installation, operational integrity, and compliance with design plans.
03
Testing: Our team will produce a comprehensive testing plan in order for the objectives of our tests be made clear to the general contractor’s (GC) team along with the fire department and authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) ex. LADBS building officials. This will serve as a guide to the GC and involved trades during testing and ensure no surprises to what is being inspected. We conduct functional performance tests to certify that the smoke control system operates as designed under a variety of fire scenarios, in accordance with CBC Section 909 standards.
04
Follow-Up: Should any issues be identified during the inspection, we offer detailed recommendations for remediation. We also provide follow-up inspections to ensure the proper implementation of these corrections.
05
Status Letter to the AHJ: If your smoke control system is compliant with the Los Angeles Building Code and CBC Section 909, we will facilitate communication with the AHJ via a status letter that the building is ready for its final inspection in order to obtain the Certificate of Occupancy required for the public to start using the facility.
06
Final Testing: Our team will be present for your final test with the AHJ (Ex. LADBS) and the FD as a liaison between the general contractor’s team and the AHJ/FD for the smoke control system being tested.
07
Report and Certification: After the final inspection with the AHJ, we provide a comprehensive final smoke control inspection report of our findings and all aspects of the testing performed to the FD, AHJ, and a copy placed in the fire command room document box of the building.
Compliance with Los Angeles Building Code and CBC Section 909
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In the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, every smoke control system requires special inspection in by an LADBS-licensed Deputy Inspector of Smoke Control, per the local and state codes. Moreover, the standards outlined in CBC Section 909 require that smoke control systems effectively manage the movement of smoke, maintaining tenability during evacuation and firefighting activities. Our inspections fulfill these requirements, ensuring your building's safety and regulatory compliance.