NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the Department of Financial Services, Division of State Fire Marshal has issued an order disposing of the petition for declaratory statement filed by David Woodside, Assistant Fire Chief, BOCA RATON FIRE RESCUE, on October 12, 2010. The following is a summary of the agency's disposition of the petition:
The Petition requests a declaratory statement regarding Section 633.0215(14), F.S., as amended by SB 1196 effective July 1, 2010, relating to manual fire alarm systems. Specifically, the Petition asks whether the systems existing in the subject property can be removed. The subject property is a three story townhouse development. The largest buildings in the development are three stories, four unit buildings. Each building has a separate alarm system and sprinkler system. The Declaratory Statement filed on January 10, 2011, concludes that the existing fire alarm systems on the subject property may not be removed. The Florida Fire Prevention Code requires a fire alarm system on the subject property and the statutory exemption does not address removals, only installations. Statutory exemptions are strictly construed and apply prospectively unless otherwise clearly indicated.
A copy of the Order Disposing of the Petition for Declaratory Statement may be obtained by contacting: Lesley Mendelson, Assistant General Counsel, 200 East Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0340, (850)413-3604, or (850)413-4238, Fax: (850)922-1235 or (850)488-0697 (please advise if you would like it mailed or faxed to you and please include your phone number on your request in case any question arises) or by e-mailing your request to: Lesley.Mendelson@myfloridacfo.com.