Department of
Veterans Affairs
Memorandum
Date: November 15, 1996
From: Chief Network Officer (1 ONB)
Subj: Construction Projects Fire Code Compliance Process
To: Network Directors (10N1-10N22)
1. Network Directors have the responsibility to ensure that delegated construction projects are designed,
constructed and reviewed to meet all applicable VA fire code requirements. This includes Non-Recurring
Maintenance (NRM), Minor, and Major construction projects and all design and construction completed
with local operating funds. VA must comply with national consensus fire codes and standards for JCAHO
(Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) accreditation and to comply with Public
Law 100-678, Public Buildings Amendment Act of 1988 and Public Law 102-522, Federal Fire Safety Act
of 1992, along with other laws and regulatory requirements. Like other federal agencies with real property
and construction authority, VA acts as its own building and fire code official.
2. A fire protection engineering (FPE) firm or expertise is recommended on the design and construction
of certain projects as part of the Architectural/Engineering (NE) team. The Office of Facility Management
(18) has issued guidance on the need for this expertise. They recommend that all minor construction
projects and NRM projects where the cost of the fire protection work exceeds 50% of the total project cost
use a FPE. For example, any projects to install automatic fire sprinkler systems or new fire alarm systems
need a fire protection engineering firm or other NE firm with fire protection engineering expertise to
ensure fire code compliance.
3. Each Network shall develop a process to ensure medical center construction projects are reviewed by
a qualified engineer knowledgeable with National Fire Protection Association’s National Fire Codes
(NFC). These individuals shall have had extensive experience in the construction field and be
knowledgeable in exit calculations, sprinkler system and fire alarm requirements, Life Safety Code
requirements, etc.
TO:
Network Directors (IONI-10N22)
4. If your Network has an in-house Safety and Fire Protection Engineer (SFPE) on your staff, these
individuals are fully qualified to review design and construction which is affected by fire codes and
standards. VA policy in MP-3, Part Ill, Safety, Occupational Health and Fire Protection, required previous
VHA field organizations to use an in-house SFPE to conduct these reviews of all design and construction.
If your network does not have qualified in-house resources, we recommend that a private sector fire
protection engineering firm be retained to conduct these reviews. In the near future, we anticipate the
availability of a contract for this service via the Service Support Center.
5. The point of contact on this matter is Kenneth Faulstich in the Engineering Management and Field
Support Office (IONS). He can be contacted at (202) 273-5869 or electronically at
FAUKEN@HQ.MED.VA.GOV.
Jule D. Moravec, Ph.D.