Chapter 15.38A
FIRE PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS
Sections:
15.38A.011 Repealed.
15.38A.021 General.
15.38A.031 Standards.
15.38A.041 Application.
15.38A.051 Automatic sprinkler systems – Speculative use warehouses.
15.38A.011 Definitions.
Repealed by Ord. 6310. (Ord. 5874 § 12, 2004.)
15.38A.021 General.
A. Automatic fire extinguishing systems shall be installed in accordance with this chapter or as approved by both the building official and fire code official.
B. Fire hose threads used in connection with automatic fire extinguishing systems shall be national standard hose threads or as approved by the fire code official.
C. The location of fire department hose connections shall be located within 50 feet of and no closer than five feet of an approved water supply and the connection shall be located on the same side of the fire access roadway as the approved water supply and must be approved by the fire code official.
D. Buildings used for high piled combustible storage shall comply with the fire protection requirements of the fire code and Chapter 15.36A ACC.
E. For additional provisions on special hazards see the fire code and building code for requirements. (Ord. 6310 § 17, 2010; Ord. 5874 § 12, 2004.)
15.38A.031 Standards.
Automatic fire extinguishing systems shall comply with the building and fire code standards. (Ord. 5874 § 12, 2004.)
15.38A.041 Application.
An automatic fire extinguishing system shall be installed and maintained in an operable condition as specified in this chapter in the following locations:
A. All buildings that do not have adequate fire flow or do not have adequate emergency fire vehicle access as required in the fire code and as determined by the fire code official.
B. All buildings except those classed as Group R, Division 3 and Group U, when:
1. The building has more than 10,000 square feet of floor area, or is higher than 30 feet, or requires more than 2,500 gallons per minute of fire flow in accordance with International Fire Code Appendix B.
C. All buildings that contain more than 8,000 square feet of Group A occupancies and in:
1. All A-2 assembly rooms used primarily for entertaining occupants who are consuming alcoholic or nonalcoholic beverages or dining in unseparated areas where the total floor area is more than 5,000 square feet. For uses to be considered separated, the separation shall not be less than a one-hour occupancy separation as defined in the building code.
2. All enclosed usable space below or over a stairway in Group A, Divisions 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 occupancies.
3. All amusement buildings except those that are both less than 1,000 square feet of floor area and have an exit travel distance from any point that is less than 50 feet.
4. Areas under roof and gridiron, in the tie and fly galleries, and in all places behind the proscenium wall of stages; over and within the permanent platforms that are more than 500 square feet in area; and in dressing rooms, workshops and storerooms accessory to such stages or platforms, with the exceptions noted below.
Exceptions:
a. Sprinklers are not required for stages 1,000 square feet (92.9 m2) or less in area and 50 feet (15,240 mm) or less in height where curtains, scenery or other combustible hangings are not retractable vertically. Combustible hangings shall be limited to a single main curtain, borders, legs and a single backdrop.
b. Under stage areas less than four feet (1,219 mm) in clear height used exclusively for chair or table storage and lined on the inside with five-eighths-inch (16 mm) Type X gypsum wallboard or an approved equal.
D. Additions, Alterations and Repairs. For the purpose of this chapter, any alteration or repair which changes the character of the occupancy or use, and which increases the fire or life safety or structural hazards, shall comply with the requirements of this chapter and:
1. Any additions that increase the floor area of a building shall require that the entire building comply with this chapter; and
2. These determinations shall be made by the building official and the fire code official.
E. For purposes of this chapter, a “fire wall,” “fire barrier,” or “horizontal assembly” shall not be considered to separate a building so as to avoid the required automatic fire extinguishing system. A building shall have a minimum distance of five feet from any point of the building to any point of another building and from the property line in order to be considered a separate building.
F. Plans. In addition to the requirements in the building and fire codes, all plans for automatic fire extinguishing systems, including sprinkler system underground piping, shall bear the stamp and signature of a Washington State professional engineer who is registered as qualified in fire protection engineering, or registered as a certified sprinkler contractor through the Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office, or as approved by the fire code official.
G. Conflict. In case of conflict between the requirements contained in Chapter 15.08A ACC and this chapter, the requirements of this chapter shall govern and prevail. (Ord. 6310 § 18, 2010; Ord. 5874 § 12, 2004.)
15.38A.051 Automatic sprinkler systems – Speculative use warehouses.
Section 903 of the International Fire Code, entitled “Automatic Sprinkler Systems,” is amended by adding the following new subsection 903.2.9.3:
Sec. 903.2.9.3 Speculative use warehouses. Where the occupant, tenant, or use of the building or storage commodity has not been determined or it is otherwise a speculative use warehouse or building, the automatic sprinkler system shall be designed and installed in accordance with the following:
1. The design area shall be not less than 2,000 square feet.
2. The density shall be not less than that for class IV non-encapsulated commodities on wood pallets, with no solid, slatted, or wire mesh shelving, and with aisles that are 8 feet or more in width and up to 20 feet in height.
3. Sprinkler piping that is 4 inches and larger in width shall be used and the structural engineer of record shall provide written verification approving of the point and dead loads.
(Ord. 6310 § 19, 2010; Ord. 5874 § 12, 2004.)