Chapter 13.55
FIRE CODE

Sections:

13.55.010    Definitions.

13.55.020    Fire code adopted.

13.55.030    Amendments.

13.55.040    Fire alarm system.

13.55.050    Sprinkler installation.

13.55.010 Definitions.

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise. Terms not defined here are defined according to FWRC 1.05.020.

“Board of appeals” means the hearing examiner appointed by the city.

“Fire detection system” means a heat or smoke detection system monitored by a central or remote station conforming to the current requirements of the National Fire Protection Association standards and the fire chief or designee.

“Fire sprinkler system” means an integrated system of piping connected to a water supply with sprinklers which will automatically initiate water discharge over a fire, conforming to the current requirements of the National Fire Protection Association standards and the fire chief or designee.

“Life safety/rescue access” means an unobstructed access to all floor levels and each roof level of a building on not less than 20 percent of the building perimeter by utilizing a 35-foot ladder, or at least one stairway enclosure with exit doorways from each floor level and with a door opening onto each roof level which conforms to the requirements of the International Building Code.

(Ord. No. 09-593, § 1, 1-6-09; Ord. No. 07-563, § 1(A), 10-16-07. Code 2001 § 5-340.)

13.55.020 Fire code adopted.

The following code, as amended, added to, or excepted in this title, together with all amendments and additions provided in this title, is adopted and shall be applicable within the city:

(1) The following chapter of the Washington Administrative Code as presently constituted or as may be subsequently amended:

(a) Chapter 51-54 WAC, State Building Code Adoption and Amendment of the 2009 Edition of the International Fire Code, including Appendices B, C, E, F, I and J. State amendments to Sections 308.3.4, 308.3.5, 308.3.7, 503.1 through 503.4, 903.2.10.3 and 3006.4 are not adopted for any buildings.

(Ord. No. 10-665, § 30, 7-20-10; Ord. No. 07-563, § 1(A), 10-16-07. Code 2001 § 5-341.)

13.55.030 Amendments.

The following amendments to the fire code adopted in FWRC 13.55.020 are hereby adopted:

(1) Section 101.1, Title.

These regulations shall be known as the Fire Code of the City of Federal Way hereinafter referred to as “this code.”

(2) Section 307.1.1 is amended to read as follows:

Prohibited open burning. Open burning within the city limits shall be prohibited.

(3) Section 510.2, Radio signal strength, is hereby amended to read as follows:

The building shall be considered to have acceptable emergency responder radio coverage when signal strength measurements in 95 percent of all areas on each floor of the building and all areas of all elevators meet the signal strength requirements of Sections 510.2.1 and 510.2.2.

(4) Section 906.1 exception to item 1 is deleted in its entirety.

(5) Section 914.3.1, Automatic sprinkler system, is hereby amended by the deletion of number 1 to the exception:

Buildings and structures shall be equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 and a secondary water supply where required by Section 903.3.5.2.

Exception: An automatic sprinkler system shall not be required in spaces or areas of:

2. Telecommunications equipment buildings used exclusively for telecommunications equipment, associated electrical power distribution equipment, batteries and standby engines, provided that those spaces or areas are equipped throughout with an automatic fire detection system in accordance with Section 907.2 and are separated from the remainder of the building by not less than 1-hour fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 of the International Building Code or not less than 2-hour horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 712 of the International Building Code, or both.

(6) Section 1008.1.8.3 item 2.1 is deleted in its entirety.

(7) Section 3304.1 is amended in its entirety to read as follows:

General. The storage of explosives and blasting agents within the city is prohibited.

Exception. The fire chief may issue a special permit for such storage where it appears in his or her judgment there will be no undue danger to persons or property.

(Ord. No. 10-665, § 31, 7-20-10; Ord. No. 07-563, § 1(A), 10-16-07. Code 2001 § 5-342.)

13.55.040 Fire alarm system.

All occupancies exceeding 3,000 square feet gross floor area shall be required to provide an approved automatic fire alarm system. Fire walls as noted in Section 706 of the International Building Code shall not be considered to separate a building to enable deletion of the required fire alarm system.

(1) Exceptions.

(a) Group U or R, Division 3, occupancies;

(2) Occupancies protected throughout by an approved/monitored automatic sprinkler system can delete heat detectors from the system.

(Ord. No. 10-665, § 32, 7-20-10; Ord. No. 07-563, § 1(A), 10-16-07. Code 2001 § 5-343.)

13.55.050 Sprinkler installation.

Fire sprinkler systems shall be installed:

(1) In all Group R, Division 3, occupancies exceeding 3,600 square feet gross floor area (including attached garages) without adequate fire flow except as cited.

(2) In all R-3 occupancies without approved fire department access as defined in Section 503 of the International Fire Code.

(3) In all Group R, Division 2, occupancies having three or more levels or containing five or more dwelling units and Group R, Division 1, occupancies having three or more floor levels or containing 10 or more guest rooms. Quick response standard sprinkler heads shall be used in accordance with their approved listing in the dwelling unit and guest room portions of the buildings. For the purposes of this section, condominiums shall be treated as apartments. For the purpose of this section, a “floor level” shall be defined as that portion of a building included between the upper surface of any floor and the surface of the next floor or roof above. Fire walls as noted in Section 706 of the International Building Code shall not be considered to separate a building to enable deletion of the required fire sprinkler system.

(4) In Group A occupancies that are used as nightclubs and discos where no alcohol is served and where the total gross floor area exceeds 5,000 square feet. Fire walls as noted in Section 706 of the International Building Code shall not be considered to separate a building to enable deletion of the required fire sprinkler system.

(5) In all other occupancies requiring 2,000 gallons per minute or more fire flow, or where the total floor area included within the surrounding exterior walls on all floor levels, including basements exceeds 5,000 square feet. Fire walls, as noted in Section 706 of the International Building Code, shall not be considered to separate a building to enable deletion of the required fire sprinkler system. Group U occupancies are excepted from this subsection.

(6) In all occupancies where the building is classified as an overwater structure.

(Ord. No. 10-665, § 33, 7-20-10; Ord. No. 07-563, § 1(A), 10-16-07. Code 2001 § 5-344.)