Chapter 3.16
FIRE CODE

Sections:

3.16.010 Adoption of International Fire Code.

3.16.020 Amendments to the International Fire Code.

3.16.010 Adoption of International Fire Code.

(1) The city of Wenatchee, a municipal corporation, and by reference made herein, adopts the 2003 International Fire Code (IFC), as published by the International Code Council, Inc., and as amended by the Washington State Building Code Council, including those standards of the National Fire Protection Association specifically referenced in the International Fire Code; provided, that notwithstanding any wording in this code, participants in religious ceremonies shall not be precluded from carrying hand-held candles. The following section and appendices are specifically adopted:

(a) Section 503, Fire Apparatus Access Roads;

(b) Appendix B, Fire Flow for Buildings;

(c) Appendix C, Fire Hydrant Locations and Distribution;

(d) Appendix D, Fire Apparatus Access Roads;

(e) Appendix E, Hazard Categories;

(f) Appendix F, Hazard Ranking;

(g) Appendix G, Cryogenic Fluids – Weight and Volume Equivalents.

(2) One copy of the 2003 International Fire Code (IFC), as published by the International Code Council, Inc., and as amended by the Washington State Building Code has heretofore been filed with the city clerk of the city of Wenatchee, as provided by RCW 35.21.180. (Ord. 2005-23 § 1; Ord. 2004-25 § 7)

3.16.020 Amendments to the International Fire Code.

a. Amend Section 101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the Fire Code of the City of Wenatchee, hereinafter referred to as "this code."

b. Automatic Fire Sprinklers. An automatic fire sprinkler system installed and maintained in accordance with the appropriate NFPA Standard shall be installed in the following circumstances. For the purpose of this section, fire partitions as noted in the International Building Code, Section 708 shall not be considered to separate a building to enable deletion of the required fire sprinkler system.

i. Any newly constructed building, regardless of occupancy, that exceeds 7,500 square feet total floor area of all floor levels within the exterior walls.

ii. Any substantial remodel that exceeds 7,500 square feet total floor area of all floor levels within the exterior walls and the improvements results in an increase in valuation of more than 60% of assessed value for the structure.

iii. Any change in occupancy in those situations where, if new construction, would require an automatic fire sprinkler system.

c. Amend Section 109.3 Violation penalties. Persons who shall violate a provision of this code or shall fail to comply with any of the requirements thereof or who shall erect, install, alter, repair or do work in violation of the approved construction documents or directive of the fire code official, or of a permit or certificate used under provisions of this code, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not more than $500.00 or by imprisonment not exceeding 90 days or both such fine and imprisonment. Each day that a violation continues after due notice has been served shall be deemed a separate offense.

d. Amend Section 111.4 Failure to comply. Any person who shall continue any work after having been served with a stop work order, except such work as that person is directed to perform to remove a violation or unsafe condition, shall be liable to a fine of not more than $500.00 dollars.

e. Amend Section 503.4 Obstruction of fire apparatus access roads. It shall be unlawful for any person to obstruct any fire apparatus access road in any manner including the parking of vehicles unless the vehicle is in the process of being loaded or unloaded and the driver thereof is in actual attendance of the vehicle. Minimum widths and clearances as established in section 503.2.1 shall be maintained at all times.

f. Amend Section 508.5.1 Where required. Where a portion of the facility or building hereafter constructed or moved into or within the jurisdiction is more than 300 feet from a hydrant on a fire apparatus access road, as measured by an approved route around the exterior of the facility or building, on-site fire hydrants and mains shall be provided where required by the fire code official. (The intent of this code amendment is to remain consistent with 300 foot spacing of commercial fire hydrants on streets and access roads. 150 feet from a hydrant and 150 feet to all portions of the facility or building.)

Exceptions: For Group R-3 and U occupancies, the distance requirement shall be 400 feet. (The intent of this code amendment is to remain consistent with 500 foot spacing of residential fire hydrants on streets and access roads. 250 feet from a hydrant and 150 feet to all portions of the facility or building.)

g. Amend the geographic limits referred to in the following sections:

Section 3204.3.1.1 Location.

Stationary containers shall be located in accordance with Section 3203.6. Containers of cryogenic fluids shall not be located within diked areas containing other hazardous materials. Storage of flammable cryogenic fluids in stationary containers outside of buildings is prohibited within the entire city limits of the City of Wenatchee.

Section 3404.2.9.5.1 and Section 3406.2.4.4 Locations where above-ground tanks are prohibited.

Storage of Class I and II liquids in above-ground tanks outside of buildings is prohibited from all areas except in the industrial zoning districts from south city limits to north city limits east of Wenatchee Avenue.

Exceptions:

1. There shall not be prohibited above ground storage tanks of 300 gallon capacity or less located on private property for heating and cooking fuel purposes for single family residence.

2. Protected aboveground tanks, as defined and specified in Section 3404.2.9.6, for the storage of Class I and Class II liquids of 2500 gallon aggregate capacity or less shall not be prohibited for accessory use in industrial and commercial zones or institutional uses within the city when approved by the Fire Code Official.

Section 3804.2 Maximum capacity within established limits. For the protection of heavily populated or congested areas, the aggregate capacity of any one installation shall not exceed a water capacity of 2,000 gallons (7570L) in all areas except in the industrial zoning districts from south city limits to north city limits east of Wenatchee Avenue.

(Ord. 2005-23 § 2; Ord. 2004-25 § 8)