Chapter 14.16
FIRE CODE
Sections
14.16.010 Short title – IFC adopted.
14.16.020 Amendments adopted.
14.16.030 Fire sprinkler systems standards.
14.16.040 Authority having jurisdiction.
14.16.050 Permit required.
14.16.060 Sprinkler plans and hydraulic calculations.
14.16.070 Sprinkler design criteria.
14.16.080 Sprinkler system supply.
14.16.090 Standpipe system.
14.16.100 One-family and two-family dwellings and manufactured homes (per NFPA 13D, except as noted below).
14.16.110 Residential occupancies up to and including four stories in height (per NFPA 13R, except as noted below).
14.16.120 Commercial buildings (per NFPA 13, except as noted below).
14.16.130 International Fire Code Section 103.1.4 amended – Appeal process.
14.16.140 Exterior combustible merchandise – Storage.
14.16.150 Silencing hotel fire alarms.
14.16.160 International Fire Code Section 3204.3.1.1 amended – Stationary container storage.
14.16.170 International Fire Code Section 3404.2.9.5 amended – Above-ground tanks outside of buildings.
14.16.180 International Fire Code Section 3404.2.9.5.1 amended – Locations where above-ground tanks are prohibited.
14.16.190 International Fire Code Section 3804.2 amended – Maximum capacity within established limits.
14.16.200 International Fire Code Section 907 amended – Fire alarm and detection system.
14.16.010 Short title – IFC adopted.
This chapter shall be known as and may be referred to as the fire code. Except as amended, added to, or excepted in this chapter, Chapter 51-54 WAC, the International Fire Code (IFC), including the Appendices to Chapter B and C, is adopted by reference as presently constituted or as may be subsequently amended, added to, or excepted as though fully set forth in this chapter. [Ord. 1407 § 70, 2007.]
14.16.020 Amendments adopted.
The amendments, additions and exceptions to the International Fire Code, as adopted by this chapter, are adopted and shall be applicable within the city. [Ord. 1407 § 71, 2007.]
14.16.030 Fire sprinkler systems standards.
All fire sprinkler systems in the jurisdiction of Des Moines shall meet the criteria as set forth in these standards as well as the following codes:
(1) NFPA 13 Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, Current Approved Edition;
(2) NFPA 13D Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes, Current Approved Edition;
(3) NFPA 13R Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in Residential Occupancies up to and Including Four Stories, Current Approved Edition;
(4) NFPA 14 Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Service, Current Approved Edition;
(5) NFPA 24 Standard for the Installation of Private Fire Service Mains and Their Appurtenances, Current Approved Edition;
(6) International Fire Code, Current Approved Edition;
(7) International Building Code, Current Approved Edition. [Ord. 1407 § 72, 2007.]
14.16.040 Authority having jurisdiction.
The authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) is the city. The official appointed by the city to enforce that authority is the building official. The official appointed by the city for all new fire suppression system installations or existing modifications, upgrades, equipment replacements, or repair work to fire suppression systems shall be the South King fire and rescue fire marshal or his designees. The fire marshal shall be responsible for the interpretation and application of these standards and codes. [Ord. 1407 § 73, 2007.]
14.16.050 Permit required.
A permit shall be obtained from the appropriate jurisdiction to include correct building address as well as property owner’s name and address. [Ord. 1407 § 74, 2007.]
14.16.060 Sprinkler plans and hydraulic calculations.
(1) The information required on plans and hydraulic calculations shall include items specified in NFPA 13 Sections 8-1 and 8-3. Typical sections or elevations, riser diagrams, and hanger details shall be included. A minimum of three sets of plans and calculations shall be provided for review.
(2) A written scope of work shall be submitted with the plans. If there is no written scope of work, plans will not be accepted.
(3) If hydraulic calculations are required, calculations shall be provided for each riser.
(4) Cut sheets shall be provided for all system devices.
(5) Sprinkler plans, hydraulic calculations, and check lists shall bear the stamp of a currently licensed sprinkler contractor per chapter 18.160 RCW. [Ord. 1407 § 75, 2007.]
14.16.070 Sprinkler design criteria.
(1) Design criteria shall include South King fire and rescue requirements, as well as applicable codes referenced in this chapter.
(2) Heat tracing and anti-freeze systems are prohibited unless specifically permitted by the fire marshal. [Ord. 1407 § 76, 2007.]
14.16.080 Sprinkler system supply.
(1) Underground Supply. Underground piping supplying a sprinkler system, FDCs etc., shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 13 and NFPA 24. All materials shall be UL listed and/or FM approved for the use intended. Thrust blocking and/or rodding shall be provided per NFPA 24. The installer shall be licensed by the state of Washington for this purpose.
(2) Fire Department Connection (FDC). Fire department hose connection shall be located as noted on the approved plans. The installation of fire department connections shall be in accordance with the following:
(a) FDCs shall be located not less than 18 inches or more than 120 inches from the finished edge of a fire lane.
(b) The inlet ports of the FDC shall face the fire lane.
(c) The height of the inlet ports shall not be less than 18 inches or more than 36 inches above the road surface of the fire lane.
(d) All inlet ports shall be equipped with the approved covers or caps.
(e) FDCs shall be located not more than 50 feet from a fire hydrant and both the FDC and hydrant shall be located on the same side of the fire lane whenever possible and shall be approved by the fire marshal. Signs and edge markings shall be provided for a distance of 15 feet on both sides of the FDC/hydrant location stating “NO PARKING FIRE LANE.”
(f) FDCs serving sprinkler systems shall:
(i) Not be located on any wall of the building, unless otherwise approved by the fire marshal.
(ii) FDCs serving Class I or II standpipes may be located on building walls of fire-resistive or noncombustible construction.
(iii) All FDCs shall be identified as to type of system served, the building and area served.
(g) Buildings with multiple sprinkler risers shall not be permitted to have FDCs for each riser. Install FDCs in accordance with the following:
(i) At valve pit on system side of feed main to risers.
(ii) In yard with common connection to all risers.
(h) For hydraulically designed sprinkler systems with a system demand of 1,000 gpm or more, a minimum of three two-and-one-half-inch inlet ports shall be required.
(i) The check valve in the FDC supply line shall be installed in an approved location with adequate access for inspection and maintenance or the valve may be installed inside the building.
(j) The piping between the check valve and the outside hose coupling (FDC) shall be equipped with an approved automatic drip located at the lowest point and provided with adequate drainage.
(k) Riser main drains shall be routed to the outside unless floor drains are specifically designed to accommodate test drain flows with valve wide open.
(3) Post Indicator Valve. Sprinkler system supply shall be connected to and controlled by a listed post indicator valve.
Exception: Buildings having the sprinkler riser room directly accessible from the outside via an exterior access door.
(4) All underground supply values shall have lock valve boxes. See fire marshal for specifications.
(5) The valve pit shall be equipped with a water level float switch installed to the fire alarm system in the event of water filling the pit. [Ord. 1407 § 77, 2007.]
14.16.090 Standpipe system.
(1) Standpipes will be installed as required in the International Fire Code and the International Building Code. Standpipe installations beyond these code requirements may be imposed by the fire marshal.
(2) Where standpipes are installed, all areas of the building shall be reached by extending 200 feet of hose from the nearest standpipe outlet. Partitions and doorways shall be considered in establishing the pathway.
(3) All standpipe systems shall be calculated back to the fire department connection to determine fire department pressure and flow requirements.
(4) Standpipe hose outlets shall be located on the intermediate landing between floors unless otherwise directed by the fire marshal or his designees. [Ord. 1407 § 78, 2007.]
14.16.100 One-family and two-family dwellings and manufactured homes (per NFPA 13D, except as noted below).
(1) Sprinklers shall protect all foyers.
(2) All storage spaces beneath stairways shall be sprinkled.
(3) A dry pendent or dry sidewall head shall be installed in the garage close to the entry door to the dwelling. All areas of a garage directly below living areas shall be sprinkled using Ordinary Hazard Group 1 standards.
(4) The sprinkler riser and associated equipment shall be located in a heated enclosure when installed in a garage or other unheated areas.
(5) Garages and storage areas with living areas above shall be protected by Ordinary Group 1 Hazard calculated sprinkler system. [Ord. 1407 § 79, 2007.]
14.16.110 Residential occupancies up to and including four stories in height (per NFPA 13R, except as noted below).
(1) All closets, rooms and storage spaces beneath stairways shall be sprinkled.
(2) Sprinklers are required for all covered (roofed) attached porches.
(3) Sprinkler protection is required below balconies or decks extending six or more feet out from building walls.
(4) Sprinklers are required below balconies or decks connected to three or more building walls.
(5) Garages and storage areas shall be protected by Ordinary Group 1 Hazard calculated sprinkler systems. [Ord. 1407 § 80, 2007.]
14.16.120 Commercial buildings (per NFPA 13, except as noted below).
(1) Multi-story buildings that exceed a gross area of 10,000 square feet shall have a control valve and water flow indicator for each floor.
(2) Warehouse storage areas must be identified on drawings providing the following design criteria:
(a) Commodity class;
(b) Storage height;
(c) Rack configuration;
(d) Space between the racks;
(e) Encapsulation (if any) of stored commodities;
(f) Size and temperature rating of ceiling and in-rack heads;
(g) Calculated density/area criteria.
(3) Unless approved by the fire marshal, use of fixed automatic extinguishing systems (carbon dioxide, FM 200, etc.) are not acceptable in lieu of sprinklers.
(4) Risers shall be located in a separate room from the general occupancy.
(5) Class I hose outlets are required in all covered garage parking levels. Hose outlets shall be located so that all areas of the garage can be reached with 200 feet of hose.
(6) Residential sprinklers designed in accordance with NFPA 13 shall achieve a minimum density of 0.10 gpm/square foot over the remote area, in addition to satisfying their listed spacing criteria. The remote area is determined by calculating the four most hydraulically remote heads regardless of partition locations. [Ord. 1407 § 81, 2007.]
14.16.130 International Fire Code Section 103.1.4 amended – Appeal process.
Section 103.1.4 of the International Fire Code, as adopted by this chapter, is amended to be consistent with the hearing examiner appeal process set out in chapter 18.94 DMMC. [Ord. 1407 § 82, 2007.]
14.16.140 Exterior combustible merchandise – Storage.
Combustible merchandise outside of buildings shall not be stored or displayed under eaves, canopies, or other projections or overhangs of buildings which are not protected by automatic sprinklers. Such merchandise shall not be stored or displayed within 10 feet of an exit doorway. [Ord. 1407 § 83, 2007.]
14.16.150 Silencing hotel fire alarms.
Hotel or motel fire alarm systems which have been activated shall not have their evacuation alarm devices silenced or incapacitated without fire department approval. A system shall not be reset until the fire department has checked out the system and has authorized the reset. [Ord. 1407 § 84, 2007.]
14.16.160 International Fire Code Section 3204.3.1.1 amended – Stationary container storage.
Section 3204.3.1.1 is amended to read as follows:
(1) 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.
(2) Storage of flammable cryogenic fluids in stationary containers outside of buildings is prohibited within the limits established by law in the adopting ordinance as the limits of districts for which this prohibition applies includes areas zoned as other than D-C (Downtown Commercial) and H‑C (Highway Commercial) as defined in the City Zoning Code and designated on the City’s official zoning map.
[Ord. 1407 § 85, 2007.]
14.16.170 International Fire Code Section 3404.2.9.5 amended – Above-ground tanks outside of buildings.
Section 3404.2.9.5 is amended to read as follows:
Above-ground tanks outside of buildings shall comply with IFC Sections 3404.2.9.5.1 through 3404.2.9.5.3.
[Ord. 1407 § 86, 2007.]
14.16.180 International Fire Code Section 3404.2.9.5.1 amended – Locations where above-ground tanks are prohibited.
Section 3404.2.9.5.1 is amended to read as follows:
Storage of Class I and II liquids in above-ground tanks outside of buildings is prohibited in areas zoned as other than D-C (Downtown Commercial) and H-C (Highway Commercial) as defined in the City Zoning Code and designated on the City’s official zoning map.
[Ord. 1407 § 87, 2007.]
14.16.190 International Fire Code Section 3804.2 amended – Maximum capacity within established limits.
Section 3804.2 is amended to read as follows:
Maximum quantity of liquefied petroleum gas shall be the aggregate capacity of any one installation not to exceed a water capacity of 2,000 gallons. This prohibition applies in areas zoned as other than D-C (Downtown Commercial) and H-C (Highway Commercial) as defined in the City Zoning Code and designated on the City’s official zoning map.
Exception: In particular installations, this capacity limit shall be determined by the Fire Code Official, after consideration of special features such as topographical conditions, nature of occupancy, and proximity to buildings, capacity of proposed containers, degree of fire protection to be provided and capabilities of the local fire department.
[Ord. 1407 § 88, 2007.]
14.16.200 International Fire Code Section 907 amended – Fire alarm and detection system.
Section 907 is amended to read as follows:
(1) All occupancies exceeding 3,000 square feet gross floor area shall be required to provide an approved automatic fire detection system. Installation of fire separation walls shall not be considered to separate a building to enable deletion of the required fire detection system.
(2) The following are exceptions to this section:
(a) Residential One- and Two-Family Dwellings and garages and townhomes not otherwise required to be protected by a fire suppression system;
(b) Occupancies protected throughout by an approved/monitored automatic fire suppression system can delete heat detectors from the system.
[Ord. 1407 § 89, 2007.]