Chapter 15.16 INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE

Chapter 15.16
INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE

Sections:

15.16.010 Fire code adopted.

There is adopted, and by this reference made a part of this chapter as though fully set forth herein at length, that certain code known as the International Fire Code, 2009 Edition, as amended by Chapter 51-54 WAC, including the standards referenced in the International Fire Code; provided, that Sections 503.1, Where required; 503.1.1, Buildings and facilities; 503.1.2, Additional access; 503.1.3, High piled storage; 503.2, Specifications; 503.3, Marking; and 503.4, Obstruction of fire apparatus access roads, not adopted in Chapter 51-54 WAC, are adopted; and further, the exceptions to 507.3, Fire flow, and 903.2.8, Group R, added by Chapter 51-54 WAC, and Section 113 are not adopted. Finally, such adoption shall include Appendix B, Fire-Flow Requirements for Buildings; Appendix C, Fire Hydrant Locations and Distribution; Appendix E, Hazard Categories; Appendix F, Hazard Ranking; and Appendix G, Cryogenic Fluids – Weight and Volume Equivalents, and that those sections of the International Fire Code set forth in TMC 15.16.015 are amended to read as follows.

(Ord. O2010-017, Amended, 12/21/2010; Ord. O99-038, Amended, 12/07/1999)

15.16.015 Amendments.

A. Section 101.1, Title. These regulations shall be known as the fire code of the city of Tumwater, hereinafter referred to as the “fire code” or “this code.”

B. Section 105.1.1 shall be amended to read as follows:

105.1.1. Permits required. Permits required by this code shall be obtained from the Building Official. Applications and construction permits shall be obtained at the Tumwater Community Development Department. A fee for each permit shall be paid in accordance with the fee schedule established by resolution of the Tumwater City Council. Issued permits shall be kept on premises designated therein at all times and shall be readily available for inspection by the inspector.

C. Section 503.2.3 shall be amended to read as follows:

Section 503.2.3. Surface. Fire apparatus access roads shall be paved asphalt or concrete and designed to meet the City of Tumwater Development Guide residential street design standards. Fire access roads shall be maintained by the property owner to support the imposed loads of fire apparatus. Alternate surfaces such as turfstone or grasscrete may be used for construction of fire lanes on private property when approved by the Building Official and the Fire Chief.

D. Section 903.2 shall be amended to read as follows:

1. Section 903.2. Where Required. Approved automatic sprinkler systems in new buildings and structures shall be installed in all buildings and locations where the total floor area meets or exceeds 7,500 square feet, and shall be provided in the locations described in Sections 903.1 through 903.2.12.

2. Exception: Portions of building which are separated to less than 7,500 square feet by a four-hour area separation wall(s), constructed without openings and provided with a thirty-inch-high parapet.

E. Section 907.2 shall be amended to read as follows:

1. Section 907.2. Where Required – new buildings and structures. An approved automatic fire alarm system installed in accordance with the provisions of this code and NFPA 72 shall be provided in new buildings and structures in accordance with Sections 907.2.1 through 907.2.23 and provide occupant notification in accordance with Section 907.5, unless other requirements are provided by another section of this code.

2. Manual fire alarm boxes shall be provided at all exit door locations to initiate a fire alarm signal for fire alarm systems employing automatic fire detectors or water-flow detection devices.

3. Wherever the term “manual fire alarm system” is used in this code it shall be replaced with “automatic fire alarm system.” All automatic fire alarm systems shall be addressable systems. In addition, all occupancies regardless of use hereafter constructed which contain 7,500 square feet or greater gross floor area, or are greater than two stories in height shall have an approved automatic fire alarm system installed throughout. For the purpose of this section, area separation walls shall not define separate buildings.

F. A new Section 907.10 shall be added to read as follows:

907.10. Problematic systems and systems out of service.

1. 907.10.1. In the event of a temporary failure of fire alarm equipment or circuitry, the Fire Chief may order all emergency response actions discontinued until repairs can be made.

2. 907.10.2. False alarms. In each instance involving more than one false alarm that occurs from any one properly maintained fire alarm system, within any twelve month period, a penalty fee established by resolution of the Tumwater City Council may be charged against the owners or persons responsible for the system. The Fire Chief shall also notify the responsible party in writing that they will be held responsible for the cost of responding to false alarms if they continue to occur. The cost to respond shall be based on the fee schedule established by resolution of the Tumwater City Council.

3. 907.10.3. Improperly maintained or unaccepted fire alarm systems. The Fire Chief may bill the responsible party for the cost of responding to false alarms in fire alarm systems that are not properly maintained according to this code and NFPA Standard 72 or have not been accepted by the Community Development Department. The cost to respond shall be based on the fee schedule established by resolution of the City Council.

(Ord. O2010-017, Added, 12/21/2010)