Chapter 16.26
FIRE CODE
Sections:
16.26.010 Adoption of the International Fire Code.
16.26.070 Amendments to the International Fire Code.
16.26.100 New materials, processes or occupancies which may require permits.
16.26.120 Conflicts with existing codes and ordinances.
16.26.010 Adoption of the International Fire Code.
Pursuant to RCW 35.21.180, that certain code of technical regulations known as the International Fire Code (2018 Edition), as published by the International Code Council and as adopted and amended in Chapter 51-54A WAC, is hereby adopted by this reference as if fully set forth, subject to the modifications and amendments set forth in this chapter. This adoption includes Appendices B, C and D, except Section D-107 is not adopted. One copy of said fire code shall be maintained on file in the office of the city clerk for public use and inspection. (Ord. 2689 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 2529 § 1 (Exh. A), 2013; Ord. 2457 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010; Ord. 2401, 2008).
16.26.020 Enforcement.
A. The International Fire Code shall be enforced by the fire marshal.
B. There shall be a fire marshal in charge of fire prevention who shall be appointed by the city council. (Ord. 2689 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 2529 § 1 (Exh. A), 2013; Ord. 2457 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010; Ord. 2401, 2008).
16.26.030 Definitions.
A. Wherever the word “jurisdiction” is used in the International Fire Code, it means the area within the city limits of the city of Enumclaw, Washington.
B. Wherever the words “fire code official” are used in the International Fire Code, they mean the fire marshal in charge of fire prevention. (Ord. 2689 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 2529 § 1 (Exh. A), 2013; Ord. 2457 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010; Ord. 2401, 2008).
16.26.040 Establishment of limits of districts in which storage of flammable or combustible liquids in outside aboveground tanks is to be prohibited.
The storage of flammable or combustible liquids in outside aboveground storage tanks is prohibited within the city, except as conditioned below:
A. Aboveground storage tanks shall meet the requirements of Chapter 34 of the International Fire Code.
B. Tanks containing Class I, II or III-A liquids shall not exceed 12,000 gallons individual or 24,000 gallons aggregate.
C. Installation of aboveground tanks shall be subject to berming and screening as required by the public works, planning, and fire departments, respectively.
D. Installation of aboveground tanks shall be limited to HCB or LI zones. (Ord. 2689 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 2529 § 1 (Exh. A), 2013; Ord. 2457 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010; Ord. 2401, 2008).
16.26.050 Establishment of limits in which bulk storage of liquefied petroleum gas is to be restricted.
The limits referred to in Chapter 38 of the International Fire Code, in which storage of liquefied petroleum gas is restricted, shall apply throughout the city. NFPA 58 shall be used as the installation guide for all propane systems. (Ord. 2689 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 2529 § 1 (Exh. A), 2013; Ord. 2457 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010; Ord. 2401, 2008).
16.26.060 Establishment of limits of districts in which storage of explosives and blasting agents is to be prohibited.
The limits referred to in Chapter 33 of the International Fire Code, in which storage of explosives and blasting agents is prohibited, shall apply throughout the city. (Ord. 2689 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 2529 § 1 (Exh. A), 2013; Ord. 2457 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010; Ord. 2401, 2008).
16.26.070 Amendments to the International Fire Code.
A. Portable fire extinguishers shall be installed in all occupancies. No exceptions will be allowed.
B. Chapter 5 of the International Fire Code adopted by this chapter is hereby amended to read as follows:
Section 503.2.
1. General. Fire apparatus access roads shall be provided and maintained in accordance with the provisions of this section.
2. Definitions. The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this section:
a. “Fire apparatus access road(s)” means that area within any public right of way, easement, or private property designated for the purpose of permitting fire trucks and other firefighting or emergency equipment to use, travel upon and park.
b. “Park,” “Parking,” “Stop,” “Stand,” or “Standing,” means the halting of a vehicle, other than an emergency vehicle, whether occupied or not, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the direction of a police officer or fire official or traffic signal or sign.
c. “Vehicle” means a machine propelled by power, other than human power, designed to travel along the ground or rail, by the use of wheels, treads, runners or slides, and shall include, without limitation, truck, automobile, trailer, motorcycle, tractor, buggy, wagon and locomotive.
3. Requirements – Standards.
a. When required by the Fire Department, hard-surfaced fire apparatus access road(s) shall be provided around facilities which, by their size, location, design or contents warrant access which exceeds that normally provided by the proximity of city streets.
b. Fire apparatus access road(s) shall be required when any portion of an exterior wall of the first story is located more than 150 feet from Fire Department vehicle access.
4. Surface. Fire apparatus access road(s) shall be either asphalt or reinforced concrete, a minimum two inches thick, or when specifically authorized by the Fire Department, compacted crushed rock or other alternate surfaces may be used. Fire apparatus access roads shall be designed and maintained to support the imposed loads of fire apparatus.
5. Width. The minimum unobstructed width of a fire apparatus access road shall be not less than 20 feet.
6. Aerial apparatus access roads shall not be less than 26 feet in width.
7. Vertical clearance. All fire apparatus access roads shall have an unobstructed vertical clearance of not less than 13 feet 6 inches.
Exceptions:
a. When conditions prevent the installation of an approved fire apparatus access road, the Fire Marshal may permit the installation of a fire protection system or systems in lieu of a road.
b. When there are not more than two Group R Division 3 or Group U occupancies, the requirements of this section may be modified, provided, in the opinion of the Fire Marshal, firefighting or rescue operations would not be impaired.
c. Clearances or widths required by this section may be increased when, in the opinion of the Fire Marshal, clearances or widths are not adequate to provide fire apparatus access.
8. Turning Radius. The turning radius of a fire apparatus access road shall be approved by the Fire Marshal.
9. Turnarounds. All dead end apparatus access roads in excess of 150 feet shall be provided with approved provisions for the turning around of fire apparatus.
10. Bridges. When a bridge is required to be used as access under this section, it shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with the applicable sections of the International Building Code or other regulations adopted by the City and shall use designed live loading sufficient to carry the imposed loads of fire apparatus.
11. Grade. The gradient for a fire apparatus access road shall not exceed 15 percent with a cross slope no greater than 5%.
12. Obstruction. The required width of any fire apparatus access road shall not be obstructed in any manner, including the parking of vehicles. Minimum required widths and clearances established under this section shall be maintained at all times.
13. Signs.
a. When required, approved signs or other approved notices shall be provided and maintained for fire apparatus access roads to identify such roads and prohibit the obstruction thereof or both.
b. Fire apparatus access roads shall be identified by painting the curb red and a 4-inch wide line and block letters 18 inches high, painted in the lane, at 50-foot intervals, stating, “FIRE LANE NO PARKING,” color to be bright red, or by the posting of signs stating, “FIRE LANE NO PARKING,” and painting the curb. Signs shall be posted on or immediately next to the curb line or on the building. Signs shall be 12 inches by 18 inches and shall have letters and background of contrasting color, readily readable from at least a 50-foot distance. Signs shall be spaced not further than 50 feet apart nor shall they be more than four feet from the ground.
c. Residential fire apparatus access roads shall be marked with signs described in “B” above, no striping or painting shall be required.
14. Parking Prohibited. Except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic, or in compliance with the direction of a police or fire official or traffic control sign, signal or device, no person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle, whether occupied or not at any place where official fire lane signs are posted, except:
a. Momentarily to pick up or discharge a passenger or passengers, or
b. Temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading property.
15. Fire Apparatus Road(s) as part of Driveways and/or Parking Areas. The Fire Department may require that areas specified for use as driveways or private thoroughfares shall not be used for parking. These areas, when specified, shall be marked or identified by one of the two means detailed in EMC 16.26.070(B)(13)(b) or EMC 16.26.070(B)(13)(c).
16. Existing Buildings. When the Fire Department determines that a hazard, due to inaccessibility of fire apparatus, exists around existing buildings, they may require fire apparatus access road(s) to be constructed and maintained.
17. Enforcement. It shall be the duty of the Enumclaw Fire Marshal and/or the authorized designee(s) to enforce subsection 503.2.
18. Violation – Penalty. Any person violating any of the provisions of Section 503.2 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable as provided in Chapter 1.08 EMC.
19. False alarm violations. False alarms shall not be given, signaled or transmitted or caused or permitted to be given, signaled or transmitted in any manner. False alarms, in excess of two per year, shall be fined under the following schedule:
a. First false alarm: no fine, warning.
b. Second false alarm: no fine, warning.
c. Third false alarm: $135.00.
d. Fourth and subsequent false alarms $270.00.
20. The number of false alarms shall be calculated by calendar year beginning January 1 and ending December 31.
21. Hydrant spacing may be reduced to 300 feet when approved the Fire Marshal.
(Ord. 2689 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 2529 § 1 (Exh. A), 2013; Ord. 2457 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010; Ord. 2401, 2008).
16.26.080 Fees.
A. Permit Fees. A fee, in the amount established in the city’s most current fee resolution, shall be charged for each permit required by the International Fire Code.
B. Reinspection Fees. Reinspection fees, in the amounts established in the city’s most current fee resolution, shall be charged as follows:
1. Reinspection Fees for New Construction and Tenant Improvements. A reinspection fee will be assessed when an inspection is requested for new construction, tenant improvements or spot inspections and, upon arrival, the fire inspector finds that the work is not complete, not ready for inspection, or does not comply with fire code requirements. Under these conditions, a follow-up inspection will be required.
2. Reinspection Fees for Company Level Inspections. A reinspection fee will be assessed when, on the follow-up inspection 30 days after the initial company level inspection, the inspectors find that the violations have not been corrected. A reinspection fee will be assessed when, on a second follow-up inspection, the inspectors find that the violations have not been corrected. A reinspection fee will be assessed when, on a third follow-up inspection, the inspectors find that the violations have not been corrected. A reinspection fee will be assessed when, on a fourth and subsequent follow-up inspections, the inspectors find that the violations have not been corrected.
3. Exceptions. Any exception to the items covered by this chapter shall be made by the chief of the department or by the fire marshal. Requests for exceptions must be made in writing; exceptions granted or denied shall be in writing.
4. Special Inspections. The fire marshal reserves the right to require special inspections by an independent third party which may incur additional fees. All costs for this work will be paid by the contractor, building owner or building tenant. (Ord. 2689 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 2457 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010; Ord. 2401, 2008).
16.26.090 Appeals.
Whenever the fire marshal disapproves an application or refuses to grant a permit applied for, the applicant may appeal the decision to the hearing examiner as established in EMC Title 15, Administration of Development Regulations. (Ord. 2689 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 2457 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010; Ord. 2401, 2008).
16.26.100 New materials, processes or occupancies which may require permits.
The building official, community development director and the fire marshal of the fire department shall act as a committee to determine and specify, after giving affected persons an opportunity to be heard, any new materials, processes or occupancies for which permits are required, in addition to those now encumbered in said code. The fire marshal of the fire department shall post such list in a conspicuous place in his office, and distribute copies thereof to interested persons. (Ord. 2689 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 2529 § 2, 2013; Ord. 2457 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010; Ord. 2401, 2008).
16.26.110 Violations – Penalties.
Repealed by Ord. 2575. (Ord. 2457 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010; Ord. 2401, 2008).
16.26.120 Conflicts with existing codes and ordinances.
Whenever any provision of the International Fire Code or appendices adopted by this title conflicts with any provision of any other adopted code or ordinance of the city, the provision providing the greater or most effective protection shall govern. (Ord. 2689 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 2457 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010; Ord. 2401, 2008).