Chapter 15.10
FIRE CODE
Sections:
15.10.010 International Fire Code.
15.10.025 Department of Fire Prevention.
15.10.035 Interpretations and appeals.
15.10.040 Explosives and fireworks.
15.10.050 Flammable and combustible liquids.
15.10.060 Liquefied petroleum gas.
15.10.080 Automatic fire sprinkler systems.
15.10.010 International Fire Code.
The International Fire Code (“IFC”), 2018 Edition, as published by the ICC, together with any additions, deletions and exceptions currently enacted or as may be amended from time to time by the State of Washington, as set forth in Chapter 51-54A WAC, and specifically including reference standards of the National Fire Protection Association, are hereby adopted by reference as though fully set forth herein and as further amended in this chapter and specified in MTMC 15.10.020, except that the following appendices are the only appendices adopted:
A. Appendix B (Fire-Flow Requirements);
B. Appendix C (Fire Hydrant Locations and Distribution); and
C. Appendix D (Fire Apparatus Roads). In conjunction with Section 503, Fire Apparatus Roads.
One copy of the IFC is on file with the City’s fire code official. (Ord. 2839 § 2, 2024; Ord. 2794 § 17, 2021; Ord. 2708 § 1, 2017; Ord. 2622 § 1, 2013).
15.10.020 Section amendments.
The following local amendments to the International Fire Code (IFC) adopted by reference in MTMC 15.10.010 have been added, amended, deleted or replaced as follows:
A. Chapter 1, Administration.
1. Section 103.1 through 103.2, Department of fire prevention. Section 103.1 through 103.2 of the IFC, entitled “Department of fire prevention,” is hereby replaced by MTMC 15.10.025, Department of fire prevention.
2. Section 104.8, Modifications. Section 104.8 of the IFC, entitled “Modifications,” is hereby replaced by MTMC 15.10.035, Interpretations and appeals.
3. Section 104.10.1, Assistance from other agencies. Section 104.10.1 of the IFC, entitled “Assistance from other agencies,” is hereby amended by substituting Section 104.10.1 with the following:
Section 104.10.1 Assistance from other agencies. Police and other enforcement agencies shall have the authority to render necessary assistance in the investigation of fires, hazardous conditions, and enforcement of the life safety provisions of this code when requested by the Fire Code Official.
4. Section 105.1.1, Permits required. Section 105.1.1 of the IFC, entitled “Permits required,” is hereby amended by substituting Section 105.1.1 with the following:
Section 105.1.1 Permits required. Permits required by this code and regulated by the City shall be issued by the Fire Code Official. The application for permit shall be accompanied by the full application fee, when required, in order to vest rights under the permit and to constitute a complete permit application. All permits shall be renewed annually unless the specific time period is set forth when the permit is granted. No permit shall be transferable, and each permit shall be issued on a single job, transaction, owner, or occupancy basis, except that the Fire Code Official is authorized to consolidate permits for a single location, building, or unit. Issued permits shall be kept on the premises designated therein at all times and shall be readily available for inspection by the Fire Code Official. The fee for each permit shall be set forth in the City of Mountlake Terrace Fee Schedule.
5. Section 108, Board of appeals. Section 108 of the IFC, entitled “Board of appeals,” is hereby replaced by MTMC 15.10.035, Interpretations and appeals.
6. Section 109.4, Violation penalties. Section 109.4 of the IFC, entitled “Violation penalties,” is hereby replaced by MTMC 15.10.095, Penalties.
B. Chapter 5, Fire Service Features (Section 503, Fire Apparatus Access Roads). The following sections in MTMC 15.10.010 have been added, amended, deleted or replaced as follows:
1. Section 503.1 Where required. Fire apparatus access roads shall be provided and maintained in accordance with Sections 503.1.1 through 503.1.3, provided that the Community and Economic Development Director, in consultation with the Fire Code Official, the City Engineer and others, may approve new standards for fire apparatus access roads, at which time the new standards shall be in effect.
2. Section 503.1.1 Buildings and facilities. Approved fire apparatus access roads shall be provided for every facility, building or portion of a building hereafter constructed or moved into or within the jurisdiction. The fire apparatus access road shall comply with standards pursuant to MTMC 15.10.020.B.1 and shall extend to within 150 feet of all portions of the facility and all portions of the exterior walls of the first story of the building as measured by an approved route around the exterior of the building or facility. Exception: The fire code official is authorized to increase the dimension of 150 feet where:
a. The building is equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, 903.3.1.2 or 903.3.1.3.
b. Fire apparatus roads cannot be installed because of location on property, topography, waterways, nonnegotiable grades or other similar conditions, and an approved alternative means of fire protection is provided.
c. There are not more than two Group R-3 or Group U occupancies.
3. Section 503.1.2 Additional access. Section 503.1.2 of the IFC, entitled “Additional Access” is hereby adopted as originally set forth by the International Code Council.
4. Section 503.1.3 High-piled storage. Section 503.1.3 of the IFC, entitled “High-piled storage,” is hereby adopted as originally set forth by the International Code Council.
5. Section 503.2 Specifications. Fire apparatus access roads shall be installed and arranged consistent with MTMC 15.10.020.B.
6. Section 503.2.2. Authority. The fire code official shall have the authority to require an increase in the minimum access widths where they are inadequate for fire or rescue operations and the authority to decrease the minimum access widths where other fire protection features are provided.
7. Section 503.3 Marking. Section 503.3 of the IFC, entitled “Marking,” is hereby adopted as originally set forth by the International Code Council.
8. Section 503.4 Obstruction of fire apparatus access roads. Fire apparatus roads shall not be obstructed in any manner. The minimum widths and clearances shall be pursuant to MTMC 15.10.020.B.
9. Section 503.4.1 Traffic calming devices. Traffic calming devices, where consistent with the Transportation Master Plan, shall be approved by the City Engineer consultation with the Fire Code Official.
10. Section 504.1 Access to building openings and roofs. Exterior doors and openings required by this code or the International Building Code; including exterior doors and openings facing interior courtyards, shall be maintained readily accessible for emergency access by the fire department. An approved access walkway leading from the fire apparatus access roads to exterior openings shall be provided where required by the fire code official. New buildings with enclosed interior courtyards shall have a straight and direct access corridor or stairway from the exterior to the courtyard at a location approved by the fire code official. If a stairway is used it shall comply with the International Fire Code Section 1011 and a corridor shall comply with International Fire Code Section 1020. The access shall have a minimum width of 4 feet, unless otherwise approved by the fire code official and be large enough to carry a 20 foot long folded sectional ladder directly from the exterior to the courtyard without obstructions. The access door shall be marked at the street as “Direct Access To Courtyard.”
11. Section 507.5.1.1. Fire hydrants for sprinkler and standpipe systems. Buildings equipped with a Fire Department Connection (FDC) shall have a fire hydrant within 50 feet or as approved by the fire code official.
C. Chapter 9, Fire Protection Systems.
1. Section 901.4.6.1, Access.
Automatic sprinkler system risers, fire pumps and controllers shall be provided with ready access. Sprinkler riser rooms shall be located on an outside wall at grade, with direct exterior access. This room shall contain sprinkler control valves, sprinkler backflow assembly (unless prohibited by the water purveyor), fire pump and associated components and the fire alarm control panel(s). Such rooms shall be of a size that will allow a minimum of 36- inch clearance around all portions of the fire pump assembly and in front of the fire alarm panel(s). All risers shall have a minimum of 36" clear space at the front and 18" on the remaining sides. All drains are to be plumbed to the exterior of the building. No other uses or utilities shall be allowed in this room. Where located in a fire pump room or automatic sprinkler system riser room, the door shall be permitted to be locked provided that the key is available at all times.
2. Section 901.6.3.1, Records, is amended to read:
Records of all system inspections, tests and maintenance required by the referenced standards shall be maintained. Annual confidence test reports, in compliance with Section 901.6.2, for fire alarm and sprinkler systems and semi-annual inspection test reports for commercial hood suppression systems shall be submitted to the Department of Fire Prevention by the method approved by the fire code official within 14 days of the test/inspection date.
3. The following sections of the IFC are hereby deleted and replaced by MTMC 15.10.080:
a. Section 903.2.1, Group A.
b. Section 903.2.1.1, Group A-1.
c. Section 903.2.1.3, Group A-3.
d. Section 903.2.1.4, Group A-4.
e. Section 903.2.4, Group F-1, save and except Section 903.2.4.1, Woodworking operations, which is adopted as originally set forth in the IFC.
f. Section 903.2.7, Group M, save and except Section 903.2.7.1, High-piled storage, which is adopted as originally set forth in the IFC.
g. Section 903.2.9, Group S-1, save and except Section 903.2.9.1, Repair garages, and Section 903.2.9.2, Bulk storage of tires, which are adopted as originally set forth in the IFC.
4. Section 907.2, Where required – New buildings and structures. Section 907.2 of the IFC, entitled “Where required – New buildings and structures,” is hereby replaced by MTMC 15.10.070, Fire alarm systems.
D. Chapter 56, Explosives and Fireworks.
1. Section 5601.1.3, Fireworks. Section 5601.1.3 of the IFC, entitled “Fireworks,” is hereby replaced by MTMC 15.10.040, Explosives and fireworks.
E. Chapter 57, Flammable and Combustible Liquids.
1. Sections 5704.2.9.6.1 (outside) and 5706.2.4.4 (inside), Locations where above-ground tanks are prohibited. Sections 5704.2.9.6.1 and 5704.2.4.4 of the IFC are hereby replaced by MTMC 15.10.050, Flammable and combustible liquids.
F. Chapter 61, Liquefied Petroleum Gases.
1. Section 6104.2, Maximum capacity within established limits. Section 6104.2 of the IFC, entitled “Maximum capacity within established limits,” is hereby replaced by MTMC 15.10.060, Liquefied petroleum gas. (Ord. 2839 § 3, 2024; Ord. 2794 § 18, 2021; Ord. 2622 § 1, 2013).
15.10.025 Department of Fire Prevention.
There is established in the City a Department of Fire Prevention, supervised by the Fire Code Official acting under the supervision of the Community and Economic Development Director or their designee. The function of the Department shall be the implementation, administration and enforcement of the provisions of this code. (Ord. 2839 § 4, 2024; Ord. 2622 § 1, 2013).
15.10.030 Definitions.
A. Whenever the word “municipality” or “jurisdiction” is used in the IFC, it shall mean the City of Mountlake Terrace.
B. Whenever the term “Board of Appeals” is used, it shall mean the City Hearing Examiner.
C. Whenever the term “legal representative of the jurisdiction” is used in the IFC, it shall mean the Attorney for the City of Mountlake Terrace.
D. Wherever the term “Police Department” is used in the IFC, it shall mean the Mountlake Terrace Police Department.
E. Wherever the term “Chief appointing authority” is used in the IFC, it shall mean the Mountlake Terrace City Manager or their designee. (Ord. 2839 § 5, 2024; Ord. 2622 § 1, 2013).
15.10.035 Interpretations and appeals.
An owner, or his/her agent, may appeal a decision of the Fire Code Official to the Hearing Examiner by filing an appeal with the City Clerk. An appeal to the Hearing Examiner shall be governed by the procedures set forth in MTMC 18.05.240 and shall be accompanied by the required fee established in the City’s fee schedule. The Hearing Examiner shall have no authority relative to interpretation of the administrative provisions of this code nor shall the Hearing Examiner be empowered to waive requirements of this code. Both parties shall submit their case materials for the record at least two weeks prior to the date set by the Hearing Examiner for hearing of the case. An appeal from the Hearing Examiner’s decision shall be brought before the Superior Court of Snohomish County in accordance with the Land Use Petition Act, Chapter 36.70C RCW, and shall include any amendment to such section that has been or will be enacted. (Ord. 2839 § 6, 2024; Ord. 2622 § 1, 2013).
15.10.040 Explosives and fireworks.
A. Establishment of Geographic Limits. Possession, manufacture, storage, handling, sales and use of explosives and blasting agents are prohibited within the City of Mountlake Terrace.
B. Consumer Fireworks Ban. The sale, possession, use and discharge of fireworks are prohibited and unlawful within the City of Mountlake Terrace, subject to the provisions of Chapter 9.70 MTMC. (Ord. 2622 § 1, 2013).
15.10.050 Flammable and combustible liquids.
A. Establishment of Geographic Limits. The storage of flammable class I and class II liquids stored within inside and outside above-ground containers is prohibited within the City limits, except that, at the discretion of the Fire Code Official, when such above-ground storage is requested, an operational permit authorizing the same may be issued. The above-ground tank installation will be in accordance with fire code requirements and shall not exceed 1,000 gallons. Except for fuel oil used for space heating or water heating, no permit shall be issued to allow new above-ground storage tanks in single-household residential districts within the City of Mountlake Terrace. (Ord. 2839 § 7, 2024; Ord. 2622 § 1, 2013).
15.10.060 Liquefied petroleum gas.
A. Establishment of Geographic Limits. The storage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is restricted to an aggregate capacity for any one installation not exceeding a water capacity of 2,000 gallons (7,570 L) within the city limits. At the discretion of the Fire Code Official, when such installation is requested, an operational permit authorizing the same may be issued. The LPG tank installation will be in accordance with fire code requirements. No permit shall be issued to allow LPG tank installation greater than water capacity of 500 gallons in single-household residential districts within the City of Mountlake Terrace. (Ord. 2839 § 8, 2024; Ord. 2622 § 1, 2013).
15.10.070 Fire alarm systems.
A. Where Required – New Buildings and Structures. An approved 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.
B. A minimum of one manual fire alarm box shall be provided in an approved location to initiate a fire alarm signal for fire alarm systems employing automatic fire detectors or water-flow detection devices. Where other sections of this code allow elimination of fire alarm boxes due to sprinklers, a single fire alarm box shall be installed.
Exception: The manual fire alarm box is not required for fire alarm systems dedicated to elevator recall control and supervisory service.
C. Additionally, any occupancy over 2,500 square feet (232 m2) that is not required to be alarmed in Sections 907.2.1 through 907.2.23 shall be provided a fire alarm system meeting requirements as set forth by the Department of Fire Prevention in accordance with NFPA 72 and current development standards. The fire alarm system shall be monitored by an approved supervising station.
Exceptions: R-3, R-4 and Group U occupancies. (Ord. 2622 § 1, 2013).
15.10.080 Automatic fire sprinkler systems.
A. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings and portions thereof used as Group A occupancies, as provided in this section. For Group A-1, A-2, A-3 and A-4 occupancies, the automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout the floor area where the Group A-1, A-2, A-3 or A-4 occupancy is located, and in all floors from the Group A occupancy to, and including, the nearest level of exit discharge serving the Group A occupancy. For Group A-5 occupancies, the automatic sprinkler system shall be provided in the spaces indicated in Section 903.2.1.5.
B. Automatic Fire Sprinklers. In addition to the requirements of Section 903.2, an approved automatic fire sprinkler system shall be installed and maintained throughout all buildings, structures, floors, and suites described in this section. If conflicts exist between the IFC and this section, this section shall prevail. All sprinklers shall be installed per the applicable NFPA and South County Fire’s (SCF) fire sprinkler standard. For the purposes of this section, spaces separated by fire walls, fire barriers, fire partitions and fire-resistance-rated horizontal assemblies noted in Chapter 7 IBC shall not be considered to be separate buildings. Partial area automatic sprinkler systems are prohibited except where approved by the fire code official. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided:
1. In all new buildings and structures with a fire area of 5,000 or greater square feet, regardless of type or use.
2. In existing buildings, structures, or suites that undergo an addition where the new total fire area is 5,000 square feet or greater.
3. When required by the International Existing Building Code (IEBC) for existing buildings and structures undergoing additions, alteration, repairs, or changes of occupancy, the classification of work level shall be determined by the building and fire code official.
4. In existing buildings, structures, or suites having an existing automatic fire sprinkler system that does not protect all areas, when the unprotected areas undergo an alteration, repair, modification, or similar improvement requiring a building permit, those unprotected areas shall be provided with protection as approved by the fire code official.
5. Where required fire access road grade is 12 percent or greater.
6. When adequate fire protection is not available for vehicles parked in an open-air parking garage from fire apparatus at street level, approved dry standpipes shall be installed.
7. One- and two-family dwellings and townhouses constructed under the International Residential Code shall be provided with automatic fire sprinkler systems according to MTMC 15.05.060.
C. When required by provisions of this chapter, a fire-extinguishing system installed in accordance with IFC Section 903.3.1.1 may be used for increases allowed in building code Sections 504.2 and 506.3, but never fire-resistance rating substitution allowed in building code Table 601.
D. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for all other occupancies and locations where required by fire and building codes. (Ord. 2794 § 19, 2021; Ord. 2622 § 1, 2013).
15.10.090 Remodeled or enlarged structures.
Repealed by Ord. 2794. (Ord. 2622 § 1, 2013).
15.10.095 Penalties.
A. Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of the code hereby adopted or fail to comply therewith, or who shall violate or fail to comply with any order made thereunder, or who shall build or operate in violation of any detailed statement of specifications or plans submitted and approved thereunder, or any certificate of permit issued thereunder, and from which no appeal has been taken, or who shall fail to comply with such an order as affirmed or modified by the Fire Code Official or by a court of competent jurisdiction, within the time fixed herein, shall severally for each and every such violation and noncompliance respectively be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 and/or up to 90 days in jail. The imposition of one penalty for any violation shall not excuse the violation or permit it to continue, and all such persons shall be required to correct or remedy such violations or defects within a reasonable time; and, when not otherwise specified, each 10 days that prohibited conditions are maintained shall constitute a separate offense.
B. The application of the above penalty shall not be held to prevent the City’s enforced removal of prohibited conditions. (Ord. 2839 § 9, 2024; Ord. 2622 § 1, 2013).