Chapter 18.38 AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS

Chapter 18.38
AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS

Sections:

18.38.010 Automatic fire extinguishing systems – Standards.

18.38.030 Conflicts with state codes and regulations.

18.38.010 Automatic fire extinguishing systems – Standards.

All fire extinguishing systems required by this chapter shall be approved by the fire chief, designed, engineered and installed in accordance with the standards of the National Fire Protection Association, and maintained at all times in operable condition. (Ord. 1023 § 1, 1984)

18.38.020 Automatic sprinkler systems.

(a) General. Automatic sprinkler systems shall be provided in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(b) Firewalls do not establish a separate building for purposes of this title.

(c) Where Required. Automatic sprinkler systems shall be installed throughout and maintained in operable condition in the following types of buildings, structures and additions, as such terms are defined in the edition of the International Building Code adopted pursuant to KMC 19.04.010, on which construction is commenced after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter:

(1) All new buildings, when the ground floor area exceeds 4,000 gross square feet or when the aggregate floor area under any single roof exceeds 8,000 gross square feet.

(2) All buildings to which structures or additions are added or attached when:

(A) The aggregate floor area of the new structure or addition is equal to at least 20 percent of the gross ground floor area; or

(B) The gross ground floor area of the existing building and the gross ground floor area of the new structure or addition when added together exceed 4,000 gross square feet, or the gross aggregate floor area under one roof system exceeds 8,000 gross square feet.

(3) An automatic sprinkler system or a residential sprinkler system installed in accordance with the 2012 International Fire Code, Section 903.3.1.2 must be provided throughout all buildings with a Group R-2 fire area that are more than two stories in height, including basements, or that have four or more dwelling units or 16 sleeping rooms.

(4) When the occupancy classification of an existing building is changed such that the new occupancy is more hazardous, based on life and fire risk, as determined by the fire chief, and such building falls within the size, height or other classifications of buildings, structures or additions, an approved automatic sprinkler system shall be installed.

(d) Permissible Omissions. Subject to the approval of the fire chief, or his designee, sprinkler heads may be omitted in specialized rooms or areas, such as vaults, electronic and communication equipment areas, and commercial kitchens, provided another approved fire extinguishing system or an approved fire detection system that is connected to the local fire alarm system is installed in each such room or area.

(e) Elevators. In all buildings required to be sprinkled pursuant to this section in which there is an elevator, a product of combustion detector shall be installed in lieu of sprinkler heads in each elevator equipment room. Product of combustion detectors shall be installed at the top of each elevator shaft in addition to sprinkler heads. All such product of combustion detectors shall be connected to the local fire alarm system.

(f) Plans and Approval. Plans for the installation or modification of a sprinkler system in any building, and plans for installation or modification of a fire extinguishing system in a specialized area of a sprinkled building as provided in subsection (d) of this section, shall be submitted to and approved by the fire chief, or his designee, prior to commencement of installation or modification.

(g) Fitters. All sprinkler systems shall be installed under the supervision of a sprinkler fitter certified by the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training, U.S. Department of Labor.

(h) Maintenance. All sprinkler systems and product of combustion detectors shall be maintained in an operating condition at all times and shall be promptly replaced or repaired when defective. The fire department shall be notified prior to any sprinkler system being shut down for maintenance. (Ord. 1737 § 11, 2013; Ord. 1583 § 15, 2008; Ord. 1506 § 4, 2004; Ord. 1107 § 1, 1987; Ord. 1023 § 1, 1984)

18.38.030 Conflicts with state codes and regulations.

Whenever an applicable requirement established in a federal, state or local law or regulation for installation of automatic fire extinguishing systems for any occupancy is more stringent than the applicable requirement under this chapter, the more stringent federal, state or local law or regulation shall apply. (Ord. 1023 § 1, 1984)

18.38.040 Fire department access.

(a) All other new structures such as wharfs, docks, piers, and buildings on stairways which have a travel distance of 150 feet or greater shall be equipped with a fire department approved standpipe system. The fire chief or fire marshal will determine distance.

(b) Any alternate means, methods, or exemptions shall be approved by the fire chief or fire marshal.

(c) Knox Box System Required. Except for those R-3 occupancies of one- or two-family dwelling units, a Knox Box system shall be required whenever there is an installed sprinkler system, fire extinguishing system, fire alarm control unit, or supervising signal initiating device or whenever required by the fire chief. (Ord. 1737 § 12, 2013; Ord. 1583 § 16, 2008)