Chapter 15.25 FIRE CODE

Chapter 15.25
FIRE CODE

Sections:

15.25.010 Adoption of the International Fire Code.

Prior legislation: Ords. 1668 and 1767.

15.25.010 Adoption of the International Fire Code.

The International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, including Appendix Chapters B, C, D, H, I, J, K, and N, published by the International Code Council and as amended by Fire District No. 1 of Johnson County, Kansas, is hereby adopted by reference as the Fire Code of the City of Gardner, Kansas. Not less than one copy of last edition of said code, marked or stamped in the manner provided by K.S.A. 12-3010, with all sections or portions thereof intended to be omitted clearly marked and showing portions that are amended and to which shall be attached a copy of amendments, shall be filed with the City Clerk and shall be open to inspection and available to the public at reasonable business hours. Official copies of such code shall be supplied at the cost of the City to the officials and agencies in the manner listed and set forth in K.S.A. 12-3010. Subsequent references to the “Fire Code” shall mean the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, published by the International Code Council. (Ord. 2674 § 3; Ord. 2423 § 5; Ord. 2225 § 5; Ord. 2087 § 5. Code 1990 § 4-1101)

15.25.020 Amendments to the Code.

The “Fire Code,” as adopted by GMC 15.25.010, is hereby amended and changed to read as follows:

A. Section 101.1 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby amended to read as follows:

Title. These regulations shall be known as the Fire Code for the City of Gardner, Kansas, hereinafter referred to as “this code.”

B. Section 103.2 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby amended to read as follows:

Appointment. The fire code official shall be appointed by the Fire Chief of Fire District #1 of Johnson County, Kansas; and the fire code official shall not be removed from office except for cause and after full opportunity to be heard on specific and relevant charges by and before Fire District #1 of Johnson County, Kansas.

C. Sections 105.6.1 through 105.6.50 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, are hereby omitted with the exception of Sections 105.6.14 and 105.6.32.

D. Section 105.6.32 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby amended to read as follows:

Open Burning. An operational permit is required for the kindling or maintaining of an open fire or a fire on any public street, alley, road, or other public or private ground. Instructions and stipulations of the permit shall be adhered to. This permit shall be issued through Fire District #1 of Johnson County, Kansas. Any fee for recovery costs incurred shall be established by Fire District #1 of Johnson County, Kansas.

E. Section 105.7.1 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby amended to read as follows:

Fire Protections Systems. A construction permit is required for installation of or modification to a fire protection system as listed in Chapter Nine, Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems, of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition. Maintenance performed in accordance with this code is not considered to be a modification and does not require a permit.

F. Sections 105.7.2 through 105.7.25 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, are hereby omitted with the exception of Sections 105.7.6, 105.7.7, 105.7.8, and 105.7.24.

G. Section 109.1 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, Board of appeals established, is hereby amended to read as follows:

The same board as appointed to act as a Board of Appeals for the Building Code, Section 15.05.020 J shall act as a Board of Appeals for the Fire Code.

H. Section 110.3.3.1 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, Authority, is hereby enacted and reads as follows:

The fire code official is authorized to issue a notice to appear in court for any person who fails to correct or abate the violation(s) or for those who fail to comply with the orders and notices issued by the fire code official.

I. Section 110.4 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby amended to read as follows:

Violation penalties. Persons who shall violate a provision of this Code or shall fail to comply with any of the requirements thereof or who erects, constructs, alters or repairs a building or structure in violation of the approved construction documents or directive of the fire code official, or of a permit or certificate issued under the provisions of this Code, shall be guilty of an infraction, punishable by a fine between a minimum amount of 100 dollars and a maximum amount of 500 dollars per violation. Each day that a violation continues after due notice has been served shall be deemed a separate offense.

J. Section 307.1 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby amended to read as follows:

General. A person shall not kindle or maintain or authorize to be kindled or maintained any open burning unless conducted and approved in accordance with Sections 307.1.1 through 307.5. In addition to the requirements of this code, this individual shall conform to any ordinance or regulation adopted by the City of Gardner pertaining to open burning.

K. Section 308.1.4 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby amended to read as follows:

Open-flame cooking devices. Charcoal burners and other open-flame cooking devices shall not be operated on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction. The use of barbeque grills or portable heating appliances on multi-family decks and balconies is prohibited.

Exception: One- and two-family dwellings as well as townhomes.

L. Section 310.6.1 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby enacted and reads as follows:

Outdoor smoking receptacles. Where smoking materials are being carelessly discarded outdoors, approved non-combustible smoking receptacles shall be provided at locations specified by the fire code official.

M. Section 312.1.1 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby enacted and reads as follows:

Protection of utility equipment. Where gas or electrical utility equipment is located in an area subject to vehicle impact, vehicle impact protection shall be provided in accordance with Section 312.

N. Section 315.8 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby enacted and reads as follows:

Indoor pallet storage. The indoor storage of idle combustible pallets shall not be allowed to accumulate to a condition in which it creates a fire hazard. Where required by the fire code official, the storage of idle combustible pallets creating the fire hazard shall be removed from the building.

O. Section 503.1 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby amended to read as follows:

Where required. Fire apparatus access roads shall be provided and maintained in accordance with Sections 503.1.1 through 503.1.3 as well as Appendix D.

P. Section 503.3 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby amended to read as follows:

Marking. Where required by the fire code official, approved signs and painted curb, or pavement if a curb is absent, or other approved notices or markings shall be provided for fire apparatus access roads to identify such roads or prohibit the obstruction thereof. The means by which fire lanes are designated shall be maintained in a clean and legible condition at all times and be replaced or repaired when necessary to provide adequate visibility. The curb, or pavement if a curb is absent, shall be painted red with white letters indicating NO PARKING – FIRE LANE. Lettering shall occur at a spacing interval of 25 feet along the fire lane. Signs used to indicate fire lanes shall meet the requirements of section D103.6 of the International Fire Code. Spacing of these signs will be determined by the fire code official.

Q. Section 503.6 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby amended to read as follows:

Security gates. The installation of security gates across a fire apparatus access road shall be approved by the fire code official. Where security gates are installed, they shall have an approved primary means of emergency operation as well as a secondary means of operation in the event of a failure of the primary operation. The security gates as well as the two means of emergency operation shall be maintained operational at all times. Electric gate operators, where provided, shall be listed in accordance with UL 325. Gates intended for automatic operation shall be designed, constructed and installed to comply with the requirements of ASTM F2200.

R. Section 504.4 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby enacted and reads as follows:

Roof access sign. Where required by the fire code official, a sign on or near each room serving as access to the roof shall be provided. The sign shall be approved by the fire code official.

S. Section 505.1 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby amended to read as follows:

Address identification. New and existing buildings shall be provided with approved address identification. The address identification shall be legible and placed in a position that is visible from the street or road fronting the property. Address identification characters shall contrast with their background. Address numbers shall be Arabic numbers or alphabetical letters. Numbers shall not be spelled out. Each character shall be not less than 6 inches high with a minimum stroke width of ¾ inch for commercial occupancies and 4 inches high with a minimum stroke width of ½ inch for one- and two-family dwellings and townhomes. Where required by the fire code official, address identification shall be provided in additional approved locations to facilitate emergency response. Where access is by means of a private road and the building cannot be viewed from the public way, a monument, pole or other sign or means shall not be used to identify the structure. Address identification shall be maintained.

Exception: An alternate method of address identification may be installed when approved by the fire code official.

T. Section 505.1.1 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby enacted and reads as follows:

Multiple tenant buildings. Where a new or existing building serves multiple tenants, additional address identification shall be placed on the rear exterior doors to identify which address each door serves. The size and style of the numbers shall meet the same requirements of 505.1.

U. Section 506.1 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby amended to read as follows:

Where required. In new or existing buildings, where access to or within a structure or an area is restricted because of secured openings or where immediate access is necessary for life-saving or fire-fighting purposes, the fire code official is authorized to require a key box to be installed in an approved location. The key box shall be of an approved type listed in accordance with UL 1037, and shall contain keys to gain necessary access as required by the fire code official.

V. Section 506.1.2 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby amended to read as follows:

Key boxes for fire service elevator keys. Key boxes provided for fire service elevator keys shall comply with Section 506.1 and all of the following:

1. The key box shall be compatible with an existing rapid entry key box system in use in the jurisdiction and approved by the fire code official.

2. The front cover shall be permanently labeled with the words “Fire Department Use Only—Elevator Keys” when required by the fire code official.

3. The key box shall be mounted at each elevator bank at the lobby nearest to the lowest level of fire department access.

4. The key box shall be mounted at an approved location by the fire code official.

5. Contents of the key box are limited to fire service elevator keys. Additional elevator access tools, keys and information pertinent to emergency planning or elevator access shall be permitted where authorized by the fire code official.

6. In buildings with two or more elevator banks, a single key box shall be permitted to be used where such elevator banks are separated by not more than 30 feet. Additional key boxes shall be provided for each individual elevator or elevator bank separated by more than 30 feet.

Exception: A single key box shall be permitted to be located adjacent to a fire command center or the nonstandard fire service elevator key shall be permitted to be secured in a key box used for other purposes and located in accordance with Section 506.1.

W. Section 507.5.2.1 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby enacted and reads as follows:

Hydrant color maintenance. All fire hydrants shall be painted and be readily visible. Private fire hydrants shall be painted red in color. Public fire hydrants shall be painted in an approved color by the fire code official.

X. Section 507.5.1.1 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby amended to read as follows:

Hydrant for fire sprinkler and standpipe systems. Buildings equipped with a fire sprinkler or standpipe systems that are installed in accordance with Section 903 or 905 shall have a fire hydrant within 100 feet of the fire department connections.

Exception: The distance shall be permitted to exceed 100 feet where approved by the fire code official.

Y. Section 509.3 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby enacted and reads as follows:

Protection of fire equipment. Where fire protection equipment is located in an area subject to vehicle impact, protection shall be provided in accordance with Section 312.

Z. Section 901.7 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby amended to read as follows:

Systems out of service. Where a required fire protection system is out of service, the fire department and the fire code official shall be notified immediately and, where required by the fire code official, the building shall be either evacuated or an approved fire watch shall be provided for all occupants left unprotected by the shutdown until the fire protection system has been returned to service.

Where utilized, fire watches shall be provided with not less than one approved means for notification of the fire department and their only duty shall be to perform constant patrols of the protected premises and keep watch from fires.

Proper documentation shall be completed for fire watch including the dates, times, and individuals performing the fire watch as well as the system(s) out of service during the fire watch. This documentation shall be submitted to the fire code official when required.

AA. Section 903.2.10 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby amended to read as follows:

Group S-2 enclosed parking garages. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings classified as enclosed parking garages in accordance with Section 406.6 of the International Building Code where either of the following conditions exists:

1. Where the fire area of the enclosed parking garage exceeds 12,000 square feet (1,115 m2).

2. Where the enclosed parking garage is located beneath other groups.

BB. Section 903.3.1.2.4 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby enacted and reads as follows:

Attached garages. Fire sprinkler protection shall be provided in attached garages.

CC. Section 903.3.1.3 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby amended to read as follows:

NFPA 13D sprinkler systems. Automatic sprinkler systems installed in one- and two-family dwellings, Group R-3, and Group R-4, Condition 1; and townhouses shall be permitted to be installed throughout in accordance with NFPA 13D. This shall include sprinkler protection in attached garages.

DD. Section 903.3.5.3 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby enacted and reads as follows:

Main control valves. Water supply lines for automatic sprinkler systems shall be provided with a control valve located on the riser. The valve shall be capable of isolating the underground fire service main from the automatic sprinkler system.

EE. Section 903.3.5.3.1 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby enacted and reads as follows:

Main control valve access. The main control valve shall be accessible. To be considered accessible, a clear space 3 feet wide by 3 feet deep by 7 feet high shall be provided in front of the valve. Access to the clear space shall be provided by an unobstructed aisle not less than 3 feet wide and 7 feet high. The valve shall be operable from floor level.

FF. Section 903.4.2.1 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby enacted and reads as follows:

Occupant notification in sprinklered buildings. Where a new automatic fire sprinkler system is installed in a building that does not have a fire alarm system, occupant notification shall be provided. Occupant notification shall be provided in accordance with Section 907.5.

Exception: Occupant notification may be provided by an alternative method when approved by the fire code official.

GG. Section 1023.9.1 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby amended to read as follows:

Signage requirements. Stairways should be identified using a method approved by the fire code official. Stairway identification signs shall comply with all of the following requirements:

1. The signs shall be a minimum size of 18 inches by 12 inches.

2. The letters designating the identification of the interior exit stairway and ramp shall be not less than 1 1/2 inches in height.

3. The number designating the floor level shall be not less than 5 inches in height and located in the center of the sign.

4. Other lettering and numbers shall be not less than 1 inch in height.

5. Characters and their background shall have a non-glare finish. Characters shall contrast with their background, with either light characters on a dark background or dark characters on a light background.

6. Where signs required by Section 1023.9 are installed in the interior exit stairways and ramps of buildings subject to Section 1025, the signs shall be made of the same materials as required by Section 1025.4.

HH. Section 2001.4 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby enacted and reads as follows:

Other requirements. Where other fire safety requirements for aviation facilities have been adopted by the City of Gardner, those regulations, in addition to the requirements of this code, shall apply. Where conflicts arise, the most restrictive requirement shall apply.

II. Section 3310.1 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby amended to read as follows:

Required access. Approved vehicle access for firefighting and emergency responses shall be provided to all construction or demolition sites. Vehicle access shall be provided to within 50 feet of temporary or permanent fire department connections. Vehicle access shall be provided by either temporary or permanent roads, capable of supporting vehicle loading under all weather conditions. Vehicle access shall be maintained until permanent fire apparatus access roads are available.

JJ. Section 5607.1 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby amended to read as follows:

General. Blasting operations shall be conducted only by approved, competent operators familiar with the required safety precautions and the hazards involved and in accordance with the provision of NFPA 495. Blasting operations shall be done in accordance with this code as well as the regulations of the Kansas Explosive Materials Code and the blasting regulations that have been adopted by the City of Gardner. Where conflicts arise, the blaster shall contact the fire code official for proper guidance and clarification.

KK. Section 5607.4 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby amended to read as follows:

Restricted hours. Surface-blasting operations shall only be conducted during daylight hours in the times established by the City of Gardner blasting regulations or as directed by the fire code official. Other blasting shall be performed during the same time frame unless otherwise approved by the fire code official.

LL. Section 6105.3 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition is hereby enacted and reads as follows:

Prohibited use. The storage and use of LP gas for primary and secondary heating, utility connections, and accessory uses in residential, non-residential and agricultural land is not permitted.

Exceptions:

1. LP gas is permitted for outdoor residential cooking appliances and outdoor decorative/heating uses in containers 5 gallons (17 pounds) or less. No use is permitted on multi-family decks.

2. LP gas is permitted for oil well fields on properties of 40 acres or larger. The size of each container shall not exceed 1,000 gallons with a minimum of one (1) per tank battery. Oil field LP tanks must be 20 feet from adjoining property lines and must be a minimum of 500 feet from residential zoned properties.

3. LP containers 500 gallons or less are permitted to supply municipal water and wastewater facilities. All LP tanks are to be a minimum of 500 feet from residential zoned properties. LP containers must be a minimum of 500 feet from residential zoned properties.

MM. Chapter 80 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, in reference to NFPA 495 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Remove NFPA 495, 2018 Edition.

Replace with NFPA 495: Kansas Explosives Materials Code, 2013 Edition.

NN. Section C102.1 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby enacted and reads as follows:

Additional required fire hydrants. The fire code official is authorized to modify the location, number, and distribution of fire hydrants based on site-specific constraints and hazards.

OO. Section C103.4 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby enacted and reads as follows:

Hydrant spacing for Fire Department Connections. A fire hydrant shall be located within 100 feet of all Fire Department Connections.

Exception: The distance shall be permitted to exceed 100 feet where approved by the fire code official.

PP. Figure D103.1 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby amended to read as follows:

The cul-de-sac figure shall be amended to display 88-foot as the minimum diameter.

QQ. Table D103.4 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby amended to read as follows:

Length	Width	Turnarounds Required
0-150	20	None Required
151-500	20	120-foot Hammerhead, 60-foot “Y” or 88-foot diameter cul-de-sac in accordance with Figure D103.1
501-750	26	120-foot Hammerhead, 60-foot “Y” or 88-foot diameter cul-de-sac in accordance with Figure D103.1
Over 750	Special Approval Required

RR. Section D103.4.1 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby enacted and reads as follows:

Islands. Fire apparatus access roads and turnarounds that contain interior islands shall have dimensions that are approved by the fire code official prior to their installation.

SS. Section D103.4.2 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby enacted and reads as follows:

Alternate designs. Turnarounds that are proposed to have an alternate design other than the criteria described in Section D103 shall first be approved by the fire code official prior to their installation.

TT. Appendix J of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby comprehensively rewritten and amended to read as follows:

J101.1 Scope. New buildings shall have a building information sign or label that shall comply with Sections J101.1 through J101.2 when the building is constructed with truss materials in the floor(s) or the roof. These requirements shall not apply to buildings that were not constructed with truss materials.

J101.1.1 Sign Location. The building information sign shall be placed near the utility service meters or in a location approved by the fire code official. Additional signage shall be installed near the main entrance when required by the fire code official.

J101.1.2 Sign Features. The building information sign shall consist of all of the following:

1. Reflective background.

2. Durable material.

3. Alphabetical letters shall be capitalized.

4. Permanently affixed to the building or structure in an approved manner.

J101.1.3 Sign shape and color. The building information sign shall be an 8-inch tall Maltese cross red in color with 2-inch tall white text.

J101.2 Sign text. The text of the sign shall represent the truss construction that has been installed within the building. The text shall be in capital alphabetic letters in the center of the Maltese cross as indicated below:

1. Truss Roof – R

2. Truss Floor – F

3. Truss Roof and Floor – RF

Example shown to the right:

J101.3 Maintenance. When the building information sign becomes damaged or weathered, it shall be replaced with a new sign.

UU. Section N101.1 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby omitted.

VV. Section N101.1.2 of the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, is hereby omitted. (Ord. 2674 § 3; Ord. 2423 § 5; Ord. 2225 § 5; Ord. 2087 § 5. Code 1990 § 4-1102)

15.25.030 Application of other laws.

The provisions of this Code shall not be deemed to nullify any provisions of the zoning law or any other ordinance of the City of Gardner pertaining to the location or type of construction of buildings except as may be specifically required by the provisions of this Code. (Ord. 2674 § 3; Ord. 2423 § 5)