Chapter 14.110
WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE CODE
Sections:
14.110.010 Wildland urban interface code.
14.110.010 Wildland urban interface code.
Scope: The purpose of the following provisions is to provide an alternative means or method when the ability to obtain the required amount of fire flow as determined by Appendix B of the International Fire Code is impractical:
A. Adams County hereby adopts the following code for the purpose of establishing rules and regulations for all areas designated as wildland urban interface areas within Adams County.
1. The International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC), the most current adopted edition, as published by the International Code Council, with the following adopted appendices and additional provisions:
2. Appendices:
a. Appendix B: Vegetation Management Plan.
b. Appendix C: Fire Hazard Severity Form.
B. Additional Provisions.
1. The following additional provisions shall be adopted:
a. Section 302.1 Wildland Urban Interface Area Declaration of Designations.
Historical seasonal climatic conditions during late summer and fall create numerous serious difficulties regarding the control of and the protection against fires in Adams County. The hot dry weather typical of this area in summer and fall frequently results in wildfires that threaten or could threaten Adams County. All unincorporated areas within Adams County are designated as wildland urban interface areas.
b. Section 403.4.1 Sign Construction.
All road identification signs shall meet Adams County road standards and public works requirements.
c. Section 404.2 Water sources.
The distance from proposed structures or property lines at which a water source is available for use shall be approved by the fire code official.
i. Water sources shall comply with the following:
• Man-made water sources shall have a minimum usable water volume as determined by the adequate water supply needs in accordance with Section 404.5.
• This water source shall be equipped with an approved hydrant.
• The water level of the water source shall be maintained at all times.
• The design, construction, location, water level maintenance, access, and access maintenance of man-made water source shall be approved by the fire code official.
d. Section 501.1 Scope.
Buildings and structures shall be constructed in accordance with the International Building and Residential Codes, as well as this code.
i. Exceptions:
• Accessory structures not exceeding 200 square feet in floor area when located at least 50 feet from buildings containing habitable spaces.
• Commercial structures of any size shall be required to be permitted.
• Agricultural buildings at least 50 feet from buildings containing habitable spaces.
2. Additional Provisions Continued:
|
FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Moderate Hazard |
High Hazard |
Extreme Hazard |
|||
|
|
Water Supply (B) |
Water Supply (B) |
Water Supply (B) |
|||
|
Defensible Space (C) |
Conforming (D) |
Non- conforming (E) |
Conforming (D) |
Non- conforming (E) |
Conforming (D) |
Non- conforming (E) |
|
Nonconforming |
IR2 |
IR1 |
IR1 |
IR1 N.C. |
IR1 N.C. |
Not Permitted |
|
Conforming |
IR3 |
IR2 |
IR2 |
IR1 |
IR1 |
IR1 N.C. |
|
1.5 x Conforming |
IR3 |
IR3 |
IR3 |
IR2 |
IR2 |
IR1 |
|
2.5 x Conforming |
IR3 |
IR3 |
IR3 |
IR2 |
IR2 |
IR2 |
|
A. Access shall be provided in accordance with Section 403. B. Subdivisions shall have a conforming water supply in accordance with Section 402.1. 1. IR1 = Ignitions-resistant construction in accordance with Section 504. 2. IR2 = Ignition-resistant construction in accordance with Section 505. 3. IR3 = Ignition-resistant construction in accordance with Section 506. 4. N.C. = Exterior walls shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1-hour and the exterior surfaces of such walls shall be noncombustible. Usage of log wall construction is allowed. C. Conformance based on Section 603. D. Conformance based on Section 404. E. A nonconforming water supply is any water system or source that does not comply with Section 404, including situations where there is no water supply for structure protection or fire suppression. |
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e. Section 504.5, Exterior walls.
Exterior walls of buildings or structures shall be constructed with one of the following methods:
i. Materials approved for not less than 1-hour fire-resistance-rated construction the exterior side.
ii. Approved noncombustible materials.
iii. Heavy timber or log wall construction.
iv. Fire-retardant-treated wood on the exterior side. The fire-retardant-treated wood shall be labeled for exterior use and meet the requirements of Section 2303.2 of the International Building Code.
v. Ignition-resistant materials on the exterior side. Ignition-resistant materials shall include materials treated with a fire-retardant product tested in accordance with ASTM E84 or approved by an independent testing laboratory. Testing shall be performed by a certified scientific and objective testing agency such as Underwriters Laboratories or CSA Group Testing and Certification Inc. The Code official shall have authority to approve of testing agencies. The applicant shall provide an affidavit confirming that all fire-retardant products were applied according to the product specifications and shall record a notice to title notifying future landowners of requirements for future reapplication of the product.
Such material shall extend from the top of the foundation to the underside of the roof sheathing.
f. Section 504.7 Appendages and projections.
Unenclosed accessory structures attached to building with habitable spaces and projections, such as decks, shall be a minimum of one (1) hour fire resistance-rated construction, heavy timber construction or constructed of one of the following:
A. Approved noncombustible materials.
B. Fire-retardant treated wood identified for exterior use and meeting the requirements of Section 2303.2 of the International Building Code.
C. Ignition resistant building materials in accordance with WUIC section 503.2.
g. Section 603.2 Fuel Modification.
In order to qualify as a conforming defensible space for the purpose of table 503.1, for individual buildings or structures on a property, fuel modification shall be provided within a distance from buildings or structures as specified in table 603.2. For all other purposes the fuel modification distance shall not be less than 30 feet or to the property line, whichever is less. Distances specified in table 603.2 shall be measured horizontally from the perimeter or projection of the building or structure. Distances specified in table 603.2 may be increased by the Fire marshal because of site-specific analysis based on local conditions and fire protection plan.
|
Required Defensible Space |
|
|---|---|
|
Wildland-Urban interface area |
Fuel Modification Distance (feet)a |
|
Moderate hazard |
30 |
|
High hazard |
50 |
|
Extreme hazard |
100 |
For SI: Foot = 304.8 mm.
a. Distances are allowed to be increased due to site specific analysis based on local conditions and the fire protection plan
(Ord. O-02-21 § 1)