Chapter 18.03
EXISTING MULTI-FAMILY REQUIREMENTS
Sections:
18.03.050 EMERGENCY EVACUATION PLANS.
18.03.060 FIRE SAFETY TRAINING.
18.03.070 ANNUAL FIRE INSPECTION.
18.03.080 FIRE SAFETY EVALUATION.
18.03.090 CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE.
18.03.100 NOTIFICATION TO PROPERTY OWNERS.
18.03.110 AUTOMATIC FIRE SPRINKLERS.
18.03.140 FIRE SAFETY COMMITTEE.
18.03.160 VIOLATION - PENALTY.
18.03.010 DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply:
a. "Administrative Summary" means the "Kitsap County Fire Safety Advisory Committee Report" dated June 28, 1999, attached hereto as Appendix B and incorporated herein by reference. The Administrative Summary was used as a basis for development of this ordinance and shall be used for guidance in interpreting it.
b. "Approved" means approved by the Chief unless otherwise specified.
c. "Chief" means the Bremerton Fire Chief or his designee.
d. "Dwelling Unit" means any building or portion thereof which contains living facilities, including provisions for sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation as required by the 1997 Uniform Building Code, for not more than one family, or a congregate residence which accommodates ten (10) or fewer persons.
e. "Fire Department" means the Bremerton Fire Department.
f. "Fire Safety Advisory Committee" means a group of community representatives appointed by the Board of County Commissioners as provided in KCC 14.10.150.
g. "Fire Safety Matrix" means the assessment tool, attached hereto as Appendix A and incorporated herein by reference, used by Fire Department personnel to evaluate Level-III Buildings to determine appropriate fire protection features based upon an assigned point value and number of Dwelling Units.
h. "Floors" means the number of levels in a building, including any basement.
i. "Group R, Division 1 Building" means a hotel or motel, an apartment building or congregate residence, including condominiums.
j. "Level-I Building" means all Group R, Division 1 Buildings less than 3 floors in height and more than 4 Dwelling Units;
k. "Level-II Building" means all Group R, Division 1 Buildings 3 or more floors in height and less than 17 Dwelling Units;
l. "Level-III Building" means all Group R, Division 1 Buildings 3 or more floors in height and 17 or more Dwelling Units;
m. "Owner" means the owner of record of a Group R, Division 1 Building or any dwelling unit contained therein. (Ord. 4715, Added, 07/13/2000)
18.03.020 REQUIREMENTS.
All Group R, Division 1 Occupancy Buildings constructed prior to July 1, 1998 shall meet all the requirements of this chapter. (Ord. 4715, Added, 07/13/2000)
18.03.030 SMOKE DETECTORS.
On or before January 1, 2001, the Owner shall install in all sleeping areas of all Level-I, -II and -III Buildings, an approved, listed photoelectric device which senses visible or invisible particles of combustion. Such devices may be battery-powered. Using approved forms, the Owner shall certify to the Chief that the devices have been installed as required in this section and are properly working. (Ord. 4715, Added, 07/13/2000)
18.03.040 FLOOR PLANS.
Upon request by the Fire Department, the Owner shall provide floor plans to assist with pre-fire planning. (Ord. 4715, Added, 07/13/2000)
18.03.050 EMERGENCY EVACUATION PLANS.
a. The Fire Department will work with the Owners by providing guidelines for developing an approved emergency evacuation plan. All plans shall be submitted and approved by the Fire Department prior to posting.
b. Approved emergency evacuation plans shall be posted in common areas of the building by the Owners on or before January 1, 2001.
c. Emergency evacuation plans shall be reviewed and updated annually by Owners. Revised plans shall be submitted to the Fire Department for review and approval. (Ord. 4715, Added, 07/13/2000)
18.03.060 FIRE SAFETY TRAINING.
The Fire Department shall develop and offer classroom-training programs for building owners, tenants and homeowners regarding fire safety. (Ord. 4715, Added, 07/13/2000)
18.03.070 ANNUAL FIRE INSPECTION.
The Chief or his/her designee shall endeavor to inspect annually all Level I, II and III buildings for compliance with the requirements of this chapter and other applicable laws. (Ord. 4715, Added, 07/13/2000)
18.03.080 FIRE SAFETY EVALUATION.
Level III buildings shall be evaluated for fire safety utilizing the Fire Safety Matrix. Each Level III building shall achieve a minimum of 80 points on the Matrix within ten (10) years of the date this ordinance is adopted. A comprehensive review of all Level III buildings evaluations will be conducted by the Fire Safety Advisory Committee. During that review, the Chief shall determine if Level III buildings not meeting the 80 points criteria are a distinct hazard to life or property. If the Chief determines a building to be a distinct hazard, he or she may take action pursuant to the Dangerous Buildings Code in this title. (Ord. 4715, Added, 07/13/2000)
18.03.090 CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE.
The Chief or his designee shall provide a certificate of compliance for all Level I and II buildings inspected and determined to be in compliance with this chapter. All Level III buildings must meet all requirements of this chapter, including the requirements to achieve a score of at least 80 points in the fire safety evaluation performed pursuant to Section 18.03.080, in order to receive a certificate of compliance. (Ord. 4715, Added, 07/13/2000)
18.03.100 NOTIFICATION TO PROPERTY OWNERS.
The Fire Department will design and implement a process to notify property Owners regarding fire calls resulting from property damage or injury on their property.
(Ord. 4715, Added, 07/13/2000)
18.03.110 AUTOMATIC FIRE SPRINKLERS.
Automatic fire sprinklers shall be installed in all Group R, Division 1 Buildings that contain 10 or more Dwelling Units when, within a three-year period, there has been damage to the building that exceeds 50% of the assessed value of the building, or the costs of remodeling the building exceed 50% of the assessed value of the building. (Ord. 4715, Added, 07/13/2000)
18.03.120 FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS.
a. An approved fire alarm system "non-monitored" shall be installed in all Level II buildings. The fire alarm system must be installed and operational on or before January 1, 2003. There shall be no Department of Community Development permit fees for alarm systems installed for compliance with this chapter.
b. An approved "monitored" fire alarm system containing a heat detector within each dwelling unit shall be installed in all Level III buildings. The fire alarm system must be installed and operational on or before January 1, 2003. The Department of Community Development, shall waive permit fees for alarm systems installed for compliance with this chapter.
(Ord. 4715, Added, 07/13/2000)
18.03.140 FIRE SAFETY COMMITTEE.
A committee is established under KCC 14.10.150 to review fire safety evaluations as provided in this chapter, periodically review this ordinance and recommend improvements to it: investigate and recommend to the Bremerton City Council funding sources for fire and life safety enhancements to Group R, Division 1 Buildings; when requested by the Board of Appeals, provide recommendations on appeals under this chapter; and develop strategies to enhance fire safety within the community. In performing its responsibilities under this chapter, the committee shall be guided by the standards set forth in the Administrative Summary. The committee shall consist of at least three (3) county residents, three (3) fire service personnel and three (3) owners of Group R, Division 1 Buildings. The committee shall be appointed by the Board of County Commissioners on or before April 1, 2000. (Ord. 4715, Added, 07/13/2000)
18.03.150 ENFORCEMENT.
The Chief or his/her designee are authorized to enforce the provisions of this chapter. The provisions of this Chapter are intended for the general welfare and safety of the citizens of the City of Bremerton. There is no intention to create a class of persons or property to be specifically benefited hereby. Prior to the issuance of notice of a civil infraction under this Chapter, notice as provided in Article I, Section 103.4.2 of the Uniform Fire Code, shall be provided. (Ord. 4715, Added, 07/13/2000)
18.03.155 APPEALS.
Appeals of administrative determinations applying the provisions of this Chapter shall be heard by the Administrative Hearing Examiner pursuant to Chapter 2.13 BMC, who shall serve as the Board of Appeals pursuant to the Uniform Fire Code as adopted in Chapter 18.02 BMC. (Ord. 4836, Added, 12/20/2002)
18.03.160 VIOLATION - PENALTY.
The violation of any provision of this chapter shall constitute a civil infraction. Each violation shall constitute a separate infraction for each and every day or portion thereof during which the violation is committed, continued or permitted. The maximum penalty and default amount for a civil infraction under this chapter shall be pursuant to Chapter 1.12. (Ord. 4715, Added, 07/13/2000)
18.03.170 SEVERABILITY.
If any provision of this ordinance, or its application to any person, entity or circumstance is for any reason held invalid, the remainder of the ordinance, or the application of the provision to other persons, entities or circumstances is not affected. (Ord. 4715, Added, 07/13/2000)