Chapter 14.10
FIRE CODE, ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND AMENDMENTS
Sections
14.10.020 Application – Authority.
14.10.040 Amendments to the IBC adopted.
14.10.050 Automated fire alarm and detection systems.
14.10.055 Fire alarm panel replacement.
14.10.060 Sprinkler installation.
14.10.010 Title.
This chapter shall be entitled “Fire Code, Additional Requirements and Amendments.” [Ord. 1581 § 43, 2013.]
14.10.020 Application – Authority.
See DMMC 14.01.020 and 14.01.040. [Ord. 1581 § 44, 2013.]
14.10.030 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to set forth those provisions that are supplemental to or that amend the International Fire Code (hereinafter “IFC”) as adopted by DMMC 14.01.050. [Ord. 1581 § 45, 2013.]
14.10.040 Amendments to the IFC adopted.
The amendments, additions and exceptions to the IFC, as adopted by DMMC 14.01.050 and this chapter, are adopted and shall be applicable within the City.
(1) Section 503 of the 2021 International Fire Code and all subsections thereof as presently constituted or as may be subsequently amended are each adopted by reference, except as provided in subsection (2) of this section.
(2) Section 503.3 of the International Fire Code shall read as follows:
Marking. Fire lanes shall be marked in accordance with DMMC chapter 10.08.
(3) Section 505.1 of the International Fire Code shall read as follows:
Address Identification. New 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 8 inches (203.2 mm) high with a minimum stroke width of 1/2 inch (12.7 mm). 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 be used to identify the structure. Address identification shall be maintained.
Exception: Address identification characters for 1 and 2 family dwellings shall be not less than 4 inches (102 mm) high with a minimum stroke width of 1/2 inch (12.7 mm).
(4) Existing buildings shall be brought into compliance with subsection (3) of this section whenever:
(a) Repairs, alterations or additions that require a building permit occur at the building.
(b) A new business license application inspection is performed. [Ord. 1800 § 4, 2024; Ord. 1662 § 2, 2016: Ord. 1581 § 46, 2013.]
14.10.050 Automated fire alarm and detection systems.
In addition to the fire alarm and detection system requirements specified in the IFC, all new buildings and structures exceeding 3,000 square feet gross floor area shall be required to provide an approved automatic fire alarm system. Building additions which increase the gross square footage of the building by more than 3,000 gross square feet shall be required to provide an approved automatic fire alarm system serving the addition. Fire walls as noted in the IBC shall not be considered to provide a separate building under this section or to enable deletion of the required fire alarm system.
(1) All new fire alarm systems shall be addressable.
Exceptions: Group U and R3 occupancies. [Ord. 1800 § 5, 2024; Ord. 1581 § 47, 2013.]
14.10.055 Fire alarm panel replacement.
When a fire alarm panel cannot be repaired, replacement panels for fire alarm systems required by the IFC or this code shall meet the requirements for new installations.
(1) When a fire alarm panel replacement is necessary, alarm notification and initiation devices shall be updated as determined by the fire code official.
Exception: If an existing fire alarm control unit is replaced with identical equipment it shall be considered maintenance. [Ord. 1800 §§ 7, 18, 2024.]
14.10.060 Sprinkler installation.
In addition to the automatic fire sprinkler system requirements specified in the IBC and the IFC, the following new buildings and structures, and existing buildings with new additional square footage, are required to be protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system:
(1) All Occupancies Without the Basic Fire Flow Requirements of the IFC and Appendix B.
Exception: Group U occupancies.
(2) All Occupancies Without Approved Fire Department Access As Defined in the IFC.
Exception: Group U occupancies, and additions to single-dwelling R3 structures, provided the fire flow meets the requirements of the IFC and Appendix B, and the access is not unduly compromised, as approved by the Fire Code Official.
(3) All occupancies where the total floor area included within the surrounding exterior walls on all floor levels, including basements, exceeds 5,000 square feet. Fire walls, as noted in the IBC, shall not be considered to create separate buildings to enable deletion of the required fire sprinkler system.
Exception: Group U and single-dwelling Group R3 occupancies. [Ord. 1800 § 6, 2024; Ord. 1662 § 3, 2016: Ord. 1581 § 48, 2013.]