Chapter 16.76
AUTOMATIC FIRE DETECTION AND FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS
Sections:
16.76.050 Repealed.
16.76.060 Change of occupancy.
16.76.070 Conflicting provisions.
16.76.080 Authority designated.
16.76.100 Required maintenance.
16.76.110 General regulations.
16.76.010 Title.
This chapter shall be known as and may be cited as the “automatic fire detection and suppression systems ordinance.” (Ord. 1902-92 § 1, 1992)
16.76.020 Definitions.
For purposes of this chapter, words and phrases used in this chapter shall mean as follows:
“Approved” means approval by the city of Everett building code official, working in concert with the city of Everett fire code official, as a result of investigation and tests conducted by him or by reason of accepted principles or tests by national authorities, technical or scientific organizations.
“Automatic fire detection system” means a heat and/or smoke detection system monitored by a central and/or remote station conforming to the requirements of the Everett building code. All references in this chapter to automatic fire detection system means an “approved” automatic detection system.
“Automatic fire suppression system” means an approved automatic fire extinguishing system as defined in the Everett building and fire codes and/or an approved automatic sprinkler system as defined in the Everett building and fire codes. All references in this chapter to automatic fire suppression system means an “approved” automatic suppression system.
“Fire area” means an area separated by a wall and/or floor constructed in accordance with the requirements of the Everett building code.
“Fire barrier” means any vertical or horizontal assembly constructed in accordance with the requirements of the Everett building code for a fire barrier assembly.
“Fire department” means the city of Everett fire department.
“Firewall” means a wall constructed in accordance with the requirements of the Everett building code for firewalls.
“Mini-storage,” for purposes of this chapter, shall be as defined in National Fire Protection Association Standards.
“Multifamily residential buildings” means common wall residential buildings that consist of four or fewer units, that do not exceed two stories in height, that are less than five thousand square feet in area, and that have a one-hour fire-resistive occupancy separation between units.
“Party wall” means a wall constructed in accordance with the requirements of the Everett building code for party walls.
“Separate Building.” For purposes of the automatic fire detection and suppression system requirements contained in this chapter, structures separated by a party wall or a minimum three-hour rated firewall shall be considered separate buildings for new or existing construction. (Ord. 3021-07 § 1, 2007: Ord. 1902-92 § 2, 1992)
16.76.030 Application.
The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all new construction. Existing buildings which exceed the area thresholds shall not be increased in size without complying with this chapter, with the following exception: One additional fire area of up to six hundred square feet may be added to any nonconforming building if separated by a fire barrier. The exception set forth herein will be allowed only one time per building. This chapter shall not apply to the following buildings:
A. Buildings constructed under the provisions of the Everett residential code.
B. Multifamily residential buildings. (Ord. 3021-07 § 2, 2007: Ord. 1902-92 § 3, 1992)
16.76.035 Fire detection.
An approved automatic fire detection system is required and shall be installed and maintained in an operable condition as specified in this chapter in the following locations:
A. All Group H or I occupancies; and
B. All other occupancies when the gross floor area of a building exceeds three thousand square feet. (Ord. 3021-07 § 3, 2007: Ord. 1902-92, 1992)
16.76.037 Fire suppression.
An approved automatic fire suppression system is required and shall be installed and maintained in an operable condition as specified in this chapter in the following locations:
A. All fire areas that contain a Group H, I, R or S-1 mini-storage occupancy;
B. All fire areas that are greater than five thousand square feet that contain A-2 or E occupancies;
C. All fire areas that are greater than six thousand square feet that contain any of the following occupancies: A (except A-2), B, F, M, S, U.
Exception: Open parking garages of Type I construction less than sixty-five feet in height as defined by the Everett building code.
D. For occupancies listed under subsections B and C of this section, a maximum of two nonsprinklered fire areas are permitted in any building. (Ord. 3021-07 § 4, 2007: Ord. 1902-92, 1992)
16.76.040 Installation.
All approved automatic fire suppression systems and approved automatic fire detection systems shall be installed in accordance with the appropriate Everett building code, Everett fire code, National Fire Protection Association Standards, and Washington State Building Code Standards. (Ord. 3021-07 § 5, 2007: Ord. 1902-92 § 4, 1992)
16.76.050 Alterations, repairs and building additions.
Repealed by Ord. 3021-07. (Ord. 1902-92 § 5, 1992)
16.76.060 Change of occupancy.
A. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, no change shall be made in the character of occupancy of any building that would place the building in a more hazardous occupancy classification in accordance with Table 1, unless such building is made to comply with the requirements of this chapter for such division or group of occupancy.
|
Relative Hazard Class |
Occupancy Classification |
|---|---|
|
1 (Highest Hazard) |
A, E, H, I, R, S-1, mini-storage |
|
2 |
B, F-1, S-1, M |
|
3 (Lowest Hazard) |
F-2, S-2, U |
B. Occupancies in Hazard Class 1 may not change occupancy to a different Class 1 occupancy or different division within the same occupancy classification unless such building is made to comply with the requirements of this chapter for such division or group of occupancy.
C. Any change of occupancy within a building or portion thereof will require the existing building to fully comply with all requirements for new construction.
Exceptions:
1. Fire areas containing new occupancies that are separated from the remaining building by fire barriers if the fire area is provided with automatic fire detection and suppression systems.
2. Fire areas containing new occupancies that are separated from the remaining building by party walls or three-hour firewalls. (Ord. 3021-07 § 7, 2007: Ord. 1902-92 § 6, 1992)
16.76.070 Conflicting provisions.
In the event there is a conflict between the provisions of this chapter and the provisions of other applicable codes or statutes, the more restrictive provision shall apply. (Ord. 3021-07 § 8, 2007: Ord. 1902-92 § 7, 1992)
16.76.080 Authority designated.
The city of Everett fire code official in concert with the city of Everett building official is authorized to promulgate rules for the interpretation and implementation of this chapter. (Ord. 3021-07 § 9, 2007: Ord. 1902-92 § 8, 1992)
16.76.090 Appeals.
The board of review created pursuant to Chapter 16.64 of the Everett Municipal Code shall hear written orders issued by the fire code official and/or building official. Appeals must be filed within thirty calendar days from the date of receipt of the written order by the aggrieved party. The aggrieved party shall cause to be made at their own expense any tests or research required to substantiate the claim. (Ord. 3021-07 § 10, 2007: Ord. 1902-92 § 9, 1992)
16.76.100 Required maintenance.
A. Automatic fire detection and fire suppression systems shall be serviced annually. A copy of the annual inspection report, signed by the individual who performed the annual inspection, shall be forwarded within five working days of the date of inspection to the fire department. All automatic suppression systems and automatic detection systems shall be maintained in accordance with the appropriate Everett building code, Everett fire code, National Fire Protection Association Standards, and Washington State Building Code Standards.
B. Any time the automatic fire suppression system and/or automatic fire detection system becomes inoperative, the fire department shall be notified immediately. Upon restoration of service of the system, the fire department shall also be notified. (Ord. 3021-07 § 11, 2007: Ord. 1902-92 § 10, 1992)
16.76.110 General regulations.
A. Permit Fee. No person, firm or corporation shall install, alter, replace or perform major repair to any automatic fire detection, fire suppression or standpipe system within the city without first obtaining a permit from the city.
1. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, no permit shall be required when the work performed is routine maintenance which does not alter the accepted system design and when such work does not involve or require the replacement of piping or associated controlling equipment.
2. Permit Fees.
a. Fire Suppression System.
Permit Fee Schedule.
|
System Size |
Fee |
|---|---|
|
Less than 51 heads |
$100.00 |
|
51 through 100 heads |
$100.00 plus .60 per head in excess of 50 |
|
Over 100 heads |
$150.00 plus .50 per head in excess of 100 |
|
Standpipe |
$50.00 |
|
Plan review |
50% of the sprinkler permit fee as calculated above |
b. Repairs: fifty dollars.
B. Design. Automatic fire detection and fire suppression system plans shall be submitted to the city for the installation, alteration, replacement or major repair of all fire suppression systems. Such plans shall bear evidence that the system conforms to the requirements of the governing code(s) for its design.
C. Plans. All automatic fire detection and fire suppression system plans shall be submitted to the city for review and approval prior to a permit being issued. Detailed plans showing all piping, bracing, valving, associated equipment and coverage shall be included.
1. Alterations and/or additions to existing systems must comply with this chapter and with all other governing standards, including by way of example the Everett building and fire codes, National Fire Protection Association Standards and Washington State Building Code Standards.
D. Documentation of monitoring service shall be provided with the submittal of plans. (Ord. 3021-07 § 12, 2007: Ord. 1902-92 § 11, 1992)
16.76.120 Authority to abate.
A. Any violation of this chapter determined to exist after inspection by the building official and/or fire code official is declared to be a nuisance.
B. Where a nuisance exists, the city attorney on behalf of the city is authorized to institute injunction, mandamus or other appropriate action or proceeding to prevent the violation of this chapter.
C. Notwithstanding subsection B of this section, the city attorney is authorized to apply to any court of competent jurisdiction and such court, upon hearing and for cause shown, may grant a temporary or permanent injunction restraining any person, firm and/or corporation from violating any provision of this chapter and compelling compliance herewith. The cost of such action shall be taxed against the violator.
D. A conviction of any person, firm or corporation for violating this chapter shall not impede the authority granted in this section to the city attorney or city. (Ord. 3021-07 § 13, 2007: Ord. 1902-92 § 13, 1992)
16.76.130 Violation—Penalty.
Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and each such person shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each and every day or portion thereof during which any violation of any of the provisions of this chapter is committed, continued or permitted, and upon conviction of any such violation, such person shall be punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than ninety days or both such fine and imprisonment. (Ord. 1902-92 § 12, 1992)