Chapter 13.31
FIRE CODE
Sections:
13.31.020 2021 International Fire Code adopted.
13.31.030 2021 International Fire Code amendments.
13.31.050 Sprinkler installation.
13.31.060 NFPA 130 Standard for Fixed Guideway Transit and Passenger Rail Systems adopted.
13.31.070 NFPA 130 Standard for Fixed Guideway Transit and Passenger Rail Systems amended.
13.31.010 Title.
This chapter shall be known as the city of Federal Way fire code.
(Ord. No. 13-743, § 7, 6-4-13.)
13.31.020 2021 International Fire Code adopted.
The 2021 Edition of the International Fire Code (IFC), published by the International Code Council, is hereby adopted by reference pursuant to Chapter 19.27 RCW and Chapter 51-54A WAC with the following additions, deletions, and exceptions. Appendix B is adopted as amended. Appendices C, E, F, and I are adopted by reference.
(Ord. No. 24-980, § 11, 1-16-24; Ord. No. 21-910, § 22, 4-6-21; Ord. No. 17-830, § 19, 1-17-17; Ord. No. 13-743, § 7, 6-4-13.)
13.31.030 2021 International Fire Code amendments.
(1) IFC Section 503 is hereby created as follows:
(a) IFC 503.1, Where required. Fire apparatus access roads shall be provided and maintained in accordance with Sections 503.1.1 through 503.1.3.
(b) IFC 503.1.1 Buildings and facilities. Approved fire apparatus access roads shall be provided for every facility, building or portion of a building hereafter constructed or moved into or within the jurisdiction. The fire apparatus access road shall comply with the requirements of this section and shall extend to within 150 feet (45 720 mm) of all portions of the facility and all portions of the exterior walls of the first story of the building as measured by an approved route around the exterior of the building or facility.
Exception: The fire code official is authorized to increase the dimension of 150 feet (45 720 mm) where:
1. The building is equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, 903.3.1.2 or 903.3.1.3.
2. Fire apparatus access roads cannot be installed because of location on property, topography, waterways, nonnegotiable grades or other similar conditions, and an approved alternative means of fire protection is provided.
3. There are not more than two Group R-3 or Group U occupancies.
(c) IFC 503.1.2 Additional access. The fire code official is authorized to require more than one fire apparatus access road based on the potential for impairment of a single road by vehicle congestion, condition of terrain, climatic conditions or other factors that could limit access.
(d) IFC 503.1.3 High-piled storage. Fire department vehicle access to buildings used for high-piled combustible storage shall comply with the applicable provisions of Chapter 32.
(e) IFC 503.2 Specifications. Fire apparatus access roads shall be installed and arranged in accordance with Sections 503.2.1 through 503.2.8.
(f) IFC 503.2.1 Dimensions. Fire apparatus access roads shall have an unobstructed width of not less than 20 feet (6096 mm), exclusive of shoulders, except for approved security gates in accordance with Section 503.6, and an unobstructed vertical clearance of not less than 13 feet 6 inches (4115 mm).
(g) IFC 503.2.2 Authority. The fire code official shall have the authority to require an increase in the minimum access widths where they are inadequate for fire or rescue operations.
(h) IFC 503.2.3 Surface. Fire apparatus access roads shall be designed and maintained to support the imposed loads of fire apparatus and shall be surfaced so as to provide all-weather driving capabilities.
(i) IFC 503.2.4 Turning radius. The required turning radius of a fire apparatus access road shall be determined by the fire code official.
(j) IFC 503.2.5 Dead ends. Dead-end fire apparatus access roads in excess of 150 feet (45 720 mm) in length shall be provided with an approved area for turning around fire apparatus.
(k) IFC 503.2.6 Bridges and elevated surfaces. Where a bridge or an elevated surface is part of a fire apparatus access road, the bridge shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with AASHTO HB-17. Bridges and elevated surfaces shall be designed for a live load sufficient to carry the imposed loads of fire apparatus. Vehicle load limits shall be posted at both entrances to bridges when required by the fire code official. Where elevated surfaces designed for emergency vehicle use are adjacent to surfaces which are not designed for such use, approved barriers, approved signs or both shall be installed and maintained when required by the fire code official.
(l) IFC 503.2.7 Grade. The grade of the fire apparatus access road shall be within the limits established by the fire code official based on the fire department’s apparatus. The maximum cross slope grade shall not exceed 5%.
(m) IFC 503.2.8 Angles of approach and departure. The angles of approach and departure for fire apparatus access roads shall be within the limits established by the fire code official based on the fire department’s apparatus.
(n) IFC 503.4 Obstruction of fire apparatus access roads. Fire apparatus access roads shall not be obstructed in any manner, including the parking of vehicles. The minimum widths and clearances established in Section 503.2.1 shall be maintained at all times.
(o) IFC 503.5 Required gates or barricades. The fire code official is authorized to require the installation and maintenance of gates or other approved barricades across fire apparatus access roads, trails or other accessways, not including public streets, alleys or highways. 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 F 2200.
(p) IFC 503.5.1 Secured gates and barricades. When required, gates and barricades shall be secured in an approved manner. Roads, trails and other accessways that have been closed and obstructed in the manner prescribed by Section 503.5 shall not be trespassed on or used unless authorized by the owner and the fire code official.
Exception: The restriction on use shall not apply to public officers acting within the scope of duty.
(q) IFC 503.6 Security gates. The installation of security gates across a fire apparatus access road shall be approved by the fire chief. Where security gates are installed, they shall have an approved means of emergency operation. The security gates and the 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 F 2200.
(2) IFC Section 505.1 is hereby amended as follows:
IFC 505.1 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 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: Each character shall be not less than 4 inches (102 mm) high with a minimum stroke width of 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) for 1 or 2 family dwellings.
(3) IFC Appendix B is hereby amended as follows:
(a) Section B105.2, Buildings other than one- and two-family dwellings, is replaced as follows:
B105.2 Buildings other than one- and two-family dwellings. The minimum fire flow and flow duration for buildings other than one- and two-family dwellings shall be as specified in IFC Table B105.1(2).
Exception: A reduction in required fire flow of up to 50 percent, as approved, is allowed when the building is protected throughout with an automatic fire sprinkler system installed in accordance with NFPA 13 or NFPA 13R. The resulting fire flow shall not be less than 1,500 gallons per minute (5,678 L/min) for the prescribed duration as specified in Table B105.1(2).
(b) Table B105.2 is deleted.
(Ord. No. 24-980, § 12, 1-16-24; Ord. No. 21-910, § 23, 4-6-21; Ord. No. 17-830, § 20, 1-17-17; Ord. No. 13-743, § 7, 6-4-13.)
13.31.040 Fire alarm system.
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 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 Section 706 of the International Building Code shall not be considered to provide a separate building under this section or to enable deletion of the required fire alarm system.
Exceptions: Group U or R, Division 3, occupancies.
(Ord. No. 21-910, § 24, 4-6-21; Ord. No. 13-743, § 7, 6-4-13.)
13.31.050 Sprinkler installation.
Fire sprinkler systems shall be installed.
In addition to the automatic sprinkler system requirements specified in the IBC and 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 IFC 503. Exception: Group U occupancies, and additions to single unit R3 structures, are not required to be sprinklered, 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) In all occupancies, other than groups R3 and U, 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 Section 706 of the International Building Code, shall not be considered to separate a building to enable deletion of the required fire sprinkler system.
Exception: Additions to existing buildings, that through alternate materials or methods, do not increase the hazards of the building, as agreed and approved by the building official and the fire code official.
In all occupancies where the building is classified as an overwater structure.
(Ord. No. 17-830, § 21, 1-17-17; Ord. No. 13-743, § 7, 6-4-13.)
13.31.060 NFPA 130 Standard for Fixed Guideway Transit and Passenger Rail Systems adopted.
The city adopts the NFPA 130 Standard for Fixed Guideway and Passenger Rail Systems (NFPA 130) as published by the National Fire Protection Association as now existing or amended by reference.
(Ord. No. 17-835, § 1, 6-6-17.)
13.31.070 NFPA 130 Standard for Fixed Guideway Transit and Passenger Rail Systems amended.
The NFPA 130, adopted by reference in FWRC 13.31.060, is amended as follows:
(1) NFPA 130 Standard Section 1.1.1 is hereby amended as follows:
1.1.1 This standard shall cover life safety from fire and fire protection requirements for fixed guideway transit and passenger rail systems, including, but not limited to, stations, trainways, emergency ventilation systems, vehicles, emergency procedures, communications, and control systems.
NFPA 130 as adopted and amended by the City of Federal Way is the primary applicable code, and other codes apply only as referenced herein, except that the fire marshal and building official shall have the authority to require design to other adopted codes where deemed appropriate. Wherever there are practical difficulties involved in carrying out the provisions of this code, the fire marshal and building official shall have the authority to grant modifications for individual cases, upon application of the owner or owner’s representative, provided the fire marshal and building official shall first find that special individual reason makes the strict letter of this code impractical and the modification is in compliance with the intent and purpose of this code and that such modification does not lessen health, accessibility, life and fire safety, or structural requirements. The details of action granting modifications shall be recorded and entered in the appropriate permit files.
(2) NFPA 130 Standard Section 1.1.3 is hereby amended as follows:
1.1.3 This standard shall not cover requirements for the following:
(1) Conventional freight systems
(2) Buses and trolley coaches
(3) Circus trains
(4) Tourist, scenic, historic, or excursion operations
(5) Any other system of transportation not included in the definition of fixed guideway transit (see NFPA 130 Section 3.3.52.1) or passenger rail system (see NFPA 130 Section 3.3.52.2)
(6) Shelter stops
(7) Ancillary facilities such as parking structures or vehicle maintenance facilities
(8) Occupied building or structure areas not directly related to fixed guideway transit and passenger rail systems, as determined by the Fire Marshal and Building Official.
(3) NFPA 130 Standard Section 1.4 is hereby amended as follows:
1.4 Equivalency. The building official and the fire marshal shall have the authority to evaluate and approve or reject alternative materials, design, and methods of construction and equipment. The provisions of this code are not intended to prevent the installation of any material or to prohibit any design or method of construction not specifically prescribed by this code; provided, that any such alternative has been approved. An alternative material, design or method of construction may be approved where the building official and fire marshal find that the proposed design is satisfactory and complies with the intent of the provisions of this code, and that the material, method or work offered is, for the purpose intended, at least the equivalent of that prescribed in the NFPA 130 in quality, strength, effectiveness, fire resistance, durability, and life safety.
(4) NFPA 130 Standard Section 2.1 is hereby amended as follows:
2.1 General. The documents or portions thereof listed in this chapter are referenced within this standard and shall be considered part of the requirements of this document. Initial construction shall comply with the specific edition of each standard as listed herein. The applicable codes for future additions, alterations, or repairs shall be determined by the building official and fire marshal.
(5) NFPA 130 Standard Section 4.9 is added as follows:
4.9 General Precautions. International Fire Code Chapter 3 shall govern the occupancy and maintenance for precautions against fire and spread of fire and general requirements for fire safety.
(Ord. No. 17-835, § 2, 6-6-17.)