Chapter 8.24
FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY INSPECTIONS
Sections:
8.24.031 Permits for temporary businesses.
8.24.040 Construction permits.
8.24.050 Assembly/special event permits.
8.24.010 Authority.
(1) The fire chief, or his/her designee, is authorized to inspect the following nonresidential occupancies in the city of Kittitas:
(a) Hospitals;
(b) Nursing homes;
(c) Assisted living facilities;
(d) Medical centers;
(e) Schools;
(f) Daycare facilities;
(g) Any other recreational and/or educational centers, including but not limited to camps, riding arenas, etc.;
(h) Retail stores;
(i) Business offices;
(j) Dining and entertainment establishments;
(k) Industrial and manufacturing facilities;
(l) Special events located in nonresidential occupancies;
(m) Special events located in residential occupancies where a special event permit has been issued;
(n) Repair garages and automotive maintenance garages;
(o) Places of assembly;
(p) Spray booth facilities; and
(q) All other nonresidential occupancies which may pose a fire or life safety hazard to the public or employees, or as listed in the International Fire Code, as adopted in KMC Title 15.
(2) The fire chief, or his/her designee, is also authorized to inspect the following residential occupancies in the city of Kittitas:
(a) The common areas of apartments and condominiums;
(b) Commercial vacation rentals;
(c) Lodges, hotels and motels;
(d) Mobile home parks; and
(e) Recreational vehicle parks.
(3) Exceptions.
(a) The fire chief or his/her designee will not make entrance into the individual apartment or condominium units unless a specific request is made by the occupant or owner of the property. A landlord may not grant permission to enter a premises that has a tenant.
(b) Single-family residences and duplexes shall not be regulated under this code. (Ord. 15-022 § 1).
8.24.020 Process.
Any public or private business, including any building or property associated with such business to which the public or employees may make entrance into or upon, shall be required to have an annual fire and life safety inspection. Fire and life safety inspections shall occur during business hours of the business or Monday through Friday, at the discretion of the fire chief or his/her designee. Inspections may or may not be scheduled prior to inspection of the premises.
Each business is responsible for payment of the fees assessed for the annual fire and life safety inspection. Failure to pay the fee set by the city for an annual inspection may result in enforcement action as adopted by this title. Nothing in this title shall limit the remedies available to the city as set forth in the International Fire Code, International Property Maintenance Code or other county ordinance or state law. (Ord. 15-022 § 1).
8.24.030 Operational permits.
Any business or person engaging in any type of operation as defined in Section 105.6 of the International Fire Code shall first apply for and receive an operational permit from the city. Inspections of the type of operation shall be required on an annual basis. The permit is valid for a prescribed time period, or until such time as it is revoked by the city. (Ord. 15-022 § 1).
8.24.031 Permits for temporary businesses.
Any temporary or seasonal business shall be required to apply for and receive a temporary operational permit prior to opening for business. Applications shall be received by the city no later than 14 days prior to the date the business is to begin operations. A fire and life safety inspection shall be conducted prior to the business opening to the public. (Ord. 15-022 § 1).
8.24.040 Construction permits.
A construction permit is required when a safety related system or hazardous material storage is installed or an existing system or facility is modified, as stated in Section 105.7 of the International Fire Code. A plan review of the installation shall be approved prior to the installation of the system. An inspection of the system shall be conducted by the fire inspector prior to system initiation. (Ord. 15-022 § 1).
8.24.050 Assembly/special event permits.
(1) Public assembly/special event permits are required for events held inside a structure or outdoors where people may be confined by fences, walls, buildings, trees, or are located in any area where egress may not be adequate. Assembly/special event permits are required for events including but not limited to trade shows, exhibits, conventions, meetings, food festivals, farmer’s markets, street fairs, art festivals, music festivals, or similar functions. The following criteria apply when determining whether an assembly/special event permit is required:
(a) The calculated load is 50 people or greater;
(b) These gatherings are not physically laid out in accordance with floor plans approved as part of the annual fire and life safety inspections.
(2) Exceptions.
(a) An assembly/special event permit is not required for events at public assemblages which conform to seating plans approved under the annual fire and life safety permit. If the seating plan is altered for the gathering, a permit is required.
Inspections for these events shall occur prior to the event opening, and may, by nature of the event, need to be conducted on weekends or after normal business hours. (Ord. 15-022 § 1).
8.24.060 Fees.
Fees shall be set by resolution of the city council. Failure to pay the fee set by the city or receive a passing inspection shall be grounds for revocation of a permit, or enforcement as adopted by this title. (Ord. 15-022 § 1).