Chapter 8.50
SEVERE WEATHER SHELTERS
Sections:
8.50.030 Determination of a severe weather event.
8.50.040 Permitting of severe weather shelters.
8.50.050 Examples of basic building safety standards.
8.50.060 National Weather Service Wind Chill Chart.
8.50.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to allow for emergency shelters and implement procedural and substantive regulations to coordinate public and private resources and address impacts to public health and safety when temperatures or other conditions outside could pose an immediate danger to the health, safety, and welfare of unsheltered people and there is a need to provide emergency, temporary, severe weather shelters. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to religious organizations to the extent they are exempted by the provisions of RCW 35A.21.360. (Ord. 3820 § 3 (Exh. 1), 2020).
8.50.020 Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter, certain terms are defined in this section.
A. “Basic building safety standards” means the below listed conditions are met in building(s) used/operated as a “severe weather shelter” as defined herein:
1. The property or building is of sufficient size to accommodate the proposed number of residents and the on-site facilities required by this chapter.
2. Adequate provision shall be made for the provision of drinking water, disposal of human waste, disposal of garbage and other solid waste, and the provision of other services. Adequate access for fire and emergency medical apparatus shall be provided.
3. Adequate means of exiting the facility shall be provided including safe and unobstructed travel distances from portions of the shelter’s sleeping area to egress doors.
4. Adequate fire alarm system(s) installed that complies with current fire code.
5. Adequate heating system in compliance with current building, mechanical, and fire codes.
6. The fire marshal and/or building official have authority to place specific conditions on severe weather shelters to satisfy the above-listed criteria and to place any other requirements on structures used/operated as “severe weather shelters” to ensure the safety, health, and welfare of prospective occupants and the general public. MVMC 8.50.050 contains illustrative, but not exhaustive, examples of permissible means of achieving compliance for some of the standards set forth in this subsection.
B. “Mayor” means the city of Mount Vernon’s mayor, the mayor pro tempore, or his/her appointed designee.
C. “Severe weather” means the following:
1. A period of two or more days where temperatures are forecasted by the National Weather Service (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) or actually reach 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below. This may include the National Weather Service Wind Chill Chart found in MVMC 8.50.060 to determine if a combination of forecasted wind and temperature combinations result in a corrected temperature below 32 degrees Fahrenheit; and/or
2. Snow accumulation exceeding or expected to exceed three inches in depth; and/or
3. Other conditions deemed severe enough to present a substantial threat to life or health. This includes but is not limited to:
a. Severe weather alerts/warnings by reputable weather services or emergency providers; or
b. Flooding or flood alerts/warnings by the National Weather Service involving waters located in the city; or
c. Other major adverse events resulting from natural processes of the Earth such as mudslides, tsunamis, hurricanes, tornadoes, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and other geologic processes.
D. “Severe weather shelter” or “shelter” means a building(s) owned and/or operated by a religious establishment, fraternal organization, public agency or other entity that meets basic building safety standards for temporarily housing homeless persons as determined by the city’s building official and the city’s fire marshal. (Ord. 3820 § 3 (Exh. 1), 2020).
8.50.030 Determination of a severe weather event.
A. The mayor is responsible for determining a severe weather event as defined in MVMC 8.50.020. The mayor may consult with the Skagit County department of emergency management when making a determination under MVMC 2.40.060. The mayor is also responsible for determining when a severe weather event has concluded.
B. The mayor shall immediately notify the city council, city police department, fire department and Skagit County department of emergency management upon making a determination of a severe weather event. A list of known severe weather shelters may be provided with the notification. (Ord. 3820 § 3 (Exh. 1), 2020).
8.50.040 Permitting of severe weather shelters.
A. Once a determination of a severe weather event is made, the building official is authorized to issue a temporary use permit as provided for in the International Building Code Section 108 for severe weather shelters. The permit shall be considered a Type I permit pursuant to MVMC 14.05.050(B)(1). The limit as to time of service for operating a severe weather shelter shall not extend more than two days beyond the cessation of the severe weather conditions.
B. A temporary use permit is required before operating a severe weather shelter. There is no fee for the temporary use permit. A notice of the temporary use permit issuance shall be given to the emergency service providers such as Skagit County department of emergency management, police and fire departments, and other fire and emergency response agencies and to social service organizations serving the homeless. Such temporary use permit shall be valid during a severe weather event. (Ord. 3820 § 3 (Exh. 1), 2020).
8.50.050 Examples of basic building safety standards.
This section contains examples of how existing structures can comply with basic building safety standards required within this chapter. The information below is intended to be illustrative, not exhaustive, examples of permissible means of achieving compliance of basic building safety standards.
A. For structures that do not have automatic fire sprinkler systems installed:
1. The occupancy should be close to one person per 100 square feet of floor area designated for sleep areas.
2. One toilet and one sink for approximately every 50 occupants and refuse receptacles meeting the requirements of the city’s solid waste division.
3. Exit doors that comply with most of the following:
a. The minimum size of any exit door shall be 44 inches. The total width of exit doors shall be calculated by taking the occupant load and multiplying it by 0.2 inches (for example, if a severe weather shelter had an occupancy of 300 the total width of its egress doors would be required to be no less than 60 inches).
b. No less than two exit doors shall be provided.
c. All exit doors shall swing in the direction of egress travel.
4. The travel distance from all portions of the shelter’s sleeping area to its egress doors should be no more than 75 feet. Said travel distance should be an unobstructed width of no less than 44 inches.
5. An automatic, commercial fire alarm system installed that complies with current fire code should be installed and be operational.
6. A minimum of two qualified personnel should be on duty when the shelter is open. One of the staff members is to remain in the sleeping area at all times. The other member is required to inspect the premises and building every 30 minutes and complete (and maintain subject to inspection by the city officials) the below-described activity log. The activity log shall include all of the following:
a. Name of the person completing the log.
b. Date and time of activity.
c. Inspection of exit doors for operation, clear pathways, and to make sure they are not locked or blocked from the inside. These inspections shall occur every 30 minutes.
d. Inspection of unoccupied and occupied areas. These inspections shall occur every 30 minutes.
e. Inspection of fire extinguishers before the encampment opens every evening.
f. Inspection and testing of emergency lights and exit signs before the shelter opens every evening.
g. Garbage cans emptied daily while the shelter is in operation.
h. Inspection to make sure that emergency evacuation plan is posted at all exits in the sleeping area before the shelter opens every day/night.
i. Verify that the emergency evacuation plan is practiced by occupants each and every day the shelter is in operation.
j. Verify that information is compiled in writing and provided to the staff in charge that lists/describes each of the occupants at the shelter every day the shelter is in operation. This form will be used to account for everyone in the building in the event of an emergency.
7. The two shelter staff on duty should have certified fire extinguisher training in the last 12 months. Each member shall have their card upon request.
8. No cooking in the structure should be allowed.
9. No smoking or open flame should be allowed in building. Smoking may take place at least 25 feet from the building. Smoking materials are to be placed in an approved metal container. Smoking signs are to be posted in areas where occupants are permitted.
10. The building’s fire alarm(s) shall be operational at all times; if the fire alarm becomes inoperable for any reason the shelter shall be closed until the alarm is repaired.
11. Partitions (if used) shall be noncombustible or limited so that they are not easily ignited by open flame.
B. For structures that have automatic fire sprinklers and automatic fire alarms installed:
1. The occupancy should not exceed that which the exiting door widths would allow per the IBC adopted by the city.
2. One toilet and one sink for every 50 occupants and refuse receptacles meeting the requirements of the city’s solid waste division should be provided.
3. Exit doors should comply with all of the following:
a. The minimum size of any exit door shall be 44 inches. The total width of exit doors shall be calculated by taking the occupant load and multiplying it by 0.2 inches (for example, if a severe weather shelter had an occupancy of 300 the total width of its egress doors would be required to be no less than 60 inches).
b. No less than two exit doors shall be provided.
c. Where the occupant load is more than 49 all exit doors shall swing in the direction of egress travel.
4. The travel distance from all portions of the shelter’s sleeping area to its egress doors should be no more than 200 feet. Said aisle width shall not be less than that which is identified in the IBC adopted by the city for the occupant load permitted, as determined by the building official. (Ord. 3820 § 3 (Exh. 1), 2020).
8.50.060 National Weather Service Wind Chill Chart.
This Wind Chill Chart was created by the National Weather Service and was downloaded from: https://www.weather.gov/safety/cold-wind-chill-chart. (Ord. 3820 § 3 (Exh. 1), 2020).