Chapter 8.05
FIRE PROTECTION FEATURES IN BUILDINGS
Sections:
8.05.040 Fire flow requirements for buildings.
8.05.060 Automatic fire sprinkler requirements.
8.05.070 Automatic fire detection system requirements.
8.05.110 Conflicting ordinances.
8.05.010 New buildings.
Notwithstanding any provisions of the International Building Code in effect as of the date of the ordinance codified in this chapter or adopted thereafter by the city of Oak Harbor, new buildings constructed after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter within the city of Oak Harbor shall not exceed the building area and height limitations without built-in fire protection features specified in this chapter. (Ord. 1379 § 2, 2004; Ord. 1071 § 2, 1996; Ord. 760, 1986; Ord. 590, 1981).
8.05.020 Existing buildings.
(1) Existing buildings which are substantially remodeled or rehabilitated or change occupancy group classification shall be required to comply with fire protection features specified in this chapter.
(2) “Substantially remodeled or rehabilitated” means any alteration or restoration of a building or structure within any 12-month period, the cost of which exceeds 50 percent of its real valuation exclusive of foundations. (Ord. 1962 § 1, 2022; Ord. 1379 § 3, 2004; Ord. 1071 § 2, 1996; Ord. 760, 1986; Ord. 590, 1981).
8.05.030 Modifications.
Buildings may not be added to or be changed in any manner which would increase the required fire flow without providing for the increase. (Ord. 1379 § 4, 2004; Ord. 1071 § 2, 1996; Ord. 760, 1986; Ord. 590, 1981).
8.05.040 Fire flow requirements for buildings.
(1) Scope. This is the procedure for determining fire flow requirements for all buildings or portions of buildings. Fire flow is the quantity of water in gallons per minute needed to control an anticipated fire in a building or group of buildings. Fire flow shall be determined in accordance with Section 507 of the International Fire Code and Appendix B of the International Fire Code.
(2) Calculations shall be recorded on a form by the fire code official, or his designee, and made available for verification by the developer.
(3) Calculations shall depend on development variables which include, but are not limited to, type of construction, building height, roofing, materials and processes housed, and configurations of exposed areas. The fire code official shall determine whether or not a variable condition exists presenting additional hazards. The decision shall be made in accordance with nationally recognized standards for fire protection. (Ord. 1661 § 3, 2013; Ord. 1379 § 5, 2004; Ord. 1071 § 2, 1996; Ord. 760, 1986; Ord. 590, 1981).
8.05.050 General limitations.
(1) This chapter specifically exempts one- and two-family dwellings from all requirements contained herein, except for required fire flow.
(2) The required fire flow for new buildings may not exceed the available water supply.
(3) Buildings shall not exceed 3,500 gallons per minute required fire flow without built-in automatic fire detection features.
(4) In no event shall buildings exceed 4,500 gallons per minute required fire flow nor shall buildings require fire flow in excess of the estimated available fire flow in gallons per minute as projected by the city of Oak Harbor comprehensive water plan.
(5) For the purposes of this section, buildings, or portions of buildings, separated by construction of a fire resistive wall constructed in accordance with provisions of Chapter 7 of the International Building Code, and having a rating of at least two hours, shall be considered as separate buildings. (Ord. 1515 § 2, 2007; Ord. 1379 § 6, 2004; Ord. 1071 § 2, 1996; Ord. 760, 1986; Ord. 590, 1981).
8.05.060 Automatic fire sprinkler requirements.
(1) All automatic fire sprinkler systems required under this section shall transmit alarms for tamper and fire to an approved monitoring station in accordance with nationally recognized standards for fire protection.
(2) Approved automatic fire sprinkler systems in new buildings and structures shall be provided in the locations described in this section.
(a) Group A-1. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for Group A-1 occupancies where one of the following conditions exists:
(i) The fire area exceeds 10,000 square feet;
(ii) The fire area has an occupancy load of 300 or more;
(iii) The fire area is located on a floor other than level of exit discharge; or
(iv) The fire area contains a multi-theater complex.
(b) Group A-2. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for Group A-2 occupancies where one of the following conditions exists:
(i) The fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet;
(ii) The fire area has an occupancy load of 100 or more; or
(iii) The fire area is located on a floor other than level of exit discharge.
(iv) Group A-2 nightclubs as defined in the International Fire Code.
(c) Group A-3. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for Group A-3 occupancies where one of the following conditions exists:
(i) The fire area exceeds 10,000 square feet;
(ii) The fire area has an occupancy load of 300 or more; or
(iii) The fire area is located on a floor other than level of exit discharge.
Exception: Areas used exclusively as participant sports areas where the main floor area is located at the same level as the level of discharge of the main entrance and exit.
(d) Group A-4. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for Group A-4 occupancies where one of the following conditions exists:
(i) The fire area exceeds 10,000 square feet;
(ii) The fire area has an occupancy load of 300 or more; or
(iii) The fire area is located on a floor other than level of exit discharge.
(e) Group A-5. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided in concession stands, retail areas, press boxes, and other accessory use areas in excess of 1,000 square feet.
(f) Group B. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for Group B occupancies where the fire area exceeds 10,000 square feet.
(g) Group E. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for Group E occupancies as follows:
(i) Throughout all Group E fire areas greater than 10,000 square feet in area.
(ii) Throughout every portion of educational buildings below the level of exit discharge.
(iii) For the purpose of this section, additions exceeding 60 percent of the value of such building or structure, or alterations and repairs to any portion of a building or structure within a 12-month period that exceeds 100 percent of the value of such building or structure shall be considered new construction. In the case of additions, fire walls shall define separate buildings.
Exceptions:
(i) Portable school classrooms, provided aggregate area of clusters of portable school classrooms does not exceed 5,000 square feet; and clusters of portable school classrooms shall be separated as required in Chapter 5 of the International Building Code.
(ii) Group E – Day Care. When not required by other provisions of this chapter, a fire-extinguishing system installed in accordance with NFPA 13 may be used for increases and substitutions allowed in Sections 504.2, 506.3, and Table 601 of the building code.
(h) Group F-1. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all buildings containing a Group F-1 occupancy where one of the following conditions exists:
(i) Where a Group F-1 fire area exceeds 10,000 square feet;
(ii) Where a Group F-1 fire area is located more than three stories above grade; or
(iii) Where the combined area of all Group F-1 fire areas on all floors, including any mezzanines, exceeds 24,000 square feet.
(iv) Woodworking Operations. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all Group F-1 occupancy fire areas that contain woodworking operations in excess of 2,500 square feet in area which generate finely divided combustible waste or which use finely divided combustible materials.
(i) Group F-2. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for Group F-2 occupancies where the fire area exceeds 10,000 square feet.
(j) Group H. Automatic sprinkler systems shall be provided in high-hazard occupancies as follows:
(i) General. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in Group H occupancies.
(ii) Group H-5 Occupancies. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout buildings containing Group H-5 occupancies. The design of the sprinkler system shall not be less than that required under the International Building Code for the occupancy hazard classifications in accordance with Table 903.2.4.2 of the International Fire Code.
Where the design area of the sprinkler system consists of a corridor protected by one row of sprinklers, the maximum number of sprinklers required to be calculated is 13.
(iii) Pyroxylin Plastics. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided in buildings, or portions thereof, where cellulose nitrate film or pyroxylin plastics are manufactured, stored or handled in quantities exceeding 100 pounds.
(k) Group I. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings with a Group I fire area.
Exception: An automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.2 or 903.3.1.3 of the International Fire Code shall be allowed in Group I-1 facilities.
(l) Group M. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings containing a Group M occupancy where one of the following conditions exists:
(i) Where a Group M fire area exceeds 10,000 square feet;
(ii) Where a Group M fire area is located more than three stories above grade plane.
(iii) Where the combined area of all Group M fire areas on all floors, including any mezzanines, exceeds 24,000 square feet.
(iv) A Group M occupancy used for the display and sale of upholstered furniture or mattresses exceeds 5,000 square feet (464 m2).
(v) 903.2.7.1 High-Piled Storage. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided as required in Chapter 32 of the International Fire Code in all buildings of Group M where storage of merchandise is in high-piled or rack storage arrays.
(m) Group R. An automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3 of the International Fire Code shall be provided throughout all buildings with a Group R fire area.
(n) Group S-1. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all buildings containing a Group S-1 occupancy where one of the following conditions exists:
(i) Where a Group S-1 fire area exceeds 10,000 square feet;
(ii) Where a Group S-1 fire area is located more than three stories above grade plane;
(iii) Where the combined area of all Group S-1 fire areas on all floors, including any mezzanines, exceeds 24,000 square feet;
(iv) A Group S-1 occupancy used for storage of upholstered furniture or mattresses exceeds 2,500 square feet (232 m2).
Repair Garages. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all buildings used as repair garages in accordance with the International Building Code, as follows:
(A) Buildings with a fire area containing a repair garage exceeding 10,000 square feet.
(B) Buildings with a repair garage servicing vehicles parked in the basement.
(C) A Group S-1 fire area used for the repair of commercial trucks or buses where the fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet (464 m2).
Bulk Storage of Tires. Buildings and structures where the area for the storage of tires exceeds 20,000 cubic feet shall be equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 of the International Fire Code.
(o) Group S-2. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings classified as an enclosed parking garage in accordance with Section 406.3 of the International Building Code or where located beneath other groups.
Exception: Enclosed parking garages located beneath Group R-3 occupancies.
(i) Commercial Parking Garages. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings used for storage of commercial trucks or buses where the fire area exceeds 5,000 feet.
(p) Windowless Stories in All Occupancies. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in the locations set forth in Sections 903.2.11.1 through 903.2.11.3 in the International Fire Code.
Exception: Group R-3 and Group U.
(q) Rubbish and Linen Chutes. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed as set forth in Section 903.3.1.1 of the International Fire Code.
(r) Buildings 55 Feet or More in Height. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed as set forth in Section 903.2.11.3 of the International Fire Code.
(s) During Construction. Automatic sprinkler systems required during construction, alteration and demolition operations shall be provided in accordance with Section 3313 of the International Fire Code.
(t) Other Hazards. Automatic sprinkler protection shall be provided for the hazards indicated in Sections 903.2.11.4 and 903.2.11.5 in the International Fire Code.
(u) Other Required Suppression Systems. In addition to the requirements of Section 903.2 of the International Fire Code, the provisions indicated in Table 903.2.11.6 of the International Fire Code also require the installation of a suppression system for certain buildings and areas.
(3) Installation Requirements. Automatic sprinkler systems shall be designed and installed in accordance with Sections 903.3.1 through 903.3.7 of the International Fire Code.
(4) Sprinkler system monitoring and alarms shall meet the requirements in accordance with Sections 903.4 of the International Fire Code.
(5) Testing and maintenance of sprinkler systems shall meet the requirements in accordance with Section 903.5 of the International Fire Code.
(6) Existing Buildings. The provisions of this section are intended to provide a reasonable degree of safety in existing structures not complying with the minimum requirements of the International Building Code by requiring installation of an automatic fire-extinguishing system in accordance with Section 903.6 of the International Fire Code. (Ord. 1661 § 5, 2013; Ord. 1515 § 3, 2007; Ord. 1369 § 7, 2004; Ord. 1071 § 2, 1996; Ord. 946 § 1, 1993; Ord. 760, 1986; Ord. 590, 1981).
8.05.070 Automatic fire detection system requirements.
(1) Section 907 of the International Fire Code shall be used as a guide for the installation, inspection, and maintenance of an acceptable minimum automatic fire-detection system when such system is required by this section, one copy of which is to be filed in the office of the city clerk, and by reference made a part of this chapter as if fully set out herein.
(2) When approved by the fire code official, and not otherwise required by the building or fire codes, an approved automatic sprinkler system may be substituted for an automatic fire detection system required herein.
(3) Commercial buildings exceeding 2,500 square feet gross floor area shall be equipped, as a minimum, with an automatic and/or manual fire detection system (throughout) that shall alert all occupants of the building when fire is detected and shall transmit an alarm for fire to a U.L. listed and approved monitoring station. (Ord. 1661 § 6, 2013; Ord. 1379 § 8, 2004).
8.05.080 Emergency lighting.
All buildings shall have emergency lighting installed in accordance with the latest edition of the National Fire Protection Association Standard No. 101, one copy of which is to be filed in the office of the city clerk, and by reference made a part this chapter as if fully set out herein. (Ord. 1379 § 9, 2004; Ord. 1071 § 2, 1996; Ord. 760, 1986; Ord. 590, 1981).
8.05.090 Regulations.
The fire code official, with approval of the administrator, is authorized to make and enforce such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the intent of this chapter. Three certified copies of the rules and regulations shall be filed with the clerk and shall be published by posting on the public bulletin at City Hall three weeks prior to effective date. Copies of regulations shall be available at the fire station upon request. Copies shall be supplied to city councilmembers on adoption. (Ord. 1661 § 7, 2013; Ord. 1379 § 10, 2004; Ord. 1071 § 2, 1996; Ord. 760, 1986; Ord. 590, 1981).
8.05.100 Appeals.
Whenever the fire code official shall disapprove an application or permit applied for, or when it is claimed that these provisions do not apply or that the true intent and meaning of these provisions have been misconstrued or wrongly interpreted, the applicant may appeal the decision to the fire code official within 30 days from the date of the decision to be appealed. Permits for development under this code are Type I review process. (Ord. 1661 § 8, 2013; Ord. 1379 § 11, 2004; Ord. 1071 § 2, 1996; Ord. 760, 1986; Ord. 590, 1981).
8.05.110 Conflicting ordinances.
If conflicts arise because of requirements based on building size, on occupancy or on other provisions of the fire or building code, or other adopted ordinances of the city, the more restrictive requirements shall apply. (Ord. 1379 § 12, 2004; Ord. 1071 § 2, 1996; Ord. 760, 1986).