Chapter 8.10
ENTERPRISE AREA FIRE PREVENTION STANDARDS
Sections:
8.10.100 Construction, expansion and remodeling.
8.10.140 Fire access – Fire apparatus access roads.
8.10.160 Remodel and reconstruction cost determination.
8.10.170 Nonconforming structures and uses.
8.10.010 Purpose.
(1) The purpose of these policies is to implement the interlocal agreement between the city of Oak Harbor and Island County and to conform administration of fire codes so that administration in the city and the county is the same except for deviations noted. Nothing herein is intended to amend the International Fire Code as adopted under Chapter 8.03 OHMC.
(2) These provisions shall apply in the North Whidbey Enterprise Area as identified in Exhibit “C” of the Urban Growth Area Interlocal Agreement between Island County and the city of Oak Harbor, a copy of which is on file with the city clerk and is available for public inspection. (Ord. 1515 § 4, 2007; Ord. 1321, 2002).
8.10.100 Construction, expansion and remodeling.
The policies in this chapter shall apply to the North Whidbey Enterprise Area. (Ord. 1321, 2002).
8.10.110 Fire code.
The fire code as adopted and amended by the State Building Code Council shall be used as the basis for most protection standards in the enterprise area. The exception is fire flow and hydrant spacing. City standards for fire flow and hydrant spacing will be used in the enterprise area. (Ord. 1321, 2002).
8.10.120 Fire flow.
The enterprise area will use the city fire flow standards, which includes location, type, spacing and number of fire hydrants for a minimum of 1,500 gallons per minute for two hours at a minimum 20-psi residual pressure. (Ord. 1321, 2002).
8.10.130 Fire sprinklers.
The fire code shall determine the standards for new construction. (Ord. 1321, 2002).
8.10.140 Fire access – Fire apparatus access roads.
(1) Fire apparatus access roads shall be provided for every facility, building or portion of a building when any portion of an exterior wall of the first story is located more than 150 feet from fire apparatus access as measured by an approved route around the exterior of the building or facility. Exceptions:
(a) When buildings are completely protected with an approved fire sprinkler system, the provisions may be modified by the fire code official.
(b) When access roads cannot be installed due to location on property, topography, or nonnegotiable grades, the fire code official may require additional fire protection systems.
(2) More than one fire apparatus access road shall be required when it is determined by the fire code official that access by a single road might be impaired by vehicle congestion or other factors that could limit access.
(3) Fire apparatus access roads shall have an unobstructed width of not less than 20 feet and an unobstructed vertical clearance of not less than 13 feet, six inches. Exception:
(a) Vertical clearance may be reduced when approved and signs are installed and maintained indicating the established vertical clearance.
(4) Fire apparatus access roads shall be designed and maintained to support the imposed loads of fire apparatus as necessary and shall be provided with an all weather driving surface. Inside the city, a paved surface is required. A time period for paving fire apparatus access roads may be established at time of annexation.
(5) Fire apparatus access roads shall have a turning radius of not less than 40 feet and a maximum grade of 10 percent.
(6) Dead-end fire apparatus access roads in excess of 150 feet in length shall be provided with approved provisions for turning around of fire apparatus.
(7) Bridges used as part of fire apparatus access roads shall be approved and maintained in accordance with nationally recognized standards. Vehicle load limits shall be posted at both entrances to bridges.
(8) Traffic calming devices shall be prohibited unless approved by the fire code official.
(9) When required by the fire code official, approved signs or other approved notices shall be provided and maintained for fire apparatus access roads to identify such roads and prohibit obstruction by parking or other obstructions. See general operating provisions. (Ord. 1661 § 9, 2013; Ord. 1321, 2002).
8.10.150 Fire alarms.
The fire code shall determine the standards for new construction. (Ord. 1321, 2002).
8.10.160 Remodel and reconstruction cost determination.
Thresholds for remodel and reconstruction within the North Whidbey Enterprise Area shall comply with International Building Code and International Fire Code (IBC/IFC) as adopted by the Washington State Building Code Council at Chapters 51-50 and 51-54 WAC. A consistent standard will be used by the city and the county for 60 percent of the replacement value. The replacement cost will be defined as the replacement cost as defined in the current Building Safety Journal Magazine table for building valuation data. (Ord. 1515 § 5, 2007; Ord. 1321, 2002).
8.10.170 Nonconforming structures and uses.
Buildings legally in existence at the time of adoption of this agreement or at time of annexation into the city will have their existing use or occupancy continued with the original fire prevention standards as required at time of building or occupancy permit if such use or occupancy was legal at the time of adoption of this agreement or annexation, provided such continued use is not dangerous to life. Upon annexation, the Oak Harbor fire department shall complete an inspection of all structures and require that all life safety requirements be met. As long as the building use has not changed and the building conforms to the codes for the building as permitted, the city of Oak Harbor will accept it as is without retrofit.
As an example and not limitation: If a building was approved with a spray area for nonflammable materials and the Oak Harbor fire department completes an inspection and finds the business is now spraying flammable materials, the Oak Harbor fire department would require a fire suppression system. If the business continues to use nonflammable materials in the spray area, the use will continue without a fire suppression system. (Ord. 1321, 2002).
8.10.180 Limitation of use.
These provisions do not affect uses or development outside of the North Whidbey Enterprise Area for Island County or the city of Oak Harbor. (Ord. 1321, 2002).
8.10.210 Plan review.
Fire flow plans and applications will be reviewed by the Oak Harbor fire department and approved by the jurisdiction where the property is located. Three sets of plans are required for city review to include fire, engineering and public works departments. (Ord. 1321, 2002).