Chapter 16.40
FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS

Sections:

16.40.010    General regulation.

16.40.020    Definitions.

16.40.030    Installation approval.

16.40.040    Permit revocation.

16.40.050    Emergencies.

16.40.060    Occupancy of building, structure or area.

16.40.070    Violations -- Misdemeanor -- Gross Misdemeanor -- Civil Infraction.

16.40.080    Standpipe requirements.

16.40.010 - General regulation

A.    Design. All fire extinguishing system plans submitted for approval shall bear evidence that the system conforms to the requirements of the governing code for its design.

B.    All fire sprinkler plans and hydraulic calculations shall bear the stamp of a Washington State Patrol Fire Protection Bureau (WSPFPB) Certificate of Competency holder for the level of work being performed. This includes the plans for the underground supply piping.

1.    Fire sprinkler underground supply lines shall be installed by a contractor holding a current WSPFPB license for the level of work being performed. Such work shall start at the "point of connection" to the city main and shall include but not be limited to the yard post indicator, double check valve assembly, fire department connection, piping into the building.

2.    Fire department connection for sprinkler systems and standpipes shall be extended to within 40 feet of the access roadway, or to a public street if access roadways are not provided, and be within 40 feet of a fire hydrant.

C.    Plans. All extinguishing system plans shall be submitted to the city for review and approval prior to a permit being issued. Three sets of detailed plans showing all piping, bracing, valving, associated equipment and coverage shall be included.

1.    Alterations and/or additions to existing systems must comply with this chapter and governing NFPA Code.

D.    Plan Check Fee. In addition, a fee equal to 65 percent of the permit fee shall be paid to the city at the time of submittal of plans.

E.    Permit Required. No person or agency shall install, alter, replace or perform major repair of any fire extinguishing, or special system within the city without first obtaining a permit.

1.    Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, no permit shall be required when, in the opinion of the Fire Chief, the work performed is routine maintenance which does not alter the accepted system design and when such work does not involve or require the replacement of piping or associated controlling equipment.

2.    Upon determination by the fire chief or his designee that the plans conform to the requirements of the International Building Code, International Fire Code, standards promulgated by the National Fire Protection Association and other appropriate codes, standards or ordinances adopted by the city, and upon payment of the required fees, the permit shall be issued by the city.

F.    Permit Fee. Permit fees shall conform to Table 1A of OMC 4.36.010, Building Valuation Table, with regional modifiers.

(Ord. 6310 §35, 2004; Ord. 5799 §28, 1998; Ord. 5520 §11, 1995; Ord. 5296 §8, 1992; Ord. 5028 §17, 1989; Ord. 4414 §1(A), 1983).

16.40.020 - Definitions

A.    "Fire extinguishing system" is an integrated system of piping installed in a building, structure, or area, which is specially engineered or hydraulically designed for the application of extinguishing agents and to which the appropriate agent applicators are connected in a systematic pattern; including a controlling valve and may include a device for activating an alarm when the system discharges its extinguishing agent over the fire area. Said extinguishing systems include but are not limited to: water systems, CO2 systems, wet agent systems, dry chemical systems, or special extinguishing systems.

B.    "Standpipe system" is a fire line system which may or may not have a constant water supply and is installed for the use of the fire department and/or occupants of the building, structure or area.

C.    "Residential Automatic Fire Sprinkler System" is defined as an integrated system of underground and overhead piping, including a water supply such as a gravity tank, fire pump, reservoir, pressure tank, or connection by underground piping to a public main: said system complying in all respects with the requirements of such systems contained in appropriate standards issued by the National Fire Protection Association and applicable Olympia Municipal Codes.

(Ord. 6463 §6, 2007; Ord. 6310 §36, 2004; Ord. 5799 §29, 1998; Ord. 4414 §1(8), 1983).

16.40.030 - Installation approval

A.    Upon final inspection of all sprinklers and standpipe system(s), the installer shall assist in the operational performance test of the entire system(s).

B.    An operational test will be required before final approval of said system(s). Such tests shall be coordinated by the fire chief or his designee and will require a copy of the as-built plans of the system(s), the presence of a representative of the system(s), the presence of a representative of the sprinkler or standpipe system installer, and owner’s representative during the test. If on the basis of said inspection and test, the chief or his designee determines the system(s) does not comply with applicable ordinances or codes of the city, or if it does not conform to the plans as submitted with the application, he may revoke or suspend the permit previously issued until the nonconformities or violations are rectified. The building official shall not issue a certificate of occupancy until written acceptance is on file.

C.    When the system(s) fail to meet final acceptance after 2 tests, the third and subsequent tests shall be performed at a minimum fee of $49.00 or actual costs per hour incurred for each subsequent test. This fee is payable at the time of scheduling of the additional tests or on completion of the test(s). If fees are not paid as aforementioned, final approval of the system(s) will be withheld.

(Ord. 6310 §37, 2004; Ord. 5799 §30, 1998; Ord. 4414 §1(C), 1983).

16.40.040 - Permit revocation

The chief of the fire department or his designee may, in writing, suspend or revoke any permit issued under the provisions of this chapter whenever it is found that the permit was issued on the basis of error, deception or fraud on the part of the applicant or upon discovery of a violation of any provisions of the International Building Code, the International Fire Code, standards promulgated by the National Fire Protection Association or any appropriate codes, standards or ordinances adopted by the city, including the provisions of this chapter. All plans submitted shall be stamped by a NICET certified designer.

(Ord. 6310 §38, 2004; Ord. 5296 §9, 1992; Ord. 4414 §1(D), 1983).

16.40.050 - Emergencies

The provisions of this chapter shall not preclude the commencement of work on a fire extinguishing or standpipe system without the procurement of a permit in an emergency situation if the delay in procuring such a permit would cause undue burden or damage to property; provided, however, that the person or agency performing the emergency work must make application for a permit in the manner provided in this chapter within five days of the commencement of the emergency work.

(Ord. 4414 §1(E), 1983).

16.40.060 - Occupancy of building, structure or area

Issuance of a permit required by this chapter shall be coordinated as closely as possible with the issuance of a building permit when both are required. However, the permit provided for in this chapter shall be required in the appropriate case even though a building permit may not, and in that instance, occupancy or use of the building, structure or area for which the standpipe or extinguishing system is required shall not be allowed until the provisions of this chapter are complied with. Furthermore, no occupancy or use of a building, structure or area covered by a permit issued hereunder shall be allowed during any such time as such permit is either suspended or revoked.

(Ord. 4414 §1(F), 1983).

16.40.070 - Violations -- Misdemeanor -- Gross Misdemeanor -- Civil Infraction

A.    Any person, firm, or corporation who knowingly violates or fails to comply with any term or provision of this chapter shall be deemed to have committed a misdemeanor, and if found guilty, shall be subject to a fine not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000), and/or to imprisonment not to exceed ninety (90) days or to both such fine and imprisonment. Each day shall be a separate offense. In the event of a continuing violation or failure to comply, the second and subsequent days shall constitute a gross misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) and/or imprisonment not to exceed three hundred and sixty-five (365) days or both such time and imprisonment. Continuing violation shall mean the same type of violation which is committed within a year of the initial violation.

B.    As an additional concurrent penalty, it shall be a civil infraction for a person, firm, or corporation to violate or fail to comply with any term or provision of this chapter. Each day shall be a separate infraction. A person, firm, or corporation found to have committed a civil infraction shall be assessed a monetary penalty as follows:

1.    First offense: Class 3 ($50), not including statutory assessments.

2.    Second offense arising out of the same facts as the first offense: Class 2 ($125), not including statutory assessments.

3.    Third offense arising out of the same facts as the first offense: Class 1 ($250), not including statutory assessments.

See also OMC Chapter 4.44, Uniform Code Enforcement.

(Ord. 8061 §55, 2001; Ord. 4414 §1(G), 1983).

16.40.080 - Standpipe requirements

Occupancies three stories or more but less than 150 feet in height, except Group R Division 3(6).

(Ord. 5799 §31, 1998)