Chapter 20.206
FIRE SAFETY – EXISTING BUILDINGS
Sections:
20.206.030 Fire and life safety requirements for existing multifamily residential buildings.
20.206.005 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to improve fire safety for existing residential multifamily buildings which were constructed prior to July 1, 1998, and which have not been brought into full compliance with the International Fire Code through building additions or remodels subject to the requirements adopted under Chapter 20.200 POMC. (Ord. 019-17 § 18 (Exh. 1)).
20.206.010 Definitions.
For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply:
(1) “Administrative summary” means the “Kitsap County Fire Safety Advisory Committee Report” dated June 28, 1999. The administrative summary was used as a basis for development of this chapter and shall be used for guidance in interpreting it.
(2) “Approved” means approved by the chief unless other specified.
(3) “Chief” means the Port Orchard fire authority.
(4) “Dwelling unit” means any building or portion thereof which contains living facilities, including provisions for sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation as required by the International Building Code, for not more than one family, or a congregate residence which accommodates 10 or fewer persons.
(5) “Fire authority” means Kitsap County Fire District No. 7 as appointed and recognized by Ordinance 1697, as codified in Chapter 2.12 POMC.
(6) “Fire department” means the Port Orchard fire authority.
(7) “Fire safety matrix” means the assessment tool, attached to the ordinance codified in this chapter as Appendix A and incorporated herein by reference, used by fire authority personnel to evaluate Level III buildings to determine appropriate fire protection features based upon an assigned point value and number of dwelling units.
(8) “Floors” means the number of levels in a building, including any basement.
(9) “Group R, Division 1 building” means a hotel or motel, an apartment building or congregate residence, including condominiums, referred to as R-1.
(10) “Level I building” means all Group R, Division 1 buildings less than three floors in height and more than four dwelling units.
(11) “Level II building” means all Group R, Division 1 buildings three or more floors in height and less than 17 dwelling units.
(12) “Level III building” means all Group R, Division 1 buildings three or more floors in height and 17 or more dwelling units.
(13) “Owner” means the owner of record of a Group R, Division 1 building. (Ord. 010-18 § 35; Ord. 019-17 § 18 (Exh. 1)).
20.206.020 Fire and life safety requirements for new residential buildings (including additions or remodels).
New, residential structures or additions or remodels to existing residential structures shall comply with the requirements of the International Fire Code as adopted in Chapter 20.200 POMC. (Ord. 019-17 § 18 (Exh. 1)).
20.206.030 Fire and life safety requirements for existing multifamily residential buildings.
(1) Requirements for “Existing” Group R, Division 1 Buildings. All Group R, Division 1 Occupancy buildings constructed prior to July 1, 1998, shall meet all the requirements of this section in addition to any other requirements of the International Fire Code as adopted in Chapter 20.200 POMC.
(2) Smoke Detectors. On or before June 30, 2001, the owner shall install in all sleeping areas of all Level I, II and III buildings, an approved, listed photoelectric device which senses visible or invisible particles of combustion. Such devices may be battery-powered. Using approved forms, the owner shall certify to the chief that the devices have been installed as required in this section and are properly working.
(3) Floor Plans. Upon request by the fire authority, the owner shall provide floor plans to assist with prefire planning.
(4) Emergency Evacuation Plan.
(a) The fire authority will work with the owners by providing guidelines for developing an approved emergency evacuation plan. All plans shall be submitted and approved by the fire authority prior to posting.
(b) Approved emergency evacuation plans shall be posted in common areas of the building by the owners on or before January 1, 2002.
(c) Emergency evacuation plans shall be reviewed and updated annually by owners. Revised plans shall be submitted to the fire authority for review and approval.
(5) Fire Safety Training. The fire authority shall develop and implement classroom training programs for building owners, tenants and homeowners regarding fire safety.
(6) Annual Fire Inspection. All Level I, II, and III buildings shall be inspected annually by the chief or their designee for compliance with the requirements of this section.
(7) Fire Safety Evaluation. In addition to the annual fire inspections, Level III buildings shall be evaluated for fire safety utilizing the fire safety matrix. Each Level III building shall achieve a minimum of 80 points on the matrix within 10 years of the date the ordinance codified in this chapter is adopted. A comprehensive review of all Level III building evaluations will be conducted by the fire safety advisory committee. During that review the chief shall determine if Level III buildings not meeting the 80 points criteria are a distinct hazard to life or property. If the chief determines a building to be a distinct hazard, they shall take action pursuant to the dangerous buildings code in this title to have the building repaired, rehabilitated, demolished or removed.
(8) Certificate of Compliance. The chief in consultation with the fire authority, shall provide a certificate of compliance for all Level I and II buildings inspected and determined to be in compliance with this chapter. All Level III buildings must meet all requirements of this section, including the requirements to achieve a score of at least 80 points in the fire safety evaluation performed pursuant to subsection (7) of this section, in order to receive a certificate of compliance.
(9) Notification to Property Owners. The fire authority will design and implement a process to notify property owners in a timely manner regarding fire calls resulting from property damage or injury on their property.
(10) Automatic Fire Sprinklers. Automatic fire sprinklers shall be installed in all Group R, Division 1 buildings that contain 10 or more dwelling units when, within a three-year period, there has been damage to the building that exceeds 50 percent of the assessed value of the building, or the building has been remodeled to an extent that exceeds 50 percent of the assessed value of the building.
(11) Fire Alarm Systems.
(a) An approved fire alarm system “nonmonitored” shall be installed in all Level II buildings. The fire alarm system must be installed and operational on or before January 1, 2004. The city building official shall waive permit fees for alarm systems installed for compliance with this section.
(b) An approved “monitored” fire alarm system containing a heat detector within each dwelling unit shall be installed in all Level III buildings. The fire alarm system must be installed and operational on or before January 1, 2004. The city building official shall waive permit fees for alarm systems installed for compliance with this section. (Ord. 017-23 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 019-17 § 18 (Exh. 1)).
20.206.040 Appeals.
The Port Orchard building code board of appeals is the designated board of appeals for this chapter. Guided by Section 103 of the International Fire Code, the board of appeals shall determine the suitability of alternate materials and/or methods and provide for reasonable interpretations of the provisions of this chapter. The chief shall be notified of all appeals under this chapter. On request by the board of appeals, the fire marshal shall review appeals and provide recommendations thereon to the board of appeals. (Ord. 010-18 § 36; Ord. 019-17 § 18 (Exh. 1)).
20.206.060 Enforcement.
A violation of POMC 20.206.030 shall be enforced in accordance with POMC 20.200.020 and 20.200.022. (Ord. 019-17 § 18 (Exh. 1)).