Chapter 20.05
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE OF FIRE ALARM, AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER, COMMERCIAL KITCHEN
EXTINGUISHING, AND EMERGENCY RESPONDER RADIO COVERAGE SYSTEMS

Sections:

20.05.010    Purpose.

20.05.020    Fire alarm and automatic sprinkler system requirements.

20.05.022    Commercial kitchen hood extinguishing system requirements.

20.05.025    Emergency responder radio coverage systems requirements.

20.05.030    Severability.

20.05.040    Violations – Penalties.

20.05.010 Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to specify the requirements for fire alarm, automatic sprinkler, commercial kitchen extinguishing, and emergency responder radio coverage systems, providing that degree of public safety which can reasonably be required.

A. The requirements contained in this chapter govern when such systems shall be installed and maintained on the premises and the occupancies as specified.

B. In the event of any conflict between this chapter and the provisions of the International Fire Code and the International Building Code, the most restrictive standards shall govern as determined by the fire code official. [Ord. 01-11 § 1.02; Ord. 17-20 § 1].

20.05.020 Fire alarm and automatic sprinkler system requirements.

A. Where Required. An approved fire alarm system and automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout all buildings constructed whose total floor area, or other requirements, meets or exceeds that listed in Table 20.05.020.

B. Exception. A fire barrier meeting the requirements of the International Building Code may be provided to divide buildings in excess of those square footages listed in Table 20.05.020.

C. Structures housing mixed occupancies when the sum of the ratios of actual area divided by allowable area (Table 20.05.020 for each occupancy) meets or exceeds one.

D. All fire alarm systems shall meet the requirements of RMC 20.06.070.

E. Required periodic testing and maintenance shall be conducted per the fixed-fire protection equipment testing standard. Documentation of required testing will be completed, in the method required by the fire code official, within 14 calendar days of completion.

F. Contact information for fire alarm and sprinkler systems shall include name, address, phone number and email address. Building owner(s) are responsible for maintaining current contact information. Last known address will be used for all testing requirement notifications. Failure to maintain current contact information, or failure to receive notices, does not relieve the building owner(s) of testing and compliance obligations.

G. Fire alarms and automatic fire sprinkler system alarms shall pass through a public safety answering point (PSAP) for Richland fire and emergency services. All fire alarm and automatic sprinkler alarm messages will be directed to the PSAP immediately and prior to any agency or individual being notified.

H. Where an NFPA 13D sprinkler system is required, it shall be an approved system, compliant with the city of Richland’s cross-connection control program, and without need for backflow prevention devices. An approved 13D sprinkler system shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 13D and IRC P2904, and shall meet the licensing requirements for installation of sprinkler systems in Chapter 18.270 RCW.

I. Any building which proposes an addition or change of use or change of occupancy where the existing building currently exceeds the square footage or occupant loads shown in this title and Table 20.05.020 and any building which will exceed the square footage or occupant loads shown in those tables after the proposed addition(s) shall comply with those requirements for fire alarms, fire sprinklers, and/or fire areas.

 

Table 20.05.020 

OCCUPANCY GROUP	OCCUPANCY DETAILS	FAS	FIRE ALARM REQUIREMENTS	CODE	FIRE SPRINKLER REQUIREMENTS	CODE
All (Except R3 and U)			IFC 907.2.12 – 907.7.3.2 may apply Floor > 25 feet above FD access > 20 sprinkler heads	IFC RMC IFC	IFC 903.2.11 – 903.2.12 may apply > 36 feet above FD access and > 30 occupants	IFC RMC
A1	Motion picture theaters, symphony/concert halls, theaters	2	≥ 300 occupants ≥ 4,500 SF ≥ 1,000 occupants –voice required	IFC RMC IFC	FA > 9,000 SF FA ≥ 300 occupants FA on floor other than level of discharge FA contains a multi-theater	RMC IFC IFC IFC
A2	Banquet halls, night clubs, taverns, bars, restaurants	2	≥ 100 occupants ≥ 4,500 SF ≥ 1,000 occupants – voice required	IFC RMC IFC	FA > 5,000 SF Nightclub – all FA ≥ 100 occupants FA on floor other than level of discharge	IFC WAC IFC IFC
A3	Churches, gyms, library	2	≥ 300 occupants ≥ 4,500 SF ≥ 1,000 occupants – voice required	IFC RMC IFC	FA > 9,000 SF > 300 occupant load FA on floor other than level of discharge	RMC IFC IFC
A4	Indoor sports viewing	2	≥ 300 occupants ≥ 4,500 SF ≥ 1,000 occupants – voice required	IFC RMC IFC	FA > 9,000 SF > 300 occupant load FA on floor other than level of discharge	RMC IFC IFC
A5	Outdoor sports viewing	2	≥ 300 occupants ≥ 1,000 occupants – voice required	IFC IFC	> 1,000 SF concession, retail, press box, other accessory use areas	IFC
B	Businesses – banks, barbers, clinics, > 12th grade education, labs, offices	2	≥ 6,000 SF ≥ 500 occupants > 100 occupants above or below exit level FA contains ambulatory health care facility	RMC IFC IFC IFC	≥ 12,000 SF	RMC
E	K-12 education	2	All	RMC	> 50 children Portable classroom cluster > 5,000 SF	WAC WAC
F1	Moderate hazard – appliances, bakeries, clothing, furniture, etc.	3	≥ 6,000 SF Two or more stories in height and Combined occupant load ≥ 500	RMC IFC IFC	≥ 12,000 SF FA FA > 3 stories above grade Woodworking operations > 2,500 SF	IFC IFC IFC
F2	Low hazard – beverages, brick, metal fabrication, etc.	2	≥ 9,000 SF Two or more stories in height and Combined occupant load ≥ 500	RMC IFC IFC	≥ 12,000 SF	RMC
H1	High hazard – explosives	4	All	RMC	All	IFC
H2	High hazard – combustibles & flammables	4	All	RMC	All	IFC
H3	High hazard – liquids	3	All	RMC	All	IFC
H4	Corrosives, toxics	2	All	RMC	All	IFC
H5	Semiconductor facilities	2	Any building containing this occupancy group	IFC	Any building containing this occupancy group	IFC
I1	Assisted living	2	All	RMC	Any building containing this occupancy group	IFC
I2	Hospital, nursing home	2	All	RMC	Any building containing this occupancy group	IFC
I3	Detention facilities	2	All	RMC	Any building containing this occupancy group	IFC
I4	Day care facilities any age < 24 hours > 5 persons	2	All	RMC	Any building containing this occupancy group	IFC
M	Retail, wholesale	2	≥ 6,000 SF ≥ 500 occupants ≥ 100 occupants above or below discharge	RMC IFC IFC	12,000 SF FA > 3 stories above grade Any upholstered furniture on display or sale All buildings as required by RMC Title 23	IFC IFC IFC IFC
R1	Hotels & motels (transient)	2	All Carbon monoxide	RMC WAC	Any building containing this occupancy group	IFC
R2	Apartments (non-transient)	2	All Carbon monoxide	RMC WAC	Any building containing this occupancy group	IFC
R3	Single-family, duplex, child care ≥ 5 persons < 24 hours	2	Single station smoke alarm Carbon monoxide	IFC WAC	Any building containing this occupancy group	WAC
S1	Moderate hazard – furniture, lumber, etc.	3	≥ 6,000 SF	RMC	≥ 12,000 SF FA > 3 stories above grade Storage of trucks and buses > 5,000 SF	IFC IFC IFC
	Repair garages	3	≥ 6,000 SF	RMC	≥ 12,000 SF 2 or more floors > 10,000 SF Repair garage vehicles in basement Commercial vehicle repair > 5,000 SF	IFC IFC IFC IFC
	Bulk tire storage	3	≥ 6,000 SF	RMC	≥ 12,000 SF	RMC
S2	Low hazard – parking garages, metal, glass	2	≥ 6,000 SF	RMC	All ≥ 12,000 SF Parking beneath other groups except R3 Commercial garage trucks or buses > 5,000 SF	RMC IFC IFC
U	Agriculture, towers, sheds	1	None		None

FAS = Fire area separation from IBC Table 707.3.9    RMC = Richland Municipal Code Title 20

FA = Fire Area    IFC = International Fire Code

SF = Square Feet    WAC = Chapter 51-54 Washington Administrative Code

[Ord. 01-11 § 1.02; Ord. 17-20 § 1].

20.05.022 Commercial kitchen hood extinguishing system requirements.

A. Where Required. An approved commercial kitchen extinguishing system hood shall be installed at or above all commercial cooking appliances and domestic cooking appliances used for commercial purposes that produce grease-laden vapors as required by IFC Code and Commentary Section 609.2.

B. Commercial cooking systems shall be operated, inspected and maintained in accordance with IFC Sections 609.3.1 through 609.3.4 and Chapter 11 of NFPA 96.

C. Required periodic testing and maintenance shall be conducted per the fixed-fire protection equipment testing standard. Documentation of required testing will be completed, in the method required by the fire code official, within 14 calendar days of completion.

D. Contact information for commercial kitchen hood extinguishing systems shall include name, address, phone number and email address. Building owner(s) are responsible for maintaining current contact information. Last known address will be used for all testing requirement notifications. Failure to maintain current contact information, or failure to receive notices, does not relieve the building owner(s) of testing and compliance obligations. [Ord. 17-20 § 1].

20.05.025 Emergency responder radio coverage systems requirements.

A. Where Required. All new buildings shall have approved radio coverage for emergency responders within the building based upon the jurisdiction’s existing public safety communication systems coverage levels at the exterior of the building. This section does not require improvement of existing public safety communication systems. Installation, maintenance and testing shall conform to the city of Richland’s emergency responder radio coverage standard.

B. Emergency responder radio coverage systems shall be operated, maintained and inspected in accordance with IFC Section 510 and city of Richland standards.

C. Required periodic testing and maintenance shall be conducted per the fixed-fire protection equipment testing standard. Documentation of required testing will be completed, in the method required by the fire code official, within 14 calendar days of completion.

D. Contact information for emergency responder radio coverage systems shall include name, address, phone number and email address. Building owner(s) are responsible for maintaining current contact information. Last known address will be used for all testing requirement notifications. Failure to maintain current contact information, or failure to receive notices, does not relieve the building owner(s) of testing and compliance obligations. [Ord. 17-20 § 1].

20.05.030 Severability.

The invalidity of any article, section, subsection, provision, clause or portion thereof, or the invalidity of the application thereof to any person or circumstance, shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this chapter or the validity of its application to other persons or circumstances. [Ord. 01-11 § 1.02; Ord. 17-20 § 1].

20.05.040 Violations – Penalties.

A. It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to violate any of the provisions of this chapter. Any person who has violated any provision of this chapter shall have committed a civil infraction subject to a civil penalty as set forth in RMC 10.02.050(E).

B. For any violation of a continuing nature, each day’s violation shall be considered a separate offense and shall subject the offender to the above penalties for each offense. [Ord. 01-11 § 1.02; Ord. 17-20 § 1].