Chapter 15.86
FIRE CODE
Sections:
15.86.010 Uniform Fire Code adopted.
15.86.030 Fire chief approval prior to issuance of permits.
15.86.040 Hydrants to be served by city of South Bend.
15.86.060 Piping and flow standards.
15.86.070 Plan approval required.
15.86.090 Waiver and modification.
15.86.100 Obstruction prohibited.
15.86.010 Uniform Fire Code adopted.
The model codes listed below, as approved and adopted by the State Building Code Council (SBCC), together with any amendments or additions, are hereby adopted by this reference. The Uniform Fire Code applies to all new construction, remodeling, or repairs. Copies of the Uniform Fire Code are on file in the offices of the city clerk-treasurer and the building inspector.
A. Uniform Fire Code (UFC) and Standards;
B. Uniform Fire Code Appendix Chapter 11-B (Protection of Flammable and Combustible Liquid Tanks in Locations Subject to Flooding); and
C. Uniform Fire Code Appendix Chapter 11-F (Protected Aboveground Tanks for Motor Vehicle Fuel-Dispensing Stations Outside Buildings). (Ord. 1222 § 1, 1997).
15.86.020 Applicability.
A. The provisions of this chapter apply to all commercial buildings constructed or developed within the city limits, when the buildings will be served by water mains and fire hydrants capable of delivering the required fire, unless specifically exempted by this chapter, or unless waived or modified by the fire chief pursuant to SBMC 15.86.090.
B. Decisions of the fire chief are considered to be made in the best interest, and with the concurrence, of an affected fire district in the absence of any credible evidence to the contrary. (Ord. 1222 § 1, 1997).
15.86.030 Fire chief approval prior to issuance of permits.
No permit subject to this chapter will receive final approval until the fire chief has verified that the provisions of this chapter are satisfied. (Ord. 1222 § 1, 1997).
15.86.040 Hydrants to be served by city of South Bend.
All water mains and fire hydrants required by this chapter must be served by the city of South Bend water system. (Ord. 1222 § 1, 1997).
15.86.050 Hydrant standards.
Every development must include a system of fire hydrants sufficient to provide adequate fire protection for the buildings located or intended to be located within the development. The following hydrant standards apply unless waived or modified pursuant to SBMC 15.86.090:
A. Any new hydrant installations must comply with the most recent edition of the document entitled the City of South Bend Standard Plans and Specifications for Public Works Construction.
B. Spacing.
1. Within areas exclusively developed for residential occupancy, maximum distance from a fire hydrant to an access point of any lot is 300 feet along a roadway.
2. The maximum distance between hydrants in residential areas is no greater than 600 feet.
3. For all other occupancy types, the maximum distance from a fire hydrant to the access point of the lot is 150 feet along a roadway.
4. When any portion of a commercial building is more than 150 feet from the water supply on a public street and when required by the fire chief, on-site fire hydrants and mains capable of supplying the required fire flow must be provided. Water supply may consist of reservoirs, pressure tanks, elevator tanks, water mains, or other fixed systems capable of supplying the required fire flow as approved by the fire chief and city.
C. Location.
1. Whenever possible, hydrants must be located at street intersections; provided, that when such location results in spacing distances greater than allowed by this chapter, additional hydrants may be required between intersections; provided further, that when the required fire flow is greater than 2,500 GPM, the number and location of hydrants will be determined by the city and approved by the fire chief.
2. Fire apparatus access roads must be provided and maintained in accordance with the most recent edition of the standards listed in SBMC 15.76.260.
3. When fire protection facilities are installed by the developer pursuant to Section 901.3 of the UFC, the facilities must be installed before any combustible construction is installed on-site.
4. Water mains and fire hydrants must be capable of delivering the required fire flow to the site and will remain the responsibility of the developer until accepted by the city.
5. When alternate provisions are provided pursuant to SBMC 15.86.090, the above requirements may be waived or modified.
6. When locating hydrants, consideration will be given to hazardous operations and the practicality of sound fire service practices (fences, roadways, barriers to operation, etc.); the recommended location preferred by the city; and the required 10-foot vehicle clear zone on each side of each hydrant.
D. Additional Location Requirements for Commercial Buildings.
1. The minimum number of public and private hydrants required will be determined by dividing the required fire flow for the building by 1,500.
2. Hydrants may be located no closer than 50 feet to and no more than 300 feet from a building.
3. No hydrant may be located more than 150 feet from a sprinkler or standpipe connection.
E. Installation.
1. Hydrants must stand plumb and be set to the finished grade.
2. The bottom of the lowest outlet of the hydrant must be no less than 12 inches above the grade.
3. There must be a 36-inch radius of clear area about the hydrant for the operation of a hydrant wrench on the outlets and the control valve.
4. The pumper port must face the street or, where the street cannot be clearly identified, must face the most likely location of a fire truck while pumping, as determined by the fire chief.
F. Fire hydrants must be protected from damage.
1. Internal maintenance of public fire hydrants is the responsibility of the city.
2. Private hydrants must be protected and maintained in accordance with the Uniform Fire Code. (Ord. 1222 § 1, 1997).
15.86.060 Piping and flow standards.
The following standards relating to water mains, hydrant branches, and fire flow apply to all new development in the city unless waived or modified, pursuant to SBMC 15.86.090:
A. Hydrant branches must not have a domestic supply outlet and must meet the design standards of the city (see Chapter 15.76 SBMC).
B. New or replaced water mains serving fire hydrants must meet the design standards of the city (see Chapter 15.76 SBMC).
C. Flow Requirements.
1. Service mains supplying hydrants must be designed to provide not less than 500 GPM at 20 pounds per square inch (20 psi) residual pressure over and above the computed maximum daily domestic consumption for the period of time specified in the Washington Survey and Rating Bureau’s Grading Schedule, Table 4.
2. Service mains supplying hydrants must provide the fire flow required to each building covered at the number of gallons per minute specified in UFC Appendix IIIA, except as to single dwellings. The fire chief may require construction in compliance with design from a registered professional engineer in order to assure that the required fire flow will be achieved. (Ord. 1222 § 1, 1997).
15.86.070 Plan approval required.
A. Before any new hydrants or mains serving hydrants are installed, the developer must provide plans that are prepared, stamped, and acknowledged by a licensed engineer for review by the city.
B. Upon completed installation and acceptance by the city, the developer must give the fire chief two copies of the accurate and identifiable as-built drawings or plans showing the location of all mains, hydrant branches, valves, and fire hydrants installed. (Ord. 1222 § 1, 1997).
15.86.080 Plan review.
A. The fire chief must certify that the plans have been reviewed before a development permit for any new or substantially-altered commercial building, plat development, or residential complex is issued.
B. If the plans are in compliance with this chapter, a notice of approval for issuance of a building permit will be forwarded to the building inspector. The approval will be based on the provisions of this chapter being satisfied before the start of any construction. (Ord. 1222 § 1, 1997).
15.86.090 Waiver and modification.
A. Subject to acceptance by the city, the fire chief may grant a waiver or modification to the standards contained in SBMC 15.86.050 and 15.86.060 if:
1. Strict compliance with the standards would create a substantial hardship on the applicant; and
2. A waiver or modification does not result in inadequate fire protection.
B. Waivers or modifications must:
1. Be in writing;
2. State the reasons for the waiver or modification; and
3. Be provided to the fire district that has jurisdiction over the project. (Ord. 1222 § 1, 1997).
15.86.100 Obstruction prohibited.
A. Obstructing the view of a fire hydrant by any means for a distance of 50 feet from any direction of vehicular approach is prohibited.
B. Any violation of this section is declared a public nuisance, subject to immediate abatement and subject to SBMC 15.02.130. (Ord. 1222 § 1, 1997).