Chapter 15.12
FIRE CODE
Sections:
15.12.010 International Fire Code and International Fire Code Standards.
15.12.030 Bureau of Fire Prevention – Created – Composition.
15.12.040 International Fire Code – Modification by Bureau Chief.
15.12.060 Committee to rule on permits.
15.12.070 Fire apparatus access roads/fire lanes.
15.12.080 Underground storage tank installation and removal – Permit required.
15.12.090 Model code inspection fees.
15.12.010 International Fire Code and International Fire Code Standards.
The editions of the International Fire Code and International Fire Code Standards indicated in SMC 15.02.010 are adopted. [Ord. 2077 § 3, 2004; Ord. 1469 § 5, 1984; 1956 Code § 7-302.]
15.12.020 Copy on file.
At least one copy of the adopted edition of the International Fire Code and the International Fire Code Standards shall be on file in the office of the City Clerk. [Ord. 2077 § 3, 2004; Ord. 1469 § 6, 1984; 1956 Code § 7-303.]
15.12.030 Bureau of Fire Prevention – Created – Composition.
A. The International Fire Code shall be enforced by the Bureau of Fire Prevention of the Fire Department of the City which is established and which shall be operated under the supervision of the Chief of the Fire Department.
B. The Chief of the Fire Department may detail such members of the Fire Department as inspectors as shall from time to time be necessary. The Chief of the Fire Department shall recommend to the City Manager the employment of technical inspectors who, when authorization is made, shall be selected through an examination to determine their fitness for the position. The examination shall be open to members and nonmembers of the Fire Department and appointments made after examination shall be for an indefinite term with removal only for cause. [Ord. 2077 § 3, 2004; 1956 Code § 7-304.]
15.12.040 International Fire Code – Modification by Bureau Chief.
The Chief of the Bureau of Fire Prevention shall have power to modify any of the provisions of the International Fire Code upon application in writing by the owner or lessee, or his duly authorized agent, when there are practical difficulties in the way of carrying out the strict letter of the code; provided, that the spirit of the code shall be observed, public safety secured, and substantial justice done. The particulars of such modification when granted or allowed and the decision of the Chief of the Bureau of Fire Prevention thereon shall be entered upon the records of the Fire Department and a signed copy furnished the applicant. [Ord. 2077 § 3, 2004; 1956 Code § 7-305.]
15.12.050 Appeals.
Whenever the Chief of the Fire Department shall disapprove an application or refuse to grant a license or permit applied for, or when it is claimed that the provisions of the code do not apply or that the true intent and meaning of the code have been misconstrued or wrongly interpreted, the applicant may appeal from the decision of the Chief of the Fire Department to the City Council within 30 days from the date of the Chief’s decision. [1956 Code § 7-306.]
15.12.060 Committee to rule on permits.
The City Manager, the Chief of the Fire Department, and the Chief of the Bureau of Fire Prevention shall act as a committee to determine and specify, after giving affected persons an opportunity to be heard, any new materials, processes or occupancies which shall require permits, in addition to those now enumerated in the code. The Chief of the Bureau of Fire Prevention shall post such list in a conspicuous place in his office and distribute copies thereof to interested persons. [1956 Code § 7-307.]
15.12.070 Fire apparatus access roads/fire lanes.
Fire apparatus access roads and fire lanes, as required pursuant to the International Fire Code, shall have curbs painted red and shall be marked and identified as required by the Fire Chief, including the following: Lanes shall be identified by posting signs stating “FIRE LANE – NO PARKING.” Signs shall be posted on or immediately next to the curb line, or on the building, as determined by the Fire Chief. Signs shall be 12 inches high and 18 inches wide and shall have letters and background of contrasting colors, readily readable from at least a distance of 50 feet. Signs shall be spaced not further than 50 feet apart and shall be placed at an appropriate height, as approved by the Fire Chief.
The Fire Chief and the Police Chief shall be jointly authorized to enforce the provisions prohibiting parking on fire apparatus access roads and fire lanes. [Ord. 1563 § 1, 1986; Ord. 1524 § 1, 1985.]
15.12.080 Underground storage tank installation and removal – Permit required.
A. A permit shall be obtained from the Public Works Department of the City of Sunnyside prior to installation, removal, abandonment, placing temporarily out of service or otherwise disposing of an underground flammable or combustible liquid storage tank.
B. The Building Official of the City of Sunnyside shall have authority to administer this section, including issuance of permits, denial of permits and conducting, or causing to be conducted, all necessary inspections to accomplish the purpose of this section.
C. The issuance of any permit under this section shall be subject to the following requirements and conditions:
1. The applicant shall provide documentation satisfactory to the City that the Washington State Department of Ecology has been notified of the impending tank installation, removal, abandonment, temporarily placement out of service, or other disposition of the underground storage tank.
2. The applicant shall provide the name of the contractor and shall require that the contractor have a current City of Sunnyside business license.
3. The applicant shall agree to abide by all of the requirements of the International Fire Code for the installation, removal, abandonment, temporary placement out of service, or other disposition of said underground storage tank, and the requirements of Chapter 90.76 RCW and applicable federal Environmental Protection Agency regulations administered by the State of Washington Department of Ecology.
4. Stockpiling of material to be used to fill any excavation may remain on site for the specific period of time determined appropriate by the City of Sunnyside at the time of permit issuance.
5. Applicant shall securely cover all stockpiled fill material with plastic or other similar material satisfactory to the City, to prevent erosion of the material.
6. Aeration of contaminated soil removed from any excavation shall not occur within the City limits.
7. Any contaminated soils removed from the excavation site shall be removed prior to removal of excavation equipment from the job site.
8. Prior to the start of excavation, and until restoration of the excavation site, applicant shall erect and maintain a four-foot nylon fence or other barricade satisfactory to the City around the perimeter of the excavation site.
9. Applicant shall attach, or cause to be attached, appropriate warning signs to the fencing on all four sides, which state “DANGER” or other appropriate warning describing the existence of the excavation and excavation work in progress. Such signs shall be maintained by applicant until the excavation site is restored.
10. Applicant shall adhere to all Washington State Labor and Industry Safety regulations.
11. The Building Official may establish any further condition for issuance of any permit under this section deemed necessary and appropriate to protect the health, safety and welfare of the residents of the City of Sunnyside. The Building Official may grant a variance or variances from the conditions stated in this subsection (C) if the Building Official finds that such variance is in the best interest of the residents of the City of Sunnyside and that the applicant will implement procedures and processes, including dust abatement procedures and processes, approved by the Building Official to mitigate or eliminate environmental and safety hazards; provided, that any variance to allow aeration or contaminated soil from any excavation shall only be granted if appropriate to allow such aeration solely within the M-1, Light Industrial zone or the M-2, Heavy Industrial zone within the City.
D. Applicant shall pay a permit fee in the amount of $50.00.
E. The duration of the permit shall be set at the time of the issuance of the permit.
F. Violation of this section shall subject the violating party or parties to a civil penalty not to exceed $1,500. [Ord. 1847 § 1, 1994; Ord. 1810 § 1, 1993.]
15.12.090 Model code inspection fees.
A. Whenever any permit is required by the Fire Code, such permit shall be in addition to all other permits or licenses required by law or other ordinance.
B. Permit fees for permits required under IFC Section 105.7 shall be established in Chapter 2.02 SMC, Schedule of Fees. [Ord. 2018-10 §§ 2(A), 2(B), 2018.]