Chapter 15.22 AMENDMENTS TO INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE

Notwithstanding the definitions contained in the International Fire Code adopted by reference in this chapter and except as otherwise provided in this chapter, all references in the provisions of such code to the “jurisdiction” shall be construed as the city of Wapato, references to the “administrator” shall be construed as the mayor of Wapato, references to the “chief or fire code official” shall be construed as the Wapato fire chief, references to the “Fire Protection Bureau” shall be construed as the Wapato fire department which is actively assigned duties of administering and enforcing the provisions of the International Fire Code adopted by this chapter. (Ord. 1142(part), 2006)

15.22.030 Enforcement and administration.

A. The Wapato fire department and its chief and his designees are hereby appointed and designated as the division and official responsible for the enforcement and administration of this chapter.

B. RCW 19.27.110 provides that the adoption of any International Fire Code is not intended to grant cities any more authority to suppress or extinguish fires than that which is currently possessed.

C. Exclusive enforcement and administration of the provisions of the International Fire Code adopted by this chapter is vested in the city of Wapato and its personnel, except by agreement with other regulatory agencies.

D. Amendment to Section 104.2, Applications and permits. Section 104.2.1 is hereby added as follows:

The Fire Department shall inspect ANNUALLY, or as often as necessary, buildings and premises, including such other hazards or appliances designated by the chief for the purpose of ascertaining and causing to be corrected any conditions which would reasonably tend to cause fire or contribute to its spread, or any violation of the purpose or provisions of this code and of any other law or standard affecting fire safety. PROVIDED that this section shall not apply to existing structures used for temporary storage and processing of fruits or vegetables of the tree or vine for a period not to exceed 45 days in any twelve consecutive months. This section shall not limit the code official from inspecting such facilities under construction.

(Ord. 1142(part), 2006)

15.22.040 Authority at fires or other emergencies.

Sections 104.11, 104.11.1, 104.11.2, and 104.11.3 of the International Fire Code, 2003 Edition, pertaining to authority at the scene of any hazardous fire or other emergency involving the protection of life and property are hereby ratified and adopted as general fire safety provisions to safeguard the general public health, safety and welfare. For purposes of the application and enforcement of the above referenced provisions, the term “fire department” shall refer to the fire protection districts with jurisdiction, the terms “chief” or “officer of the fire department” shall be construed as referring to the appropriate official of such fire protection district. (Ord. 1142(part), 2006)

15.22.050 Amendments to Section 105--Permits.

Sections 105.1, 105.3.1, 105.4.1.1, 105.6.48, 105.7.13, 105.8.1, 105.8.2, and 105.8.3 of the International Fire Code are hereby amended, modified, or added as follows:

105.1 General. A permit constitutes permission to maintain or use structures regulated by this code, to maintain, store, use or handle materials; to conduct processes which produce conditions hazardous to life or property; or to install equipment used in connection with such activities. Such permission shall not be construed as authority to violate, cancel or set aside any of the provisions of this code. Such permit shall not take the place of any license required by law.

105.3.1 Expiration. Permits issued under Section 105.6.48 shall expire one year from the date of either the certificate of occupancy or annual certificate of occupancy.

105.4.1.1 Deferred submittals. For the purposes of this section, deferred submittals are defined as those portions of the design that are not submitted at the time of application and that are to be submitted to the fire code official within a specified period. Deferral of any submittal items shall have prior approval of the fire code official. The architect or engineer of record shall list the deferred submittals on the plans and shall submit the deferred submittal documents for review by the fire marshal. Submittal documents for deferred submittal items shall be submitted to the architect or engineer of record who shall review them and forward them to the fire marshal with a notation indicating that the deferred submittal documents have been reviewed and that they have been found to be in general conformance with the design of the building. The deferred submittal items shall not be installed until their design and submittal documents have been approved by the fire marshal.

105.6.48 Uses or structures. An operational permit is required for any existing structure or portion thereof used or maintained as an occupancy regulated by the provisions of this code.

Exception: Group R, Division 3 and Group U Occupancies when approved by the fire code official.

105.7.13 Uses or structures. A construction permit is required for any new structure or portion thereof used or maintained as an occupancy regulated by the provisions of this code.

Exception: Group R, Division 3 and Group U Occupancies when approved by the fire code official.

105.8.1 Investigation. Whenever any work for which a permit is required by this code has been commenced without first obtaining said permit, a special investigation shall be made before a permit may be issued for such work.

105.8.2 Fee. An investigation fee, in addition to the permit fee, shall be collected whether or not a permit is then or subsequently issued. The investigation fee shall be equal to the amount of the permit fee required by this code. The minimum investigation fee shall be the same as the fee set forth in Chapter 15.40 of the Wapato Municipal Code. The payment of such investigation fee shall not exempt any person from compliance with all other provisions of this code nor from any penalty prescribed by law.

105.8.3 Fee refunds. The fire code official may authorize refunding of any fee paid hereunder which was erroneously paid or collected. The fire code official may authorize refunding of not more than 80 percent of the permit fee paid when no work has been done under a permit issued in accordance with this code. The fire code official may authorize refunding of not more than 80 percent of the plan review fee paid when an application for a permit for which a plan review has been paid is withdrawn or canceled before any plan reviewing is done. The fire code official shall not authorize refunding of any fee paid except on written application filed by the original permittee not later than 180 days after the date of fee payment

(Ord. 1142(part), 2006)

15.22.060 Amendments to Chapter 1, Section 108.1, General.

Section 108.1 of the International Fire Code, 2003 Edition, is amended as follows:

108.1 General. The board of appeals created in Section 112 of the International Building Code as amended in Wapato Municipal Code 15.08.060 shall hear and decide appeals of orders, decisions or determinations made by the fire code official relative to the application and interpretation of this code. The fire code official shall be an ex-officio member of said board but shall have no vote on any matter before the board. The board shall follow the rules of procedure for conducting its business set forth in Section 112 of the International Building Code as amended in Wapato Municipal Code 15.08.060, and shall render all decisions and findings in writing to the appellant with a duplicate copy to the fire code official.

(Ord. 1142(part), 2006)

15.22.070 Amendment to Chapter 1, Administration, to add Section 112, Certificate of Occupancy.

Chapter 1 of the International Fire Code, 2003 Edition, is amended by the addition of Section 112, Certificate of occupancy, as follows:

Section 112 Certificate of Occupancy.

112.1. Use and occupancy. No building or structure shall be used or occupied, and no change in the existing occupancy classification of a building or structure or portion thereof shall be made until the fire code official has issued a certificate of occupancy therefor as provided herein. EXCEPTION: Group R, Division 3 and Group U Occupancies when approved by the fire marshal. Issuance of a certificate of occupancy shall not be construed as an approval of a violation of the provisions of this code or of other ordinances of the jurisdiction. Certificates presuming to give authority to violate the provisions of this code or other ordinances of the jurisdiction shall not be valid.

112.2. Expiration. A certificate of occupancy shall expire one year from the date of issuance.

112.3. Annual certificate of occupancy. An annual certificate of occupancy shall be required for all structures permitted in Section 105.6.48.

112.4. Certificate issued. After the fire code official inspects the building or structure and finds no violations of the provisions of this code or other laws that are enforced by the code enforcement agency, the fire official shall issue either a certificate of occupancy or annual certificate of occupancy, whichever is deemed appropriate.

(Ord. 1142(part), 2006)

15.22.080 Amendment to Chapter 51-54 WAC--Fire Apparatus Access Roads.

Section 503.1 of the International Fire Code, 2003 Edition, as amended by Chapter 51-54 WAC, is hereby amended, as authorized by RCW 19.27.060(b)(5), as follows:

503.1. Where required. Fire apparatus access roads shall be provided and maintained in accordance with locally adopted street, road, and access standards. Sections 503.1.1 through 503.6 of the 2003 Edition of the International Fire Code shall serve as the locally adopted street, road, and access standards for the City of Wapato with regard to fire apparatus access.

(Ord. 1142(part), 2006)

15.22.085 Amendment to Chapter 51-54 WAC--Fire Apparatus Access Roads.

Section 503.1.1 through 503.4 of the International Fire Code, 2003 Edition, as amended by Chapter 51-54 WAC, is hereby amended, as authorized by RCW 19.27.060(b)(5), as follows:

503.1.1 Buildings and facilities. Approved fire apparatus access roads shall be provided for every facility, building or portion of a building hereafter constructed or moved into or within the jurisdiction. The fire apparatus access road shall comply with the requirements of this section and shall extend to within 150 feet (45,720 mm) of all portions of the facility and all portions of the exterior walls of the first story of the building as measured by an approved route around the exterior of the building or facility.

Exception: The fire code official is authorized to increase the dimension of 150 feet (45,720 mm) where:

1. The building is equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, 903.3.1.2 or 903.3.1.3.

2. Fire apparatus access roads cannot be installed because of location on property, topography, waterways, nonnegotiable grades or other similar conditions, and an approved alternative means of fire protection is provided.

3. There are not more than two Group R-3 or Group U occupancies.

503.1.2 Additional access. The fire code official is authorized to require more than one fire apparatus access road based on the potential for impairment of a single road by vehicle congestion, condition of terrain, climatic conditions or other factors that could limit access.

503.1.3 High-piled storage. Fire department vehicle access to buildings used for high-piled combustible storage shall comply with the applicable provisions of Chapter 23.

503.2 Specifications. Fire apparatus access roads shall be installed and arranged in accordance with Sections 503.2.1 through 503.2.7.

503.2.1 Dimensions. Fire apparatus access roads shall have an unobstructed width of not less than 20 feet (6096 mm), except for approved security gates in accordance with Section 503.6, and an unobstructed vertical clearance of not less than 13 feet 6 inches (4,115 mm).

503.2.2 Authority. The fire code official shall have the authority to require an increase in the minimum access widths where they are inadequate for fire or rescue operations.

503.2.3 Surface. Fire apparatus access roads shall be designed and maintained to support the imposed loads of fire apparatus and shall be surfaced so as to provide all-weather driving capabilities.

503.2.4 Turning radius. The required mining radius of a fire apparatus access road shall be determined by the fire code official.

503.2.5 Dead ends. Dead-end fire apparatus access roads in excess of 150 feet (45,720 mm) in length shall be provided with an approved area for turning around fire apparatus.

503.2.6 Bridges and elevated surfaces. Where a bridge or an elevated surface is part of a fire apparatus access road, the bridge shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with AASHTO Standard Specification for Highway Bridges. Bridges and elevated surfaces shall be designed for a live load sufficient to carry the imposed loads of fire apparatus. Vehicle load limits shall be posted at both entrances to bridges when required by the fire code official. Where elevated surfaces designed for emergency vehicle use are adjacent to surfaces which are not designed for such use, approved barriers, approved signs or both shall be installed and maintained when required by the fire code official.

503.2.7 Grade. The grade of the fire apparatus access road shall be within the limits established by the fire code official based on the fire department’s apparatus.

503.3 Marking. Where required by the fire code official, approved signs or other approved notices shall be provided for fire apparatus access roads to identify such roads or prohibit the obstruction thereof. Signs or notices shall be maintained in a clean and legible condition at all times and be replaced or repaired when necessary to provide adequate visibility.

503.4 Obstruction of fire apparatus access roads. Fire apparatus access roads shall not be obstructed in any manner, including the parking of vehicles. The minimum widths and clearances established in Section 503.2.1 shall be maintained at all times.

(Ord. 1142(part), 2006)

15.22.090 Amendments to Sections 508.1, 508.2, and 508.5.2--Fire protection water supplies.

Section 508.1 of the International Fire Code, 2003 Edition, is hereby amended as follows:

508.1 Required water supply. An approved water supply capable of supplying the required fire flow for fire protection shall be provided to all premises upon which facilities, buildings or portions of buildings are hereafter constructed or moved into or within the jurisdiction.

PROVIDED, this section shall not apply where Group R, Division 3 or U occupancies as defined and regulated in the International Building Code, 2003 Edition, are located in (1) RURAL AREAS: lots greater than 1/3 acre up to 8 lots maximum or no more than 4 lots are created; and (2) URBAN AREAS: no more than 2 lots are created.

Section 508.2 of the International Fire Code, 2003 Edition, is hereby amended as follows:

508.2 Type of water supply. A water supply shall consist of reservoirs, pressure tanks, elevated tanks, water mains or other fixed systems as approved by the fire code official, capable of providing the required fire flow; PROVIDED, properties located within the Yakima County Urban Area boundaries shall have fire hydrants installed when an approved water system is available within 1,000′ of nearest property line.

Section 508.5.2 of the International Fire Code, 2003 Edition, is hereby amended as follows:

Section 508.5.2 Inspection, testing and maintenance. Fire hydrant systems and required water supply systems for fire protection shall be subject to such periodic tests as required by the fire code official. Fire hydrant systems and required water supply systems for fire protection shall be maintained in an operative condition at all times and shall be repaired where defective. Additions, repairs, alterations and servicing shall be in accordance with approved standards.

(Ord. 1142(part), 2006)

15.22.110 Amendment to Section 315.3, Outside storage.

Section 315.3 of the International Fire Code, 2003 Edition, is hereby amended as follows:

315.3.3 Storage of combustible fruit and vegetable containers. Storage of combustible fruit and vegetable containers shall comply with Section 315.3.3.1 through 315.3.3.4.

315.3.3.1 Distance from structures and property lines. All stacks of combustible material shall be at least fifty (50) feet from any building, loading dock or other wood frame structure, provided however, that distance may be reduced to no less than thirty (30) feet from a structure of masonry construction where no building exits face the stacking area and a minimum of 10′ from a property line is maintained.

315.3.3.2 Access widths.

1. A minimum five (5) foot access way surrounding the stack of combustible material shall be maintained where the stack of material fronts on a public street, alley, or railroad spur. A five (5) foot horizontal clearance shall also be maintained when stacking near any electrical and telephone poles and utility wires.

2. The minimum access way which shall surround the stack of combustible material and be maintained around the entire stack where not fronting on a public right-of-way, street, alley, or railroad spur is as follows:

a. Fifteen (15) foot access where the stack of combustible material does not exceed 1,000 bins.

b. Twenty (20)-foot access where the stack of combustible material does not exceed one thousand five hundred bins.

c. Twenty-five (25)-foot access where the stack of combustible material does not exceed two thousand bins.

d. Thirty (30) foot access where the stack of combustible material exceeds two thousand bins.

3. A minimum fifteen (15) foot clearance shall be maintained between any fire hydrant and a stack of combustible material.

4. The storage of liquid propane gas tanks shall comply with the International Fire Code. The minimum distance between a combustible material stack and a tank that will hold five hundred (500) water gallons is ten (10) feet. Protective barriers shall protect such tanks subject to damage from forklift trucks or other vehicles.

5. Any access way shall be kept free of any obstruction or other combustible material at all times.

315.3.3.3 Dimensions of combustible material stacks.

1. A stack of combustible material shall not exceed twenty-five (25) feet in height.

2. A stack of combustible material shall not exceed seventy (70) feet in length without access ways described above.

315.3.3.4 Exemptions. Combustible material piled as a result of daily operational use shall not be subject to the standards set forth above; provided, stacks shall not exceed seventeen (17) feet in height and/or create an immediate and distinct fire hazard as determined by the Fire Code Official. An approved hydrant and/or hose system suitable for the fire hazard involved shall be provided.

(Ord. 1142(part), 2006)

15.22.115 Amendment to Section 2702.1, Definitions--System.

The definition of the term “SYSTEM” shown in Section 2702.1 of the International Fire Code, 2003 Edition, is hereby amended as follows:

SYSTEM. An assembly of equipment consisting of a tank, container or containers, appurtenances, pumps, compressors and connecting piping.

(Ord. 1142(part), 2006)

15.22.120 Permit requirements and fees.

There shall be a fee as established in Section 15.40.060 for all permits required by Section 105.6 and 105.7.7 of this code. Permits required by Section 105.6.48 shall be referred to as “fire and life safety permits.” Fees for fire and life safety permits shall be as established in Chapter 15.40. (Ord. 1142(part), 2006)

15.22.130 Fire alarm and fire protection--System permit requirements and fees.

There shall be a fee as established in Chapter 15.40 for all permits required by Sections 105.7.1, 105.7.3, 105.7.4, 105.7.9, 105.7.10, and 105.7.11.

These permits include, but are not limited to, the installation, addition, or modification of automatic fire extinguishing systems, fire alarm systems and fire flow systems. (Ord. 1142(part), 2006)

15.22.140 Flammable and combustible liquid storage tanks, compressed gas tanks, temporary membrane structures, tents and canopies, and hazardous materials permit requirements and fees.

There shall be a fee as established in Chapter 15.40 for all permits required by Sections 105.7.2, 105.7.5, 105.7.6, 105.7.8, and 105.7.12.

These permits include, but are not limited to, the installation or removal of flammable and combustible liquid storage tanks, LP gas tanks, compressed gas tanks, temporary membrane structures, tents and canopies and hazardous materials. (Ord. 1142(part), 2006)