City of Glendale AZ, Amendments to The Ordinances Relating to Fire Code and Fire Sprinklers

Shared for feedback by City Manager's Office

The following is a draft of proposed amendments to city ordinances to reflect the adoption of the 2018 International Fire Code and City of Glendale Sprinkler System Ordinance. We are seeking public feedback and comment on the proposed changes through February 9, 2018.

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City of Glendale AZ, Amendments to The Ordinances Relating to Fire Code and Fire Sprinklers

Section 101.1 is hereby amended to read as follows: 101.1 Title. This regulation shall be known as the Glendale Fire Code, may be cited as such and will be referred to herein as “this code”. Reason: This amendment establishes the title of the 2018 International Fire Code as required by code.

Section 104.12 is hereby added to read as follows: 104.12 Fees. The Fire Chief is authorized to establish and collect, with the approval of the City Council, any amount established by resolution or pursuant to the Code of the City of Glendale section 2-3, fees for any or all inspections or operational services authorized by the Code of the City of Glendale or this code. Permit and inspections fees and other operational fees of the Fire Department may be determined by the Fire Chief or his or her designee and established by resolution of the City Council or pursuant to Glendale City Code section 2-3. Reason: This amendment allows the Fire Chief to establish and collect fees for fire prevention services. Nothing in this amendment is intended to subjugate the required city council approval process.

Section 105.6.30 is hereby amended to read as follows: 105.6.30 Mobile Food Preparation Vehicles. A permit is required for mobile food preparation vehicles, at public and private events, equipped with appliances that produce smoke or grease-laden vapors. Reason: This amendment clarifies that only mobile food trucks associated with an event must be permitted and inspected. The goal is to eliminate the inference that all food trucks operating within the city must be permitted and inspected.

Section 109 is hereby deleted in its entirety. Reason: This amendment removes the requirement to establish a formal Board of Appeals.

Section 110.4 is hereby amended to read as follows: 110.4 Violation Penalties. Persons who shall violate a provision of this Code or shall fail to comply with any of the requirements thereof or who shall erect, install, alter, repair or do work in violation of the approved construction documents or directive of the Fire Code Official, or of a permit or certificate used under provisions of this Code, shall be a Class 1 misdemeanor and punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor under state law. Each day any violation of any provision of this Code or of any ordinance shall continue shall constitute a separate offense. Reason: This amendment establishes the specific offense for violating the fire code and provide punitive recommendations.

Section 112.4 is hereby amended to read as follows: 112.4 Failure to Comply. Any person who shall continue any work after having been served with a stop work order, except such work as that person is directed to perform to remove a violation or unsafe condition, shall be assessed a fee in accordance with the fees established by council resolution for operating without a permit. Reason: The amendment clarifies the fines and/or fees for failing to comply with fire code requirements.

Section 307.4.4 is hereby added to read as follows: 307.4.4. Permanent Outdoor Fireplace – Public Areas. Permanent, public outdoor fireplaces shall be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and shall not be operated within 15 feet of structures or combustible materials. Reason: This amendment addresses the lack of regulation regarding outdoor fireplaces in public areas. Current code is silent on this topic, and this section provides direction as to installation in a public setting.

Section 503.1.4 is hereby added to read as follows: 503.1.4 Storage Yards. An approved fire apparatus access road shall be provided to within 150 feet of all new and existing, outdoor storage areas. This includes, but is not limited to, storage piles throughout automotive wrecking yards, junkyards, and recycling facilities. Reason: This amendment is added to provide the fire department with sufficient access to enable efficient fire suppression and rescue operations. This section is intended to limit the maximum length of hose needed to reach any point throughout storage yards.

Section 503.6.1 is hereby added to read as follows: 503.6.1 Gated Communities. The Gates across fire apparatus access roads at residential and commercial gated community main entrances, and where required by the Fire Code Official, shall be electric and shall be provided with approved preemption controls, a Knox key switch and a manual release. Manual or electric gates at locations other than the main entrance to gated communities shall be equipped with a Knox key switch and manual release or a Knox lock as applicable. Reason: This amendment address access through electric gates at gated communities. Emergency responder access to residential or commercial gated communities is a life safety and time sensitive concern. Ensuring that gated communities include an electric gate at their main entrance will provide for the most expedient response.

Section 504.4 is hereby added to read as follows: 504.4 Roof Top Barriers and Parapets. No person shall install any security barrier, visual screen barrier, or other obstruction on the roof of any building in such a manner as to obstruct firefighter ingress or egress in the event of an emergency. Parapets shall not exceed 48 inches on at least two sides of a building that is accessible to ground ladders. Reason: This amendment is added to limit the height of parapets that obstruct responder access onto roofs and prevent or hinder access for firefighting operations.

Section 505.1 is hereby amended to read as follows: 505.1 Address Identification. New and existing buildings shall have approved illuminated address numbers, building numbers or approved illuminated building identification placed in a position from left to right that is plainly legible and visible from the street or road fronting the property with a maximum height of 20ft. These numbers shall contrast with their background. Address numbers shall be Arabic numerals or alphabet letters. Multiple Commercial buildings under one address those buildings not labeled with address number shall be a minimum of 12” (304.8mm) high. Commercial units within a building shall be a minimum of 6 inches (152 mm) high to include the rear of units. Exterior Residential Individual unit or suite numbers shall be a minimum of 4 inches (102 mm) high. Interior Residential Individual unit or suite numbers shall be a minimum of 2 inches (609.6mm) high. One and two family dwelling shall be a minimum of 4 inches (102 mm) high. Where access is by means of a private road and the building cannot be viewed from the public way, a monument, or other sign or means shall be used to identify the structure. Address numbers shall be maintained. Address and building numbers for commercial properties shall be as follows:

  1. 100ft or less setback from addressed street curb – 8”
  2. 101ft – 150ft setback from addressed street curb – 10”
  3. 151ft – 200ft setback from addressed street curb – 12”
  4. 201ft or greater setback from addressed street curb – Permanent sign that is not more than 50ft from the street curb. Reason: This amendment requires that the road or driveway giving access to structures be marked to assist emergency responders in promptly identifying addresses and locating buildings and suites.

Section 505.3 is hereby added to read as follows: 505.3 Graphic Directories. Approved illuminated, all weather graphic directories shall be provided at all driveway entrances for every multiple family dwelling development, mobile home park and commercial development as required by the Fire Code Official. Such directories shall conform to the Glendale Fire Department standard for graphic directories.

  1. Communities containing 12 or fewer building require a minimum 3 by 3 feet site directory
  2. Communities containing 13 to 30 buildings require a minimum 4 by 4 feet site directory
  3. Communities containing 31 or more buildings require a minimum 5 by 5 feet site directory Reason: This amendment provides guidance on the sizing for site directories.

Section 901.4.2.1 is hereby added to read as follows: 901.4.2.1 Partial Protection Systems. Nonrequired systems providing partial protection shall not be recognized for exceptions or reductions permitted by other requirements of this code, the International Building Code, and the International Existing Building Code. Reason: This amendment clarifies that partial systems shall not be considered an “Approved” system as it applies to exceptions or reductions allowed by ICC codes.

902.901.4.2.2 Complete Protection Systems. Nonrequired systems providing complete protection that take advantage of any exception or reduction permitted by other requirements of this Code, the International Building Code, or the International Existing Building Code shall become required systems. Reason: This amendment clarifies that complete systems that take advantage of exceptions or reductions permitted by this code or other ICC codes, shall become required systems.

Section 903.2.13 is hereby added to read as follows: 903.2.13 New and Existing Building with Unknown Occupancy or Hazard Classification. Where new or existing buildings are constructed or remodeled with an interior ceiling/deck height exceeding 20 feet (6,096 mm) and the occupancy or hazard classification is unknown, the minimum fire sprinkler design density criteria shall be .495/2000 square feet. Reason: This amendment specifies the minimum AFES design density for all new or existing structure where the occupancy classification is not provided during construction or remodel projects.

Section 903.3.9 is hereby added to read as follows: 903.3.9 Fire Sprinkler Access. Fire sprinkler risers shall be installed indoors. An exterior door leading directly into the room/ area containing the fire sprinkler riser and shut off controls shall be provided. Exception: An exterior door is not required when an approved alternate and/or accessible method of controlling the sprinkler water supply from the outside of the structure is provided. Reason: This amendment requires all sprinkler risers be installed indoors with an access door from the exterior provided. This requirement prevent tampering with fire protection systems and protects risers and their associated valves and gauges from deterioration from the extreme climate conditions.

Section 903.4.4 is hereby added to read as follows: 903.4.4 Multi-Tenant Buildings. In multi-tenant buildings requiring automatic fire sprinkler systems, and where no fire alarm is required, each tenant shall have at least one notification device (horn/strobe) to provide audio and visual notification upon activation of the monitoring system. The audio/visual device shall be installed in a location approved by the fire code official. Reason: This amendment was added so that when the sprinkler system actuates it provides notification to all tenants within the building. The primary purpose of the one notification device within each tenant space is to act as a supplemental alert. The alarm is not intended to be an evacuation alarm. The requirement is also not intended to be an indirect requirement for a fire alarm system.

Section 1101.4.1 is hereby amended to read as follows: 1101.4.1 Construction Documents. Construction documents necessary to comply with this chapter shall be completed and submitted within 30-days of written notice. Reason: This amendment clarifies for inspectors and property owners the time frame by which plans must be submitted as part of a fire code violation corrective action.

Section 1101.4.2 is hereby amended to read as follows: 1101.4.2 Completion of Work. Work necessary to comply with this chapter shall be completed within 90-days of written notice. Reason: This amendment clarifies for inspectors and property owners the time frame by which all work as part of the fire code violation must be completed.

Section 1103.5.3 is hereby amended to read as follows: 1103.5.3 Group I-2, Condition 2. In addition to the requirements of section 1103.5.2, existing buildings of Group I-2, Condition 2 occupancy shall be equipped throughout with an approved automatic fire sprinkler system in accordance with section 903.3.1.1. The automatic fire sprinkler system shall be installed within 12 months of written notification. Reason: This amendment clarifies for inspectors and property owners the time frame by which an automatic fire sprinkler system must be installed.

Section 5704.2.13.1.4 is hereby deleted and replaced by the following: 5704.2.13.1.4 Tanks Abandoned in Place. Tanks shall not be abandoned in place. Reason: This amendment clarifies that underground tanks may not be abandoned in place

3 Comments
  • User profile image

    Kelvan man

    這個開放政策草案非常好 paper org ,我希望看到更多人支持這一政策。 如果我工作的更多人支持這項政策,那麼對每個人來說都會很棒。 我意識到不是每個人都會像我一樣思考。

  • User profile image

    Hannan Shafique

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