Section 101.1 Title.

These regulations shall be known as the Fire Code of the City of Lacey, hereinafter referred to as “this code.”

A. Wherever the word “jurisdiction” is used in the International Fire Code, it means the City of Lacey.

B. Wherever the term “corporate counsel” is used in the International Fire Code, it means the attorney for the city.

C. “Fire Department” means Lacey Fire District No. 3, a municipal corporation, which agency is under contract to provide related services to the city.

D. “Fire Chief”, for the purpose of Section 104.11 means the fire chief of Lacey Fire District No. 3. For all other purposes in the code, “fire chief” means the fire code official.

Section 103.1 General. [Amended section]

The department of fire prevention, also known as the Fire Marshal Office, is established within the jurisdiction under the direction of the fire code official. The function of the department shall be the implementation, administration and enforcement of the provisions of this code.

Section 105.4.1 Submittals. [Amend section]

Construction documents shall be submitted in one or more sets and in such form and detail as required by the fire code official. More specifically, for fire alarm systems three sets are required and for automatic sprinkler systems four sets are required. The construction documents shall be prepared by a registered design professional where required by the statutes of the jurisdiction in which the project is to be constructed and have licenses and credentials as required by the state of Washington. All companies installing fire protection systems within the city of Lacey shall have a city of Lacey business license.

In addition to the requirements of this section fire alarm equipment shall be installed and maintained by individuals who are in compliance with the Revised Code of Washington 19.28 and the Washington Administrative Code 296-401-060 as approved by the electrical authority having jurisdiction. All companies installing fire alarm systems shall have a state electrical contractor’s license.

Section 105.7.6 Fire alarm and detection systems and related equipment. [Amend section]

A construction permit is required for installation of or modification to fire alarm and detection systems and related equipment.

EXCEPTIONS:

Household fire warning equipment installed in Group Use R-3 occupancies.

Maintenance performed in accordance with this code is not considered a modification and does not require a permit.

Section 202 General Definitions. [Add the following definition:]

FIRE CODE OFFICIAL. The designated authority charged with the administration of the code, or a duly authorized representative.

Section 501.4 Timing of Installation. [Amended section]

When fire apparatus access roads or a water supply for fire protection is required to be installed, such protection shall be installed and made serviceable prior to issuance of any building permit for the project, except grading permits, and during the time of construction except when approved alternative methods of protection are provided. Temporary street signs shall be installed at each street intersection when construction of new roadways allows passage by vehicles in accordance with Section 505.2.

Section 502.1 Definitions. [Add the following definition:]

FIRE APPARATUS. Fire apparatus is a vehicle such as a fire engine, aerial ladder truck, fire tender, elevated platform, rescue squad, fire ground support vehicle or similar firefighting or reserve equipment, including emergency medical response vehicles.

Section 503.1.1 Buildings and facilities. [Amend section]

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 (45.72 m) 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.

EXCEPTIONS:

The fire code official is authorized to increase the dimensions of 150 feet (45.72 m) where:

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

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. This exception does not apply to Adult Family Homes.

In addition to the provision of Exception “3” of this section, adult family homes shall be served by fire apparatus access roads as if new construction.

Section 503.1.4 Obstruction prohibited. [Add new section]

Parking of motor vehicles or otherwise obstructing marked fire lanes is prohibited and the violation of the prohibition constitutes a misdemeanor.

Section 503.2 Specifications.

Fire apparatus access roads shall be installed and arranged in accordance with sections 503.2.1 through 503.2.8. See 503.2.1, Exception, for fire apparatus access roads which are public rights of way.

Section 503.2.1. Dimensions.

Fire apparatus access roads shall have an unobstructed width of not less than twenty feet (6,096 mm), exclusive of shoulders, except for approved security gates in accordance with Section 503.6, and an unobstructed vertical clearance of not less than thirteen feet six inches (4,115 mm).

EXCEPTIONS:

1. All fire apparatus access roadways which are also public rights of way shall comply with the City of Lacey Public Street Standards as set forth in the Development Guidelines and Public Works Standards and shall be considered as approved fire apparatus access roads. Such roads shall be constructed with a minimum of sixteen feet of unobstructed travel lanes.

2. Any development complying with the Lacey Municipal Code Chapter 14.31, Zero Effect Drainage Discharge, in order to meet the intent of Subsection 14.31.030.C, shall have roads complying with this section or the development or structures constructed within that development shall be provided with fire protection systems as approved by the fire code official to mitigate any public safety risk created by the installation of streets not meeting the requirements of this section.

Section 503.2.4 Turning Radius.

The required turning radius of a fire apparatus access road shall be as shown in the Figures in Appendix D, or as determined by the fire code official due to local conditions.

Section 503.2.6 Bridges, elevated surfaces and underground vaults.

Where a bridge, elevated surface or vault is part of or under a fire apparatus access road, the bridge, elevated surface or underground vault shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with AASHTO HB-25, (Remainder of section remains as published.)

Section 503.2.9 Distance from Structures. [Add new section]

Fire apparatus access roadways except public rights of way shall be a minimum of ten feet away from the exterior wall of structures, or as otherwise required due to construction type.

Section 503.6 Security gates. [Amend section]

The installation of security gates across a fire apparatus access road shall be approved by the code official. Where security gates are installed, they shall have an approved means of emergency operation:

The main entry gate of all residential, commercial, or industrial developments which are to be constructed with their access points containing locking gates shall be constructed in a manner which includes the installation of an emergency vehicle preemption system to open all such gates to allow for immediate entry of emergency vehicles into the development. Such system shall be a priority control system that employs data-encoded infrared communication to identify the emergency response vehicle. The type of system to be installed must be compatible with the traffic signal priority control system used by the city of Lacey. The design and final installation of the system must be approved by the city of Lacey. Further, such system must be maintained in proper working order by the owners of the development or the proper homeowners or business owners association, whichever shall be the case. Other gates, as approved by the fire code official, may be provided with locks or other approved devices.

The security gates and the emergency operation shall be maintained operational at all times.

Section 503.7 Enforcement. [Add new section]

Enforcement of Section 503.1.4 of the International Fire Code shall be the responsibility of the city police department which shall have the authority to impound or otherwise cause such obstruction to be removed, and said remedies shall be in addition to the criminal penalties provided by the Lacey Municipal Code.

Section 507.5.1 Where required.

Where a portion of the facility or building hereafter constructed or moved into or within the jurisdiction is more than 400 feet (122 m) from a hydrant on a fire apparatus access road, as measured by an approved route around the exterior of the facility or building, on-site fire hydrants and mains shall be provided where required by the fire code official.

EXCEPTIONS:

1. For Group R-3 and Group U occupancies, the distance requirement shall be 600 feet (183 m) and need only provide water supply in accordance with this section when required as a condition of a modification or installation of a public water system, or a condition of platting and/or other land use approval.

2. For buildings equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2 the distance requirement shall be 600 feet (183 m).

Adult family homes shall be provided with fire flow as if new construction for a Group R-3 occupancy.

Section 507 Fire hydrant locations and distribution. [Add new section]

Fire hydrants shall be placed in locations approved by the code official and along fire apparatus access roads and adjacent public streets.

507.5.7.1 Spacing on public and private roads.

Fire hydrants shall be placed on public and private roads every 330 feet when serving all occupancies other than Group Use R-3 and U. For Group Use R-3 and U occupancies fire hydrants shall be placed every 660 feet.

507.5.7.2 At intersections.

Fire hydrants shall be placed at all intersections of public and private roads.

EXCEPTION:

A fire hydrant may be omitted at the discretion of the code official from an intersection where there is an adjacent intersection with a hydrant that is separated by not more than one residential lot.

507.5.7.3 Minimum number of hydrants.

There shall never be less than two fire hydrants available for any occupancy other than Group R-3 and U occupancies, larger than five hundred square feet of ground floor area. Where water supply for fire protection is required the minimum number of fire hydrants shall be determined by a ratio of one fire hydrant per each 1,000-gpm water flow or fraction thereof.

507.5.7.4 Fire Department Connections.

A fire hydrant shall be located within 40 feet of a fire department connection.

507.5.7.5 Distance from buildings.

Fire hydrants shall be placed no closer than 40 feet from the building or structure protected.

507.5.7.6 On-site hydrants.

Buildings or structures having a water flow requirement of 2,500 gpm or more shall be protected by hydrants spaced an average of 300 feet and supplied by looped 8 inch or larger water mains around the building.

507.5.7.7 Arterial Roads.

In no case shall hydrants which are located across any roadway designated as an arterial by the Department of Public Works be considered available.

507.5.7.8 Existing fire hydrants.

Existing fire hydrants on public streets are allowed to be considered as available. Existing fire hydrants on adjacent properties shall not be considered available unless fire apparatus access roads extend between properties and easements are established to prevent obstruction of such roads.

Section 903.2 Where required.

Approved automatic sprinkler systems in new buildings and structures shall be provided in the locations described in this section.

EXCEPTION:

Spaces or areas in telecommunications buildings used exclusively for telecommunications equipment, associated electrical power distribution equipment, batteries and standby engines, provided those spaces or areas are equipped throughout with an automatic fire alarm system and are separated from the remainder of the building by a wall with a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 hour and a floor/ceiling assembly with a fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 hours.

Notwithstanding any less restrictive provision of this section, this code, or any other adopted code, standard automatic sprinkler systems shall be installed throughout all buildings thirty-five or more feet in height, or seven thousand five hundred (7,500) or more square feet in gross floor area, provided, that one four-hour fire resistive fire wall without openings as defined in Section B104.2 of Appendix B may be used to maintain the maximum gross floor area stated herein.

Section 903.3.7 Fire department connections.

The location of fire department connections shall be approved by the fire code official. A fire department connection shall be located within 40 feet of a fire hydrant.

Section 903.4 Sprinkler system monitoring and alarms.

All valves controlling the water supply for automatic sprinkler systems, pumps, tanks, water levels and temperatures, critical air pressures, and water-flow switches on all sprinkler systems shall be electrically supervised.

EXCEPTIONS:

1. Automatic sprinkler systems protecting one and two-family dwellings.

2. Limited area systems serving fewer than twenty sprinklers.

3. Automatic sprinkler systems installed in accordance with NFPA 13R where a common supply main is used to supply both domestic water and the automatic sprinkler system, and a separate shutoff valve for the automatic sprinkler system is not provided.

4. Jockey pump control valves that are sealed or locked in the open position.

5. Control valves to commercial kitchen hoods, paint spray booths or dip tanks that are sealed or locked in the open position.

6. Valves controlling the fuel supply to fire pump engines that are sealed or locked in the open position.

7. Trim valves to pressure switches in dry, preaction and deluge sprinkler systems that are sealed or locked in the open position.

In buildings that have floors located above or below the lowest level of fire department vehicle access that are occupied for human occupancy, a separate zone by floor shall be provided by sprinkler water flow devices connected to and monitored by the fire alarm system.

Section 903.4.1 Signals.

Alarm, supervisory and trouble signals, shall be distinctly different and shall be automatically transmitted to an approved central station, with central station service as defined NFPA 72.

EXCEPTIONS:

1. Underground key or hub valves in roadway boxes provided by the municipality or public utility are not required to be monitored.

2. Backflow prevention device test valves, located in limited area sprinkler system supply piping, shall be locked in the open position. In occupancies required to be equipped with a fire alarm system, the backflow preventer valves shall be electrically supervised by a tamper switch installed in accordance with NFPA 72 and separately annunciated.

Section 903.4.3 Floor Control Valves.

Approved supervised indicating control valves shall be provided at the point of connection to the riser on each floor level.

Section 905.3 Required installations. [Amend section]

Standpipe systems shall be installed where required by Sections 905.3.1 through 905.3.8 and in the locations indicated in Sections 905.4, 905.5 and 905.6. Standpipe systems shall be combined with automatic sprinkler systems and each standpipe connection or station shall be provided with the greater of the flow requirements as stipulated in NFPA 13 and NFPA 14.

EXCEPTION:

Standpipe systems are not required in Group R-3 Occupancies.

Section 906.2 General requirements. [Amend section]

Fire extinguishers shall be selected, installed, and maintained in accordance with this section and NFPA 10.

EXCEPTIONS:

1. The travel distance to reach an extinguisher shall not apply to the spectator seating portions of Group A-5 Occupancies.

2. In addition to the maintenance requirements of NFPA 10, all portable fire extinguishers shall be subject to internal maintenance at least annually and at such additional times as shall be indicated by an inspection. However, internal maintenance is not required on portable CO2 fire extinguishers provided that they are maintained per the NFPA 10.

Section 907.1.3 Equipment.

Systems and their components shall be listed and approved for the purpose for which they are installed.

The fire alarm control panel, remote annunciator panel and access keys to locked fire alarm equipment shall be installed and maintained in locations approved by the fire code official.

Section 907.2 Where required - new buildings and structures.

An approved manual, automatic, or manual and automatic fire alarm system shall be provided in new buildings and structures in accordance with Sections 907.2.1 through 907.2.23.

Fire alarm systems required by Sections 907.2.1 through 907.2.23 shall be of an addressable type.

Where automatic sprinkler protection is installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2 is provided and connected to the building fire alarm system, automatic heat detection required by this section shall not be required. Automatic sprinkler protection installed in accordance with Section 903.1.1 or 903.3.1.2 shall be monitored by central station, with central station service as defined in NFPA 72.

In addition to the requirements of this section an approved addressable fire alarm system shall be provided in all buildings containing 7,500 square feet of gross floor area or greater. For the purposes of this requirement, fire walls shall not define separate buildings.

EXCEPTION: Group U Occupancies.

An approved automatic fire detection system shall be installed in accordance with the provisions of this code and NFPA 72. Devices, combinations of devices, appliances and equipment shall comply with Section 907.1.2. The automatic fire detectors shall be smoke detectors, except that an approved alternative type of detector shall be installed in spaces such as boiler rooms where, during normal operation, products of combustion are present in sufficient quantity to actuate a smoke detector.

[The remainder of this section is as printed in the International Fire Code and as amended by Chapter 14.07 of the Lacey Municipal Code.]

Section 907.2.11.2 Groups R-2, R-3, R-4, I-1 and Adult Family Homes. [Amend section]

Single or multiple-station smoke alarms shall be installed and maintained in Groups R-2, R-3, R-4, I-1 and Adult Family Homes regardless of occupant load at all of the following locations:

1. On the ceiling or wall outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of bedrooms.

2. In each room used for sleeping purposes.

3. In each story within a dwelling unit, including basements but not including crawl spaces and uninhabitable attics. In dwelling units with split levels and without an intervening door between the adjacent levels, a smoke alarm installed on the upper level shall suffice for the adjacent lower level provided that the lower level is less than one full story below the upper level.

In addition to the above requirements Adult Family Home alarms shall be installed in such a manner so that the fire warning may be audible in all parts of the dwelling upon activation of a single device.

Section 907.9 Where required - retroactive in existing buildings and structures. [Amend section]

Buildings with fire alarm systems that were required by previously adopted editions of the Lacey Fire Alarm Code shall continue to operate and maintain such fire alarm systems in accordance with the authorized Lacey Fire Alarm Code edition, this code, NFPA 72 and nationally recognized standards.

An approved automatic fire detection system shall be installed in accordance with the provisions of this code and NFPA 72. Devices, combinations of devices, appliances and equipment shall be approved. The automatic fire detectors shall be smoke detectors, except an approved alternative type of detector shall be installed in spaces such as boiler rooms where, during normal operation, products of combustion are present in sufficient quantity to actuate a smoke detector.

Automatic sprinkler protection shall be monitored by central station, with central station service as defined in NFPA 72.

[The remainder of this section is as printed in the International Fire Code.]

Section 907.6.4 Separate Zones.

In buildings that have floors located above or below the lowest level of fire department vehicle access that are occupied for human occupancy, a separate zone by floor shall be provided for all of the following types of alarm-initiating devices where provided:

1. Smoke detectors.

2. Sprinkler water-flow devices.

3. Manual fire alarm boxes.

4. Other approved types of automatic fire detection devices or suppression systems.

Section 907.6.6 Monitoring.

Where required by this chapter or by the International Building Code, an approved central station, with central station monitoring in accordance with NFPA 72 shall monitor fire alarm systems.

EXCEPTION: Supervisory service is not required for:

1. Single and multiple-station smoke alarms required by Section 907.2.11.

2. Smoke detectors in Group I-3 Occupancies.

3. Automatic sprinkler systems in one and two-family dwellings.

A copy of the monitoring contact agreement between companies that provide central or remote supervising services and the protected premise, shall be provided to the fire code official prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy. Any change in the service agreement shall be provided to the fire code official within 10 working days.

Section 907.8 Maintenance, inspection and testing. [Amend section]

The building owner shall be responsible for insuring that the fire and life safety systems are maintained in an operable condition at all times. Service personnel shall meet the qualification requirements of NFPA 72 for maintaining, inspecting and testing such systems. A written record shall be maintained and shall be submitted, within two weeks, to the fire code official.

New and existing fire alarm systems in the city of Lacey shall have a maintenance contract in effect with a fire alarm company or qualified person(s) approved by the fire code official. Maintenance contracts shall specify all required inspections/tests and shall specify that fire alarm repairs be made within 24 hours of a notification trouble signal. A copy of the maintenance contract and testing agreement, signed by the building owner, shall be on record with the fire code official prior to scheduling of final acceptance testing.

Section 907.10 False alarms.

For any fire alarm system having two false alarms occurring within any one calendar year starting January 1st and ending December 31st, a response fee of $50.00 (fifty dollars) shall be charged for the second false alarm. With the invoice of the response fee for the second false alarm, the fire code official shall notify the responsible party in writing that they will be held responsible for the actual fire department response cost for any subsequent false alarms occurring within that same calendar year. The cost to respond shall be based on the fee schedule established by Lacey Fire District No. 3. All fees shall be payable to the responding fire department authority.

Section 907.11 Areas of refuge.

A telephone with controlled access to the fire alarm control system for two-way communications shall be provided between each area of refuge and the fire alarm monitoring center. The telephone or other two-way communication system shall be located within the reach ranges as specified in the Washington State Building Code requirements for accessibility by persons with disabilities. The emergency communication system must be visible when the telephone is activated. This non-verbal means must enable the fire alarm monitoring center to determine the area or areas of refuge.

Section 912.2 Location.

With respect to hydrants, driveways, buildings and landscaping, fire department connections shall be so located that fire apparatus and hose connected to supply the system will not obstruct access to the building for other fire apparatus. The location of the fire department connection shall be approved and shall not be greater than 40 feet from a fire hydrant.

[The remainder of this section is as printed in the International Fire Code.]

Section 5704.2.9.6.1 Locations where above-ground tanks are prohibited. [Clarification of section]

The limits referred to in Section 5704.2.9.6.1 of the International Fire Code in which storage of Class I and Class II liquids outside in above-ground storage tanks is prohibited are established as all areas of the city, except for tanks that comply with Section 5704.2.8 Vaults.

Section 5704.3.4.5 R-2 Licensed Care Occupancies.

In Group R-2 Occupancies licensed for more than six clients, the storage, use and handling of flammable and combustible liquids shall be in accordance with this code. In such facilities, doors leading into rooms in which Class I flammable liquids are stored or used shall be protected by a fire assembly having a one-hour fire protection rating. Such fire assembly shall be self-closing and shall be posted with a sign on each side of the door in 1-inch (25.4 mm) block letters stating: FIRE DOOR - KEEP CLOSED.

Section 6104.2 Maximum capacity within established limits. [Clarification of section]

The limits referred to in Section 6104.2 of the International Fire Code in which liquefied petroleum gas is restricted are established as all areas of the city with the zoning designation other than that of light industrial when referring to above-ground containers.

Section B105.1.1 One and two-family dwellings. [Amend section]

The minimum fire-flow requirements for one and two-family dwellings having a fire-flow calculation area which does not exceed 3,600 square feet (344.5 M2) shall be 750 gallons per minute for each hydrant providing fire flow. Fire-flow and flow duration for dwellings having a fire-flow calculation area in excess of 3,600 (344.5 M2) square feet shall not be less than that specified in Table B105.1.1.

Section B105.1.2 Buildings other than one and two-family dwellings. [Amend section]

The minimum fire-flow and flow duration for buildings other than one and two-family dwellings shall be as specified in Table B105.1.2 of the International Fire Code.

EXCEPTION:

1. A reduction in required fire-flow of up to 50 percent, as approved, is allowed when the building is provided with an approved automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2 of the International Fire Code. Where buildings are also of Type I or II construction and are a light-hazard occupancy as defined by NFPA 13, or where buildings are also provided with quick response sprinkler heads throughout, the reduction may be up to 75 percent. The resulting fire-flow shall not be less than 1,500 gallon per minute (5,678 l/min) for the prescribed duration as specified in Table B105.1.2 of the International Fire Code.

Section D103.6 is amended as follows:

Signs.

Where required by the fire code official, fire apparatus access roads shall be marked with permanent NO PARKING - FIRE LANE-TOW AWAY ZONE signs complying with Figure D 103.6, with the additional words “Tow Away Zone.” [Remainder of section unchanged.]

Section D103 is amended by adding a new Section D103.7 Curbs and Striping, as follows:

Where required by the fire code official, curbs along fire apparatus access roads shall be painted red, with the words “No Parking-Fire Lane-Tow Away Zone” stenciled in 4-inch tall letters in white on the vertical side of the curb. Such curb painting shall be provided at the beginning and end of the fire lane as determined by the fire code official. Where no curb is provided, the traffic surface may be painted with high-visibility red diagonal striping of not less than 4-inches in width with an unpainted clear space of 12-inches between the painted stripes. High visibility white painted words indicating “No Parking-Fire Lane-Tow Away Zone” shall be painted within the striped area as determined by the fire code official.

Section D107.1 is amended as follows:

D107.1 One or two-family dwelling residential developments.

Developments of one or two-family dwellings where the number of dwelling units exceeds 30 shall be provided with separate and approved fire apparatus access roads, and shall meet the requirements of Section D104.3.

EXCEPTIONS:

1. The number of dwelling units on a single fire apparatus access road shall not be increased unless fire apparatus access roads will connect with future development, as determined by the fire code official.