HomeMy WebLinkAbout2301ORDINANCE NO. ,301
AN ORDINANCE of the City of Port Angeles
establishing requirements for the
installation of fire alarm systems,
requiring a permit for these installations,
defining standards of installation and
operations of fire alarm systems, and
providing a penalty. for violation, and
repealing and superseding Ordinance 2145,
as amended by Ordinance 2199, and Chapter
14.22 of the Port Angeles Municipal Code.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT
ANGELES as follows:
Section 1 PURPOSE. This Ordinance is an exercise of
the police power of the City of Port Angeles, for the protection
of its public health, safety and welfare. The City Council finds
that by requiring installation of fire alarm systems in certain
buildings will promote the preservation of human health, safety
and general welfare and is otherwise necessary.
Section 2 DEFINITIONS. The following definitions
shall apply to this Ordinance, unless the context indicates
otherwise:
A. "Alarm Types" (Functional Descriptions in Section 3)
1. Type A - general alarm (non - coded)
a. Type A/E - General alarm (non- coded) with
automatic detection.
2. Type B - General alarm (zone non- coded)
a. Type B/E - General alarm (zone non - coded) with
automatic detection.
3. Type C - General alarm (zone coded)
a. Type C/E - General alarm (zone coded) with
automatic detection.
4. Type D - Dual coded alarm
a. Type D/E - Dual coded alarm with automatic
detection.
B. "Approved" shall mean accepted by the Fire Department as a
result of investigation and experience and by reason of test, and
listing, for approval for specific use by a nationally recognized
testing agency such as Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., Factory
Mutual Research Corporation, and as determined by the standards
of NFPA Code No. 72 A -B -C -D or E; PROVIDED that for digital alarm
communicator systems which are not required pursuant to Section
ll(b) of this Ordinance, "Approved" shall mean that the system is
accepted by the Fire Department and is consistent with the cri-
teria set forth for digital alarms in NFPA 71, 1982 Edition,
three copies of which are filed in the Office of the City Clerk
and which is incorporated herein by this reference, and for those
digital alarm communicator systems required to be installed by
this Ordinance or any ordinance or code of the City of Port
Angeles, "Approved" shall, in addition, mean that the system is
tested and listed for its intended use by a national testing
laboratory.
C. "Annunciator" - a unit containing two or more identified
targets or indicator lamps, in which each such target or indica-
tor lamp indicates a particular circuit, condition, or location
where a fire or other emergency condition exists.
D. "Coded Signal" - an alarm signal which consists of not less
than three complete transmissions of an identifying number.
E. "Digital Alarm Communicator Systems" - a system in which
signals are transmitted from a digital alarm communicator trans-
mitter, which is connected to a fire alarm system approved by
definition in this Ordinance and located at the protected
premises, through the public- switched telephone network to a
digital alarm communicator receiver located at a fire alarm
receiving center approved by this Ordinance for digital alarm
communicator systems; except that whose fire alarm signals for
"E" or "I" occupancies must be transmitted to the Port Angeles
Consolidated Dispatch Center.
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F. "Dwelling Unit" - one or more rooms which are occupied, or
which are intended or designed to be occupied by one family,
which includes facilities for living, sleeping, cooking and
eating.
G. "Education Building" - a building or structure, or any por-
tion thereof, used by persons to receive instruction, such as
schools, universities, colleges and academies.
H. "Fire Alarm Receiving Center" - a public or private alarm
receiving agency approved by the Port Angeles Fire Department as
per the standards of NFPA 71, 1982 Edition.
I. "Fire Department" - Chief of the Port Angeles Fire Depart-
ment or his designee.
J. "Fire Alarm Signal" - a signal indicating the presence of
combustion, or the product of combustion, given by a fire alarm
device.
K. "Fire Alarm System" - an electrically operated circuit,
instrument or device, including the source of the electricity for
such device, which is designated to transmit alarms and to
supervise signals.
L. "Fire Divisions" - those divisions established by area
separation walls as defined in Chapter 5 of the Uniform Building
Code.
M. "Institutional Building" - a building or structure, or any
portion thereof, used by persons to received medical, charitable,
or other care or treatment, or used to detain persons involun-
tarily.
N. "Multi- Family Residence" - a building or portion thereof
containing three or more dwelling units.
O. "Owner" - any person, agent, firm, or corporation having a
legal or equitable interest in a property.
P. "Product of Combustion Detection Device" - a device using
one of the following types of means, which can detect smoke or
other products of combustion:
1. Photoelectric cell system
2. Refractory system
3. Ionization system
R. "Public Assembly Building" - a building or structure, or
portion thereof, used for gathering together fifty or more per-
sons, for any purpose, provided, that for drinking and dining
establishments, such assembly must be of 100 or more persons.
S. "Residential Building" - a building or structure, or any
portion thereof, used by persons for sleeping accomodations. The
term includes motels, hotels, multi- family residences and dwell-
ing units.
T. "Townhouse" - one of a series of attached dwelling units,
each having its principal access from the ground floor and each
separated from adjacent units by a continuous vertical party wall
without openings from basement to roof.
Section 3 FIRE ALARM TYPES DEFINED.
A. Type A - General Alarm (non - coded). The activation and
operation of any intiating device sounds a continuous alarm on
all indicating devices until manually reset.
B. Type B - General Alarm (zone non - coded). The activation and
operation of any required initiating device sounds a continuous
alarm on all indicating devices, until manually reset and
indicates on an annunciator panel the zone initiated.
C. Type C - General Alarm (zone coded - annunciated). The
activation and operation of any initiating device sounds a coded
alarm announcing the area of fire to all occupants and indicates
the zone initiated on an annunciator panel.
D. Type D - Dual coded alarm. The activation and operation of
any initiating device shall sound a zone coded alarm on chimes to
alert staff and personnel and shall indicate the zone location of
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the originating device on an annunciator panel. Type D alarms
shall also perform as follows:
1. Upon first operation of any manual or automatic detect-
ing device, a signal shall be automatically transmitted to an
approved fire alarm center.
2. Manual pull stations must be equipped so that a key can
be inserted and a general evacuation alarm sounded at any time.
General evacuation alarms shall be continuously ringing bells or
horns.
3. An adjustable time delay device may be incorporated in
the system to activate the general evacuation alarm within a
maximum of five minutes after the first activation of any signal
sending station or detection device.
E. Type E - Automatic fire detection devices. Automatic fire
detection devices shall consist of fixed temperature, fixed
temperature /rate of rise, or smoke /products of combustion detec-
tors. Only those types of detectors which are either accepted
and approved by the Fire Department and are consistent with the
criteria set forth for automatic detection devices (heat
detectors, smoke detectors, and automatic sprinkler flow
switches) in NFPA 72 E, three copies of which are filed in the
Office of the City Clerk and which is incorporated herein by this
reference, or approved for use by the Underwriters' Laboratories,
Inc., Factory Mutual Research Corporation, or some other
nationally recognized testing agency shall be permitted. Ap-
proved.automatic fire detectors may be installed in conjunction
with any approved fire alarm system.
Section 4 PERMIT REQUIRED. A fire alarm system shall
be installed in the City of Port Angeles, only after the acquisi-
tion of a fire alarm permit for such installation from the City,
provided, no fire alarm permit shall be required for the installa-
tion of single station product of combustion detectors. There
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shall be no fee separate from fees required under the City Build-
ing Code, Chapter 14.04 Port Angeles Municipal Code, for permits
required by this Ordinance.
Section 5 PERMIT .. APPLICATION AND ISSUANCE.
A. Application for a fire alarm permit for the installation of
a fire alarm system shall be made to the Port Angeles Building
Division, and shall be transmitted by the Building Division to
the Fire Department for review.
B. Each application for a fire alarm permit shall be accom-
panied by two copies of detailed fire alarm plans and specifica-
tions, showing the location of all fire alarm equipment and the
details on each type of device in the system. If these fire
alarm plans and specifications are inadequate, in the judgment of
the Fire Department, the Department shall take no action upon the
fire alarm permit application until such time as adequate plans
have been provided. Adequacy of fire alarm equipment proposed
for use will be determined on the basis of testing or experience
of the Fire Department, or by reasons of approval for specified
use by Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., Factory Mutual Research
Corporation, or other nationally recognized testing agency.
C. All fire alarm system plans submitted for approval shall be
prepared by qualified fire alarm installers or a qualified
licensed electrician.
D. The permit for installation of a fire alarm system shall be
issued when it is determined by the Port Angeles Fire Department
that the proposed fire alarm system complies with the terms of
this Ordinance, and all other applicable City ordinances.
Section 6 INSPECTION AND APPROVAL OF INSTALLED SYSTEMS
REQUIRED BY THIS ORDINANCE.
A. After installation of the system, an operational performance
test will be conducted by the Port Angeles Fire Department prior
to the occupancy of the building.
B. At the operational test, the Fire Department may require the
presence of a representative of the manufacturer of the system, a
representative of the installer of the system, or a representativ
of the owner.
C. If on the basis of this test, the Fire Department determines
that said fire alarm system does not comply with the terms of the
Uniform Fire Code, or this Ordinance, or does not conform to the
approved plans submitted with the application for permit, the
Fire Department may order the fire alarm system be made to comply
with the Uniform Fire Code, this Ordinance and to conform to the
approved permit.
D. No certificate of occupancy, for the structure or the
building in which the required fire alarm system is installed,
shall be issued by the City of Port Angeles until such time as
the system is accepted by the Fire Department and the Building
Official.
Section 7 ALARM SYSTEMS - GENERAL OPERATIONAL
STANDARDS. The following general standards of operation shall be
required of all fire alarm systems installed in the City of Port
Angeles pursuant to the terms of this Ordinance:
A. All fire alarm systems with electrical components, shall be
designed to remain completely operational for a minimum period of
24 hours.
B. All fire alarm systems required or operated under this
Ordinance shall have a maintenance agreement in effect, with
either a fire alarm company or a qualified individual.
1. Such agreements must provide for periodic inspection
and testing as required by Section 14 of this Ordinance. Repair
and maintenance service shall be available within 24 hours of
notification of its necessity.
2. A sticker or tag shall be permanently affixed in plain
site to the main fire alarm panel stating the period of mainten-
ance agreement, the name and phone number of the maintenance
company.
C. The owner shall make timely repair of the fire alarm system
after notice from the Fire Department or the structure shall be
subject to the posting of a notice of "No Occupancy" unless other
arrangements or agreements are made with the Fire Department for
the fire alarm system repairs.
Section 8 FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS REQUIRED.
A. Fire alarm systems shall be provided as required by this
Section. In addition to the fire alarm system required by this
Section, automatic detection devices may also be required, if the
building or structure is one of those specified in Section 9,
provided, the requirements for automatic fire detection systems
may be waived if the building is fully protected by an automatic
fire extinguishing system equipped with a water flow alarm con-
nection to the building fire alarm system.
B. The fire alarm requirements are as follows:
1. Type A, or Type A/E fire alarm systems if required
under Section 9 are required as follows:
a. In multi- family residences of two or more stories
in height, except town houses.
b. In day care centers occupied by fifty or more
people.
2. Type B, or Type B/E fire alarm systems if required
under Section 9 are required as follows:
a. In schools, universities, academies, colleges, and
institutional buildings which are of a campus type.
b. In office buildings or structures three or more
stories in height, if the total capacity of the building is fifty
or more persons but less than one thousand persons.
c. In all buildings or structures three or more
stories in height where an automatic fire detection system is
required by Section 9 of this Ordinance.
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3. Type C, or Type C/E fire alarm systems, if required
under Section 9, are required as follows:
a. In general industrial buildings and structures not
provided with automatic sprinklers, if the total capacity of the
building is 500 or more persons, or 25 or more persons are
employed below street level.
4. Type D, or Type D/E if required under Section 9 are
required as follows:
a. In residential buildings used by 50 or more
persons and two or more stories in height.
b. In group "I" occupancies as defined in the Uniform
Building Code, Port Angeles Municipal Code Chapter 14.04, which
have more than 100 beds.
c. In office buildings twenty stories or more in
height, or with an occupant load of 1,000 or more persons.
Section 9 FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS - AUTOMATIC DETECTION
SYSTEMS REQUIRED. If a building or structure is one of the fol-
lowing categories of occupancies, it shall be equipped with an
automatic detection system in addition to the type of system
required by Section 8 of this Ordinance.
A. In Group "I" occupancies as defined in the Uniform Building
Code, Port Angeles Municipal Code Chapter 14.04.
B. In Group "Rl" occupancies as defined in the Uniform Building
Code, Port Angeles Municipal Code Chapter 14.04, two or more
stories in height, except town houses.
C. In all buildings or structures where the total floor area
exceeds 7,500 square feet.
D. All Group "E" or "B" occupancies as defined in the Uniform
Building Code, Port Angeles Municipal Code Chapter 14.04, which
are used for educational purposes as defined in the Uniform
Building Code.
Section 10 FIRE ALARM SYSTEM - ADDITIONAL SPECIFIC
REQUIREMENTS. In addition to the requirements for alarms stated
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in Sections 8 and 9, the following specific requirements shall
apply as noted:
A. In Group "R1" occupancies, two or more stories in height:
1. Publicly used interior stairways and corridors shall be
provided with product of combustion detectors, other than heat
sensitive detectors.
2. Each dwelling unit and attic shall be provided with
either a fixed temperature or fixed temperature /rate of rise
detector. Each attic shall use at least a 165° detector.
B. In all buildings where the total floor area exceeds 7,500
square feet, the building shall be equipped with an approved fire
alarm system connected to an approved fire alarm center. For the
purpose of this subsection, fire divisions shall be considered
separate buildings.
C. In all Group "E" or "B" occupancies used for educational
purposes with 50 or more occupants:
1. Interior stairways and corridors shall be equipped with
product of combustion detectors, other than heat sensitive
detectors.
2. All other areas shall be equipped with either a fixed
temperature or a fixed temperature /rate of rise detector.
D. In addition to all other fire alarm requirements, in any
building or structure or occupancy which is below or adjacent to
a dwelling unit which, in the event of fire, would block exiting
from the dwelling unit, the building or structure shall be
provided with either a fixed temperature or fixed temperature/
rate of rise detector on spacing specified by the Port Angeles
Fire Department.
Section 11 DIGITAL ALARM COMMUNICATOR SYSTEMS.
A. Commercial (required systems). This subsection pertains to
structures, other than for "I" occupancies, which are required to
install a fire alarm system by provisions of the City Fire Alarm
Ordinance or State Codes. Fire alarm systems under this section
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must comply with the respective NFPA standards No. 71, 72 A, B,
C, D, E. The digital alarm communication transmitter shall be
listed for commercial use by a nationally recognized testing
agency for the transmission of fire alarm signals. The installa-
tion and function of the communicator shall conform to the re-
quirements of NFPA 71, 1982 Edition. The termination shall be at
•a listed or approved alarm center; i.e., Underwriters' Laboratory
or Factory Mutual Approved.
B. Commercial (non - required fire alarm systems). This subsec-
tion pertains to structures of a commercial nature wherein a fire
alarm system is not required under the provisions of the City
Fire Alarm Ordinance or State requirements. All said commercial
structures shall be provided with an approved fire alarm system
control panel. The system shall be installed and function as per
NFPA 72 C, and if present, all automatic detection should be
installed as per NFPA 72 E. These non- required systems may be
extended via non- listed digital alarm communication transmitters
which meet the function requirements of NFPA 71, 1982 Edition.
The termination must be at a listed or approved fire alarm
center. Digital alarm communication transmitters shall not be
substituted for the fire alarm control panel. Fire alarm plans
and component specifications must be submitted to the Port
Angeles Fire Department for approval, prior to installation, as
per Section 5 of this ordinance.
C. Residential. This subsection provides for the intent to
allow extension of residential fire alarm systems by unlisted
digital alarm communication transmitters using one phone line to
an alarm receiving center approved by the Fire Department, for
receipt of such residential fire alarm signals. This class of
residential fire alarm system is restricted to use in R1 and R3
structures, not requiring fire alarm systems under Section 8 of
this Ordinance. A residential fire alarm installed under this
subsection shall serve no more than one dwelling unit within the
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structure. All residential fire alarm systems installed under
this subsection shall be provided with a control panel which
includes local alarm capabilities, fire system supervision
modules, battery back -up, and local audible trouble. All digital
alarm communication transmitters shall be provided with battery
back -up. All phone line connection points between the communica-
tor and the structure's phone service shall be made within the
communicator panel or in a separate junction box. Substitution
of the digital communication transmitter for a control panel is
not permitted. If automatic detection devices are to be used in
conjunction with fire alarm systems covered by this subsection,
only fixed temperature, fixed temperature /rate of rise devices
will be allowed.
Section 12 PROHIBITED EQUIPMENT. Proprietary alarm
equipment designed to alert any municipal emergency service by
providing unattended automatic dialing of any public telephone
number for the purpose of transmitting a pre - recorded message is
prohibited.
Section 13 EXISTING BUILDINGS. Existing buildings
shall not be made to conform to the provisions of this Ordinance,
provided, that if the Fire Department determines that structural
deficiencies affecting life safety are involved, and the con-
tinued use of the building or structure without a fire alarm
system would be hazardous to the safety of the occupants, the
Fire Department may require compliance with the terms of this
Ordinance. If such building or structure already has a fire
alarm system, the Fire Department may require this system to be
connected to the Port Angeles Fire Department, or to an approved
fire alarm center, if such connection would be required by the
terms of this Ordinance in a new building.
Section 14 SYSTEMS TESTING.
A. Test of each fire alarm system installed in a commercial
occupancy, shall be required on a semi - annual basis and each such
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test shall include the following:
1. Transmission of an alarm signal by actuation of an
initiating device to the Port Angeles Fire Department or to a
fire alarm center. Notification to the Fire Department or the
alarm center shall precede this test.
2. If the system is local, the test shall be by actuation
of an initiating device.
3. Each storage battery shall be inspected and tested to
insure proper operation, and replaced, if necessary.
4. A visual inspection of all components to insure operat-
ing conditions shall be performed.
5. If applicable, a test of the restorable heat detector
from each circuit or zone shall be performed.
6. If applicable, test of a smoke detector from each zone
shall be performed.
7. A test of all sprinkler system gate valves supervisory
switches shall be performed.
B. Records of all required tests shall be kept on the premises
for a period of five (5) years and shall be in a location avail-
able for inspection by the Port Angeles Fire Department.
Section 15 DISCONTINUATION OF FIRE ALARM SERVICE. The
Port Angeles Fire Department, due to repeated failure of equip-
ment or circuitry, multiple fire alarms or failure to comply with
all of the provisions of this Ordinance, may at any time, order
the discontinuance of any fire alarm system within the City of
Port Angeles. Such notice of discontinuance shall be made in
writing to both the agency supplying the alarm and to the person,
firm or corporation affected, at least 48 hours prior to the
discontinuation of the fire alarm circuit. In the event of
temporary failure of fire alarm equipment or circuitry, equipment
malfunction or multiple false alarm, the Fire Department, after
notification of the occupants of the structure, may order all
emergency response actions discontinued until repairs can be made
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by alarm agency personnel. Such notice in writing shall be made
to the firm, person or corporation affected as soon as possible.
Section 16 VIOLATIONS. Any wilful violation of the
terms of this Ordinance by any person or agency shall be deemed a
misdemeanor and shall be punishable by a fine of up to $500 per
day for each day that the violation continues.
Section 17 SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this
Ordinance is held invalid, or its application to any person or
circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the Ordinance or
application of the provisions of the Ordinance to other persons
or circumstances is not affected.
Section 18 REPEALER. This Ordinance shall repeal and
supersede Ordinance 2145, as amended by Ordinance 2199, and
Chapter 14.22 of the Port Angeles Municipal Code.
Section 19 EFFECTIVE DATE. This Ordinance shall be
effective as provided by law.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Port Angeles
at a regular meeting of said Council held on the I5 day of
, 1984.
ATTEST:
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Me r ri-A. Lannoye, Cit Clerk
APP:SVEI AS TO Ff 3M:
Cra g D 'ut , ity Attorney--
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PUBLISHED: ,I9 U