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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. -2- 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 -4- • • 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 -5- 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. -8- 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 -9- 1 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 -10- 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 -11- 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 -12- 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 -13- • • 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: a. r7' �c Me r ri-A. Lannoye, Cit Clerk APP:SVEI AS TO Ff 3M: Cra g D 'ut , ity Attorney-- 1/ q PUBLISHED: ,I9 U