HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action form dated April 14, 1998 n�-�c� .
ITEM # !%3
DATE: Aril 4 1998
SUBJECT: Change the local fire code to update from the 1991 Uniform Fire Code to the 1997
Uniform Fire Code. All local amendments will remain as written.
BACKGROUND:
The Building Code Board of Appeals, Inspection Staff and Fire Department personnel have
reviewed the 1997 Uniform Fire Code (UFC). The areas in the code that have changed
significantly are those dealing with hazardous materials and tanks/pumps at fuel dispensing
stations.
The Board and Staff proposed adoption of the 1994 UFC two years ago. At that time, there
was discussion about rewording our local ordinance regarding barbeque grills on decks, but
significant opposition and confusion resulted which kept the code from being adopted. After
the confusion settled we felt we were so close to the printing of the 1997 UFC that we would
skip the 1994 UFC.
In order to adopt the 1997 UFC, at this time, we are asking for nQ changes to the local
amendments except for any reference numbers that may have changed. It is important for
architects and engineers who design buildings in Ames that we adopt the 1997 UFC since we
have now adopted the 1997 Uniform Building Code (UBC) since they cross reference each
other.
The Board and Staff hosted a public hearing to seek out comments and opposition to the
adoption of the 1997 UFC. No one attended the public hearing and no one has spoken
against adoption of the code. The only comments Staff have received are those from
architects and engineers questioning our reason for keeping the 1991 UFC while we continue
adopting more recent issues of the UBC.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve the request and direct the City Attorney to draft an ordinance to adopt the 1997
Uniform Fire Code without revisions to our local amendments.
2. Deny the request.
MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
It is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative #1
directing the City Attorney to draft an ordinance to adopt the 1997 Uniform Fire Code.
COUNCIL ACTION:
MAJOR CHANGES IN 1997 UNIFORM FIRE CODE FROM 1991
1. Chief empowered to halt construction in progress if such action is justified.
2. Smoke detectors required on each level of residential units near stairways and required
in all sleeping rooms of hotels, lodging houses and congregate residences.
NOTE: Sleeping rooms were not required to have smoke detectors before. Fire
Inspector has been getting voluntary compliance for years.
3. Sprinkler systems required in congregate residences having three (3) stories or over
twenty (20) occupants.
(a) Each apartment house, three (3) stories or sixteen (16) or more units.
(b) Each hotel, three (3) or more stories or twenty (20) guest rooms.
NOTE:This has been enforced the last couple of years under the 1994 Uniform Building
Code so really not significant.
4. Sprinkler required in new woodworking occupancies over 2500 square feet.
NOTE: We have not had a new woodworking shop over 2500 square feet since building
official has been with the City.
5. All hot work shall require fire watch for a minimum of thirty (30) minutes after
torching/welding operations cease.
6. Dispensing hoses in gas stations shall be required to have breakaway devices and a
maximum length of eighteen feet (18').