Ordinance 03-041 Adopts Uniform Fire Code CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY
SPOKANE COUNTY, WASHINGTON
ORDINANCE NO. 41
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY, WASHINGTON,
ADOPTING THE UNIFORM FIRE CODE AS THE FiRE REGULATIONS OF THE
CITY.
WHEREAS, the City of Spokane Valley will incorporate on March 31, 2003; and
WHEREAS, to promote the health, safety and welfare of the occupants or users of
buildings and structures within the State of Washington, the City is required to adopt uniform
codes that establish minimum performance standards for construction that contain recognized
standards of engineering;
WHEREAS, the State of Washington through RCW 19.27.031 has declared that there
shall be in effect in all counties and cities the Uniform Fire Code and Uniform Fire Code
Standards published by the International Fire Code Institute provided that the City is authorized
to amend the code, as it applies within the jurisdiction of the City, so long as minimum
performance standards relating to fire and life safety are not reduced; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to adopt the Uniform Fire Code as amended by this
ordinance.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Spokane Valley, Washington, do
ordain as follows:
Section 1. Authority to Adopt Uniform Fire Code. Pursuant to RCW 35A.11.020,
35A.12.140 and RCW 19.27.031, the City adopts the 1997 Edition of the Uniform Fire Code,
including Appendix IT-F, Protected Above Ground Tanks for Motor Vehicle Fuel Dispensing
Stations Outside Buildings, and Appendix 11-i Storage of Flammable and Combustible Liquids
in Tanks Located Within Below-Grade Vaults, published by the International Fire Code Institute
and the Uniform Fire Code Standards and Appendix I-A, I-C, II-A, H-B, ll-C, 11-E, 11-G,
Ill-A, III-B, 1I1-D, IV-13, V-A, V1-A, VT-B, VI-E., and VII-B as published by the Western Fire
Chiefs Association as further adopted, modified and amended through WAC Chapters 51-44 and
51-45 and this ordinance.
Section 2. Uniform Fire Code - Section 105.3 amended - Application for Permit.
Section 105.3 of the Uniform Fire Code is amended as follows:
105.3 Application for Permit. Applications for permits shall be made to the City of
Spokane Valley in such form and detail as required by the Building Department.
Applications for permits shall be accompanied by such plans as required by the Bureau of
Fire Prevention. All applications for fire department permits received by the City shall be
forwarded to the Bureau of Fire Prevention for consideration of approval.
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105.3.1 Permit Fees. Fees for Fire Code Permits, plan check, or any other fire service
shall be established through City Council Resolution.
105.3.2 Fire Code Permit Term. Fire Code Permits are either temporary, pertaining to an
activity or process that will last a specific period of time, usually less than 30 days, or
annual. All annual permits will expire one year from the date of issuance.
• 105.8 Permit may be required. A permit, if required, shall be obtained from the Building
Department, with approval of the Bureau of Fire Prevention, prior to engaging in the
following activities, operations, practices, or functions:
Section 3. Uniform Fire Code - Section 901.4.2 amended - Fire Apparatus Access
Roads. Section 901.4.2 of the Uniform Fire Code is amended as follows:
901.4.2 Fire apparatus access roads. When required by the Fire Marshal, approved signs
or other notices shall be provided and maintained for fire apparatus roads to identify such
roads and prohibit the obstruction thereof as follows:
1. All designated lire lanes shall be clearly marked by the property owner in the
following manner: Vertical curbs shall be painted six (6") inches in height and
shall be painted red on the top and side, extending the length of the designated fire
lane with four inch (4") white block lettering stenciled on the face "NO
PARKING - FIRE LANE". The stenciling shall be spaced every fifty feet (50').
Rolled curbs or surfaces without curbs shall have a six inch (6") wide stripe
painted that extends the length of the designated fire lane with four inch (4")
white block lettering stenciled on the stripe "NO PARKNG - FIRE LANE. The
stenciling shall be spaced every fifty feet (50').
2. Signs may be substituted for curb painting when approved in writing by the Fire
Marshal.
3. Signs shall be not less than eighteen inches (18") in height by twelve inches (12")
in width, with block lettering of not less than three inches (3") high brush stroke,
reading: "NO PARKING - FIRE LANE'. Such signs shall be reflective in nature,
with red lettering on a white background, and spaced at intervals of not less than
fifty feet (50') apart. The top of such signs shall not be less than four feet (4'), nor
more than six feet (6') from the ground. Signs may he placed on buildings when
approved in writing by the Fire Marshal. When posts are required, they shall be
constructed of either two inch (2") or greater galvanized steel, or four inch by four
inch (4" x 4") or greater pressure treated wood.
4. The Fire Marshal may approve deviations from any of the specifications when
approved in writing by the Fire Marshal.
5. Existing signs may be allowed to remain until the Fire Marshal determines that a
need for replacement exists based on the legibility or other deterioration of the
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existing signs. Such replacement shall occur within 30 days of receiving written
notification of the deficiency.
6. Fire lanes shall be established and maintained to clearly identify the designated
area as a fire lane, at the sole expense of the property owner. The property owner
shall have completed the required establishment or maintenance of fire lanes
within 30 days of receiving written notification that such is necessary.
7. At the entrance to the property where fire lanes have been designated, signs shall
be posted in a clearly conspicuous location, and shall clearly state that vehicles
parked in fire lanes may be impounded, and the name, telephone number, and
address of the towing firm where the vehicle may be redeemed.
8. The owner, manager, or person in charge of any property upon which any
designed fire lane has been established shall be responsible to prevent the parking
of vehicles in such fire lanes by informing the appropriate towing company of the
violation. If the lane is blocked by any other obstructions, the owner, managed or
person in charge of the property shall attempt to remove the obstruction, and if
unable, shall inform the fire department that the obstruction exists.
9. All criminal violations of the Uniform Fire Code and obstruction of a fire
apparatus road may be enforced by any regular or reserve police officer of the
Police Department.
10. All residential, commercial, or industrial developments shall be constructed with
their access points containing locking gates in a manner which includes the
installation of an emergency vehicle pre-emption system to open all such gates
and 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 identity the emergency response vehicle. The type of system to
be installed must be compatible with the traffic signal priority control system used
in the City of Spokane Valley. The design and final installation must be approved
by the City of Spokane Valley. Further, such system must be maintained in
proper working order by the owners of the development or a homeowners or
business owners association.
11. The Fire Chief, Fire Marshal and such other commissioned personnel of the Fire
Department as designated by the Fire Chief and approved by the City Manager,
shall have the authority to issue infractions for violations of the Uniform Fire
Code on forms provided by the Chief of Police for such purposes.
Section 4. Uniform Fire Code - Section 901.4.4 amended - Premises Identification.
Section 901.4.4 of the Uniform Fire Code is amended as follows:
901.4.4 Premises Identification. Approved numbers or addresses shall be provided for all
new and existing buildings in such a position as to be plainly visible and legible from the
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street or road fronting the property. All numbers and/or letters shall be no less than four
(4) inches with a contrasting color background. The Building Official or the Fire Marshal
may require larger numbers where large complexes and/or buildings are present, or where
otherwise necessary to assure visibility.
Section 5. Uniform Fire Code - Section 902.2.1.1 added - Fire Apparatus Access
Roads. Section 902.2.1.1 of the Uniform Fire Code is amended by adding the following:
902.2.1.1 Sprinklers Required. Fire sprinklers are required in all buildings that are served
by a primary access road that is in excess of 15 per cent grade for more that 200 feet.
Section 6. Uniform Fire Code - Section 902.2.2.6—Grade.
902.2.2.6 Grade. The gradient for the fire apparatus access road shall not exceed the
maximum approved. Any building served by a fire apparatus access road in excess of 15
per cent grade for 200 feet or more must have automatic fire sprinklers installed.
Section 7. Uniform Fire Code - Section 1001.5.3.1 - Problematic Systems and
Systems Out of Service. Section 1001.5.3.1 of the Uniform Fire Code is amended by adding the
following:
1001.5.3.1 Problematic Systems and Systems Out of Service.
Repeated system malfunction false alarms in any given six month period shall be
subject to fines as outlined in the City of Spokane Valley fee Resolution. During the
malfunction and such owner or occupant shall provide an approved means of notification
to the Fire Department for emergency purposes. If a Fire Watch person is designated,
their duty is to patrol the premises and keep watch for emergencies.
Section 8. Uniform Fire Code - Section 1003.1.1 - Installation Requirements.
Section 1003.1.1 Uniform Fire Code is amended by the adding of the following:
1003.1.1 General.
A sign shall be installed next to the fire alarm bell designating "Call the Fire
Department if the Bell is Ringing" with letters of least four inches on a red background.
All fire sprinkler systems shall be monitored by a certified company with a
system that will notify the local 911 telephone system and be approved by the Fire
Marshal
Section 9. Uniform Fire Code - Section 1003.2.2 - Automatic Sprinklers Required. •
Section 1003.2.2 of the Uniform Fire Code is amended as follows:
Section 1003.2.2 All Occupancies except Group U Occupancies. Except for Group U
Occupancies, an automatic sprinkler system shall be installed:
5. Throughout all buildings three or more stories in height except Group R,
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Division 3. For the purpose of this section a floor shall be any level of a
building that is occupied for any reason.
6. Throughout all buildings, including R, Division 3, where the total floor
area, including basements, exceeds 8,000 square feet. For the purposes of
this section, portions of buildings separated by one or more area separation
walls will not be considered a separate building. Existing buildings shall
comply with this section when an addition is made to the building and the
total floor area, including the basements, or the existing building and the
addition combined exceeds 8,000 square feet. If an R, Division 3,
occupancy addition contributes to the building exceeding 8,000 square
feet, then only the addition will be required to have a sprinkler system.
Section 10. Section 1003.2.9 Group R, Division 1 Occupancies. Section 1003.2.9 of
the Group R, Division 1 Occupancies of the Uniform Fire Code is amended as follows:
Section 1003.2.9 Group R, Division 1 Occupancies. An automatic sprinkler system shall
be installed throughout every condominium, apartment house, hotel or motel three stories
in height or containing 10 or more dwelling units or guest rooms and every congregate
residence two or more stories in height or having an occupant load of 10 or more. For the
purpose of this section any floor that is occupied for any reason is considered a story and
portions of buildings separated by one or more separation walls will not be considered a
separate building. Residential or quick response standard sprinklers shall be used in the
dwelling and guest room portions of the building.
Section 11. Section 1007 Fire Alarm Systems - General. Section 1007.2.1.3 of the
Uniform Fire Code is amended by adding the following:
Section 1007.2.1.3 Monitored automatic fire alarm systems are required in:
A. Buildings of all occupancies except R3 and U shall be equipped with an
approved monitored automatic fire alarm system at the time of
construction or when remodeling is in excess of fifty,percent (50%) of the
accessed value or when the uses change to a more hazardous use, as
determined by the Fire Chief Exception: An alarm need not be installed
in multiple residence dwellings, hotels or motels constructed all on one
floor when individual dwelling or guest units are separated by at least one
hour fire resistant separations and each unit has a direct exit to a yard or
public way, nor in retail or commercial occupancies with a floor area less
than three thousand (3,000) square feet. Provided, that any building which
has installed an approved sprinkler system wherein the sprinkler system
and control valve have been equipped to automatically transmit an alarm
by approved means to the Fire Department, will not be required to comply
with the requirement for installation of an approved and maintained fire
protection system under this section.
B. 1. All occupancies to which this chapter applies exceeding 3,000 square
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feet gross floor area, except Group R, Division 3 and U occupancies, shall
be required to provide an approved monitored automatic fire detection
system, and occupancies protected through an approved monitored
sprinkler system may utilize a fire detection system without heat detectors.
2. A monitored fire detection system shall meet the following
requirements:
a. The system shall be supervised and UL approved;
b. The system shall have dual lines;
c. The system shall have a data test signal or be line supervised; and
d. Tape recorders shall not be utilized.
Section 12. Section 1102.3.1 Open Burning — General. Section 1102.3.1 of the
Uniform Fire Code is amended as follows:
Section 1102.3.1 General. Opening burning shall not be conducted at any time in
compliance with a permanent ban on open burning established by the Spokane County
Pollution Control Authority in Spokane.
Exception: Barbecue and other cooking fires in accordance with Section 1102.4
and Section 1102.5.
Section 13. Section 7701.7.2 - amended - Limits established by law. Section
7701.7.2 of the Uniform Fire Code is amended as follows:
Section 7701.7.2 Limits as Established by Law. The storage of explosive materials is
prohibited within the limits of the City, except in zoning classifications I-1, 1-2, 1-3, MZ,
EA and GA provided the written consent of the Fire Marshal is obtained identifying the
quantity of explosive material, type of magazine for storage and type of building in which
the explosives are stored.
Section 14. Section 7801.3.1.1 - amended—Manufacturinp,. Section 7801.3.1.1 of the
Uniform Fire Code is amended as follows:
Section 7801.3.1.1 Manufacturing. The manufacturing of fireworks is prohibited within
the limits of the City.
Section 15. Section 7802.3 - amended — Prohibited. Section 7802.3 of the Uniform
Fire Code is amended as follows:
Section 7802.3 Prohibited. The storage, use, sales and handling of fireworks is
prohibited.
EXCEPTIONS: 1. The use of fireworks for display is allowed as set forth in
Section 7802.4.
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Section 16. Section 7902.2.2.1 and Section 7904.2.5.4.2 amended - Locations where
Above Ground Tanks are Prohibited. Section 7902.2.2.1 and Section 7904.2.5.4.2 of the
Uniform Fire Code are amended as follows:
Section 7902.2.2.1 Locations where Above Ground Tanks are Prohibited. The storage of
Class 1 and Class 11 flammable liquids in above ground tanks in excess of 100 gallons is
prohibited within the limits of the City. In particular, installations this capacity limit may
be altered at the discretion of the Fire Chief, in writing, after consideration of special
features such as topographical conditions, nature of occupancy and proximity to
buildings, capacity of proposed tanks, degree of private fire protection to be
provided, and facilities of the Fire Department.
Section 7904.2.5.4.2 Locations where Above Ground Tanks are Prohibited. The storage
of Class I and Class I1 flammable liquids in above ground tanks in excess of 100 gallons
is prohibited within the limits of the City. In particular installations this capacity limit
may be altered at the discretion of the Fire Chief, in writing, after consideration of special
features such as topographical conditions, nature of occupancy and proximity to
buildings, capacity of proposed tanks, degree of private fire protection t be provided, and
facilities of the Fire Department.
Section 17. Section 8204.2 - amended - Maximum Capacity within Established
Limits. Section 8204.2 of the Uniform Fire Code is amended as follows:
Section 8204.2 Maximum Capacity within Established Limits. The aggregate capacity
of any one installation shall not exceed 2,000 gallons water capacity, except that in
particular installations this capacity limit may be altered at the discretion of the Fire Chief
after consideration of special features such as topographical conditions, nature of the
occupancy and proximity to buildings, capacity of proposed tanks, degree of private fire
protection to be provided, and facilities of the Fire Department.
Section 18. Severability. if any section, sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance
shall be held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such
invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of any other
section, sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance.
Section 19. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect on the
official date of incorporation provided publication of this Ordinance or a summary thereof occurs
in the official newspaper of the City as provided by law.
PASSED by the City Council this c0..5- day of Febru 2003.
X.\\ .
Mayor, Michael DeVleniing
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ATT +
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Interim City Clerk, Ruth Muller -
Approved As To Form:
L -eri City A o ney- Stanley . Schwartz
Date of Publication: Al Ars.41 28, 2.683
Effective Date:
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