1511.01 ADOPTION; COPIES; AMENDMENTS.
(a) The International Fire Code/2003 - Published by the International Code Council, is hereby adopted as the Fire Code of the City as if set out in its entirety herein, subject to the specific amendments, substitutions additions and deletions thereto hereinafter set forth in subsection (c). Such Code shall be known as the City of Fairfield Fire Code, abbreviated C.F.F.C., and also known as the Fire Preventions Code of Fairfield, Ohio, and shall be controlling within the corporate limits of the City from the effective date of this chapter. All other ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.
(b) A copy of the International Fire Code/2003 hereby adopted shall be kept on file in the office of the Clerk of Council and available to interested persons.
(c) The following amendments, substitutions, additions and deletions to the International Fire Code\2003 as described in subsection (a) above are hereby adopted:
(1) Section 101.1 Insert: City of Fairfield, Ohio.
(2) Section 109.3 Violation Penalties, is deleted. (Penalty provisions are provided in Section 1511.99 of this Chapter.)
(3) Subsection 111.4 Failure to Comply. Any person who shall continue any work after having been served with a stop work order, except such work as that person is directed to perform to remove a violation or unsafe condition, shall be subject to penalties as provided in Section 1511.99.
(4) The Board of Building Appeals shall Perform the duties and functions of the Board of Appeals under Section 108 and Subsection 108.3 Is Repealed in its Entirety.
(5) PERMIT AND REPLACEMENT PERMIT AND OCCUPANCY POSTING SIGN FEES.
(A) All permits required by the Fairfield Fire Prevention Code are twenty-five dollars ($25.00). Permit fees shall be paid before the permit is issued. All permits shall be issued for a twelve (12) month period, unless the permit is for a specific event only. A fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) shall apply to the replacement of an occupancy posting sign or permit where the original occupancy posting sign or permit is lost or cannot be produced for posting by the owner or occupant of the building.
(B) The State and all taxing subdivisions thereof and all elementary and secondary schools that meet the State Board of Education minimum requirements as stated by Ohio law shall be exempted from permit fees but application for a permit must be made and plans filed for inspection and recording purposes.
(6) FIRE HYDRANTS AND WATER SUPPLY
(A) Water Supply for Fire fighting Purposes:
1. This subsection shall apply to water supply for fire fighting purposes and includes but shall not be limited to:
Water flow requirements;
Public fire hydrants;
Private fire hydrants; and
Access for fire apparatus
2. All required fire department connections shall be placed within one hundred feet of an accessible fire hydrant.
3. Any building and/or structure located more than eight hundred feet from a fire hydrant shall have water supply of at least 5500 gallons. This water supply shall be located not less than one hundred feet away from the building and within five feet of a hardsurface. The water supply must have a dry hydrant piping of at least six inches. The dry hydrant shall be installed and maintained in accordance with NFPA 1231. It shall be the responsibility of the owner and/or occupant of the building to maintain the water supply as required under this subsection at all times.
(B) Water Flow Requirements:
1. An adequate water supply for fire fighting purposes, as determined by the code official, shall be available for all buildings, structures, and parts thereof.
2. An adequate water supply for fire fighting shall be available for all buildings and structures under construction, as required by the code official.
(Ord. 87-05. Passed 5-9-05.)
(C) Location of Buildings and Structures:
1. Editor’s Note: Former subsection (6)(C)1. was repealed by Ordinance 69- 06.
2. All dwelling houses or other minor use buildings or structures shall be so located that all parts thereof are not more than five hundred feet from not less than one readily accessible public or private fire hydrant, unless a greater distance is approved by the code official.
(D) Public Fire Hydrant Spacing:
1. Public fire hydrants which are necessary to supply the fire fighting water required by this chapter shall be spaced or located in accordance with the applicable NFPA standard.
(E) Private Fire Hydrants:
Private fire hydrants where required by this chapter, shall be located, installed and maintained in accordance with NFPA 24, all applicable laws, ordinances of the City of Fairfield, Ohio and the rules and regulations of the City of Fairfield Public Utilities Department.
(F) Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Private Hydrants/Water Supplies:
1. City of Fairfield Fire Department personnel shall have the right to enter onto private property where private fire hydrants and/or water supplies are located for the purposes of testing and/or inspecting such hydrants.
2. The Code Official shall have the right to order and make necessary maintenance and repairs on private hydrants and to charge the property owner with the expense thereof. Such sums may be added to the water bill for the property.
(G) Spacing/Measuring.
For purposes of this chapter, spacing of fire hydrants, both public and private, shall be determined by measuring the accessibility or travel distance of fire apparatus.
(H) Tampering or Interfering With Fire Hydrants or Connections:
1. No person shall, without privilege to do so, knowingly tamper with, make inoperative or attempt to make inoperative any fire hydrant or any part thereof.
2. No person shall, without privilege to do so, knowingly turn, move or operate or attempt to turn, move or operate any part of a fire hydrant.
(7) NON-REQUIRED FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS:
(A) A fire protection system not required to be installed and maintained under this chapter or other applicable ordinance or regulation may be discontinued and removed from the structure only with the approval of the code official.
(8) MANUAL FIRE EXTINGUISHING EQUIPMENT:
(A) Portable fire extinguishers in or on vehicles: fire extinguishers shall be installed in or on motor vehicles as required by the code official, as to location, type, number and size.
(B) Residential Buildings: In hotels, dormitories, lodging houses and multi-family buildings, at least one approved fire extinguisher shall be provided on each floor at stairway landings and in the corridor at each elevator or bank of elevators. An approved fire extinguisher shall also be provided in each laundry room, heating or air handling room and in similar rooms subject to more than one tenant use or public use. A minimum 2A10BC dry powder extinguisher may be provided in each dwelling unit in lieu of an extinguisher in the common hallway on each floor.
(9) FIRE AND EXIT WAY DOORS:
(A) All self-closing and automatic doors serving as a means of egress or providing a fire and/or smoke barrier as required by this chapter shall be maintained in an operable condition at all times.
(B) All exterior doors, egress doors and doors that serve as smoke barriers in all places of business, both mercantile and industrial, and places of assembly shall have self-closing devices as may be required by the code official.
(10) IDENTIFICATION OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS:
(A) The code official may require the marking of hazardous materials, regardless of quantity, if deemed necessary for the protection of fire or other emergency situations. Each hazardous material shall be marked in accordance with N.F.P.A. 704 and shall indicate the "common name" of each substance in addition to the N.F.P.A. 704 placard.
(B) The owner, operator or occupant of any property in which hazardous materials are manufactured, used, or stored, shall, within thirty days after written notification by the code official, at his expense provide and maintain the appropriate placards and markings as designated by the N.F.P.A. 704 standards.
(11) ORDERS TO ELIMINATE DANGEROUS OR HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS OR MATERIALS.
(A) Posting of Orders: Each order issued by the code official or a copy or copies thereof, shall be prominently posted by the owner, a duly authorized agent of the owner, operator, occupant or other person responsible for the conditions under violation at or near the main entrance or lobby to the premises where the violation or violations are located.
(B) Unlawful Removal: No person shall remove or cause the removal of a posted order prior to clearance of the violation by the code official.
(12) SAFE USE OF UNVENTED KEROSENE HEATERS:
(A) This rule is designed to ensure the safe use of unvented kerosene heaters exempted from division (A) of Section 3701.82 of the Ohio Revised Code when used in assembly buildings, business buildings, high hazard buildings, institutional buildings, mercantile buildings and Tyre R-1 and R-2 residential buildings, as such groups of buildings are defined in Chapter 4101:2-3 of the Administrative Code as adopted by the Board of Building Standards under Section 3781.10 of the Ohio Revised Code. The demonstration of such heaters by the manufacturer or his agent or by a merchant is not included within the scope of this subsection.
(B) R-1 and R-2 Buildings: In accordance with the definitions of these use groups, R-1 buildings include all hotels, motels and dormitories arranged for the shelter and sleeping accommodation of more than twenty individuals; R-2 buildings include all multiple family dwellings having more than three dwelling units, as well as all dormitories and boarding and lodging houses arranged for the shelter and sleeping accommodation of more than five but not more than twenty individuals.
(C) General Provisions: The use of unvented kerosene heaters in the aforementioned buildings and the storage of the fuel for such heaters comply with the following provisions:
1. No unvented kerosene heater shall be located in any building means of egress. For the purpose of this subsection, "means of egress" has the same meaning as defined in the Ohio Fire Code, i.e., a continuous and unobstructed path of travel from any point in a building or structure to a publicway, comprising all vertical and horizontal means of travel and including intervening room spaces, doors, hallways, corridors, passageways, balconies, ramps, stairs, enclosures, lobbies, escalators and exits.
2. No unvented kerosene heater shall be elevated by being placed upon a stand or otherwise placed or suspended above the floor.
3. No unvented kerosene heater shall be placed within three feet of any furniture, drapery, curtain, decorative material, accessory, appliance, equipment, merchandise, goods or fixture, or any other thing which is or may be combustible.
4. No unvented kerosene heater shall be left unattended while it is operating.
5. Every unvented kerosene heater shall be set and centered upon a noncombustible mat or shallow base, dimensions of which shall be sufficient to allow at least three feet of the mat or base to extend outward in any direction from any part of the unvented kerosene heater.
6. Every unvented kerosene heater shall be in an area where there is adequate ventilation, as recommended by the manufacturer of such heater.
7. No unvented kerosene heater shall be fueled or refueled while it is operating or within ten minutes of flame extinguishment, or contrary to the instructions of its manufacturer.
8. No unvented kerosene heater or its fuel reservoir shall be fueled or refueled inside a building. All such fueling operations shall be performed outdoors.
9. Every unvented kerosene heater shall be fueled or refueled strictly in accordance with the instructions of its manufacturer.
10. The fuel used in every unvented kerosene heater shall be only No. 1-K kerosene, as prescribed in Rule 1301:7-5-10 of the Ohio Administrative Code (OFC)
11. The fuel used in every unvented kerosene heater shall be stored away from occupied areas and in an approved container which shall be marked or labeled in a conspicuous manner to read: "1-K Kerosene."
12. At least one fire extinguisher with a minimum 2-A, 20-B:C rating and capacity shall be provided and available for use within twenty-five feet of every unvented kerosene heater during its operation.
(13) FIRE LANES AND REQUIRED ACCESS FOR FIRE APPARATUS.
Sections 503.1 through 503.6, inclusive, are deleted. The provisions of any other building, zoning or other code notwithstanding, the following shall be the procedure and requirements for fire lanes in the City of Fairfield:
(A) The code official may require and designate fire lanes on public property and on private property for the efficient and effective use of fire and other emergency apparatus in accordance with the requirements of this subsection (13). Fire lanes may be required by the code official to extend on any or all sides of the building perimeter. The Code official shall maintain a record of all such fire lanes designated by him and such record or a copy of the record certified by the code official shall be competent evidence of the fire lane designation in all courts. The code official shall also take possession and control of all records of fire lanes previously designated by the City Engineer under Section 351.14 of these Codified Ordinances, a copy of which when certified by the code official shall also be competent evidence of the fire lane designation in all courts.
(B) Unless waived by the code official, all required fire lanes and access roads shall meet the following requirements:
1. Required Access for Fire Apparatus: All premises which the Fire Department may be called upon to protect in case of fire which are not readily accessible from public roads shall be provided with suitable gates, access roads and fire lanes so that all portions of all buildings, on the premises are accessible to fire apparatus and public safety vehicles, as may be required by the code official.
2. Fire lanes shall be at least twenty feet in width unless a narrower width is approved by the code official. Any dead-end road more than three hundred feet long shall be provided with a turn-around at the closed end at least ninety feet in diameter.
3. Fire lanes and access roads shall be capable of supporting five apparatus weights of 75,000 pounds minimum.
4. Fire lane and access road turning radiuses shall be a minimum of forty-five feet inside measurement.
5. Fire lanes shall be marked at least every seventy-five feet with an approved fire lane sign. The signs must be placed at least seven feet from the ground to the bottom of the sign and two feet from a curb.
6. The curb shall be painted yellow at least six inches wide and continuously for the entire length of the fire lane.
7. The entire width of the fire lane may be required to be marked if necessary for a more adequate identification.
8. When a required fire lane has been established and approved, the Code Official shall affix an approved sticker on each sign. When an approved sticker is attached, it shall mean that the fire lane is in compliance with the City of Fairfield Fire Code and that any specific requirement which is not met has been waived by the Code Official.
(C) The owner or occupant of the property on which a fire lane has been designated by the code official shall within sixty days after written notification by the code official of the designation of a fire lane or lanes on the premises, at his expense, provide the appropriate signs and markings indicating the existence of such lane or lanes.
(D) Failure to provide appropriate signs or markings shall be a violation of this chapter.
(E) All designated fire lane signs and/or markings shall be maintained in a clean and legible condition at all times and replaced when necessary to ensure adequate visibility.
(F) Where deemed necessary by the code official, access shall be provided for the placement of aerial apparatus. The access shall terminate at or near the structure and shall be a minimum of twenty feet in width and capable of supporting apparatus weights of 75,000 pounds minimum, unless an alternative width or weight supporting capability is approved by the code official.
(14) DUMPSTER LOCATIONS.
(A) The provisions of any other building, zoning or other code notwithstanding, no dumpster or large commercial trash container shall be placed within fifteen feet of any combustible surface or opening of any structure, excluding dumpster screening materials.
(15) BUILDING ACCESS.
(A) Any multi-family building equipped with a security door on the main entrance and any commercial or industrial building that has an NFPA 13 fire sprinkler system or a fire alarm shall be provided with a knox type box containing a key or code to open the security or entrance door in the event of an emergency.
(B) The box shall be of a type approved by the code official and mounted within five feet of the main entrance.
(C) All knox boxes shall be keyed as approved by the code official. This subsection applies to new and existing doors except that commercial or industrial building owners (or occupants) shall be allowed a period of one year after notification by the fire code official in which to install the knox box with entrance key or code.
(16) BUILDING IDENTIFICATION.
(A) All commercial and industrial buildings shall display a street number in a prominent location on the street side of the building in such a position that the number is easily visible to approaching emergency vehicles. In multi-occupancy buildings the rear doors shall also be identified with the name or address or suite number of the occupant.
(B) All numerals shall be arabic, no less than four inches in height, three quarters inch wide stroke, and shall be a contrasting color to the background to which they are attached.
(17) ABOVE-GROUND TANKS FOR THE STORAGE OF FLAMMABLE OR COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS.
(A) Definition: For purposes of this chapter, an above ground storage tank is any vessel used for storage of flammable, combustible or hazardous solids, liquids or gas or any chemical listed by NFPA in the hazardous chemical category or any material designated by the Code Official to be dangerous having a liquid capacity exceeding sixty U.S. gallons situated above ground, excluding tank trucks which meet all applicable requirements for the transport of flammable or combustible liquids and which trucks are actually used for the transport of such liquids from place to place on public roadways and are not kept in the same general location for dispensing flammable or combustible liquids.
Fuel oil tanks for supplying oil burning heating equipment shall be exempt provided the capacity of such tank does not exceed two hundred seventy-five (275) gallons for each building served or the location is approved by the Code Official.
(B) Permit Required: A permit shall be obtained from the Code Official to install, remove, repair or alter in any way an above ground storage tank.
(C) Above-Ground Storage Tanks. Above ground storage tanks are only permitted provided that all the following requirements are met:
1. The tank installation must meet the requirements of NFiPA 30 or 30A.
2. Tank installation shall, as far as practical, be fail-safe engineered or updated into a fail-safe engineered installation to avoid spills.
3. An inspection of the tank, premises and operations has been made and approval granted by the Code Official.
4. The dispensing is done on premises not open to the public.
5. The tank is safeguarded against collision, spillage and overfill, to the satisfaction of the Code Official.
6. The tank complies with requirements for emergency relief venting and the tank and dispensing system meet the electrical classification requirements of NFiPA 30.
7. All above ground tanks shall sit on supports of at least two inches in height to allow for complete visual leak inspection.
8. No above ground tank shall exceed 660 U.S. gallons unless specifically authorized by the Code Official and no combination of tanks shall exceed 2,000 U.S. gallons total on any one premise, except that tanks, or combinations thereof, in excess of 2,000 U.S. gallons may be installed if approved by both the Technical Review Committee and the Code Official.
9. Multiple tank installations must be separated by a minimum of three feet.
10. Tanks must be located at least ten feet from LP gas containers.
11. All tanks shall be constructed to UL142-19487 Standards for an above ground tank and carry a UL-2085 listing.
12. All tanks shall be marked, using the NFPA 704 Standard, indicate contents of the tank, and a sign indicating no smoking.
(D) Above ground storage tanks shall be subject to periodic integrity testing, using such techniques as hydrostatic testing, visual inspection, or a system of nondestructive shell thickness testing, as per manufacturer's recommendations.
(E) An emergency action plan, consistent with the available equipment and personnel, shall be established by the owner to respond to fire or other emergencies. This plan shall be furnished to the Code Official and shall include:
(1) Procedures to be used in case of fire, such as sounding the alarm, notifying the Fire Department, evacuating personnel and controlling and extinguishing the fire.
(2) Appointment and training of persons to carry out fire safety duties.
(3) Maintenance of fire protection equipment.
(4) Holding fire drills.
(5) Shut down or isolation of equipment to reduce the escape of liquid or gas.
(F) Tank to provide a 2-hour fire barrier as well as ballistic protection.
(G) Concrete vault can be poured on location or shipped precast.
(H) Each enclosure (vault) shall be equipped with a leak detection system that is capable of detecting liquids, including water within the secondary containment, by means of audible alarm or visual inspection.
(I) Means shall be provided to recover liquids from the enclosure (vault).
(J) Each above ground enclosure (vault) shall be provided with a means of inspection through the top only.
(K) Each tank in the enclosure (vault) shall be tested and listed for above ground use.
(L) That overfill protection be provided so as to provide an audible alarm or automatic shut-off at 90% of tank capacity.
(M) That secondary containment be provided and capable of 100% containment. This may be accomplished through remote impounding, diking, or liquid tight vaults.
(N) The tank complies with the requirements for emergency relief venting, and the tank and dispensing system meet the electrical classifications requirements of NFiPA 70 listed in Rule 1301:7-7-35 of the Administrative Code.
(O) All tank openings shall be secured to prevent tampering.
(18) CONSTRUCTION PLANS AND SITES.
(A) Requirement for Fire Protection Plan. Prior to the start of construction, a fire protection plan shall be submitted to the code official by the property owner or his agent for all new construction and all construction on existing buildings where fire protection equipment is involved or required.
(B) Content of Plan. The fire protection plan is to contain a modified site plan of the entire complex with all fire protection equipment, exit signs and emergency lighting. The site plan shall show access to the site, driveway locations and dimensions (width and radius of curves), locations of fire hydrants and water mains, locations of trees, high tension wires and other items that might affect or interfere with fire fighting or emergency operations. The site plan shall include the locations of all fire protection equipment and utility shutoffs.
(C) All construction sites must have the address displayed in 6" high letters.
(19) UNSAFE BUILDINGS.
(A) When any required fire alarm, fire communications, fire extinguishing, fire detecting, first-aid or fire fighting system, device or unit, or part thereof, becomes inoperative and in the opinion of the code official affects the fire safety of a building or structure or the occupants therein, the code official may order such building or structure, or portion thereof, vacated until such inoperative system, device or unit is repaired and returned to full service. All of the occupants so notified shall immediately leave the building, structure or premises and persons shall not enter or reenter until authorized to do so by the code official.
(20) OHIO BUILDING CODE.
All references to the International Building Code in the International Fire Code/2003 adopted in this chapter are amended to the Ohio Building Code (OBC).
(Ord. 87-05. Passed 5-9-06.)