(a) Single-Family and Two Family Residences.
(1) The installation of a minimum of one smoke detector per dwelling unit is hereby required for all new single and two family residential dwellings constructed subsequent to the effective date of this section (Ordinance 80-9, passed March 4, 1980). As an alternative to a smoke detector, an approved fire detection system may be installed. Each such fire detection system must be individually approved and a permit issued therefor by the Building Department.
(2) Although not required, it is recommended that all existing single and two-family dwelling structures shall have installed therein a minimum of one smoke detector per dwelling unit or an acceptable alternative approved as provided in paragraph (1).
(3) The smoke detector shall be mounted on the ceiling, or wall not more than twelve inches from the ceiling, at a point centrally located in a corridor or area giving access to rooms used for sleeping purposes. In an efficiency dwelling unit the detector shall be centrally located on the ceiling of the main room. Where sleeping rooms are on an upper level, the detector shall be placed at the center of the ceiling directly above the stairway.
Care should be exercised to ensure that the installation will not interfere with the operating characteristics of the detector. When activated the detector shall provide an audible alarm in the dwelling unit. Smoke detectors with D.C. power supply only are permitted, as are detectors with A.C. power supply backed up by a secondary supply which is D.C. Where A.C.- D.C. combination units are used, it is required that all A.C. lines be wired directly to the building's power supply. All D.C. powered detectors shall have built-in protection to warn of battery failure.
(b) Residential Multiple Dwellings. All buildings containing more than two residential dwelling units, as defined in the Zoning Ordinance of the City in Chapter 1125 and exceeding two stories and/or a height of twenty-five feet constructed after the effective date of this section (Ordinance 75-111, passed October 1, 1974.) shall have contained within each dwelling unit an approved early warning fire detection system. Such system shall consist of an Underwriters Laboratories Factory Mutual or Underwriters Laboratories of Canada approved detector installed and maintained adjacent to the outside of sleeping quarters within the multiple dwelling units. Alarm signaling devices shall be clearly audible in all bedrooms within the apartment or dwelling unit when all intervening doors are closed. In the application of the story limitation the following provisions of the Zoning Ordinance of the City shall apply:
Chapter 1125, Section 1125.67
Chapter 1125, Section 1125.68
Chapter 1155, Section 1155.03(A)
(c) Office Buildings. All office buildings in excess of fifty feet in height constructed after the effective date of this section (Ordinance 75-111, passed October 1, 1974) shall have installed and maintained on each level of the building used for offices an Underwriters Laboratories Factory Mutual or Underwriters Laboratories of Canada approved early warning fire detection system. Prior to the construction of any such building, the developer or owner thereof shall present plans to the Building Commissioner and Fire Chief with respect to the placement of the early warning fire detection system. Such plan shall meet the approval of the Commissioner and/or Fire Chief. Should the Commissioner and/or Fire Chief of the City deem it necessary to have additional detectors installed within the office building, the location and number of detectors shall be determined jointly by the Commissioner and Fire Chief.
(d) Specifications and Requirements.
(1) The early warning fire detection system detectors shall be sensitive to visible and invisible products of combustion. Detectors sensitive to heat alone are not acceptable with respect to compliance with the requirements of this Code.
(2) For the purposes of installation and maintenance, the application of the following standards of the National Fire Protection Association shall apply: No. 71, 72A, 72B, 72C, 72D and 74.
(e) Automated Fire Alarm Systems.
(1) “Fire alarm system” means any fire alarm system, as required by the Ohio Fire Code or as otherwise permitted to be installed in any structure within the City, whether or not inspected in accordance with Section 1701.13, and which transmit to a privately operated central station and which results in a telephone call directly to the police or fire station, via 911 or otherwise, to alert the City that a fire or other emergency exists or that the services of the fire or other public safety forces are needed. “Fire alarm system” also means any alarm device which automatically emits an audible, visual, electronic, telephonic, or other similar response upon the occurrence of any hazard or emergency and which alerts persons inside or outside of the building as to the existence of such hazard or emergency. “Fire alarm system” shall include but not be limited to alarms for burglary, if registered under Chapter 559, and for fire, flood and cold but excludes personal and motor vehicle “alarm systems”.
(2) “Automatic dialing alarm systems” means an alarm system which either directly dials or otherwise prompts an automated telephone call to the police or fire station, via 911 or otherwise and uses a pre-taped or pre-recorded message to alert the City that a fire or other emergency exists or that the services of the fire or other public safety forces are needed.
A. No person shall use or cause to be used any telephone device or attachment that automatically selects any telephone line allocated or directed to the City, except a telephone line so designated by the Fire Chief for such purpose and only upon the City’s authorization.
B. The message upon an automatic dialing alarm system shall not exceed fifteen (15) seconds in length, shall not be repeated more than three (3) times per dialing, shall provide a concise and intelligible message specific to the emergency and shall state “this is a recording”.
C. Each automatic dialing alarm system shall be programmed to first dial the City emergency dispatch center for public safety response. The system shall next dial a number selected by the property owner to notify a person having authority to access the building for which an alarm has sounded.
(3) Installation. Any residential premises, single or multiple-family, or other commercial business establishment, whether retail, industrial or office, which is located within the City and which is equipped with an automated fire alarm system, shall do so only in accordance with the Ohio Fire Code and this chapter, including the payment of any and all inspection fees required by Section 1701.13, and, when applicable, upon compliance with the Ohio Building Code and Part Thirteen of this Code.
(4) Certification of Contractors. No person or company shall install, service, test, repair or maintain an automated fire alarm system without certification in fire protection systems by the State Fire Marshall pursuant to Ohio R.C. 3737.65. Certified contractors shall either register with the Building Department, pursuant to Chapter 1317 of this Code, to perform new installations or register with the Fire Chief to engage in the business of a fire protection systems contractor to perform service, testing, repair or other maintenance. The Fire Chief shall collect an annual registration fee of $100 and shall issue such registration upon presentation of a valid State Fire Marshall certificate in fire protection systems. (Ord. 2003-11. Passed 10-21-03.)