(A) Generally. The entire city is hereby declared to be and is hereby established a Fire District and the Fire District shall be known and designated as Fire Zones No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3, and shall include the territory or portions of the city described as follows.
(B) Fire zones.
(1) Fire Zone No. 1. All the area in the city within the CB Central Business District as designated and described by Chapter 155 shall be designated as Fire Zone No. 1.
(2) Fire Zone No. 2. All the area in the city within the GB General Business District, GI General Industrial District, HI Heavy Industrial District, and NC Neighborhood Commercial District as designated and described by Chapter 155 shall be designated as Fire Zone No. 2.
(3) Fire Zone No. 3. All the area in the city except the areas designated in Fire Zone No. 1 and Fire Zone No. 2 above shall be designated as Fire Zone No. 3.
(C) Construction regulations for fire zones.
(1) Fire Zone No. 1. Except as expressly limited herein, the following requirements, standards, and provisions, shall apply to the construction, re-construction, alteration, re-roofing, and repair of any building or structure located in Fire Zone No. 1
(a) Roofing. A minimum Class ‘C’ roofing assembly, as defined in the latest edition of the Vermillion Building Code, is required for all new construction and for re-roofing. Exceptions:
1. A more protective roof assembly may be required based on fire exposure or building use and type.
2. Replacement or repair of less than 50% of a legally constructed roof deck within a 5 year period.
3. Roofs separated by a parapet wall.
(b) Exterior walls. Exterior walls of buildings or structures shall be constructed with materials approved for 2-hour fire resistive construction on the exterior side. Materials shall be limited to brick, block, stone, cement or any alternate equivalent assembly approved by the Building Official.
Exception: Where less than 50% of any wall surface is being replaced or repaired.
Note: These provisions apply only where more fire resistive exterior walls are not otherwise required by the Building Code.
(c) Decks, balconies, exterior stairs and covered outdoor seating shall be constructed of non-combustible materials.
Exceptions:
1. The replacement or repair of not more than 50% of legally constructed existing decks, balconies, exterior stairs or covered outdoor seating.
(d) Overhangs. Roof overhangs extending more than 10 inches from exterior walls shall be protected by any 1 of the following:
1. One-hour fire resistive materials are required on the underside of the overhangs. Fascias are required and shall be protected on the backside by materials approved for 1-hour fire-resistive construction.
Exception: When all portions of the eave or overhang are greater than 16 feet above grade, or when the eaves or overhangs are above non-combustible patios, sidewalks or driveways which extend at least 5 feet beyond the roof drip edge, these requirements and standards shall not apply.
(e) Vents. Vents shall meet the following requirements:
1. Eave vents, where installed, shall not be a continuous strip, and shall incorporate features which shall inhibit intrusion of fire.
Exception: Vents equipped with manual or automatic dampers.
(f) Bulk oil tanks prohibited. The storage of Class I and Class II flammable liquids, in aboveground tanks outside of buildings is prohibited within the fire district.
(g) Modification. The Chief of the Fire Department may grant a variance to the provisions of the construction regulations upon application, in writing, by the owner or lessee, or his duly authorized agent, when there are practical difficulties in carrying out the strict letter of the Code, provided the spirit of the Code shall be observed, public safety secured and substantial justice done. The particulars of such modification, when granted or allowed, and the decision of the Chief of the Fire Department thereon, shall be entered upon the records of the Department and a signed copy shall be furnished the applicant. A copy of each order or modification by the Fire Chief shall be filed with the Building Official.
(1975 Code, § 7-5) (Ord. 619, passed 3-18-1974; Am. Ord. 1224, passed 1-4-2010; Am. Ord. 1503, passed 1-2-2024)
Statutory reference:
Authority of municipality to prescribe fire limits, see SDCL § 9-33-2