The Ohio Fire Code as adopted herein is amended in the manner respectively indicated:
(a) Applied Meaning of Words and Terms. “Approved” when applied to materials, types of construction, appliances, procedures, transportation or occupancy, means approved by the Bureau of Fire Prevention, as a result of investigations and tests conducted by it or by reason of accepted principles or tests by the National Fire Protection Association; the Building Officials and Code Administrators International, Incorporated; the Underwriters' Laboratories, Incorporated; the Factory Mutual system; the National Fire Codes, current edition; or the United States Bureau of Standards.
(b) Required Posting of Emergency Procedures. There shall be posted in a conspicuous place, under glass or rigid plastic in each residential unit of all multi-family buildings equipped with a fire alarm system, a fire emergency procedure. The fire emergency procedure shall be issued by the Bureau of Fire Prevention, and it will be the responsibility of the building owner, manager or agent to post these procedures under glass or clear rigid plastic in a conspicuous place in each residential unit within 30 days after receipt of these procedures.
(c) Outdoor Grills. No person shall kindle or maintain a fire to be used for the preparation of food in any type of outdoor grill in any apartment or on any apartment house balcony, or within 15 feet of any structure housing more than three families. Any type of outdoor or portable grill in one-, two- or three-family dwelling units shall have five feet minimum clearance from any structure or shall be placed any greater distance in accordance with manufacture's instructions.
(d) Electrical Equipment Sales.
(1) Sale limitations. No person shall sell, offer or expose for sale within the City any electrical materials, equipment, fixtures, appliances or devices which do not bear an Underwriters' Laboratories or Factory Mutual seal of approval, or which has been declared by the Fire Chief or an inspector of the Bureau of Fire Prevention to be unsafe for use because of design, construction, wiring or assembly.
(2) Inspection; notice. The Fire Chief or an inspector of the Bureau of Fire Prevention is hereby authorized to inspect any and all electrical materials, equipment, fixtures, appliances or devices sold or offered or exposed for sale within the City, and to determine whether the same are safe or unsafe for use because of design, construction, wiring or assembly. If he or she finds any material unsafe, he or she shall give notice of the finding to the person selling or offering or exposing the same for sale, and no such person shall be guilty of violation of this section unless such written notice shall be given to him or her or to his or her employer or to the person in charge of the place where the article is sold, offered or exposed for sale.
(e) Handling Readily Combustible Materials.
(1) No person making, using, storing, or having in charge or under his or her control, any shavings, excelsior, rubbish, sacks, bags, litter, hay, straw, or combustible waste materials shall fail or neglect at the close of each business day to cause all such material which is not compactly baled and stacked in an orderly manner to be removed from the building or stored in suitable vaults or in metal-lined, covered, receptacles or bins.
(2) In all multi-family homes and apartments where storage is permitted in lockers or storage rooms, there shall be a clearance of at least 18 inches between the top of material stored and the underside of the lowest beams, girders, sprinkler deflectors and other ceiling obstructions which might restrict the discharge of water from the sprinklers, or fire hose streams over this material.
(3) In all multi-family homes and apartments where individual furnace rooms are maintained, the storage of combustible materials or flammable liquids is not permitted.
(f) Manual Fire Alarm Systems in Apartment Buildings. An approved manual fire alarm system shall be installed and maintained in all apartment buildings containing 12 or more apartment units, and over one story in height. Such system shall be installed and maintained in accordance with NFPA Standard 72.
(g) Lighting.
(1) Each room, hall, area, space or auditorium having a capacity of 50 persons or more, and each place of business, place of assembly open to the public at any time from sunset to sunrise, and each apartment house shall be provided with emergency lighting and so located and supplied with electrical energy as to provide, with an electrical power failure, emergency illumination without appreciable delay. Such illumination shall consist of one or more of the following:
A. An emergency system so designed as to automatically provide the illumination required in this section in the event of failure of normal power due to any fault in the system, or to any failure of the public utility or other outside electrical power supply or any manual act such as an accidental opening of a switch controlling normal power facilities. Such emergency lighting system shall be either continuous in operation or capable of repeated automatic operation without manual intervention, and may be capable of repeated automatic operation without manual intervention, and may be provided by any method or combination of methods which will produce the desired results.
B. Two or more separate and complete systems with independent current supply, each providing emergency lighting. Unless both systems are kept lighted, means shall be provided for automatically lighting each system upon failure of the other.
C. Any other installation approved as adequate for the purpose of this section in the manner required by this Code. All emergency lighting systems shall be maintained in a serviceable and operating condition.
D. Existing buildings shall comply within one year from the date this Fire Prevention Code is adopted.
(h) Districts in Which Storage of Explosives and Blasting Agents are Prohibited. The limits referred to in Section F3003.0, in which storage of explosives and blasting agents is prohibited, are hereby established as follows: “the boundaries of the City”.
(i) Districts in Which Storage of Flammable Liquids in Outside Above-Ground Tanks are Prohibited. The limits in which storage of flammable liquids in outside above-ground tanks is prohibited are hereby established as follows: “the boundaries of the City”. A temporary permit may be issued for aboveground storage at construction sites.
(j) Routes for Transporting Hazardous Chemicals and Other Dangerous Articles. Vehicles transporting hazardous chemicals and other dangerous articles are hereby restricted to the following route in the City: Lakeland Freeway (State Route 2).
(k) Routes for Transporting Explosives and Blasting Agents. Vehicles transporting explosives and blasting agents are hereby restricted to the following route in the City: Lakeland Freeway (State Route 2).
(l) Fire Limits; Construction. No building shall be erected on or moved onto any lot or parcel of land in any retail, commercial, office commercial or apartment district, as established by the Zoning Code of the City, or any amendment thereto, unless the exterior of the walls of the building are constructed entirely of fireproof material. If any such wall is within 15 feet of any other building or adjoining lot line, it shall be or include not less than eight inches in thickness of stone, brick or concrete. In such districts, all roof coverings shall be fire-resistive material, and all partitions and floors shall have a one-hour fire-resistance rating.
(m) Fire Separation Limits.
(1) Attached garages. Garages attached to a living unit shall have its walls and ceiling constructed with fire-rated type X drywall with a fire-resistance. rating of one hour. Door(s) leading to the living unit will be equipped with self-closing devices and be of a type of material having a fire-resistance rating of not less than one hour. The door shall be weather stripped and made airtight. Garage floor surface shall be of approved noncombustible material and shall be not less than six inches lower than the threshold of the door to the residence and shall slope away from such door.
(2) Detached garages. Garages within ten feet of a living unit, when constructed of wooden material, shall have its walls and ceiling covered with fire-rated type X drywall with a fire-resistance rating of one hour.
Garages within ten feet of a living unit, when constructed of masonry material on the exterior and having wooden material on the interior for structural members, shall have its walls and ceiling covered with fire-rated type X drywall with a fire-resistance rating of one hour.
(3) Additions. When building additions are added to an existing living unit and come within ten feet of any permanent structure on neighboring property, the materials and design of such building addition shall be of a type and quality to minimize the spread of fire to the neighboring structure.
(n) Fire-Damaged Premises a Nuisance. Any building or structure within this City whereon a fire has occurred, and where either interior or exterior damage has been suffered, shall hereby be declared to be a public nuisance. Such nuisance may be summarily abated or the premises condemned for occupancy by the Director of Public Safety when he or she has determined that a hazard to public health and safety exists. In either case, prior to such abatement, the premises shall first be inspected by the Director of Health, the Building Inspector and the Fire Chief, or their duly authorized representatives, and each shall make written recommendations to the Director of Public Safety as to specific work to be performed in order to properly abate such nuisance and to protect the public health and safety, and the Director of Public Safety shall follow such recommendations to the extent possible in abating such nuisance.
(o) Fire Lanes.
(1) Establishment. The Fire Chief is hereby authorized to establish fire lanes on either public or private property upon finding that the following conditions exist:
A. That a fire lane is necessary for safeguarding life and property from the hazards of fire and explosion, and for the use and occupancy of buildings, structures and adjacent property.
B. That the fire lane is incident to a retail, commercial or manufacturing use or other use where it can reasonably be expected that the public will assemble in sufficient numbers so that the presence of the public and their motor vehicles, if not controlled, will interfere with the operation of fire-fighting equipment and personnel and the egress of occupants in case of fire.
(2) Width and marking. Fire lanes shall be of such width as is reasonably determined by the Fire Chief as necessary to permit access and operation of fire-fighting equipment and personnel and the egress of occupants. Fire lanes shall be suitably marked by appropriate markings on the ground or by displaying adequate signs, or both. The signs and markings shall be placed and maintained by the property owner in accordance with color and design standards as prescribed by the Fire Chief.
(3) Obstructions; barricades and fences. No person shall obstruct a fire lane by parking, stopping or leaving a motor vehicle standing, whether such vehicle is attended or unattended, by constructing a fence or other barricade or in any manner whatsoever. A barricade or fence which is readily removable or through which access may be gained by fire-fighting equipment and personnel without delay is not prohibited by the terms of this section. Any such permitted barricade or fence shall not be locked in any manner.
(4) Impounding of vehicles. Attended motor vehicles found standing or parked in a fire lane shall be immediately moved upon direction of any member of the Department of Public Safety. Any unattended motor vehicle found standing or parked in a fire lane may be impounded in a manner and subject to the penalties and charges set forth in the Traffic Code.
(5) Removal of other obstructions. Obstructions, other than motor vehicles, found in fire lanes, shall be removed by the owner, occupant or other person in charge of the premises within 24 hours after written notice to remove. Upon failure to comply with such notice, the City may cause the obstruction to be removed and the owner, occupant or other person in charge of the premises shall pay the cost of such removal.
(p) Fire Hydrants.
(1) Public Fire Hydrants.
A. An adequate water supply for fire-fighting purposes, as determined by the Fire Chief, shall be available for all buildings, structures and parts thereof. Such water shall be supplied from City water or private water supply mains.
B. All building and structures shall be located so that all parts thereof are not more than 300 feet from at least two readily accessible public or private fire hydrants, such locations to be determined by the Fire Chief. Such distance shall be measured along streets, roadways or driveways, complying with division (p)(3) of this section. Spacing of hydrants around buildings shall not be more than 250 feet apart.
C. All dwellings or other minor buildings or structures shall be located so that all parts thereof are not more than 300 feet from not less than one readily accessible public or private fire hydrant. Such distance shall be measured along streets, roadways or driveways, complying with division (p)(3) of this section.
(2) Private fire hydrants.
A. Private fire hydrants shall be located, installed and maintained in accordance with applicable rules and regulations of the Lake County Water Department and nationally recognized good practice.
B. All private fire hydrants shall have an approved shut-off valve installed in the fire hydrant lead not more than ten feet from the fire hydrant, and which shall be accessible at all times.
C. All private fire hydrants shall be installed not closer than two feet nor more than five feet from a street, roadway or driveway, conforming with division (p)(3) of this section.
D. All private fire hydrants shall be maintained in proper working order by the owner.
E. An inspection and flow test shall be conducted by the owner, as prescribed by the Fire Chief, and reports of testing shall be forwarded to the Fire Department.
F. All private fire hydrants shall be accessible at all times for fire fighting purposes.
(3) Access streets, roadways and driveways. Access streets, roadways or driveways where required by divisions (p)(1) and (2) of this section shall conform to the following:
A. The width shall be sufficient to permit easy passage of any Fire Department apparatus, and in no case shall the width be less than 20 feet.
B. The surface shall be reinforced of sufficient strength and type to adequately support any fire apparatus under any weather conditions.
C. The curve radii and grade elevations shall be such as to permit any Fire Department apparatus to negotiate curves and grades under any weather conditions.
(4) Adequate water supply. No permit for the construction of any building shall be issued except where adequate water supply and facilities for fire-fighting purposes are available as determined by the Fire Chief. If the Fire Chief fords upon inspection of any building under construction that adequate water supply or facilities for fire-fighting purposes, as determined by the Chief, are not being furnished as required, then the Building Department shall stop such construction and revoke the permit previously issued therefore until such time as adequate water supply or facilities for fire- fighting purposes, as determined by the Fire Chief, are furnished
(q) Automatic Sprinkler Systems; Installation in Buildings Used for the Manufacture, Sale, or Storage of Combustible Goods or Merchandise. Buildings used for the manufacture, sale or storage of combustible goods or merchandise, and exceeding in area 10,000 square feet when of fire-resistive construction, or 7,500 square feet when of other types of construction, shall be equipped with automatic sprinkler equipment.
(r) No Parking on the Hydrant Side of the Street. No parking is permitted on the fire hydrant side of the street within the Municipality at any time. On streets and roadways that have fire hydrants on either side, parking zones may be established on the opposite side of the street from the section with fire hydrants.
(s) Indoor Storage of Motor Vehicles. In all buildings other then one- or two-family dwellings with garages accessory thereto, where space is provided for the storage of motor vehicles, the following fire protection measures shall be followed:
(1) The lawful capacity of each storage space shall be the number of vehicles which can be stored therein without blocking any aisle or exit. Storage of vehicles shall be so arranged and limited that each vehicle shall have a free access to and egress from its parking space without necessitating the moving of more than one vehicle. A sign indicating the capacity, as determined by the Bureau of Fire Prevention, shall be conspicuously posted near each entrance and exit of each garage in letters and figures not less than four inches high.
(2) No person owning or being in charge or control of the storage space shall store or park, or cause or knowingly permit to be stored or parked in the storage space, at any time, a number of vehicles exceeding the capacity of the storage space determined as hereinbefore provided. No automobile repairs, fueling, changing of oil or bodywork of any kind shall be made in a basement or sub-basement garage.
(t) Flammable and Combustible Liquids.
(1) Above-ground storage tanks. Storage of flammable and combustible liquids in outside above-ground tanks is prohibited anywhere within the corporate limits of the City.
(2) Location. Underground storage tanks containing flammable or combustible liquids or hazardous materials shall be located at least five feet from any wall or foundation and at least 20 feet from the property line. The top of flammable liquid tanks shall be below the lowest floor level of any building within 25 feet of said tanks. A distance of at least five feet shall be maintained between underground tanks in multiple tank installations.
(3) Leak detection. To provide a means of detecting leakage, tanks shall be encircled by a line of drainage tile or an approved substitute, and to be laid up to existing tanks, in an approved manner in porous material, and not to obstruct drainage ports, at a level below the lowest adjoining tank, with inspection walls, where directed by the Fire Chief, extending from the drainage tile to the grade level. Such inspection walls shall have tight- fitting, easily removable plugs or caps at the grade level. Soundings and other inspections shall be made at these wells at least once each month. Evidence of flammable liquid in a well shall be reported at once to both the owner and the Fire Prevention Bureau.
(4) Installation of tanks inside of buildings. Tanks shall not be permitted inside of buildings except upon approval of the Fire Chief.
(5) Self-service filling stations. No person shall commence operation or public business of a self-serving filing station without first obtaining an inspection business permit thereof, from the Bureau of Fire Prevention. Such inspection business permit shall be issued on an annual basis for each current year (January 1 through December 31) to any individual or corporate entity doing business as a self-serving filling station. The fee for such a permit shall be one hundred dollars ($100.00) for each self-service dispensing station within the City. The Bureau of Fire Prevention shall be responsible for and authorized to issue the aforesaid permit after the Bureau of Fire Prevention has made a safety inspection of the premises and has found that the permit applicant has complied with all applicable State and City laws pertaining thereto. The Bureau of Fire Prevention is authorized during regular business hours to make periodic inspections to assure that all pertinent State and City laws are complied with. If, after an inspection at any such self-serving filling station, the Bureau of Fire Prevention finds evidence of a violation of any applicable law, the aforesaid permit shall be suspended until the aforesaid violation(s) are corrected and an inspection thereof is made by the Bureau of Fire Prevention.
(u) NFPA Standards. National Fire Protection Association Standards for compliance with the provisions of this section are:
Standard Number | Title
|
Standard Number | Title
|
10 | Portable Fire Extinguishers |
13 | Installation of Sprinkler Systems |
13D | Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes |
13R | Sprinkler Systems in Residential Occupancies up to and Including Four Stories in Height |
14 | Standpipe, Private Hydrant, and Hose Systems |
24 | Private Fire Service Mains |
25 | Water-based Fire Protection Systems |
30 | Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code |
70 | National Electric Code |
70B | Electrical Equipment Maintenance |
70E | Electrical Safety Requirements for Employees Workplace |
72 | National Fire Alarm Code |
73 | Electrical Inspection - Existing Dwellings |
96 | Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations |
(v) Siamese Connections. The Fire Department Siamese connection shall be located within 100 feet of a fire hydrant and within 50 feet of a minimum 18-foot wide paved driveway or public way.
(Ord. 2004-28. Passed 7-6-04; Ord. 2005-73. Passed 10-4-05.)