(A) Sprinkler systems shall be installed in all use groups as required by § 903 of the 2006 International Fire Code and as required by the NFPA 2006 Life Safety Code. Any residential structure with two or more dwelling units shall have an automatic fire sprinkler system installed prior to occupancy.
(B) Remodeling. Any existing structure other than residential buildings with less than four dwelling units shall add an automatic fire sprinkler system for the entire structure regardless of building separation, fire-rated assemblies and type of construction, at any time that any addition, expansion, or commercial major renovation (50% or more) of the structure increases the gross square footage of the structure as it existed on January 1, 2003 by 2,500 square feet or more.
(C) Strobe lights required. A white strobe light shall be installed on all residences protected by an automatic sprinkler system. Said strobe shall be placed directly over the Fire Department connection in addition to the required ten-inch bell. The strobe light shall be clearly visible from the Fire Department's normal access route. A horn/strobe light combination device may be installed in place of the ten-inch bell at the discretion of the Fire Department.
(D) Connection required. All automatic sprinkler systems shall be connected to the Winthrop Harbor Police/Fire Dispatch Center by direct connection. In the event of the activation of any such system, an alarm shall sound on the premises and an alarm shall be transmitted to the dispatch center in order to alert the Fire Department.
(E) Compliant systems. At all times, the Fire Department shall maintain a list of commercially available and approved automatic sprinkler systems, and shall freely distribute such list to all building owners and occupants upon request. The Fire Department shall not recommend any particular system or be required to provide any engineering or design services, but shall review all submitted plans prior to installation as part of the building permit approval process to ensure compliance with this section.
(F) Maintenance. All automatic sprinkler systems must remain operational and in good working order at all times.
(G) Liability. All owners of structures regulated under this section shall have a non-delegable duty to ensure that all such sprinklers remain operational and in good working order at all times. All building tenants and occupants, other than residential apartment dwellers, have a joint and several duty with the building owner to ensure that all such sprinklers remain operational and in good working order at all times.
(H) Controlled areas. All buildings required to have sprinklers under this section shall have sprinklers installed in all living areas and all common areas of the structure, including, but not limited to, hallways, vestibules, storage rooms, entryways, laundry rooms and attached garages.
(Ord. 2003-O-1, passed 1-21-03; Am. Ord. 2003-O-24, passed 8-5-03; Am. Ord. 2008-O-16, passed 7-1-08) Penalty, see § 93.99