§ 9-29. Automatic fire sprinkler systems.

(a)

Purpose. The purpose of this section is to require fire sprinkler systems to be installed in buildings that are not covered by the Standard Fire Prevention Code, adopted by reference in section 9-27. The sprinkler systems required by this section are in addition to those required by the Standard Fire Prevention Code, or any other code relating to buildings adopted by this Code and/or buildings under the jurisdiction of the state fire marshal.

(b)

Conflict with other regulations. In the event of a conflict with this section and any other building or fire prevention code adopted by this Code, this section shall be controlling and anything inconsistent with the requirements of this section is hereby repealed.

(c)

Buildings required to have systems. The following buildings would be required to install fire sprinkler systems:

(1)

All buildings of less than three (3) stories or thirty (30) feet in height that are not subdivided by approved firewalls. Such buildings shall have at least a two-hour fire resistance rating in order to restrict the unprotected area of any compartment or portion of the building to five thousand (5,000) square feet or less. This section shall not apply to any individually owned or owner occupied single-family dwellings separated by an approved distance from an adjacent building by approved firewalls having at least a two-hour fire resistive rating.

(2)

All buildings three (3) or more stories, with a height of thirty (30) or more feet from the lowest level of approved fire department access for ladder equipment, regardless of subdivision or compartmentation. This section shall not apply to any individually owned, owner occupied single-family dwellings under three (3) stories or thirty (30) feet in height and separated by an approved distance from adjacent buildings by approved firewalls having at least a two-hour fire resistive rating.

(3)

Basements or cellars in floor areas exceeding two thousand five hundred (2,500) feet when used as workshops or for the manufacture, repair, sale or storage of combustible materials.

(4)

Every Group A assembly occupancy with an occupant capacity of over three hundred (300) persons; provided, however, this provision will apply to every Group A small assembly occupancy with an occupant capacity of over one hundred (100) persons where alcoholic beverages are permitted to be consumed. For the purpose of this section, a Group A assembly occupancy having an occupant capacity of over three hundred (300) persons shall be considered a large assembly occupancy.

(5)

Every Group H hazardous occupancy, except as otherwise provided.

(6)

Repair garages regardless of the area located below another occupancy.

(7)

Buildings, other than those specified in this section where, because of the hazard to life or property represented by flammable or combustible contents or by use, such protection is deemed necessary by the building official and fire marshal.

(8)

One-story buildings, regardless of height, used for the manufacture or processing of noncombustible raw materials, and employing processes that do not involve a source of fire; provided, any hazardous operations are separated by fire-rated construction in accordance with this Code, and provided said building is separated from any other structure by sixty (60) feet of space accessible for firefighting are excepted from complying with the provisions of this section.

(d)

Supervision of system. When a complete automatic fire sprinkler system is provided, either as a requirement or as an alternate to another requirement of this Code, the system shall be adequately supervised to ensure reliable operation as follows:

(1)

The extinguishing system shall be electrically connected, either directly to the fire department by such method as approved by the fire chief, or to the fire department through an approved central station or another of its equivalent as approved by the fire chief.

(2)

Where a system may be disabled by the closing of valves, interruption of power, etc., adequate supervision acceptable to the building official and fire marshal shall be provided to sound at least a local trouble alarm when the system is deactivated. The alarm shall be in a location within the protected building or premises which is constantly attended by qualified personnel during periods the protected building is occupied, or in an approved remote receiving facility.

(3)

When constructing a building and fire alarm facilities are required or provided, activation of the fire sprinkler system shall cause the building fire alarm system to sound.

(Ord. No. 03-90, 2-8-90; Ord. No. 13-97, § 1, 6-5-97)