1991-0653064L/42691
ORDINANCE NO r
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 5-3 AND 5-5 OF ARTICLE I OF CHAPTER
5 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS (BUILD-
INGS) TO PROVIDE FOR AMENDMENTS TO THE UNIFORM BUILDING CODE, RE-
QUIRING THAT AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEMS BE INSTALLED IN CERTAIN
BUILDINGS, AMENDING ARTICLE 4 07(E) OF APPENDIX A OF THE CODE OF
ORDINANCES TO PROVIDE FOR REDUCTION IN THE FIRE PROTECTION WATER
CAPACITY REQUIREMENTS IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, PROVIDING EXEMP-
TIONS FROM CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS OF THE UNIFORM BUILDING CODE IN
GROUP A, DIVISION 3 and 4, GROUP B AND GROUP R OCCUPANCIES WHERE
SUCH BUILDINGS ARE EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEMS, RE-
PEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH, PROVIDING FOR A MAXI-
MUM PENALTY IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,000 THEREFOR FOR VIOLATIONS OF
SECTIONS I, II, AND III, PROVIDING A MAXIMUM PENALTY IN THE AMOUNT
OF $500 FOR VIOLATIONS OF SECTION IV THEREOF, AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE
WHEREAS, the City Manager has recommended the following regu-
lations to govern conditions hazardous to life and property re-
sulting from fire and explosion within the City to protect public
safety, health and welfare of its citizens, and
WHEREAS, a public hearing has been held in accordance with the
requirements of law, NOW, THEREFORE,
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DEMON HEREBY ORDAINS
SECTION I That Section 5-3 (Deletions and Amendments) of
Artic e I o hapter 5 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of
Denton, Texas, is hereby amended by adding subsections to be num-
bered (21) through (30), which said subsections shall read as
follows
Sec 5-3 Deletions and Amendments
(21) Section 3802, Automatic Fire Extinguishing Systems, is
amended to read as follows
(a) An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in
the occupancies and locations set forth in this sec-
tion All such installations shall be in accordance
with N F P A Standard 13, N F P A Standard 13A,
N F P A Standard 13D, N F P A Standard 14, and the
Supplemental Sprinkler Rules of the State Board of
Insurance, as the same may be amended or supple-
mented from time to time
(b) An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed
1 In all buildings constructed after June 1, 1991
of noncombustible construction, having 10,000 or
more square feet of total floor area, regardless
of type of construction, height, area separation
walls, exterior wall openings, or occupancy
group
2 In all buildings constructed after
of combustible construction having
square feet of total floor area
type of construction, height, ai
walls, exterior wall openings,
group
Exceptions
June 1, 1991,
5,000 or more
regardless of
!ea separation
or occupancy
1 Where the heated and the cooled areas of a
single family dwelling are less than 5,000 square
feet, the floor areas which are not heated or
cooled may be omitted from floor area calcula-
tions used to determine whether an automatic
sprinkler system is required Such areas which
are not heated or cooled must be separated from
heated or cooled areas of the dwelling by minimum
one-hour fire-resistive construction which ex-
tends from the lowest floor level to the roof
deck Any openings within such separation shall
be protected by minimum one-hour fire assemblies
2 Apartment buildings and two family dwellings
having 50000 square feet or more of floor area
need not be provided with an automatic fire
sprinkler system, provided such buildings are
separated into areas of less than 5,000 square
feet by vertical, four-hour, fire-resistive,
non-load bearing walls Such walls shall have
no penetration and shall extend from the founda-
tion to a point at least 30 inches above the roof
and shall extend to the outer edges of horizon-
tal projecting elements such as balconies, roof
overhangs, canopies or architectural projections
(3) In all basements constructed after June 1, 1991,
regardless of size, construction type, or occu-
pancy group except in Group R, Division 3 Occu-
pancies
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(4) In the following Group H Occupancies
(a) Division 1 An automatic fire-extinguishing
system shall be installed in buildings clas-
sified as Group H, Division 1 Occupancy lar-
ger than 1500 square feet in floor area
(b) Division 2 An automatic fire-extinguishing
system shall be installed in Group H, Divi-
sion 2 Occupancies exceeding 1500 square feet
in area
An automatic fire-extinguishing system shall
be installed in rooms of buildings classified
as Group H, Division 2 Occupancies when
flammable or combustible liquids are stored
or handled in excess of the quantities set
forth in Table No 9-A, of the Uniform
Building Code, or any combination of flam-
mable liquids exceeds 240 gallons
An automatic fire-extinguishing system shall
be installed in paint spray booths or rooms
(c) Division 3 An automatic fire-extinguishing
system shall be installed in buildings clas-
sified as Group H, Division 3 Occupancies
larger than 3,000 square feet in floor area
(d) Division 4 An automatic fire-extinguishing
system shall be installed in buildings clas-
sified as Group H, Division 4 Occupancies
more than one story in height
(e) Division 6 An automatic fire-extinguishing
system shall be installed throughout build-
ings containing Group H, Division 6 Occupan-
cies
(5) In all Group I Occupancies
(6) The owner(s) of any building which existed or
which was under construction, or of any site for
which a building permit had been issued prior to
June 1, 1991 shall be required to install an
automatic fire sprinkler system at such time as
the owner(s) constructs an addition or
enlargement to the building if
(a) the total square footage of such addition,
when combined with the total square footage
of all previous additions and enlargements
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to the building constructed after June 1,
1991, cause the building to exceed 10,000
square feet of total floor area, and
(b) the total square footage of all such addi-
tions to the building exceeds by more than
twenty-five (25%) the total floor area which
existed, or which was under construction, or
for which a building permit was issued prior
to June 1, 1991
Additions required to comply with the pro-
visions of laws or ordinances containing
health, or safety regulations enacted after
June 1, 1991, shall not be counted in calcu-
lating the footage under this section
(c) All persons wishing to install automatic sprinkler
or standpipe systems within the city limits of the
City of Denton shall furnish proof to the Fire Mar-
shal prior to the beginning of any work that such
persons meet or exceed all state and local require-
ments for sprinkler installers
(1) At least two (2) copies of working drawings shall
be furnished at the time of application for a
building permit No building permit shall be
issued unless the plans for the automatic fire
sprinkler or standpipe system have been approved
However, the building official may issue a permit
for the preparation or construction of a founda-
tion and associated underground plumbing and
electrical work prior to receipt of the working
drawings
(2) A temporary Certificate of Occupancy may be is-
sued if the fire sprinkler system is operational
and has been approved by the Fire Marshal A
permanent Certificate of Occupancy shall be is-
sued only after at least two sets of as-built
drawings and hydraulic calculations are submit-
ted to the Fire Marshal for final approval if
rate credit is to be received, these copies shall
include the stamped approval of the State Board
of Insurance The temporary Certificate of Oc-
cupancy shall be valid for a period not to exceed
one-hundred and twenty (120) days from the date
of issuance and any corrections to the fire
sprinkler system which are required by the State
Board of Insurance shall be completed within the
one-hundred twenty (120) period for which the
temporary Certificate of Occupancy is valid
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(3) A representative of the Fire Department shall
witness all pressure tests of systems The con-
tractor's responsible managing employee must be
present at all acceptance tests
(d) No alterations to systems or to buildings having ap-
proved systems shall be made prior to submittal and
approval of plans for such alterations or additions
(e) All riser control valves shall be able to be locked in
an open position and shall be maintained at all times in
the locked, open position unless otherwise approved by
the Fire Marshal
(f) All connections to the City's main shall be designed in
accordance with figure B-2-3 1, Connection for Domestic
Water, N F P A 13, except that an approved check valve
shall be required in the underground yard main near its
connection to the domestic water main
(22) Section 3804, Permissible Sprinkler omissions, is hereby
amended to read as follows
3804 Exceptions
(a) Subject to the approval of the Fire Marshal, sprin-
klers may be omitted in rooms or areas when the ap-
plication of water to the contents may constitute a
serious threat to life or fire hazard
(b) Group R, Divisions 1 (except hotels and motels) and 3
shall be permitted to install N F P A Standard 13D
systems
(23) Section 38059 Standpipes, is hereby amended to read as
follows
3805 Standpipes
(a) Standpipes shall comply with the requirements of
N F P A Standard 14, latest edition
(b) A Class III standpipe shall be required in all build-
ings three (3) or more stories in height In build-
ings equipped with automatic sprinkler systems, the
requirement of hose and hose cabinets may be waived,
if approved by the Fire Marshal
(24) Section 3305(8), is amended by adding Exception No 7
which shall read as follows
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7 Corridor walls and ceilings need not be of fire-
resistive construction within buildings of Group A,
Divisions 3 and 4, Group B and Group R Occupancies
which are equipped with an automatic sprinkler system
throughout
(25) Section 3305(h)(1), is amended by adding Exception No
3 which shall read as follows
3 Self-closing or automatic closing smoke and draft
control assembles need not be installed in buildings
of Group A, Divisions 3 and 4, Group B and Group R
Occupancies which are equipped with an automatic
sprinkler system throughout
(26) Section 3305(h)(2), is amended by adding Exception No
2 which shall read as follows
2 Protection of openings as required by this section
is not required in Group A, Division 3 and 4, Group B
and Group R Occupancies which are equipped with an
automatic sprinkler system throughout
(27) Section 4306(j)5, is amended by adding an exception
which shall read as follows
Exception Fire damper protection of heating, venti-
lation and air conditioning duct penetrations of cor-
ridor walls, ceilings or floors is not required in
Group A, Division 3 and 4, Group B and Group R Occu-
pancies which are equipped with an automatic sprinkler
system throughout
(28) Section 2516(f)(2), is amended by adding hxception 2
which shall read as follows
2 Firestops may be omitted in combustible attic
space in Group A, Division 3 and 4, Group B and Group
R Occupancies which are equipped with an automatic
sprinkler system throughout
(29) Section 4204(a), is amended by adding Exception No 4
which shall read as follows
4 Where approved automatic sprinkler protection is
provided in Group A, Division 3 and 4, Group B and
Group R Occupancies, the flame-spread classification
rating may be reduced to Class III
(30) Section 504(b), is amended by adding a new sentence
thereto which shall read as follows
Page 6
The above provisions shall not apply to Group A,
Divisions 3 and 4, Group B and Group R Occupancies
which are equipped throughout with an approved auto-
matic sprinkler system and are at least ten feet from
the property line
SECTION II That Article I of Chapter 5 of the Code of Ordi-
nancessotie City of Denton, Texas, is hereby amended by adding
2 new sections, to be numbered section 5-5 and 5-6, which shall
read as follows
Sec 5-5 Water Capacity
if sufficient water supplies exist to satisfy automatic fire
sprinkler demands as calculated by the Insurance Services
Office Fireflow Formula, as amended, the minimum water capacity
required by Article 4 07(E) of Appendix A may be reduced by
fifty percent (50%), except that in no case shall the minimum
capacity be reduced to less than 500 gallons per minute
SECTION III That Article I of Chapter 5 of the Code of Ordi-
nances of the City of Denton, Texas, is hereby amended by adding
a new section, to be numbered section 5-6, which shall read as
follows
Sec 5-6 Violations A person commits an offense if the
person
(a) Tampers with, damages or renders inoperable an automatic
sprinkler system, standpipe, or alarm device
(b) Shuts off a standpipe or automatic sprinkler system
without prior approval from the Chief of the Fire De-
partment
SECTION IV That article 4 07(E) of Article III of Appendix
A of t e Co a of Ordinances is amended to read as follows
4 07(E) Water Capacity Required Every development shall
provide a3equate water capacity for fire protection purposes
Unless buildings in the development are provided with fire
protection by means of automatic sprinkler systems in accor-
dance with Chapter 5 of the Code of Ordinances, each develop-
ment shall provide the following minimum water capacity (cal-
culated with 20 pounds of residual pressure)
Area G P M
High-intensity commercial and industrial 3,000
Medium-intensity commercial 1,500
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Medium-intensity residential
Low-intensity residential
750
500
SECTION V That section 10-63 of the Code of Ordinances is
here y ab mended to read as follows
Section 10-63 Extent
(a) The fire lane shall be extended to within fifty feet (50')
of all portions of the exterior walls of the first story of
any building For buildings which are equipped with an auto-
matic sprinkler system throughout, the fire lane shall extend
to within fifty feet of the fire department hose connection
SECTION VI Any person who shall violate a provision of this
ordinance, except Section IV, or shall be guilty of a misdemeanor
punishable by a fine not exceeding Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000)
Any person who shall violate Section IV of this ordinance or fails
to comply therewith or with any of the requirements thereof, shall
be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not exceeding Five
Hundred Dollars ($500) Each such person shall be deemed guilty
of a separate offense for each and every day or portion thereof
during which any violation of this ordinance is committed, or
continued, and upon conviction of any such violations such person
shall be punished within the limits above
SECTION VII That if any section, subsection, paragraph,
sentence c at use, phrase or word in this ordinance, or application
thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid by any court
of competent jurisdiction, such holding shall not affect the va-
lidity of the remaining portions of this ordinance, and the City
Council of the City of Denton, Texas, hereby declares it would
have enacted such remaining portions despite any such invalidity
SECTION VIII That the repeal of any ordinance or any portion
thereof by the preceding sections shall not affect or impair any
act done or right vested or accrued or any proceeding, suit or
prosecution had or commenced in any cause before such repeal shall
take effect, but every such act done, or right vested or accrued,
or proceedings, suit or prosecution had or commenced shall remain
in full force and effect to all intents or purposes as if such
ordinance or part thereof so repealed had remained in force
SECTION IX That this ordinance shall become effective June
1, 1991, an the City Secretary is hereby directed to cause the
caption of this ordinance to be published twice in the Denton
Record-Chronicle, the official newspaper of the City of Denton,
Texas, within ten (10) days of the date of its passage
Page 8
PASSED AND APPROVED this the W day of 1 1991
ATTEST
JENNIFER WALTERS, CITY SECRETARY
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM
DEBRA A DRAYOVITCH, CITY ATTORNEY
LA4
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