2012-228ORDINANCE NO. 2� 12-22g
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 29 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF DENTON,
TEXAS, TO PROVIDE FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE 1NTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE,
2009 EDITION; PROVIDING FOR AMENDMENTS THERETO; RE-ESTABLISHING
PERMIT FEES; PROVIDING FOR A PENALTY 1N THE AMOUNT OF $2000 FOR
VIOLATIONS THEREOF; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; REPEALING ALL
ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT THEREWITH; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DENTON HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1: Chapter 29 of the Code of the City of Denton, Texas is amended to read as
follows:
ARTICLE I. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 29-1. International Fire Code--Adopted.
There is hereby adopted by the City of Denton, Texas for the purpose of prescribing
regulations governing conditions hazardous to life and property from fire and explosion, those
certain Codes and Standards lcnown as the International Fire Code, including Appendices A-J,
published by the International Code Council, Inc., being particularly the 2009 editions thereof
and whole thereof, save and except such portions as are hereinafter deleted, modified or amended
by section 29-2 of this ordinance. A copy of said Fire Code is now filed in the office of the City
Secretary, and is hereby adopted and incorporated as fully as if set out at length herein, and from
the date on which this ordinance shall take effect, the provisions thereof shall be controlling
within the limits of the City of Denton and within five thousand (5,000) feet thereof, where
specified therein.
Sec.29-2. Amendments.
The International Fire Code, as adopted in Section 29-1, is hereby amended as follows:
A. By the amendment of the International Fire Code, as follows:
**Section 101.1: amended to read as follows:
Section 101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the Fire Code of the
City of Denton, Texas, the "Fire Code" or, in the context of the following
amendments, "this code".
**Section 101.2: second paragraph added to read as follows:
The provisions of this code sha11 supplement any and all laws relating to fire
safety and shall apply to all persons without restriction, unless specifically
exempted.
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**Section 102.4.1: added to read as follows:
Section 102.4 Application of other codes. The design and construction of new
structures shall comply with this code, and other codes as applicable; and any
alterations, additions, changes in use or changes in structures required by this
code which are within the scope of this and other codes shall be made in
accordance therewith.
**Section 102.7; amended to read as follows:
Section 102.7 Referenced codes and standards. The codes and standards referenced in
this code shall include those that are listed in Chapter 45, and such codes and
standards shall be considered part of the requirements of this code to the
prescribed extent of each such reference. Where differences occur between the
provisions of this code and the referenced standards, the provisions of this code
shall apply. Whenever amendments have been adopted to the referenced codes
and standards, each reference to said code and standard shall be considered to
reference the amendments as well. Any reference to NFPA 70 or the ICC
Electrical Code shall mean the Electrical Code as adopted.
**Section 103.1: second paragraph added to read as follows:
Section 103.1. Under the chief s direction, the fire department is authorized to
enforce all ordinances of the jurisdiction pertaining to:
1. The prevention of fires,
2. The suppression or extinguishments of dangerous or hazardous fires,
3. The storage, use and handling of hazardous materials,
4. The installation and maintenance of automatic, manual and other
private fire alarm systems and fire-extinguishing equipment,
5. The maintenance and regulation of fire escapes,
6. The maintenance of fire protection and the elimination of fire hazards
on land and in buildings, structures and other property, including those
under construction,
7. The maintenance of ineans of egress,
8. The investigation of the cause, origin and circumstances of fire and
unauthorized releases of hazardous materials, and
9. The investigation of the cause, origin and circumstances of explosions.
For authority related to control and investigation of emergency scenes, see
Section 104.
**Section 103.1.2: added to read as follows:
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Section 103.1.2 Department of Fire Prevention Personnel and Police. The
chief and members of the Department of Fire Prevention sha11 have authority to
issue citations for violations of this code.
**Section 103.4.2: add section to read as follows:
Section 103.4.2 Liability. All regulations provided in this Code are hereby
declared to be governmental and for the benefit of the general public. Any
member of the City Council, any city ofiicial or employee, or any member of the
Health and Building Standards Commission charged with the enforcement if this
code, acting for the City in the discharge of his or her duties, are entitled to the
legal protections afforded by Article VIII of Chapter 2 of the Code of the City of
Denton, Texas (§2-243 through 2-250), as amended, or as otherwise provided by
State law, if better.
**Section 104.10.2: added to read as follows:
Section 104.10.2 Hazardous Materials. The fire code official is authorized to
investigate the cause, origin, and circumstances of any unauthorized releases of
hazardous materials.
**Section 104.10.3: added to read as follows:
Section 104.10.3 Explosives. The fire code official is authorized to investigate
the cause, origin, and circumstances of explosions, explosives handling,
manufacturing, and usage of explosive materials.
**Section 105.6.47: added to read as follows:
Section 105.6.47 Gas and Oil Wells. To operate gas and oil wells in the
incorporated city limits of Denton, Texas.
**Section 106: added Sections 106.2.3., 106.2.4, 106.2.5, and 106.2.6, to read as
follows:
Section 106.2.3 Frequency of Inspection. All owners of, occupants of, tenants
of, lessees of or persons making use of any building or premises, or portions
thereof, when used as nonresidential group occupancies, including hotels, lodging
houses and congregate residences, as deiined by the Building Code are required to
accommodate annual inspections of such buildings, premises or portions thereof
upon the reasonable and lawful demand of the Fire Marshal or his designated
representative. Additionally, the Fire Marshal may initiate such inspections at
such other times as he deems appropriate to satisfy the purposes of this ordinance,
and may additionally inspect all other premises as may be necessary, including
such other potential hazards or appliances as the Fire Marshal may specify, for the
purpose of ascertaining and causing to be corrected any condition which would
reasonably tend to cause a fire or contribute to its spread.
Section 106.2.4 Annual Fire Protection Systems Testing. The annual testing
of all fire sprinlcler systems, fire alarm systems, fire extinguishing systems, hood
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extinguishing systems and fire pumps shall be witnessed by the Fire Code Official
or his designee.
Section 106.2.5 Annual Inspection Fees. The first annual inspection performed
pursuant to Section 106 of this code shall be performed free of charge. If the Fire
Marshal or his designee observes a violation of this chapter and performs a
follow-up (re-inspection) inspection to determine whether a violation or violations
observed during the previous inspection have been corrected, a fee shall be
charged, and the occupant or lessee shall pay said fee within 30 days of being
billed therefore as condition to continue lawful occupancy of the building or
dwelling to be inspected. Said fee shall be based upon the amount of interior area
of the building leased, occupied or used by the person. The fee shall be in the
amount established, and from time to time amended, by ordinance of City
Council, a copy that shall be kept on file with the City Secretary. Follow up
inspection fees for common areas of such buildings or premises shall be charged
to and paid by the owner in accordance with the area inspected.
Section 106.2.6 Permit and Permit Fees. Any permit required by Sections 105
or 106 of the Code shall be issued only upon payment of a permit fee in an
amount established, and as from time to time amended, by ordinance of the City
Council, a copy of which shall be kept on file with the City Secretary.
**Section 109.3: amended to read as follows:
Section 109.3 Violation Penalties. Persons who violate any provision of this
code, who fail to comply with any of the requirements thereof, or who erect,
install, alter, repair or perform worlc in violation of the approved construction
documents, the directives of the fire code official, or the conditions of any permit
or certificate issued under provisions of this code, shall be subject to prosecution
of a misdemeanor offense punishable by a fine as specified in §1-12 of the Code
of the City of Denton, Texas. Each day that a violation continues after due notice
has been served shall be deemed a separate offense.
**Section 110.4: amended to read as follows:
Section 110.4. Abatement.
Any person operating or maintaining any occupancy, premises or vehicle subject
to this Code who shall permit any fire hazard to exist on the premises under his or
her control, or who shall fail to talce immediate action to abate a iire hazard when
ordered or notified to do so by the code official or his duly authorized
representative, shall be guilty of a separate offense for each and every day or
portion thereof which any violation of any of the provisions of this Code is
committed or continued.
**Section 111.4: amended to read as follows:
Section 111.4 Failure to comply. Any person who shall continue any work after
having been served with a stop work order, except such work as that person is
directed to perform to remove a violation or unsafe condition, sha11 be liable to a
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fine of not less than two hundred ($200) dollars or more than the maximurn fine
specified in § 1-12 of the Code.
**Section 202: the following definitions are added or amended to read as follows:
AMBULATORY HEALTH CARE FACILITY. Buildings or portions thereof
used to provide medical, surgical, psychiatric, nursing or similar care on a less
than 24-hour basis to individuals who are rendered incapable of self-preservation.
This group may include but not be limited to the following:
Dialysis centers
Sedation dentistry
Surgery centers
Colonic centers
Psychiatric centers
DEPARTMENT OF FIRE PREVENTION is the Office of the City Fire
Marshal.
FIRE CODE OFFICIAL is the Fire Marshal or other designated authority
charged by the City Council with the duties of administration and enforcement of
the code, or a duly authorized representative.
FIRE DEPARTMENT is the City of Denton Fire Department.
FIRE WATCH. A temporary measure intended to ensure continuous and
systematic surveillance of a building or portion thereof by one or more qualified
individuals or standby personnel when required by the fire code official for the
purposes of identifying and controlling fire hazards, detecting early signs of
unwanted fire, raising an alarm of fire and notifying the fire department.
HIGH-RISE BUILDING is a building having floors used for human occupancy
located more than 55 feet (16,764 mm) above the lowest level of fire department
vehicle access.
JURISDICTION is the City of Denton, Texas
SELF-SERVICE STORAGE FACILITY. Is real property designed and used
for the purpose of renting or leasing individual storage spaces to customers for the
purpose of storing and removing personal property on a self-service basis.
STANDBY PERSONNEL. means qualified fire service personnel, approved by
the Fire Chief. When utilized, the number required shall be as directed by the Fire
Chie£ Charges for utilization shall be calculated at 1.5 times the hourly wage rate
for each individual so assigned.
**Section 307.2: amended to read as follows:
Section 307.2 Permit required. A permit shall be obtained from the fire code
official in accordance with Section 105.6 prior to lcindling a fire for recognized
silvicultural or range or wildlife management practices, prevention or control of
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disease or pests, or open burning or a bonfire. Application for such approval shall
only be presented by and permits issued to the owner of the land upon which the
fire is to be kindled. Examples of state or local law, or regulations referenced
elsewhere in this section may include but not be limited to the following:
1. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) guidelines
and/or restrictions.
2. State, County or Local temporary or permanent bans on open burning.
3. Local written policies as established by the Code Official.
**Section 307.4: amended to read as follows, deleting exception 2:
Section 307.4 Location. The location for open burning shall not be less than 300
feet from any structure, and provisions shall be made to prevent the fire from
spreading to within 300 feet of any structure.
Exceptions:
1. Fires in approved containers that are not less than 15 feet from a
structure.
**Section 307.4.1: amended to read as follows:
Section 307.4.1. Bonfires. A bonfire shall not be conducted within 300 feet of a
structure or combustible material unless the bonf'ire is contained in a barbecue pit.
Conditions which could cause a fire to spread within 300 feet of a structure shall
be eliminated prior to ignition.
**Section 307.4.2: amended to read as follows:
Section 307.4.2. Recreational Fires. Recreational fires shall be prohibited
within the incorporated city limits of Denton, Texas.
**Section 307.4.4: added to read as follows:
Section 307.4.4 Trench Burns. Trench burns shall be conducted in air curtain
trenches and in accordance with Section 307.2.
**Section 307.5: amended to read as follows:
Section 307.5 Attendance. Open burning, trench burns, bonfires, or portable
outdoor fireplaces shall be constantly attended until the fire is extinguished. A
minimum of one portable fire extinguisher complying with Section 906 with a
minimum of 4-A rating or other approved on-site fire extinguishing equipment,
such as dirt, sand, water barrel, garden hose or water truck, shall be available for
immediate utilization.
**Section 308.1.4: amended to read as follows:
Section 308.1.4 Open-flame cooking devices. Charcoal burners and other open-
flame coolcing devices shall not be operated on combustible balconies or within
10 feet (3,048 mm) of combustible construction.
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Exceptions:
1. One- and two-family dwellings.
**Section 308.1.6.2, Exception #3; change to read as follows:
Exceptions:
{ #1 and #2 unchanged}
3. Torches or flame-producing devices in accordance with Section
308.1.3.
{#4 unchanged}
**Section 503.1.1: the following sentence is appended to the first paragraph:
Except for single- or two-family residences, the path of ineasurement shall be
along a minimum of a ten feet (10') wide unobstructed pathway around the
external walls of the structure.
**Section 503.1.2: amended to read as follows:
Section 503.1.2 Additional Access. The fire code official is authorized to require
more than one fire apparatus access road based on the potential for impairment of
a single road by vehicle congestion, condition of terrain, climatic conditions or
other factors that could limit access.
The fire marshal is hereby authorized and empowered to establish and designate
fire lanes as he deems necessary for the proper ingress and egress of emergency
vehicles. Any fire lane designated by the Fire Marshal shall become effective as
of the date he so designates.
**Section 503.1.4: added to read as follows:
Section 503.1.4. Existing Fire Lanes. Any fire lane that has been established
prior to passage of the ordinance from which this article is derived and designated
by the fire marshal or that has been established by a separate ordinance shall be a
fire lane for all intents and purposes and shall be maintained as required by this
code.
**Section 503.2.4.: amended to read as follows:
Section 503.2.4. Turning radius. Each fire apparatus access road shall have an
inner turning radius of not less than 35 feet, and an exterior turning radius of not
less than 55 feet, or shall have a design approved by the fire code official as
functionally equivalent to this standard.
**Section 503.2.9: added to read as follows:
Section 503.2.9. Fire Lane Site Plan.
(a) When fire lanes are required in accordance with the provisions of this
article, the owner, builder, or developer shall submit a fire lane site
plan measuring eight and one half (8- 1/2) inches by eleven (11)
inches to the fire code official prior to issuance of a building permit.
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A copy of each approved fire lane site plan shall be lcept on file with
the fire department.
(b) Construction of the building shall not begin until the fire lane site
plan has been submitted and approved, and the fire lane, or a
temporary fire lane has been completed and approved by the fire code
official.
**Section 503.3: amended to read as follows:
Section 503.3 Marking. Where required by the fire code official, approved
striping or, when allowed by fire code official, signs, or both, or other approved
notices shall be provided for fire apparatus access roads to identify such roads or
prohibit the obstruction thereo£ Signs or notices and striping shall be maintained
in a clean and legible condition at all times and be replaced or repaired when
necessary to provide adequate visibility.
(1) Striping - Fire apparatus access roads shall be marked by painted
lines of red traffic paint six inches (6") in width to show the
boundaries of the lane. The words "NO PARKING FIRE LANE" or
"FIRE LANE NO PARKING" shall appear in four inch (4") white
letters at 20 feet intervals on the red border markings along both sides
of the fire lanes.
(2) Signs - shall read "NO PARKING FIRE LANE" or "FIRE LANE NO
PARKING" and shall be 12" wide and 18" high. Signs shall be
painted on a white bacicground with letters and borders in red, using
not less than 2" lettering. Signs shall be permanently affixed to a
stationary post and the bottom of the sign shall be six feet, six inches
(6'6") (1.98 m) above finished grade. Signs shall be spaced not more
than fifty feet (50 feet) (15.2 m) apart. Signs may be installed on
permanent buildings or walls or as approved by the code official.
**Section 503.4: amended to read as follows:
Section 503.4 Obstruction of fire apparatus access roads. Fire apparatus access
roads shall not be obstructed by persons in any manner, including parking,
stopping, or standing any non-emergency vehicle, whether attended or
unattended, in a fire lane. The minimum widths and clearances established in
Section 503.2.1 and any area marked as a fire lane as described in Section 503.3
shall be maintained at all times. The operator of a premise shall maintain, free of
obstruction, all fire lanes on his premises. No person may marlc, post or otherwise
identify a non-fire lane private vehicular passageway as a fire lane or in such a
manner as tends to create confusion as to whether the passageway is a fire lane.
Any unauthorized vehicle found in or on a fire lane is:
(1) Subject to removal by the operator of the premises, with the expense
of removal and storage to be borne by the registered owner of the
vehicle;
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(2) Subject to citation, as well as removal, by the fire marshal or a police
officer; and
(3) Deemed to constitute prima facie evidence of a violation of this
section by: (1) a named lessee of an unattended vehicle, if
subsequently determined to be under a lease or rental agreement at the
time of the incident; (2) the registered owner of an unattended vehicle;
or (3) by any occupant licensed to operate the vehicle, regardless of
whether such license is expired, suspended or revolced.
**Section 903.1.2: added to read as follows:
Section 903.1.2. Residential systems. Unless specifically allowed by this code
or the International Building Code, residential sprinkler systems installed in
accordance with NFPA 13D or NFPA 13R shall not be recognized for the
purposes of exceptions or reductions, commonly referred to as "trade-offs",
permitted by other requirements of this code. In addition, residential sprinlcler
systems installed in accordance with NFPA 13R must include attic sprinlcler
protection to be recognized for the purposes of such trade-offs permitted by other
requirements of this code.
**Section 903.2: amended to read as follows:
Section 903.2. Required Installations of Automatic Fire Extinguishing
Systems. An automatic fire extinguishing system shall be installed and
maintained in each occupancy, as required by the provisions of Section 903.
**Sections 903.2.1.1, 903.2.1.2, 903.2.1.3 and 903.2.1.4: amended to read as follows:
Section 903.2.1.1 Group A-1. An automatic sprinlcler system shall be provided
throughout a fire area containing a Group A-1 occupancy, where one of the
following conditions e�sts:
1. The fire area exceeds 10,000 square feet.
2. The fire area has an occupant load of 300 or more.
3. The fire area is located on a floor other than a level of exit discharge
serving such occupancies.
4. The fire area contains a multitheater complex.
Section 903.2.1.2 Group A-2. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided
throughout a fire area containing a Group A-2 occupancy, where one of the
following conditions exists:
1. The fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet.
2. The fire area has an occupant load of 100 or more.
3. The fire area is located on a floor other than a level of exit discharge
serving such occupancies.
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Section 903.2.1.3 Group A-3. An automatic sprinlcler system shall be provided
throughout a fire area containing a Group A-3 occupancy, where one of the
following conditions exists:
1. The fire area exceeds 10,000 square feet.
2. The fire area has an occupant load of 300 or more,
3. The fire area is located on a floor other than a level of exit discharge
serving such occupancies.
Section 903.2.1.4 Group A-4. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided
throughout a fire area containing a Group A-4 occupancy, where one of the
following conditions exists:
l, The fire area exceeds 10,000 square feet.
2. The fire area has an occupant load of 300 or more.
3. The fire area is located on a floor other than a level of exit discharge
serving such occupancies.
**Section 903.2.8.1: added to read as follows:
Section 903.2.8.1 Group R-1. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided
throughout buildings with a Group R-1 fire area, including all combustible
concealed spaces and attic spaces.
**Sections 903.2.9.2: amended to read as follows:
903.2.9.2 Bulk storage of tires. Buildings and structures where the area for the
storage of tires exceeds 10,000 cubic feet shall be equipped throughout with an
automatic fire sprinlcler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.
**903.2.9.3: added to read as follows:
903.2.9.3. Self-service storage facility. An automatic sprinlcler system shall be
installed throughout all self-service storage facilities.
**Section 903.2.10: amended to read as follows:
903.2.10. Group S-2 enclosed parlcing garages. An automatic sprinlcler system
shall be provided throughout buildings classified as enclosed parlcing garages in
accordance with Section 406.4 of the International Building Code.
**Sections 903.2.11.7 and 903.2.11.8 added, to read as follows:
Section 903.2.11.7 High-Piled Combustible Storage. For any building with a
clear height exceeding 12 feet, see Chapter 23 to determine if those provisions
apply.
Section 903.2.11.8 Spray Booths and Rooms. New spray booths and spraying
rooms shall be protected by an approved automatic fire-extinguishing system.
**Section 903.2.11.9: added to read as follows:
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Section 903.2.11.9. General.
An automatic sprinkler system sha11 be installed in all new buildings of
noncombustible construction, (Type I& II) including Group R-3,
which exceed three stories in height or which have more than ten
thousand (10,000) square feet of floor area regardless of fire area, area
separation walls, or fire walls.
2. An automatic sprinlcler system shall be installed in all new buildings of
combustible construction, (type III, IV & V) including Group R-3,
which exceed two stories in height or which have more than seven
thousand five hundred (7,500) square feet of floor area regardless of
fire area, area separation walls, or fire walls.
The owner(s) of any building shall be required to install an automatic
sprinlcler system at such time as the owner(s) constructs an addition or
enlargement to the building if the total square footage of such addition,
when combined with the total square footage of all previous additions
and enlargements to the building, exceeds ten thousand (10,000)
square feet of noncombustible construction (Type I& II) total floor
area, and when the total square footage of all such additions exceeds
by more than twenty-five (25) percent of the original floor area
regardless of fire area, area separation walls, or fire walls.
4. The owner(s) of any building shall be required to install an automatic
sprinkler system at such time as the owner(s) constructs an addition or
enlargement to the building if the total square footage of such addition,
when combined with the total square footage of all previous additions
and enlargements to the building, exceeds seven thousand five hundred
(7,500) square feet of combustible construction (Type III, IV & V}
total floor area, and when the total square footage of all such additions
exceeds by more than twenty-five (25) percent of the original floor
area regardless of fire area, area separation walls, or iire walls.
**Section 903.3.1.1: amended to read as follows:
Section 903.3.1.1. NFPA 13 Sprinkler Systems. Where the provisions of this
code require a building, or portion thereof, to be equipped throughout with an
automatic sprinkler system, sprinklers shall be installed throughout in accordance
with N.F.P.A. 13, latest edition, except as provided in Sections 903.3.1.1.1,
903.3.1.2 and 903.3.1.3.
**Section 903.3.1.1.1: amended to read as follows:
Section 903.3.1.1.1 Exempt locations. When approved by the fire code official,
automatic sprinklers shall not be required in the following rooms or areas, where
such rooms are protected with an approved fire detection system in accordance
with Section 907.2 that will respond to visible or invisible particles of
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combustion. Sprinklers shall not be omitted from any room merely because of
damp conditions, fire-resistance-rated construction or the presence of electrical
equipment.
Any room where the application of water, or flame and water,
constitutes a serious life or fire hazard.
2. Any room or space where sprinklers are considered undesirable
because of the nature of the contents, when approved by the fire code
official.
3. Generator and transformer rooms, under the direct control of a public
utility, separated from the remainder of the building by walls and
floor/ceiling ar roof/ceiling assemblies having a fire resistance rating
of not less than 2 hours.
4. Spaces or areas in telecommunications buildings used exclusively for
telecommunications equipment, associated electrical power
distribution equipment, batteries and standby engines, provided those
spaces or areas are equipped throughout with an automatic fire alarm
system and are separated from the remainder of the building by a wall
with a fire resistance rating of not less than 1 hour and a floor/ceiling
assembly with a fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 hours.
**Section 903.3.1.2: amended to read as follows:
Section 903.3.1.2 NFPA 13R sprinkler systems. Where allowed in buildings of
Group R, up to and including four stories in height, automatic sprinkler systems
shall be installed throughout in accordance with NFPA 13R, latest edition, and as
further restricted by section 903.1.2, with respect to exceptions or reductions
permitted by other requirements of this code.
**Section 903.3.5: amended to read as follows:
Section 903.3.5 Water Supplies. Water supplies for automatic sprinkler systems
shall comply with this section, the standards referenced in Section 903.3.1, and
other applicable design standards and requirements. The potable water supply
shall be protected against backflow in accordance with the requirements of this
section and the International Plumbing Code.
Every fire protection system shall be designed with a 10 psi safety factor.
Section 903.7: amended to read as follows:
Section 903. 7. Fire department connections. The fire department connection
shall be provided in a location approved by the fire code official, within 50 feet of
the fire lane and unobstructed.
**Section 903.4; add a second paragraph after the exceptions to read as follows:
Sprinlcler and standpipe system water-flow detectors shall be provided for each
floor tap to the sprinlcler system and shall cause an alarm upon detection of water
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flow for more than 45 seconds. All control valves in the sprinkler and standpipe
systems, except for fire department hose connection valves, shall be electrically
supervised to initiate a supervisory signal at the central station upon tampering.
**Section 905.2: amended to read as follows:
Section 905.2 Installation standards. Standpipe systems shall be installed in
accordance with this section and NFPA 14, latest edition.
**Section 905.3.1.1: added to read as follows:
Sectian 905.3.1.1 Building area. In buildings exceeding 10,000 square feet in
area per story, Class I automatic wet or manual wet standpipes shall be provided
where any portion of the building's interior area is more than 200 feet of travel,
vertically or horizontally, as the hose lies, from the nearest point of fire
department vehicle access.
Exception: Automatic dry and semiautomatic dry standpipes are allowed as
specified in NFPA 14.
X*Section 905.3.2: Exceptions 1 and 2 amended to read as follows:
1. Open-air seating spaces without enclosed spaces.
2. Class I automatic dry and semiautomatic dry standpipes or manual wet
standpipes are allowed in buildings where the highest floor surface
used for human occupancy is 55 feet or less above the lowest level of
fire department vehicle access.
**Section 905.4, item #5: amended to read as follows:
5. Where the roof has a slope less than four units vertical in 12 units
horizontal (33.3-percent slope), each standpipe shall be provided
with a two-way hose connection located either on the roof or at the highest
landing of stairways with stair access to the roo£ An additional hose
connection shall be provided at the top of the most hydraulically remote
standpipe for testing purposes.
**Section 905.9: second paragraph added after the exceptions to read as follows:
Sprinkler and standpipe system water-flow detectors shall be provided for each
floor tap to the sprinlcler system and shall cause an alarm upon detection of water
flow for more than 45 seconds. All control valves in the sprinlcler and standpipe
systems except for fire department hose connection valves shall be electrically
supervised to initiate a supervisory signal at the central station upon tampering.
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**Section 906.1, item #1: amended to read as follows:
Section 906.1
1. In Groups A, B, E, F, H, I, M, R-1, R-2, R-4, S, and U occupancies.
**Section 907.1.4: added to read as follows:
Section 907.1.4 Design Standards. All new and replacement fire alarm systems
serving 20 or more alarm actuating devices shall be addressable fire alarm
systems. Alarm systems serving more than 40 smoke detectors or more than 100
total alarm activating devices shall be analog intelligent or addressable fire
detection systems.
**Section 907.2.1: amended to read as follows:
Section 907.2.1. Group A. A manual fire alarm system that activates the
occupant notification system in accordance with Section 907.6 shall be installed
in Group A occupancies located above or below the lowest level of exit discharge
having an occupant load of 100 persons. Portions of Group E occupancies
occupied for assembly purposes shall be provided with a fire alarm system as
required for Group E occupancy.
**Section 907.2.1.1: amended to read as follows:
Section 907.2.1.1. System initiation in Group A Occupancies with an
occupancy load of three hundred (300) or more. Activation of the fire alarm in
Group A Occupancies with an occupancy load of three hundred (300) or more
shall immediately initiate a signal using an approved emergency voice/alarm
communications system in accordance with Section 907.6.2.2.
Exception: When approved, the prerecorded announcement is allowed to
be manually deactivated for a period of time, not to exceed three (3)
minutes, for the sole purpose of allowing a live voice announcement from
an approved, constantly approved station.
**Section 907.2.3: amended to read as follows:
Section 907.2.3 Group E. A manual fire alarm system shall be installed in Group
E educational occupancies. When automatic sprinkler systems or smoke detectors
are installed, such systems or detectors shall be connected to the building fire
alarm system. An approved smoke detection system shall be installed in Group E
day care occupancies.
**Section 907.2.3: exception #1 amended, and egception #1.1 added, to read as
follows:
1. Group E educational and day care occupancies with an occupant load of less
than 50, when provided with an approved automatic sprinlder system.
1.1 Residential In-Home day care with fewer than 12 children may use
interconnected single station detectors in all habitable rooms. (For care
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of five or more children aged 2 1/2 years or younger, see Section
907.2.6.)
**Section 907.2.13: amended to read as follows:
907.2.13 High-rise buildings. Buildings with floors used for human occupancy
that are located more than 55 feet (16,764 mm) above the lowest level of iire
department vehicle access shall be provided with an automatic smolce detection in
accordance with 907.2.13.1, a fire department communications system in
accordance with Section 907.2.13.2 and an emergency voice/alarm
communications system in accordance with Section 907.6.2.2.
**Section 907.2.13: exceptions #1-6 are deleted.
**Section 907.5.2.6: add Section 907.5.2.6 to read as follows:
Section 907.5.2.6 Type. Each manual alarm actuating device shall be an
approved double action type.
** Section 907.7.1.1: added to read as follows:
Section 907.7.1.1 Installation. All fire alarm systems shall be installed utilizing
Class "A" wiring for all initiating and indicating (NAC) circuits. Class "A" wiring
shall be designed to comply with NFPA 72.
**Section 907.7.3.2: amended to read as follows:
Section 907.7.3.2 High-rise buildings. Buildings with floors used for human
occupancy that are located more than 55 feet (16 764 mm) above the lowest level
of fire department vehicle access shall establish separate zones by floor for any
of the following types of alarm-initiating devices:
1. Smoke detectors
2. Sprinkler water-flow devices
3. Manual fire alarm boxes
4. Other approved types of automatic fire detection devices or
suppression systems.
**Section 910.1 Exception #2: amended to read as follows:
2. Where areas of buildings are equipped with early suppression fast-response
(ESFR) sprinklers, automatic smoke and heat vents shall not be required in these
areas. The fire code official is authorized to require manual smoke and heat vents
in these areas.
**Section 913.4: second paragraph added to read as follows:
The fire-pump
reversal" and
circuits.
system shall also be supervised for "loss of power", "phase
"pump running" conditions by supervisory signal on distinct
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**Section 1008.1.4.4; amended deleting criteria #4 and 5:
1008.1.4.4 Access-controlled egress doors. The entrance doors in a means of
egress in buildings with an occupancy in Group A, B, E, M, R-1 or R-2 and
entrance doors to tenant spaces in occupancies in Groups A, B, E, M, R-1 and R-2
are permitted to be equipped with an approved entrance and egress access control
system which shall be installed in accordance with all of the following criteria:
1. A sensor shall be provided on the egress side arranged to detect an occupant
approaching the doors. The doors shall be arranged to unlocic by a signal from or
loss of power to the sensor.
2. Loss of power to that part of the access control system which locks the doors
shall automatically unlock the doors.
3. The doors shall be arranged to unlock from a manual unlocicing device located
40 inches to 48 inches (1016 mm to 1219 mm) vertically above the floor and within
5 feet (1524 mm) of the secured doors. Ready access shall be provided to the manual
unlocking device and the device shall be clearly identified by a sign that reads
"PUSH TO EXIT." When operated, the manual unlocking device shall result in direct
interruption of power to the lock—independent of the access control system
electronics—and the doors shall remain unlocked for a minimum of 30 seconds.
{Delete #4 and #5}
6. Entrance doors in buildings with an occupancy in Group A, B, E or M shall not
be secured from the egress side during periods that the building is open to the general
public.
**Section 1022.9: amended to read as follows:
Section 1022.9 Smokeproof enclosures and pressurized stairways. Each exit
that serves building stories where the floor surface is located more than 55 feet
above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access or more than 30 feet
below the level of exit discharge serving such floor levels shall be a smolce proof
enclosure or pressurized stairway in accordance with Section 909.20 of the
International Building Code.
**Section 2203.1, item #4: amended to read as follows:
#4 Such that a nozzle, when the hose is fully extended, will not reach within 10
feet (3,048 mm) of building openings.
**Section 3301.1.3: amended to read as follows:
Section 3301.1.3 Fireworks. Except as provided otherwise herein, no person
shall possess, store, offer for sale, expose for sale, sell at retail, manufacture, use
or explode any fireworks within the city limits, or within five thousand feet (5,000
ft) (1,524 m) thereof.
Exceptions:
1. Only when approved for fireworlcs displays, storage and handling of
fireworks as permitted in Sections 3304 and 3308.
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2. The use of fireworks for approved display as permitted in Section
3308.
**Section 3308.5.6; amend by the addition of the following section:
Section 3308.5.6 Marking of Shell. Each aerial shell shall have printed directly
on its outer casing the following minimum warning 1/8-inch high letters, which
contrast to the background
WARNING
EXPLOSIVES CLASS "1.4G or 1.3G"
FIREWORK
DO NOT HANDLE- CALL "911"
**Section 3308.11: added to read as follows:
Section 3308.11 Ignition. Aerial shells shall be ignited by lighting the tips of
fuses by an electrical ignition source, except when manual ignition is approved by
the Fire Marshal. Operators shall not place any part of their bodies over the throat
of the mortar.
**Section 3403.6: sentence added to read as follows:
An approved method of secondary containment shall be provided for underground
tanlc and piping systems.
**Section 3404.2.11.5: sentence added to read as follows:
An approved method of secondary containment shall be provided for underground
tank and piping systems.
**Section 3406.3.9: added to read as follows:
Section 3406.3.9 Permit required. An operational permit is required prior to
drilling and operating a gas well.
**Section 3803.2.1.5: sentence added to read as follows:
Standby personnel shall be present during demonstrations.
**Section 4603.6.1: exception #1 is deleted.
**Addition to Chapter 47 Referenced Standards
Chapter 47 Referenced Standards. All compliance standards or references in
the Fire Code to the reference standards of the National Fire Protection
Association, Batterymarch Parlc, Quincy, MA, shall pertain to the 2012 edition.
SECTION 2. The fees provided for in Section 106 of the code adopted by Section 1 of
this ordinance shall be as follows:
1. Building Fire Safety Follow-Up (Re-inspection) Inspection Fees provided in
Section 106:
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Interior Square Foota�e
1 to 3,000
3,001 to 24,000
24,001 to 100,000
over 100,000
Fee
$ 25.00
$ 50.00
$100.00
$100.00
If a second follow-up (re-inspection) is required because the violation has not been
corrected, the following fees shall be charged:
1 to 3,000
3,001 to 24,000
24,001 to 100,000
over 100,000
$ 50.00
$100.00
$200.00
$200.00
2. The fee for an operational permit required under Section 105.6 of the Fire Code
shall be $200.00 per permit.
3. The fee for a construction permit required under Section 105.7 of the Fire Code shall
be $200.00 per permit.
4. The fee for each required permit or inspection of a gas well or its associated
infrastructure or development is $200 for each such permit or inspection authorized
or performed by the fire marshal or his designee.
5. A fee of $35.00 shall be assessed for each annual inspection of automatic
extinguishing systems (Hood Suppression Systems), automatic fire suppression
systems, and automatic fire alarm systems conducted pursuant to Section 901.6.1.
�
7
The permit fee for a temporary sales or display booth in covered malls, conducted
pursuant to Section 105.6.9 of the Fire Code, shall be $35.00.
A permit fee of $35.00 shall be assessed for a temporary tent permit issued under
Section 105.7.13 of the Fire Code,
SECTION 3. Any person who violates a provision of this ordinance shall be guilty of a
misdemeanor punishable by a fine not exceeding Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00). Each such
person shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each and every day or portion thereof
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 4. If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, 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 sha11 not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this
ordinance, and City Council of the City of Denton, Texas hereby declares it would ha�e enacted
such remaining portions despite any such invalidity.
Page - 18
SECTION 5. The repeal of any ordinance or any portion thereof by the preceding
sections sha11 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 talce 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 shall remain in force.
SECTION 6. This ordinance shall become effective 14 days from the date of this passage,
and 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 its passage.
,
PASSED AND APPROVED this the �%— day of � 012.
ATTEST:
JENNIFER WALTERS, CITY SECRETARY
�
BY:
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM:
ANITA BURGESS, CITY ATTORNEY
BY: �
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