22-663ORDINANCE NO.22-663
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS AMENDING THE CODE OFORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF DENTON, CHAPTER 29-1 AND 29-2, BY REPEALINGTHE 2012 EDITION OF THE INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE AND ADOPTING THE 2021EDITION OF THE INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE. PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OFPERMITS AND COLLECTION OF FEES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDINGFOR REPEALER; PROVIDING FOR CONTINUATION OF PRIOR LAW; PROVIDING APENALTY; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVEDATE
WHEREAS, upon the recommendation of the Health & Building Standards Commission
at its March 24, 2022 meeting, the City Council now finds it is in the best interests of public health,
safety, and welfare to repeal the 2012 edition of the International Fire Code and to adopt the 2021
edition of the International Fire Code including Appendices B, C, and D; NOW, THEREFORE,
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DENTON ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 29, Fire Code, Section 29-1 and Section 29-2 of the Denton Code of
Ordinances are repealed in their entirety and replaced with new Sections 29- 1 and 29-2, to read asfollows:
Sec. 29-1. 202 / International Fire Code adopted.
The International Fire Code , 2021 edition, published by the International Code
Council, a copy of which shall be maintained by the city secretary and available for
public inspection, is hereby adopted, the same as if copied at length herein, including
appendices B, C, and D and subject to the deletions and amendments enumerated inSection 29-2.
Section 29-2. Deletions and Amendments to the 2021 International Fire Code,
I. Section 101.1. is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the Fire Code of the City of Denton,hereinafter referred to as “this code.”
2. Section 105.3.1 Expiration, is deleted in its entirety.
3. A new Section 108.5 is added, to read as follows:
108.5 Annual Fire Protection Systems Testing. The annual testing of all fire sprinkler
systems, fire alarm systems, fire extinguishing systems, hood extinguishing systems
and fire pumps shall be completed by a licensed fire systems contractor. Any fire
systems contractors working within the City of Denton are required to submit all
compliant and deficient reports to The Compliance Engine site portal directly to the
authority having jurisdiction.
4. Section 111 Means of Appeal, is deleted in its entirety and replaced by the following:
111. General. In order to hear and decide appeals of orders, decisions or determinations
made by the building official, code official, or fire marshal relative to the application
and interpretation of the requirements of this Code and all other applicable codes of the
City of Denton, there shall be a health and building standards commission.
111.2 Limitations on authority. An application for appeal shall be based on a claimthat the true intent of this code or the rules legally adopted thereunder have been
incorrectly interpreted, the provisions of this code do not fully apply or an equivalent
or better form of construction is proposed. The board shall not have authority to waive
requirements of this code or interpret the administration of this code.
5. Section 1 12.4 Violation Penalties, is deleted in its entirety.
6. Section 202 is amended, to add a definition, to read as follows:
SELF-SERVICE STORAGE FACILITY. 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.
7. Section 307.4 is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
307.4 Location. The location for open burning shall not be less than 300 feet (91,440
mm) from any structure, and provisions shall be made to prevent the fire from spreading
to within 300 feet (91,440 mm) of any structure.
Exceptions :
1. Fires in approved containers that are not less than 15 feet (4572 mm) from astructure.
2. The minimum required distance from a structure shall be 25 feet (7620 mm) where
the pile size is 3 feet (914 mm) or less in diameter and 2 feet (610 mm) or less in height.
8. Section 307.4.1 is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
307.4.1 Bonfires. A bonfire shall not be conducted within 300 feet (91,440 mm) of a
structure or combustible material unless the fire is contained in a barbecue pit.
Conditions that could cause a fire to spread within 300 feet (91,440 mm) of a structure
shall be eliminated prior to ignition.
9. Section 307.4.2 is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
307.4.2 Recreational fires. Recreational fires are prohibited within the incorporated
city limits of Denton, Texas.
2021 International Fire Code Page 2 of 8
10. Section 3 11.5 is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
311.5 Placards. Any vacant or abandoned buildings or structures determined to be
unsafe pursuant to Section 110 of this code relating to structural or interior hazards,
may be marked as required by Section 3 11.5.1 through 3 11.5.5.
11. Section 503.1.1 is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
503.1.1 Buildings and facilities. Approved fire apparatus access roads shall be
provided for every facility, building or portion of a building hereafter constructed or
moved into or within the jurisdiction. The fire apparatus access road shall comply with
the requirements of this section and shall extend to within 150 feet (45 720 mm) of allportions of the facility and all portions of the exterior walls of the first story of the
building as measured by an approved route around the exterior of the building or
facility. Except for one- or two-family dwellings, the path of measurement shall be
along a minimum of a ten foot (10’) wide (3048 mm) unobstructed pathway around
the external walls of the structure, or as approved by the fire code official.
Exceptions:
1. The/ire code offIcial is authorized to increase the dimension of 150 feet (45 720
mm) where any of the following conditions occur:
1.1. The building is equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler
system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, 903.3. 1.2 or 903.3.1.3 .
1.2. Fire apparatus access roads cannot be installed because of location on property,topography, waterways, nonnegotiable grades or other similar conditions, and
an approved alternative means of fire protection is provided.
1.3. There are not more than two Group R-3 or Group U occupancies.
2. Where approved by the/ire code offIcial , fire apparatus access roads shall be
permitted to be exempted or modified for solar photovoltaic power generationfacilities.
12. Section 503.2.1 is deleted in its entirety and replaced by the following:
503.2.1 Dimensions. Fire apparatus access roads shall have an unobstructed width of
not less than 24 feet (73 15 mm), exclusive of shoulders, except for approved security
gates in accordance with Section 503.6, and an unobstructed vertical clearance of not
less than 14 feet (4267 mm).
2021 International Fire Code Page 3 of 8
Exception: Vertical clearance may be reduced; provided such reduction does not
impair access by fire apparatus and approved signs are installed and maintained
indicating the established vertical clearance when approved.
13. Section 503.3 is deleted in its entirety and replaced by the following:
503.3 Marking. Where required by the fIre code offIcial, approved signs or other
approved notices or markings that include the words NO PARKING – FIRE LANE
shall be provided for fire apparatus access roads to identify such roads or prohibit theobstruction thereof. The means by which fIre lanes are designated shall be
maintained in a clean and legible condition at all times and be replaced or repairedwhen necessary to provide adequate visibility. Marking shall be provided as follows:
1. Striping – Fire apparatus access roads shall be continuously marked by painted lines
of red traffic paint six inches (6”) ( 152 mm) in width to show the boundaries ofthe lane. The words “NO PARKING FIRE LANE” or "FIRE LANE NO PARKING”
shall appear in four inch (4”) (102 mm) tall white letters at 25 foot (7620 mm) intervalson the red border markings along both sides of the fire lanes. Where a curb is
available, the striping shall be on the vertical face of the curb.
2. Signs – Signs shall read “NO PARKING FIRE LANE” or "FIRE LANE NO
PARKING” and shall be 12” (3657 mm) wide and 18” (5486 mm) high. Signs shall
be painted on a white background with letters and borders in red, using not less than2” (5 1 mm) tall lettering. Signs shall be permanently affixed to a stationary post
and the bottom of the sign shall be six feet, six inches (6’6”) (1981 mm) above finished
grade. Signs shall be spaced not more than fifty feet (50’) (15 240 mm) apart along
both sides of the fire lane. Signs may be installed on permanent buildings or walls, or
as approved by the Fire Chief.
14. A new Section 509.1.2 is added, to read as follows:
509.1.2 Sign Requirements. Unless more stringent requirements apply, lettering for
signs required by this section shall have a minimum height of 2 inches (50.8 mm)
when located inside a building and 4 inches (101.6 mm) when located outside, or as
approved by thepre code offIcial . The letters shall be of a color that contrasts with the
background.
15. A new Section 903.2.9.5 is added to read as follows:
903.2.9.5 Self-Service Storage Facility. An automatic sprinkler system shall be
installed throughout all self-service storage facilities.
16. Section 903.2.11 is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following.
2021 International Fire Code Page 4 of 8
903.2.11 Specific buildings areas and hazards. In all occupancies other than Group
U, an automatic sprinkler system shall be installed for building design or hazards in
the locations set forth in Sections 903.2.11.1 through 903.2.11.7.
17. A new Section 903.2.11.7 is added to read as follows:
903.2.11.7 General.
1. An automatic sprinkler shall 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 (929 m2) of floor arearegardless of fire area, area separation walls, or fire walls.
2. An automatic sprinkler 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 (697 m2) of floor area regardless of fire area, area separation walls, or firewalls
3. 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 the existing building, exceeds ten thousand (10,000) square feet
(929 m2) of noncombustible construction (Type I & II) total floor area, regardless offire 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 the existing building, exceeds seven thousand five hundred (7,500)
square feet (696 m2) of combustible construction (Type III, IV & V) total floor area,
regardless of fire area, area separation walls, or fire walls.
18. Section 903.3.1.2 is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
903.3.1.2 NFPA 13R sprinkler systems. Automatic sprinkler systems in Group R
occupancies shall be permitted to be installed throughout in accordance with NFPA
13R where the Group R occupancy meets all of the following conditions:
1. Four stories or fewer above grade plane.
2. For other than Group R-2 occupancies, the floor level of the highest story is 30
feet (9144 mm) or less above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access. For
Group R-2 occupancies, the roof assembly is less than 45 feet (13716 mm) above the
lowest level of fire department vehicle access. The height of the roof assembly shall
be determined by measuring the distance from the lowest required fire vehicle access
2021 International Fire Code Page 5 of 8
road surface adjacent to the building to the eave of the highest pitched roof, the
intersection of the highest roof to the exterior wall, or the top of the highest parapet,
whichever yields the greatest distance,
3. The floor level of the lowest story is 30 feet (9144 mm) or less below the lowest
level of fire department vehicle access.
The number of stories of Group R occupancies constructed in accordance with
Sections 510.2 and 510.4 of the International Building Code shall be measured from
grade plane .
19. Section 903.3.5 is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
903.5.5 Water supplies. Water supplies for automatic sprinklers systems shall comply
with this section and the standards referenced in Section 903.3.1. The potable water
supply shall be protected against backflow in accordance with the requirements of this
section and the International Plumbing Code . For connections to public waterworks
systems, the water supply test used for design of fire protection systems shall be
adjusted to account for seasonal and daily pressure fluctuations based on informationfrom the water supply authority and as approved by the fire code official. Water
supply as required for such systems shall be provided in conformance with the supplyrequirements of the respective standards; however, every water-based fire protection
system shall be designed with a 10 psi (69 kPa) safety factor. Reference Section 507
of the International Fire Code for additional design requirements.
903.3.5.1 Domestic services. Where the domestic service provides the water supply
for the automatic sprinkler system , the supply shall be in accordance with this section.
903.3.5.2 Residential combination services. A single combination water supply shall
be allowed provided that the domestic demand is added to the sprinkler demand as
required by NFPA 13R.
20. Section 907.6.3 is Deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
907.6.3 Initiating device identification. The fire alarm system shall identify the
specific initiating device address, location, device type, floor level where applicable
and status including indication of normal, alarm, trouble and supervisory status, as
appropriate .
Exceptions :
1. Deleted.
2. Deleted.
3. Deleted.
4. Deleted.
2021 International Fire Code Page 6 of 8
21. Section 5601.1.3 is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
5601.1.3 Fireworks. The possession, manufacture, storage, sale, handling and use of
fireworks are prohibited within the city limits. The use of fireworks within five
thousand (5,000) feet of the city limits is prohibited if the fireworks travel into the citylimits
Exceptions :
1. Storage and handling of fireworks as allowed in Section 5604.
2. Manufacture, assembly and testing of fireworks as allowed in Section 5605.
3 . The use of fireworks for fireworks displays as allowed in Section 5608.
4. The possession, storage, sale, handling and use of specific types of Division 1.4G
fireworks where allowed by applicable laws, ordinances and regulations, provided
that such fireworks and facilities comply with the 2006 edition of NFPA 1 124,CPSC 16 CFR Parts 1500 and 1507, and DOTn 49 CFR Parts 100–185, as
applicable for consumer fireworks.
22. A new Section 5706.3.9 is added to read as follows:
5706.3.9 Fire Protection (Gas Wells). Drilling and Production Sites shall be equipped
with a lightning protection system. In addition, tank battery facilities shall be equipped
with a remote foam line and a lightning arrestor approved by the fire code official.
SECTION 2. If any provision of this ordinance or the application thereof to any person or
circumstances is held invalid by any court, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or
applications, and to this end, the provisions of this ordinance are severable.
SECTION 3. All provisions of the ordinances of the City of Denton in conflict with the
provision of this ordinance are hereby repealed. The repeal of any ordinance or any portion thereof
by the preceding text 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
and such shall remain in force for all intents and purposes as if such ordinance or part thereof so
repealed shall remain in force.
SECTION 4. Any person violating any provision of this ordinance shall, upon conviction,
be found guilty of a misdemeanor and fined a sum not to exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000.00)
for each violation. Each day that a provision of this ordinance is violated shall constitute a separateand distinct offense.
2021 International Fire Code Page 7 of 8
SECTION 5. Pursuant to Section 2.09(c) of the Charter for the City of Denton and Section
214.218 of the Texas Local Government Code, this ordinance shall become effective on June 1,
2022, 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 the date of its passage and approval.
SECTION 6. An offense committed before the effective date of this ordinance is governed
by prior law and the provisions of the Denton Code of Ordinances, as amended, in effect when the
offense was committed and the former law is continued in effect for this purpose.
The motion to aPProve this ordinance was made by
seconded bythe following vote LI- al :
'esse L.hvis
the ordinance was passed andaAd and
approved by
Aye
1/
Nay Abstain Absent
IVlayor Gerard Hudspeth:
Vicki Byrd, District 1:+/
1/
1/
1/
1/
P/
Brian Beck. District 2:
Jesse Davis, District 3 :
Alison Maguire, District 4:
Deb Armintor, At Large Place 5 :
Paul Meltzer, At Large Place 6:
PASSED AND APPROVED this, the n day of 2022
FiXFbTT@Ff6R
ATTEST:
ROSA RIOS, CITY SECRETARY te :I::://?
L\\\ \ t
6BY LI
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM:
MACK REINWAND, CITY ATTORNEY
u11h&\ / tWh :jI5 ;1To: Fir 7 : : 2 5 : 1 6BY. J v -05'OO’
2021 International Fire Code Page 8 of 8