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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3424· -~ _ ~ Dist~bution: At~ qey/' Bre.. rton Sun/ ~ F±re Dept./ AN ORDINANCE adoPt±rig the 1977 Fire Alarm Code for the City of Bremerton and declaring an emergency. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BREMERTON DOES ORDAIN SECTION 1. There is adopted, for the purpose of pre- scribing regulations governing the installation, use and maintenance of fire alarm systems within the City, that certain document en- titled "1977 Fire Alarm Code for City of Bremerton," three copies of which are now on file in the office of the City Clerk, and said code is adopted and incorporated as fully as though set out herein in length. SECTION 2. Any person who shall violate any provisions of this ordinance incorporating the 1977 Fire Alarm Code for the City of Bremerton, or fail to comply therewith, or who shall violate or fail to comply with any order made thereunder, or who shall build in violation of any detailed statement or specifications or plans submitted and approved thereunder, within the time fixed therein, shall for each and every such violation or failure to comply, be guilty of a misdemeanor. The imposition of a criminal penalty shall not excuse the violation or permit it to continue and shall not be held to prevent the enforced removal of prohibited conditions, and all such persons shall be required to correct or remedy such viola- tions or defects within a reasonable time. Each ben days that prohibited conditions are maintained shall constitute a separate offense. SECTION 3. This ordinance is a public emergency ordinance necessary for the protection of public health, public safety, public property and the public peace, and shall be effective upon its adop- tion by the City Council. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL THIS ~/~ day of ~ 3~ , 197~. -1- ATTEST: City Clerk 2 APPENDIX "A" A Brief of Occupanc~7 Requirements from Section VIII NUMBER OF STORIES NUMBER OF PERSONS TYPE OF OCCUPANCY OR SQUARE FEET OR UNITS SYSTEM Apartments 1 or more without 3 or more units Type E direct exiting 2 or more 3 or more units Type A plus Smoke Detection I Occupancies except 100 or more beds Type D Jails, Prisons, Less than 100 beds Type E Reform Dormitories/ 2 or more 50 or more beds Type D Fraternities 2 or more and/or 2 to 50 beds Type E 1 6 or more Type A Educational 6 or more Type A plus automatic in Hazardous areas Hotels, Motels 2 or more 50 or more people Type D 2 or more and/or 6 to 49 people Type E 1 6 or more people Type A All non-sprinklered 5,000 square feet Type E or more One and Two Family Individual Dwe 11 in gs Smoke Detectors Office, Mercantile 3 or more 50 or more but less Type B etc. than 1,000 persons (Sprinklered) 75' or more 1,000 or more Type D Assembly B2) 5,000 square feet Type E or more All PUblic Address System Any building Over 5,000 square feet - Type E 1977 FIRE ALARM CODE for C I TY OF B REME RT ON TABLE OF CONTENTS Page(s) I Introduction 1 A. Purpose Definitions 1-4 A. Alarm Service B. Alarms C. Annunciator D. Approved E. Coded Signal F. Dwelling Unit G. Educational Building H. Fire Control I. Fire Divisions J. Institutional Buildings K. Local Fire Alarm System L. Maintenance M. Mercantile Buildings N. I4ulti-Family Buildings O. Owner P. Product of Combustion Detection Q. Protective Signaling Systems R. Public Assembly Building S. Residential Building T. Smoke/Product of Combustion U. Trouble Signal III General Information 5-8 A. Scope B. Conflict with Standards C. Test on Completion D. Maintenance E. Connection Fee F. Indemnity Agreement G. Prohibited Equipment H. Termination and Penalties IV Review and Acceptance 8-9 A. Information Required B. Acceptance of System after Installation V Alarm System ComRonents 9-14 A. Manual Sending Stations B. Sounding Devices C. Annunciator D. Power Supply E. Alarm and Supervision Circuits F. Sprinkler Systems i TABLE OF CONTENTS (contd.) Page ( s ) VI Existing Buildings 14 VII Alarm Systems Defined A. Type A - Local Alarm, Non-Coded B. Type B - General Alarm, Non-Coded C. Type C - General Alarm, Zone Coded, Annunciated D. Type D - Dual Coded Alarm E. Type E - Automatic Fire Detection System VIII Occupancy Requirements A. Definitions B. Occupancy Groups 1. Occupancy Groups A, B1, B2 2. Occupancy Groups Cl, C2, C3 and other Educational Occupancies 3. Group D3 and D3 Occupancies 4. Group H Occupancies 5. Group I Occupancies 6. Other Occupancies APPENDIX "A" - Occupancy Requirements ii I Introduction A. Purpose The purpose of these standards is to specify use of fire alarm systems providing the highest degree of public safety and building protection from fire which can reasonably be required without involving unreasonable hardships or interference with normal use and occupancy of the structure. These standards, in general, provide for: 1. The installation of automatic detection in all new unsprinklered construction over 5,000 square feet gross floor area. 2. Products of combustion detection in hallways and certain other areas in building where a life hazard exists. 3. An intertie of the water flow alarm of sprinkler systems to the Fire Department Central Dispatch II Definitions A. Alarm Service: A fire alarm system providing for (1) the manual operation of a fire alarm signal station; or (2) the transmission of an alarm indicating the operation of protective equipment or systems; or (3) the transmission of an automatic fire alarm signal; or (4) the transmission or actuation of any other emergency fire alarm signal; or (5) any combination of these. --1-- B. Alarms: Type A - General Alarm (noncoded) Type B - General Alarm (zone noncoded) Type C - General Alarm (zone coded) Type D - Dual Coded Alarm. C. Annunciator: A unit containing two or more identified targets or indicator lamps in which each target or lamp indicates the circuit, condition or location to be annunciated. D. Approved: Accepted in writing by the Fire Chief as a result of investigation and experience and by reason of test, listing or approval for specific use by Under- writers' Laboratories, Inc., Factory Mutual Research Corporation or other nationally recognized testing agencies. E. Coded Signal: An alarm signal which consists of not less than three complete rounds of the number trans- mitted. F. Dwelling Unit: One or more habitable rooms which are occupied, or which are intended or designed to be occupied, by one'family, and which include the facilities for living, sleeping, cooking and eating. G. Educational Building: A building or structure, or any portion thereof, used by persons harbored to receive instructions such as schools, universities, colleges and academies. It also includes part-day nursery schools, kindergartens and other schools whose purpose -2- is primarliy educational. H. Fire Control: The Dispatch Agency used by the City of Bremerton. I. Fire Divisions: Those divisions established by area separation walls which may be vertical, horizontal or both, when necessary. Each portion of a building sepa- rated by one or more such four-hour fire resistant walls may be considered a separate building. J. Institutional Building: A structure, or any portion thereof, used by persons harbored or detained to receive medical, charitable, or other care or treat- ment, or used to detain persons involuntarily. K. Local Fire Alarm System: A local system used exclusively to sound a fire alarm at the protected premises as the result of the manual or automatic operation of pro- tection equipment or signaling systems. L. Maintenance: Repair Service, including periodic inspections and tests required to keep the protective signaling system and its component parts in an operative condition at all times. M. Mercantile Building: A structure, or any portion thereof, used for the displaying, selling, or buying of goods, wares, or merchandise. N. Multi-Family Buildings: A structure or portion thereof containing three or more dwelling units, including tenement house, apartment house, flat or condominium. -3- O. Owner: Any person having legal or equitable title to, or controI of, a building or property. P. Product of Combustion Detection: When used with smoke detection shall mean only the following type systems: (1) Photoelectric cell (single and dual), (2) Refrac- tory and (3) Ionization. Q. Protective Signalihg Systems: Electrically-operated circuits, instruments and devices, including the necessary electrical sources, designed to transmit alarms, supervisory signals and trouble signals necessary for the protection of life and property. R. Public Assembly Building: A structure or portion thereof, used for the gathering together of fifty' i(50)~or~more ~ persons. S. Residential Building: A structure, or any portion there- of, used by persons for sleeping accomodations, (such as motels, hotels, apartment houses, dormitories, lodging or rooming houses and multiple family residences) which persons are not harbored or detained to receive medical, or other such care or treatment, or are other- wise involuntarily detained. T. Smoke/Product of Combustion: See "Product of Combustion". U. Trouble Signal: A signal indicating malfunction of any nature, such as a circuit break or ground, occurring at the devices or wiring associated with a protective sig- naling system. -4- III General Information A. Scope The regulations contained in this code require the installation of and govern the use and maintenance of fire alarm systems within the City of Bremerton. The regulations contained in this code require the installa- tion of electrically supervised fire alarm signal systems in premises and occupancies as specified through- out this code. B. Conflict with Standards In the event of any conflict between the provisions of the Uniform Fire Code or the Uniform Building Code and the regulations contained in this code, this code shall govern. C. Test on Completion An operational performance test of the entire fire alarm system will be required prior to final approval. Such test shall be coordinated by the Fire Chief or his representative and will require a copy of the "AS BUILT" plans of the system and the presence of a representative of the fire alarm installer, general contractor and the electrical contractor. During the test where sprinkler systems are installed, a repre- sentative of that firm should be present. EXCEPTION: Group R3 - occupancies, ~o comPly with the 1976 U.B.C. -5- D. Maintenance Maintenance of any fire alarm system shall be provided by the person, firm or corporation that is responsible for the building in which it is installed. Tests shall be made at not less than 30 day intervals to insure proper operation and maintenace of the system. Records of testing shall be maintained available for inspection by fire department personnel. E. Indemnity Agreement Any person, firm or corporation desiring to terminate any alarm to the Fire Control Panel shall first sign an indemnity agreement holding the City of Bremerton harmless from any liability involving the failure of any alarm circuit or equipment. F. Prohibited Equipment Alarm equipment designed to alert any municipal emer- gency service by providing unattended automatic dialing of any public telephone number of any emergency service for the purpose of transmitting a pre-recorded message shall be prohibited. G. Termination and Penalties The Fire Chief may at any time order the removal of -6- any alarm termination from the Fire Depart- ment or Fire Control facilities due to repeated failure of equipment or circuitry, multiple false alarms, or failure to comply with all of the provisions of this code. Such notice of discontinua- tion shall be made in writing to both the company that installed and/or supplied the alarm equipment and to the person, firm or corporation that is responsible for the building in which the alarm system is installed, at least 48 hours prior to the disconnection of the alarm circuit. In the event of temporary failure of alarm equipment or circuitry, the Fire Chief may order all emergency response actions discontinued until repairs can be made. Violation of this subsection shall be governed by City of Bremerton Ordinance No. 325 ~50 as amended. - 7 - IV. Review and Acceptance A. Information Required Complete information regarding the system includ- ing specifications, point to point wiring diagrams, and floor plans showing device loca- tions shall be submitted by the owner or an engineer, architect, or electrician licensed by the State of Washington to practice as such, and shall be reviewed by the fire department or by a person or firm approved by the fire department prior to the issuance of a building permit. All devices, combination of devices, and equipment constructed and installed in conformity with this standard shall be approved only for the purposes for which they are intended. All equipment shall be approved by a nationally recognized testing agency for the use for which it will be installed. B. Acceptance of System after Installation Upon completion of the system a satisfactory test of the entire installation shall be made in the presence of a representative of the fire dept- partment as specified in Section III, Item C. Acceptance of a system will be issued in writing after the above test is satisfactorily - 8 - completed. The Building Official shall not issue an Occupancy Certificate until he has such letter of acceptance on file. Any prior review is intended only as assistance to the owner and installer and does not indicate approval of the system at that time. V. Alarm System Compqpents A. Manual Sending Stations A manually operated sending station shall be provided at each main exit and in the natural path of escape from fire at readily accessible and visible points which are not likely to be obstructed. Each manually operated sending station shall be securely mounted. The bottom of the box shall be not less than four and one-half feet (4 1/2') and not more than six feet (6') above floor level. B. Sounding Devices Alarm devices shall be provided of such character and so distributed as to be effective regardless of the maximum noise level obtained from machinery or other equipment or vocal sounds produced under normal conditions of occupancy. Each system shall be so arranged that no manual intervention will be required following the actuation of a sending station or auto- matic detector for causing the effective response of all required sounding devices. No facilities shall be -9- provided whereby such response can be controlled or modified except where specifically approved as provided in this code. C. Annunciator Annunciators shall be required on all fire alarm systems when the building complex consists of three or more separate buildings, floors or fire divisions. Such annunciators shall have all interconnecting wiring electrically supervised. Annunciator panels shall be installed so as to be clearly visible and identifiable to personnel responding to an alarm. D. Power Supply All systems shall provide a secondary power source and shall automatically transfer within ten seconds to that source in the event of a primary power source inter- ruption. Such secondary source shall provide at least 24 hours power supply. All power supply equipment and wiring shall be installed in conformity with the re- quirements of the Uniform Fire Code and rules and regu- lations of the State Department of Labor and Industries, Electrical Inspection Division and must be approved by the Electrical Inspector for the City of Bremerton. E. Alarm and Supervision Circuits All circuits for operating alarm sounding devices and appliances shall be electrically supervised with the exception of: -10- (1) The Circuit of an alarm sounding device installed in the same room with a system control unit, provided the circuit conductors are installed in conduit or equivalently protected against mechanical injury or tampering with a limit of three feet of conduit. (2) A trouble signal circuit. (3) The neutral of a three, four or five wire AC or DC supply source. (4) Alarm signal sounding appliances when ~. alternately connected to two or more circuits at approximately equally distributed points throughout the building or ~. connected to a return loop circuit so that a break or ground does not prevent the operation of any sounding appliance and with means provided for testing the continuity of the circuit. Approximately equally distributed throughout shall be interpreted to mean sounding appliances shall be installed so that failUre of any one circuit or alarm signal shall not prevent an alarm from being heard in the areas served by that circuit. All fire alarm systems shall be electrically supervised so that the appearance of a break or ground fault of its installation wiring circuits which prevents the required operation of the system or failure of the main power supply shall be indicated by a distinctive trouble signal -11- Ail systems shall be test free from ground except those parts of circuits or equipment which are in- tentionally and permanently grounded to provide ground fault detection, emergency ground signaling or cir- cuit protective grounding. All systems shall be so designed that they do not depend upon the effectiveness of any ground connection for normal operation. A switch for silencing the trouble signal sounding appliance may be provided only if it transfers the trouble indication to a lamp or other acceptable visible indication adjacent to the switch. The visible indicator shall remain in operation until the silencing is restored to its normal position unless the audible signal will be obtained when a fault occurs without restoring the switch to normal or unless the audible trouble is again energized upon correction of the fault. Where corridors in an institutional, residential or educa- tional building are utilized for pressurized air handling systems an approved automatic smoke detector system shall be installed and connected to automatically energized fire alarm circuit which will release hold upon devices on required doors in fire walls and smoke separation partitions and simultaneously de-energize the electrical power to the mechanical equipment of the interhandling system. Fire alarm control panel and/or trouble signal indicators shall be installed in areas which are normally -12- staffed during the hours the building is occupied. The fire alarm control panel shall have constantly visible indicator showing that the system is normal. Any dearrangement of this system's circuits will be indicated by means of a trouble bell or buzzer. When an audible trouble signal is silenced manually, the visible signal shall continue to indicate that the system is not operating normally and shall be corrected immediately. When required, the control panels may be equipped with a momentary contact reset switch. A manually or automatically operated fire alarm system may be arranged for the accomplishment of the incidental functions such as release of self-opening or self- closing doors, cutting off supplies or gas, fuel oil, electric power, switching on emergency lights, stopping of air handling equipment fans, etc., as long as the accomplishment of said functions does not impair the effectiveness or reliability of the required sounding devices. Directions for operating together with the instructions on how to reset the~system or de-energize the circuit after the alarm has been sounded shall be posted. F. Sprinkler Systems All new and existing sprinkler systems in the City of Bremerton shall, at the discretion and direction of the fire chief, have an approved supervised alarm that -13- terminates at the fire alarm center. This alarm shall be activated by an approved water flow switching device. All systems shall terminate in equipment as specified by the Fire Chief. All water flow switching devices shall have a time delay activation switch installed thereon. All sprinkler systems shall inter- tie to alarm systems installed in the same building or complex. Automatic detection, except required products of combustion detections, may be eliminated where sprinkler systems are installed throughout. VI Existing Buildings No existing buildings (except as stated in Section V-F) shall be made to conform to the provisions of this code except where structural deficiencies affecting life safety are involved and in the opinion of the Fire Chief its continued use without a fire alarm system would be hazardous to the safety of the occupants. VII Alarm Systems Defined A. Type A (Local Alarm, Non-Coded) Activation of any initiating device; sounds a continous bell on all indicating devices until manually reset. B. Type B (General Alarm Zone-Non-Coded) Activation of any initiating device sounding a continuous alarm on all indicating devices until manually reset -14- and indicates on an annunciator panel the zone initiated. A signal shall be automatically transmitted to the fire alarm headquarters. C. Type C (General Alarm, Zone-Coded, Annunciated) Activation of any initiating device sounds a coded alarm announcing the area of the fire to all occupants and indicates the zone initiated on the annunciator panel. A signal shall be automatically transmitted to fire alarm headquarters. D. Type D (Dual Coded Alarm) Activation of any initiating device shall sound a zone coded alarm on chimes to alert staff and personnel, and shall indicate the zone location of the originating device on an annunciator panel. Upon first operation of any manual or automatic detecting device, a signal shall be automatically transmitted to the fire depart- ment by approved auxiliary connection to a municipal fire alarm system or by direct wire connection to the fire department or to an approval central station. Manual pull stations must be equipped so that a key can be inserted and a general evacuation alarm sounded at any time. General evacuation alarms shall be contin- uously ringing bells or horns. Any adjustable time delay device shall be incorporated in the system to -15- activate the general evacuation alarm within a maximum of five minutes after the first actuation of any signal sending station or detection device. E. Type E (Automatic Fire Detection System) An automatic detection system shall consist of fixed temperature, fixed temperature rate of rise, or smoke products of combustion limited to approved photo electric cell refractory or ionization type devices singly or in combination. When buildings are completely sprinklered, they shall not be required to have an automatic ,detection system other than required for smoke or products of combustion detection. Automatic detectors must be installed per manufacturers or testing laboratories specifications for area coverage and method of installation. Automatic detection system shall also include the approved installation of manual sending stations. Automatic detection shall terminate at fire alarm headquarters. VIII Occupancy Requirements A. Definitions The definitions of occupancies as stated in this code shall be as defined in the 1976 Edition of the Uniform Building Code as published by the International Con- ference of Building Officials and adopted by Chapter 17 of the Bremerton Municipal Code. -16- B. Occupancy Groups Ail occupancies which contain over 5,000 square feet gross floor area must have minimum Type E alarm systems, except Group I. In order for an area to be considered separately for the purpose of computing gross floor area, it must be a separate structure or divided from Other portions of a structure by minimum four-hour walls with three-hour assemblies on self- closers and held open only by magnetic hold open devices intertied to products of combustion detectors. Additional requirements for specific occupancy groups are as follows: 1. Occupancy Groups Al, A2, A-2.1 An approved public address system shall be installed with speakers so arranged that a message on the system shall be heard over the ambient noise level in all areas of the building. A microphone for the system must be readily available to the manage- ment and/or fire fighters and be located at loca- tion approved by Fire Chief. Every stage shall be provided with a fire control station and shall have the following: (a) Tell-tale lights to indicate the operation of all emergency light and power circuits. (b) Manual operating devices to actuate auto- matic spray head~proscenium~ -17- curtain and smoke vents. (c) Indicators to show that sprinkler system valves are open and system is charged with water under pressure. (d) A public address system energized from normal and emergency light and power sources. (e) An alarm system connected to the manager's office, dressing rooms and auxiliary stage spaces. It shall not sound an alarm audible in the audience or seating portion of the theater. 2. Occupancy Groups El, E2, E3 and other educational occupancies. Groups El, E2, E3 and other educational occupancies used for the gathering of groups of six or more persons for the purpose of instruction. This shall include nursery schools and kindergarten. An approved Type A alarm system shall be provided. Automatic detection shall be required in all hazardous areas (storage rooms, kitchens, janitor rooms and boiler rooms) and in rooms not normally occupied continually during hours of occupancy. See specific requirements for Day Care Centers under ~VIII, B., 6. 3. Group I1 and I2 Occupancies (Except Jails, Prisons and Reformatories). Every building shall have a Type D system. An -18- approved automatic smoke detection (ionization) shall be installed in all corridors of hospitals, nursing homes and residential-custodial care facilities. Such systems shall be installed in accordance with the applicable Uniform Fire Code Standards, but in no case shall smoke detectors be spaced further apart than 30' on centers or more than 15' from any wall. All automatic smoke detection shall be inter-connected to the fire alarm system. EXCEPTION: Where each patient sleeping room is protected by such an approved detection system and a local detector is provided at each smoke partition. Such corridor system will not be required on the patient sleeping room floors. 4. Group R1 Occupancies (a) Hotels, motels, sorority and fraternity houses, dormitories with 50 or more persons or two or more stories are required to have a Type D system. (b) All apartments with three or more units that exit through a common interior exit- way, and apartments three or more stories in height shall have a Type E system. (c) Apartments two or more stories in height and four or more units with direct exiting, -19- shall be protected with a Type A system with hazardous areas (Laundry,~ kitchens, ...... storage rooms, etc.) protected with auto- matic protection. (d) One and two story residential apartment buildings under 5,000 square feet with direct exiting shall be required to be pro- vided with individual approved products of combustion detector(s) centrally located in the corridor and area giving access to rooms used for sleeping purposes. When activated, the detector(s) shall be capable of providing an alarm for all occupants of the dwelling. (e) Hotels and motels, fraternities and sororities, dormitories two or more stories in height with 6-49 persons shall have a Type E system. 5. Group R3 Occupancies Every dwelling shall be provided with approved detectors of products of combustion other than heat mounted on the ceiling at a point centrally located in the corridor or area giving access to rooms used for sleeping purposes. When activated, the detec- tor(s) shall be capable of providing an alarm for all occupants of the dwelling. 6. Other Occupancies (Existing) -20- (a) Day Care Home: 7-12 Children in the Family Abode The installation of self-contained smoke detectors at the top of open stairways shall be required where upper floors are used for day care purposes and the Size, arrangement and occupancy is such that a fire would not in itself give adequate warning for all to escape. (b) Group Day Care Home: 1-12 Children in Other than Family Abode An approved manual fire alarm system shall be provided if more than one floor level is used for day care purposes and the size, arrangement and occupancy of the building is such that a fire would not in itself give adequate warning for all to escape. All stairwells serving as required means of egress from floors above the second shall be enclosed and provided a continuous protected passageway to the outside. EXCEPTION: Un-enclosed stairwells connecting not more than three (3) floors may be allowed if the building is of fire-resistive con- struction; or, provided with automatic sprinkler protection; or, provided with smoke -21- detectors in all means of egress and open areas. Second floor corridors shall be 1/2 hour rated unless provided with automatic sprinklers; or, smoke detection; or, direct means of egress from each occupied room. (c) Day Care Center: 13 or more Children in the Family Abode. A manual fire alarm system shall be provided in all homes housing 50 or more children or where housing is on more than one floor level. Sounding devices and pull stations shall be so arranged as to be accessible and audible from all occupied areas. Homes housing less than 50 children all on one floor level may be required to provide a fire alarm system if the size, arrangement, or occupancy is such that a fire would not in itself give adequate warning for all to escape. (d) Day Care Center: 13 or more Children in Other than Family Abode All stairwells serving as required means of egress shall be enclosed and provide a continuous protected passageway to the out- side. EXCEPTION: Stairwells connecting not more -22- than two (2) floors may be allowed if the building is of fire-resistive construction; or, provided with automatic sprinkler pro- tection; or, provided with smoke detectors in all means of egress and open areas. An approved manual fire alarm system shall be provided except where day care is limited to the first floor only, the licensed capa- city does not exceed 50, and each occupied area has a direct exit to the outside. (e) Maternity Service: Full-time care for Mothers prior to Delivery, Residential care for Mothers and Infants, Other Services Related to Unwed Mothers All stairwells serving as reqUired means of egress from floors above the second shall be enclosed and provide a continous protected passageway to the outside. EXCEPTION: Un-enclosed stairwells connecting not more than three (3) floors may be allowed if the building is of fire-resistive con- struction; or, provided with automatic sprink- ler protection; or, provided with smoke de- tectors in all means of egress and open areas. -23- An approved manual fire alarm system shall be provided when the resident occupant load exceeds 15. EXCEPTION: Not required in building three (3) stories or less in height where each sleeping room has an exit directly to the outside. Nursery areas not under continuous supervision shall be provided with automatic smoke detection. -24-