(9)(a)
CITY COMMISSION REGULAR MTG
- Meeting Date:
- 06/07/2023
- Title:
- Chapter 96 Fire Prevention and Protection
- Submitted For:
- David Zacherl
- Submitted By:
- David Zacherl, Fire Department
- Department:
- Fire Department
Information
ACTION REQUEST
Consider and take action on Ordinance No. 2023-21, amending certain sections of Chapter 96 “Fire Prevention and Protection: Fireworks” related to automatic sprinkler system installation requirements
BACKGROUND (Brief Summary)
Building occupancy classifications refer to categorizing structures based on their usage and are primarily used for building and fire code enforcement. They are usually defined by model building codes, and vary, somewhat between the different codes.
For example: Assembly (Group A) are places used for people gathering for entertainment, worship, and eating or drinking like churches, restaurants, theaters, and stadiums.
Business (Group B) are places where services are provided such as banks, insurance agencies, government buildings (including police and fire stations), and doctor's offices.
What we are proposing is a requirement for Residential (Group R) defined as places providing accommodations for overnight stay such as apartment buildings, hotels, and motels to install automatic sprinkler systems in all buildings to include pool houses, exercise facilities, garages, office and leasing buildings, laundry rooms, essentially all buildings within a Group R development property or apartment complex property.
Garages in apartment complexes are designed for vehicles, but we note that they are primarily used as a storage shed for all kinds of things with or without a vehicle. Notably, barbeque pits are prohibited on the porches, so the garage area becomes the outdoor cooking area. Cooking outdoors can be problematic especially when the grill is put away hot or with bricks that have not been properly extinguished.
Another hazard is the charging of an electric vehicle inside the garage with a Level 1 or Level 2 charging system. EV’s use lithium batteries that can pose a significant fire hazard. In the event of a fire, these fires burn very hot and are extremely difficult to extinguish; an automatic sprinkler system would assist in containment and/or reducing the spread of the fire.
The benefits of an automatic sprinkler system are they save lives, provide time for occupants to evacuate, reduce fire damage, are cost efficient, save on insurance premiums, and are a low maintenance item.
For example: Assembly (Group A) are places used for people gathering for entertainment, worship, and eating or drinking like churches, restaurants, theaters, and stadiums.
Business (Group B) are places where services are provided such as banks, insurance agencies, government buildings (including police and fire stations), and doctor's offices.
What we are proposing is a requirement for Residential (Group R) defined as places providing accommodations for overnight stay such as apartment buildings, hotels, and motels to install automatic sprinkler systems in all buildings to include pool houses, exercise facilities, garages, office and leasing buildings, laundry rooms, essentially all buildings within a Group R development property or apartment complex property.
Garages in apartment complexes are designed for vehicles, but we note that they are primarily used as a storage shed for all kinds of things with or without a vehicle. Notably, barbeque pits are prohibited on the porches, so the garage area becomes the outdoor cooking area. Cooking outdoors can be problematic especially when the grill is put away hot or with bricks that have not been properly extinguished.
Another hazard is the charging of an electric vehicle inside the garage with a Level 1 or Level 2 charging system. EV’s use lithium batteries that can pose a significant fire hazard. In the event of a fire, these fires burn very hot and are extremely difficult to extinguish; an automatic sprinkler system would assist in containment and/or reducing the spread of the fire.
The benefits of an automatic sprinkler system are they save lives, provide time for occupants to evacuate, reduce fire damage, are cost efficient, save on insurance premiums, and are a low maintenance item.
RECOMMENDATION
The Fire Chief and the Fire Marshal both recommend approval of the proposed amendment.
Fiscal Impact
- Funds Available Y/N:
- Amount Requested:
- Source of Funds:
- Account #:
Fiscal Impact:
There is no fiscal impact to the proposed ordinance amendment.