Consideration and Adoption of Resolution No. 2019-27 and Ordinance No. 2019-17: Declaring as a Public Record that certain document known as "The International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, and the 2019 Amendments to the Flagstaff City Code, Title 5, Fire Code" and adopting said public record by reference.

The action of adopting this ordinance will enact the 2018 International Fire Code, and subsequent amendments to the Flagstaff City Code, Title  5, Fire Regulations. The purpose of this adoption is to keep our Flagstaff Fire Codes in compliance with previously adopted state legislation, as well as the adoption of local amendments.  The effective date for the 2018 IFC to take effect on July 1,. 2019 with a grace period for plan submission using either Code until January 1, 2020.

There are no costs to the city associated with updating to a more contemporary version of the IFC. Plans review and construction inspections with updated standards will place some new demand on our fire inspectors, for a few months post adoption as they incorporate the new code.

 No impacts on current policy

3) Provide sustainable and equitable public facilities, services, and infrastructure systems in an efficient and effective manner to serve all population areas and demographics

Regional Plan

1. Work across all government operations and services to prepare for the impacts of natural and human caused disasters.
2. Provide sustainable and equitable public facilities, services, and infrastructure systems in an efficient and effective manner to service all populations’ areas and demographics.  
3. Provide high quality emergency response and public safety services including law enforcement, fire, medical and ambulance transport service.
4. Supports the CAAP with a new Chapter  12 Emergency Systems

The 2012 International Fire Code (The model code presently in use) was amended and subsequently adopted by Ordinance No. 2016-20, adopted by City Council on October 6, 2016. A Discussion has been held at the May 14, 2019 Council work session.

1. Table the ordinance to allow for more public input. The effect of this action would be to delay adoption.
2. Amend the ordinance to add or remove specific requirements.
3. Do not approve the ordinance. This action would have the effect of continuing using the current adopted version of the 2012 IFC.

Adopting this ordinance will enact the 2018 International Fire Code, and the 2019 amendments to the Flagstaff City Code, Title 5: Fire Regulations and provide for their incorporation into city code. With Resolution  No: 2019:-17  the City of Flagstaff Council has declared the 2018 International Fire Code (IFC) and the 2019 amendments to the Flagstaff City Code, Title  5 Fire Regulations  (2019 Amendments) to be public record, one hard copy and one electronic copy of which is on file in the office of the city clerk.

The Flagstaff Fire Department routinely updates its local Fire Code with a more contemporary model version. This update traditionally takes place every 6 years in accordance with the building departments model code update.  The building department is presently using the 2018 International Building Code (IBC).  Model codes such as the IFC and IBC are designed as minimum standards and local jurisdictions are encouraged to amend them locally to suit local conditions.  Local amendments are proposed for the IFC. In the future, it is the intent of the Fire Department to match the fire code edition with the other ICC codes adopted by the City. 

The 2019 Amendments deal with changes in the model code that are of significant local importance. The changes to the model code specific to Flagstaff are as follows:

1. Fire sprinkler systems to be required in all commercial buildings greater than 5000 square feet or three stories in height. This has been required in Flagstaff since the 1980s.
2. Engineering Standards for fire access roads. These have been in place since the previous code.
3. New standard that addresses the cleaning of commercial cooking exhaust hoods and ducts, it includes grease accumulation, recordkeeping and tagging equipment following the ANSI -standards for cleaning of commercial kitchen exhaust systems
4. A chart that identifies outdoor assembly exit isle widths.

1. Little impact on single family residential construction. The IFC is geared to commercial business operations.
2. Stream line the project review process the city building department and the fire department are using the same year model code.
3. Address specific community Hazards though our amendment adoptions. This includes a special events section as an example.

Over this past year The Building and Safety department and the Fire Department scheduled meetings with local general contractors as well as scheduled an open house with fire protection sub-contractors. The purpose of these meetings was to educate these stakeholders about the IFC adoption proposal and review significant updates from the 2012 IFC as well as amendments. Specific external interest groups included:  Northern Arizona Homebuilders and service clubs. There was little to no negative feedback from these external interest groups only clarifications as to the code and updates, feedback seemed positive. The Fire Department has also met with various city divisions seeking input and offering our availability to meet and discuss the code adoption process.

Consult/Involve:
Through our community outreach activities we have consulted and elicited feedback from those community members who are most effected by the code adoption.