Consideration and Possible Adoption of Resolution No. 2016-20 and Ordinance No. 2016-25: Declaring as a Public Record that certain document known as the International Fire Code, 2012 Edition, and amendments, additions and deletions thereto and the 2016 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 2012 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 2012 IFC to take effect would be November 3, 2016. 

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.

COUNCIL GOALS:
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.

The 2006 International Fire Code (The model code presently in use) was amended and subsequently adopted by Ordinance No. 2010-21, on November 5, 2010. Discussion has been held at the September 6 and 20, 2016, Council meetings, as well as the October 4, 2016, meeting. Additional information, as requested, has been included in the attached Supplemental Memo and related documents.

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 little effect as the State of Arizona has adopted this version of the IFC which placed it as a minimum requirement.

 Adopting this ordinance will enact the 2012 International Fire Code, and the 2012 amendments to the Flagstaff City Code, Title 5: Fire Regulations and provide for their incorporation into city code. This action codifies the model fire code in Flagstaff that was previously adopted by the State Fire Marshal’s Office in January of 2016. 

With Resolution No. 2016-20  the City of Flagstaff Council has declared the 2012 International Fire Code (IFC) and the 2012 amendments to the Flagstaff City Code, Title  5 Fire Regulations  (2012 Amendments) to be public record, three copies of which are 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 department's model code update.  The building department is presently using the 2012 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 2012 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 1980's.

2.  Adding a chapter specific to community special events, the chapter includes guidelines on fencing and exiting, crowd management and mobile food trucks.  

3. Addition of Flagstaff’s local addressing criteria.

4.  Refrigerant Detection Equipment in convenience stores with a minimum quantities of hazardous materials used for this application.

1. Little impact on single family residential construction. The IFC is geared to commercial business operations
2.  Clarity in requirements. The adoption process will place the 2012 IFC as the single model code for fire protection requirements in the region. NAU, the county and the state of Arizona are presently using the 2012 IFC code adoption will enhance developer friendly environment
3. Streamline the project review process the city building department and the fire department are using the same year model code.
4.  Address specific community Hazards through our amendment adoptions. This incudes a special events section as an example.   

In February and March of this year, the Fire Department scheduled meetings with local general contractors as well as scheduled an open house with fire protection subcontractors. The purpose of these meetings was to educate these stakeholders about the IFC adoption proposal and review significant updates from the 2006 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.  Those internal city groups included: community development, engineering, the building department, and code compliance.  Input was discussed and in most cases incorporated into the local amendments.

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.