Introduce Ordinance to Repeal Minnesota Building Code Chapter 1306 Entitled Fire Suppression Systems

At the January 10th Work Session, City Council directed Staff to prepare an ordinance to repeal Minnesota Building Code Chapter 1306 entitled 'Fire Suppression Systems', which is an optional chapter, from the Ramsey City Code.

No notification required.

The State of Minnesota has adopted the International Building Code as part of the State Building Code. The State of Minnesota requires that the City adopt the State Building Code, which requires certain required and optional chapters. Within the state building code, buildings meeting certain limitations must incorporate fire suppression systems. This threshold is different for types of uses, occupant loads, building construction types or building heights above or below grade. Architects may at times have an option to build fire walls in-lieu-of fire suppression. This option is not always available due to tenant space needs or other specific code requirements.

Chapter 1306 of the Building Code is an optional chapter of the Building Code. However, the required sections of Building Code the City must adopt do include provisions for fire suppression even without the adoption of Chapter 1306. Chapter 1306 reduces the thresholds where fire suppression is required within buildings or tenant spaces. All 'A' type spaces and almost all other occupancy types have 2,000 square feet or more are required to have suppression under Chapter 1306.   Chapter 9 of the Minnesota Building Code does include requirements for existing buildings, with certain increases in occupant load triggering the need for existing structures to install fire suppression.  There are numerous scenarios based on occupant load that will need to be reviewed with each plan review to determine if fire suppression shall be required.

The purpose of this amendment is to remove an optional chapter of the Minnesota Building Code to acknowledge recent amendments to the Minnesota Building Code that provide additional requirements related to fire suppression system while balancing the long term public safety needs for the future of our community, the safety of our firefighters, and the economic stability of the City of Ramsey.

Of note for Council:  We have been in communication with the property owner at 5900 167th Ave NW regarding a new tenant that wishes to occupy a space in the structure that under 1306 would require sprinkling; however, once 1306 is repealed, the space would not not be required to be sprinkled.  Staff has reviewed this request with the City Attorney and has determined that after the introduction this evening, we would allow the building owner to proceed with the tenant, with the approval of the amendment eliminating 1306 pending at the first meeting in February.  If the Council has concerns with proceeding in that manner, staff requests that those concerns be raised during the meeting this evening (1/24/12). 

Per City Council direction at the January 10th Work Session, Staff recommends approval of the ordinance removing Minnesota State Building Code Optional Chapter 1306 from the Ramsey City Code.

Preparation of the ordinance is being handled as part of regular Staff duties.

Motion to introduce the ordinance to remove Minnesota Building Code Chapter 1306 from the Ramsey City Code.