HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-3387 - Ordinance - 12/08/2011 ORDINANCE NO. EMI-3327
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 6, "FIRE PROTECTION", SECTION 1 FIRE
PREVENTION CODE OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS, BY AMENDING CERTAIN SECTIONS AS SET OUT
BELOW; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; DECLARING A PENALTY; AND
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLLEGE STATION,
TEXAS:
PART 1: That CHAPTER 6, "FIRE PROTECTION" SECTION 1, "FIRE
PREVENTION CODE", of the Code of Ordinances of the City of College
Station, Texas, be amended as set out in Exhibit "A", attached hereto and made a
part of this ordinance for all purposes.
PART 2: That if any provisions of any section of this ordinance shall be held to be void or
unconstitutional, such holding shall in no way effect the validity of the remaining
provisions or sections of this ordinance, which shall remain in full force and
effect.
PART 3: That any person, firm, or corporation violating any of the provisions of this
chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof
shall be punishable by a fine of not less than Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) nor
more than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00). Each day such violation shall
continue or be permitted to continue, shall be deemed a separate offense. Said
Ordinance, being a penal ordinance, becomes effective ten (10) days after its date
of passage by the City Council, as provided by Section 34 of the Charter of the
City of College Station.
PASSED, ADOPTED and APPROVED this R-k- day of Vers tuber , 2012.
APPROVED:
Mayor
ATTEST:
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APP 'OVED:
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City Attorney
EXHIBIT "A"
That CHAPTER 6, "FIRE PROTECTION", SECTION 1, "FIRE PREVENTION CODE",
of the Code of Ordinances of the City of College Station, Texas, is hereby replaced in its
entirety, as set out hereafter to read as follows:
SECTION 1: FIRE PREVENTION CODE
A. INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE ADOPTED
(1) The 2012 edition of the International Fire Code, including Appendix Chapters B,
C, D, E, F,G,H,I and as published by the International Code Council. Said Code
is hereby adopted to the same extent as though such Code were copied at length
herein, subject however to the omissions, additions, supplements, and
amendments contained in this section.
(2) The Life Safety Code Handbook, specifically the 2012 Edition published by the
National Fire Protection Association, a copy of which is on file in the office of the
City Secretary of the City of College Station, Texas, is hereby adopted and
designated as the life safety code of the City of College Station. Said code is
adopted to the same extent as though such code was copied at length herein,
subject however to the omissions, additions, supplements, and amendments
contained in this section.
B. AMENDMENTS TO THE INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE
The International Fire Code, as referred to above is hereby amended as follows:
(1) Section 101 (General) is amended by adding Section 101.6 to read as follows:
Section 101.6 (Emergency Vehicle Egress):
No part of any commercial structure will be located outside the limits of a one
hundred fifty foot (150') arc from a point where fire apparatus can operate. Fire
apparatus will operate on surfaces designed for such and may utilize public right-
of-way, approved fire lanes and/or drive access ways to meet this one hundred
and fifty foot limit but in no case shall the truck travel route be measured across
grass, wooded or landscaped areas, over curbs, through fences, through ditches or
across paved areas which are not designed and maintained as fire lanes.
(2) Section 108 is amended by deleting the section in its entirety.
(3) Section 109.4 (Violation Penalties) is amended by deleting the section in its
entirety and replacing with the following:
Section 109.4 (Violation Penalties)
Fire Prevention Code Amendment 2
Persons who shall violate a provision of this code or shall fail to comply with any
of the requirements thereof or who shall erect, install, alter, repair or do work in
violation of the approved construction documents or directive of the Fire Official,
or of a permit or certificate used under provisions of this code, shall be guilty of a
misdemeanor, punishable by a fine as described in Chapter 1 section 5 of the
College Station Code of Ordinances.
(4) Section 202 (General Definitions) is amended by adding "Tutorial Services"
under the definition of"Occupancy Classification Assembly Group A-3".
(5) Section 308.1.4 (Open Flame Cooking Devices) is amended by deleting exception
2 & 3.
(6) Section 501.4 (Timing of Installation) is amended by adding the following text at
the end of the section: "There shall be no combustible, flammable or ignitable
materials placed on site, lot or subdivision where waterlines, fire hydrants and/or
all weather access roads capable of supporting emergency vehicles with an
imposed load of at least 75,000 pounds as required by this code or other adopted
code or ordinances are completed, accepted and in service."
(7) Section 503.2.1 (Dimensions) is amended by replacing "13 feet 6 inches" with
"14 feet".
(8) Section 503.2.5 (Dead Ends) is amended by replacing "150 feet" with "100 feet".
(9) Section 503.3 (Marking) is amended by deleting the section in its entirety and
replacing with the following:
Section 503.3 (Marking)
The owner, manager, or person in charge of any building or property to which fire
lanes have been approved or required by engineering shall mark and maintain said
fire lanes in the following manner:
All curbs and curb ends shall be painted red with four inch (4") white lettering
stating "FIRE LANE - NO PARKING - TOW AWAY ZONE". Wording may not
be spaced more than fifteen feet (15') apart.
In areas where fire lanes are required but no continuous curb is available, one of
the following methods shall be used, in conjunction with the curb markings, to
indicate that the fire lane is continuous:
Option #1: A sign twelve inches (12") wide and eighteen inches (18") in height
shall be mounted in a conspicuous location at each entrance to the property. (See
Diagram No. 1 for specifications on colors and lettering.)
Fire Prevention Code Amendment 3
Option #2: From the point the fire lane begins to the point the fire lane ends,
including behind all parking spaces which adjoin a fire lane, shall be marked with
one continuous eight inch (8") red stripe painted on the drive surface behind the
parking spaces. All curbing adjoining a fire lane must be painted red. Red stripes
and curbs will contain the wording "FIRE LANE - NO PARKING- TOW AWAY
ZONE", painted in four inch (4") white letters. ("Figure A" in Ordinance No
1630 illustrates striping on drive surface behind parking spaces.)
In those cases where curb markings are not possible or where signs would in the
Fire Official's opinion work more effectively, the Fire Marshal may require signs
in lieu of curb markings.
The use of the color red to mark or stripe any curb or parking area (other than fire
lanes) is prohibited within the City of College Station."
(10). Section 503 is amended by adding Sections 503.3.1 (Fire Lane Signs; Tow-Away
Zone Signs), 5033.2 (Destruction of Fire Lane and Tow-Away Signs), 503.3.3
(Abandonment or Closing) and 503.3.4 (Authority Under Emergency Conditions)
to read as follows:
503.3.1 (Fire Lane Signs; Tow-Away Zone Signs)
The owner, manager, or person in charge of any building to which fire lanes have
been approved by the Engineering Division shall post and maintain appropriate
signs in conspicuous places along such fire lanes stating "No Parking - Fire
Lane". Such signs shall be twelve inches (12") wide and eighteen inches (18")
high, with a companion sign twelve inches (12") wide and six inches (6") high
stating "Tow-Away Zone".
Any "No Parking - Fire Lane" or "Tow-Away Zone" sign shall be painted on a
white background with symbols, letters and border in red. Drawings and samples
of such signs may be obtained from the Fire Department of the City of College
Station. Standards for mounting, including but not limited to, the height above
the grade at which such signs are to be mounted, shall be as adopted by the Fire
Official of College Station.
Section 503.3.2 (Destruction of Fire Lane or Tow-Away Signs)
It is hereby unlawful for any person without lawful authority to attempt or in fact
alter, destroy, deface, injure, knock down, or remove any sign designating a fire
lane or tow-away zone erected under the terms of this code, or to deface a curb
marking in any way.
Section 503.3.3 (Abandonment or Closing)
No owner, manager, or person in charge of any premises served by a required fire
lane shall abandon or close such fire lane without written permission of the Fire
Official of the City of College Station.
Fire Prevention Code Amendment 4
Section 503.3.4 (Authority Under Emergency Conditions)
The Fire Marshal is hereby authorized to establish fire lanes during any fire, and
to exclude all persons other than those authorized to assist in extinguishing the
fire or the owner or occupants of the burning property from within such lanes.
(11). Section 503.4 (Obstruction of Fire Apparatus Access Roads) is amended by
deleting the section in its entirety and replacing with the following:
Section 503.4 (Obstruction of Fire Apparatus Access Roads)
No person shall park, place, allow, permit, or cause to be parked, placed, any
motor vehicle, trailer, boat, or similar obstruction within or upon an area
designated as a fire lane and marked by an appropriate sign or curb marking.
(12). Section 503 (Fire Apparatus Access Roads) is amended by adding Sections
503.4.2 (Obstructing Fire Lanes) and 503.4.2 (Enforcement; Issuance of
Citations; Impoundment of Obstructions) to read as follows:
Section 503.4.2 (Obstructing Fire Lanes)
Any motor vehicle, trailer, boat, or similar obstruction found parked within an
area designated as a fire lane as required by this section is hereby declared a
nuisance per se and any such motor vehicle, trailer, boat, or similar obstruction
parked or unoccupied in such a manner as to obstruct in whole or in part any such
fire lane shall be prima facie evidence that the registered owner unlawfully
parked, placed, or permitted to be parked or placed such obstruction within a fire
lane.
The records of the State Highway Department or the County Highway License
Department showing the name of the person to whom the Texas highway license
or boat or trailer license is issued shall constitute prima facie evidence of
ownership by the named persons.
Section 503.4.3 (Enforcement; Issuance of Citations; Impoundment of
Obstructions)
The Fire Official or any member of the Fire Department designated by the Fire
Official, the Chief of Police, or any member of the Police Department designated
by the Chief of Police are hereby authorized to issue parking citations for any
motor vehicle, trailer, boat, or similar obstruction found parked or unattended in
or upon a designated fire lane and may have such obstruction removed by towing
it away. Such vehicle or obstruction may be redeemed by payment of the towage
and storage charges at the owner's expense.
No parking citations shall be voided nor shall the violator be relieved of any
penalty assessed by a judge of the Municipal Court for any provision by the
redemption of the obstruction from the storage facility.
Fire Prevention Code Amendment 5
(13) Section 505.1 (Address Identification) is amended by deleting the section in its
entirety and replacing with the following:
Section 505.1 (Address Identification)
An official building number placed pursuant to this ordinance must be at least
four inches (4") high, and have at least a one-half inch (1/2") stroke in the main
body of the number, and be composed of a durable material and of a color which
provides a contrast to the background. The number shall be mounted a minimum
of thirty-six inches (36") and a maximum of thirty feet (30') in height measured
from ground level. Buildings located more than fifty feet (50') from the curb of a
street shall have numbers at least five inches (5") in height. For the purpose of
this ordinance, durable materials for use in numbering shall include, but not be
limited to wood, plastic, metal, weather-resistant paint, weather-resistant vinyl, or
weather-resistant numbers designed for outside use on a glass surface. For single
family residences, the requirement of this section may be met by providing two
inch (2") high numbers on both sides of a U.S. mailbox located near the curb in
front of the house, or a freestanding structure with numbers at least four inches
(4") in height.
(14) Section 505 (Premise Identification) is amended by adding Sections 505.1.1
(Building Complex Identification), 505.1.2 (Rear Access Identification), 505.1.3
(Alley Premise Identification) and 505.1.4 (Building Complex Diagrams) to read
as follows:
505.1.1 (Building Complex Identification)
A building complex composed of multiple structures shall have an official
suite/unit number assigned to each building as well as a street address number. If
there is sufficient street frontage, each unit or building may be assigned a separate
official street address number. The official street address number of each
structure as designated by the Building Official must be prominently posted on
the building so that it is visible from the nearest public street. Each number
designated by the Building Official for each individual suite/unit must be
conspicuously posted on the suite/unit.
505.1.2 (Rear Access Identification)
Commercial buildings with rear access shall also display the business name and
designated street address and suite/unit number on the rear access door.
505.1.3 (Alley Premise Identification)
Residential structures that provide for rear vehicular access from a dedicated
public alley shall conspicuously post the designated numbers that comply with the
size requirements above so that it is visible to the alley.
505.1.4 (Building Complex Diagrams)
Fire Prevention Code Amendment 6
The owner of a building complex which contains an enclosed shopping mall shall
submit to the Fire Official four (4) copies of diagrams acceptable to the Fire
Official of the entire complex, indicating the location and number of each
business. When a change in a business name or location is made, the owner or
manager of structure shall so advise the Fire Official in writing of the change.
(15) Section 507.5.1 (Where Required) is amended by deleting the section in its
entirety and replacing with the following:
Section 507.5.1 (Where Required)
Public fire hydrants of the City of College Station standard design shall be
installed as part of the water distribution system for subdivisions and/or site
developments. The Engineering Division shall approve the appropriate hydrant
locations accessible to fire fighting apparatus and within the maximum distances
described in the following sections:
(16) Section 507.5.2 (Inspection, Testing and Maintenance) is amended by deleting the
section in its entirety and replacing with the following:
Section 507.5.2 (Inspection, Testing and Maintenance)
Public fire hydrants shall be installed in single-family and duplex districts zoned
R-1, R-1 A and R-2 at such locations that no part of any structure shall be more
than five hundred feet (500') from a fire hydrant as measured along the right-of-
way of a public street as the fire hose is laid off the fire truck.
(17) Section 507.5.3 (Private Fire Service Mains and Water Tanks) is amended by
deleting the section in its entirety and replacing with the following:
Section 507.5.3 (Private Fire Service Mains and Water Tanks)
Private fire hydrants shall be installed in districts other than single-family and
duplex districts zoned R-1, R-1A or R-2 at such locations that no part of any
structure, aboveground tanks or fueling stations, shall be more than three hundred
feet (300') from a fire hydrant as measured along the right-of-way of a public
street or along an approved fire lane as the fire hose is laid off the fire truck."
(18) Section 903.2 (Where required) is amended by adding the following text at the
end of the section:
In addition to the requirements of this section, an automatic sprinkler system shall
be provided throughout all new buildings and structures as follows:
1. Where the total building area exceeds 12,000 square feet in area.
2. Where the height exceeds two stories, regardless of area.
(19) Section 903.2.4 (Group F-1) is amended by deleting item #3.
Fire Prevention Code Amendment 7
(20) Section 903.2.7 (Group M) #2 is amended by replacing "three stories above
grade" with "two stories in height" and by deleting #3 in its entirety.
(21) Section 903.2.8(Group R) is amended by deleting the section in its entirety.
(22) Section 903.2.9 (Group S-1) is amended by deleting items #2 and #3.
(23) Section 907.5.2.3.2 (Employee work areas) is amended by deleting the section in
its entirety and replacing with the following:
Section 907.5.2.3.2 (Employee work areas)
Where a fire alarm and detection system is required, employee work areas shall be
provided with devices that provide audible and visible alarm notification."
(24) Section 2304.1 (Supervision of Dispensing) is amended by deleting the section in
its entirety and replacing with the following:
Section 2304.1 (Supervision of Dispensing)
The dispensing of flammable or combustible liquids into the fuel tank of a vehicle
or into an approved container shall be under the supervision of a qualified
attendant except service stations not open to the public. Such stations may be
used by commercial, industrial governmental or manufacturing establishments for
fueling vehicles in connection with their business."
(26) Section 2304.3 (Unattended Self-Service Motor Fuel Dispensing Facili ties) is
amended by deleting the section in its entirety.
(27) Section 2304.3.1 (General) is amended by deleting the section in its entirety.
(28) Section 2304.3.2 (Dispensers) is amended by deleting the section in its entirety.
(29) Section 2304.3.3 (Emergency Controls) is amended by deleting the section in its
entirety.
(30) Section 2304.3.4 (Operating Instructions) is amended by deleting the section in its
entirety.
(31) Section 2304.3.5 (Emergency Procedures) is amended by deleting the section in
its entirety.
(32) Section 2304.3.6 (Communications) is amended by deleting the section in its
entirety.
(33) Section 2304.3.7 (Quantity Limits) is amended by deleting the section in its
entirety.
Fire Prevention Code Amendment 8
(34) Section 5706.6.1.2 (Leaving Vehicle Unattended) is amended by deleting the
section in its entirety and replacing with the following:
Section 5706.6.1.2 (Leaving Vehicle Unattended)
At no time while discharging flammable, combustible or ignitable liquids shall the
driver or operator be out of sight and reach of the discharge valves. If at any time
while discharging flammable, combustible or ignitable liquids, the driver or
operator must leave the vehicle for any reason, he or she shall shut down all
valves until his or her return and shall be totally responsible for any and all
spillage. When the delivery hose is attached to the vehicle it is presumed to be
discharging flammable, combustible or ignitable liquids.
(35) Section 1103 (Fire Safety Requirements for Existing Buildings) is amended by
deleting this section in its entirety.
(36) Appendix D Section D103.4 (Dead Ends) and Table D103.4 are amended by
replacing "150 feet" with "100 feet".
C. AMENDMENTS TO NFPA LIFE SAFETY CODE:
(1) Section 24.3.5.1 is amended by deleting the section in its entirety.
(2) Section 43.6.4.1 is amended by deleting this section in its entirety and replacing
with the following:
Section 43.6.4.1
In a building with rehabilitation work areas involving over 50% of the aggregate
building area an automatic fire sprinkler system shall be installed to the code
applicable to new construction for this type of occupancy.
(3) Section 43.6.4.2 is amended by deleting the section in its entirety.
(4) Section 43.6.4.4 is amended by replacing "up to and including the highest
rehabilitation work area floor" with "highest floor".
Fire Prevention Code Amendment 9