HomeMy WebLinkAbout1931 01-24-2012 ORDINANCE NO. 1931
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF EULESS, TEXAS, AMENDING
CHAPTER 34 "FIRE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION" OF THE
CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF EULESS; ADOPTING THE
2009 INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE; REVISING CERTAIN
DEFINITIONS; DEFINING DISTRICTS IN WHICH CERTAIN
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS CAN BE KEPT; AND ADOPTING LOCAL
AMENDMENTS TO THE 2009 INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE;
PRESCRIBING REGULATIONS GOVERNING CONDITIONS
HAZARDOUS TO LIFE AND PROPERTY FROM FIRE OR
EXPLOSION; PROVIDING A PENALTY FOR VIOLATIONS OF THIS
ORDINANCE; PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; PROVIDING THAT
THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BE CUMULATIVE OF ALL ORDINANCES
AND REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 1741; PROVIDING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION IN THE
OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Whereas, the City of Euless, Texas is a home rule city acting under its charter adopted
by the electorate pursuant to Article XI, Section 5 of the Texas Constitution and Chapter 9 of the
Local Government Code; and
Whereas, the City wishes to adopt the 2009 Edition of the International Fire Code
regulating conditions hazardous to life and property from fire, hazardous materials, and
explosion in order to provide for the safety of the citizens of Euless; and
Whereas, the City Manager and his staff have recommended certain amendments to the
2009 International Fire Code and the City Council has determined that the adoption of this Code
with local amendments is in the public interest and is necessary for the protection of the health,
safety and welfare of the citizens of Euless.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF EULESS, TEXAS:
SECTION I.
Section 34-101 "Fire Prevention Code — Adopted" of Article IV, "Standards" of Chapter
34, "Fire Prevention and Protection", of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Euless, Texas, as
amended, is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 34-101. Fire Prevention Code Adopted.
The City of Euless hereby adopts the International Fire Code published by the International
Code Council, 2009 Edition, save and except such portions as are hereafter amended, deleted or
modified by this chapter. The 2009 International Fire Code is hereby adopted and incorporated
as fully as if set out at length herein and from and after the passage of the ordinance adopting this
section, the provisions thereof shall be controlling within the limits of the City of Euless. The
adoption of the 2009 International Fire Code does not extend to the appendices thereto unless
specifically adopted in this Chapter. A copy of the 2009 International Fire Code will be kept on
file in the office of the City Secretary."
SECTION II.
Section 34-102, "Same- Definitions", of Article IV, "Standards" of Chapter 34, "Fire
Prevention and Protection", of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Euless, Texas, as amended,
is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 34-102. Definitions.
Whenever and wherever used in the International Fire Code or this Chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings ascribed below:
(1) Wherever the word "jurisdiction" is used in the International Fire Code, it shall mean
the City of Euless.
(2) Wherever the terms "fire marshal, code official, fire code official, fire code authority,
code authority, fire prevention officer, fire prevention engineer or Authority Having
Jurisdiction are used in the context of the International Fire Code or this chapter or
related standards or rules, such terms shall mean the Chief of the Bureau of Fire
Prevention of the City of Euless or his designee.
(3) The term "International Fire Code" shall mean the 2009 International Fire Code and
all supplements, attachments and amendments adopted by the City of Euless."
SECTION III.
Section 34-104, "Districts" of Article IV, "Standards" of Chapter 34, "Fire Prevention
and Protection", of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Euless, Texas, be amended hereafter to
read in its entirety:
"Sec. 34-104. Storage of hazardous materials.
The establishment of limits or districts in which storage of flammable or combustible liquids in
outside, aboveground tanks is to be prohibited, and where the storage of hazardous or explosive
materials is restricted, shall be as follows:
(1) The limits referred to in Section 3404.2.9.6.1 and 3406.2.4.4 of the International Fire
Code, in which storage of flammable or combustible liquids in outside, aboveground
tanks is prohibited, are hereby established as follows:
a. Flammable liquids:
1. Motor Fuels are prohibited in aboveground tanks or in tanks contained
within vaults in the entire City of Euless, except as follows;
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 2 of 74
(i) Installations complying with the provisions of the International
Fire Code, Section 2206, and that are in an area zoned as TX-10,
C-2, L-1, I-1, I-2 or TX-121 zoning district;
(ii) Temporary storage of flammable liquids as needed for temporary
use at construction or similar temporary locations when approved
by the fire code official and when in compliance with Section
2204.5;
(iii) Tanks that are within a planned development district which
specifically authorizes such use, when the requirements of the
International Fire Code are met.
(iv) Facilities owned or under the direct control of a governmental
entity where the fuel is necessary for the operation of emergency
generators or other equipment critical to the infrastructure.
2. Aboveground storage tanks are prohibited for retail sales of motor fuels.
3. Other flammable liquids are prohibited in aboveground tanks or in tanks
contained within vaults in the entire City of Euless, except flammable
liquids incidental to a commercial or manufacturing process may be
allowed in outdoor aboveground tanks provided the construction,
installation, and placement of the tank and the handling and use of the
liquid conforms to the requirements of the International Fire Code, and
other applicable standards, and further provided that such tanks are located
in an area zoned as a TX-10, C-2, L-1, I-1, I-2 or TX-121 zoning district,
or are within a planned development district which specifically authorizes
such use.
b. Combustible liquids:
1. Motor Fuels: The storage of motor fuels is prohibited within the entire
City of Euless, with the following exceptions:
(i) Subdivision development and construction sites when the fuel
storage is in compliance with the requirements of the International
Fire Code, Section 2206.
(ii) Installations within the limits allowed under the provisions of
Section 2206 and complying with the provisions of Section 2206
provided the installation is in an area classified as TX-10, C-2, L-1,
I-1, I-2 or TX-121 zoning district or has approval for such
installation as part of a PD zoning district.
(iii) Fuel associated with road projects that are under the control of the
Texas Department of Transportation.
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 3 of 74
(iv) Provided that the storage of diesel and other class II motor fuels in
outside, aboveground tanks under these exceptions is conditioned
that the construction, installation, and placement of the tank and
the handling and use of the fuel conforms to the requirements of
the International Fire Code and other applicable standards.
Aboveground storage tanks are prohibited for retail sales of motor
fuels.
(v) Facilities owned or under the direct control of a governmental
entity where the fuel is necessary for the operation of emergency
generators or other equipment critical to the infrastructure.
2. Other combustible liquids: The storage of other combustible liquids is
prohibited within the entire City of Euless, with the following exceptions:
(i) Property located within the following zoning districts: TX-10, C-2,
L-1, I-1, 1-2 or TX-121 zoning districts and where specifically
authorized in planned development districts or when approved by
an SUP.
3. It is the intention of this section to entirely prohibit bulk plants and
refineries for flammable or combustible liquids within the corporate limits
of the City of Euless.
(2) Establishment of safety rules for the storage of liquefied petroleum gas. The limits
referred to in Section 3804.2 of the International Fire Code which restrict the storage of
liquefied petroleum gas is hereby established as the entire City of Euless; it being the
intention of this body to entirely prohibit the bulk storage of liquefied petroleum gas
within the corporate limits of the City of Euless. For the purposes of this Code, bulk
storage of LPG shall be defined as an aggregate capacity of any one installation
exceeding a two thousand (2,000) gallon water capacity.
a. The storage and use of liquefied petroleum gases shall be in accordance with the
International Fire Code, N.F.P.A. Standard #58 and any rules adopted by the
Railroad Commission of Texas. Where a conflict exists between these regulations,
the more restrictive shall apply.
b. Liquefied Petroleum Gas is prohibited in the City with the following exceptions.
1. Residential zoning districts are permitted one (1) tank per lot, not to
exceed a five hundred (500) WGC (Water Gallon Capacity) tank, for the
purposes of providing gas service to pools, spas or outdoor appliances,
provided natural gas is not available to the site, and provided the tank
complies with the spacing provisions of this code and can be positioned to
be immediately accessible to fire personnel in the event of an emergency.
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 4 of 74
2. Commercial zoning districts including such uses in the TX-10 and TX-121
gateway district are permitted tanks of up to an aggregate amount of two
thousand (2000) WGC capacity, provided they meet the provisions of this
code. Larger tanks are permitted with a PD or SUP only.
3. LPG tanks installed prior to the effective date of this ordinance that were
in compliance with applicable codes at the time of their installation are
allowed to continue in use. Any tank covered by this exception may not be
replaced with a tank in violation of this section. New LPG tanks in
residential areas, including multifamily, unless exempted elsewhere in this
ordinance, are permitted for uses external to the structure only.
c. It is the specific intent of this section to prohibit the bulk storage of LP Gas within
the City of Euless except as herein established.
d. Quantities referred to in this section are aggregate quantities on each tract of land.
It is the responsibility of the property owner and the installer of any LPG tank to
insure compliance with these regulations and any tank installed in violation of
these provisions must be immediately removed.
(3) The restrictions referred to in Section 3301.2.3, in which the quantity of explosives,
explosive materials or fireworks are prohibited are established as the entire City; except
those locations where the storage or use of materials regulated by Chapter 33 of the
International Fire Code are permitted by zoning ordinances, the gas well ordinance, and
through the issuance of a permit by the Fire Department.
(4) The limits referred to in Section 3804.2 for the storage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas shall
also apply to the storage of Compressed Natural Gas and other alternative fuels. CNG
is prohibited except in those areas as are hereby established: The entire City of Euless
except those areas and quantities as established for Liquefied Petroleum Gases.
(5) The presence of flammable cryogenic fluids in stationary containers is prohibited in the
entire City of Euless.
(6) Limits on Storage of Hazardous Materials. The presence of hazardous materials in
excess of the exempt amounts as defined in the International Fire Code is prohibited in
the entire City except properties located within commercial/industrial zoning districts,
including such uses in the TX-10 and TX-121 gateway district or where specifically
authorized in planned development districts or through an SUP."
SECTION IV.
AMENDMENTS TO THE INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE
Section 34-105 of Chapter 34 "Fire Prevention and Fire Protection" of the Code of
Ordinances of the City of Euless is hereby amended to read as follows:
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 5 of 74
"Sec. 34-105. Amendments to the International Fire Code.
The 2009 International Fire Code is amended and changed in the following respects:
(1) Section 101.1 is amended to read as follows:
"101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known hereafter as the Fire Code of Euless, Texas,
hereinafter referred to as `this code'."
(2) Article I of the International Fire Code is hereby amended by adding a new Section
101.6 to read as follows:
"1. Compliance Certification. A letter on company letterhead may be
required by the fire code official from a contractor that certifies
compliance with the International Fire Code or recognized
standards, regarding the technical installation of a fire protection
system or notification equipment, system or operation thereof.
The fire code official may require said letter(s) to be notarized.
2. A letter may be required for the following:
2.1. Automatic fire alarm system
2.2. Automatic fire extinguishing system
2.3. Storage/use of hazardous materials
2.4. Maintenance of fire protection equipment
2.5. Flame retardant applications
2.6. LPG, LNG, CNG installations and operations
2.7. Flammable and combustible installations and operations
2.8. Radioactive materials use, storage and appliances
2.9. Emergency power systems and appliances
2.10. Life safety systems, devices, appliances, installation and
operation
2.11. Other processes and installations as deemed necessary by
the fire code official.
3. The letter of certification shall be on company letterhead, signed
by an authorized agent of the company acceptable to the fire code
official, and filed before or at the time of final approval.
4. All compliance testing and final acceptance shall be witnessed by
the fire code official or his authorized representative. A
representative of the installer shall be in attendance at all
compliance testing or approval."
(3) Section 102.1; Change #3 to read as follows:
"3. Existing structures, facilities and conditions when required in
Chapter 46 or in specific sections of this code."
Ordinance No. 1931,Page 6 of 74
(4) Section 102.3.1 is amended to add the following:
"102.3.1 Change of use or occupancy. The provisions of Section 102.4 and
Section 903.1.4 shall apply, where applicable, when a change in occupancy
classification or use occurs with an existing building."
(5) Section 102.5 is amended to add the following:
"3. Amendments to this code shall apply."
(6) Section 102.7 is amended to read as follows:
"102.7 Referenced codes and standards. The codes and standards referenced in
this code shall be those that are listed in Chapter 47 and such codes when
specifically adopted and standards, shall be considered part of the requirements of
this code to the prescribed extent of each such reference. Where differences occur
between the provisions of this code and the referenced standards, the provisions
of this code shall apply. Whenever amendments have been adopted to the
referenced codes and standards, each reference to said code and standard shall be
considered to reference the amendments as well. Any reference to NFPA 70 or the
ICC Electrical Code shall mean the Electrical Code as adopted."
(7) Section 103.1 is amended to add the following:
"1. The fire department is charged with enforcement of the
International Fire Code as well as other ordinances and laws over
which the fire prevention division has responsibility. The fire
department has the authority to enforce any provision of the
current adopted building code, plumbing code, fuel gas code,
mechanical code, property maintenance code or electrical code
related to fire or life safety features of the referenced codes. Any
interpretation of the codes are the sole responsibility of the code
official having jurisdiction over the code in question as defined by
ordinance or standard operating practices within the City of Euless.
Corrective notices, citations or other corrective actions as allowed
by law may be issued for violations of the referenced codes. The
fire prevention division shall be operated under the supervision of
the fire chief.
2. The chief of the fire department shall appoint a fire marshal, who
shall be responsible for the provisions of the International Fire
Code and related duties and functions as described by law or
policy. The fire marshal is designated as the "fire code official"
and the "code authority" for the International Fire Code. The chief
may detail such members of the department to the fire prevention
division as may be necessary. The chief is authorized to request
that the police department appoint up to ten (10) personnel within
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 7 of 74
the fire department as peace officers for the purposes of
functioning as arson investigators, provided those personnel meet
the requirements as outlined by the State of Texas for said
appointments. All members of the Euless Fire Department are
authorized to request compliance with any provision of the codes
as described in subsection (a), except that only those members of
the department who have been specifically granted authority by the
chief and fire marshal, and who have completed formal training
and have a certification as an inspector or peace officer may issue a
citation, or take enforcement action. The fire marshal, inspectors,
investigators and any peace officer employed by or working under
the direction of the Euless Police Department or the Euless Fire
Department may issue citations for any violations of the
International Fire Code. Fire department personnel may take any
action as allowed by law to remedy a violation of the code."
(8) Section 104.1.2 is added to read as follows:
"Section 104.1.2 - Fire department authority, disconnection of utilities and
evacuation. The fire marshal, employees of the fire prevention division and other
fire department personnel who may be authorized by the fire chief shall have the
powers of a police officer in performing their duties under this code and are
authorized to issue citations for offenses and to pursue other legal remedies
allowed by law. Citations may be issued for any violation of this code, or any
other code, policy or standard, over which the fire department has jurisdiction.
Citations for any violation may be issued to the owner, lessee, manager, person in
control of the property, and/or any other individual who is responsible for the
violation or the property on which a violation occurs. The specific intent of this
code is to place the obligation of complying with its requirements upon the owner
or occupier of premises, buildings or structures within its scope. No provision or
term used in this code is intended to impose any duty whatsoever upon the City or
any of its officers or employees, for whom the implementation or enforcement of
this code shall be discretionary, not mandatory. Nothing contained in this
ordinance is intended to, nor shall be construed to, create or form the basis for any
liability on the part of the City, or its officers, employees or agents, for any injury
or damage resulting from the failure of the owner or occupier of premises,
buildings or structures to comply with this code, or for any injury or damage
caused by any act or omission on the part of the City by its officers, employees or
agents in the course of implementing or enforcing this code.
1. The chief, fire marshal or any authorized employee of the fire
department may order an operation or use stopped, or the
evacuation of any area, premises, building or vehicle or portion
thereof, which contains or is a fire hazard or when it is deemed
necessary in the interest of public safety or the safety of emergency
responders. It shall be unlawful for any person to refuse to
evacuate upon such order or to resist or obstruct the evacuation of
another person. The fire chief, fire marshal or their designee shall
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 8 of 74
further have the authority to order the disconnection of utilities to a
building or portion thereof to alleviate an immediate and imminent
threat to life or property that is occurring in violation of the codes
or to alleviate a fire or life safety hazard that causes an immediate
threat to a building or a person and may secure a building or
portion thereof in any way deemed necessary to prevent
unauthorized re-entry. It is unlawful for any person to resist,
interfere with or refuse to comply with an order issued under this
Section."
(9) Section 104.7.2 is amended to add the following.
"The fire code official may require any plans submitted to be reviewed by an
outside professional engineer or appropriate specialist when, in the opinion of the
fire code official, there exists special technical knowledge to conduct a
satisfactory review of the plans and such special knowledge is not available
among the fire department staff. Fees associated with outside plan reviews are the
sole responsibility of the submitting party. The person or firm conducting the plan
review must be an unbiased third party who meets the approval of the submitting
party and the City of Euless."
(10) Section 104.11.4 is added to read as follows:
"104.11.4 — Closure of public ways —Any employee of the fire department shall
have the authority to close or restrict access to any street, alley, sidewalk, public
or private place, or portion thereof, when necessary for purposes of public safety
involving City employees or the general public. It shall be unlawful for any
person or vehicle to disregard or proceed past barricades, barricade tape, traffic
cones, emergency vehicles positioned to obstruct an area, or any uniformed or
identified City employee directing persons or vehicles."
(11) Section 105.1.1 is amended to add the following:
"1. Before the installation of any system or component regulated by a
permit all plans or other information as required by the fire
department and outlined in the application for permit must be
provided, and a permit issued prior to construction or installation
of the affected component occurring, or the continued operation of
the permitted process, activity or condition occurring.
Construction permits shall be posted in a public location at the
address for which it was issued during the progress of the work
being performed and shall be present with an approved set of plans
stamped and signed by a representative of the Euless Fire
Department.
2. Any information requested by the Fire marshal's office, including
independent review of components by an outside professional
engineer or appropriate specialist must be completed at the
expense of the permit applicant prior to the permit being issued.
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 9 of 74
3. Permits and fees will be established by separate ordinance, but are
incorporated into this section as if they were fully outlined herein.
Failure to pay a fee within thirty (30) days of billing for said
permit or billable service is a violation of this Ordinance and may
result in revocation of the permit, a fine or both."
(12) Section 105, "Permits" of the International Fire Code is hereby amended by adding a new
paragraph 105.1.1.1 to be and read as follows:
"Section 105.1.1.1 Permit fees. No permit shall be issued unless the applicant
has first paid at the Bureau of Fire Prevention, the fee required therefor as set
forth in Chapter 30 of the Euless Code of Ordinances.
1. Consolidation of permits. Where permits are consolidated as
outlined in Section 105.1.3, the permit fee shall be the sum of all
fees for all uses so consolidated.
2. Uses in existence at the time of adoption of this code and having
no previous permit shall be subject to the provisions of this section
for requiring a permit. Any change in a business requiring a new
Certificate of Occupancy or Business License shall void such
permits previously issued and require new permits if otherwise
required herein for the new business or activity.
3. Operational permits as referenced in 105.6 shall have an expiration
date not to exceed one (1) year from the date of issuance unless
otherwise specified on the face of the permit. The fire marshal has
the authority to establish an expiration date of less than a year for a
specific operational permit or operational permit type. Temporary
permits shall be valid for a period of time as set forth by the fire
code official in such permit. Reviews of permit applications and
inspections conducted pursuant to this code are spot checks
designed to encourage compliance and are not in any way
representations, guarantees or assurances that work or conditions
regulated by permits comply with any applicable codes. For
construction permits see 105.7.
4. Operational permits issued, and for which the activity, operation,
practice, or function is still in existence and which are not renewed
within ten (10) days after expiration shall accrue a penalty fee as
set forth in chapter 30 of the Euless Code of Ordinances. Such fee
shall be levied in addition to the regular fee schedule. This late fee
penalty does not negate the issuance of a citation for violation or
noncompliance.
5. Construction permit fees doubled. Permit fees shall be doubled if
the owner, operator, developer or contractor has begun work or
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 10 of 74
caused such activity, operation, practice, or function to begin
without first obtaining the applicable construction permit.
6. After-hours inspections. An inspection may be scheduled after
normal duty hours, (generally defined as outside of 0800 to 1700
hours, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays) by special
arrangement with the fire code official.
7. After-hours inspection fee. A per hour fee shall be paid in advance
for the special inspection at a rate as defined in Section 30-15 of
the City of Euless Code of Ordinances. The fire code official shall
determine the number of total man-hours necessary to perform the
inspection or service and advanced payment shall be made based
on that determination. Additional time charges in excess of the
anticipated amount will be billed to the person or company
requesting the service. Payment shall not be pro-rated in amounts
less than one (1) hour increments with a four (4) hour minimum.
8. Re-inspection fees. A fee established by ordinance may be
collected for any inspection in excess of three (3) to enforce or
ensure compliance with a provision of this chapter. The fee must
be paid within thirty 30 days or prior to any further inspections
being conducted at the site."
(13) Section 105.4.1 is amended to read as follows:
"105.4.1 Submittals. Construction documents and supporting data shall be
submitted in two (2) or more sets with each application for a permit and in such
form and detail as required by the fire code official. The construction documents
shall be prepared by a registered design professional as required by State or local
laws or rules."
(14) Section 105.6 is amended by revising the opening paragraph to read as follows:
"105.6 Required operational permits. The fire code official is authorized to
issue operational permits for the operations set forth in Sections 105.6.1 through
105.6.46. Permits listed in this section are required when specified by the fire
code official or other applicable City Ordinance. All established policies and
procedures of the fire department must be complied with to obtain a required
permit. Annual (operational) permits are valid for one year from the date of issue
unless otherwise as provided herein or specified by policy. Annual permits
become invalid when a new Certificate of Occupancy or Business License is
issued for a facility for which an annual permit is required."
(15) Section 105.6 is further amended by adding or revising the following operational permits:
"105.6.3.1 Business license. A business license or certificate of occupancy is
required for any business to operate in the City of Euless. The business license or
Ordinance No. 1931,Page 11 of 74
certificate of occupancy must be posted in the premises or be readily available
upon request by any city official. Business licenses are not transferable and are
valid from the date of issue forward unless the license is invalidated due to a
change of name, change of use, change of location or change of owner of the
business.
105.6.19.1 Gates crossing fire lanes. An operational permit is required to
maintain, operate or use any gate that is operated by any mechanical means that
crosses or restricts access through or along any private street, emergency access
easement or fire lane. A single gate permit may be issued to operate all gates at a
specific site. A current emergency access code is required to be provided for each
gate.
105.6.20 Hazardous materials. An operational permit is required to store,
transport on site, dispense, use or handle hazardous materials in excess of the
amounts listed in Table 105.6.20 or materials that pose a potential health or fire
hazard in the opinion of the fire code official that are not listed in the Table.
105.6.28.1 Mobile fuel dispensing. An annual operational permit is required
prior to any dispensing of motor vehicle fuel from tank vehicles into fuel tanks of
motor vehicles located at commercial, industrial, governmental or manufacturing
establishments. Specific requirements are found in Chapter 34. The permit is site
specific and must be obtained by the owner of the property.
105.6.40.1 Speed bumps. An operational permit is required to maintain speed
bumps/humps in any fire apparatus access road in the City.
105.6.44.1 Underground storage tank. An annual registration permit is required
for any underground storage tank containing, or having contained, a material
requiring a hazardous materials permit.
(16) Section 105.7 is amended by adding the following construction permits:
105.7.1.1 Aboveground storage tank. A construction permit is required to install
an aboveground storage tank with a capacity of greater than four hundred ninety
nine (499) gallons of product. A separate permit is required for each tank.
Exception: Storage tanks containing only water or other products that
pose no fire or health risks, provided such tanks are properly identified as
being non- hazardous and when approved by the fire code official.
105.7.4.1 Egress control devices. A construction permit is required to install an
egress control device upon any required exit door or required Fire Department
access door. An egress control device is any device other than traditional locking
hardware and includes magnetic locks and similar devices.
105.7.5.1 Fire Lane Repair. When required by the fire code official, a
construction permit is required to notify the fire department when repairs to any
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 12 of 74
fire lane will occur that will render any part of the fire lane to be reduced in width
at any point.
105.7.7.1 Gate installation. A construction permit is required to install any gate
that is operated by any mechanical means that crosses or restricts access through
any private street, emergency access easements or fire lane. Gate installation
permits are required prior to the gate(s) being installed. Multiple gates may be
included on one construction permit if all work will be completed at the same
time.
105.7.11.1 Private fire lines, underground fire lines, and fire hydrants. A
construction permit is required to install, extend, or replace any underground
private fire line, sprinkler lead or private fire hydrant.
105.7.11.2 Smoke control. A construction permit is required to install a smoke
control system as specified in Section 909 or 910 respectively. Maintenance
performed in accordance with this code is not considered a modification and does
not require a permit.
105.7.11.3 Speed bumps. A permit is required to install speed bumps in any fire
apparatus access road in the City.
105.7.15 Storage tank misc. equipment. A construction permit is required to
install, remove, repair, or modify piping, delivery devices, dispensers, vent pipes
or other components of an underground chemical storage tank and its distribution
system or other components.
105.7.16 Underground storage tank. A construction permit is required to
install, remove or repair any underground storage tank.
105.7.17 Vent A Hood. A construction permit is required to install a vent a hood
in a commercial establishment in the City."
(17) Section 108.4 is added to read as follows:
"Section 108.4 Board of appeals. The board of appeals shall be the Euless
Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA). When the conditions or circumstances of the
appeal are determined to be outside the scope of knowledge of the ZBA, the
chairman of the ZBA may request a special board of appeals be appointed by the
city council. Such special board shall consist of three persons who have adequate
knowledge and experience in the matter being discussed to render an opinion.
Names of potential board members shall be provided to the city council for
consideration at the appropriate time. The term of a special board of appeals shall
expire once the matter before them is decided."
(18) Section 108.5 is added to read as follows:
"Section 108.5 Administrative board of appeals and review. An administrative
board of appeals and review is established with the authority to review appeals
originating under Section 903.1.4 of this code. The administrative board of
appeals and review shall consist of the city manager or his designee, the fire chief
and the fire marshal. This board may grant relief in the form of additional time to
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 13 of 74
comply with a sprinkler requirement that is created by Section 903.1.4, and to
establish when a building is considered to have become subject to the provisions
of Section 903.1.4 (1) or (2). The board may also review the specific
circumstances surrounding the application of any provision of Section 903.1.4 and
may issue waivers or modify requirements on a case by case basis in order to
accomplish the objectives of this code and to assure that the provisions of Section
903.1.4 are being reasonably applied based on a cost/benefit analysis.
108.5.1 Appeal to administrative board of appeals and review. A
request for an appeal to the administrative board of appeals and review
must be submitted in writing to the city manager, who will convene a
meeting of the board in a reasonable period of time for the purposes of
addressing the appeal. The applicant must submit the request for appeal
within thirty (30) calendar days of the occurrence of the interpretation or
action being appealed.
108.5.2 Appeal to board of appeals. A decision by the administrative
board of appeals and review can be appealed to the board of appeals by the
applicant within thirty (30) days of the decision being rendered. A request
for an appeal to the board of appeals must be submitted in writing to the
fire code official who will deliver the request to the Planning Department
within seven (7) days. The Planning Department will schedule the hearing
before the board of appeals and notify the applicant of the hearing date
and time.
(19) Sections 108.6 and 108.7 are added to read as follows:
"Section 108.6 Rehearing; Appeal. Either party can request a rehearing before
the board of appeals a maximum of one time on a specific appeal provided a
request for rehearing is submitted in writing to the City Manager within thirty
(30) days of a decision being rendered by the board of appeals.
Section 108.7 Appeal to District Court. A decision by the board of appeals may
be appealed to a District Court by any aggrieved party within thirty (30) days of
the decision of the board of appeals."
(20) Section 109.1.1 is added to read as follows:
"109.1.1 Compliance with codes. Any person who violates, disobeys, omits,
neglects, or refuses to comply with, or who resists the enforcement of the
provisions of this or other codes as referenced in this ordinance, shall be guilty of
a misdemeanor and subject to the penalties as set forth in the Code of Ordinances
of the City. In addition to these penalties the fire code official is authorized to
close any business, or shut down any operation when any hazard or condition
exists therein that poses a serious and imminent threat to life or property. Any
reasonable methods may be used to affect closure, including, but not limited to,
disconnection of utilities and padlocking of any doors. Any person in control of or
occupying any premises ordered closed, or performing or overseeing any
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 14 of 74
operation ordered discontinued, who refuses an order to leave, or to discontinue is
guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to the penalties described herein."
(21) Section 109.2.2.1 is added to read as follows:
"Section 109.2.2.1 Presumption of control. The owner, manager, occupant, owner's
agent, or any person in immediate control of any building or structure where a violation
of this or any other code or ordinance of the City of Euless is found, shall be deemed
upon receiving notice of such violation, as the responsible person for causing the
correction of such violation."
(22) Section 109.3 is amended to read as follows:
"109.3 Violation penalties. 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 code official or his designee, or of a permit or
certificate issued under the provisions of this code, shall be guilty of a
misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not more than two thousand ($2,000)
dollars. Each violation of the provisions of this code may be deemed a separate
offense and each day that a violation occurs or continues shall be deemed a
separate offense."
(23) Section 111.4 is amended to read as follows:
"111.4 Failure to comply: Any person who shall continue any work after having
been served with a stop work order, except such work as that person is directed to
perform to remove a violation or unsafe condition, shall be guilty of a
misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not more than two thousand ($2000.00)
dollars".
(24) Section 202 is amended to add or amend the following definitions:
"Addressable Fire Detection System. Any system capable of providing
identification of each individual alarm-initiating device. The identification shall
be in plain English and as descriptive as possible to specifically identify the
location of the device in alarm. The system shall have the capability of alarm
verification.
[B] Ambulatory Health Care Facility is amended by adding the following to the
existing definition: "This Group may include, but is not limited to the following:
Dialysis centers, sedation dentistry, surgery centers, colonic centers, and
psychiatry centers."
Analog Addressable Fire Detection System. Any system capable of calculating
a change in value by directly measurable quantities (voltage, resistance, etc.) at
the sensing point. The physical analog may be conducted at the sensing point or at
the main control panel. The system shall be capable of compensating for long-
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 15 of 74
term changes in sensor response while maintaining a constant sensitivity. The
compensation shall have a preset point at which a detector maintenance signal
shall be transmitted to the control panel. The sensor shall remain capable of
detecting and transmitting an alarm while in maintenance alert.
[B] Atrium. An opening connecting three or more stories...{remainder
unchanged}
Business license. A Certificate of Occupancy or special permit granted by the
City of Euless authorizing a specific business activity at a specific location. This
license is valid from the date of issue and does not expire due to age. A Business
License becomes invalid if the business name, owner, use of the facility, nature of
the business or the business address changes.
False alarm is amended to read as follows: "False alarm is the reporting,
signaling or activation by any means of an alarm for which no such fire or
emergency actually exists. This includes communicating or circulating a report of
a present, past or future bombing, fire, offense, or other emergency that is known
to be false or baseless and that would:
1) ordinarily cause action by any official or volunteer agency
organized to deal with emergencies; or
2) place a person in fear of imminent serious bodily injury or death;
or
3) prevent or interrupt the occupation of a building, room, place of
assembly, place to which the public has access or any mode of
conveyance."
Fire watch is amended to read as follows: "Fire watch. A temporary measure
intended to ensure continuous and systematic surveillance of a building or portion
thereof by one or more qualified individuals or standby personnel when required
by the fire code official, for the purposes of identifying and controlling fire
hazards, detecting early signs of unwanted fire, raising an alarm of fire and
notifying the fire department."
High-rise building. A building having floors used for human occupancy located
more than 55 feet (16,764 mm) above the lowest level of fire department vehicle
access.
International Fire Code shall mean the 2009 International Fire Code and all
supplements, attachments and amendments adopted by the City of Euless.
Jurisdiction shall mean the City limits of Euless.
Self service storage facility is real property designed and used for the purpose of
renting or leasing individual storage spaces to customers for the purpose of
storing and removing personal property on a self-service basis.
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 16 of 74
Standby personnel. Qualified fire service personnel approved by the fire chief or
his designee. When utilized, the number shall be as directed by the fire chief or
his designee. Charges for utilization shall be as normally calculated by the
jurisdiction."
TCEQ. TCEQ as used in this Code shall refer to the Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality.
(25) Section 304.4 is added to read as follows:
"304.4 Trash compactors. Trash compactors which are installed in such a
manner that they have direct access to the interior of any structure by means of a
door or chute shall comply with the following requirements;
1. No storage is permitted within five feet of any opening to a trash
compactor;
2. Any opening into a structure that provides a direct connection
between a compactor or dumpster and the building interior must
comply with one of the following:
2.1. The opening must be protected by an automatic fire door or
fire shutter with a minimum of a forty-five (45) minute fire
resistance rating; or
2.2. The opening shall be protected by a sprinkler head located
to provide a water curtain at the opening into the structure
and be provided with a self-closing non-combustible door;
or
2.3. The chute connecting the dumpster or compactor to the
building shall be open on the top and provide enough open
space to allow adequate venting of a fire before it can enter
the building and shall be provided with a self-closing non-
combustible door."
(26) Section 305.5 is added to read as follows:
"305.5 Special provisions for periods of extreme fire danger. A person shall
not commit the following acts during a period of time when the City of Euless has
issued a burn ban due to weather conditions which create a high risk of outdoor
wildfires. A burn ban may be issued by the city manager on the recommendation
of the fire chief without formal city council action as approved by Council
Resolution 09-1305 or subsequent revisions:
1. A person shall not operate an outdoor cooking appliance other than
grills which are fueled by electricity, natural gas, LPG or similar
approved compressed gas or charcoal;
Ordinance No. 1931,Page 17 of 74
2. A person shall not operate any device including grills, cooking
pits, outdoor fireplaces, fire rings or similar devices that use an
open flame and are capable of releasing sparks or embers into the
atmosphere;
3. All outdoor burning is prohibited;
4. The use of grills at city park facilities shall be prohibited or
restricted when deemed necessary by the fire code official and
appropriate signage is in place;
5. A person shall not conduct cutting or welding operations outside of
specific guidelines as may be imposed by the fire marshal,
including specific time and weather requirements, special fire
watch requirements, pre-wetting requirements and other actions as
may be deemed necessary by the fire marshal. A special permit
program may be implemented for cutting and welding operations
while a burn ban is in effect. A written authorization is required
from the fire marshal's office approving the operation and listing
any special requirements prior to work commencing.
6. Discarding of cigarettes or other burning or heated materials in a
manner that could cause a fire is prohibited.
(27) Section 307.1 is amended to add the following:
"1. The requirements of this section shall extend to any open burning that
occurs in the City of Euless. Open burning outside of a container is
prohibited in the City, with the exception of trench burns as allowed in
307.6. Burning within the City is subject to Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality guidelines and/or restrictions; State, County or
local temporary or permanent bans on open burning; and local written
policies as established by the fire code official."
2. Except as otherwise provided for by this code, the unauthorized burning
of trash, rubbish, leaves, grass clippings, or other debris is prohibited.
Any such fires shall be immediately extinguished.
Exception: Fires that have been approved with a permit issued by the fire
code official."
(28) Section 307.4 is amended to revise the introductory paragraph and to add an additional
exception to read as follows:
"307.4 Location. The location for open burning shall be not less than three-
hundred (300) feet from any structure, and provisions shall be made to prevent the
fire from spreading to within three-hundred (300) feet of any structure.
Ordinance No. 1931,Page 18 of 74
Exceptions:
{Exceptions 1 and 2 unchanged}
3. Cooking pits in compliance with 308.5"
(29) Sections 307.6 and 307.7 are added to read as follows:
"307.6 Trench burns. When permitted by the TCEQ, trench burns shall be
conducted in air curtain trenches and in accordance with Section 307.
307.7 Smoke Nuisance. It shall be unlawful for any person to maintain any
equipment or conduct any operation, including but not limited to the operation of
cooking equipment, cooking fires or outdoor fireplaces, in any manner in which
the fire will present an undue hazard to property, or when the smoke or by
products of combustion produced by the equipment or operation is of such
intensity or duration as to create a nuisance or hazard as determined by the fire
code official or his designee."
(30) Section 308.1.4 is amended to read as follows:
"308.1.4 Portable outdoor cooking, cooking equipment and storage. Open
flame cooking devices, charcoal burners, gas fired grills, smokers and other open
flame devices shall not be operated on any patio, deck, balcony or landing of an
apartment building, multi-family structure, hotel or motel or within ten (10) feet
of any structural overhang, opening, or outside wall of an apartment building,
multi-family structure, hotel or motel. Approved signs shall be posted on the
property and must be placed where required by the fire code official to notify
tenants of these restrictions.
The use of portable barbecue equipment is prohibited within the indoor quarters
of any structure including the garage.
Exceptions:
1. Electric barbecues.
2. Use in one and two family dwellings, provided the use is external
to the structure."
(31) Section 308.1.6.2 is amended by revising exception# 3 to read:
Exceptions:
{text unchanged}
"3. Torches or flame-producing devices in accordance with Section
308.1.3."
(32) Section 308.3.1 is amended by adding the following:
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 19 of 74
"11. Candles or similar open flame devices are prohibited in E & I occupancies
in any area where children or clients are present.
12. Candles or similar open flame devices, where permitted under this code,
must be placed and maintained so as not to present a fire hazard. Candles
and similar devices must be under the constant and direct supervision of a
competent adult at all times while in use.
13. Open flame devices, including tiki lamps are prohibited within ten (10)
feet of any multifamily dwellings consisting of more than four (4)
dwelling units."
(33) Section 308.5 is added to read as follows:
"308.5 Cooking grills/pits: All grilling or cooking operations must occur in an
approved container or enclosure designed or constructed for that purpose.
Open cooking pits or enclosures, where used, shall be approved and shall be
placed a minimum of fifteen (15) feet from any combustible materials,
including vegetation, structures, or combustible fencing, be located a safe
distance from adjacent property lines, must be constructed in a manner
approved by the fire code official, and be designed and maintained in such a
manner that the cooking operation does not create a fire or smoke emission
hazard to any person or property. Only approved fuels may be used. Pits may
not exceed a size of ninety-six (96) cubic feet but may be restricted further at
the discretion of the fire code official. When placed on residential property,
cooking pits or enclosures are restricted to the rear yards of the property and
must be within a fenced enclosure on all properties. The fire department is
authorized to require immediate discontinuance of any cooking operation if it
is determined the operation is conducted in violation of this code, or if the fire
or smoke presents a hazard to adjacent properties. When multiple cooking pits
are used, a minimum spacing between pits of fifteen (15) feet must be
maintained and the minimum separation distance from combustibles and
adjacent property lines indicated herein shall be increased ten (10) feet for each
additional pit added. All distances referenced herein are minimums and may be
increased on a case by case basis as deemed necessary by the fire code
official."
(34) Section 308.6 is added to read as follows:
"308. 6 Storage of BBQ Equipment. The storage of portable barbecue grills and
equipment is limited to exterior storage rooms, exterior closets, or other exterior
areas having a one (1) hour wall separating it from other rooms or areas of the
structure. Where the provisions of this section can not be met in an existing
facility, all barbecue grills and equipment must be stored outside the unit while
they are connected to or contain the residue of any fuel source."
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 20 of 74
(35) Section 308.7 is added to read as follows
"308.7 Supervision. Adult supervision is required at all times while the barbecue
is generating open flames or smoldering heat."
(36) Section 308.8 is added to read as follows:
"308.8 Discarding hot materials. The discarding or placement of hot charcoal,
wood, coals or ashes into a combustible container or trash receptacle is prohibited.
It shall be unlawful to leave hot or smoldering charcoal, wood, coal or ashes,
having been used or ignited within a twenty-four (24) hour period prior to being
discarded, in an area where re-ignition could expose or endanger property or life."
(37) Section 308.9 is added to read as follows:
"308.9 Management responsibilities. It shall be a violation of this code for any
person to own or manage any apartment complex without providing the fire code
official, upon request, written proof that each tenant has been advised of the
prohibition against the use of barbecue grills and smokers on the patios, balconies,
or landings of such structures. Such proof shall consist of a warning document
signed by the tenant and kept in the tenants lease file indicating that the tenant is
aware of the prohibition. Apartment owners or managers shall place approved
signage in approved locations and in common areas advising of the prohibition.
Existing apartment complexes shall comply with this provision upon its
adoption."
(38) Section 311.5 is amended to add the following at the end of the first paragraph:
"The fire code official is authorized to require marking of any vacant or
abandoned buildings or structures determined to be unsafe pursuant to Section
110 of this code relating to structural or interior hazards, shall be marked as
required by Section 311.5.1 through 311.5.5."
(39) Section 311.6 is added to read as follows:
"Section 311.6 Removal of burned structure after fire. Whenever any
structure in the City is damaged or destroyed by fire, the owner thereof or the
person in charge of or in control of the property shall remove from the premises
all refuse, debris, charred lumber, destroyed or damaged portions of the structure
and any materials damaged or destroyed by the fire. The owner or person in
control of the property shall remove all burned, charred, or damaged materials
within ten (10) days after notice to do so."
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 21 of 74
(40) Section 315.5 is added to read as follows:
"Section 315.5 Removal of debris.
1. Accumulation of trash, debris, clutter and other such conditions
that create a risk of fire spread or present a potential hazard to the
escape of occupants or to the safe operation of firefighters is
prohibited.
2. The owner or any person having control of, or in his possession
upon any premises in the city, any substances which are and have
been rendered useless by reason of any fire on such premises shall,
within forty eight (48) hours after notice by the Fire Department,
remove said articles from the premises."
(41) Section 318— SCHOOL FIRE SAFETY is added to read as follows:
"318.1- Establishment of requirements providing for safety from the threat
of fire in Educational Occupancies.
1. Boilers and other pressurized heating equipment shall be tested as
required by the State of Texas and records maintained and posted
in E Occupancies.
2. Doors opening into an exit corridor\hall in Group E occupancies
shall be kept closed during those times that the room is not
occupied regardless of the rating of the corridorlhall. Only
approved means may be used to keep a door open.
Exception: Student restroom doors when approved by the fire
code official.
3. All gas fired equipment and related piping and valves shall be
tested for leaks by a competent and licensed plumber as recognized
by the City of Euless upon request by the fire code official. The
facility shall maintain a copy of the test and shall submit a copy of
the test results to the fire code official upon request. This provision
also extends to commercial day care facilities located within the
City.
Exception: Registered Family Homes."
(42) Section 401.3.2 is revised to read as follows:
"401.3.2 Alarm activations. Upon activation of a fire alarm signal, employees or
staff shall immediately notify the fire department. In the event of a fire alarm
activation, the building shall be evacuated, and the fire alarm shall not be reset or
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 22 of 74
silenced until the fire department arrives and investigates. No person may
authorize re-entry into a building in which a fire alarm is or has sounded until the
re-entry is authorized by the fire department.
Exception: Fire alarms that are activated as part of a scheduled drill may be
silenced and reset, and the individual responsible for the drill may authorize re-
entry."
(43) Section 401.3.4 is added to read as follows:
"401.3.4 False Alarms and Nuisance Alarms. False alarms and nuisance alarms
shall not be given, signaled or transmitted or caused or permitted to be given,
signaled or transmitted in any manner."
(44) Section 405.1 is amended to read as follows:
"405.1 General. Emergency evacuation drills complying with the provisions of
this section shall be conducted in the occupancies listed in Table 405.2 or when
required by the fire code official. Drills shall be designed in cooperation with the
local authorities."
(45) Section 501.4 is amended to read as follows:
"501.4 Timing of installation. When fire apparatus access roads or a water
supply for fire protection is required to be installed for any structure or
development, they shall be installed, tested, and approved prior to the time of
which construction has progressed beyond completion of the foundation of any
structure unless otherwise approved by the fire code official."
(46) Section 502 is amended by adding the following definition:
"FIRE ZONE. An area marked by fire lane markings or signs that includes a
defined area other than a fire lane. A fire zone may include a portion of curbing
adjacent to a sprinkler connection, a gate opening across a fire lane, or other
clearly defined areas outside of a fire lane. For purposes of Section 503, the terms
fire lane, fire zone and fire apparatus access road are interchangeable."
(47) Section 503.1.1 is amended to add the following sentence to the first paragraph:
"Except for single or two family residences, the path of measurement shall be
along a minimum of a ten foot (10') wide unobstructed pathway around the
external walls of the structure."
(48) Section 503.1.4 is added to read as follows:
"503.1.4 Private Subdivisions. The streets in any private subdivision shall be
constructed in accordance with the Unified Development Code."
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 23 of 74
(49) Section 503.2.1 is amended to read as follows:
"503.2.1 Dimensions.
1. Fire apparatus access roads (fire lanes) shall have an unobstructed
width of not less than twenty-four (24) feet and an unobstructed
vertical clearance of not less than fourteen (14) feet. A minimum
inside radius of twenty-eight (28) feet and an outside radius of
fifty-two (52) feet is required.
Exceptions:
1. Vertical clearance may be reduced when approved by the
fire code official; provided such reduction does not impair
access by fire apparatus and approved signs are installed
and maintained indicating the established vertical
clearance.
2. Existing fire lanes installed prior to the effective date of
this ordinance, which were in compliance with the width
and radius requirements when built, shall be allowed to
continue as a legally existing non-conforming use until they
are rebuilt, at which time every reasonable effort shall be
made to bring them into compliance with the current
regulations.
2. Where fire apparatus access roads abut an interior access self-
storage facility an approved parking lane or spaces must be
provided to help insure persons utilizing the facility do not park in
the fire lanes.
3. The requirements for fire apparatus access roads shall extend to all
single-family residences whenever they are located more than one
hundred fifty (150) feet off the roadway. The openings of any gates
on a residential fire lane shall be maintained at not less than twenty
(20) feet and the road surface shall be not less than sixteen (16)
feet in width for the first fifty (50) feet of road surface off of the
public street, at which point the road surface may be reduced to
fourteen (14) feet in width. The fire code official may require
minor modifications to the width of the roadway where required by
topographical features to help insure emergency access to the
property. Existing non-conforming residential gates and driveways,
constructed prior to the effective date of this ordinance are
considered to be in compliance with this section.
Exception:
The requirements for residential fire apparatus access roads may be
waived by the fire code official if the structure requiring the access
road is protected by an approved fire sprinkler system."
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 24 of 74
(50) Section 503.2.2 is amended to read as follows:
"503.2.2 Authority. The fire code official shall have the authority to require an
increase in the minimum access widths and vertical clearances where they are
inadequate for fire or rescue operations. "
(51) Section 503.2.3 is amended to read as follows:
"503.2.3 Surface. Fire apparatus access roads shall be designed and maintained to
support the imposed loads of fire apparatus and shall be surfaced so as to provide all-
weather driving capabilities.
"1. Fire apparatus access roads shall be constructed of concrete except
as specified in the exceptions herein. The roadway surface shall be
constructed of concrete and be engineered to provide all weather
driving and maneuvering capability as approved by the City
Engineer.
Exception: Alternative materials may be approved for residential
fire lanes providing access to a single residence"
2. Fire lanes serving commercial facilities shall be constructed to
support a minimum of a sixty thousand (60, 000) pound load limit.
3. Whenever existing, non-conforming fire lanes are replaced the fire
lane shall be replaced according to current standards. Exceptions
may be allowed to the existing width and radius requirements
where existing conditions at the site prevent the current standards
from being met.
4. Fire lane locations must be approved by the fire code official.
5. Repairs to asphalt fire lanes. Nothing in this section shall be
construed to prohibit routine maintenance of existing asphalt fire
lanes, including the filling of potholes. However, when any section
of asphalt paving fails and must be replaced, the replaced section
must be in compliance with 503.2.3.
6. When a fire lane is in need of repair or marking and the owner,
after having been notified by certified mail and given sixty (60)
calendar days to make corrections, but fails to do so, the City or a
contractor hired by the City may enter onto the property for the
purpose of making the repairs. The cost of said repairs and a
reasonable administrative fee will be billed to the property owner.
If the charges are not satisfied within sixty (60) calendar days of
billing, a lien may be placed on the property to recover the costs."
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 25 of 74
(52) Section 503.2.4 is amended to read as follows:
"503.2.4 - Turning radius. The turning radius of a fire apparatus access roadway
or access easement shall be set and approved by the fire code official. Unless
otherwise stipulated, each access roadway turning radius shall have a minimum
inside dimension of twenty eight (28) feet and fifty-two (52) feet outside
dimension."
(53) Section 503.2.5 is amended to read as follows:
"Section 503.2.5 — Turnarounds. Any such fire apparatus access roadway or
emergency access easement more than one hundred and fifty (150) feet in length
shall either be connected to another dedicated public street or emergency access
easement, or be provided with a paved turnaround having a turning radius not less
than fifty (50) feet.
Exception:
When approved, an alternate design may be substituted for a turnaround. The
length of a dead end fire apparatus access road may be extended beyond the
length specified herein when site conditions warrant with the approval of the fire
code official. The alternate designs shall meet the requirements established by the
fire code official."
(54) Section 503.2.6 is amended to read as follows:
"Section 503.2.6 — Bridges. When a bridge is required to be a part of the fire
apparatus access roadway or access easement, it shall be constructed and
maintained in accordance with nationally recognized standards as approved by the
city engineer. The bridge shall be designed for a live load sufficient to carry the
imposed load of fire apparatus."
(55) Section 503.2.7 is amended to read as follows:
"Section 503.2.7 — Grade. The gradient for a fire apparatus access roadway or
emergency access easement shall not exceed six (6)percent.
Exception:
When terrain conditions exist that impose a roadway grade level greater than six
(6) percent the city engineer and the fire code official shall confer to determine
the nature of the grade, the responding fire apparatus and if alternative measures
can be obtained."
(56) Section 503.3 is amended to read as follows:
"503.3 Marking. Approved striping or, when allowed/required by the fire code
official, signs, or both shall be provided for fire apparatus access roads to identify
such roads or prohibit the obstruction thereof. Signs and striping shall be
maintained in a clean and legible condition at all times and be replaced or repaired
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 26 of 74
when necessary to provide adequate visibility. The owner, occupant and/or person
in charge of any premises where a fire lane is required shall be responsible for
marking and maintaining the markings and signs identifying the fire lane. In
apartment communities, building numbers shall be placed in the fire lanes in an
approved manner in compliance with IFC 505.1(c) (3).
1. Striping — Fire apparatus access roads shall be marked by painted
lines of red traffic paint six (6) inches in width to show the
boundaries of the lane. The words "NO PARKING—FIRE LANE"
or "FIRE LANE — NO PARKING" shall appear in minimum four
(4) inch white letters at approximately fifteen (15) foot intervals on
the red border markings along both sides of the fire lanes. Where a
curb is available, the striping shall be on the entire vertical face of
the curb.
Exceptions:
1. Residential fire lanes serving a single residence are not
required to be marked in any way.
2. Private streets meeting the design standards of a public
street, when authorized by separate ordinance, are
exempted from the striping requirements. The exception
shall not apply to those portions of said streets that may
need to be maintained as fire lanes, fire zones or no parking
areas to insure emergency access to the street, fire hydrants,
sprinkler connections, or other areas as deemed necessary
by the fire code official.
2. Signs, when required, shall read "NO PARKING — FIRE LANE"
or "FIRE LANE — NO PARKING" and shall be approximately
twelve (12) inches wide and eighteen (18) inches high. Signs shall
be white in color with red lettering and borders, using not less than
two (2) inch lettering. Signs shall be permanently affixed to a
stationary post and the bottom of the sign shall be approximately
six feet, six inches (6'6") above finished grade. Signs shall be
spaced as determined by the fire code official and shall meet the
approval of the fire code official. Signs may be installed on
permanent buildings or walls or as approved by the fire code
official."
(57) Section 503.4 is amended to read as follows:
"503.4 Obstruction of fire apparatus access roads. Fire apparatus access roads
and fire zones shall not be obstructed in any manner, including the parking of
vehicles. The minimum widths and clearances established in Section 503.2.1 and
any area marked as a fire lane or fire zone as described in Section 503.3 shall be
maintained at all times. Vehicles or obstructions in a fire lane or fire zone may
be towed or otherwise removed at the owner's expense.
Ordinance No. 1931,Page 27 of 74
1. Where access gates and perimeter fencing are installed, they must
be in compliance with this section and Section 503.6. All gate
installations must be approved by the fire code official.
2. The manager, owner, or any other person in control of or
responsible for any premises on which an obstruction of a fire
apparatus access road or fire zone occurs is responsible for such
blockage or obstruction. When a motor vehicle or trailer is found
to be obstructing a fire apparatus access road or fire zone, the
person or company in charge of said vehicle, the operator of the
vehicle or the registered owner of the vehicle may be charged with
this offense. The fire chief, any member of the fire prevention
bureau, any peace officer or their authorized representatives are
authorized to cause access roadways and fire zones to be
maintained free and unobstructed at all times by the issuance of
citations or the removal or impoundment of said vehicle or both
citation and impoundment.
3. When the fire code official determines that an area or zone is
necessary to gain immediate access to any fire protection
equipment, appliances, vault, connection or hydrant or to gain
access for fire department entry to a building for the purpose of fire
fighting or life safety, the area shall be marked or posted as
approved by the fire code official for such identification."
(58) Section 503.6 is amended to read as follows:
"503.6 Security gates. All gate installations across a required fire apparatus
access road or across a private street must conform to the following requirements.
1. Access Gates. Access roadways or access easements that are
secured by gates shall comply with the design and specification
requirements as established by the fire department. Gate access
systems and all components thereof shall be maintained
operational at all times. When access gates are out of service, they
shall be secured in the open position until repairs are complete.
2. Any electrically or mechanically operated gate restricting access
to, or crossing a fire apparatus access road, easement or private
street to an occupancy designated as a subdivision, apartment
complex, or other location where, in the opinion of the fire code
official, an excessive life safety or property hazard situation exists,
must meet the gate requirements for a private subdivision/street as
provided in section (8) herein.
Ordinance No. 1931,Page 28 of 74
3. All electrical or mechanically operated gates must be equipped
with a Knox System gate access key switch or approved alternative
as approved by the Euless Fire Department.
4. All electrical or mechanically operated gates crossing a fire
apparatus access road or private street must be equipped with a
readily accessible, and well marked emergency release device to
allow manual operation of the gate. A walk through gate must be
located in an approved location when required and be secured in an
approved manner to allow rapid fire department access through
said walk through gate. All sliding gates must be equipped with a
chain drop or similar approved device secured by a Knox padlock
to allow manual operation of the gate.
Exceptions:
The walk through gate may be deleted on a sliding gate equipped
with a chain drop feature, or a swing gate which can be
disconnected from the automatic opening features from outside the
gate, with the approval of the fire code official.
5. Manually operated gates are permitted provided they utilize a
Knox padlock to secure the gate. Manually operated gates, and
gates using an emergency disconnect, must be operable by one
person using a normal amount of exertion.
6. All gates crossing any fire apparatus access road or private street
must be well maintained, must be provided with a proper power
supply to all electrical and electronic components at all times, and
must be in proper operating condition at all times. Gates must be
inspected by a qualified gate repairman and repaired when deemed
necessary by the fire code official. Any gate crossing a fire
apparatus access road or private street that is taken out of service
may not be placed back in service until it has been tested and
authorized to be placed back in service by the fire code official.
7. The owner or person in control of any property which contains a
security gate or barrier is responsible for any damage caused to
emergency equipment by said security gates or barriers.
8. Gates installed across fire department access roads providing
access to private subdivisions, apartment complexes or other high
hazard locations as determined by the fire code official must also
comply with the following requirements:
8.1. All electrical or mechanically operated gates installed or
replaced after the effective date of this ordinance must be
designed to open fully in the event of a power failure and
must remain open until power is restored.
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 29 of 74
Exception:
Gates provided with an approved alternative power source
that will operate the gate for a period of twenty-four (24)
hours upon loss of primary power when approved by the
fire code official.
8.2. Gate installations must be approved by the fire code official
prior to installation. A permit must be obtained prior to a
regulated gate being installed, and no gate may be closed
until the emergency features of the gate have been tested
and accepted by the fire code official.
8.3. Gates must be equipped with an Opticom, or comparable
opening device of a type approved by the fire department,
and more than one device per gate may be required. The
device shall be positioned a minimum of ten (10) feet
above finished street level. The gate must open a minimum
of one (1) foot per second. The gate shall also have a Knox
key switch that will open the gate. The location of the Knox
switch shall be approved by the fire code official. Gates
shall open the full width of the fire lane using a Knox
device, ground loop or Opticom like devices.
8.4. Gate designs may incorporate one or two gate sections to
meet the required minimum gate width of twenty-four (24)
feet. If the entrance incorporates a median or other feature
that necessitates a divided gate arrangement, the gate
widths may be reduced if approved by the fire code official,
but in no case shall any single gate or street pavement be
reduced to a clear opening of less than twenty (20) feet. If a
gate incorporates an overhead obstruction, said obstruction
must be a minimum of fourteen (14) feet above the finished
road surface.
8.5 Approach and departure areas on both sides of a gated
entrance must provide adequate set backs and proper
alignment to allow free and unimpeded passage of
emergency vehicles through the entrance area.
8.6 Any electronic gate that has no Opticom like device to exit
shall have a sensor in the ground at least six (6) feet back
from the gate that will cause the gate to open when a
vehicle approaches.
9. All streets, gates and other fire protection features, signs and
equipment are subject to periodic inspection by the city and must
be repaired immediately if found to be in a condition of disrepair.
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 30 of 74
The city shall have the right to enter the subdivision or other
regulated premises and disable, open, or remove any gate, device
or other feature that impedes or controls vehicle access at the sole
expense of the property owner or homeowners association.
10. The City of Euless, it's officers, representatives and agents, shall
not be liable for damage or removal of any gate, barrier, or
component thereof which is opened, operated or removed in
association with any emergency, inspection, or other official
action, nor for any death, injury, or property loss that may occur as
a result of a delay in emergency response or any other actions or
lack thereof caused by any gate or barrier or the serviceability or
lack thereof of said gate, barrier or component.
11. The person or corporation in control of the property is responsible
for, and liable for, any violations of this section. This includes but
is not limited to, the developer, property owner, homeowner's
association and its officers, the occupant of the property, or any
others who may own or exercise control over the property.
(59) Section 503.7 is added to read as follows:
"Section 503.7 Access gates on perimeter fencing. Gated communities that
have a security fence around the perimeter of the property shall have and be
provided with access gates positioned at intervals as may be required by the fire
code official. Such gates are to provide police and fire access during an
emergency. The gate shall be designed to provide a minimum opening width of
forty-eight (48) inches and designed to accommodate a Knox pad lock or
approved alternative locking device."
(60) Section 503.8 is added to read as follows:
"503.8 Private subdivisions. When traditional markings of fire lanes are not
required on approved private subdivision streets because said streets comply with
the design standards of public streets, and an ordinance has been passed
permitting the application of traffic laws in said subdivision, the City of Euless, or
the Euless Fire Department may still require signs or markings to be placed and
maintained prohibiting the stopping, standing, or parking of vehicles along any
roadway or portion thereof, where, in the opinion of the city, the parking,
stopping, or standing of vehicles may unduly interfere with the free movement of
traffic. Said signs will be installed and maintained where designated by the city or
fire department and will be installed and maintained by funds provided through
the homeowners association. If funds are not available, the city may install or
maintain said signs, and bill the homeowners of the subdivision or street for the
costs. Signs are official signs belonging to the City of Euless, and no person may
tamper with or remove any sign or pole. Vehicles in violation may be fined or
towed by any representative of the fire or police departments."
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 31 of 74
(61) Section 503.9 is added to read as follows:
"503.9 Speed Bumps or Traffic Humps. No person, firm or corporation shall
place, construct, erect, or maintain any speed bumps or humps in a marked fire
lane, fire zone or emergency access easement without first obtaining a permit
from the fire code official. Such speed bump or hump shall be designed, placed
and constructed in a manner approved by the fire code official. Speed bumps shall
conform to the following requirements. Deviations must be specifically approved
in writing by the fire code official.
1. The maximum height of a speed bump is four (4) inches as
measured from the surrounding roadway surface.
2. Speed bumps must not exceed a rate of rise of one (1) inch of rise
in every three (3) inches of width.
3. Speed bumps must be painted in a contrasting color with the
surrounding road surface. Approved paint colors are yellow or
white.
4. A permit is required to install and maintain speed bumps.
(62) Section 505.1 is amended to read as follows:
"505.1 Address Identification. New and existing buildings shall have
approved address numbers, building numbers or building identification
placed in a position that is plainly legible and visible from the street or fire
lane and shall be in compliance with this section. All numbers shall contrast
with their backgrounds, shall be of an approved and legible font and have a
minimum stroke width of 0.5 inches.
1. On commercial buildings, the size of address numbers shall be a
minimum of eight (8) inches in height and shall be placed on the
building or in a location approved by the fire code official. Suite
numbers or other sub addresses shall be a minimum of four (4)
inches in height and shall be placed on the front and rear doors of
each suite. Building numbers shall be illuminated through an
internal or external light source.
2. In multi-tenant occupancies such as apartments, strip centers, etc.
address numbers shall be affixed to the gas meters, electric meter
bases, and exterior disconnects for utilities in a manner so as to be:
2.1 clearly visible;
2.2 of a color that contrasts with the meter base or disconnects;
Ordinance No. 1931,Page 32 of 74
2.3 sized sufficiently to be readily apparent, but under no
circumstances less than one (1) inch tall;
2.4 and be maintained in a clear and legible condition at all
times.
3. Multi-family, townhouses, condominiums and commercial
occupancies shall have street and or building numbers a minimum
of eight inches (8") in height. When deemed necessary by the fire
code official, the street and or building numbers may be required to
be of a larger size for immediate and visible identification.
3.1 If a structure is more than two hundred (200) feet from a
public street, the address shall also appear at the front or
main entry of the property at an approved location.
3.2 Apartment buildings shall have the building address or
building number affixed in the fire lane in a location
approved by the fire code official. The markings shall be a
minimum of a twenty four inch by twelve inch (24" by 12")
red rectangle painted on the pavement, in conjunction to the
red fire lane markings. The red rectangle shall have white
numbers that indicate the street address and/or the building
number of the building. Numbers must be in a bold font
measuring a minimum of ten (10") inches in height, easily
readable from a moving vehicle. This supplemental address
block must be installed only on private property near the
center of the building. Where any portion of the building
borders a fire lane, the numbers may be required adjacent
to those portions of the building abutting the fire lane.
Address blocks required herein shall be maintained in an
easily readable condition.
3.3 Apartment complexes must have posted an approved
sign(s) on each side of the building, clearly visible and
readable from the street or fire lane, that contains the
building and apartment numbers contained in that structure.
Sign locations may be modified by the fire code official for
cause when specific conditions make placement of signs on
all four sides of the building impractical."
4. Street or Roadway Signs. When required by the fire code official,
streets and roads, public or private shall be identified with
approved signs.
5. Residential occupancies shall have house numbers a minimum of
four (4") inches in height on the street side of the structure or the
property owner shall make the address readily visible from the
Ordinance No. 1931,Page 33 of 74
street or access easement, or provide for the address near the street
or access easement on a post, monument or mail box in a manner
that makes it readily visible for emergency service personnel.
6. Multifamily dwelling units in which a garage is connected directly
to a specific living unit shall have the apartment or unit number
that the garage serves posted in numbers a minimum of four (4)
inches tall above the overhead garage door."
(63) Section 506.1 is amended to add the following sentence:
"This section shall apply to all structures built after the effective date of this
ordinance and shall be applied to existing buildings when the fire code official
determines that such requirement is necessary to insure adequate access for life-
saving or fire-fighting purposes."
(64) Section 507.2.1 is amended to read as follows:
"507.2.1 Private fire service mains. Private fire service mains and
appurtenances shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 24. All private fire
lines and sprinkler leads shall be installed in accordance with the applicable
NFPA standards, the provisions of the International Fire Code and the City of
Euless Engineering Standards and shall meet the approval of the fire code official.
Permits must be obtained prior to work commencing."
(65) Section 507.4 is amended to read as follows:
"507.4 Water supply test date and information. The water supply test used for
hydraulic calculation of fire protection systems shall be conducted in accordance
with NFPA 291 "Recommended Practice for Fire Flow Testing and Marking of
Hydrants" and within one year of sprinkler plan submittal or as required. The fire
code official shall be notified prior to the water supply test. Water supply tests
shall be witnessed by the fire code official, as required. The exact location of the
static/residual hydrant and the flow hydrant shall be indicated on the design
drawings. All fire protection plan submittals shall be accompanied by a hard copy
of the water flow test report, or as approved by the fire code official. The licensed
contractor must then design the fire protection system based on this fluctuation
information, as per the applicable referenced NFPA standard."
(66) Section 507.5.1 is amended to read as follows:
"507.5.1 Hydrant placement—Fire hydrants shall be placed as follows:
Fire hydrants classified as on site hydrants (located at any location other than a
public street) shall be placed as required by the International Fire Code, with
guidance provided by Appendix B and C. A fire hydrant shall be installed within
one hundred (100) feet of a fire department connection, measured along streets,
fire lanes or other approved routes. The fire code official may authorize
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 34 of 74
exceptions to the distance requirements for cause. All fire hydrants must be
installed in compliance with the City of Euless Engineering Standards and the
provisions of the Unified Development Code. Any distances referenced in this
Code shall be measured along approved routes as they would be driven by fire
apparatus.
1. Fire hydrants on public or private streets shall be installed as
follows:
1.1 Hydrants serving commercial, industrial, or multifamily
developments, as well as hydrants on a court or cul-de-sac
shall be placed at intervals not to exceed three hundred
(300) feet apart. Distances between hydrants shall be
measured along the streets.
1.2 Hydrants serving single family residential areas shall be
placed at intervals not to exceed five hundred (500) feet
apart. Distances between hydrants shall be measured along
the street.
1.3 A hydrant shall be installed at every intersection within a
subdivision.
1.4 Fire hydrants installed along divided roadways shall be
alternated so that each adjacent hydrant is located on
opposite sides of the divided roadway. In locations where
hydrants are only provided on one side of a divided
roadway, that portion of the roadway on the side away from
the hydrants shall be treated as a non-protected area for
purposes of on site hydrant requirements.
2. The use of dead end lines is subject to the approval of the fire code
official and the City Engineer. When approved only one fire
hydrant is permitted on a dead end six-inch (6") line not to exceed
two hundred and fifty (250) feet in length; or a maximum of two
hydrants or one hydrant and a fire sprinkler connection are
permitted on a dead end eight-inch (8") line not to exceed five
hundred (500) feet in length.
3. All fire hydrants shall be of an approved type and shall be painted
red.
4. All fire hydrants shall be placed so the four and one half(4-1/2")
inch opening on the hydrant is located between sixteen and three-
quarters (16-3/4") inches and twenty-one and one quarter (21-1/4")
inches from the finished grade of the property in compliance with
the City of Euless engineering standards. Fire hydrants may not be
placed closer than thirty-six (36") inches nor more than five (5')
Ordinance No. 1931,Page 35 of 74
feet from the back of the curb or the edge of the roadway. The city
may require fittings on the steamer connection that are other than
NST discharges.
5. Only National Standard, three way hydrants are approved.
Hydrants must contain National Standard threads and must have
one four and one half(4-1/2") inch and two (2) —two and one half
(2-1/2") inch connections. All hydrants must be of a type approved
by the City engineering department."
(67) Section 507.5.4 is amended to read as follows:
"507.5.4 Obstruction. Unobstructed access to fire hydrants shall be maintained at
all times. Posts, fences, vehicles, growth, trash, storage and other materials or
objects shall not be placed or kept near fire hydrants, fire department inlet
connections or fire protection system control valves in a manner that would
prevent such equipment or fire hydrants from being immediately discernible. The
fire department shall not be deterred or hindered from gaining immediate access
to fire protection equipment or fire hydrants."
(68) Section 509.1.1 is added to read as follows:
"509.1.1 Sign Requirements. Unless more stringent requirements apply,
lettering for signs required by this section shall have a minimum height of two (2)
inches when located inside a building and four (4) inches when located outside, or
as approved by the fire code official. The letters shall be of a color that contrasts
with the background."
(69) Section 603.3.2.2 is amended to read as follows:
"603.3.2.2 Restricted use and connection. Tanks installed in accordance with
Section 603.3.2 shall be used only to supply fuel oil to fuel-burning equipment
installed in accordance with Section 603.3.2.4. Connections between tanks and
equipment supplied by such tanks shall be made using closed piping systems."
(70) Section 605.5 is amended to add the following to the end of the first paragraph:
"Only approved extension cords with a minimum rating of thirteen (13) amps and
bearing a label with the seal of an approved testing laboratory and the listed rating
of the cord may be used."
(71) Section 605.10.1 is amended to read as follows:
"605.10.1 Listed, approved and labeled. Only listed, approved and labeled
portable, electric space heaters may be used. Heaters must be in good repair and
tip switches, screens and other devices must be in place and operating properly."
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 36 of 74
(72) Section 605.10.5 is added to read as follows:
"605.10.5 Portable heaters. Portable heaters must be maintained in good
operating condition, with all safety screens and other safety features attached and
operable. Portable heaters must be listed by a recognized testing laboratory and
must be of a design that prevents the unit from being tipped over, or be equipped
with a functioning tip switch that will turn the unit off if the unit should fall face
down."
(73) Section 607.5 is added to read as follows:
"Section 607.5 General requirements — elevators. Elevators must comply with
the following:
1. A minimum of one approved elevator in each structure or elevator
bank must be large enough to permit an ambulance cot and two
attendants to fit inside the elevator. The total number of elevators
required to meet this section is at the discretion of the fire code
official.
2. Elevators must be inspected and serviced annually by a company
or individual that is trained to perform this service. Documentation
of said service must be maintained in the elevator equipment room
or other approved location. All safety equipment, including
emergency phones and alarms shall be maintained in an operable
condition.
(74) Section 610 is added to read as follows:
"SECTION 610
PARAPETS
"610.1 Parapets. When a parapet thirty-six (36) inches tall or greater is included
on all sides of a building, an opening thirty-six (36) inches wide extending from a
point not greater than twelve (12) inches above the roof deck must be provided.
One opening must be provided in every one hundred (100) linear feet or portion
thereof of rear wall. Service ladders that are permanently affixed to the building
do count towards this requirement. The fire marshal may approve other alternative
methods of meeting the intent of this section.
When approved by the fire code official, roof access ladders located interior to the
structure may be used to help satisfy the provisions of this section. In order to be
approved, the ladders must be directly accessed through an exterior door, located
in a fully sprinklered building, and the ladder must be protected completely within
a one hour enclosure."
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 37 of 74
(75) Section 703.1.3.1 is added to read as follows:
"Section 703.1.3.1 Partition and separation walls. Demising walls must
separate one occupancy from another. All demising walls separating one
occupancy from another must extend from floor to roof deck and be constructed
as a listed one-hour rated wall. In multifamily residential structures, a listed one-
hour fire resistive construction requirement must be met to separate each
individual living unit.
Exception:
1. In fully sprinkled buildings, other than Group R, with the approval of the
fire code official.
2. In renovated residential structures being used as an office complex.
3. In shared foyers, this requirement may be modified or waived at entrance
doors with the approval of the fire code official.
4. In certain office flex space or similar arrangements where it is impractical
to have the walls extend to the deck the fire code official may waive this
requirement on a case by case basis."
(76) Section 703.2.3.1 is added to read as follows:
"703.2.3.1 Installation of access doors —When an automatic overhead roll down
or sliding door is installed in the interior of a building, a walk through door with
the same rating, if applicable, must be installed in the wall adjacent to the
overhead or sliding door at a location approved by the fire code official."
(77) Section 807.4.3.2 and Section 807.4.4.2 are amended to read as follows:
"Artwork. Combustible artwork and teaching materials shall be limited on the
walls of corridors to not more than twenty (20) percent of the wall area and on the
walls of classrooms to not more than fifty (50) percent of each wall area. Such
materials shall not be continuous from floor to ceiling or wall to wall.
Curtains, draperies, wall hangings and other decorative material suspended from
the walls or ceilings shall meet the flame propagation performance criteria of
NFPA 701 in accordance with Section 807 or be noncombustible.
Exception: Corridors protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system
installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 shall be limited to fifty (50) percent
of the wall area."
(78) Section 901.2.1 is amended to add the following sentence:
"The letter of installation required by this section shall be on the installers
company letterhead and shall contain information as may be required by the fire
code official."
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 38 of 74
(79) Section 901.6 is amended to add the following to the first paragraph:
"Any inspection, service, maintenance or repair to any fire protection system,
device or component referenced in this code shall be conducted in accordance
with recognized standards and in compliance with the provisions of applicable
state and local laws. Service must be conducted by a service technician who is
authorized by the State to conduct or perform said inspection or maintenance. A
service tag shall be posted upon completion of any maintenance or inspection of
any fire protection feature referenced herein. Fire protection systems, devices or
component shall be inspected and tested annually, or as required by the fire code
official."
(80) Section 901.6.1.1 is added to read as follows:
"Section 901.6.1.1 Testing notification.
901.6.1.1 Standpipe Testing. Building owners/managers must maintain and test
standpipe systems as per NFPA 25 requirements. The following additional
requirements shall be applied to the testing that is required every five (5) years:
1. The piping between the Fire Department Connection (FDC) and the
standpipe shall be hydrostatically tested for all FDC's on any type of
standpipe system. Hydrostatic testing shall also be conducted in
accordance with NFPA 25 requirements for the different types of
standpipe systems.
2. For any manual (dry or wet) standpipe system not having an
automatic water supply capable of flowing water through the
standpipe, the tester shall connect hose from a fire hydrant or
portable pumping system (as approved by the fire code official) to
each FDC, and flow water through the standpipe system to the roof
outlet to verify that each inlet connection functions properly. There
is no required pressure criteria at the outlet. Verify that check
valves function properly and that there are no closed control valves
on the system.
3. Any pressure relief, reducing, or control valves shall be tested in
accordance with the requirements of NFPA 25.
4. If the FDC is not already provided with approved caps, the
contractor shall install such caps for all FDC's as required by the
fire code official.
5. Upon successful completion of standpipe test, place a blue tag (as
per Texas Administrative Code, Fire Sprinkler Rules for
Inspection, Test and Maintenance Service (ITM) Tag) at the
bottom of each standpipe riser in the building. The tag shall be
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 39 of 74
check-marked as "Fifth Year" for Type of ITM, and the note on the
back of the tag shall read"5 Year Standpipe Test" at a minimum.
6. The procedures required by Texas Administrative Code Fire
Sprinkler Rules with regard to Yellow Tags and Red Tags or any
deficiencies noted during the testing, including the required
notification of the local fire code official shall be followed.
7. Additionally, records of the testing shall be maintained by the
owner and contractor, if applicable, as required by the State Rules
mentioned above and NFPA 25.
8. Standpipe system tests where water will be flowed external to the
building shall not be conducted during freezing conditions or during
the day prior to expected night time freezing conditions.
9. Contact the fire code official for requests to remove existing fire
hose from Class II and III standpipe systems where employees are
not trained in the utilization of this firefighting equipment. All
standpipe hose valves must remain in place and be provided with an
approved cap and chain when approval is given to remove hose by
the fire code official.
10. An air test may be required prior to a hydrostatic test being
performed."
(81) Section 901.6.3 is added to read as follows:
"Section 901.6.3 — Inspection criteria. All fire protection systems and fire
extinguishers shall be inspected and tested every twelve (12) months or sooner as
required by the fire code official, by a technician properly licensed by the State of
Texas. If a system fails to pass a required test, is impaired or is inoperative, the
service technician must notify the fire code official's office immediately. This
provision extends to all required sprinkler and fire alarm systems in residential
occupancies. Maintenance of these systems is the responsibility of the property
owner. Where systems are intended to serve more than one property or location,
the Home Owners Association and the individual affected property owners are
jointly responsible for the inspection and maintenance of the systems and
components including, but not limited to, fire alarm systems and components
thereof, sprinkler components, underground fire lines, fdc's, vaults or similar
items. Proof of compliance must be provided to the fire code official within thirty
(30) days of a written request for such verification."
(82) Section 901.7 is amended to read as follows:
"901.7 Systems out of service. Where a required fire protection system is out of
service or in the event of an excessive number of activations, the fire department
and the fire code official shall be notified immediately and, where required by the
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 40 of 74
fire code official, the building shall either be evacuated or an approved fire watch
shall be provided for all occupants left unprotected by the shut down until the fire
protection system has been returned to service." {remainder unchanged}
(83) In Section 902.1; under "Standpipes, Types of' definition, amend "Manual dry" by
adding a sentence to read as follows:
"The system must be supervised as specified in Section 905.2."
(84) Section 903.1.2 is added to read as follows:
"903.1.2 Residential systems. When permitted in R occupancies other than
single or two family dwellings, a 13R system must provide full coverage of the
attic, all enclosures, and protect the structure to the same extent of coverage as
would be required utilizing an NFPA 13 system design unless otherwise approved
by the fire code official. When approved by the fire code official, a single riser or
gang riser arrangement under the control of the HOA is permitted in townhomes.
For purposes of this section, a single family or two family dwelling is defined as
no more than two contiguous dwelling units with a minimum of five (5) feet of
physical separation between separate buildings. Residential units in a grouping of
three or more regardless of fire walls or other separations are considered to be
multi-family units and are regulated under the sprinkler provisions of this code.
When approved by the fire code official attic fire sprinkler protection is not
required in town homes where the units do not exceed thirty (30) feet to the top of
the roof ridge and the total square footage footprint of the building does not
exceed ten thousand (10,000) square feet.
(85) Section 903.1.3 is added to read as follows:
903.1.3 Sprinkler Piping. When metal piping is used, a minimum of schedule 40
piping is required on any dry pipe and a minimum of Schedule 10 is required on
any wet pipe sprinkler system installed in the city."
(86) Section 903.1.4 is added to read as follows:
"903.1.4 Existing structures. Existing buildings are required to install an
automatic sprinkler system under the following circumstances:
1. When a building that exceeds the limits established in Section
903.2.11.3 or Section 903.2.11.9 experiences a change in
occupancy classification use that results in a more hazardous use or
a use that would require a sprinkler system under another provision
of this code; or
2. When the square footage or height of an existing building is
increased to exceed the limits established in Section 903.2.11.3 or
Section 903.2.11.9, the entire building must be sprinkled; or
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 41 of 74
3. All R-1 Occupancies (hotels/motels) in the City must be sprinkled
by February 1, 2021; or
4. Any occupancy which derives seventy-five percent (75%) or more
of its revenue from the sale of alcohol for on-premise consumption
must be sprinkled by February 1, 2021.
Exceptions:
1. The fire code official is authorized to provide a reasonable time
following occupancy to permit the installation of the sprinkler
system in existing occupancies."
(87) Section 903.2 is amended by adding the following at the end of the first paragraph:
"When approved by the fire code official, automatic sprinklers shall not be
installed in elevator machine rooms, elevator machine spaces, and elevator hoist
ways. Storage shall not be allowed within the elevator machine room. Signage
shall be provided at the entry doors to the elevator machine room indicating
"ELEVATOR MACHINERY — NO STORAGE ALLOWED. Alternative
methods of protection may be required."
(88) Section 903.2 is amended to add the following to the exception:
"...in accordance with Section 907.2, are provided with an approved alternative
fire suppression system if required by the fire code official, and are separated..."
(89) Section 903.2.1.2 is amended to read as follows:
"903.2.1.2 Group A-2. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for
Group A-2 occupancies where one of the following conditions exists:
1. The fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet.
2. The fire area has an occupant load of 300 or more.
3. The fire area is located on a floor other than a level of exit
discharge serving such occupancies.
(90) Section 903.2.7 is amended to delete item 4.
(91) Section 903.2.8 is amended to add the following:
"... including multi-family structures, hotels, motels, triplexes, apartments,
condominiums or townhouses containing three (3) or more dwelling units,
regardless of square footage and regardless of any fire rated walls.
(92) Section 903.2.9.3 is added to read as follows:
Ordinance No. 1931,Page 42 of 74
"903.2.9.3 Self-service storage facility. An automatic sprinkler system shall be
installed throughout all self-service storage facilities.
Exception. One-story self-service storage facilities that have no interior corridors,
with a one-hour fire barrier separation wall installed between every storage
compartment.
(93) Section 903.2.11.3 is amended to read as follows:
"903.2.11.3 Buildings over 35 feet in height. An automatic sprinkler system
shall be installed throughout buildings with a floor level, (other than a penthouse
in compliance with Section 1509 of the International Building Code) that is
located thirty five (35) feet or more above the lowest level of fire department
vehicle access.
Exception: Open parking structures in compliance with Section 406.3 of the
International Building Code."
(94) Section 903.2.11.7 is added to read as follows:
"903.2.11.7 High-piled combustible storage. For any building with a clear
height exceeding twelve (12) feet see Chapter 23 to determine if those
provisions apply."
(95) Section 903.2.11.8 is added to read as follows:
"903.2.11.8 Spray booths and rooms. New and existing spray booths and
spraying rooms shall be protected by an approved automatic fire-extinguishing
system in compliance with Section 1504."
(96) Section 903.2.11.9 is added to read as follows:
"903.2.11.9 Buildings over 6,000 square feet: An automatic sprinkler system
shall be installed throughout all buildings with a building area over six thousand
(6,000) square feet. For the purposes of this provision, fire walls shall not define
separate buildings. If a conflict exists among the sprinkler requirements of this
code, the more restrictive provision shall apply.
Exception:
1. Open parking structures in compliance with Section 406.3 of the
International Building Code when approved by the fire code official."
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 43 of 74
(97) Section 903.3 is amended to add the following:
1. A company with a Texas State fire sprinkler license shall install
underground fire sprinkler mains. The company installing the
underground is responsible for that portion of piping from the tap
to the floor flange in the riser room, unless otherwise approved by
the fire code official. The pipe shall have six (6) inches of sand on
all sides and twelve (12) inches on top. Underground installations
must be approved by the fire code official.
2. If a fire sprinkler vault is installed for multi family buildings, a
manifold may be used to connect three (3), four (4) inch lines to
serve three (3) separate buildings with the approval of the fire code
official, and proven hydraulically.
3. Riser closets shall be labeled"Fire Sprinkler Riser Room.
4. Multi Family buildings shall have the inspector test valve at the
remote end of the system.
5. Piping thickness shall be in compliance with 903.1.3.
6. Floor control valves must be installed when required by Section
903.4.3."
(98) Section 903.3.1.1.1 is amended to read as follows:
"903.3.1.1.1 Exempt locations. When approved by the fire code official,
sprinklers shall not be required in the following rooms or areas where such rooms
or areas are protected with an approved alternative fire suppression system or
alternative fire protection methods, and an automatic fire detection system in ...
{bulk of section unchanged)... because it is damp, of fire-resistance-rated
construction or contains electrical equipment.
1. Any room where the application of water, or flame and water,
constitutes a serious life or fire hazard.
2. Any room or space where sprinklers are considered undesirable
because of the nature of the contents, when approved by the fire
code official.
3. Generator and transformer rooms, under the direct control of a
public utility, separated from the remainder of the building by
walls and floor/ceiling or roof/ceiling assemblies having a fire-
resistance rating of not less than two (2) hours.
4. Elevator machine room, machinery spaces, and hoist ways."
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 44 of 74
(99) Section 903.3.1.2 is amended to add the following paragraph:
"Sprinklers installed under this provision must provide full coverage of the attic,
all enclosures, and protect the structure to the same extent of coverage as would
be required utilizing a NFPA 13 system design unless specifically excluded under
903.1.2. However, for the purposes of exceptions or reductions permitted by other
requirements of this code, an NFPA 13-R system may not be used for any trade
off."
(100) Section 903.3.1.2.1 is amended to add the following exception:
"Exception- This section shall not apply to townhomes when the balconies, decks
or other exterior areas are isolated and protected utilizing a construction method
approved by the fire code official designed to reasonably eliminate the risk of an
exterior fire extending into any void spaces."
(101) Section 903.3.1.3 is amended to read as follows:
"903.3.1.3 NFPA 13D sprinkler systems. Automatic sprinkler systems installed
in one- and two-family dwellings shall be installed throughout in accordance with
NFPA 13D or in accordance with state law or IRC 2904."
(102) Section 903.3.5 is amended to add a second paragraph to read as follows:
"Water supply as required for such systems shall be provided in conformance
with the supply requirements of the respective standards; however, every fire
protection system shall be designed with a ten (10) psi safety factor."
(103) Section 903.3.7 is amended to add the following:
1. A four-inch (4") Storz or approved comparable FDC connection
must be used when required by the fire code official. These
connections must be installed at approximately a forty-five (45)
degree down angle and designed to minimize the risk of foreign
objects being placed in the pipe opening. Special provisions may
be permitted for residential FDC connections as specified in (h).
2. The connection shall be minimum forty-two (42) inches above
finished grade and piping shall be painted red unless otherwise
approved by the fire code official.
3. Vehicle impact protection consisting of four (4) inch iron, concrete
filled bollards must be installed when and where deemed necessary
by the fire code official to protect the FDC, and the bollards must
be painted yellow.
4. Installations must be of a design approved by the fire code official.
Ordinance No. 1931,Page 45 of 74
5. If a fire department connection serves more than one building it
shall have a metal sign of sufficient size to allow for "BLDG" to
be stenciled or painted on the top of the plate in two (2) inch stroke
letters and the building numbers to follow horizontally in three (3)
inch numbers. The lettering shall be white and the background red.
The plate shall be attached to the fire department connection pipe
and face the road or fire lane.
6. Locking Knox caps shall be installed on all new installations, as
replacements for lost or damaged caps on existing locations and
when and where deemed necessary by the fire code official to
address tampering problems at existing facilities.
7. When an FDC cap is found to be off or missing, the fire code
official may require the FDC underground to be back flushed to
insure no debris is lodged in the piping.
8. The FDC in a townhome or similar connected single family
residential housing unit may utilize an approved two and one half
(2-1/2) inch NST connection when the flow rate for the system is
shown to be supported by a two and one half(2-1/2) inch inlet and
when approved by the fire code official. Single family residential
FDC's may utilize any appropriate sized FDC as approved by the
fire code official when an FDC is required. "
(104) Section 903.4 is amended to add a second paragraph before the exceptions to read as
follows:
"Sprinkler and standpipe system water-flow detectors shall be provided for each
floor tap to the sprinkler system and shall cause an alarm upon detection of water
flow for more than forty-five (45) seconds unless approved by the fire code
official. All control valves in the sprinkler and standpipe systems except for fire
department hose connection valves shall be electrically supervised to initiate a
supervisory signal at the central station upon tampering."
(105) Section 903.4.2 is amended to add the following paragraph:
"A minimum of one (1) a/v device is required inside the building and/or tenant
space in a location that is normally occupied. The alarm device required on the
exterior of the building shall be a weatherproof horn/strobe notification appliance
with a minimum seventy-five (75) candela strobe rating, installed at an approved
location."
(106) Section 903.4.3 is amended to read as follows:
"903.4.3 Floor Control Valves. Individual floor control valves shall be required
in any building containing three (3) or more stories. When required, the valves
Ordinance No. 1931,Page 46 of 74
shall be located within a rated stairway or as approved by the fire code official.
The floor control valve shall have a control valve, flow switch, test and drain.
Exception: Buildings that do not meet the definition of a high rise in the
International Fire Code when the valves are determined to not be necessary due
to the building size or configuration by the fire code official."
(107) Section 905.1 is amended to add the following paragraph:
"All standpipes required by this code shall be designed as a Class I standpipe. The
design shall incorporate a two and one half-inch (2-1/2") valve, with a two and
one half-inch (2-1/2") by one and one half inch (1-1/2"), National Standard
Thread adapter, capped."
(108) Section 905.2 is amended to read as follows:
"905.2 Installation standards. Standpipe systems shall be installed in accordance
with this section and NFPA 14. Manual dry standpipe systems shall be supervised
with a minimum of ten (10) psig and a maximum of forty (40) psig air pressure
with a high/low alarm."
(109) Section 905.3.8 is added to read as follows:
"905.3.8 Building area. When required by the code official, in buildings
exceeding ten thousand (10,000) square feet in area per story, Class I automatic
wet or manual wet standpipes shall be provided where any portion of the
building's interior area is more than two hundred (200) feet of travel, vertically
and horizontally, from the nearest point of fire department vehicle access.
Exception: Automatic dry and semi-automatic dry standpipes are allowed as
provided for in NFPA 14."
(110) Section 905.3.9 is added to read as follows:
"905.3.9 High density area. In any structure in which fire department access is
limited due to building layout, density of construction, restricted access or other
site or building features that may impede fire department access, approved
standpipes shall be installed as required by the fire code official."
(111) Section 905.4, item #5 is amended to read as follows:
"5. Where the roof has a slope less than four (4) units vertical in
twelve (12) units horizontal (33.3 percent slope), each standpipe
shall be provided with a two-way hose connection located either
..." (remainder of paragraph unchanged)...
Ordinance No. 1931,Page 47 of 74
(112) Section 905.4 is amended by adding the following item #7:
"7. When required by this Chapter, standpipe connections shall be
placed as required by the fire code official."
(113) Section 905.9 is amended by adding a second paragraph after the exception to read as
follows:
"Sprinkler and standpipe system water-flow detectors shall be provided for each
floor tap to the sprinkler system and shall cause an alarm upon detection of water
flow for more than forty-five (45) seconds unless approved by the fire code
official. All control valves in the sprinkler and standpipe systems except for fire
department hose connection valves shall be electrically supervised to initiate a
supervisory signal at the central station upon tampering."
(114) Section 906.1 is amended to read as follows:
"906.1 Where required. The minimum acceptable fire extinguisher size shall be
a 2A:10B:C extinguisher. While general guidance on fire extinguisher placement
is covered in this section, the fire code official may require additional fire
extinguishers. This includes buildings under construction when required by the
fire code official.
1. In all new and existing occupancies.
{Remainder of section is unchanged}
Exception:
1. One and two family dwellings."
(115) Section 907.1. 2 is amended by adding the following:
"14. Drawings must be in a minimum of 1/8 inch scale."
(116) Section 907.1.4 is added to read as follows:
"907.1.4 General design. All fire alarm systems shall be designed in accordance
with the provisions of this code and NFPA 72 (National Fire Alarm Code).
1. A zone map or other approved method of identifying clearly the
device in alarm and the zone or address must be posted at the
control panel or be an integral part of the alarm panel, and must be
submitted with the fire alarm plan submittal. The minimum size of
the zone map is ten inches by fourteen inches (10" x 14").
2. All alarm systems new or replacement shall be addressable. Alarm
systems serving twenty (20) or more initiating devices shall be
analog addressable fire detection systems.
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 48 of 74
Exception:
1. Existing systems need not comply unless any single
building remodel or expansion initiated after the effective
date of this code, as adopted, exceeds thirty percent (30%)
of the building. If cumulative building remodels or
expansions exceed fifty percent (50%) of the total building
area within any two (2) year period, the entire buildings fire
alarm system must comply with this section within eighteen
(18) months of permit application.
2. When approved by the fire code official, small systems
designed to monitor fire sprinklers for flow and tamper
may be non-addressable.
3. Sprinkler and standpipe system water-flow detectors, when
required by the fire code official, shall be provided for each floor
tap to the sprinkler system and shall cause an alarm upon detection
of water flow for more than forty-five (45) seconds unless
approved by the code official. All control valves in the sprinkler
and standpipe systems except for fire department hose connection
valves shall be electrically supervised to initiate a trouble signal at
the central control station upon tampering."
(117) Sections 907.1.5, 907.1.6, 907.1.7, 907.1.8, 907.1.9, 907.1.10 and 907.1.11 are added to
read as follows:
"907.1.5 Operation of fire alarm panels. The fire alarm panel shall not require a
tool, key, enable key, code or special knowledge to operate.
907.1.6 Panel location. The location of the fire alarm panel must be near the
main entrance at a location approved by the fire code official, or an approved
remote annunciator must be placed at an approved location.
907.1.7 Multiple panels. When multiple buildings exist on one property and
have fire alarm panels each building's fire alarm panel shall report back to a main
fire alarm panel, at a location approved by the fire code official, unless an
alternative design is approved by the fire code official.
907.1.8 Water flow alarms. An alarm initiated by a water flow device shall not
be capable of being reset while a water flow condition is occurring.
907.1.9 External notification device. External weatherproof audio/ visual
device(s) shall be installed at a location approved by the fire code official.
Approved signage may be required.
907.1.10 Wording. All visible and audible notification devices shall be of a type
approved by the fire code official and shall have the word "Fire" on the device
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 49 of 74
when received from the manufacturer or placed in an approved manner on the
device.
907.1.11 Duct detectors. A remote indicator is required on the ceiling or other
approved location where a duct detector is concealed, such as above a ceiling, or
when required by the fire code official. All remote indicators shall be labeled with
the zone or address of the duct detector."
(118) Section 907.2 is amended to add the following:
"1. Regardless of other provisions of this code, all fire sprinkler
systems, with the exception of systems protecting a single family
or duplex residential structure must be monitored for tamper and
flow at an approved monitoring station. Alarm systems monitoring
sprinkler systems must consist of a minimum of a water flow
device, tamper switches on each water control valve, a pull station,
a smoke or heat detector positioned near the panel, an exterior and
an interior approved audio-visual device as needed to call attention
to an alarm condition at the premises, including each lease space if
the building is a multi-tenant occupancy. It is not the intent of this
section to imply the audio visual placement must comply with
NFPA 72 when the only requirement for AN devices is caused by
this section.
2. An approved smoke detection system is required in any corridor or
common atmosphere within the corridor if any of the corridor
provisions of Table 1018.1 referencing a rated corridor of less than
one hour is used. The actuation of any detector shall activate
alarms audible in all areas served by the corridor.
3. Elevator recall must include smoke detectors on each level, smoke
detection in elevator equipment rooms, and at the top of the
elevator shaft unless otherwise approved by the fire code official. "
(119) Section 907.2.1 is amended to read as follows:
"907.2.1 Group A. A manual fire alarm system that activates the occupant
notification system in accordance with Section 907.6 shall be installed in Group A
occupancies having an occupant load of three hundred (300) or more persons or
more than one hundred (100) persons above or below the lowest level of exit
discharge. Portions of Group E occupancies occupied for assembly purposes shall
be provided with a fire alarm system as required for the Group E occupancy.
Activation of fire alarm notification appliances shall:
1. Cause illumination of the means of egress with light of not less
than one (1) foot-candle (11 lux) at the walking surface level, and
2. Stop any conflicting or confusing sounds and visual distractions."
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 50 of 74
(120) Section 907.2.3 is amended to read as follows:
"907.2.3 Group E. A manual fire alarm system that activates the occupant
notification system in accordance with Section 907.6 shall be installed in Group E
educational occupancies. When automatic sprinkler systems or smoke detectors
are installed, such systems or detectors shall be connected to the building fire
alarm system. An approved smoke detection system shall be installed in Group E
day care occupancies. When required by the fire code official, all buildings,
whether portable buildings or the main building, will be considered one building
for alarm occupant load consideration and interconnection of alarm systems.
All exceptions under 907.2.3 are deleted except as follows:
Exceptions:
1. Residential In-Home day care with not more than twelve (12) children
may use interconnected single station smoke alarms in all habitable rooms.
(For child care of more than five (5) children two and one-half (2 '/2) or
less years of age, see Section 907.2.6)"
(121) Section 907.2.3 is amended to add the following paragraph:
"The provisions of Group E occupancies shall extend to Group E — Day Care
facilities with the following modifications:
1. Smoke detection is required in each room that is or may be used
for child care purposes.
2. A manual pull station is required at a continually attended location
where it is readily available to the staff.
3. Kitchen fire suppression systems shall be interconnected to and
activate the fire alarm system."
(122) Section 907.2.6 is amended to add the following at the end of the first paragraph.
"In I-4 occupancies, fire alarm systems must be installed in accordance with
907.2.3 regardless of the age of the clients."
(123) Section 907.2.11.2 is amended to add the following:
4. Each residential property used for rental purposes, regardless of if
it is a single family or multi-family dwelling, shall be equipped
with operating smoke detectors in accordance with IRC R314 and
the IFC. The landlord is responsible for the installation and
maintenance of the detector(s). If the lease agreement specifies that
the batteries in the detector are the responsibility of the tenant, the
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 51 of 74
landlord is still responsible for ensuring that all detectors are
working properly, including replacement of batteries as needed.
However, any tenant or other person that renders a smoke detector
inoperable by removing a battery or who fails to replace a weak
battery or who removes or otherwise renders a smoke detector
inoperable in any way is in violation of this section."
(124) Section 907.2.13 is amended to read as follows:
"907.2.13 High-rise buildings. Buildings having floors used for human
occupancy located more than fifty-five (55) feet above the ... {remainder of
paragraph to remain unchanged} ... with Section 907.2.12.2"
(125) Section 907.2.13, exception#3 is amended to read as follows:
"3. Buildings with an occupancy in Group A-5 in accordance with Section 303.1
of the International Building Code, when used for open air seating; however, this
exception does not apply to accessory uses including but not limited to sky boxes,
restaurants and similarly enclosed areas."
(126) Section 907.5.1 is amended to read as follows:
"907.5.1 Protection of fire alarm control unit. A single smoke detector shall be
provided at the location of each fire alarm control unit, notification appliance
circuit extenders and supervisory station transmitting equipment. Where ambient
conditions prohibit installation of smoke detectors, an approved heat detector may
be permitted to substitute with the approval of the fire code official. When the
building is fully sprinkled, if ambient conditions would require a heat detector in
lieu of a smoke detector at a required location, the fire code official may waive
the heat detector requirement."
(127) Section 907.5.2 is amended to add the following:
"1. Manual alarm actuating devices shall be an approved double action
type."
(128) Section 907. 5.2.4 is amended to read as follows:
"907.5.2.4 Signs Where fire alarm systems are not monitored by a supervising
station, an approved permanent sign on a red laminated plate with white letters,
with a minimum of one-fourth (1/4) inch stroke shall be installed adjacent to each
manual fire alarm box and shall read as follows:
Local Alarm Only
Must Dial 9-1-1 To
Report Fire Emergency"
Ordinance No. 1931,Page 52 of 74
When required by the fire code official, signs stating "If alarm sounds call 9-1-1"
must be installed adjacent to outside alarm devices."
(129) Section 907.7.2 is amended to add the following paragraph:
"Each fire alarm panel and power supply panel shall have an added surge
protector installed in addition to the surge protector which is built into the panel.
The secondary surge protection device must be installed in such a manner that it is
isolated a minimum of two feet from the panel as measured along the route of
electrical travel. If data lines run between separate buildings data line surge/spike
protection is required on each data line where the line enters and/or exits each
building."
(130) Section 907.7.3.2 is amended to read as follows:
"907.7.3.2 High rise buildings. In buildings that are more than three (3) stories
tall, a separate..." (remainder of section unchanged)...
(131) Section 907.7.5.2 added to read as follows:
"907.7.5.2 Communication Requirements. All alarm systems, new or
replacement, shall transmit general alarm, water flow, supervisory and trouble
signals, as well as any specialty signals required by the fire code official,
descriptively to the approved central station, remote supervisory station or
proprietary supervising station as defined in NFPA 72."
(132) Section 907.7.6 is added to read as follows:
"907.7.6 Installation. All fire alarm systems shall be installed in such a manner
that the failure of any single alarm-actuating or alarm-indicating device will not
interfere with the normal operation of any other such devices. All systems shall be
Class "A" wired with a minimum of six (6) feet of separation between supply and
return loops. All underground wiring shall use listed waterproof fire alarm wire
and be installed in conduit. All systems and components shall be installed in
accordance with NFPA 72."
(133) Section 907.10 is added to read as follows:
"907.10 False signals - All fire alarm systems and components must be
maintained in such a manner as to prevent the excessive or recurring transmission
of false signals."
(134) Section 907.11 is added to read as follows:
"907.11 Response to Alarms—The person in control of any property served by a
fire alarm system must have an employee available to arrive at the scene of an
alarm within thirty (30) minutes of being notified."
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 53 of 74
(135) Section 910.1 is amended by revising Exception#2 to read as follows:
"2. Where areas of buildings are equipped with early suppression fast-
response (ESFR) sprinklers, only manual smoke and heat vents
shall be required within these areas. Automatic smoke and heat
vents are prohibited."
(136) Section 910.2.3 is added to read as follows:
"910.2.3 Exit access travel distance increase. Buildings and portions thereof
used as a Group F-1 or S-1 occupancy where the maximum exit access travel
distance is increased in accordance with Section 1016.3."
(137) Section 910.3.2.2 is amended by adding a second paragraph to read as follows:
"The automatic operating mechanism of the smoke and heat vents shall operate
at a temperature rating at least one hundred (100) degrees Farenhiet greater than
the temperature rating of the sprinklers installed."
(138) Section 912.1 is amended to add the following:
"...and the requirements found in Section 903.3.7."
(139) Section 912.2.3 is added to read as follows:
"912.2.3 Hydrant distance. An approved fire hydrant shall be located within 100
feet of the fire department connection as the fire hose lays.
Exception: The distance described herein may be increased by the fire code
official for cause."
(140) Section 912.5 is amended to add the following:
"Approved back flow devices shall be installed on all new sprinkler systems. All
back flow devices shall be an Ames 3000 or equivalent approved by the fire code
official and shall be tested annually, with a report submitted to the fire code
official. If the fire sprinkler main serves a fire sprinkler system with chemical
additives a reduced pressure detector assembly is required. If the device is located
outside of the building it shall be in a vault approved by the fire code official. The
vault shall be at least seven (7) feet by five (5) feet in size with a finished floor. It
shall have a spring assisted lid with a hold open latch measuring at least thirty-six
(36) inches by thirty-six (36) inches. A key to the vault shall be provided to the
fire department. The vault shall have a ladder inside, a one-foot by one-foot
(1'x1') drain in the bottom with twelve (12) inches of gravel under the entire vault
and a shelf near the top to hold an electronic transmitter. The floor shall be a
minimum of six (6) inches below the bottom of the back flow device. If valves are
in the vault they shall have a chain and Knox padlock to lock them in the open
position. The fire department connection, with an automatic ball drip, shall come
Ordinance No. 1931,Page 54 of 74
directly out of the top of the vault, unless approved otherwise by the fire code
official. The vault shall be protected by four-inch (4") metal concrete filled
bollards, painted yellow, at locations approved by the fire code official.
When approved by the fire code official, the requirement for a vault may be
waived provided:
1. The fire line is not more than two hundred (200) feet in length as
measured from the point of connection to the city main to the
sprinkler riser;
2. An approved blow off valve is installed when required by the city
near the end of the line at an approved location.
3. The riser room is large enough to accommodate the riser and the
back flow device, and still allow room to test and remove these
items.
4. The required transmitter device is mounted at a location and
manner approved by the city."
(141) Section 913.1 is amended by adding a second paragraph and exception to read as follows:
When located on the ground level at an exterior wall, the fire pump room shall be
provided with an exterior fire department access door that is not less than 3 ft. in
width and 6 ft. — 8 in. in height, regardless of any interior doors that are provided.
A key box shall be provided at this door, as required by Section 506.1.
Exception: When it is necessary to locate the fire pump room on other levels or
not at an exterior wall, the corridor leading to the fire pump room access from the
exterior of the building shall be provided with equivalent fire resistance as that
required for the pump room, or as approved by the fire code official. Access keys
shall be provided in the key box as required by Section 506.1.
(142) Section 913.4 is amended by adding a second paragraph to read as follows:
"The fire-pump system shall also be supervised for "loss of power", "phase
reversal" and "pump running" conditions by supervisory signal on distinct
circuits."
(143) Section 1004.1.1 is amended by deleting the exception.
(144) Section 1004.2 is amended to read as follows:
"1004.2 Increased occupant load - When approved by the code official, the
occupant load permitted in any building.... {Remainder of section is
unchanged}."
Ordinance No. 1931,Page 55 of 74
(145) Section 1006.3.1 is added to read as follows:
"1006.3.1 Emergency lights — Emergency lights operating off of a secondary
power source must be provided. Lighting may be required in areas or rooms
when, in the opinion of the fire code official the additional lighting is necessary to
enable occupants to safely exit the area in the event of a power failure."
(146) Section 1008.1 is amended to add the following to the end of the first paragraph.
"Where additional doors are provided in a structure or room that could be
mistaken for exit doors, the fire code official may require the doors to be clearly
marked as non exit doors."
(147) Section 1008.1.4.4 amended by revising criteria #3 and adding criteria #7 and #8 to read
as follows:
"3. A push to exit button is not permitted on an exit door which is
installed after the effective date of this code. A touch bar or other
approved method to provide a direct interruption of power to the
lock is required. "
"7. If a full building smoke detection system is not provided, approved
smoke detectors shall be provided on both the access and egress
sides of doors and at a location approved by the fire code official
in accordance with NFPA 72. Actuation of a smoke detector shall
automatically unlock the door."
"8. When required by the fire code official, a Knox key switch or an
approved toggle switch located inside a Knox key box must be
installed at an approved location to permit an emergency override
of any magnetic locking device system."
(148) Section 1008.1.9.3.1 is amended to read as follows:
"1008.1.9.3, Locks and Latches. Locks and Latches shall ... (text unchanged) ... any of
the following exists:
3.1 Where egress doors are used in pairs and positive latching is
required, approved automatic flush bolts shall be permitted,
provided that both leaves achieve positive latching regardless of
the closing sequence and the door leaf having the automatic flush
bolts has no doorknobs or surface mounted hardware."
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 56 of 74
(149) Section 1008.1.9.4 is amended by adding exceptions 3 and 4 to read as follows:
"Exceptions:
3. Where a pair of doors serves an occupant load of less than 50 persons in a
Group B, F, M or S occupancy, ... (remainder of section unchanged).
4. Where a pair of doors serves a Group B, F, M or S occupancy. (remainder
text unchanged)"
(150) Section 1008.1.9.8 is amended to read as follows:
"1008.1.9.8 Electromagnetically locked egress doors. Doors in the means of
egress that are not otherwise required to have panic hardware in buildings with an
occupancy in Group A, B, E, I-1, I-2, M, R-1 or R-2 and doors to tenant spaces in
Group A, B, E, I-1, M, R-1 or R-2 shall be permitted to be electromagnetically
locked if equipped with listing hardware that incorporates a built-in switch and
meet the requirements below: (remaining text unchanged)."
(151) Section 1008.1.9.10 is amended by revising exception #3 to read as follows:
"3. In stairways serving not more than four (4) stories, fifty percent (50%) of
the doors are permitted to be locked from the side opposite the egress side,
provided they are operable from the egress side...{remainder of
paragraph unchanged}. The use of this exception is permitted only upon
approval of the fire code official."
(152) Section 1011.1.1 is added to read as follows:
"Where exit signs are required by section 1011.1, additional approved exit signs
that are internally or externally illuminated, photo-luminescent or self-luminous
shall be required in all corridors serving guestrooms of R-1 and R-2 occupancies.
The bottom of each sign shall be placed not less than six (6) inches nor more than
eight (8) inches above the floor level and shall indicate the path of exit travel. For
exit and exit access doors, the sign shall be on the door or adjacent to the door
with the closest edge of the sign within four (4) inches of the door frame."
(153) Section 1016.3 is added to read as follows:
"1016.3 Roof vent increase. In buildings that are one (1) story in height,
equipped with automatic heat and smoke roof vents complying with Section 910
and equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
Section 903.3.1.1, the maximum exit access travel distance shall be 400 feet (122
m) for occupancies in Group F-1 or S-l."
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 57 of 74
(154) Section 1018.1 is amended to add the following to the end of the first paragraph:
"An approved smoke detection system is required in any corridor or common
atmosphere within the corridor if any of the corridor provisions of Table 1018.1
referencing a rated corridor of less than one hour is used. The actuation of any
detector shall activate alarms audible in all areas served by the corridor."
(155) Section 1022.1 is amended by adding exceptions 8 and 9 to read as follows:
"8. In other than occupancy Groups H and I, a maximum of fifty (50) percent
of egress stairways serving one (1) adjacent floor are not required to be
enclosed, provided at least two (2) means of egress are provided from both
floors served by the unenclosed stairways. Any two such interconnected
floors shall not be open to other floors.
9. In other than occupancy Groups H and I, interior egress stairways serving
only the first and second stories of a building equipped throughout with an
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 are not
required to be enclosed, provided at least two (2) means of egress are
provided from both floors served by the unenclosed stairways. Such
interconnected stories shall not be open to other stories."
(156) Section 1022.9 is amended to read as follows:
"1022.9 Smoke proof enclosures and pressurized stairways. In buildings
required to comply with Section 403 or 405 of the IBC, each of the exit
enclosures serving a story with a floor surface located more than fifty-five (55)
feet above the lowest level of fire ..."{remainder of section unchanged}
(157) Section 1024.1 is amended to read as follows:
"1024.1; General. Approved luminous egress path markings delineating the exit
path shall be provided in buildings of Groups A, B, E, I, M and R-1 having
occupied floors located more than fifty five (55) feet above the lowest level of fire
department vehicle access in accordance with. . . " {remaining text unchanged}.
(158) Section 1026.6 is amended by revising Exception#4 to read as follows:
"Exception:
4. Separation from the open-ended corridors of the building is not required
for exterior ramps or stairways connected to open ended corridors
provided that Items 4.1 through 4.4 are met." {remainder is unchanged}
(159) Section 1030.2 is amended to read as follows:
"1030.2 Reliability. Required exit accesses, exits or exit discharges shall be
continuously maintained free from obstructions or impediments to full instant use
Ordinance No. 1931,Page 58 of 74
in the event of fire or other emergency. Security devices affecting means of egress
shall be subject to approval of the fire code official."
(160) Section 1030.3 is amended to add the following paragraph:
"Motorcycles, fueled equipment, barbecue grills or other fueled appliances are
prohibited in breezeways, under stairs or in other public egress areas of Group R-
1 and R-2 occupancies. The breezeways, exit stairs and walkways from any R-1
or R-2 dwelling unit to the public parking lot shall be maintained free of any
obstruction that hinders egress."
(161) Section 1501.2 is deleted.
(162) Section 1504.4 is amended to read as follows:
"1504.4 Fire protection. New and existing spray booths and spray rooms shall be
protected by an approved automatic fire-extinguishing system ..."(remainder of
section unchanged) ...
(163) Section 1504.7.1 is amended to add the following sentence:
"For purposes of this section, the ventilation system must operate for a minimum
of three (3) minutes after spraying operations have stopped to insure all
flammable vapors have been removed from the booth."
(164) Section 1504.7.1.1 is added to read as follows:
"1504.7.1.1 —Air systems.
1. Closed spray booths or spray rooms placed in service after the
effective date of this ordinance shall be designed in such a manner
that spraying operations can not be conducted whenever any door
into the booth or room is open.
2. Air lines providing air to spray guns or similar devices must be
equipped with an air solenoid valve that will shut off the air supply
in the event of an activation of the booth or room fire suppression
system.
Exception: Spray booths installed prior to the effective date of this
ordinance that were in compliance with the codes at the time they
were installed."
(165) Section 2202.1 is amended by adding the following definition:
"REPAIR GARAGE. This occupancy shall also include garages involved in
minor repair, modification and servicing of motor vehicles for items such as lube
Ordinance No. 1931,Page 59 of 74
changes, inspections, windshield repair or replacement, shocks, minor part
replacement and other such minor repairs."
(166) Section 2204.1 is amended to read as follows:
"2204.1 Supervision of dispensing. The dispensing of fuel at motor fuel-
dispensing facilities shall be in accordance with the following:
1. Conducted by a qualified attendant; and/or,
2. Shall be under the supervision of a qualified attendant; and/or
3. Shall be an unattended self-service facility in accordance with
Section 2204.3.
At any time the qualified attendant of item #1 or #2 above is not present, such
operations shall be considered as an unattended self-service facility and shall also
comply with Section 2204.3."
(167) Section 2204.1.1 is added to read as follows:
"Section 2204.1.1 General requirements:
1. Parking for customers for service other than fuel shall be provided
so as to not block, obstruct, or otherwise interfere with the safe and
free movement of vehicles to and from any dispensing device.
2. Approved leak testing shall be performed as required by the fire
code official on all underground storage tanks and piping and
records of such testing shall be provided to the fire department and
maintained by the owner or operator of the facility containing the
storage tanks for the life of the tanks
3. Fuel storage tanks shall be placed so that transport trucks
delivering products will be parked completely off the public street,
at least twenty-five (25) feet from any dispensing device and
parked so as not to interfere with the safe, free movement of
vehicles to and from any dispensing device. Where this can not be
accomplished at existing stations or due to site limitations outside
of the control of the owner, the fire code official may require
additional safety measures be taken during off loading to minimize
the risk of vehicles striking the tank truck or delivery hoses."
(168) Section 2204.5 is added to read as follows:
"2204.5 Temporary fuel dispensing at construction sites. Temporary storage
tanks and dispensing operations used for diesel motor fuel at construction or
similar temporary locations shall comply with the following requirements:
Ordinance No. 1931,Page 60 of 74
Applicability:
This section applies only to those tanks located on an active construction site, for
fueling heavy dirt moving machinery or other equipment that is impractical to
move over the streets to fuel, or that is of a fixed nature, that are not on site more
than one hundred and twenty (120) days and contain diesel fuel. The time
limitation may be extended on a case by case basis by the fire code official.
1. Fuel storage tanks may not exceed a capacity of three thousand
(3,000) gallons. A maximum of three (3) tanks may be on site;
provided they are separated by a minimum of one hundred (100)
feet and the aggregate quantity of fuel does not exceed six
thousand (6,000) gallons. Single tank quantities may be increased
on a case by case basis with the approval of the fire code official if
adequate precautions are taken.
Exception: A single ten thousand (10,000) gallon diesel fuel tank
may be installed on construction sites at the discretion of the fire
marshal provided adequate safeguards are provided, the contractor
can show an excessive hardship imposed by the lower fuel limits.
This tank will not count towards the aggregate total for the site if
this tank is separated from the remaining tanks by a minimum
distance of two hundred (200) feet.
2. Tank locations must be approved by the fire code official.
3. Approved secondary containment must be provided capable of
containing one and a half times the contents of the tank. Rainwater
accumulations must be removed regularly from the containment
area.
4. Single wall tanks containing diesel fuel only are permitted in
temporary construction use.
5. The tank and installation must comply with all applicable
provisions of NFPA #30, and applicable state law and local codes."
(169) Section 2206.2.1 is amended to add the following sentence:
"No single underground storage tank installed for service station fueling
operations may exceed a maximum capacity of twenty thousand (20,000)
gallons."
(170) Section 2206.2.2 is amended to add the following:
"Any above ground tank containing motor fuels and located inside a building
shall comply with the requirements of 2206.2.3 in addition to meeting the
requirements of this section. Regardless of other provisions of Chapter 22, the
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 61 of 74
maximum quantity of fuel permitted inside aboveground tanks regulated by this
Chapter and located inside of a building may not exceed three thousand (3,000)
gallons in aggregate amounts, unless approved by the fire code official."
(171) Section 2206.2.3 is amended to read as follows:
"2206.2.3 Above-ground tanks located outside, above grade. Above-ground
tanks shall not be used for the storage or dispensing of Class I, II or III-A liquid
motor fuels except as provided by this section:
1. Above-ground tanks used for outside, above-grade storage of Class
I liquids shall be listed and labeled as protected above-ground
tanks and be in accordance with Chapter 34. Such tanks shall be
located in accordance with Table 2206.2.3.
2. Tank Design. Tanks must have a minimum two (2) hour fire
resistive rating, which shall be installed at the factory and shall be
certified by the manufacturer. Tanks must be of an approved
concrete vault design or a double wall, concrete filled steel tank or
approved alternative design. Tanks must be UL #2085 listed.
Tanks must comply with NFPA#30 and#30A and other applicable
recognized standards. Tanks must include secondary containment
as an integral part of the tank design. Tanks must be located within
one hundred and fifty (150) feet of a public street or fire
department access road and within a five hundred (500) foot hose
lay of a fire hydrant. Each tank shall have a factory installed liquid
level indicating gauge with a fill alarm, have atmospheric venting
with a flame arrestor and emergency venting, be properly labeled,
and be equipped with a fill limiter that will stop tank filling
operations when the tank has reached 90% of its capacity. Tanks
shall be equipped with an approved remote fill port or an approved
spill containment basin designed to catch any spillage that occurs
during tank fill operations. Tanks must be designed to provide
vapor recovery if the tank capacity exceeds one thousand (1,000)
gallons."
3. Size. Tanks containing Class I motor fuels shall not exceed ten
thousand gallons (10,000) in individual and aggregate capacity.
Tanks containing Class II or III-A liquid fuels shall not exceed
twelve thousand (12,000) gallons in individual capacity or thirty
six thousand (36,000) gallons in aggregate capacity. The total
maximum aggregate quantity of all flammable and combustible
liquid motor fuels in aboveground storage tanks on a site shall not
exceed 36,000 gallons. Installations with the maximum allowable
aggregate capacity shall be separated from other such installations
by not less than one hundred (100) feet unless approved by the Fire
marshal. For purposes of this section, a site is a piece of property
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 62 of 74
owned, operated, controlled or managed by a common entity or
person.
4. Pad Requirements. All tanks shall be installed on a concrete slab.
The slab shall be designed to support the full weight of the tank
and shall extend a minimum of three (3) feet past all portions of
the tank. When required by the fire code official the pad shall have
a minimum six (6) inch containment curb with an approved drain
valve."
5. Bump posts shall be placed around the pad to protect the curbing
and the tanks. The bump posts shall be a minimum of four (4) inch
diameter, concrete filled steel piping or approved equivalent placed
at a maximum of four (4) foot spacing around the pad perimeter.
6. Security Measures. When the fire code official determines
additional security measures such as fencing and/or monitoring
capabilities are needed, they shall be provided to prevent
tampering with the above ground tanks.
7. A three-foot (3') clear space must be maintained around the
tank(s).
8. Repairs. When repairs and maintenance are required, they shall be
made in accordance with the recommendations of the
manufacturer. The owner of the tank shall provide the fire
prevention office with documentation that verifies that the repairs
were made in accordance with the manufacturer's
recommendation.
9. The provisions of this section shall apply to all above ground fuel
storage tanks regulated by Chapter 22 of the International Fire
Code, and any generator or pump fuel tanks containing diesel fuel
in excess of four hundred ninety nine (499) gallons or gasoline in
any quantity above fifty (50) gallons. If a conflict exists between
sections, the more restrictive regulation will prevail.
10. Aboveground fuel tanks may not be used for retail sales of fuel.
11. Signage complying with Section 2205.6 and NFPA 704 shall be
installed on each tank and as required by the fire code official.
12. A minimum of one 40BC rated fire extinguisher shall be located
not closer than twenty-five (25) feet and no further than fifty (50)
feet from the dispensing device accessible during hours of pump
operations.
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 63 of 74
13. Tanks located at construction projects or similar approved
temporary use locations shall comply with 2204.5 and may be
exempted from specific provisions of this section on an item by
item basis."
(172) Section 2302 is amended by adding a second paragraph to the definition of"High-Piled
Combustible Storage"to read as follows:
"Any building exceeding six thousand (6,000) square feet that has a clear height
in excess of twelve (12) feet, making it possible to be used for storage in excess of
twelve (12) feet, shall be considered to be high-piled storage and shall comply
with the provisions of this section. When a specific product can not be identified,
a fire protection system shall be installed as for Class IV commodities, to the
maximum pile height."
(173) Table 2306.2 is amended by revising the text of"footnote j" to read as follows:
"j. Where areas of buildings are equipped with early suppression fast-
response (ESFR) sprinklers, manual smoke and heat vents or manually
activated engineered mechanical smoke exhaust systems shall be required
within these areas."
(174) Section 2703.1.5 is added to read as follows:
"2703.1.5 Educational facilities — Possession of hazardous materials, including
flammable or combustible materials is prohibited on the premises of an E
Occupancy.
Exception:
1. School laboratories, classrooms, custodial or similar areas where the
material is used or stored in accordance with its label directions and this
code as part of a maintenance or supervised educational program.
2. Material brought onto the property of an E occupancy that is part of a
school sponsored or sanctioned demonstration, exhibit, or assignment."
(175) Section 2703.1.6 is added to read as follows:
"2703.1.6 Possession of pyrotechnic chemical products: No person or persons
shall design, possess or obtain any form of a chemical or chemical mixture that
produces visible light displays or sounds through a self-propagating, heat-
releasing or pressure building caused by a chemical reaction and/or by ignition,
without the possession of a license issued by the State of Texas. Nor shall any
person or persons design, possess or obtain any form of a chemical or chemical
mixture used in the entertainment industry, to produce visible or audible effects
by combustion, deflagration, detonation or chemical reaction, without the
possession of a license issued by the State of Texas. Such a chemical mixture
predominantly consists of solids capable of producing a controlled, self-sustaining
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 64 of 74
and self-contained exothermic chemical reaction that results in heat, gas sound,
pressure building, light or a combination of these effects."
(176) Section 3301.1.3 is amended to read as follows:
"3301.1.3 Fireworks prohibited — The presence (possession, discharge,
manufacture, storage, sale, handling, use, transportation's, etc.) of any fireworks
within the City of Euless is hereby declared to be a nuisance and is prohibited.
The fire code official or his authorized representative shall seize and cause to be
destroyed any fireworks found within such area in violation of this article. Any
member of the fire prevention division, any member of the fire department, and
any peace officer is empowered to detain or confiscate any fireworks being
transported or possessed illegally until the fire prevention division can be
notified, in order that such fireworks may be seized and destroyed in accordance
with the terms of this article. Notwithstanding any penal provisions of this
article, the city attorney is authorized to file suit on behalf of the city for such
injunctive relief as may be necessary to prevent unlawful storage,
transportation, keeping, selling, or otherwise distributing of fireworks within the
jurisdiction of the city and to prevent any person from interfering with, or
attempting to interfere with the seizure and destruction of such fireworks,
provided however, that it shall not be necessary to obtain such injunctive relief
as a prerequisite to seizure and destruction of such fireworks. Any member of
the fire prevention division or their authorized agents is hereby authorized to
enter any building where the unlawful presence of fireworks is suspected in
order to inspect the same for the presence of such fireworks. In any instance
where the fire code official or any of his duly authorized assistants have
probable cause to believe that fireworks are being stored in the building, they
shall promptly enter the building for the purpose of conducting an inspection. It
shall be the duty of the owner, lessee, or other person in charge of such building
or their agents or employees to open and permit entry into the building by
persons charged with the enforcement of this regulation.
Exception:
1. When a pyrotechnics permit has been issued for an approved fireworks
displays, storage and handling of fireworks is permitted as provided in
Section 3304 and 3308.
2. The use of fireworks for approved displays for which a pyrotechnics
permit has been issued as permitted in Section 3308."
(177) Section 3302 is amended by revising the definition of"fireworks" to read as follows:
"FIREWORKS. Any composition or device for the purpose of producing a
visible or audible effect for entertainment purposes by combustion, deflagration,
detonation, and/or activated by ignition with a match or other heat producing
device that meets the definition of 1.4G fireworks or 1.3G fireworks as set forth
herein." [definitions of 1.4G and 1.3G fireworks unchanged)
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 65 of 74
(178) Section 3305.1.2 is added to read as follows:
"3305.1.2 Prohibition. The manufacturing, assembly and testing of explosives,
blasting agents and fireworks is prohibited in the City of Euless. This prohibition
does not apply to the necessary steps taken at a drilling or construction site to
prepare and use agents for which a permit has been issued."
(179) Section 3308.6.1 is amended to add the following sentence:
"Electric ignition shall be used for mortars of three (3) inches or greater in
diameter."
(180) Section 3403.6 is amended to add a sentence to read as follows:
"An approved method of secondary containment shall be provided for
underground tank and piping systems."
(181) Section 3404.2.7.1.1 is added to read as follows:
"3404.2.7.1.1 Testing of Tanks — Tanks used for the storage of flammable or
combustible liquids or hazardous materials must be tested in an approved manner
prior to the original installation, following any movement of the tank, and at those
times as may be required by the fire code official to insure the integrity of the tank
and the proper operation of safety features associated with the tank. All
underground storage tanks shall be subjected to an approved tightness tests when
required by the fire code official. "
(182) Section 3404.2.9.5.1 is added to read as follows:
"3404.2.9.5.1 Combustible liquid storage tanks inside of buildings. The
maximum aggregate allowable quantity limit shall be three thousand (3,000)
gallons of Class II or III combustible liquid for storage in protected aboveground
tanks complying with Section 3404.2.9.7 when all of the following conditions are
met:
1. The entire 3,000 gallon (11 356 L) quantity shall be stored in
protected above-ground tanks;
2. The 3,000 gallon (11 356 L) capacity shall be permitted to be
stored in a single tank or multiple smaller tanks;
3. The tanks shall be located in a room protected by an automatic
sprinkler system complying with Section 903.3.1.1; and
4. Tanks shall be connected to fuel-burning equipment, including
generators, utilizing an approved closed piping system.
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 66 of 74
5. When required by the fire code official, fusible link operated self-
closing shutoff valves must be installed.
The quantity of combustible liquid stored in tanks complying with this section shall not
be counted towards the maximum allowable quantity set forth in Table 2703.1.1(1), and
such tanks shall not be required to be located in a control area. Such tanks shall not be
located more than two stories below grade."
(183) Section 3404.2.9.6 is amended to add the following sentence:
"The distances for tank separation as referenced in NFPA #30 or the International
Fire Code may be increased for adjacent tanks of different heights containing
combustible or flammable liquids where wind blown flames from a vent or tank
top fire may impinge upon an adjacent tank."
(184) Section 3404.2.11.5 is amended to add the following sentence:
"An approved method of secondary containment shall be provided for
underground tank and piping systems."
(185) Section 3404.2.11.5.2 is amended to read as follows:
"3404.2.11.5.2 Leak detection. Underground storage tank systems ... (bulk of
provision unchanged)...and installed in accordance with NFPA 30 and as
specified in Section 3404.2.11.5.3."
(186) Section 3404.2.11.5.3 is added to read as follows:
"3404.2.11.5.3 Observation wells. Approved sampling tubes of a minimum six
(6) inches in diameter shall be installed in the backfill material of each
underground flammable or combustible liquid storage tank. The tubes shall
extend from a point twelve (12) inches below the average grade of the excavation
to ground level and shall be provided with suitable surface access caps. Each tank
site shall provide a sampling sump at the corners of the excavation with a
minimum of four (4) sumps. Sampling tubes shall be placed in the product line
excavation within ten (10) feet of the tank excavation and one every fifty (50) feet
routed along product lines towards the dispensers. A minimum of two (2) are
required."
(187) Section 3404.2.14.3 is added to read as follows:
"3404.2.14.3 Removal of tanks —The owner, occupant, lessee, contractor, or any
other person in control of any property containing a storage tank in violation of
Article 34 is responsible for complying with the provisions of this article. Tanks
must be removed or when no reasonable method exists to remove a tank, and
when approved by the fire code official, abandoned in place, within ninety days of
notification to remove said tank by the fire department. The city may require soil
tests or other tests to determine if a hazard exists, and if the property has been
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 67 of 74
abandoned, a responsible party can not be located, or if the person in control of
the property is unable or unwilling to do so, the city may remove any tanks on
said property if it is deemed to be in the best interest of the city or the health and
welfare of the general public to do so. Any and all expenses associated with such
testing, removal or disposal of said tanks and product therein and any
contaminated soil and products will be billed to the property owner, along with an
appropriate administrative fee and if not satisfied within thirty (30) days, a lien
will be placed against the property. Any removal of a tank by the city under the
provisions of this article requires approval of the city manager."
(188) Section 3406.2.2 is amended to add the following:
"Notwithstanding the other provisions required or referenced herein, all storage
tanks, regardless of contents or size, portable or fixed, must contain as a minimum
the following information.
1. Name of product (common name).
2. Tank capacity in U.S. gallons.
3. DOT placard with the number visible. (if applicable)
4. NFPA placard (if applicable)
In addition, signs may be required at the gates or doors leading into certain areas
to alert fire personnel of the hazards expected in said area. Any such signs must
be posted and maintained as required by the fire department."
(189) Section 3406.5.4.5 is deleted and replaced with the following Sections 3406.5.4.5;
3406.5.4.5.1; 3406.5.4.5.2; and 3406.5.4.5.3:
"3406.5.4.5 Commercial, industrial, governmental or manufacturing.
Dispensing of Class II and III motor vehicle fuel from tank vehicles into the fuel
tanks of motor vehicles located at commercial, industrial, governmental or
manufacturing establishments is allowed where permitted, provided such
dispensing operations are conducted in accordance with Sections 3406.5.4.5.1
through 3406.5.4.5.3.
3406.5.4.5.1 Site requirements.
1. Dispensing may occur at sites that have been permitted to conduct
mobile fueling.
2. When required by the fire code official, a detailed site plan shall be
submitted with each application for a permit. The site plan must
indicate:
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 68 of 74
2.1 all buildings, structures, and appurtenances on site and their
use or function;
2.2 all uses adjacent to the property lines of the site;
2.3 the locations of all storm drain openings, adjacent
waterways or wetlands;
2.4 information regarding slope, natural drainage, curbing,
impounding and how a spill will be retained upon the site
property; and,
2.5 the scale of the site plan.
3. The fire code official is authorized to impose limits upon: the times
and/or days during which mobile fueling operations are allowed to
take place and specific locations on a site where fueling is
permitted.
4. Mobile fueling operations shall be conducted in areas not generally
accessible to the public.
5. Mobile fueling shall not take place within 15 feet of buildings,
property lines, or combustible storage.
3406.5.4.5.2 Refueling Operator Requirements.
1. The owner of a mobile fueling operation shall provide to the
jurisdiction a written response plan which demonstrates readiness
to respond to a fuel spill, carry out appropriate mitigation
measures, and to indicate its process to properly dispose of
contaminated materials when circumstances require.
2. The tank vehicle shall comply with the requirements of NFPA 385
and Local, State and Federal requirements. The tank vehicle's
specific functions shall include that of supplying fuel to motor
vehicle fuel tanks. The vehicle and all its equipment shall be
maintained in good repair.
3. Signs prohibiting smoking or open flames within 25 feet (7.62 m)
of the tank vehicle or the point of fueling shall be prominently
posted on 3 sides of the vehicle including the back and both sides.
4. A fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 40:BC shall be
provided on the vehicle with signage clearly indicating its location.
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 69 of 74
5. The dispensing nozzles and hoses shall be of an approved and
listed type.
6. The dispensing hose shall not be extended from the reel more than
100 feet (30.48m) in length.
7. Absorbent materials, non-water absorbent pads, a 10 foot (3.048
m) long containment boom, an approved container with lid, and a
non-metallic shovel shall be provided to mitigate a minimum 5-
gallon fuel spill.
8. Tanker vehicles shall be equipped with a fuel limit switch such as a
count-back switch, limiting the amount of a single fueling
operation to a maximum of 500 gallons (1893 L) between
resettings of the limit switch.
Exception: Tankers utilizing remote emergency shut-off device
capability where the operator constantly carries the shut-off device
which, when activated, immediately causes flow of fuel from the
tanker to cease.
9. Persons responsible for dispensing operations shall be trained in
the appropriate mitigating actions in the event of a fire, leak, or
spill. Training records shall be maintained by the dispensing
company and shall be made available to the fire code official upon
request.
10. Operators of tank vehicles used for mobile fueling operations shall
have in their possession at all times an emergency communications
device to notify the proper authorities in the event of an
emergency.
3406.5.4.5.3 Operational Requirements.
1. The tank vehicle dispensing equipment shall be constantly attended
and operated only by designated personnel who are trained to
handle and dispense motor fuels.
2. Prior to beginning dispensing operations, precautions shall be
taken to assure ignition sources are not present.
3. The engines of vehicles being fueled shall be shut off during
dispensing operations.
4. Night time fueling operations shall only take place in adequately
lighted areas.
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 70 of 74
5. The tank vehicle shall be positioned with respect to vehicles being
fueled so as to preclude traffic from driving over the delivery hose
and between the tank vehicle and the motor vehicle being fueled.
6. During fueling operations, tank vehicle brakes shall be set, chock
blocks shall be in place and warning lights shall be in operation.
7. Motor vehicle fuel tanks shall not be topped off.
8. The dispensing hose shall be properly placed on an approved reel
or in an approved compartment prior to moving the tank vehicle.
9. The fire code official and other appropriate authorities shall be
notified when a reportable spill or unauthorized discharge occurs."
(190) Section 3803.1 is amended to add the following paragraph:
"No single container or aggregate installation may exceed the water gallon
capacity specified for the zoning district as specified in the adopting ordinance.
The installer shall be licensed by the Texas Railroad Commission and shall
submit plans and specifications for such installation to the fire code official".
(191) Sections 3803.2.1.8 is added to read as follows:
"3803.2.1.8 Jewelry repair, dental labs and similar occupancies: Where
natural gas service is not available, portable LP gas containers may be used to
supply approved torch assemblies or similar appliances. Such containers shall not
exceed twenty (20) pound water capacity. Aggregate capacity shall not exceed
sixty (60) pound water capacity. Each device shall be separated from other
containers by a distance of not less than twenty (20) feet."
(192) Section 3804.2 is amended to read as follows:
"3804.2 Maximum capacity within established limits: The storage of liquefied
petroleum gas in the city is restricted to the limits established by law in the
adopting ordinance. See Section 34-104, Euless Code of Ordinances for the
specific quantities and zoning districts where liquefied petroleum gas is
permitted."
(193) Section 4604.23 is amended to read as follows:
"4604.23 Egress path markings. Existing buildings of Groups A, B, E, I, M,
and R-1 having occupied floors located more than 55 feet (22 860 mm) (16 764
mm) above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access shall be provided
with luminous egress path markings in accordance with Section 1024.
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 71 of 74
Exception: Open, unenclosed stairwells in historic buildings designated as
historic under a state or local historic preservation program."
(194) Chapter 47— Standards, is amended to add the following under the chapter heading:
"The provisions of any standard referenced herein are considered to be a standard
of good practice and as such may be enforced by the fire code official to address
or to provide guidance in addressing various issues that may arise. The fire code
official may utilize portions of any referenced standards as needed and as such
they shall be considered to be a portion of this code to the extent they are utilized.
Due to the constant evolution of the Standards, a different edition of any Standard
may be used with the approval of the fire code official as a standard of good
practice or as a prescriptive application of a standard.
The following standards are amended to reflect a more current edition in effect at
the time of code adoption. All other references remain as written:
NFPA
10-10 Portable Fire Extinguishers
13-10 Installation of Sprinkler Systems
13D-10 Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One and Two Family
Dwellings
13R-10 Installation of Sprinkler Systems in Residential
Occupancies up to and including 4 Stories in Height
14-10 Installation of Standpipe, Private Hydrants and Hose
Systems
17-09 Installation of Dry Chemical Extinguishing Systems
17A-09 Installation of Wet Chemical Extinguishing Systems
20-10 Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection
24-10 Installation of Private Fire Service Mains and their
Appurtenances
25-11 Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water Based Fire
Protection Systems
32-11 Drycleaning Plants
58-11 Liquefied Petroleum Gas
72-10 National Fire Alarm Code
The following Regulations published by the State of Texas are also added to the
list of approved Standards.
TI TEXAS INSURANCE CODE REGULATIONS
Chapter 6001 — Texas Insurance Code Chapter 6001 Fire Extinguishers
Rules and 28 TAC 34.500 Fire Extinguisher Rules.
Ordinance No. 1931, Page 72 of 74
Chapter 6002 — Texas Insurance Code Chapter 6002. Fire Protection
Sprinkler Systems and 28 TAC 34.700 the Fire Sprinkler Rules.
5.43-2 — Texas Insurance Code Article 5.43-2. Fire Detection and Alarm
Devices and 28 TAC 34.600 the Fire Alarm Rules.
TN TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Rules governing emissions to the environment.
TR TEXAS RAILROAD COMMISSION
Railroad Commission Safety Rules governing LNG, LPG and CNG"
SECTION V.
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE. It is hereby declared to be the intention of the City
Council of the City of Euless that the sections, paragraphs, sentences, clauses, and phrases of this
ordinance are severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph, or section of this
ordinance shall be declared invalid or unconstitutional by the valid judgment or decree of any
court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect any of the
remaining phrases, clauses, sentences, paragraphs, or sections of this ordinance, since the same
would have been enacted by the City Council without the incorporation in this ordinance of any
such invalid or unconstitutional phrase.
SECTION VI.
PENALTY FOR VIOLATION. Any person, firm, or corporation violating any of the
terms and provisions of this ordinance shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon
conviction thereof shall be fined in accordance with Section 1-12 "General Penalty", Euless
Code of Ordinances. Each such violation shall be deemed a separate offense and shall be
punishable as such hereunder for violation of an ordinance governing fire safety.
SECTION VII.
CUMULATIVE CLAUSE. This ordinance shall be cumulative of all provisions of
ordinances of the City of Euless, Texas, except where the provisions of this ordinance are in
direct conflict with the provisions of such ordinances, in which event the conflicting provisions
of such ordinances are hereby repealed. Ordinance No. 1741 is hereby repealed. The 2003
International Fire Code adopted on August 31, 2004, is repealed except to the extent any
provision herein is readopted as a part of the 2009 International Fire Code.
SECTION VIII.
SAVINGS CLAUSE. All rights and remedies of the City of Euless are expressly saved
as to any and all violations of the provisions of the City Code or any other ordinances regulating
fire safety that have accrued at the time of the effective date of this ordinance; and, as to such
accrued violations and all pending litigation, both civil and criminal, whether pending in court or
not, under such ordinances, same shall not be affected by this ordinance but may be prosecuted
until final disposition by the courts. To the extent any use is deemed to be grandfathered or
Ordinance No. 1931,Page 73 of 74
vested under the 2003 International Fire Code, such Code shall remain in full force and effect as
to such use.
SECTION IX.
PUBLICATION CLAUSE. The City Secretary of the City of Euless is hereby directed
to publish in the official newspaper of the City of Euless, as required by Section 12 of Article II
of the Charter of the City of Euless.
SECTION X.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its
passage and publication, as provided by the Euless City Charter and the laws of the State of
Texas.
PRESENTED AND PASSED ON FIRST AND FINAL READING at regular meeting
of the Euless City Council on the 24thday of January, 2012, by a vote of 7 ayes, 0
nays, and 0 abstentions.
APPROVED:
shy--�� VE,ZeA)
M fb Saleh, Mayor
ATTEST: 7
....--- /1/6e?4)
Kim :utter, TRMC, City Secretary
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
a,c,,.,_____
Wayne K. Olson, City Attorney
Ordinance No. 1931,Page 74 of 74
INVOICE
Star-Telegram Customer ID: CITO9
808 Throcicmorton St. Invoice Number: 319835131
FORT WORTH,TX 76102
(817)390-7761 Invoice Date: 1/28/2012
Federal Tax ID 26-2674582 Terms: Net due in 21 days
Due Date: 1/31/2012
Bill To: PO Number:
CITY OF EULESS ACCOUNTS PAYABL
201 N ECTOR DR Order Number: 31983513
EULESS, TX 76039-3543 Sales Rep: 073
Description: CITY OF EULESS 0
Attn: ACCOUNTS .PAYABLE Publication Dates: 1/27/2012-1/28/2012
a .> Epublication, as Charte ded by the ,..w ° ' c,: '9-''''/414,4`
.' — uless City r and the laws
State of T
CITY OF EULESS ORDINAN q L1 ' MR Vexas.TION. Any 1 62 62 LINE $6.10 $756.44
pptrrison,any of this ordiname shall
($729.24)
Sales Discount be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor,
and upon conviction thereof shall
be fined in accordance with Section
Misc Fee 1.12 8Generai Penaltyii, Euless $10.00
Code of Ordinances. Each such
violation shall be deemed separate
offense and shall be punishable as vio such vemor fire n
lat�ioanetoyf an
AND PASSED ON FIRST EULESS ' ND FINAL READING at regular Net Amount: �Utti111Hpf1 $37.20
ORDINANCE NNCCE 1931 meeting of the Euless City Council %,,E �//
AN ORDINANCE OF THE C OF � L. HQ /'�I♦
AWN on the vote day of January,2012,and
CH R 34 bF PREVENTION A a votrl of 7 ayes,0 nays,and
a stOVED:s. 5 `! PUe••• O�y
AND PROTECTION6 OF THE CODE � Q;• ,•
APPROVED: j `•
OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF A Lib�►,Mayor V 2 i p•;••*
EULESS; ADOPTING THE 2009 -. ■
i
INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODES; RE-VIS NG CERTAIN ERT IN DEFT WHICH / Ai T gok tiJ• `e - ••
CERTAIN HAZARDOUS MATERI-
Is/waggle K.Olson,City Attorney Z G
ALS CAN BE KEPT;AND ADOPTING i Oi �G••
LOCAL AMENDMENTS TO THE /� •••,FX•• •
PRESCRIBE�ATIONREGULATIO�NS ''/'//4iQ,llif�ll11LO
GOVERNING CONDITIONS HAZ-
ARDOUS TO LIFE AND PROPERTY
FROM FIRE OR EXPLOSION;
PROVIDING A PENALTY FOR VI-
OLATIONS OF THIS ORDINANCE;
VIDIG T TINTORD PRON SAVINGS d for said County and State,this day personally appeared Deborah Baylor Norwood,Bid and Legal Coordinator for
NANCE SHALL BE CUMULATIVE the Star-Telegram, Inc.at Fort Worth,in Tarrant County,Texas;and who,after being duly sworn,did depose and say
OF ALL ORDINANCES AND RE-
PEALING dvertisement was publishe 'n the above named paper on the listed dates:BIDS&LEGAL DEPT. STAR TELEGRAM
PROVIDING RDANANSEVERABILITYY
CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR PUBLI- `CATION IN THE OFFICIAL NEWS- \rC)f\. :KM.
AND PRGMDIPM AN EF- Signed
EFFECTIVE DATE This ordinance )BEFORE ME,THIS Monday,Jan 0%
shag be M fun force and effect y, -ry 012.
from and afte,' Its passage and
Notary Public �/ .,, I. I. /
. A A ' 41 ` . ,`1__di
Thank You For Your Payment
Remit To: Star-Telegram Customer ID: CITO9
P.O. BOX 901051 Customer Name: CITY OF EULESS ACCOUN
FORT WORTH, TX 76101-2051 Invoice Number: 319835131
Invoice Amount: $37.20
PO Number: -�/,
Amount Enclosed: $ 1