05-11-10 Public Safety CommiteePublic Safety Committee Meeting
May 11, 2010
6:00 p.m.
Elected Officials Present:
Strom Peterson
Adrienne Fraley-Monillas
D.J. Wilson
The committee convened at 6:10 p.m.
Staff Present:
Leonard Yarberry, Building Official
John Westfall, Fire Marshall
This was a combined committee meeting of the Community/Development Services and
Public Safety Committees to review adoption of the 2009 International Codes. The code
includes the Fire codes adopted and amended in the ECDC.
A. Title 19.25 revisions (adopting updated International Fire Code) and Title 19.65
Marina Code:
Fire Marshal Westfall provided a brief introduction and noted that the State is on a 3 year
code adoption cycle, which is the reason for the current code adoption/amendments.
Building Official Yarberry added that State Building Code Act mandates the enforcement
of the codes and that the new 2009 codes are effective statewide on July 1st. The local
adoption allows the city to amend the codes so that they will work in a consistent manner
with the other municipal code sections, and importantly the administration, appeal and
enforcement provisions.
Yarberry provided an overview of the proposed adoptive language, which included
editorial changes to reduce and simplify. The majority of the new ordinance would be
the same as the current code. Two proposed changes to section 105.2 related to work
exempt from permit were discussed in detail. The first related to the exemption of
retaining walls under 4 foot in height. Council member Wilson expressed reservation
about how this would be applied and asked for some additional information to be
presented at full Council. The second change related to the exemption of door and
window replacement and re -siding of homes. Yarberry noted that there are particular
problems associated with water penetration, safety glazing and emergency egress that
the exemption makes difficult to address. Council member Wilson asked that a narrative
be prepared for full Council consideration of the issues.
Fire Marshal Westfall presented the proposed adoptive language for the Fire Code and
the Marina Code. Westfall noted changes in the 2009 Fire code related to emergency
responder radio coverage, new fire alarm requirements and requirements for installation
of CO monitors. Particular amendments to the City ordinance include a restriction on
above ground fuel storage tanks in residential zones to 1000 gals, and 500 gal restriction
for LPG storage.
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Westfall presented proposed changes to the Marina Code in title 19.65, which included a
requirement for slip numbering and pier identification to assist in emergency response.
Also he noted that there were some changes related to spill reporting requirements.
Council member Wilson asked if these requirements could be compared to the
stormwater discharge regulations to ensure consistency. Westfall acknowledge that this
could be brought back to full Council.
B. Residential sprinkler reauirements:
Attending: Councilmember Wilson, PS chair
Councilmember Fraley-Monillas PS
FM John Westfall
FM Steve Sherman (Snohomish Fire District #1)
FM Westfall provided minutes from stakeholder discussion on residential sprinkler issue
conducted April 29.
Cities with current residential sprinkler ordinances were interviewed for their perspective
on resulting conditions following the ordinances. Redmond, Camas, Black Diamond, and
Dupont communities all have two to fifteen years of experience with sprinklers in new
dwellings. Notable results have occurred as a result of the dwelling sprinkler
requirement.
Costs of permits/review requirements have reduced costs, as have economies of scale
in larger developments for Redmond and Camas. Although residential sprinklers are
designed specifically for life safety, the greater benefit is they also can extinguish fires
igniting within the living spaces. Black Diamond has had three fires last year: two kitchen
fires were extinguished by sprinklers, the third started at the exterior and entered the
attic, demanding more resources to extinguish completely.
Dupont has had a residential sprinkler requirement for all new homes since 1995, which
has provided benefit for the best utilization of fire department resources and availability.
Structure fire responses often involve merely a single engine to help remove water from
the fire area. Dupont Fire Chief holds that the fire department would be easily
overwhelmed without the sprinkler ordinance. Approximately 90% of the estimated 2,000
residential dwellings were built in the last 12 years and are fire sprinklered.
The great variable of sprinkler costs were discussed, much in part to the exponential
general facility charge imposed by water district. FM Westfall provided example of a
2,000 s.f. home with a flow -through residential sprinkler system constructed in Olympic
View Water District. The cost of sprinkler piping alone varies $1.25 to $1.50. Material
and installation cost will be $3500 plus permits (approx. $350) plus upsized (1.5") water
connection costs ($660) for grand total of $4510. In Olympic View Water District, the
General Facility Charge (GFC) for one dwelling unit remains the same if you have fire
sprinklers or without, no matter the number of meters. Total per square foot is $2.25.
This figure is above and beyond the expenses of domestic water connection costs
already being installed. A 5,000 s.f. home per square foot cost will be under $2.
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Westfall provided three proposals for evaluation and recommendation: 1) ALL residential
sprinklered; 2) NO residential sprinklered; and 3) R3 Sprinkler limits at 5,000 s.f. and
duplex, townhomes at 10K s.f. Rationale was presented for the intermediary 5k limit.
Councilmembers thought a 5,000 s.f. dwelling an extreme high -limit for residential
sprinklers.
Building incentives were discussed including traffic impact fees, hydrant spacing, and
fire access road requirements. FM Sherman from Mountlake Terrace explained the
hydrant requirements may be difficult when existing homes are still depends upon these
for fire suppression purpose. The residential sprinkler systems are also designed for life -
safety not property protection, that is the overarching hydrant need. Regarding fire
access, he has implemented engineered hammerhead access requirements in lieu of cul
de sacs, that has provided for additional lots in a subdivision.
Phase -in and delayed implementation of sprinkler requirements were also discussed.
Remodel triggers were discussed. Common methods of calculation include 1)
improvement costs for a minimum percentage of assessed valuation over a period of
time, and 2) a threshold percentage area of increase over existing square footage.
CS/DS committee will need to be engaged with the appropriate means for calculating
remodel threshold.
CM Wilson asked FM Westfall to reframe three options for IRC Appendix S: 1) All
residential sprinklered; 2) limit at 3,000 s.f. and 3) limit at 5,000 s.f. for new construction.
With the stakeholder input from builders, fire unions, fire chiefs and others, he should
consider phase -in dates for the requirements. Lastly, to consider incentives in fire
access and turnaround requirements that directly pertains to the requirements.
PS Committee adjourned at 1940.
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