Not an official copy.
PORT ANGELES MUNICIPAL CODE
Chapter 14.26 AUTOMATIC FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS
14.26.010 Policy and Purpose.
The City Council finds that automatic fire sprinkler systems are now technologically and economically viable and can help to reduce the loss of life and property due to fire and are therefore reasonably necessary in order to protect the public health, safety and welfare. Further, automatic fire sprinkler systems can help to ensure that any fires that occur in new residential structures are reasonably within the firefighting capabilities of the Port Angeles Fire Department with its present manpower and equipment and will provide a rational basis for planning public fire protection expenditures by defining the balance between traditional fire protection resources to be supplied by the public and the private sectors while at the same time reducing the costs of traditional fire protection and its related expenditures such as large water mains, fire apparatus turn-arounds, and fire hydrants in newly developing areas. Finally, the installation of automatic fire sprinkler systems shuld help to cause a significant reduction in homeowner insurance premiums. (Ord. 2426 §2, 1/1/87.)
14.26.020 Sprinkler Systems Required.
Automatic fire sprinkler systems shall be installed and maintained in all multi-family residential construction; provided that this requirement shall become effective January 1, 1987, prior to which date installation of automatic fire sprinkler systems shall be allowed but not required. (Ord. 2562 §1, 1/28/90; Ord. 2464 §1, 11/15/87; Ord. 2426 §3, 1/1/87.)
14.26.030 "Automatic Fire Sprinkler System" Defined.
The term "Automatic Fire Sprinkler System", as used herein, is defined as an integrated system of underground and overhead piping, including a water supply such as a gravity tank, fire pump, reservoir, pressure tank, or connection by underground piping to a public main; said system complying in all respects with the requirements for such systems contained in appropriate standards issued by the national Fire Protection Association, one copy of which Standards shall be filed in the office of the City Clerk for use and examination by the public. (Ord. 2426 §4, 1/1/87.)
14.26.040 Approval by Fire Chief.
No automatic fire sprinkler system required or allowed by this Chapter shall be installed without prior approval by the Fire Chief or his designee of the plans for installation, testing and maintenance of the system. Subject to the approval of the Fire Chief or his designee, sprinklers may be omitted in rooms or areas which are of non-combustible construction with non-combustible contents. No residential construction for which an automatic fire sprinkler system is required or allowed by this Chapter shall be occupied until testing of the automatic fire sprinkler system has been approved by the Fire Chief or his designee. (Ord. 2426 §5, 1/1/87.)
14.26.050 Appeals.
Appeals under this Chapter may be granted after payment of a $50 application fee and a hearing by the Fire Chief, Building Official, and member of the building industry appointed by the City Council. Decisions of this body shall be final and non-appealable. (Ord. 2426 §6, 1/1/87.)
14.26.060 Building Codes Not Affected.
The application of this Chapter shall not prohibit the exercise of the Substitution Option granted in the Uniform Building Code relating to "Fire Resistive Substitution" and shall not affect or supersede the provisions of the State Building Codes as adopted by the City of Port Angeles pursuant to Chapter 19.27 RCW . (Ord. 2426 §7, 1/1/87.)