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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 1814 1 ORDINANCE NO. 1814 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS TO BE KNOWN AS THE NORTH RICHLAND HILLS FIRE CODE; ADOPTING THE UNIFORM FIRE CODE ~~D ITS APPENDICES; ESTABLISHING REGULATIONS GOVERNING CONDITIONS HAZARDOUS TO LIFE AND PROPERTY FROM FIRE AND EXPLOSION: ESTABLISHING A BUREAU OF FIRE PREVENTION; ESTABLISHING AN APPEAL PROCEDURE; REPEALING PREVIOUS FIRE ORDINANCES; PROVIDING A PENALTY CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS: SECTION 1. TITLE This Ordinance shall be known as the "North Richland Hills Fire Code", may be cited as such, and will be referred to herein as "this code". SECTION 2. Purpose The purpose of this Code is provide the City of North Richland Hills, Texas, with rules and regulations to improve public safety by promoting the control and abatement of fire hazards and establishing the responsibilities and procedures for enforcement. SECTION 3. 1991 UNIFORM FIRE CODE ADOPTED The Uniform Fire Code, 1991 Edition, published by the International Fire Code Institute and referred to as the "UFC" as amended herein by the provisions contained in this Code, is hereby adopted as the Fire Code for the City of North Richland Hills, Texas, is incorporated herein by reference and a copy shall be filed in the Office of the City Secretary. SECTION 4. ADOPTION OF THE UNIFORM FIRE CODE APPENDIX The following appendix chapters of the 1991 Uniform Fire Code are hereby adopted in their entirety with any amendments as described herein: 1. APPENDIX I-C STAIRWAY IDENTIFICATION 2. APPENDIX II-A SUPPRESSION AND CONTROL OF HAZARDOUS FIRE AREAS 2 3. APPENDIX II-D RIFLE RANGES 4. APPENDIX II-E HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MANAGEMENT PLANS AND HAZARDOUS ~~TERIALS INVENTORY STATEMENTS 5. APPENDIX III-D BASEMENT PIPE INLETS 6. APPENDIX IV-B CHRISTMAS TREES 7. APPENDIX V-A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED STANDARDS OF GOOD PRACTICE 8. APPENDIX VI-A HAZARDOUS MATERIALS CLASSIFICATIONS 9. APPENDIX VI-B EMERGENCY RELIEF VENTING FOR FIRE EXPOSURE FOR ABOVEGROUND TANKS SECTION 5. ADOPTION OF THE NATIONAL FIRE PRarECTION ASSOCIATION STANDARDS The National Fire Code, latest edition, as published by the National Fire Protection Association is hereby adopted in its entirety with any amendments as described herein. SECTION 6. PRIOR ORDINANCES REPEALED Ordinance No. 1561 are expressly superseded by the terms of this Ordinance. Upon the adoption of this Ordinance, any section of an Ordinance in conflict with this Ordinance is hereby repealed. SECTION 7. CONFLICTING REGULATIONS In the event that a provision of a State or Federal regulation is in direct conflict with a provision contained in this Ordinance, then the most stringent provision shall govern and take precedence. SECTION 8. APPLICABILITY OF REGULATIONS Unless otherwise expressly stated, this ordinance shall apply to the installation, use, and maintenance of equipment; regulating structures, premises, open areas and the use and occupancy thereof. 3 SECTION 9. FIRE MARSHAL DESIGNATED 1. The Fire Chief of the City of North Richland Hills with the approval of the City Manager shall appoint the Fire Marshal and shall on the authority of the Fi re Chi ef assure and accomplish the duties of Fire Marshal. 2. The Fire Marshal of the City of North Richland Hills may delegate any of his power or duties under this Ordinance. SECTION 10. FIRE INSPECTIONS 1. The Fire Marshal may appoint fire inspectors to perform the inspections of buildings, structures, premises as provided for in this Code. Where the term Fire Marshal is used herein, it shall mean either the Fire Marshal or his authorized representative. 2. The Fire Marshal shall be authorized during reasonable hours to enter any building, structure or premises in the discharge of his official duties, or for the purpose of making any inspection or reinspection of the structure. 3. It shall be unlawful for any person to hinder or interfere with the Fire Marshal or any Fire Inspector in the discharge of their duties under this Code. 4. The Fire Marshal shall keep records of all permits issued, inspections made and other official work performed in accordance with the provisions of this Code. 5. The Fire Marshal shall be the administrator and shall be responsible for the direct administration and enforcement of this Code. 6. The Fire Marshal shall inspect or cause to be inspected all premises as required by this Code, and shall make such orders as may be necessary for the enforcement of the laws, ordinances governing the same and for safeguarding of life and property from fire. 7. Whenever any inspector, as defined above, shall find in any building, or upon any premises or other places, combustible or explosive matter or dangerous accumulations or rubbish or unnecessary accumulation of waste paper, boxed shavings, or any highly flammable materials especially liable to fire, and which is so situated as to endanger property; or shall find obstructions to or on fire escapes, stairs, passageways, doors, corridors, or windows, liable to interfere with the operations of the Fire Department or 4 egress of occupants in case of fire, he shall order the same to be removed or remedied, and such order shall forth with be complied with by the owner or occupant of such premises or buildings, subject to the appeals procedure provided for herein. 8. Any owner or occupant failing to comply with such order wi thin a reasonable period after the service of the said order shall be liable to penalties as hereinafter provided. SECTION 11. INVESTIGATIONS 1. The Fire Prevention Division shall have the authority to investigate the cause, origin, and circumstances of any fire or explosion involving a loss of life to persons, or destruction or damage to property. When in the opinion of the Fire Marshal, or his designee reasonable cause exists that the fire explosion may have been of incendiary origin, the Fire Marshal, or his designee shall have the authority to take custody of all physical evidence relating to the cause of the fire or explosion and to continue the investigation to conclusion. 2. Proprietary information which may relate to trade secrets or processes shall not be made part of the public record except as may be directed by a court of law. 3. Every fire shall be reported in writing to the Fire Prevention Division wi thin three (3) days after the occurrence of the same by the Fire Department Officer in whose jurisdiction such a fire has occurred. Such report shall contain a statement of all facts relating to the cause, origin, and circumstances of such fire, the extent of the damage thereof, the insurance upon such property, and such other information as may be required, including the injury, death or rescue of persons. 4. The Fire Prevention Division shall compile records of all fires and of all facts concerning the same, including injuries, rescue of persons and statistics as to the extent of such f ires and the damage caused thereby, and whether such losses were covered by insurance, and if so, in what amount. Such record shall be made daily from the reports made by Fire Department personnel under the provisions of this Ordinance. All such records shall be open to the pUblic as determined by the Fire Chief or Fire Marshal. 5 SECTION 12. PERMITS The Fire Marshal and/or his designee shall be responsible for the issuance of permi ts, certificates, notices, approvals, a~d other orders pertaining to fire control and fire hazards as provided for in the Code. SECTION 13. POLICE POWERS This act shall be deemed an exercise of the police powers of the City of North Richland Hills for the preservation and protection of the public health, peace, safety, and welfare, and all provisions of this Code. SECTION 14. AMENDMENTS The 1991 Uniform Fire Code and the National Fire Code are amended and changed in the following respects: 1. The burning of automotive waste oil shall be prohibited within the city. SECTION 15. LIQUID PETROLEUM GAS 1. The installation of below ground liquefied petroleum gas containers shall be prohibited from the city. 2. The use of liquefied petroleum gas shall be prohibited where natural gas services are available. 3. Liquefied petroleum gas containers located in the "R" zoning districts within the city, shall be limited to one container per residential lot holding 250 gallons or less. These containers shall not be located within 10 feet of any building, structure, property line, easement or public right-of-way. 4. When approved, in a non residential district, liquefied petroleum gas dispensing stations shall comply with the following: A. All containers shall be located above ground. B. When permitted, each container located in the C-2 SU, I-I and I-2 districts shall be limited in size to 1000 gallons or less. C. Containers shall not be located within 50 feet of any building, structure, property line, easement or public right-of-way. 6 D. All containers shall be securely placed on a reinforced concrete pad. E. All containers, regulators, p1p1ng and other related equipment shall be protected from possible physical damage or t~~pering. F. All containers shall not be located within 25 feet of the actual dispensing unit. G. All containers and dispensing units shall be located within 300 feet of a fire hydrant. H. Dispensing units shall not be located within 15 feet of any building, structure, property line, easement or public right-of-way. I. Dispensing stations shall comply with all other requirements as specified by this code and as specified by the Texas Railroad Commission, Docket 1. EXCEPTION: 1. The Fire Marshal or Fire Chief, on notice to the Building Official, is authorized to approve alternate materials or methods, provided that the chief finds that the proposed design, use or operation satisfactorily complies with the intent of this code and that the material, method of work performed or operation, is, for the purposes intended, at least equivalent to that prescribed in this code in quality, effectiveness and safety. Approvals under the authority herein contained shall be subject to the approval of the building official whenever the alternate material or method involves matters regulated by the Building Code. 5. Portable 1 iquef ied petroleum gas containers awaiting use or resale shall comply with the following: A. containers shall not be located within 25 feet of any building, structure, property line, easement or public right-of-way. EXCEPTION: 1. Containers which have not previously been in LP-gas service. B. All containers shall be protected from possible physical damage or tampering. 7 SECTION 16. COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS All compressed natural gas systems, when allowed, shall be in accordance with N.F.P.A. Standards and shall comply with the followinq: 1. Cascade systems or storage tanks shall be prohibited in residentially zoned districts. 2. Compressed natural gas systems located in residentially zoned districts shall be inspected each year by the Department of Community Development. Furthermore, a permit shall be obtained annually for the operation of a compressed natural gas system, and such permit shall be $50.00. SECTION 17. FIRE ALARMS 1. When required, fire alarm systems shall be installed in accordance with the National Fire Code, 72, 72E or 72H. 2. The installation, maintenance and continuous operation of smoke detectors in every occupancy classification listed in Uniform Building Code are required to be installed by the owners with location and number determined by the Building Official. All required smoke detectors are to be wired directly to a dedicated house current. (No battery powered detectors allowed, except when used as a back up.) 3. When fire alarm sytems are installed which included appliances other than just local smoke detectors, the fire alarm system shall be supervised by an approved central, proprietary or remote station service or a local alarm which will give audible and visual signals at a constantly attended location. 4. Fire alarm systems which were installed prior to the adoption of this code that do not comply with N.F.P.A. Standards or do not comply with the Americans Disabili ty Act shall be brought into compliance with both of the above mentioned codes when any repair or alteration is made to the system. SECTION 18. BASEMENT HOMES Any residential occupancy having a living area below grade level shall have two (2) means of egress, one of which shall have a door leading directly to the outside of the structure. Stairways and ramps leading from outside the exi t to grade level shall conform to the Uniform Building Code, Chapter 33. Any means of escape into any portion of 8 the living quarters shall be protected by a twenty (20) minute rated fire door at the top of the stairs leading out of the basement. This provision of this Code will include structures or parts of structures which may be converted to livin~ ar~as in the future. SECTION 19. FIRE LANES Unobstructed fire lanes shall be provided as follows: 1. Fire lanes shall be a minimum of 20 feet in width with the edge closest to the building at least 10 feet from the building. Clearances or widths required by this Ordinance may be increased when, in the opinion of the Fire Marshal minimum clearances or widths are not adequate to provide fire apparatus access. 2. Any dead-end fire apparatus access road more than 300 feet long shall be provided with a 90 foot diameter turn-around at the closed end. 3. Fire lanes shall be identified by red lines 6" in width, with "NO PARKING FIRE LANE" stenciled in white 4" letters over the red striping every 20'. 4. All portions of newly constructed buildings, structures and parking areas shall be wi thin 150 feet of a Fire Department access road, this access road shall be a hard paved surface of either asphalt or reinforced concrete. Fire Department access shall be complete before any construction is allowed above the foundation. This surface shall have fire lanes in accordance with this Ordinance, and the placement, designation, use, and maintenance shall be accomplished as specified by the Fire Marshal. 5. There shall be Fire Department access roads within 50 feet of the fire department connection of automatic fire sprinkler systems. 6. Fire Department access roads shall have an unobstructed vertical height of not less than 13 feet 6 inches. SECTION 20. TRANSPORTATION OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS Any motor vehicle, vehicle or combination thereof, which is designed to carry or transport a cargo or payload considered a hazardous material by the Uniform Fire Code that is loaded or unloaded is prohibited from parking within 150 feet of any and all structures, buildings, public thoroughfares, railroads, and is also prohibited from parking on city streets or in residential areas of the City of North 9 Richland Hills, Texas unless said vehicle is in the process of loading or unloading its cargo or payload. Hazardous material vehicles shall not be parked in public garages. SECTION 21. EMERGENCY LIGHTS 1. Emergency lights shall be installed in all occupancy groups except for single family, detached or duplex residences. Location of such lights shall be dictated per the Fire Marshal and shall light the paths of egress of exits. 2. Emergency lights shall be hard wired to the building service in accordance with the Electric Code and shall be on a dedicated circuit. SECTION 22. EXIT SIGNS 1. Approved internally illuminated or approved self- luminous exit signs shall be installed at each door designated as an exit by the Building Official. 2. Internally illuminated exit signs shall be hard wired to the building service in accordance to the Electric Code, shall be on a dedicated circuit and shall be equipped with a secondary source power. SECTION 23. STORAGE OF FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS The storage of flammable or combustible liquids in an outside above ground storage tank is prohibited except as may be permitted by the Fire Marshal at construction sites. Dispensers of Class I or II flammable or combustible liquids shall be no closer than twenty (20) feet to any building. No Class I or II liquids shall be dispensed from inside a building. storage of Class III liquids inside of a building shall be limited to 120 gallons. The storage of these liquids shall not be stored above or below the first floor. SECTION 24. FIRE HYDRANTS No person shall place or keep any post, fence, vehicle, growth, foliage, trash, storage or other material or thing near any fire hydrant, Fire Department connection or fire protection system control valve that would prevent such equipment or hydrant from being immediately discernible or in any other manner deter or hinder the Fire Department from gaining immediate access to said equipment or hydrant. A 10 minimum 10 foot clear space shall be maintained around the circumference of the fire hydrant. SECTION 25. EXISTING BUILDINGS 1. Any alterations, addi tions , or repairs made to any existing building in which the cost shall exceed 50% (fifty) percent of the current Tarrant Appraisal Districts assessed value of that building shall then require such building to come into compliance with this Code. 2. In the case of existing mUlti-family developments, i.e. apartments, condominiums, etc., or any other multi- building development in any other classification each building wi thin the development shall be a separate building and value assessed for each building separately. 3. In the event inaccurate figures are given for cost of work being done, in an effort to avoid this section of the Ordinance, the Fire Marshal shall have the authority to adjust figures to the I.C.B.O. Building Valuation chart of values of construction. SECTION 26. AUTHORITY HAVING JURISDICTION The term authority having jurisdiction found in any of the codes, shall be deemed to mean the Fire Marshal and or Building Official. SECTION 27. CONTROLLED BURNING When approved, all applicants who wish to burn vegatation for clearing purposes shall comply with the following: 1. Trench burning only. 2. Submit approval form from Texas Air Control Board. 3. Complete application supplied by Fire Marshal. 4. Pay two hundred dollar ($200.00) permit fee. 5. Comply with any safety requirements as set forth by the Fire Marshal. 11 SECTION 28. BOARD OF APPEALS 1. Appeals of persons aggrieved by orders or decisions made by the Fire Marshal which pertain to regulations contained in this Code shall be heard by the Board of Appeals which is established under the provisions of the Building Code. 2. The procedures for submitting an application for an appeal regarding this Code shall be governed by the rules and regulations contained in the Building Code and any subsequent amendments thereto. SECTION 29. PENALTY Any person, firm or corporation who violates, disobeys, omi ts, neglects, or refuses to comply with or who resists the enforcement of any of the provisions of this Code shall be fined not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) nor more than two hundred dollars ($200.00) for each offense. Each day that a violations is permitted to exists shall constitute a separate offense. SECTION 30. SEVERABILITY Should any provision of this ordinance be held invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of such ordinance shall not be deemed to effect the validity of any other section or provision of this ordinance. Passed and approved this 22nd day of June 1992. ()~ cZ-?(-/;g/ g~ :lty Secretary ,ttest: Approved as to Form and Legality: LEGAL AFFIDAVIT ~"~IIIO..1U" An ordinance adopting the t1n1fttñnfItH. Code, 1991 Edltl~. as the Fire Code of the City of'North Rlchland Hills, Texas: adopting certain appendlOll of the 1991 Ul'llform Fire Code:eetabllehlng regula- tions and governing conditions hazardous to life and property fromexploalon and fire; establishing a Bureau of Fire Prevention; providing for hearing and appeals; providing for a penalty of a flne not In excess of $200.00. Passed and. approved by the City Council of the City of North Rlchland Hills, Texas the 22nd day 01 June, 1992. APPROVED: THE STATE OF TEXAS: COUNTY OF TARRANT /s/ Tommy Brown Mayor ATTEST: /s/ Jeanette Rewis City Secretary MCN ÒPN 894 PUB: 06/28/92 Before me, the undersigned authority on this day personally ap- peared MARG I E LANGLEY known to me to be a credible person, who first being sworn, deposed and upon her oath said: That she is the C.L.A.R. of the MID CITIES NFWS , a newspa- per which has been regularly and continuously published and of general circulation in the City/Town of N. RICHLAND HILLS ,for a period of .more than one year next preceding the first publication of the attached LEGAL AD and that he caused said notice to be published in said newspaper on the following date(s). \Q -~Õ -c¡~ That the attached is a true and correct copy of said notice as published on said date(s) in said NEWSPAPER . ~'f- i!-~h-:.. Sworn to and subscribed before me, this th~~day of~ ""~ 19q~ cS~~~~~ TARRANT County, Texas