Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 91-19 a ORDINANCE NO. ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 10 SECTION 10-20 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT TO ADOPT AMEND- MENTS AND REVISIONS TO THE STANDARD FIRE PREVENTION CODE; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL; AND PROVIDING A PENALTY. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF BEAUMONT: Section 1. Chapter 10, Section 10-20b of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Beaumont be, and the same is hereby repealed and a new Section 10-20b is hereby adopted to read as follows: Sec. 10-20. Reference to code; amendments. (a) The Standard Fire Prevention Code, 1988 edition, as published by the Standard Building Code Congress International, Inc. is hereby adopted as the fire prevention code of the City of Beaumont, a copy of which code is on file in the city clerk's office of the City of Beaumont. (b) The Fire Prevention Code adopted herein is amended as follows: (1) The following provisions are to be added to Chapter 1 of the Standard Fire Prevention Code: 101.4.1 Responsibility for Enforcement (A) The Fire Official shall administer and enforce this code. To that end, he may take all necessary lawful actions appropriate to safeguarding lives and property against fire hazards. (B) Under the direction of the Fire Official, all members of the fire prevention and arson division shall enforce all state laws and city ordinances pertaining to: (1) prevention of fires; (2) suppression or extinguishment of hazardous fires; (3) storage, use and handling of explosive, flammable, toxic, corrosive, and hazardous gaseous, solid, or liquid materials; (4) installation and maintenance of private fire alarm systems and fire-extinguishing equipment; (5) maintenance of fire protection and the elimination of fire hazards on land and in buildings, structures, and other property, including those under construction; (6) means and adequacy of exit, in the event of fire, from places where people work, live, or congregate; (7) street and highway routes for the transportation of explosives, flammable, and other hazardous materials; (8) maintenance and regulation of fire escapes; (9) lawful entry to inspect for and insure termination of conditions likely to cause fire or to hamper fire-fighting efforts; and (10) investigation of a fire's cause, origin, and circumstance. 101.4.2 Authority of Members of the Fire Department A member of the fire prevention and arson division has the right under this code to inspect buildings, serve summons, issue citations, and cause to be arrested any person violating a provision of this code or any other city and state codes. 101.4.3 Investigation of Fires (A) The Fire Official shall promptly investigate the cause, origin, and circumstances of every fire occurring in the city which results in injury or property damage. He may, pending termination of the inquiry, seize and secure any place or thing which he reasonably believes is material to the investigation. He shall make a written report of the facts developed by his investigation including the cause, origin, and circumstances of the fire; the extent of property damage and personal injury; the amount of fire insurance carried on the property; the name and address of the carrier; and any other information relevant to the fire. (B) The insurance carrier, it's agency, or it's agent shall furnish information regarding the amount of fire insurance carried on the property, the insurable carrier's name and address, and any other information relevant to the fire upon request of the Fire Official. (C) The Fire Official may enter and inspect any building or premises where a fire has occurred or which has been jeopardized by an adjoining fire. The inspection is to be conducted in a reasonable manner as soon after the occurrence of the fire as possible. No person may refuse admittance to the Fire Official upon display of proper credentials. 101.4.4 Authority at Educational Occupancies (A) The Fire Official may require fire drills and may inspect educational occupancies as he deems necessary. (B) The operator of premises housing an educational occupancy shall: (1) conduct daily inspections of the premises and (2) immediately initiate actions required to comply with this code. (2) The following provision is to be added to Chapter 5 of the Standard Fire Prevention code: 105.1 Appointment is amended to read as follows: There is hereby established a board to be called the Board of Adjustments and Appeals which shall consist of seven members. The Building Board of Adjustments and Appeals shall serve as the Board of Adjustments and Appeals under the Fire Code. The said board shall be appointed by the applicable governing body. A.105 Board of Adjustments and Appeals. A.105.3.4 Term of Office. The term of office of the members of the Board of Adjustments and Appeals shall conform to the Building Board of Adjustments and Appeals as established in the Standard Building Code. Vacancies shall be filled for an expired term in the manner in which original appointments are required to be made. A.105.3.5 Quorum. Four members of the Board shall constitute a quorum in varying the application of any provision of the Fire Code or in modifying an order of the Fire Official, affirmative votes of majority present, but not less than four affirmative votes shall be required. A Board member shall not act in a case in which he has a personal interest. A.105.3.6 is hereby repealed. A.105.3.7 is hereby repealed. 505.7 Christmas Trees (A) The operator of a non-residential occupancy other than a hospital, nursing home, convalescent home, or other similar institution may flameproof a natural Christmas tree by keeping the trunk base in water if the tree remains on the premises no longer than 15 days; (B) Natural Christmas trees are not allowed in hospitals, nursing home, convalescent homes, or similar institutions under any circumstances regardless of any attempts to flameproof the tree by immersion of the base in water or any other treatment. (3) Section 602.6 of the Standard Fire Prevention Code be, and the same is hereby, repealed and shall be replaced by the following provisions: 602.6 Access to buildings by fire apparatus 602.6.1 Control access to be provided by operator of premises. (A) The operator of premises where a building exists or is under construction shall provide the building with: (1) Horizontal access, each road of which: (a) may be public or private; (b) has a width of at least 20 feet; (c) has an overhead clearance of at least 14 feet; (d) intersects with a dedicated street; (e) if longer than 100 feet: (i) intersects with a dedicated street at each end; (ii) ends in a traffic circle having a diameter of at least 50 feet; (f) the Fire Official shall designate fire lanes on private streets, private property, or where deemed necessary, for access by fire department vehicles. When part or all of a private street, private property or where deemed necessary the fire lane shall be marked along the perimeter with conspicuous signs which shall be constructed as follows: WHITE BACKGROUND, RED 9" LETTERS DENOTING NO PARKING, Y RED LETTERS 1 STATING FIRE LANE F- 1 RE °"= LANE Signs are to be at 25 foot intervals As an alternative to signs, where the premises have curbs, have the words "FIRE LANE - NO PARKING", painted (i) in four-inch white letters; (ii) at 25 foot intervals; and (iii) on a red background. (g) is free of all obstructions which pose a substantial threat of interference to fire department fire-fighting or rescue activities; (h) is surfaced with a material substantial enough to support fire department vehicles; and (i) remains structurally surfaced during inclement weather. 602.6.2 Fire Lanes (A) The operator of premises shall maintain, free of obstruction, all fire lanes on his premises. (B) No person may mark, post, or otherwise identify a non-fire lane private vehicular passageway: (1) as a fire lane; or (2) in such a manner as tends to create confusion as to whether the passageway is a fire lane. (C) No person may stop, park, or leave standing any non-emergency vehicle, whether attended or unattended, in a fire lane. (D) An unauthorized vehicle on a fire lane is: (1) subject to removal by the operator of the premises, with the expense of removal and storage to be borne by the registered owner of the vehicle; (2) subject to citation, as well as removal, by the fire marshal or a police officer; and (3) prima facie evidence that the person in whose name the vehicle is registered is guilty of a violation of the parking provisions of Subsection (c) of this section. (4) Section 603.1.3 of the Standard Fire Prevention Code be, and the same is hereby, repealed and shall be replaced by the following provisions: 603.1.3 Fire Hydrants (A) All sites being built upon shall have adequate fire hydrants, water lines, and fire access drives in accordance with the type of construction. It shall be the responsibility of the developer to provide such fire hydrants, water lines, and fire access drives as follows: (1) Water lines to be of proper material as specified by City Standards, their sizes and fittings shall meet minimum requirements as specified by the City of Beaumont Water Utilities Department. Fire hydrants shall have openings and fittings to fit the City of Beaumont Fire Department equipment. (2) All fire hydrants shall be placed accessible for use so fire trucks with mid-mount steamer connection can be driven over an all-weather surface road or drive to within ten (10) feet of the fire hydrant. (3) Fire hydrants shall be placed not less than two (2) feet nor more than four (4) feet from the line edge of street or drive, with a 3 foot radius clearance. (4) The center of the steamer connection of the fire hydrant shall be not less than twelve (12) inches nor more than twenty-four (24) inches above the natural ground level or concrete grade level. (5) Dead end water mains which supply fire hydrants shall be permitted only when mains are less than 300 feet long, at least eight (8") inches in diameter, and in either residential or light commercial zones. Any variations must be approved in advance by the Director of the Water Utilities Department. (6) During construction, water lines, hydrants, and all-weather access drives shall be installed and usable for fire protection in such a manner that distances to buildings specified in B-2 and B-3 below are not exceeded by more than 50% at any point when construction has progressed above foundation level. After initial occupancy no allowance from the distances specified in B-2 and B-3 below will be permitted. (B) Fire hydrants to be located: (1) Single family dwelling sites; (a) Fire hydrants shall be located along the curb or edge line of a street, public road or private drive where each dwelling is with 350 feet of a fire hydrant. ('This will result in a normal spacing of fi;e hydrants 700 feet or less measured along the curb or edge line of a street, public road or private drive.) (2) Multi-family dwelling sites; (Apartments, townhomes, cluster housing, condominiums, hotels, motels, highrise apartments or any multi-family dwellings.) (a) Fire hydrants shall be located along the curb or edge line of a street, public road or private drive where each building is within 300 feet of a fire hydrant. (This will result in a normal spacing of fire hydrants 600 feet or less measured along the curb or edge line of a street, public road or private drive.) (3) Commercial and industrial sites; (a) Fire hydrants shall be located along the curb or edge line of a street, public road, private drive or parking lots where each building or every portion of a building is with 250 feet of a fire hydrant. (This will result in a normal spacing of fire hydrants 500 feet or less measured along the curb or edge line of a street, public road, private drive or parking lot.) (C) Approval: The complete layout of fire hydrants and water lines shall be submitted to the Fire Official for approval before installation. (D) Obstruction of fire hydrants: (1) No person may stop, park or leave standing any non-emergency vehicle, whether attended or unattended, with 15 feet of a fire hydrant. (2) An unauthorized vehicle obstructing a fire hydrant is: (a) subject to removal with the expense of removal and storage to be borne by the registered owner of the vehicle. (b) subject to citation, as well as removal by the Fire Official or a Peace Officer. (3) It is prima facie evidence that the person in whose name the vehicle is registered is guilty of a violation of the parking provisions of Subsection (1) of this Section. (4) No person may obstruct in whole or part any fire hydrant within the City limits of Beaumont with or by lumber, boxes, merchandise, or any material or substance of any kind, character or description. (5) No person may obstruct in whole or part any fire hydrant within the City limits of Beaumont by flowers, shrubs or plants of any description. (5) Section 603.7 of the Standard Fire Prevention Code be, and the same is hereby, repealed and shall be replaced by the following provisions: 603.7 Fire Alarms 603.7.1 An automatic fire alarm system meeting the requirement of NFPA 72e shall be installed in the following buildings: (A) Group A - in all buildings exceeding 2,000 square feet. (B) Group B - in all buildings exceeding 2,000 square feet. (C) Group E - in all buildings. (D) Group H - in all buildings. (E) Group I: (1) Unrestrained in all buildings exceeding 2,000 square feet. (2) Restrained - in all buildings. (F) Group M - in all buildings exceeding 2,000 square feet. (G) Group R - In all buildings exceeding 2,000 square feet (except single family dwellings or dwelling units within an apartment house, condominium or townhouse having exterior entrances to each unit). (H) Group S - In all buildings exceeding 2,000 square feet. 603.7.2 Plans and specifications for automatic fire alarm systems indicating the location and number of all sending stations including automatic detection devices and signals with specifications of the type, construction, and operation of the system shall be submitted for approval prior to installation of equipment or wiring. Plans shall also include location of the annunciator panel with appropriate zoning nomenclature. 603.7.3 In buildings hereafter constructed each floor shall be zoned separately. No one zone may exceed 15,000 square feet. A zone indicator panel shall be located at grade level at the normal point of Fire Department access or a constantly attended building security control center. 603.7.4 The company making installation shall provide the Fire Official with written certification that the fire alarm system has been installed and operates in accordance with manufacturer's specifications. 603.7.5 Residential fire alarms in buildings qualifying for the exception in 603.7.1 (G) shall meet the requirements of NFPA 74. Plans and specifications for NFPA 74 fire alarms indicating the location and number of all manual and automatic detection devices and signals with specifications of the type, construction, and operation of the devices shall be submitted for approval prior to installation of the equipment or wiring. (6) Section 901.8.1 of the Standard Fire Prevention Code shall be amended to read: 901.8.1 Flammable or combustible liquids or and waste liquid containing crude petroleum or it's products shall not be permitted to be discharged into or upon any street, highway, drainage canal or ditch, storm drain or channel, lake or tidal waterway, or the ground. (7) The following is to be added to Chapter 9 of the Standard Fire Prevention Code: 902.3.4 Underground storage tanks with a capacity of 10,000 gallons shall be installed on a firm concrete foundation attached by means of not less than three steel anchor straps, each of which having minimum dimensions of 1/4 inch thickness and two inches width, or by means of other approved straps and strapping methods, and fastened taut around the tank by turnbuckles or other adjustable fittings which are capable of withstanding at least as much stress as the straps. 910.11.10 The operator of a vehicle transporting flammable or combustible liquids shall: (A) limit his delivery of liquid into a tank to that tank's unfilled capacity; (B) remain within arms reach of the flow control valve during delivery; and (C) notify the fire department of any fuel spill exceeding 18 inches in any dimension or of a continuing nature. (8) Section 902.1 of the Standard Fire Prevention Code be, and the same is hereby, repealed and shall be replaced by the following provisions: 902.1 Restricted locations No person may install or use a flammable or combustible liquid storage tank aboveground within the fire district or within the city limits of Beaumont, except as allowed by section 10- 21 of the Code of Ordinances. (9) The following is to be added to Chapter 22 of the Standard Fire Prevention Code: 2206 Transportation of Hazardous Materials 2206.1 In this section: (A)BEAUMONT TERMINAL means a freight terminal of a porter or motor carrier that handles shipments of materials destined to or from the City of Beaumont so long as the terminal is within the city limits. (B) HAZARDOUS MATERIALS means those materials classified as hazardous by the United States Government through the Secretary of Transportation. LPG and flammable and combustible liquids are specifically included in this definition. (C) REQUIRING PLACARDS means any vehicle transporting hazardous materials in sufficient quantity to require placarding as set forth in the Department of Transportation Hazardous Materials Regulations. (D)HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ROUTE means the following streets and highways and segments of streets and highways: (1) Cardinal Drive (US Hwys 69,96,287) from IH-10 to East City Limits (2) IH-10 from West City Limits to East City Limits (3) Eastex Freeway (US Hwys 69,96,287) from IH-10 to North City Limits (4) Martin Luther King South (Spur 380) from Cardinal Drive to Washington Boulevard to Irving Street to Madison Street to Grove Street (5) State Highway 105 from Eastex Freeway to West City Limits (6) College Street (Hwy 90) from IH-10 to West City Limits (7) In other areas specifically designated by the Fire Official 2206.2 No person shall haul or transport any hazardous material as defined in Section 2206 of this ordinance in a tank vehicle as defined in Section 202 of this ordinance, except upon the streets or highways defined in Section 2206.1 (D) of this ordinance. (A) When it becomes necessary to leave the "Hazardous Material Truck Route" for the purpose of going directly to or from a commercial or industrial establishment, said vehicle shall: (1) take the shortest route to and from the point of pickup and/or delivery; and (2) use established "Truck Routes" as defined in Section 26-13 of the City of Beaumont Book of Ordinances to the maximum extent possible. 2206.3 The operator of a vehicle used to transport hazardous materials requiring placards shall: (A) apply and display appropriate placards meeting Department of Transportation specifications on each end and each side of the vehicle; and (B) before operation, inspect the vehicle and determine that (1) the brakes are in good working condition, (2) the steering mechanism is in good working condition, (3) the electrical wiring is well insulated and firmly secured and (4) the vehicle is in a condition adequate to safely transport hazardous materials. 2206.4 No operator of a motor vehicle transporting hazardous materials as defined in Section 2206.1 (B) of this ordinance shall transport those materials on any street or public highway, or segment of a street or public highway, now or hereafter designated as a "Prohibited Hazardous Materials Area". Section 2. That if any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance, or the application of same to a particular set of persons or circumstances, should for any reason be held to be invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions of this ordinance, and to such end the various portions and provisions of this ordinance are declared to be severable. Section 3. That all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are repealed to the extent of the conflict only. Section 4. That any person who violates any provision of this ordinance shall, upon conviction, be punished as provided in Section 1-8 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Beaumont, Texas. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL of the City of Beaumont on this the 2LZ41 day of 1991. 1 Mayor -