Chapter 6 – Building Code

Article 5.  Fire Protection.

Sec. 6-501.      Fire Suppression System Required.   [back to top]

Throughout all unlimited area buildings, regardless of construction type or use group, an automatic fire suppression system shall be provided.

Sec. 6-502.      Fire Lanes.  [back to top]

Sec. 6-502.1.   Fire Lanes Required:  Fire lanes shall be provided for all new buildings or structures when any portion of the exterior wall on the first story is located more than one hundred fifty (150) feet from the fire department access point or when the building height exceed thirty (30) feet in height and any portion of the exterior wall on the first story is located more than fifty (50) feet from the fire department access point.

Sec. 6-502.2.   Size:  Fire lanes shall be at least twenty (20) feet in width and the road edge or width dimension closest to the building at least ten (10) feet from the building.

Sec. 6-502.3.   Fire lanes shall have a vertical clearance of thirteen (13) feet six (6) inches.

Sec. 6-502.4.   The farthest edge of the fire lane road edge or width dimension away from the building exterior wall shall be a maximum of thirty (30) feet.

Sec. 6-502.5.   Any dead end fire lane more than three hundred (300) feet long shall be provided with an approved turn around at the closed end.

Sec. 6-502.6.   Split type lanes are permitted and shall be twenty (20) feet in width, with a  center strip of no greater than three (3) feet in width.  The center strip shall be landscaped with grass or other plantings not exceeding twelve (12) inches in height.

Sec. 6-502.7.   The designation, use, and maintenance of fire lanes on private property shall be accomplished as specified by the Fire Official.  The owner shall submit in writing that the fire lane shall be maintained and provide snow removal.

Sec. 6-502.8.   It shall be unlawful for any person to park a motor vehicle on, or otherwise obstruct any fire lane.   It shall be the responsibility of the property owner to enter into an agreement with the local police agency for enforcement of fire lane parking restrictions. 

Sec. 6-502.9.   All fire lanes shall be sign posted as fire lanes at the sole expense of the owner of the property upon which said signs are located and at the location designated by the Fire Official.

Sec. 6-502.10. All fire lanes shall be constructed with a base to withstand the weight of the heaviest piece of fire emergency equipment to be used.  The local Fire Official shall approve the minimum design requirements as submitted by the developer's engineer. The pavement for the fire lane shall be asphalt or concrete.

Sec. 6-502.11. An agreement shall be entered into with the Village of Addison for enforcement of all fire lanes as required by this Code or by the Fire Official.

Sec. 6-503.      High Rise Buildings.  [back to top]

The provisions for High Rise Buildings shall apply to all buildings having floors used for human occupancy located more than 35 feet above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.

Sec. 6-504.      Open Parking Structures.  [back to top]

Throughout all open parking structures greater than 2,500 square feet of gross floor area or more than one story above grade, an automatic fire suppression system shall be installed.

Sec. 6-505.      Public Garages.  [back to top]

All public garages shall be equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system.

1.         Where any fire area exceeds 2,500 square feet.

2.         Where the total area of all fire areas on all floors is more than 10,000 square feet.

3.         Where all fire areas are  more  than two (2) stories above grade; or

4.         Where located below other use groups.

For the purpose of this Section, a roof used for the parking or storage of motor vehicles shall not constitute a story. 

Sec. 6-506.      Stages.  [back to top]

Throughout all stages, enclosed platforms, and their appurtenances, an automatic fire suppression system shall be installed.

Sec. 6-507.      Blow-out Panels.  [back to top]

All blow-out panels shall be outlined with bright yellow paint, three (3) inches wide.  In addition, a warning signs stating, "DANGER - EXPLOSION RELIEF PANEL", shall be posted on the panel at intervals of one (1) sign for every ten (10) linear feet.  Letters on the sign shall be minimum of four (4) inches in height and   inch stroke width.  The sign is to be red in color with white letters.

Sec. 6-509.      Aboveground Liquefied Petroleum Gases.  [back to top]

Aboveground liquefied petroleum gases: Fixed stationary installations on the exterior, utilizing storage containers in excess of 1,000 gallons water capacity, are not allowed.  Containers of 1,000 gallons or less water capacity shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 58 Standard for the Storage and Handling of Liquefied Petroleum Gases, 1989 Edition.

Sec. 6-510.      Aboveground Flammable/Combustible Liquid Storage Tanks.  [back to top]

Above ground flammable/combustible liquid storage tanks: The installation of new above ground storage tanks of flammable/combustible liquid is not allowed.

Sec. 6-511.      Type 5 Construction - Fire Suppression.  [back to top]

Where any use group other than detached one and two family dwellings and multiple single family dwellings not more than three stories in height with separate means of egress and our constructed with Type 5 construction, regardless of area or size, shall have an approved fire suppression system for the entire building. 

Sec. 6-512.      Use Group A-1 - Fire Suppression.  [back to top]

Buildings in Use Group A-1 regardless of the fire area size, shall be provided with an automatic fire suppression system, in compliance with the applicable codes.

Sec. 6-513.      Use Group A-2 - Fire Suppression.  [back to top]

Buildings in Use Group A-2 having a fire area that exceeds 2,500 square feet (232 m ) in gross floor area or is located either above or below the level of exit discharge of exits that serve the Use Group A-2 fire area, shall be provided with an automatic fire suppression system, in compliance with the applicable codes.

Sec. 6-514.      Use Group A-4 - Fire Suppression.  [back to top]

Buildings in Use Group A-4 having a fire area exceed 2,500 square feet (232 m ) in gross floor area, an automatic fire suppression system shall be provided, in compliance with the applicable codes, as follows:

1.         Throughout the entire story or floor level where the A-4 Use Group is located;

2.         Throughout all stories and floor levels below the A-4 Use Group; and

3.         Throughout all intervening stories and floor levels between the A-4 Use Group and the level of exit discharge of exits that serve the Use Group A-4 fire area, including the level of exit discharge.

Sec. 6-515.      Use Group A-4 - Fire Protection Signaling.  [back to top]

Buildings in Use Group A-4 shall have all sanctuary and have areas provided with a fire protection signaling device. 

Sec. 6-516.      Use Group B - Fire Suppression.  [back to top]

Buildings of Use Group B having a fire area that exceeds 2,500 square feet (232 m ) in gross floor area, or where such use is one story or more above grade level, it shall be provided with an automatic fire suppression system, in compliance with the applicable codes. 

Sec. 6-517.      Use Group E - Fire Suppression.  [back to top]

Buildings of Use Group E having a fire area that exceeds 2,500 square feet (232 m ) in gross floor area, shall be provided with an automatic fire suppression system, in compliance with the applicable codes.

Sec. 6-518.      Use Group E - Fire Protection Signaling.   [back to top]

Buildings of Use Group E shall have all sanctuary and naive areas provided with a fire protection signaling device.

Sec. 6-519.      Use Group F - Fire Suppression.  [back to top]

Buildings of Use Group F having a fire area that exceeds 2,500 square feet (232 m ) in gross floor area, or where such use is one story or more above grade level, it shall be provided with an automatic fire suppression system, in compliance with the applicable codes.

Sec. 6-520.      Use Group I - Fire Suppression.   [back to top]

Buildings of Use Group I regardless of the fire area size, shall be provided with an automatic fire suppression system, in compliance with the applicable codes.

Sec. 6-521.      Use Group M - Fire Suppression.   [back to top]

Buildings of Use Group M having a fire area that exceeds 2,500 square feet (232 m ) in gross floor area, or where such use is one story or more above grade level, it shall be provided with an automatic fire suppression system, in compliance with the applicable codes.

Sec. 6-522.      Use Group R - Fire Suppression.   [back to top]

Buildings of Use Group R required to be protected by an NFPA 13 R automatic fire suppression system, will also protect all bathrooms, toilet rooms and washrooms.

Sec. 6-523.      Use Group R-1 - Fire Suppression.   [back to top]

Buildings of Use Group R-1 regardless of the fire area size, shall be provided with an automatic fire suppression system, in compliance with the applicable codes. 

Sec. 6-524.      Use Group R-2 - Fire Suppression.   [back to top]

Buildings of Use Group R-2 having a fire area that exceeds 2,500 square feet (232 m ) in gross floor area, shall be provided with an automatic fire suppression system, in compliance with the applicable codes.

Sec. 6-525.      Use Group R-4 - Fire Suppression.   [back to top]

Buildings of Use Group R-4 regardless of the fire area size, shall be provided with an automatic fire suppression system, in compliance with the applicable codes.

Sec. 6-526.      Use Group S - Fire Suppression.  [back to top]

Buildings of Use Group S having a fire area that exceeds 2,500 square feet (232 m ) in gross floor area, or where such use is one story or more above grade level, it shall be provided with an automatic fire suppression system, in compliance with the applicable codes.

Sec. 6-527.      Mixed Use Groups - Fire Suppression.   [back to top]

Buildings of Use Group of A, M, S, F, B, I, E R-1 or R-4 that are a mixed use group and having fire areas exceeds 2,500 square feet (232 m ) in gross floor area, shall be provided with an automatic fire suppression system, in compliance with the applicable codes.

Sec. 6-528.      Existing Buildings/Structures.  [back to top]

Throughout all buildings existing on the effective date of this Code shall be provided with an automatic fire suppression system if an automatic fire suppression system would be required if the building were new and:

1.         Repairs or remodeling in excess of fifty percent of the physical value of the building/structure is performed during a two (2) year period, or

2.         Repairs or remodeling exceeds fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) in value, or

3.         The use group of the building occupancy is changed, or 

4.         Where an addition to an existing building is five hundred (500) or more square feet in fire area.

Exception:  The first addition of less than five hundred (500) square feet is allowed.  The second addition of less than five hundred (500) square feet that has a total aggregate of five hundred (500) square feet or more in fire area shall have a fire suppression system based on new construction for the entire building/structure. 

Sec. 6-529.      Interior Alarms.  [back to top]

Interior alarms shall be  in compliance with NFPA 72 audible and visual alarms devices shall be required on the exterior of the building.

Sec. 6-530.      Water Control Valves.  [back to top]

For all fire suppression systems, all water control valves shall be located no less than two (2) feet nor more than five (5) feet above finished floor.  The location of the control valves is subject to the approval of the Fire Protection District.

Sec. 6-531.      RPZ.  [back to top]

All unlimited area building fire suppression systems shall be protected with an RPZ, reduced pressure backflow preventer.

Sec. 6-532.      Standpipes.   [back to top]

Standpipes shall be provided in all buildings of all Use Groups regardless of the automatic fire suppression system, where the building is more than 400 feet of travel to the nearest point of a Fire Department vehicle access.

Sec. 6-533.      Telecommunication Buildings.  [back to top]

In rooms or areas that are of non-combustible construction with wholly noncombustible contents, or in spaces or areas in telecommunication buildings that are exempted by the model codes for having an automatic fire suppression system, this exception is repealed and an automatic fire suppression system shall be provided, in compliance with the applicable codes. 

Sec. 6-534.      Standpipe Design.   [back to top]

The piping design of a standpipe system must include that residual pressure be calculated for buildings having floors for human occupancy located 30 feet or more above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.

Sec. 6-535.      Use Groups A, E, F, H, M, R-3, R-4 and U - Riser Pipe Sizes.  [back to top]

Use Groups other than B, I, R-1, R-2 and R-4, which are equipped with an automatic fire suppression system, shall have the riser size based on hydraulic calculations with a minimum flow of 500 g.p.m.

Sec. 6-536.      Fire Department Connections.  [back to top]

Color:  All new fire department connections shall be painted bright red and maintained in this condition.  Exception:  Chrome plated or highly polished brass connections.

Sec. 6-537.      Strobe and Bells.  [back to top]

Strobe/Bell:  All new Fire Department connections shall have a white strobe light and audible horn/bell located above the Fire Department connection.  The strobe light and horn/bell shall operate upon activation of the flow alarm.  The type and location of strobe light and horn/bell shall be approved by the Fire Protection District.

All fire department connections installed prior to the effective date of this Article shall meet the above listed requirements, within one (1) year of the effective date of this Article.

Sec. 6-538.      Use Group B, M, F, S - Fire Protection Signaling.  [back to top]

A fire protective signaling system shall be installed and maintained in all buildings of Use Group B, M, F, or S where such buildings:

(a)        have floors for human occupancy which are two or more stories above the lowest level of exit discharge;

(b)        have floors two or more stories below the highest level of exit discharge; or

(c)        exceed 10,000 square feet in gross floor area. 

Sec. 6-539.      Use Group H - Fire Protection Signaling.  [back to top]

A fire protective signaling system shall be installed and maintained in all buildings of Use Group H.

Sec. 6-540.      Use Group R-2 - Fire Protection Signaling.  [back to top]

A fire protective signaling system shall be installed and maintained in all buildings of Use Group R-2.

Sec. 6-541.      Fire Alarm Zones.  [back to top]

Fire alarm zones shall not exceed 10,000 square feet.

Sec. 6-542.      Use Group R-2 - Automatic Fire Detection.  [back to top]

An automatic fire detection system shall be installed and maintained in all buildings of Use Group R-2.

Sec. 6-543.      Use Group I-2, I-3 and R-4 - Automatic Fire Detection.  [back to top]

Throughout all buildings of Use Group I-2, I-3 and R-4, required to be equipped with an automatic fire suppression system, an automatic fire detection system shall also be installed.

Sec. 6-544.      Dwelling Unit Smoke Detectors.  [back to top]

Each level of a dwelling unit  regardless of use group shall be equipped with a smoke detector.

Sec. 6-545.      Fire Suppression Supervision.   [back to top]

All Fire Suppression Systems: All required automatic fire suppression systems shall be supervised by the Fire Protection District monitoring station, located at the designated dispatch center of the Fire Protection District.  In addition to the remote station supervision.  Local alarm requirements shall be in accordance with NFPA 72 as listed in Appendix A.  It is the responsibility of the building owner to maintain the alarm system and supervision during the life of the building.  A certificate of occupancy shall not be issued and no movement of supplies and/or equipment shall be permitted until the fire suppression system is fully functional and supervised. 

Sec. 6-546.      Fire Protection Signaling.  [back to top]

Fire Protective Signaling Systems: All required systems shall be supervised by the Fire Protection District monitoring station, located at the designated dispatch center of the Fire Protection District.  In addition to the remote station supervision, local alarm requirements shall be in accordance with NFPA 72 as listed in Appendix A.  It is the responsibility of the building owner to maintain the alarm system and supervision during the life of the building.  A certificate of occupancy  shall not be issued and no movement of supplies and/or equipment shall be permitted until the fire alarm system is fully functional and supervised.

Sec. 6-547.      Security Key Box.  [back to top]

All buildings having automatic signaling devices or buildings that provide security to public access areas shall have a key box installed at a height not to exceed six (6) feet above grade in a location approved by the Fire Protection District.  Security key boxes shall contain the following:

(1)        Keys to all locked points of ingress, whether on the interior or exterior of the building.

(2)        Keys to locked mechanical rooms.

(3)        Keys to locked electrical rooms.

(4)        Keys to elevator controls and equipment rooms.

(5)        Keys to fire alarm control panels, pull stations and  annunciators.

(6)        Material safety data sheets for buildings with hazardous materials.

(7)        Keys or other documents as required by the Fire Protection District.

Sec. 6-548.      Single Family Fire Separation.  [back to top]

All attached single family dwelling shall have a minimum two-hour fire rating on all separation walls, floors and ceilings. 

Sec. 6-549.      Street Frontage Increase.  [back to top]

Where a building or structure has more than 25 percent fronting on a street or other unoccupied space, the area limitations shall be increased 2 percent for each 1 percent of such excess frontage.  The unoccupied space shall be on the same lot or dedicated for public use, and shall not be less than 30 feet in width accessible from a street by a posted fire lane not less than 20 feet in width.

Sec. 6-550.      Non Habitable Penthouses.  [back to top]

Nonhabitable penthouse shall be considered a part of the next lower story, and the enclosure shall conform to the requirements for exterior walls of the building type as regulated by Table 601 and Article 15 of the International Building Code, except as modified herein.

Sec. 6-551.      Other Enclosed Roof Structures.  [back to top]

Enclosed roof structures and habitable penthouses shall be considered a story of the building and shall conform to the requirements for the building type as regulated by Table 601 and Article 15 of the International Building Code.

Sec. 6-552.      Plenums.  [back to top]

Supply and return air plenums shall be limited to uninhabited crawl spaces, areas above ceiling or below the floor, or attic spaces.  Plenums shall be limited to one fire area.  Fuel fired equipment shall not be installed within a plenum.  All plenums shall be noncombustible.

Article 6.  Elevators.

Sec. 6-601.      Access.  [back to top]

A permanent safe, convenient means of access into the elevator machine room and overhead machinery spaces shall be provided for elevator maintenance personnel only. The elevator machine room shall not be used for a through passage to or from any other spaces, including the roof, the electrical maintenance areas or similar spaces. 

Sec. 6-602.      Shut-off Valves.  [back to top]

Shut off valves with a tamper proof electrical switch back to a fire alarm panel shall be provided for each branch line for machine room and shaft, in an accessible location outside of these areas.

Sec. 6-603.      Driving Machines.  [back to top]

References to signaling machines shall also apply to driving machines. 

Sec. 6-604.      Access Switches.  [back to top]

Access switches shall be installed only at the access landings, the top floor and the bottom floor.  An access switch may only be operable after a transfer switch located on the face of the car operating panel is turned on by a cylinder type lock / key switch.  The lock shall not be operable by any other key used for the elevator or the building.  The lock / key switch is to be identified by the markings "Off / Inspection.@

Sec. 6-605.      Standby Power.  [back to top]

Passenger and freight elevators shall be provided with a standby emergency lighting power source on each elevator.

Sec. 6-606.      Safety Switches.  [back to top]

There shall be an electrical safety switch on the car's top exit panel and on the side emergency exit door.

Sec. 6-607.      Smoke Detectors.  [back to top]

Smoke detectors shall be installed in each elevator lobby, the front and rear at each floor, in the machine room and the shaft, in accordance with NFPA No. 72E, Chapter 4.  The activation of a smoke detector in any elevator lobby, machine room or shaft other then at the designated level shall cause all cars, in all groups that serve that particular lobby to return non-stop to the designated level.  The designated level detector will send the elevator to the designated alternate floor level.  

Sec. 6-608.      Fire Ratings.  [back to top]

All elevator machine rooms will have a minimum 2-hour fire rating. 

Sec. 6-609.      Shut-off Valve.  [back to top]

The shut off valve shall be located in the machine room and will be equipped with a permanent handle, which will be attached to the valve for shut off purposes.

Sec. 6-610.      Emergency Lighting.  [back to top]

Emergency lighting will be provided as per Sec. 204.7A of ASME A17.1.

Sec. 6-611.      Emergency Signaling Devices.   [back to top]

Emergency signaling devices will be provided as per Sec. 211.1A.3 of ASME A17.1. 

Sec. 6-612.      Wheelchair Lifts.  [back to top]

(A)       All wheelchair lifts emergency signaling devices shall be equipped with an emergency power supply. 

(B)       All wheelchair lifts shall be equipped with an emergency lighting, compliant with the applicable code standards for emergency lighting.

(C)       All wheelchair and stairway lifts in private residents shall be equipped with an emergency signaling devices in compliance with Sec. 211.1A.1, 211.1A.2, 211.1.A.3 and 204.7A3 - Car Illumination of ASME A17.1.

Sec. 6-613.      Auxiliary Equipment.  [back to top]

All elevators shall be equipped with a telephone to a 24 hour source and equipped with a voice message, an emergency light and an alarm. 

Sec. 6-614.      Fire Service.  [back to top]

Each elevator will be provided with a Phase I and Phase II fire service with a smoke recall sensor.  Where machine rooms or shafts are sprinklered, a shut trip device, controlled by a heat sensor shall be installed. 

Sec. 6-615.      Posting of Certificate of Compliance.  [back to top]

The owner or lessee shall post the last issued Certificate of Compliance in a conspicuous place within the elevator cab.

Sec. 6-616.      Hoistway Doors.  [back to top]

Door openings of elevator hoistway enclosure shall be equipped with protective assemblies having a fire resistance rating of not less than a 2 hour, "B" Label, metal door that is self closing and self locking.

Sec. 6-617.      Pit Access.  [back to top]

Means of access for authorized personnel shall be provided to all pits.  Access means a permanent metal ladder securely fastened to side wall of elevator shaft on lock side of door.  Ladder to extend a minimum of 42" above hatch door sill.  Access doors to be provided and to be self-closing and locking.  Lock to be openable only from inside of pit.

Sec. 6-618.      Drains and Sumps.  [back to top]

Drains connected directly to sewers shall not be provided in pits.  Sumps with pumps to be provided and to have a metal cover over the sump hole.

Sec. 6-619.      Pit Lighting.  [back to top]

Permanent pit lighting to be provided with the switch for the pit light to be located up 36" above hatch door sill, lock side of the door.

Sec. 6-620.      Pit Stop Switch.  [back to top]

A pit stop switch shall be mounted within 18" above the hatch door sill, next to the pit access ladder lock side of the door.  If the pit is deeper than 6'6", an additional switch shall be placed at the bottom of the access ladder 48" above the pit floor.  Operation of the switch shall stop the elevator in either direction.  Switch to be red in color and marked "on" and "off.@

Sec. 6-621.      Emergency Exits.  [back to top]

Cars shall be provided with a car top emergency exit.  All top exits shall be equipped with electric contacts to prevent the movement of the car if the exit door is not closed. 

Sec. 6-622.      Care Illumination.  [back to top]

Top of car light fixture shall be provided with a non key operated switch. Car lighting to be provided with an emergency battery back up light system with a minimum of two lamps of equal wattage.  Lights to automatically turn on in all passenger and freight elevators within ten seconds after normal lighting power fails.  Light fixture is to be located above car station and below false ceiling, if provided.

Sec. 6-623.      Car Emergency Signaling Device.  [back to top]

Emergency back up.  If the audible signaling device or means of two-way conversation or both are normally connected to the building power supply, they shall automatically transfer to a source of emergency battery power within ten seconds after the normal power supply fails. The power supply shall be capable of providing for the operation of the audible signaling device for at least one hour and the means of two-way conversation for at least four hours.

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