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22018 International Fire Code Amendments

The ICC International Fire Code/2018 with referenced standards and Appendices E, F, and G, as published by the International Code Council, Inc., together with additions, insertions, deletions, and changes prescribed in this article, is hereby adopted by reference and made a part of this article, the same as if fully set forth herein, as the standards, rules, and regulations governing the safeguarding of life and property from fire and explosion hazards arising from the storage, handling, and use of hazardous substances, materials and devices, and from conditions hazardous to life or property in the occupancy of buildings and premises as herein provided. Ord. No. O-2020-05, § 1, 2-3-20)

Sec. 22-126. - Amendments.

The following sections or subsections of the fire code are amended as indicated:

Section 104.6.2 Inspections. Change to read: The fire code official shall keep a record of each inspection made prior to the certificate of use and occupancy being issued including notices and orders issued, showing the findings and disposition of each. The chief of the city fire department shall keep a record of each inspection made after the certificate of use and occupancy has been issued, including notices and orders issued, showing the findings and disposition of each.

Section 104.6.3 Fire records. Change to read: The fire department shall keep a record of fires occurring within its jurisdiction and of facts concerning the same, including statistics as to the extent of such fires and the damage caused thereby, together with other information as required by the chief of the city fire department.

Section 104.10 Fire investigations. Change to read: The chief of the city fire department or his authorized representative, the fire department, or other responsible authority shall have the authority to investigate the cause, origin, and circumstances of any fire, explosion, or other hazardous condition. Information that could be related to trade secrets or processes shall not be made part of the public record, except as directed by a court of law.

Section 109 Board of appeals. Change to read: Any references to the board/means of appeal shall comply with Wheaton City Code, section 12, means/board of appeals.

Section 110 Violation penalties. Change to read: See Wheaton City Code, section 22-3, violations; penalties.

Section 112.4 Failure to comply. Change to read: Any person who shall continue any work in or about the structure after having been served a stop work order, except such work as that person is directed to perform to remove a violation or unsafe condition, shall be subject to penalties as prescribed by law.

Section 202 General definitions. Change the following definitions to read:

  • Fire code official. The director of building and code enforcement or other designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of the code, or a duly authorized representative.

Section 307 Open burning and recreational fires. Change to read: Open burning and recreational fires shall be in accordance with Wheaton City Code, section 54-113, open burning.

Section 505.1 Address identification. Change to read: All premises identification shall comply with Wheaton City Code, section 22-10, premises identification.

Section 509.1 Identification. Add the following: The door to the valve room shall be provided with approved signage and shall read "sprinkler control valves" or similar. Letters and numbers shall contrast with the background and shall be a minimum of four inches in height with one-half-inch stroke.

Section 903.2 Where required. Change to read (exception remains): Approved automatic sprinkler systems in new buildings and structures shall be provided in the locations described in Sections 903.2.1 through 903.2.13.

Section 903.2.1.1 Group A-1, Item 1. Change to read: The fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet.

Section 903.2.1.3 Group A-3, Item 1. Change to read: The fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet.

Section 903.2.1.4 Group A-4, Item 1. Change to read: The fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet.

Section 903.2.2 Group B, Item 1. Change to read: An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for Group B occupancies where one of the following conditions exists:

  1. The fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet.
  2. A Group B fire area is located more than three stories above grade plane.
  3. A Group R fire area is located above a Group B fire area.

Section 903.2.3 Group E, Item 1. Change to read: Throughout all Group E fire areas greater than 5,000 square feet in area.
Section 903.2.4 Group F-1, Item 1. Change to read:
A Group F-1 fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet.

Section 903.2.7 Group M, Item 1. Change to read: A Group M fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet.
Section 903.2.9 Group S-1, Item 1. Change to read: A Group S-1 fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet.

Section 903.2.9.1 Repair garages, Item 1. Change to read: Buildings having two or more stories above grade plane, including basements, with a fire area containing a repair garage exceeding 5,000 square feet.

Section 903.2.9.1 Repair garages, Item 2. Change to read: Buildings no more than one story above grade plane, including basements, with a fire area containing a repair garage exceeding 5,000 square feet.

Add the following section:

Section 903.2.13 Group B. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for Group B occupancies where one of the following conditions exists:

  1. The Group B fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet.
  2. A Group B fire area is located more than three stories above grade plane.

Section 903.4.1 Monitoring. Change to read: Alarm, supervisory and trouble signals shall be distinctly different and automatically transmitted directly to the fire alarm receiving equipment of the city.

Add the following sections:

Section 903.7 Valve room. Main water supply control valves for fire suppression or standpipe systems regulated by this code shall be enclosed in an approved valve room.

Section 903.7.1 Construction. Valve rooms shall be enclosed with fire separation and fire door assemblies having a fire resistance of at least one hour. Valve rooms shall be large enough to enclose all equipment to be protected plus at least three feet of service access around the equipment.

Section 903.7.2 Access. Unless otherwise approved by the fire code official, access to the valve room shall be from the exterior of the building through approved doors. The maximum number of doors that have to be passed through to access the room shall be one.

Section 903.7.3 Heat and ventilation. Valve rooms shall be equipped with ventilation as required for utility rooms/special areas in the mechanical code as listed in the referenced standards. Fixed heating equipment shall be provided in accordance with the mechanical code as listed in the referenced standards and shall be capable of maintaining a minimum ambient temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit within the valve room. Electrical fixed heating equipment, if used, shall be powered from a dedicated branch circuit equipped with a breaker lock.

Section 903.7.4 Drainage. Valve rooms shall be equipped with a floor drain in accordance with the plumbing code as listed in the referenced standards.

Section 1103.5 Sprinkler systems. Change to read: An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided in existing buildings in accordance with Sections 1103.5.1 through 1103.5.4.

Add the following section:

Section 1103.5.5 (IFC, Construction Requirements for Existing Buildings, Fire Safety Requirements for Existing Buildings) When construction is proposed. An approved automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in existing buildings in accordance with Section 903 (Automatic Sprinkler Systems) when the cost of proposed construction (i.e., alterations and additions) in any given year (12-month period) is at least 50 percent of the value of the building. The value of the building or structure (excluding land) shall be established by the Milton Township Assessors' assessment records for the year prior to the initial remodeling or reconstruction. Owners of tax-exempt properties shall produce documentation verifying the building's valuation, which will be subject to the review and approval of the building code official.

Section 1103.7 Fire alarm systems. Change to read (exception remains): An approved fire alarm system shall be installed in existing buildings and structures in accordance with Sections 1103.7.1 through 1103.7.7 and provide occupant notification in accordance with Section 907.5 unless other requirements are provided by other sections of this code.

Add the following section:

Section 1103.7.7 (IFC, Construction Requirements for Existing Buildings, Fire Safety Requirements for Existing Buildings) When construction is proposed. An approved fire alarm system shall be installed in existing buildings and structures in accordance with Section 907 when the cost of proposed construction (i.e. alterations and additions) in any given year (12-month period) is at least 25 percent of the value of the building. The value of the building or structure (excluding land) shall be established by the Milton Township Assessors' assessment records for the year prior to the initial remodeling or reconstruction. Owners of tax-exempt properties shall produce documentation verifying the building's valuation, which will be subject to the review and approval of the building code official.

Section 5601.2.4 Financial responsibility. Change to read: See Wheaton City Code, section 42-28, fireworks.

Section 5704.2.9.6 Above-ground tanks outside of buildings. Change to read: It shall be illegal to install or maintain any above-ground storage tank of flammable or combustible liquids outside of buildings with the following exceptions (which shall comply with Sections 5704.2.9.6.1 through 5704.2.9.6.3:

  1. Fuel oil storage tanks for central heating systems which are existing and in use as of September 4, 1990.
  2. Permanently mounted for permanently installed back-up power generators and pumps.
  3. Approved quantities of approved flammable or combustible liquids when properly stored in storage rooms designed for such use as listed and approved by the director of building and code enforcement.
  4. Maximum of two 1,000 gallon above-ground tanks per facility will be allowed for the storage of gasoline, diesel or other approved fuels and shall be in accordance with the following provisions:
    1. Such tanks and installations shall comply with all provisions and requirements of the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal including issuance of a state permit, and applicable provisions of NFPA 30.
    2. Such tanks and installations shall be approved on an individual basis and shall only be permitted when deemed necessary for the operation of the individual facility and shown to be compatible with the surrounding area and approved by the director of building and code enforcement.

2/22/2023