The standard code known as the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, promulgated and published by the International Code Council, is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this article, except as amended in section 2-301A, including Appendices C, D, and I, but not any other of its appendices.

(Ord. 3052; Ord. 3437)

The International Fire Code, adopted by Section 2-301, is hereby changed, altered, modified or otherwise amended as follows:

(1)   Section 101.1 of the International Fire Code shall read as follows:

Section 101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the Fire Code of the City of Abilene, hereinafter known as “this code.”

(2)   Section 109 of the International Fire Code is hereby deleted.

(3)   Section 110.4 of the International Fire Code is hereby deleted.

(4)   Section 112.4 of the International Fire Code is hereby changed to read as follows:

Section 112.4 Failure to comply. Any person who shall continue any work after having been served with a stop work order, except such work as that person is directed to perform to remove a violation or unsafe condition, shall be liable to the penalties outlined in Section 2-304.

(5)   Section 403.5 of the International Fire Code is hereby changed to read as follows:

Section 403.5 Group E Occupancies. An approved fire safety and evacuation plan in accordance with Section 404 shall be prepared and maintained for Group E occupancies and for buildings containing both Group E and an atrium. Group E occupancies shall comply with Sections 403.5.1 through 403.5.3 and Kansas State Fire Marshal Administrative Regulations.

(6)   Section 405.2 of the International Fire Code is hereby changed to read as follows:

Section 405.2 Frequency. Required emergency evacuation drills shall be held at the intervals specified in Table 405.2 or more frequently where necessary to familiarize all occupants with drill procedures.

Exception: Fire and Evacuation drills shall be conducted in Group E public and private schools and educational institutions, except community college, colleges and universities, as required by the Kansas Office of the State Fire Marshal.

(7)   Section 903.4.2 of the International Fire Code is hereby changed to read as follows:

Section 903.4.2 Alarms. Approved audible/visual devices shall be connected to every automatic sprinkler system. Such sprinkler water-flow devices shall be activated by water flow equivalent to the flow of a single sprinkler of the smallest orifice size installed in the system. Alarm devices shall be provided on the exterior of the building directly above the fire department connection or an approved location. Where a fire alarm system is installed, actuation of the automatic sprinkler system shall actuate the building fire alarm system.

(8)   Section 904.12.5.3 of the International Fire Code is hereby changed to read as follows:

Section 904.12.5.3 Fusible link and sprinkler head replacement. Fusible links and automatic sprinkler heads shall be replaced at least annually, and other protection devices shall be serviced or replaced in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Replaced links and heads shall be left on site with the required service tag for verification by the fire code official.

Exception: Frangible bulbs are not required to be replaced annually.

(9)   Section 1010.1.9.4 of the International Fire Code is hereby changed to read as follows:

Section 1010.1.9.4 Locks and latches. Locks and latches shall be permitted to prevent the operation of doors where any of the following exists:

1.    Places of detention or restraint.

2.    In buildings in occupancy Group A having an occupant load of 300 or less, Group B, F, M and S, and in places of religious worship, the main exterior door or doors is permitted to be equipped with thumb turn operated locking devices from the egress side provided:

2.1.  A readily visible durable sign is posted on the egress side on or adjacent to the door stating: THIS DOOR TO REMAIN UNLOCKED WHEN BUILDING IS OCCUPIED. This sign shall be in letters one inch high on a contrasting background.

2.2.  Doors other than those regulated by Exception 2 in Group B, F, M and S, and in places of religious worship, having an occupant load of 500 or less, the secondary exterior door or doors is permitted to be equipped with thumb turn operated locking devices from the egress side.

2.3.  Doors serving rooms or spaces Accessory to Group A occupancies not in the means of egress for the Group A occupancy, are permitted to be equipped with thumb turn operated locking devices from the egress side.

2.4.  The use of the key-operated or thumb turn locking device is revocable by the fire code official for due cause.

3.    Where egress doors are used in pairs, approved automatic flush bolts shall be permitted to be used, provided that the door leaf having the automatic flush bolts has no doorknob or surface mounted hardware. The unlatching of any leaf shall not require more than one operation.

4.    Doors from individual dwelling units or sleeping units of Group R occupancies having an occupant load of 10 or less are permitted to be equipped with a night latch, dead bolt or security chain, provided such devices are openable from the inside without the use of a key or tool.

5.    Fire doors after the minimum elevated temperature has disabled the unlatching mechanism in accordance with listed fire door test procedures.

6.    Doors serving roofs not intended to be occupied shall be permitted to be locked, preventing entry to the building from the roof.

(10) Section 1011.12 of the International Fire Code is hereby changed to read as follows:

Section 1011.12 Stairway to roof. In buildings four or more stories above grade plane, one stairway shall extend to the roof surface, unless the roof has a slope steeper than four units vertical in twelve units horizontal (33 percent slope) or unless deemed not necessary by the building official. In buildings without an occupied roof, access to the roof from the top story shall be permitted to be by an alternating tread device.

(11) Section 1015.4 of the International Fire Code is hereby changed to read as follows:

Section 1015.4. Opening limitations. Required guards shall not have openings that allow passage of a sphere 4 ½ inches (114 mm) in diameter from the walking surface to the required height.

Exceptions:

1.    The triangular openings at the open side of a stair, formed by the riser, tread and bottom rail shall not allow passage of a sphere 6 inches (152 mm) in diameter.

2.    At elevated walking surfaces for access to and use of electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems or equipment, guards shall not have openings that allow passage of a sphere 21 inches (533 mm) in diameter.

3.    In areas that are not open to the public within occupancies in Group I-3, F, H or S and for alternating read devices and ships ladders, guards shall not have openings that allow passage of a sphere 21 inches (533 mm) in diameter.

4.    In assembly seating areas, guards required at the end of aisles in accordance with Section 1029.17.4 shall not have openings that allow passage of a sphere 4½ inches (114 mm) in diameter up to a height of 26 inches (660 mm). From a height of 26 inches (660 mm) to 42 inches (1,067 mm) above the adjacent walking surfaces, guards shall not have openings that allow passage of a sphere 8 inches (203 mm) in diameter.

(12) Section 1030.1, Exemption 1, of the International Fire Code is hereby deleted.

(13) Section 1103.5.1 of the International Fire Code is hereby deleted.

(Ord. 3437)

The Fire Chief shall enforce the provisions of this article. The Fire Chief shall have power to modify any of the provisions of the code hereby incorporated upon application in writing by the owner or lessee, or a duly authorized agent, when there are practical difficulties in complying with the strict letter of the code, provided that the spirit of the code shall be observed, public safety secured, and substantial justice done. The particulars of such modification when granted or allowed and the decision of the Fire Chief thereon shall be entered upon the records of the Department and a signed copy shall be furnished the applicant.

(Ord. 2933)

Whenever the Fire Chief shall disapprove an application or refuse to grant a license or permit applied for, or when it is claimed that the provisions of the code do not apply or that the true intent and meaning of the code have been misconstrued or wrongly interpreted, the applicant may appeal from the decision of the Fire Chief to the Building Standards Board, whose decision shall be final after it has made an investigation

Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this article shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined as prescribed in chapter 1 “General Penalty” and amendments thereto.

(Code 2014)

The invalidity of any section of this article or the International Fire Code incorporated herein shall not invalidate other sections or provisions thereof.

(Ord. 3052)