§ 5-5-20. Automated Fire Sprinkler System Required for Certain Buildings.

(a)

Requirement. Approved automatic fire sprinkler equipment or automatic fire extinguishing systems shall be installed and maintained for all construction covered by this Chapter in Section 5-5-9.

(b)

Definitions. The following definitions shall be applicable in this Article:

(1)

Approved. As applied to the installation of automatic fire sprinklers, means approval by the authority charged with the enforcement of this Chapter.

(2)

Approved. As applied to automatic fire sprinkler equipment and devices, means approval by a recognized testing laboratory.

(3)

Area. The maximum horizontal projected area on the main floor of a building or structure within the perimeter of the outside surface of the exterior walls or between approved fire walls.

(4)

Assembly Hall. All buildings or parts of buildings, other than theaters, which will accommodate more than one hundred (100) persons for entertainment, recreation, worship or dining purposes.

(5)

Automatic Fire Sprinkler Equipment. A system of piping connected to an adequate water supply and provided with approved automatic fire sprinklers and/or devices so arranged and located as to discharge water automatically to the seat of the fire.

(6)

Ground Floor. As per ILHR 51.01(67), Wis. Adm. Code.

(7)

Basement. As per ILHR 51.01(10), Wis. Adm. Code.

(8)

Fire Wall. A wall which has a fire resistance rating of not less than four (4) hours and which divides a building or separates buildings to restrict the spread of fire. A three (3) foot parapet wall may be a required part of a fire wall in accordance with ILHR 51.02(12), Wis. Adm. Code.

(9)

Multi-Family Dwelling. A building or portion thereof containing three (3) or more dwelling units such as tenements, apartments or rooming houses, as prescribed in the Zoning Code of this Code of Ordinances. Row houses with fire separation [one (1) hour] extending from basement to underside or roof separating each living unit are exempt from this definition.

(10)

Story. As per ILHR 51.01(122), Wis. Adm. Code.

(11)

Sub-Basement. Any level below basement as defined in ILHR 51.01, Wis. Adm. Code.

(12)

Theater. All buildings or parts of buildings, containing an assembly hall, having a stage which may be equipped with curtains or movable scenery, or which is otherwise adaptable to the showing of plays, operas, motion pictures or similar forms of entertainment.

(c)

Installation Required. The requirement for automatic sprinkler systems will be determined by reference to the UBC Wisconsin Enrolled Commercial Building Code, current addition, with the following exception: Firewalls and rated partitions will not be allowed in lieu of automatic sprinkler systems. The total square footage of each story will be used to determine the requirements for an automatic sprinkler system.

(d)

Application to Existing Buildings. Where the Fire Chief and/or the Building Inspector finds that existing buildings, which, in whole or in part for the purposes set forth in Section 5-5-9, constitute a fire hazard to its occupants or adjoining property, the Fire Chief and/or the Building Inspector may require the installation of automatic sprinkler systems or automatic fire extinguishing systems as provided under this Article.

(e)

Type of System and Approval of Plans.

(1)

Automatic sprinkler equipment shall be installed and connected to an adequate water supply. Sprinkler heads, valves and auxiliary equipment of standard types shall be determined by the authority having jurisdiction in effect at the date of installation.

(2)

All automatic sprinkler systems will be installed as to audibly alert persons occupying buildings.

(3)

No automatic sprinkler equipment shall be installed or altered in a building until plans have been submitted to and approved by the Fire Chief and/or fire officers.

(f)

Exemptions.

(1)

Safe deposit or other vaults.

(2)

Rooms or buildings devoted to the manufacture or storage of aluminum power, calcium carbide, calcium phosphide, metallic sodium or potassium, quick lime, magnesium powder, sodium peroxide or like materials where the application of water may cause or increase combustion.

(3)

Any other locations where the installation of sprinklers may increase the occupational hazard as determined by the authority having jurisdiction.

(Ord. No. 02-650, 10-28-02)