Title
Adoption of 2018 International Fire Code with Phoenix Amendments (Ordinance G-6601)
Description
Request City Council authorization to adopt the 2018 International Fire Code (IFC) with Phoenix amendments.
Report
Summary
The IFC is a national standard, and the 2018 IFC has been adopted, or is in the process of being adopted, by all jurisdictions in Maricopa County. Phoenix has utilized the IFC since 2006. The IFC is developed through a public consensus process and is consistent with Phoenix Council Resolution 19015, approved in December 1997, that supports the development of consensus-based construction codes and standards. The continued use of the IFC allows Phoenix customers to utilize a code that reflects the current evolution of building materials, technologies, industry practice, and reduces the cost of construction and compliance.
Because fire and building codes are complementary, the Phoenix Fire and Planning and Development departments coordinate continuously to make requirements and terminology more consistent, predictable, and user-friendly for customers.
The approach taken by Phoenix Fire staff in the Fire Code adoption process has been to significantly involve the fire protection and construction community through the Fire Safety Advisory Board (FSAB). This City Council-appointed committee represents the interests of many stakeholder groups including but not limited to: architecture, building owners and managers, fire protection engineers and contractors, developers, hazardous materials communities, health care, property insurance communities, real estate, and the public. The goal of the process is to adopt the IFC base code while making clarifying amendments tailored to Phoenix that support, assist, and protect the Phoenix community.
The significant outreach efforts conducted by Phoenix Fire staff include a series of meetings with industry groups: fire protection contractors, contractors, radio communications, restaurant and bar representatives, high-rise community, the Building Owner and Management Association, and others. Industry groups were given code proposals and invited to participate in meetings in their areas of expertise.
Highlights of the 2018 IFC and Phoenix amendments include:
- Removal of permit fees that were rarely used.
- Chapter 12 on Energy Systems-for the installation, operation, and maintenance of energy systems use of the improved 2021 language for lithium batteries and battery storage systems.
- Outdoor Combustible Storage (315.4)
• Requirements for pile sizes, aisle width, fencing, means to rotate combustible
material and fire watch.
- Hillside Development (511)
• Fire access roads leading to house exceeding 15% grade, or inadequate
hydrant spacing, or no reliable water supply - PFC require sprinklers.
- Bret Tarver Ordinance (903.1)
• Sprinklers are required in commercial building with additions, remodels, or
change of use.
- Fire-fighter Air Systems (918)
- High-Rise Smoke Removal Systems (919.1)
• Means to ventilate a high-rise post-fire.
- Fire Sprinklers in Existing Group A-2 Occupancies (1103.5.1)
• A section has been added to Chapter 11 which requires the retrofit installation
of a fire sprinkler system in existing Group A-2 occupancies where alcoholic
beverages are consumed if the occupant load is 300 or more.
- Static Pile Protection and Internal Temperatures (Mulch 2807.6 and 2807.6.1)
• Requirement to monitor the internal temperatures of the piles and have a plan if
the temperature gets too hot.
• Clarifying detection and notification requirement for CO2 beverage systems.
• Requirements for pre-blast survey, neighborhood notification, monitoring,
ground vibration limits, blast logs, and post-blast survey.
- Flammable and Combustible Liquids Tank Height Restriction (5704.2.7)
• Tanks cannot exceed 66 feet in height.
- Flame Effects before an Audience (6112)
• Added propane requirement language to feed flame effects inside public
assemblies.
The 2018 IFC and proposed Phoenix amendments have been posted on the Phoenix Fire Department’s webpage at: https://www.phoenix.gov/fire/prevention/fire-code and can be requested in alternative formats.
The Fire Code adoption process is consistent with the 2018 International Building Code (IBC) adoption process approved by the City Council on June 6, 2018. The Fire Safety Advisory Board acts as the reviewing body for the IFC, just as the Development Advisory Board acts as the reviewing body of the IBC. The Fire Safety Advisory Board and the Development Advisory Board gave their approval of the adoption of the 2018 IFC with the proposed Phoenix Amendments on Feb. 14, 2019.
The effective date of the new Fire Code, if adopted by Council, is July 11, 2019. Within 30 days after the adoption of this ordinance, any person may apply to complete construction design using the 2012 IFC. If approved, such person will have until Jan. 1, 2020 to submit a signed contract for the project to work under the 2012 IFC.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Milton Dohoney, Jr. and the Fire Department.