(a)
Adoption.
There is hereby adopted by the city council the 2018 International Fire Prevention Code, 2018 edition, as published by the International Code Council, and all codes and standards mentioned therein, including appendices thereto, for the purpose of establishing rules and regulations governing fire prevention and fire activities within the city, save and except such portions as are hereinafter deleted, modified, or amended, and the same is hereby adopted and incorporated as fully as if set out at length herein, and the provisions thereof shall be controlling within the city. A copy of such code is in the office of the city secretary.
(b)
Modifications.
(1)
Chapter 3, section 307.1 of the 2018 International Fire Prevention Code is hereby adopted with changes to read as follows:
It shall be unlawful for any person within the city limits, in any way, to intentionally, knowingly or carelessly burn or cause to be burned, or to suffer, allow or permit to be burned, outdoors any combustibles, including but not limited to grass, weeds, timber, rubbish, leaves or other natural or synthetic materials, garbage, trash, rubbish, litter, solid waste, hazardous waste or any such like substances, on any street, alley, lot or premises, whether owned by the person or not. Such prohibited fires shall include bonfires and recreational fires not in compliance herewith. The following exceptions to burning apply:
(A)
Outdoor burning is allowed without a permit, when used solely for recreational or ceremonial purposes [or] in the noncommercial preparation of food or for generating warmth in cold (below 60 degrees Fahrenheit), and provided further, no fire shall be larger than 18 cubic feet or 9 square feet and shall be fueled only by split and seasoned hardwoods or coal and contained in an appropriate outdoor fireplace heating or outdoor cooking device designated and constructed for such purpose in compliance with this section.
(B)
On-site land clearing on lots of greater than one (1) acre upon which the owner intends to clear the lot itself of selected trees, brush and other plant growth if approved in writing by the fire marshal, burning may be permitted in a manner approved by the fire marshal, and the on-site land clearing is conducted in compliance with federal, state and local laws and regulations. A permit shall be acquired and approved safety measures shall be employed. Land clearing shall not include maintenance burning of on-site property wastes such as fallen limbs, branches, or leaves.
(2)
Chapter 5, section 503.2.1 of the 2018 International Fire Prevention Code is hereby adopted with changes to read as follows:
Fire apparatus access roads shall have an unobstructed width of not less than 26 feet (7,925 mm), exclusive of shoulders, except for approved security gates in accordance with section 503.6, and an unobstructed vertical clearance of not less than 13 feet 6 inches (4,115 mm).
(3)
Chapter 9, section 903.2.8, “Group R,” of the 2018 International Fire Prevention Code is hereby adopted with changes to read as follows:
An automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with section 903.3 shall be provided throughout all buildings with a Group R fire area, including multifamily structures, townhouses, triplex and quadplex apartments with no minimum square footage and regardless of any fire rated walls, shall have a fire sprinkler system installed, when they contain three or more dwelling units.
(4)
Chapter 9, section 903.2.4 of the 2018 Fire Prevention Code is hereby adopted with changes to read as follows:
An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all buildings containing a Group F-1 and F-2 occupancy where one of the following conditions exist:
(A)
A group F-1 or F-2 fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet.
(B)
A group F-1 or F-2 fire area is located more than three stories above grade plane;
(C)
The combined area of all Group F-1 and F-2 fire areas on all floors, including any mezzanines, exceeds 5,000 square feet.
(D)
A group F-1 occupancy used for the manufacture of upholstered furniture or mattresses exceeds 2,500 square feet or 232 square meters.
(5)
All sections of chapter 9 of the 2018 International Fire Prevention Code referencing a fire area of 12,000 square feet are hereby amended to reference a reduced fire area of 5,000 square feet, including Group A, B, E, F, H, I, M, S, and U. New construction and renovations consisting of 50% or more shall install a fire sprinkler system.
(6)
Minimum separation for residential structures. Any reference to the minimum separation distance between residential structures, including one (1) and two (2) family dwellings, that do not have fire sprinkler systems in the 2018 International Fire Prevention Code shall have a minimum separation of at least seven and one-half (7.5) feet.
(7)
Chapter 9, section 903.2 of the 2018 International Fire Prevention Code is hereby adopted with changes to read as follows:
903.2 Where required. Approved automatic sprinkler systems in new buildings and structures shall be provided in the locations described in Sections 903.2.1 through 903.2.12. All occupancy classifications (A, B, E, F, H, I, M, R, S, U) where the Fire Access Road is further than 150 feet from any portion of the building shall install an automatic sprinkler system. The fire area size and/or use of the occupancy shall have no bearing on the installation of the automatic sprinkler system.
(8)
Chapter 5, section 503.1.1 of the 2018 International Fire Prevention Code is hereby adopted with changes to read as follows:
503.1.1 Buildings and facilities. Approved fire apparatus access roads shall be provided for every facility, building or portion of a building hereafter constructed or moved into or within the jurisdiction. The fire apparatus access road shall comply with the requirements of this section and shall extend to within 150 feet (45,720 mm) of all portions of the facility and all portions of the exterior walls of the first story of the building as measured by an approved route around the exterior of the building or facility.
Exceptions:
1.0 The fire code official is authorized to increase the dimension of the 150 feet (45,720 mm) where any of the following conditions occur:
1.1 The building is equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, 903.3.1.2 or 903.3.1.3.
1.2 Fire apparatus access roads cannot be installed because of location on property, topography, waterways, nonnegotiable grades or other similar conditions, and an approved alternative means of fire protection is provided. All approved alternate means of fire protection shall be installed with an Automatic Sprinkler System, in accordance with Section 903.2.
1.3 There are not more than two Group R-3 or Group U occupancies.
(9)
Chapter 5, Section 507.2 of the 2018 International Fire Prevention Code is hereby adopted with changes to read as follows:
507.2 Type of water supply. A water supply shall consist of water mains capable of providing the required fire flow. All water mains shall be a minimum of 8 inches in diameter. This shall include public and private water mains.
(10)
Chapter 5, Section 507.5.1 of the 2018 International Fire Prevention Code is hereby adopted with changes to read as follows:
507.5.1 Where required. Where a portion of the facility or building hereafter constructed or moved into or within the jurisdiction is more than 300 feet (91.44 m) from a hydrant on a fire apparatus access road, as measured by an approved route around the exterior of the facility or building, on-site fire hydrants and mains shall be provided where required by the fire code official.
Exceptions:
(11)
NFPA 24, section 5.2.1 and section 5.2.1.2 are hereby adopted with changes to read as follows:
NFPA 24 Section 5.2.1 Private fire service mains. Pipe size shall not be less than eight (8) inches in diameter.
NFPA 24 Section 5.2.1.2 Mains that supply fire hydrants. Pipe size shall not be less than eight (8) inches in diameter.
(12)
NFPA 24, Section 10.6 is hereby adopted with the following additions:
Restraint. Private Fire Service Mains shall be restrained against movement at any change in direction in accordance with the City of Humble Standard Construction for Wastewater Collection Systems, Water Lines, Storm Drainage and Street Paving - Section 02664 Water Mains, Sections 1. 01 - 3. 11:
a.
When alternating an existing line, any existing joint shall be restrained with uni-flanged bell and spigot pipe restraints before and after proposed fittings;
b.
All joints within 50 feet of a proposed fitting shall be restrained;
c.
Appropriate bedding and backfill shall be in accordance with the details and design standards;
d.
Appropriate series model restraints shall be used for the specific type of pipe material as designed for;
e.
There shall be no pipe joints within the vertical or horizontal run of the offset unless otherwise approved by the Fire Marshal; any such pipe joint within the vertical offset shall be restrained with a uni-flange bell and spigot type restraint;
f.
When depth of offset requires more than a standard length of pipe, no segment shall be less than five feet (5') in length;
g.
The minimum clearance shall be determined by the amount of bedding and backfill required by the prospective pipe and their usage;
h.
A solid continuous joint of pipe shall be used at all times for the horizontal section of the offset;
i.
Mechanical joint bends shall have stainless steel restraining rods installed to the adjacent mechanical joint fitting or valve; if no fitting or valve exists, a PV-Lok pipe restraint or other approved restraint may be installed.
(13)
The 2018 International Fire Prevention Code is hereby amended by creating Section 1103.5.5 to read as follows:
Section 1104.5.5 Existing R-1, 2, 3, and 4 Occupancies. In R-1, 2, 3, and 4 occupancies where a fire has occurred and displaces two (2) or more units, the affected building shall have an approved automatic sprinkler system installed prior to the reoccupancy of the unit/building.
(14)
Chapter 9, Section 903.2.13 of the 2018 International Fire Prevention Code is hereby adopted with changes to read as follows:
902.2.13 Group B - Business. Group B - An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings containing a Group B occupancy where one of the following conditions exists:
(15)
Chapter 9, Section 903.2.14 of the 2018 International Fire Prevention Code is hereby adopted with changes to read as follows:
902.2.14 Group U - Miscellaneous. Group U - An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings containing a Group U occupancy where one of the following conditions exists:
(16)
Chapter 9, Section 913.1, of the 2018 International Fire Prevention Code is hereby adopted with changes to read as follows:
General. Where provided, fire pumps shall be installed in accordance with this section and NFPA 20. Fire Pumps shall serve only one (1) structure.
(17)
Chapter 4, Section 403.8.1 and 403.8.2 of the 2018 International Fire Code are hereby amended to read as follows:
403.8.1 Group I-1 Occupancies. By no later than May 1, 2025, Group I-1 occupancies shall comply with Sections 403.8.1.1 through 403.8.1.7. | |
403.1.1 Fire Safety and Evacuation Plan. The fire safety and evacuation plan required by Section 404 shall include a description of special staff actions. Plans shall include all of the following in addition to the requirements of Section 404: | |
1. | Procedures for full evacuation of care recipients. |
2. | Fire protection procedures necessary for residents. |
3. | Shall be amended or revised upon admission of any resident care recipient with unusual needs. |
4. | For I-1 occupancies, shall include a section that outlines the processes and procedures for providing back up power within 3 hours of loss of electrical service to maintain all services outlined in section 1203.2.20 of the International Fire Code. |
403.8.2 Group I-2 Occupancies. By no later than May 1, 2025 Group I-2 occupancies shall comply with Sections 403.8.2.1 through 403.8.2.3. | |
403.8.2.1 Fire safety and evacuation plan. The fire safety and evacuation plans required by Section 404 shall include a description of special staff actions. Plans shall include all of the following in addition to the requirements of Section 404: | |
1. | Procedures for evacuation for care recipients with needs for containment or restraint and post-evacuation containment, where present. |
2. | A written plan for maintenance of the means of egress. |
3. | Procedure for a defend-in-place strategy. |
4. | Procedures for a full-floor or building evacuation, where necessary. |
5. | In Group I-2, Condition 2, amendments or revisions upon admission of any care recipients with unusual needs. |
6. | For I-2, shall include a section that outlines the processes and procedures for providing back up power within 3 hours of loss of electrical service to maintain all services outlined in section 1203.2.20 of this code. |
(18)
Chapter 12, Section 1203.2.20 of the International Fire Code is added to read as follows:
1203.2.20 Group I-1 and I-2. By no later than May 1, 2025, in addition to other provisions in this code, secondary power shall be provided for Group I-1 and Group I-2 to provide power for simultaneous operation of the following:
1.
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems for all areas occupied by residents or patients;
2.
Fire alarm system, if provided;
3.
Fire pump, if provided;
4.
Emergency exit signs;
5.
Emergency egress illumination;
6.
All electrically operated locks or latches on egress doors which do not fail to an unlocked position when power is lost, if provided;
7.
All power-operated doors which cannot be in an unlocked, open position on a 24-hour basis, if provided;
8.
Smoke control systems provided for egress safety, if provided;
9.
Emergency responder communication coverage systems, if provided;
10.
Refrigeration for food preservation and medication stability;
11.
Potable water booster pumps for buildings three stories or more;
12.
Elevators used for egress paths in buildings four stories or more above exit discharge;
13.
Other equipment and devices required for preservation of life.
The secondary power supply can be a permanent on-site emergency or standby generator, fuel cell, or a mobile power supply where approved by the Fire Marshal. Where the secondary power source is not a permanent on-site system; the facility shall submit a plan to the fire code official detailing how secondary power will be provided. The secondary power supply plan shall become a component in the fire and life safety plan for the facility. Where the secondary power source is a mobile power supply located off-site and operated under contract to be delivered to the facility at times of need, the secondary power supply shall be capable of being delivered, connected and providing power with a 3-hour time frame following the loss of power.
(1991 Code, sec. 11-101; Ordinance 89-428, sec. 1, adopted 3/9/89; Ordinance 02-569, sec. II, adopted 3/28/02; Ordinance 14-733, sec. 3, adopted 4/24/14; Ordinance 15-766, sec. 1, adopted 11/12/15; Ordinance 16-793, sec. 1, adopted 1/12/17; Ordinance 17-794, sec. 1, adopted 1/12/17; Ordinance 19-836, sec. 5, adopted 2/14/19; 2007 Code, sec. 18-98; Ordinance 21-904 adopted 8/12/21; Ordinance 22-921 adopted 3/10/22; Ordinance 24-965 adopted 3/28/2024; Ordinance 24-967 adopted 5/9/2024; Ordinance 24-969 adopted 6/27/2024; Ordinance 25-981 adopted 1/9/2025; Ordinance 25-983 adopted 1/23/2025; Ordinance 26-1008 adopted 2/26/2026)