Note: Prior history: 1980 Code §§ 2.24.010—2.24.120, Ord. 721 and Ord. 915, 4-14-2015.
A. 
The City of Red Lodge adopts and incorporates by reference the International Fire Code 2021 Edition (2021 IFC) with the additions and amendments enumerated in this subchapter. Copies of the IFC and related materials may be obtained from the International Code Council, 4051 West Flossmoor Road, Country Club Hills, IL 60478-5795. A copy of the 2021 IFC shall be maintained at the offices of the City of Red Lodge.
B. 
If there is any conflict between the IFC and the Montana Code Annotated, the provisions of the Montana Code Annotated control.
C. 
This rule establishes a minimum fire protection code to be used in conjunction with the building code.
D. 
The building code adopted by the City of Red Lodge controls design and construction. If there is any conflict between the construction standards in the 2021 IFC and the construction standards set forth in the adopted building code, the provisions of the building code control.
E. 
The following 2021 IFC sections are adopted and/or modified as shown:
1. 
101.1 - Insert: [City of Red Lodge, Montana].
2. 
105.5 - Required operational permits is modified to include only the following:
a. 
105.5.3 Amusement buildings.
b. 
105.5.9 Compressed Gases.
c. 
105.5.16 Explosives.
d. 
105.5.22 Hazardous materials.
e. 
105.5.34 Open burning.
f. 
105.5.49 Temporary membrane structures and tents.
3. 
112.4 - Insert: [Misdemeanor, $500.00, 6 months]
4. 
903.6 - Existing Buildings - is not adopted.
F. 
The following appendices to the 2021 IFC are adopted:
1. 
Appendix B - Fire-Flow Requirements for Buildings.
2. 
Appendix C - Fire-Hydrant Locations and Distribution.
3. 
Appendix D - Fire-Apparatus Access Roads.
4. 
Appendix E - Hazard Categories.
5. 
Appendix F - Hazard Ranking.
6. 
Appendix G - Cryogenic Fluids - Weight and Volume Equivalents.
7. 
Appendix H - Fire Protection Systems Non-Compliant Conditions.
8. 
Appendix N - Indoor Trade Shows and Exhibitions.
(Ord. 970, 4/8/2025)
"Authority having jurisdiction"
means the City of Red Lodge Fire Department, its designee, or any other fire department that is contracted for fire prevention services by the City of Red Lodge.
"Corporation Counsel"
means the City Attorney for the City of Red Lodge.
"Fire Chief"
means the Chief Officer of the fire department servicing the jurisdiction or a duly authorized representative.
"Fire Code Official"
means the Fire Chief or other designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of the code or a duly authorized representative.
"Fire Department"
means the City of Red Lodge Fire Department, its designee, or any other fire department that is contracted for fire protection services by the City of Red Lodge.
"Firefighter"
means any member of the fire department servicing the jurisdiction.
"Fireworks"
means any combustible or explosive composition or any substance, combination of substances, or article prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration, or detonation as defined in the 2021 IFC Section 201.
"Fireworks displays"
means a presentation of fireworks for a public or private gathering. [2021 IFC Section 201]
"Jurisdiction"
means the City of Red Lodge and all areas within the incorporated city limits.
"Open burning"
means the burning of materials wherein products of combustion are emitted directly into the ambient air without passing through a stack or chimney from an enclosed chamber. Open burning does not include road flares and similar devices associated with safety or occupational uses typically considered open flames, recreational fire or use of portable outdoor fireplaces. [2021 IFC Section 307]
"Recreational fires"
means any outdoor fire burning materials other than rubbish where the fuel being burned is not contained in an incinerator, outdoor fireplace, portable outdoor fireplace, barbeque grill or barbeque pit and has a total fuel area of four feet or less in diameter and two feet or less in height. [2021 IFC Section 307]
(Ord. 970, 4/8/2025)
The Fire Chief is authorized to determine and publicly announce when public lands shall be closed to entry due to fire hazards or other danger to public safety and when such areas shall again be opened to entry.
(Ord. 970, 4/8/2025)
A. 
All schools, businesses, public buildings, and places of assembly shall be inspected by the fire department at a time interval set by the fire department having jurisdiction. At the discretion of the fire code official, type R-3, B and M occupancies may participate in a self-inspection program. The following priorities shall guide the Fire Chief's inspections, pursuant to Section 50-61-114(2), MCA:
1. 
Complaints;
2. 
School buildings at least once every 12 months;
3. 
New construction and/or change of occupancy;
4. 
As time permits, other occupancies, as defined in Section 50-61-103, MCA, which includes assembly, business, industrial, institutional, and residential buildings.
B. 
Inspections shall be categorized as the following:
1. 
Type 1 Inspection
a. 
All business and or commercial buildings of less than 2,000 square feet with occupancy of fewer than 50 people unless otherwise specified in this section.
2. 
Type 2 Inspection
a. 
Short term residential home rentals, businesses and or buildings of less than 5,000 square feet, as well as any building or business not otherwise specified.
3. 
Type 3 Inspection
a. 
All businesses and or buildings with an occupancy of more than 75 people as well as all public assembly buildings, restaurants, hotels, motels, and buildings larger than 5,000 square feet.
4. 
Type 4 Inspection
a. 
All businesses and or buildings defined as High Hazard by the adopted building code.
(Ord. 970, 4/8/2025)
Any property owner or authorized agent who intends to conduct an operation or business or install or modify systems and equipment that are regulated by the 2021 IFC or this chapter shall first make an application to the fire code official and obtain the required permit. Permits shall be categorized as the following:
A. 
Operational Permits. Where specified in the 2021 IFC as adopted in this chapter, operational permits shall be required.
B. 
Construction Permits. Where specified in the 2021 IFC as adopted in this chapter, construction permits shall be required.
(Ord. 970, 4/8/2025)
A review by the Fire Department is required for all new developments and conditional use permits where such development or permit requires fire protection design features regulated by the 2021 IFC as adopted in this chapter.
(Ord. 970, 4/8/2025)
The City of Red Lodge hereby requires fees for fire related permits, addressing, review, and inspections required in this chapter. Fees shall be collected by the Fire Department having jurisdiction. All fees shall be due and payable at the time the permit is granted, or the inspection or review is performed. Failure to pay for fees within the time period specified shall render such permit, review, or inspection null and void. The following Fire Prevention Fees apply to this chapter and shall be set and collected by the Fire Department having jurisdiction:
A. 
Permit Fees. There shall be fees for the issuance of operational and construction permits.
B. 
Review Fees. There shall be a Fire Department review fee for all reviews of new developments and conditional use permits required by zoning regulations. Review fees shall include site inspection for verification of compliance.
C. 
Inspection Fees. There shall be fees for Fire Department inspections.
D. 
Standard Hourly Fee. There shall be a standard hourly fee, with a one-hour minimum, charged in half-hour increments for all inspection and plan review work unless a set fee is outlined in this chapter. All inspections, reviews, and consultations shall be charged this standard hourly fee unless otherwise specified.
(Ord. 970, 4/8/2025)
If, in the opinion of a firefighter enforcing this code, a violation exists in or near an occupied structure or in an outside assembly area that poses a significant risk to the life safety of the occupants, the firefighter may require the premises or a portion of the premises to be immediately vacated until such time as the violation can be corrected.
(Ord. 970, 4/8/2025)
It is unlawful for any person to display, sell, possess, expose for sale, use or explode any fireworks as herein defined within the City limit except for fireworks displays authorized and permitted by the Fire Chief.
(Ord. 970, 4/8/2025)
Recreational fires are generally allowed without a permit. Recreational fires may be prohibited during times of high fire danger or when Carbon County impose county-wide fire restrictions.
(Ord. 970, 4/8/2025)