For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply:
(1) 
“Administrative summary”
means the Kitsap County Fire Safety Advisory Committee Report dated June 28, 1999, attached hereto as Appendix B and incorporated herein[1] by reference. The administrative summary was used as a basis for development of the ordinance codified in this chapter and shall be used for guidance in interpreting it.
[1]
The appendices referred to herein are on file and may be reviewed in the office of the clerk of the board of commissioners.
(2) 
“Approved”
means approved by the chief unless otherwise specified.
(3) 
“Chief”
means the Kitsap County fire marshal.
(4) 
“Dwelling unit”
means any building or portion thereof which contains living facilities, including provisions for sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation as required by the Uniform Building Code (1997 Ed.), for not more than one family, or a congregate residence which accommodates ten or fewer persons.
(5) 
“Fire department”
means the fire prevention bureau of the local fire department or district, or the county fire marshal’s office.
(6) 
“Fire safety advisory committee”
means a group of community representatives appointed by the board of county commissioners as provided in Section 14.10.150 of this code.
(7) 
“Fire safety matrix”
means the assessment tool, attached hereto as Appendix A and incorporated herein by reference, used by fire department personnel to evaluate Level III buildings to determine appropriate fire protection features based upon an assigned point value and number of dwelling units.
(8) 
“Floors”
means the number of levels in a building, including any basement.
(9) 
“Group R, Division 1 building”
means a hotel or motel, an apartment building or congregate residence, including condominiums.
(10) 
“Level I building”
means all Group R, Division 1 buildings less than three floors in height and more than four dwelling units.
(11) 
“Level II building”
means all Group R, Division 1 buildings three or more floors in height and less than seventeen dwelling units.
(12) 
“Level III building”
means all Group R, Division 1 buildings three or more floors in height and seventeen or more dwelling units.
(13) 
“Owner”
means the owner of record of a Group R, Division 1 building.
(Ord. 244 (1999) § 1 (part), 1999)
On or before July 1, 2000, the owner shall install in all sleeping areas of all Level I, Level II and Level III buildings, an approved, listed photoelectric device which senses visible or invisible particles of combustion. Such devices may be battery powered. Using approved forms, the owner shall certify to the chief that the devices have been installed as required in this section and are working properly.
(Ord. 244 (1999) § 1 (part), 1999)
Upon request by the fire department, the owner shall provide floor plans to assist with pre-fire planning.
(Ord. 244 (1999) § 1 (part), 1999)
(1) 
The fire department will work with the owners by providing guidelines for developing an approved emergency evacuation plan. All plans shall be submitted and approved by the fire department prior to posting.
(2) 
Approved emergency evacuation plans shall be posted in common areas of the building by the owners on or before January 1, 2001.
(3) 
Emergency evacuation plans shall be reviewed and updated annually by owners. Revised plans shall be submitted to the fire department for review and approval.
(Ord. 244 (1999) § 1 (part), 1999)
The local fire district shall develop and implement classroom training programs for building owners, tenants and homeowners regarding fire safety. Fire safety training programs shall be coordinated with the fire chief prior to implementation for compliance with this chapter.
(Ord. 244 (1999) § 1 (part), 1999)
All Level I, II, and III buildings shall be inspected annually by the chief or his/her designee for compliance with the requirements of this chapter.
(Ord. 244 (1999) § 1 (part), 1999)
In addition to the annual fire inspections, Level III buildings shall be evaluated for fire safety utilizing the fire safety matrix. Each Level III building shall achieve a minimum of 80 points on the matrix within ten years of the date the ordinance codified in this chapter is adopted.[1] A comprehensive review of all Level III building evaluations will be conducted by the fire safety advisory committee. During that review the chief shall determine if Level III buildings not meeting the 80 points criteria are a distinct hazard to life or property. If the chief determines a building to be a distinct hazard, he or she shall take action pursuant to the Dangerous Buildings Code (see Ch. 14.04 of this code) to have the building repaired, rehabilitated, demolished or removed.
(Ord. 244 (1999) § 1 (part), 1999)
[1]
The ordinance codified in this chapter was adopted December 6, 1999.
The chief, in consultation with the fire department, shall provide a certificate of compliance for all Level I and II buildings inspected and determined to be in compliance with this chapter. All Level III buildings must meet all requirements of this chapter, including the requirements to achieve a score of at least 80 points in the fire safety evaluation performed pursuant to Section 14.10.080, in order to receive a certificate of compliance.
(Ord. 244 (1999) § 1 (part), 1999)
The fire department will design and implement a process to notify property owners, in a timely manner regarding fire calls resulting from property damage or injury on their property.
(Ord. 244 (1999) § 1 (part), 1999)
Automatic fire sprinklers shall be installed in all Group R, Division 1 buildings that contain ten or more dwelling units when, within a three-year period, there has been damage to the building that exceeds fifty percent of the assessed value of the building, or the building has been remodeled to an extent that exceeds fifty percent of the assessed value of the building.
(Ord. 244 (1999) § 1 (part), 1999)
(1) 
An approved fire alarm system “non-monitored” shall be installed in all Level II buildings. The fire alarm system must be installed and operational on or before January 1, 2003. The department of community development shall waive permit fees for alarm systems installed for compliance with this chapter.
(2) 
An approved “monitored” fire alarm system containing a heat detector within each dwelling unit shall be installed in all Level III buildings. The fire alarm system must be installed and operational on or before January 1, 2003. The department of community development shall waive permit fees for alarm systems installed for compliance with this chapter.
(Ord. 244 (1999) § 1 (part), 1999)
The consolidated board of appeals, created by this title, is the designated board of appeals for this chapter and the ordinance from which it derives. Guided by Section 103 of the Uniform Fire Code (1997 Ed.), the board of appeals shall determine the suitability of alternate materials and/or methods and provide for reasonable interpretations of the provisions of this chapter. The chief shall be notified of all appeals under this chapter. On request by the board of appeals, the fire safety advisory committee shall review appeals and provide recommendations thereon to the board of appeals.
(Ord. 244 (1999) § 1 (part), 1999)
A committee is established to review fire safety evaluations as provided in this chapter, periodically review this chapter and the ordinance from which it derives and recommend improvements to it; investigate and recommend to the board of county commissioners funding sources for fire and life safety enhancements to Group R, Division 1 buildings; when requested by the board of appeals, provide recommendations on appeals under this chapter; and develop strategies to enhance fire safety within the community. In performing its responsibilities under this chapter, the committee shall be guided by the standards set forth in the administrative summary. The committee shall consist of at least three county residents, three fire service personnel and three owners of Group R, Division 1 buildings. The committee shall be appointed by the board of county commissioners on or before April 1, 2000. The chief or his or her designee shall serve as committee chair.
(Ord. 244 (1999) § 1 (part), 1999)
The chief and his or her designee are authorized to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. 244 (1999) § 1 (part), 1999)
The violation of any provision of this chapter shall constitute a Class I civil infraction. Each violation shall constitute a separate infraction for each and every day or portion thereof during which the violation is committed, continued or permitted. Infractions shall be processed in accordance with the provisions of the Kitsap County Civil Enforcement Ordinance (Chapter 2.116 of this code); provided, however, that the maximum penalty and default amount for a Class I civil infraction under this chapter shall be five hundred dollars not including statutory assessments.
(Ord. 244 (1999) § 1 (part), 1999)