[Amended 5-6-1991]
With the exception of those buildings covered by state law and listed in §
83-3, all new buildings and all additions to existing buildings shall be equipped with an automatic sprinkler system. Each such system shall be approved as to layout and installation by the Insurance Services Office or its successors and by the Wethersfield Fire Marshal and Chief Building and Zoning Official. During a period of time that an automatic sprinkler system is inoperative (more than four hours during a twenty-four-hour period), that portion of the building with an inoperative system shall be evacuated or the Wethersfield Fire Marshal may permit an approved fire watch. Fire watch personnel will be appointed by the Chief or his designee in cases where the building owner does not provide an approved fire watch.
The following classes of buildings shall be
exempt from the requirement for automatic sprinkler systems:
A. Dwellings with a capacity of four families or less.
B. All buildings smaller than 2,000 square feet gross
floor area.
C. Any portion of a building housing a process or material
which would interact with water to create a greater fire hazard than
without water, provided that an alternate fire suppression system
is used.
D. Any building, structure or part thereof where the
requirement for the installation of an automatic sprinkler system
would constitute a practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship, as
determined by the Sprinkler Systems Appeals Committee.
E. One addition may be permitted to an existing nonsprinkler
building or structure, provided that the addition shall not exceed
1,000 square feet gross floor area, including basement.
It shall be illegal for any building to be used
in violation of this chapter; and any violation of this chapter shall
be punishable by a fine of not less than $75 nor more than $100, and
each day that a violation of this chapter occurs or shall be permitted
to exist shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.