[Adopted as Secs. 2-4-1 through 2-4-7 of
the Code of 1972]
[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.
A.
Sprinkler systems installed within existing buildings
shall be approved as to layout and to installation by the Insurance
Services Office or its successors and the Wethersfield Fire Marshal
and Chief Building and Zoning Official.
B.
Every sprinkler system installed in new and existing
buildings shall be installed in accordance with the current requirements
of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13, Standard for
the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, 13D, Standard for the Installation
of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Mobile Homes,
and No. 13R, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in
Residential Occupancies up to Four Stories in Height.
[Amended 5-6-1991]
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.
A.
The Sprinkler Systems Appeals Committee shall consist
of three members as follows: the Town Manager, the Town Engineer and
one member of the Board of Building Appeals to be selected by the
Chairman of the Board of Building Appeals.
B.
Two members of said Committee shall constitute a quorum
for the purpose of considering an application under the provisions
of this chapter.
C.
The Sprinkler Systems Appeals Committee shall meet
in public meeting within seven working days following receipt of an
application transmitted to it from the Chief Building Official. The
applicant or his representative shall be notified, in writing, of
the time, place and date of the hearing to be held before the Sprinkler
Systems Appeals Committee and shall make a presentation in behalf
of his application at said hearing.
D.
All applications shall be made on prepared forms available
in the office of the Building Inspection Division. The Sprinkler Systems
Appeals Committee shall be guided in its decisions by the standards
set forth in the most recent edition of the National Fire Protection
Association Standard No. 13, entitled "Standard for the Installation
of Sprinkler Systems," No. 13D, "Standard for the Installation of
Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Mobile Homes,"
and No. 13R, "Standards for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems
in Residential Occupancies up to Four Stories in Height." Said decision
shall be in writing to the applicant on each application within five
working days following the close of its hearing on the application.
[Amended 5-6-1991]
E.
Should the use to which any building is being put be changed after having an exemption pursuant to § 83-3 applied to it, such exemption shall terminate on the 30th day after such change of use, and the owner of such building shall be required to reapply for an exemption under said § 83-3D, based on the new use of the particular structure involved. This Subsection E shall be included as a part of any decision of the Sprinkler Systems Appeals Committee approving the exemption of a building from the provisions of this chapter.
F.
The cost of a sprinkler installation shall not be
grounds for exempting a building, structure or part thereof from the
provisions requiring sprinkler exemptions.
G.
In the event that the Town of Wethersfield wishes to make application under this section, the Chairman of the Board of Building Appeals will select three members of the Board of Building Appeals to hear the application of the Town rather than utilizing the procedure as set forth in Subsection A hereof.
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.
A.
Any residential dwelling for which a building permit
is issued after the effective date of this section and which dwelling
is not required to install a smoke detection device under the Connecticut
General Statutes or regulations of the State Fire Marshal shall install,
prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, an Underwriters'
Laboratories, Inc., approved smoke detection device.
B.
The manner and location of installing the smoke detection
device shall be approved by the Wethersfield Fire Marshal or his designee,
and the Wethersfield Fire Marshal may issue regulations in this regard.
