Title
Ordinance No. 23-14 repealing and reordaining Part 1 (Fire Prevention Code) of Article 4 (Fire Prevention) of Chapter 8 (Public Safety) of the Code of the City of Colorado Springs 2001, as amended, adopting the 2021 Edition of the International Fire Code with amendments and providing penalties for the violation thereof.
Presenter:
Brett T. Lacey, Fire Marshal
Summary:
Pertinent Colorado Spring Fire Department (CSFD) personnel studied the 2021 International Fire Code’s contents and crafted the proposed amendments. CSFD recommends the collective adoption of the 2021 International Fire Code, as amended, as the City of Colorado Springs Fire Code.
Background:
The City currently operates under the 2015 International Fire Code, as amended. Advances in technology and significant fire events necessitates periodic updates of the International Code Council’s International Fire Code every three to four years. A similar three-to-four-year trend occurs with the Regional Building Department codes, which encompasses building, electrical, elevator, mechanical and plumbing codes. The Fire Code and the Regional Building Code are companion documents and must be adopted in unison, in order to effectively manage new and existing construction as well as various processes and operations. Doing so prevents conflicting code provisions and confusion among designers, contractors and code enforcement personnel. Historically, the City and Pikes Peak Regional Building Department (PPRBD) have adhered to a six to eight-year code adoption cycle.
This ordinance supports the City’s strategic goal of Investing in Infrastructure by improving the safety of the community.
Previous Council Action:
In May of 2018, in order to correlate with the Pikes Peak Regional Building Code’s 2017 Edition, the 2015 International Fire Code, as amended, was approved by City Council and adopted by the City.
Financial Implications:
Adoption of the amended 2021 International Fire Code will have no direct financial implications to the City. Costs associated with personnel researching and writing the code’s amendments as well as the expense of purchasing code books were included in the approved 2022 and 2023 budgets.
City Council Appointed Board/Commission/Committee Recommendation:
The Colorado Springs Fire Board of Appeals voted unanimously in favor of the proposed 2021 International Fire Code, as amended, and have provided a recommendation letter for submittal to City Council for consideration of adoption.
Stakeholder Process:
Stakeholders were requested to review, seek clarification, and comment on amendments to the 2021 International Fire Code. The following stakeholders were included in the adoption process:
• American Institute of Architects Colorado South
• Colorado Springs Chamber and Economic Development
• Downtown Development Association
• Housing and Building Association of Colorado Springs
• Fire Sprinkler Committee
• Fire Alarm Committee
• City Planning and Community Development
• Apartment Association of Southern Colorado.
Throughout the process, some questions and concerns were raised by some of the organizations consulted. However, after some modifications and further discussion, the issues raised were resolved to everyone’s satisfaction. No opposition to the 2021 International Fire Code, as amended, was expressed by the stakeholders.
Alternatives:
Enter alternatives. Enter N/A if not applicable.
Action
Proposed Motion:
Alternatives to adoption of the 2021 International Fire Code, as amended, are to maintain the currently adopted 2015 International Fire Code or to adopt the 2021 International Fire Code without amendments.
Summary of Ordinance Language
An ordinance amending City Code to adopt the 2021 International Fire Code and proposed Colorado Springs Fire Department amendments to the adopted Code.