Title
Ordinance No. 18-50 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 2015 Edition of the International Fire Code with amendments and providing penalties for the violation thereof
Presenter:
Fire Marshal Brett Lacey
Body
Summary:
Pertinent Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) personnel studied the 2015 International Fire Code’s contents and crafted the proposed amendments. CSFD recommends the collective adoption of the 2015 International Fire Code, as amended, as the City of Colorado Springs Fire Code.
Previous Council Action:
In April of 2011, in order to correlate with the Pikes Peak Regional Building Code’s 2011 edition, the 2009 International Fire Code, as amended, was approved by City Council and adopted by the City.
Background:
The City currently operates under the 2009 International Fire Code, as amended. Advances in technology and significant fire events require updated fire code editions to be published every three to four years. A similar 3 to 4 year trend occurs with Regional Building codes, which encompasses building, electrical, elevator, mechanical, and plumbing codes. The Fire Code and the Regional Building Code are companion documents; as such, it is essential that Fire code and Regional Building Code editions parallel one another. Doing so prevents conflicting code provisions and confusion among code enforcement issues. Historically, the City and the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department (PPRBD) have adhered to a six-year code adoption cycle. Council recently adopted the 2015 International Building Code, as amended, to serve as the City’s Regional Building Code.
Because the Fire Code and the Building Code are companion documents that involve the cooperation of CSFD personnel and PPRBD personnel who have the common goal of building a safe community, this ordinance supports the City’s Building Community and Collaborative Relationships strategic goal.
Financial Implications:
Adoption of the amended 2015 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 2017 budget.
Board/Commission Recommendation:
The Colorado Springs Fire Board of Appeals voted unanimously in favor of the proposed 2015 International Fire Code, as amended, and recommended submittal to City Council for adoption.
Stakeholder Process:
Stakeholders were requested to review, seek clarification, and comment on amendments to the 2015 International Fire Code. The following stakeholders were included in the adoption process: the Affiliated Commercial Contractors Association, the American Institute of Architects Colorado South, the Colorado Springs Chamber and Economic Development Corporation, the Council of Neighbors and Organizations, the Downtown Partnership, the Housing and Building Association of Colorado Springs, and area distilleries. Throughout the process, some questions and concerns were raised by some of the organizations we consulted. However, after further discussion, the issues raised were resolved to everyone’s satisfaction. .No other opposition to the 2015 International Fire Code, as amended, was expressed by remaining stakeholders to CSFD.
Additionally, personnel representing CSFD and PPRBD worked collaboratively to ensure that the 2015 International Fire Code, as amended, and the Pikes Peak Regional Building Code’s 2017 edition are consistent. Because the adopted codes are companion documents, this partnership is imperative.
Alternatives:
Alternatives to adoption of the 2015 International Fire Code, as amended, are to maintain the currently adopted 2009 International Fire Code or to adopt the 2015 International Fire Code without amendments.
Recommended Action
Proposed Motion:
Adopt the 2015 International Fire Code, as amended.
Summary of Ordinance Language
An ordinance amending City Code to adopt the 2015 International Fire Code and proposed Colorado Springs Fire Department amendments to the adopted Code.