A. Section 103.1, Creation of agency, is amended to read as follows:

The Prevention Division of West Pierce Fire & Rescue was created and the official in charge thereof shall be known as the fire code official. The function of the agency shall be the implementation, administration and enforcement of the provisions of this code.

B. Section 104.1.1, Coordination With Other Departments. A new Section 104.1.1 is added to read as follows:

When requested and authorized to do so by the fire code official, the chief of police may assign such available police officers and the code compliance supervisor may assign such available code compliance officers as may be necessary to assist the Community and Economic Development Department and/or the fire department in enforcing provisions of this code.

C. Section 104.1.2, Inspection Authority. A new Section 104.1.2 is added to read as follows:

The fire code official and members of the fire prevention division have limited police powers for the purpose of enforcing the International Fire Code. Such powers shall include the ability to issue verbal and written notices of violation and determine appropriate timeframes within which violations shall be removed or repaired. City of Lakewood Code Enforcement or Law Enforcement will issue infractions and criminal citations if necessary.

D. Section 104.1.3, Special Limited Commission. A new Section 104.1.3 is added to read as follows:

The scope of the special limited commission herein shall not grant the fire code official or any member of the fire prevention bureau any power of arrest and this special limited commission shall not grant any member, of the fire prevention division, authority to carry firearms or other weapons while conducting activities related to enforcement of the International Fire Code.

E. Section 105.6.50, Special Operation Permit. A new Section 105.6.50 is added to read as follows:

The fire code official is authorized to require and issue a special operational permit for any operation listed in Section 105.5 of the IFC. The operational permit will provide the ability to track and monitor the situation.

F. Section 105.6.25, Underground supply piping for automatic sprinkler system, is amended to read as follows:

A construction permit is required for the installation of the portion of the underground water supply piping, public or private, supplying a water-based fire protection system. The permit shall apply to all underground piping and appurtenances downstream of the first control valve on the lateral piping or service line from the distribution main to one foot above finished floor of the facility with the fire protection system. Maintenance performed in accordance with this code is not considered to be a modification and does not require a permit.

Exception:

1. Underground piping serves a fire protection system installed in accordance with NFPA 13D.

G. Section 109.2, Testing and operation, is amended to read as follows:

Equipment requiring periodic testing or operation to ensure maintenance shall be tested or operated as specified in this code and references. To ensure all fire and life safety systems are free of deficiencies and current on testing the fire code official may utilize a third party confidence testing coordination and tracking method.

H. Section 114.8, Securing Property. A new Section 114.8 is added to read as follows:

The owner, occupant or other person having under his/her control any property or materials on a property damaged by fire, explosion or deemed unsafe shall, when ordered by the chief, immediately secure the property against entry or unauthorized access by the public, by boarding up all openings, fencing, barricading or utilizing other appropriate measures.

I. Section 106.3, Work commencing before permit issuance, is amended to read as follows:

A person who commences any work, activity or operation regulated by this code before obtaining the necessary permits shall be subject to double the fees identified for such work, activity or operation as set forth in the adopted City fee schedule.

J. Section 107.7, Permit Re-Inspection Fee. A new Section 107.7 is added to read as follows:

All initial fees include two field inspections. Inspections required in excess of two may incur additional fees. Re-inspections fees must be paid prior to scheduling an inspection.

K. Section 202, General Definitions, is amended as follows:

Fire department means West Pierce Fire & Rescue which is a municipal corporation in contract to provide services to the City of Lakewood.

L. Section 322, False Alarms. Add a new section to read:

False alarms causing response by emergency response shall be managed in accordance with 320.1 and 320.2.

M. 

322.1 False Alarm Complaints.

False alarm complaints shall be filed with the Fire Prevention Division by either the responding fire companies or by the Fire Communication Center.

N. 

322.2 Notification and invoicing.

Upon receiving and verifying the validity of a false alarm complaint, the fire code official will notify the owner or manager of the premises to take corrective measures to eliminate problems causing the false alarms. The notice will state that more than four false alarms in a calendar year will result in an invoice for costs in accordance with the city’s master fee schedule.

O. Section 503, Fire Apparatus Access Roads, as published in the IFC (unamended by WAC), is adopted and is renamed “Emergency Vehicle (EV) Access” and is amended as follows:

P. Section 503.2.1, Dimensions, is amended to read as follows:

EV access servicing not more than two dwelling units shall not be less than fifteen (15) feet wide. EV access for all other projects shall not be less than 24 feet with no parking, twenty-eight (28) feet with parking on one side and thirty-two (32) feet with parking on both sides. Unobstructed vertical clearance of not less than 13 feet 6 inches shall be provided. With approval of the City and Fire Marshal a reduced vertical clearance may be approved provided such reduction does not impair EV Access and approved signs are installed and maintained.

Q. Section 503.2.3, Surface, is amended to read as follows:

EV access shall be designed and maintained to support the imposed loads of fire apparatus and shall be paved with asphalt or concrete so as to provide all-weather driving capabilities. Exception: access designated “Emergency Vehicles Only” may be designed by a licensed engineer and can be alternative surfacing, as approved by the City engineer.

R. Section 503.2.4, Turning radius, is amended to read as follows:

A minimum outside turning radius of forty-five (45) feet shall be provided for all EV Access.

S. Section 503.2.5, Dead ends, is amended to read as follows:

Dead-end emergency access roads in excess of 150 feet in length shall be provided with an approved area for turning around emergency vehicles. Dead end turn around specifications shall comply with added sections 503.2.5.1 through 503.2.5.5.

T. 

503.2.5.1 Commercial.

Commercial/industrial projects may utilize a roundabout or hammerhead design.

U. Reserved.

V. Reserved.

W. 

503.2.5.4 Additions or alterations.

Alterations or tenant improvements, on a dead end access road or interior dead end access drive aisle, that increase the number of uses to the site shall construct an EV turnaround.

X. 

503.2.5.5 Turn around design.

Hammerhead turnarounds and cul-de-sac design shall comply with the latest edition of the City of Lakewood Engineering Standards Manual.

Y. 

503.2.7 Grade.

The maximum grade (vertical profile grade) of an EV access shall be fifteen (15) percent. All sections of EV accesses with grades over twelve (12) percent shall be paved with 0.17 feet compacted asphalt concrete or its cement concrete equivalent

Z. Section 503.3, Marking, is amended to read as follows:

Approved striping or signs shall be provided and maintained for fire apparatus roads to identify such roads and prohibit the obstruction thereof. Signs and striping shall be maintained in a clean and legible condition at all times and be replaced or repaired when necessary to provide adequate visibility.

1. Striping. Painted lines of red traffic paint shall mark fire apparatus access six (6) inches in width to show the boundaries of the lane. The words “NO PARKING FIRE LANE” shall appear in four (4) inches of white letters at 25 feet intervals on the red border markings along both sides of the fire lanes. Where a curb is available, the striping shall be on the vertical face of the curb.

Signs. Signs shall read “NO PARKING FIRE LANE” and shall be twelve (12) inches wide and eighteen (18) inches high. The signs shall have letters and background of contrasting colors, readily legible from a fifty (50) foot distance. Signs shall be permanently affixed to a stationary post and bottom of the sign shall be six feet, six inches (6’6”) above finished grade. Signs shall be spaced not more than fifty (50) feet apart. Signs may be installed on permanent buildings or walls or as approved by the code official.

AA. Section 503.6, Security gates, is amended to read as follows:

The installation of security gates across EV access ways shall be approved by the fire code official and meet the requirements in 503.6.1 through 503.6.3.

BB. 

503.6.1 Residential development access.

Gates which serve ten (10) or more dwelling units shall have an Opticom activation system or an equivalent and compatible system that is approved by the fire chief.

CC. 

503.6.2 Knox key access.

Gates shall have rapid-entry key capabilities compatible with the local fire district per IFC, Section 506.

DD. 

503.6.3 Automated gate.

All electrically-activated gates shall have default capabilities to the unlocked position.

EE. Section 503.7, Modifications. Add a new Section 503.7, Modifications, to read as follows:

Where site conditions do not allow full compliance, the fire code official may modify emergency vehicle access requirements as necessary to ensure adequate accessibility for emergency responders.

FF. Section 505.1, Address identification, is amended to read as follows:

Building address identification shall comply with added sections 505.1.1 and 505.1.2.

GG. 

505.1.1 Commercial.

New and existing commercial buildings shall have approved address numbers, building numbers or approved building identification placed high on the building to be plainly legible and visible from the street or road fronting the property. These numbers shall contrast with their background. Address numbers shall be Arabic numerals or alphabet letters. Numbers shall be a minimum of twelve (12) inches high. Individual unit/suite or space numbers or letters shall be four (4) inches in size and contrasting with the background and visible from the approach side or angle.

HH. 

505.1.2 Residential.

New and existing residential structures shall have approved address numbers placed in the position that is plainly legible and visible from the street or road fronting the property. These numbers shall contrast with their background. Address numbers shall be a minimum of four (4) inches high with a minimum stroke of one half (0.5) inch for buildings that are under fifty (50) feet of the street, six (6) inches high with a minimum stroke of one half (0.5) inch for buildings that are over fifty (50) feet of the street. Where access is by means of a private road or driveway and the building cannot be viewed from a public way, a monument, pole or other sign shall be used to identify the structure.

II. Section 507.3.1, Residential Fire Flow Limitations. A new section is added to read as follows:

Residential additions that add more than 50% of the original square footage, which fail to meet required fire flow and/or hydrant distances shall be required to install a fire sprinkler system complying with Section 903.3.1.3.

JJ. Section 507.5.1, Where required, is amended to read as follows:

Any facility or building hereafter constructed or moved into or within the jurisdiction shall be required to provide a hydrant(s), where required by the fire code official, in accordance with appendix C.

Exceptions:

1. For Group R-3 and Group U occupancies, the distance requirements shall be 350 feet.

2. For Group R-1 and R-2 occupancies, no point of the building shall exceed a 500-foot hose lay distance using a fire department access route between the hydrant and building.

3. For buildings equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2, the distance requirement shall be 500 feet.

KK. Section 507.5.1.2 is added to read as follows:

507.5.1.2 Hydrant for fire department connection.

A fire hydrant shall be installed no more than 100 feet from any fire department connection.

LL. Section 507.5.7 is added to read as follows:

Section 507.5.7 Hydrant setback.

All fire hydrants shall be installed at least two (2) feet, but not more than nine (9) feet, from the curb face of a paved street or edge of a designated approved fire access roadway.

All fire hydrants placed on private property shall be adequately protected by either curb stops or concrete post or other approved methods. Such stops shall be the responsibility of the landowner on which the fire hydrant is installed.

MM. Section 507.5.9 is added to read as follows:

Section 507.5.9 Hydrant marking.

An approved blue, two (2) sided reflector shall be utilized to identify each hydrant location. The reflector shall be affixed to the centerline of each roadway or fire access lane.

NN. Section 901.7.7, “Fire watch required,” is added to read as follows:

The Fire Chief or their designee, shall determine when Fire Department personnel must conduct a fire watch due to code requirements, excessive occupant load, the unusual nature of the event, the use of pyrotechnics or fireworks, the existence of a hazardous condition, the inoperability of the fire protection system, or other conditions affecting the safety at the event or property. The person responsible for the facility shall pay per the fee schedule for associated costs. If more than one person is required for the fire watch, the person responsible for the facility shall pay a fee per the fee schedule. The Fire Chief or designee will notify the responsible person of the period of the fire watch and the resulting fee prior to the event.

OO. Section 907.2 Where required – add following to section.

All new fire alarm installations shall have full occupant notification.

PP. Section 1103.8.1, Where required, is amended with the addition of the following sentence:

The use of listed exceptions shall not apply to Group R-2 occupancies.

QQ. Section 5307.3.1, Ventilation – Not adopted. [Ord. 799 §§ 5, 6, 2024; Ord. 747 § 5, 2020; Ord. 648 § 8, 2016; Ord. 641 § 7, 2016.]