15.50.010 Uniform Fire Code—adoption

1. There is for the purpose of prescribing regulations governing conditions hazardous to life and property from fire, hazardous materials or explosion that certain Code and Standards known as the National Fire Protection Association 1 Uniform Fire Code 2003 edition (2003 NFPA 1/UFC), including Annexes thereof, save and except such portions as are hereinafter deleted, modified or amended by Section 15.50.080.
2. A copy of such Code has been and is now filed in the office of the City Clerk.
3. Copies of the 2003 NFPA 1/UFC may be obtained from the National Fire Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169. Information is available upon request from the State Fire Marshal Bureau, Department of Justice, 303 North Roberts, Helena, Montana, 59620. (Ord. 2905, 2005; Ord. 2874, 2004; Ord. 2794, 2001; Ord. 2651 (Exh. B), 1993; Ord. 2455 (part), 1987; Ord. 2429 §2 (part), 1986).

15.50.040 Definitions.

Whenever the following words are used in the 2003 NFPA 1/UFC, the following definitions shall apply:

"Chief of the Bureau of Fire Prevention" means the Fire Marshal of the City.

"Corporation counsel" means the City Attorney.

"Jurisdiction" means the City.

"Removal" in relation to storage tanks includes vents and fill pipes and all other incidental hardware.  (Ord. 2874, 2004; Ord. 2455 (part), 1987; Ord. 2429 §2(part), 1986).

15.50.060 Bureau of Fire Prevention--established—duties

The 2003 NFPA 1/UFC shall be enforced by the Bureau of Fire Prevention in the Fire Department of the City, which is established and which shall be operated under the supervision of the Fire Chief. (Ord. 2874, 2004)

15.50.080 Uniform Fire Code—amendments

The 2003 NFPA 1/UFC is amended and changed in the following respects:

1. Chapter 1 of the 2003 NFPA 1/UFC is adopted with the following exceptions, additions and amendments:
   1. Section 1.10 Board of Appeals is not adopted; and
   2. 1.12 Permits and Approvals and any other sections of the 2003 NFPA 1/UFC referring to permits is not adopted. This section applies on to 2003 NFPA 1/UFC permitting requirements, not to permitting requirements contained in Montana law. Fees shall be set by Commission resolution.
2. Chapter 10 through 19 of the 2003 NFPA 1/UFC are adopted with the following exceptions, additions and amendments:
   1. Section 10.18 Parade Floats (including all subsections) is not adopted;
   2. Section 10.7.3 False Alarms is not adopted
   3. Section 10.15.1 is not adopted; and
   4. 10.15.9.5 Christmas trees shall be properly treated with an approved flame retardant. The chief may, however, waive this requirement when the tree is fresh (recently harvested) and all other provisions of section 10.15.9 are met. Consideration should also be given to humidity, temperature and the dryness of the tree at the time of setup.
   5. Section 14.15.3 Fire escapes: Existing fire escapes which in the opinion of the chief comply with (1) may be used as one of the required means of egress. The location and anchorage of fire escapes shall be of approved design and construction. 1. Fire escapes shall comply with the following:
      1. Access from a corridor shall not be through an intervening room;
      2. All openings within 10 feet shall be protected by three-fourths-hour fire assemblies;
      3. When located within a recess or vestibule, adjacent enclosure walls shall not be less than one hour fire-resistive construction;
      4. Egress from the building shall be by a clear opening having a minimum dimension of not less than 29 inches in both height and width. Such openings shall be openable from the inside without the use of a key or special knowledge or effort. The sill of the opening giving access shall not be more than 30 inches above the floor of the building or balcony;
      5. Fire escape stairways and balconies shall comply with the following requirements:
         1. fire escape stairways and balconies shall support the dead load plus a live load of not less than 100 pounds per square foot and shall be provided with a top and intermediate handrail on each side;
         2. the pitch of the stairway shall not exceed 60 degrees with a minimum width of 18 inches;
         3. treads shall not be less than four inches in width and the rise between treads shall not exceed 10 inches;
         4. all stair and balcony railings shall support a horizontal force of not less than 50 pounds per lineal foot of railing;
         5. balconies shall not be less than 44 inches in width with no floor opening other than the stairway opening greater than 5/8 inch in width;
         6. stairway openings in such balconies shall not be less than 22 inches by 44 inches; and
         7. the balustrade of each balcony shall not be less than 36 inches high with not more than nine inches between balusters;
      6. Fire escapes shall extend to the roof or provide an approved gooseneck ladder between the top floor landing and the roof when serving buildings four or more stories in height having roofs with less than four units in vertical in 12 units horizontal (33.3% slope);
      7. Fire escape ladders shall be designed and connected to the building to withstand a horizontal force of 100 pounds per lineal foot; each rung shall support a concentrated load of 500 pounds placed anywhere on the rung. All ladders shall be at least 15 inches wide, located within 12 inches of the building and shall be placed flat wise relative to the face of the building. Ladder rungs shall be ¾ inch in diameter and shall be located 12 inches on center. Openings for roof access ladders through cornices and similar projections shall have minimum dimensions of 30 inches by 33 inches;
      8. The lowest balcony shall not be more than 18 feet from the ground;
      9. Fire escapes shall extend to the ground or be provided with counterbalanced stairs reaching the ground;
      10. Fire escapes shall be kept clear and unobstructed at all times and maintained in good working order.
   6. 19.2.1.4 Rubbish within Dumpsters. Dumpsters and containers with an individual capacity of 1.5 yd3 or more shall not be stored in buildings or placed within five feet of combustible wall, openings or combustible roof eave lines.
   7. 19.2.1.4.2 Structures of Types I and II fire resistive construction used for dumpster or container storage shall be located not less than five feet from openings and other buildings.
3. Chapters 60 through 73 of 2003 NFPA 1/UFC are adopted with the following exceptions, additions and amendments:
   1. Section 65.9 Storage. The maximum quantities, storage conditions, and fire-protection requirements for gunpowder and ammunition stored in a building shall be as follows:
      1. Smokeless powder –in accordance with 50-61-120 and 50-61-121, MCA.
      2. Commercial manufactured sporting black powder: 25 pounds in a separate, portable Type 4 magazine.
      3. Small arms primers or percussion caps: In accordance with 50-61-120 and 50-61-121, MCA
   2. Section 65.11 Sale, Handling, and Storage of Consumer Fireworks is not adopted.

The following annexes are adopted as a part of this code:

1. Annex A Explanatory Material;
2. Annex D Hazardous Materials Management Plans and Hazardous Materials Inventory Statements;
3. Annex G Ozone Gas-Generating Equipment;
4. Annex H Fire Flow requirements of Buildings; and
5. Annex E Fire Hydrant Location and Distribution.

The design and construction requirements in NFPA 1/UFC that apply to public buildings or places of employment are not included in this adoption. The Building Code adopted by the City controls design and construction in the City of Great Falls. If there is any conflict between the construction standards in the NFPA 1/UFC and the construction standards set forth in the Building Code, the provisions of the Building Code control. NFPA 1/UFC construction codes only apply if no comparable construction code exists.

The following NFPA 1/UFC sections are modified as shown to be in accordance with the Building Code regarding design and construction requirements:

1. Chapter 1
   1. Section 1.3 Application. This code shall apply to: New construction as required in the building code, and existing conditions. Existing buildings shall be maintained in accordance with the Building Code in effect at the time of construction. However, where existing conditions or buildings pose an imminent hazard or risk to public health and safety are not, therefore, within the purview of the building code, the Bureau of Fire Prevention may take corrective action pursuant to the provisions of 50-61-101, Montana Code Annotated (MCA) et seq. and 50-61-101, MCA, et seq.
   2. Section 1.3.8 Repairs, renovations, alteration, reconstruction, change of occupancy and additions to buildings shall conform with the Fire Code and the Building Code.
   3. Section 2.1 General. The documents or [portions thereof listed in this chapter are referenced within this code and shall be considered part of the requirements of this document.
   4. Section 2.2 NFPA publications is not adopted.
   5. Section 10.1.1 Every existing building or structure shall be arranged, equipped, maintained and operated in accordance with this code so as to provide a reasonable level of life safety, property protection and public welfare from the actual and potential hazards created by fire, explosion, and other hazardous conditions.
   6. Section 10.1.2 is not adopted.
   7. Section 10.1.3 Building Code. All new construction shall comply with the Building Code. 8. Section 14.1 Applications. Means of egress in new and existing buildings shall comply with the Building Code in effect at the time of construction.

(Ord. 2905, 2005; Ord. 2874, 2004; Ord. 2794, 2001)

15.50.100 Pipes thawed with torch prohibited

It is unlawful to use any torch or other flame-producing device for the purpose of thawing out any pipe in or under any house, building or structure in the City. Any person, who in consequence of violating the provisions of this section causes a fire, shall, in addition to the penalties prescribed in this section, be liable to the City in damage to the extent of the costs to the Fire Department for answering a fire alarm and services in extinguishing such fire, such penalty to be recovered by a civil action. (Ord. 2874, 2004; Ord. 2455 (part), 1987; Ord. 2429 §2(part), 1986).

15.50.140 Violation—penalty

1. Any person who violates any of the provisions of the Uniform Fire Code adopted in Section 15.12.010 of this chapter or fails to comply therewith is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less than ten dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. The imposition of one penalty for any violation shall not excuse the violation or permit it to continue; and all such persons shall be required to correct or remedy such violations or defects within a reasonable time; and when not otherwise specified, each ten days that prohibited conditions are maintained shall constitute a separate offense.
2. The application of the above penalty shall not be held to prevent the enforced removal or prohibited conditions. (Ord. 2874, 2004; Ord. 2455 (part), 1987; Ord. 2429 §2(part), 1986).

 

Other pertinent OCCGF Codes:

8.7	Smoking in public places	9.90	Fireworks policy
8.60.010	Abandoned refrigerators	10.48.060(B)	Hydrant codes
9.28.010	Negligent smoking	13.14.010	Unlawful materials in sewer
9.10.010(M)	Discharging fireworks in parks