TITLE: Title
Inform Board of Alderman of Fire Code Proposed changes.
PURPOSE: The purpose is to seek Board of Alderman support of the Fire-Rescue Department writing a letter on behalf of the Town of Carrboro in opposition to two proposed Fire Code changes.
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DEPARTMENT: Fire-Rescue Department
CONTACT INFORMATION: Susanna Schmitt Williams, 919-918-7349, swilliams@townofcarrboro.org
INFORMATION: There are two proposed changes to the Fire Code that the NC Fire Marshal Association, NC Firefighters Association, and other local municipal fire organizations (Chapel Hill, Orange County, & Chatham County) are opposed to.
Changes proposed to Fire Code:
Chapter 9. Chapter 9 contains code requirements to fire protection systems. The proposed change is seeking to remove the authority from the fire official and place it with the building official for all of Chapter 9. This includes the scope of Chapter 9 which relates to the design, installation, inspection, operation, testing, and maintenance of all fire protection systems.
The Building Code officials would now be responsible for plan review and inspection of: fire alarms, sprinkler systems, fire extinguishers, grease hood systems, standpipes, smoke control systems, FDC’s (Fire Department Connections), and fire pumps. Departments (Fire and Building) would potentially need to be restructured to accommodate this increase or decrease in workload. An additional amount of training would be required in order for building officials to be able to effectively inspect these systems. Of more importance is the loss of the familiarity to fire operations division with these systems as they assist the fire marshal in their duties.
Additionally, many other chapters in the model system of the NC Fire Code reference Chapter 9. Removing Chapter 9 from the Fire Code would require the Fire Official to confer and pass authority to the Building official when needed due to other Chapters referencing Chapter 9 (which would no longer be in the Fire Code). Efficiency of work would be compromised.
Chapter 1 & Chapter 31. These changes seek to increase the square feet of a temporary membrane structure and tents before requiring a permit. The requirement of permits allows for notification of the Fire Official to an erection of these types of structure so an inspection can confirm required safety measures are in place: fire extinguishers, clearly marked exits, and setting of occupancy load. Increasing the size would allow for the most common sized tents to be erected without the knowledge of the Fire Official thus rendering these structures to not have been inspected for safety.
FISCAL & STAFF IMPACT: Passing of proposed changes would increase workload of some town employees, decrease workload of Fire Marshal, decrease fire operations familiarity with fire protection systems.
RECOMMENDATION:r The recommendation is for the Board of Alderman to support writing of the letter to the Building Code Council in opposition to two proposed changes.