2013 Wisconsin Act 270 establishes a uniform commercial building code in Wisconsin, while allowing municipalities to grandfather fire detection, prevention, and suppression ordinances that relate to the construction, alteration, or addition to a public building or building that is a place of employment.
Grandfathered Ordinances for Cudahy
5.01 – GENERAL PROVISIONS.
(2) APPLICATION.
(b) The provisions of this Code shall apply equally to new structures, including additions to existing structures and existing conditions, except that existing conditions not in strict compliance with the terms of this subsection shall be permitted to continue where the exceptions do not constitute a distinct hazard to life or adjoining property, as determined by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ), or have been superseded by this Code.
(3) ADDITIONS TO, CHANGE OF USE, RENOVATED, ALTERED OR REMODELED BUILDINGS.
(a) If 50 percent or more of the total floor area of a building is renovated, altered or remodeled and/or added to the existing building, the entire building shall be brought into compliance with the requirements of this Code.
(b) If 25 to 49 percent of the total floor area of a building is renovated, altered or remodeled, the portion of the building that is remodeled shall be brought into compliance with the requirements of this Code.
(d) All percentages of remodeling shall be cumulative as applied to (a), (b), and (c) above.
(f) If any addition is made to an existing building and/or structure that currently has a fire sprinkler, fire suppression, fire control or fire alarm system installed, the addition shall comply completely with this Code.
(g) If any addition is made to an existing building and/or structure that currently has a fire sprinkler, fire suppression, fire control or fire alarm system installed, the addition shall have a fire sprinkler, fire suppression, fire control or fire alarm system installed.
(h) If the use of and/or contents of any existing building is changed and becomes more hazardous as determined by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ), the building shall be brought into compliance with this Code.
5.12 – AUTOMATIC FIRE SPRINKLER, FIRE CONTROL AND/OR FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM PROTECTION.
(2) CODE COMPLIANCE. All automatic fire sprinkler, fire control and/or fire suppression systems installed, modified, altered and/or repaired, shall comply with this Code and the applicable NFPA codes and/or standards.
(3) CODE CONFLICTS. If any conflicts exist between this Code and any NFPA code and/or standard, the most restrictive, as determined by the AHJ, shall be enforced by the AHJ.
(6) INSTALLATION REQUIRED. Automatic fire sprinkler systems shall be installed in all structures where the floor area exceeds the thresholds established in Table 5.06(5) of the specific occupancy type and construction type involved. For the purpose of determining square footage as it relates to the required installation of fire sprinklers in a building, firewalls shall not be considered area dividers unless the firewall is rated at 4 hours without penetrations and extends a minimum of 3 feet above the roof.
TABLE 5.12 6
OCCUPANCY
TYPE TYPE 1 TYPE II TYPE III TYPE IV TYPE V
E* ALL ALL ALL ALL ALL
I-2 ALL ALL ALL ALL ALL
I-3 ALL ALL ALL ALL ALL
I-4 ALL ALL ALL ALL ALL
R-4 ALL ALL ALL ALL ALL
U 5,000 SF 5,000 SF 5,000 SF 5,000 SF 5,000 SF
* Excludes single-family home day cares
(7) ADDITIONAL AUTOMATIC FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM INSTALLATIONS REQUIRED. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in all:
(a) Parking structures above and below ground with ceilings.
(b) CBRFs (community based residential facilities).
(c) Adult family homes.
(d) Throughout all dormitories, fraternities and sorority houses.
(e) Throughout every building, new or existing, which by reason of its construction or combustible occupancy involves a life hazard to its occupants or in the judgment of the AHJ constitutes a fire menace.
(f) Throughout all mini warehouses and unattached multifamily parking garages that exceed any of the following:
1. Three thousand square feet or more in area on any floor.
2. Two stories in height.
3. Any portion of the structure is below grade level.
(8) [BASEMENTS AND GARAGES.] Basements and garages are to be designed to protect as a minimum of for ordinary hazard occupancy.
(9) [INSTALLATION OF AUTOMATIC FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM IN STRUCTURE NOT CURRENTLY SERVICED BY MUNICIPAL WATER SOURCE.] When an automatic fire sprinkler system is required to be installed by this Code but not the Wisconsin Department of Commerce, in a structure that is not currently serviced by a municipal water source, the following must be complied with:
(a) Any required fire sprinkler system shall be installed in complete compliance with the appropriate NFPA code(s) and/or standard(s). Exception: An automatic water supply for any fire sprinkler system(s) required to be installed by this Code but not required by the Wisconsin Department of Commerce Code, the automatic water supply shall comply with the following:
2. The fire sprinkler system(s) shall be installed and connected to a conditionally approved automatic water supply.
4. The required automatic water supply must be capable of delivering the required quantity of water at the required pressure as determined by hydraulically calculating the system demand in accordance with NFPA 13 for the most hydraulically demanding area.
(b) Within 90 days after a municipal water system becomes available, the sprinkler system shall be connected to the municipal water supply.
(c) For the purpose of this Code, an available municipal water supply shall be any of the following:
1. A municipal water main located at or near the streets adjacent to the prope1iy the structure that is required to be sprinklered is located on.
2. A municipal water main located in a utility easement on or near the prope1iy the structure that is required to be sprinklered is located on.
3. A municipal water main located at or near the sti·eets within 1,500 lineal feet of any part of the property the structure that is required to be sprinklered is located on.
4. A municipal water main located in a utility easement within 1,500 lineal feet of any part of the property the structure that is required to be sprinklered is located on.
(10) [SYSTEMS COMPLIANCE.] All automatic fire sprinkler, fire control and/or fire suppression systems shall comply with the following:
(a) Be designed in accordance with the appropriate NFPA standards and/or codes.
(c) Be design to protect the highest hazard present at any time in the protected area.
(d) Be monitored by a central station or an alternate monitoring service that is acceptable to the AHJ.
(e) Have sprinkler control rooms located with adequate access for Fire Depaiiment, sprinkler maintenance and inspection personnel and shall not be located within private dwellings with the exception of NFPA 13D systems.
(f) Have direct access from the exterior to the sprinkler control valve acceptable to the AHJ.
(g) Have a bell (minimum 10-inch) and strobe install, located above the FDC.
(h) The FDC must be located at least 40 feet from all gas meters, electrical meters and transformers.
(i) The FDC must be installed in a location acceptable to the AHJ.
(j) Be designed for the hazard being protected or as specifically specified in this Code and/or as acceptable to the AHJ.
(k) All automatic fire sprinkler systems hydraulic designs are to be based on a maximum of 90 percent of the available water supply (a minimum of a 10 percent safety margin shall be maintained).
(1) All sprinkler systems designed shall be based on the most current water flow test conducted in accordance with NFPA 291 that is acceptable to the AHJ.
(13) EXEMPTIONS. Any location where the installation of sprinklers may cause or increase an occupational hazard as determined by any governmental authority having jurisdiction over such location or occupation the AHJ may waive any requirement to install an automatic fire sprinkler system or any portion thereof.
5.13 – STANDPIPES.
(2) WHERE REQUIRED. Fire Department standpipe systems shall be installed in the following structures:
(a) Any structure required by the State of Wisconsin Codes.
(b) In all new structures over 2 stories in height.
(c) In any structure that exceeds 10,000 square feet in floor area.
(d) In any structure that the AHJ deems standpipes are necessary for firefighting purposes.
(e) Temporary standpipes must be installed in an approved location for all of the following structures:
1. All combustible structures exceeding 2 stories in height.
2. All noncombustible structures exceeding 3 stories in height.
(3) INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS. Fire Department standpipes shall be designed and installed in accordance with this section. Where any requirement in this section is more restrictive than any NFPA standard and/or code and/or State code, the requirements in this section must be complied with.
(a) The installation of standpipes shall be in accordance with this section and NFPA 14.
(b) The class and location of standpipes and Fire Department connections shall be acceptable to the AHJ.
(c) All standpipe systems hydraulic designs are to be based on a maximum of 90 percent of the available water supply (a minimum of a 10 percent safety margin shall be maintained).
(f) The location of standpipe hose connections shall be accessible and shall be located so that all positions of the building are within 100 feet of hose attached to a hose valve. This distance must be measured using the nonnal aisles or the path a hose would be laid as determined by the AHJ.
(g) The locations of all hose valves shall be acceptable to the AHJ.
(h) The AHJ may require additional standpipes and/or hose valve to be installed.
(i) All structures over 3 stories shall have Class I standpipes installed in accordance with NFPA 14.
(j) When required by the AHJ, an approved standpipe shall be installed as construction progresses to make them available for Fire Department use in the top most floors constructed. Temporary standpipes shall be provided in place of permanent standpipes when required, during the period of construction on buildings required by this Code.
(k) The location of all Fire Department connections for standpipes shall be approved by the AHJ.
(l) The Fire Department connections shall be located at least 40 feet from all electrical transformers, gas meters, or propane storage.
(m) Temporary standpipes are required on buildings over 2 stories in height.
5.14 – FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS.
(2) INSTALLATION REQUIRED. A fire alarm system shall be installed in all structures where the floor area exceeds the thresholds established in Table 5 .14(2) of the specific occupancy type and construction type involved.
TABLE 5.14 2
OCCUPANCY
TYPE TYPE I TYPE II TYPE III TYPE IV TYPE V
E* ALL ALL ALL ALL ALL
F-1 5,000 SF 5,000 SF 3,000 SF 3,000 SF 3,000 SF
F-2 5,000 SF 5,000 SF 3,000 SF 3,000 SF 3,000 SF
I-2 ALL ALL ALL ALL ALL
I-3 ALL ALL ALL ALL ALL
I-4 ALL ALL ALL ALL ALL
R-3 State Statutes apply
R-4 ALL ALL ALL ALL ALL
S-1 3,000 SF 3,000 SF 3,000 SF 3,000 SF 3,000 SF
S-2 5,000 SF 5,000 SF 3,000 SF 3,000 SF 3,000 SF
U 5,000 SF 5,000 SF 3,000 SF 3,000 SF 3,000 SF
* Excludes single-family home daycares, State Statutes apply.
(3) MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS. The following minimum system requirements shall be met when any occupancy type exceeds the limits in Table 5.14(2). Minimum system requirements shall include:
(a) Audible notification appliances shall be installed throughout protected premises.
(b) Visible notification appliances shall be installed throughout protected premises. Exceptions:
1. Closets and/or other similar small storage rooms that do not exceed 50 square feet in floor area and are not normally occupied.
2. Normally unoccupied crawl spaces.
3. Normally unoccupied attic spaces.
4. Any nonaccessible area.
5. Any area the AHJ deems visible notification appliances are not required.
(d) Manual initiating devices (pull stations) shall be located at all points of egress including all exit doors on every floor and/or building level.
(e) Water flow detection devices shall be connected to the fire alarm system to specifically activate the notification appliances upon water flow.
(f) Fire suppression system activation alarms shall be connected to the protected premises fire alarm system to specifically activate the notification appliances upon system activation. This includes but is not limited to wet chemical, CO2, clean agent, water mist and dry chemical systems.
(g) Fire control and/or suppression systems supervisory condition indicators shall be connected to and monitored by the fire alarm system. This specifically includes but is not limited to: valve supervisory switches (tamper switches), low air switches, low water switches, low temperature switches, fire pump condition indicators and/or any other situation or condition deem necessary by the AHJ.
(h) Fire alarm systems shall be addressable and capable of indicating the status of all specific components connected to the system.
(i) All fire alarm systems shall be monitored by a service acceptable to the AHJ.
(j) Fire alarm annunciators shall be installed in all protected premises. The number and locations of the fire alarm annunciators installed shall be acceptable to the AHJ.
(k) As dete1mined by the AHJ, any additional notification and/or initiation appliances/devices may be required due to size, occupancy hazards, building construction, and/or occupancy use.
(6) SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS. On all buildings over 4 stories in height a fire command center for Fire Department operations shall be provided. The fire command center shall comply with NFP A 72 and shall contain the features required in the International Fire Code and NFPA 1 and NFPA 101.
(a) Two-way telephone communication service shall be provided for Fire Department use. This system shall be in accordance with NFPA 72. The communications system shall operate between the central control station and every elevator car, every elevator lobby, and each floor level of exit stairs.
(9) FIRE ALARM CONTROL PANELS. Shall display the status of the system components and be installed in a location acceptable to the AHJ. Adequate access for Fire Department, alarm maintenance, and inspection personnel shall be maintained. Fire alarm control panels shall not be located within private dwellings with the exception of one-family and two-family dwellings.