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 Germantown
5.09 – CODES ADOPTED AND INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE.
In addition to the regulations, standards and procedures set fo1th in this Code, the following are also adopted, inco1porated herein and made a part of this Code by reference, subject to the subsection (2) below:
(1) All orders, rules and regulations of the Department of Commerce set forth in the Wisconsin Administrative Code, and from time to time amended, are hereby adopted and incorporated herein by reference. The most current legislatively enacted versions will be enforced. This includes but is not limited to the Commercial Building Code, the Fire Prevention Code, the Electrical Code and all administrative codes not listed.
(2) The Fire Prevention Code (National Fire Prevention Code 1) and all referenced standards are hereby adopted and incorporated herein by reference. The most current available printed version of all NFPA codes and standards shall be enforced.
(3) The International Building Code and all associated documents are adopted by reference in their most current printed version.
(4) In the event of conflict or ambiguity between the provisions adopted under this section, and the regulations, standards and procedures set fo1th elsewhere in this Code, the stricter provision shall apply. A copy of the above codes are on file in the office of the Fire Chief. (Please note that more stringent Village requirements apply.)
5.10 – AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEMS.
(5) BUILDINGS WHERE INSTALLATION REQUIRED. Eve1y building constructed or structurally altered shall have an approved automatic sprinkler system installed and maintained when occupied in whole or in part for the following purposes:
(d) Hotels, Motels. Throughout hotel and motel buildings of nonfire resistive construction.
(g) Institutional Occupancies. Throughout all hospitals; nursing, convalescent, old age and other institutional buildings; and community-based residential facilities.
(j) Hazardous Occupancies. Throughout eve1y building which, by reason of its construction or highly combustible occupancy, involves a severe life hazard to its occupants, or, in the judgment of the Fire Chief, constitutes a fire menace.
(6) EXCEPTIONS. The following classes of buildings shall be exempt from the requirement of automatic sprinkler systems:
(a) Any portion of a building housing a process or material which would interact with water to create a greater fire hazard than without water, provided an alternate fire suppression system is used.
(7) FIRE DEPARTMENT HOSE CONNECTIONS. Every automatic sprinkler system installed in new or existing buildings shall be equipped with at least one Fire Department hose connection at a location approved by the Fire Chief.
(9) INTERIM INSTALLATIONS.
(a) Unless or until such time as a municipal water supply is available to serve a building in which installation of an automatic sprinkler is required, connection of the system to a water supply shall not be required; however, all design characteristics of systems installed under this section shall include provisions for eventual connection to a municipal water supply. In addition, such interim installations shall also include:
1. One or more Fire Department connections with 2 female couplings with National Standard Threads attached to a header of adequate size in accordance with fire protection engineering standards, but not less than 4 inches, to supply the system.
2. An automatic fire detection and alarm system of a type approved by the Fire Chief or his designee having jurisdiction.
(b) All fire sprinkler systems installed under the requirements of this section shall be connected to a municipal water system within 6 months after water mains to serve the building are available for use.