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 Hales Corners
6.08 AUTOMATIC FIRE SPRINKLER PROTECTION.
(2) Installation Required. Except as provided in subsections (a) and (b) herein, an Automatic Fire Sprinkler System shall be installed in all structures where the floor area exceeds the thresholds, reduced by twenty-five percent (25%), as established in COMM 62.0503 and COMM 62.0903.
(b) Residential Group R Occupancies. An Automatic Sprinkler System shall be installed in any building classified as a Residential Group R Occupancy as required by COMM 62.903.
(3) When a sprinkler system is required by this chapter, but not the Wisconsin Department of Commerce, at a structure that is not currently serviced by a municipal water source:
(b) Within ninety (90) days after a municipal water system becomes available, the sprinkler system shall be connected to the municipal water supply.
(4) All automatic fire sprinkler systems shall:
(a) Be monitored in accordance with NFPA 72.
(b) Have sprinkler control rooms located with adequate access for Fire Department, Sprinkler Maintenance and Inspection personnel and shall not be located within private dwellings with the exception of NFPA 13D systems.
(c) Have direct access from the exterior to the sprinkler control valve as determined by the AHJ.
(e) Have a bell (minimum ten inch) and Strobe located above the FDC in accordance with NFPA 13, 13R and/or 13D.
(f) The FDC must be at least forty (40) feet from all gas meters, electrical meters and transformers.
(g) Be designed for the hazard being protected or as specified in this Code and/or as directed by the AHJ.
(h) All automatic fire sprinkler systems hydraulic designs are to be based on ninety percent (90%) available water supply (10% safety margin shall be maintained). All sprinkler systems designed shall be based on the most current approved water flow test conducted in accordance with NFPA 291.
(6) Application to Existing Buildings.
(a) Where the AHJ finds that an existing building, because of current occupancy or a change in occupancy constitutes a hazard to its occupants or adjoining property, the AHJ may order compliance with the provisions of this section. A hazard shall be determined by the existence of one or more of the following conditions:
1. Any 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 AHJ, constitutes a fire menace, including, but not limited to, paint shop and other occupancies involving processing, mixing, storing, and dispensing of volatile liquids or solids.
2. Non-fire-resistive characteristics of a structure.
3. Accumulation of flammable or combustible materials.
4. Lack of accessibility to the premises for fire-fighting equipment.
5. Substantial number of fire calls or complaints on the premises.
6. Traffic patterns for pedestrian ingress and egress which require protection under this section.
7. Insufficient ventilation system.
8. Lack of an internal communication system, or due to the size or type of building making regular Fire Department radio communication inoperable.
9. Number, characteristics and movement of employees which require protection under this section
b) The building owner may be required to install a repeater system or something comparable to assist radio communications.
(7) Fire Sprinkler Control Valve Access
(a) All structures that have automatic sprinkler systems shall comply with the following:
1. Have direct access from the exterior to the sprinkler control valves that is acceptable to the AHJ.
2. Shall not be located within private dwellings with the exception of NFPA 13D systems.
3. Have sprinkler control rooms located with adequate access for Fire Department, sprinkler maintenance and inspection personnel.
(8) 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.
6.09 AUTOMATIC FIRE PROTECTION FOR COOKING AREAS.
(2) Installation Requirements
(b) The system shall be provided with automatic fuel shut-off.
(c) A Class K fire extinguisher shall be installed per NFPA 10.
(d) Alarms shall be connected to the fire alarm system per NFPA 72.
(e) Cooking equipment used in processes producing smoke, or grease-laden vapors shall be equipped with an exhaust system that complies with all the equipment and performance requirements of NFPA 1 and NFPA 96, and all such equipment and performance shall be maintained per NFPA 96 during all periods of operation of the cooking equipment.
6.10 MISCELLANEOUS CONSTRUCTION PROVISIONS.
(4) Fire Alarm Systems.
(b) Installation Required.
1. Business Group B Occupancies. A Fire Alarm and Detection System shall be installed in any building classified as a Business Group B Occupancy.
2. Residential Group R Occupancies. A Fire Alarm and Detection System shall be installed in any building classified as a Residential Group R Occupancy as required by COMM 62.0907.
(d) Minimum System Requirements. The following minimum system requirements shall be met when any occupancy type exceeds the limits in §6.10(4)(b) of this Code. Minimum system requirements shall include:
1. Audible notification appliances shall be installed throughout protected premises.
2. Visible notification appliances shall be installed throughout protected premises and on the exterior at the main entrance. Exceptions:
a. Closets and/or other similar small storage rooms that do not exceed 50 square feet in floor area and are not normally occupied.
b. Normally unoccupied crawl spaces.
c. Normally unoccupied attic spaces.
d. Any non-accessible area.
4. Manual Initiating Devices (pull stations) shall be located at all points of egress including all exit doors on every floor and/or building level. Exceptions: Manual initiating devices are not required in buildings that have complete automatic fire sprinkler systems installed in accordance with NFPA 13.
5. Water flow detection devices shall be connected to the protected premises fire alarm system to specifically activate the notification appliances upon water flow.
6. 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, C02, Clean Agent, Water Mist and Dry Chemical Systems.
7. Fire control and/or suppression systems supe1viso1y condition indicators shall be connected to and monitored by the protected premise fire alarm system. This specifically includes but is not limited to: Valve Superviso1y Switches (Tamper Switches), Low Air Switches, Low Water Switches, Low Temperature Switches, Fire Pump Condition h1dicators and/or any other situation or condition deemed necessary by the A.HJ.
8. Fire Alarm Systems shall be addressable and capable of indicating the status of all specific components connected to the system.
9. All Fire Alarm Systems shall be monitored by a service acceptable to the AHJ.
10. 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.
11. As determined 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.
(g) Special Requirements. On all buildings over four stones in height a Fire Command Center for Fire Department operations shall be provided. The Fire Command center shall comply with NFPA 72 and shall contain the features required in the International Fire Code and NFPA 1, 13.7.2.27.2.2.
1. Two-way telephone communication service shall be provided for the 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.
2. The requirements of NFPA I, 13.7.2.27.2.2(A) shall not apply where the Fire Department radio system is approved as an equivalent system. (NFPA I 0 I, 11.8.3.2.)
(11) Standpipes. Fire Department Standpipes shall be provided in all new structures over two stories in height and in accordance with this section. The installation of standpipes shall be in accordance with this Section and NFPA 14.
(b) The location of standpipe connections shall be accessible and shall be located so that all portions of the building are within thirty (30) feet of a nozzle attached to one hundred (100) feet of hose.
(c) 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 during the period of construction on buildings over three stories in height.
(d) The Fire Department Connections for the standpipe shall be approved by the AHJ.
(e) The Fire Department Connections shall be located at least forty (40) feet from all electrical transformers, gas meters, or propane storage.
(f) Temporarily standpipes are required on buildings over three stories in height.
(17) Fire Pump Room Requirements
(a) All fire pump rooms at grade level must have at least one single door access and egress directly to the outside.
(b) All egress doors must swing out from the fire pump.
(c) Must have an accessible aisle, a minimum of a 48 inches (48″) wide, leading to the fire pump.
(d) Must provide accessible and clearly labeled valves and controls must be provided capable of being manipulated by a firefighter in full PPE including SCBA.
(e) Keys for all doors to the fire pump room must be labeled and in the access box.