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 Port Washington
5.13.250 Sprinkler Systems Required.
C. Where Required. Eve1y building hereinafter constructed or structurally altered shall have an approved automatic sprinkler system installed and maintained when occupied in whole or in part for the following purpose:
6. Theaters and Assembly halls
7. Hospitals and Other Institutional Buildings. Throughout every building.
8. Schools. Throughout every building.
D. Application to Existing Buildings. Where the Fire Depa1iment finds that by reason of construction or highly combustible occupancy, existing buildings constitute a severe fire hazard to its occupants or to adjoining property, the provisions of this section will apply.
I. Exemption and Substitution of Other Fire Protection Equipment. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as to require the installation of sprinklers in safe deposit or other vaults or in rooms or buildings devoted to the manufacture or storage of aluminum powder, calcium carbide phosphide, metallic and potassium, quick lime, magnesium powder, sodium peroxide or like materials where the application of water may cause or increase combustion, nor in any other location where the installation of sprinklers may increase the hazard nor shall it be construed in any way to prohibit the substitution of other automatic protective equipment when approved by the Fire Department of the Port Washington.