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 Theinsville
Sec. 34-82. – Code adopted.
This division shall be known as the village fire prevention code. This code adopts NFPA-1 fire prevention code and NFPA-101 Life Safety Code of the National Fire Protection Association, as the same may from time to time be amended, and its incorporated standards and codes as published in the National Fire Codes of the National Fire Protection Association, the state department of industry, labor and human relations and listed in appendix A of the NFPA fire prevention code, except those portions which are amended by section 34-83. At least one current copy of NFPA-1 fire prevention code and NFPA-101 Life Safety Code of the National Fire Protection Association and the provisions of the National Fire Codes shall be filed in the office of the fire prevention bureau.
Sec. 34-83. – Additional codes adopted.
(a) National codes adopted. The appendices of the NFPA-1 Fire Prevention Code and NFPA-101 Life Safety Code of the National Fire Protection Association, as the same may be from time to time amended, are hereby included as a part of the village fire prevention code, except those portions which are deleted, modified or amended by this section. The same are hereby adopted and incorporated as fully as if set out in length. Each of the following codes and standards published by the National Fire Protection Association are adopted in their entirety as a supplement and addition to the text of this fire prevention code.
NFPA Standard General Subject Latest NFPA
1 Fire Prevention Code 2000
10 Portable Fire Extinguishers 1998
13 Installation of Sprinkler Systems 1999
13D Installation of Sprinkler Systems
in One and Two Family Dwellings
and Mobile Homes 1999
13R Installation of Sprinkler Systems
in Residential Occupancies up
to Four Stories in Height 1999
14 Standpipes and Hose Systems 2000
15 Water Spray Fixed Systems 1996
20 Installation of Centrifugal Fire
Pumps 1999
22 Water Tanks for Private Fire
Protection 1998
24 Installation of Private Fire
Service Mains 1995
25 Inspection, Testing and
Maintenance of Sprinkler
Systems 1998
30 Flammable and Combustible
Liquids Code 1996
31 Installation of Oil Burning
Equipment 1997
54 National Fuel Gas Code 1999
58 Liquefied Petroleum 1998
72 Installation, Maintenance and
Use of Signaling Systems for
Central Station Service 2002
72 Installation, Maintenance and
Use of Local Protective Signaling
Systems 2002
72 Automatic Fire Detectors 2002
72 Installation, Maintenance and
Use of Notification Appliances
for Protective Signaling Systems 2002
72 Testing Procedures for Local,
Auxiliary, Remote Station and
Proprietary Protective Signaling
Systems 2002
72 Household Fire Warning
Equipment 2002
90A Installation of Air Conditioning
and Ventilating Systems 1999
101 Life Safety Code 2000
211 Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents
and Solid Fuel Burning
Appliances 2000
230 General Storage 1999
230.5 Rack Storage of Materials 1999
(b) State codes adopted.
(1) The current issues of the following orders and codes of the Wisconsin Administrative Code, rules of the department of industry, labor and human relations, are hereby adopted by reference and made a part of the village fire prevention code:
a. Chapter Comm 7, Explosives and Blasting Agents (Wis.).
b. Chapter Comm 9, Cleaning and Dyeing (Wis.).
c. Chapter Comm 10, Flammable and Combustible Liquids (Wis.).
d. Chapter Comm 40, Liquefied Petroleum Gases (Wis.).
e. Chapter Comm 14, Fire Prevention Code (Wis.).
f. Chapter Comm 16, Wisconsin State Electrical Code, Volumes 1 and 2.
g. Chapter Comm 28, Spray Coating (Wis.).
h. Chapter Comm 61-65, Building Code (including Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning) (Wis.).
i. Chapter Comm 70, Wisconsin Historic Building Code.
(2) Whenever the provisions of the aforementioned codes conflict, the stricter interpretation shall apply.
Sec. 34-121. – Automatic fire sprinkler systems.
(c) Where required. Every building constructed or structurally altered, (including partition walls) over 50 percent, as determined by the fire inspector, shall have approved automatic sprinkler system installed and maintained when occupied in whole or part for the following purposes:
(4) Hotels. Throughout entire building regardless of gross area.
(6) Multiuse buildings. Throughout the entire building that has business and living space. Standards set forth for multifamily dwellings shall apply.
(8) Hospitals and other institutional buildings. Throughout every building.
(9) Schools. Throughout every building.
(10) Public buildings. Throughout every building if over 3,000 gross square feet.
(12)
a. All kitchen exhaust hoods and ducts for cooking equipment must be sprinkled or must have an approved automatic extinguishing system installed.
(13) Attics. In any of above building occupancies requiring sprinklers.
a. All wood structure attic spaces, including attics in NFPA 13 or 13R or similar buildings, must be protected with automatic sprinklers.
(d) Application to existing buildings.
(1) Where the fire department finds that by reason of construction or highly combustible occupancy, existing buildings constitute a severe hazard to its occupants or to adjoining property.
(2) An existing building has a change in use, so that the building is being used differently than it previously was.
(3) Additions, regardless of costs, made to an existing building shall comply with the requirements of this article for new buildings.
(e) Type of system and approval of plans.
(1) To be in compliance with national code. Approved automatic sprinkler equipment shall be installed, connected to adequate water supply with sprinkler heads, valves and auxiliary equipment of standard types suitable for the individual buildings to be protected as determined by NFPA standard 13 in effect at the time of installation.
(f) Exemption and substitution of other fire protection equipment. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed as to require the installation of sprinklers in safe deposit or other vaults or in rooms or building devoted to the manufacture or storage of aluminum powder, calcium carbide phosphide, metallic and potassium, quicklime, magnesium powder, sodium peroxide or like materials where the application of water may cause or increase combustion, or 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.
(h) Installation and maintenance.
(1) Generally. Automatic sprinkler systems shall be installed and maintained in operable condition set forth in Article 5.21. The State Building Code Comm 61-65 and Comm 66 Multi-Family Code shall apply to all new buildings and existing buildings within the Village of Thiensville as it pertains to automatic fire sprinkler systems.
(2) Installation. The installation of any automatic fire sprinkler systems shall be completed in accordance with NFPA 13, Installation of Sprinkler Systems, as the same may be amended from time to time, and NFPA 13 and 13R.
a. Most fire department connections will have 2½ inch NHT inlets, however, a five-inch storz connection may be required in lieu of the 2½-inch connection on any specific building should the fire department authority deem necessary. It is the responsibility of the contractor to confirm with the fire department authority, which will be utilized. All inlets must be properly capped, preferably with plastic breakable caps.
b. All fire department connections must be adjacent to and accessible by roadway frontage, paved driveway, or paved parking area and must not be a greater distance than 150 feet from the nearest fire hydrant, or TFD approved water source. Also, the fire department connection must be completely visible from the said access point and must not be hidden or obstructed in any way.
c. Electric supervisory tamper switches must be installed on all system control valves.
(i) New sprinkler system test requirements. All new sprinkler systems shall be tested and inspected prior to the building being occupied. Testing and inspection shall conform to the requirements below:
(2) All multifloor buildings must be zoned per floor with each floor containing a separate control value assembly, water flow switch, and main drain / inspector’s test connection with water psi gauge. Any other special zoning requirements for multifloor or single floor buildings is at the discretion of the fire department authority and must be confirmed by the contractor.
(k) Automatic sprinkler systems. Automatic sprinkler systems shall meet all the requirements of NFPA 13 and 13R and in addition:
(1) System drain. The automatic sprinkler system shall have a drain piped to the outside of the building or to a drain suitable to handle the required flows.
(2) Inspector’s test valve. The system shall have an inspector’s test valve piped so as to discharge to the outside of the building.
(3) Alarm bells or horns. Alarm bells or horns shall be installed on all systems. A six-inch electric alarm bell must be installed inside the building at the riser location and a ten inch electric bell must be installed outside the building above the fire department connection. The sprinkler alarm shall be connected to the building alarm system.
Sec. 34-122. – Standpipe and hose systems.
(b) Installation. Wet standpipes with 2½-inch fire hose valves at each floor in all enclosed exit stairwells (or where determined by the Fire Department Authority) will be required for each building two stories or higher (not including a basement floor). Standpipes will be allowed to be four inches in size without hydraulically calculating. If, however, standpipes are required per state codes, they must be hydraulically calculated per state code and NFPA 14 requirements.
Sec. 34-123. – Fire extinguishers.
(c) Location of extinguishers. Fire extinguishers shall be conspicuously located where they will be readily accessible and so distributed as to be immediately available in the event of fire. They shall be hung on hangers or set in brackets so that the top of the extinguisher is not more than five feet above the floor.
Sec. 34-133. – Occupancies other than residential.
(a) NFPA standards compliance. For all occupancies other than residential dwelling units, the term “fire alarm system” shall mean a protective signaling system installed in accordance with NFPA 72, Standard for the Installation, Maintenance and Use of Protective Signaling Systems. The fire alarm system shall include automatic fire detectors (smoke and heat detectors) installed in accordance with NFPA 72, Standard on Automatic Fire Detectors. These detectors shall protect either selected areas or be installed throughout the building as specified in this code.
(c) Central station monitoring service requirement. A central monitoring service shall comply with NFPA 72, Standard for Installation, Maintenance and Use of Signaling Systems for Central Station Service. The central monitoring service is subject to prior approval by the fire prevention bureau. The fire alarm system shall be monitored 24 hours a day by a central monitoring service.
(1) All buildings requiring a fire alarm or sprinkler system shall have 24-hour monitoring service. All fire alarms and tamper switches must be monitored by a NFPA compliant and approved 24-hour central monitoring station that will notify the fire department of any trouble alarm. Also, in a building with zoned sprinkler systems, a fully addressable fire panel indicating the location of the actuated flow devices shall be located at grade level at the normal point of fire department access and/or a constantly attested building security control center. This includes:
b. Schools.
c. Residential facilities.
e. Multiuse buildings.
g. Hazardous occupancies.
(d) Agency listings. All equipment shall bear the UL marking or other recognized listing and testing agency and shall be clearly marked on the equipment. All detectors shall be listed for commercial applications.
Sec. 34-134. – Where alarm systems required
(a) Generally. The requirements for this section shall be retroactive for all buildings, except hotels, motels, bed and breakfast inns, child day care facilities, schools and residential units of three or more, which shall follow the requirements of Comm 62.0202.
(b) Multifamily buildings of three or more dwelling units, including row houses, hotels, motels, bed and breakfast inns and any other places of residence with three or more units.
(3) Buildings of eight units or more, including all hotels and motels.
a. All new and existing buildings shall have the same requirements as set forth in this section.
b. The fire alarm system shall be separated into zones and each zone identified in the alarm panel.Separate zones are required for smoke detectors on each floor level, attic, basement and all pull stations. The minimum number of zones shall be reviewed and approved by the fire prevention bureau.
c. Pull stations shall be required in accordance with NFPA 72.
(c) Office, factory and mercantile buildings.
(2) Existing buildings.
a. Existing buildings over 5,000 square feet total area shall have a fire alarm system with smoke and heat detectors in hallways, stairwells, exit paths, and hazardous locations as defined by Comm 62.0202.
b. If there are 20 or more persons regularly occupying or working above or below the exit floor, the building shall have a fire alarm system installed throughout.
c. Existing buildings 10,000 square feet or more area shall have a fire alarm system installed throughout.
(3) Schools.
a. New construction. All new schools regardless of size shall have a fire alarm system installed throughout.
b. Existing construction. The requirements for existing construction shall follow NFPA 72 or its amendments as they apply to schools and places of instruction.
(4) Theaters and assembly halls, including churches.
a. New construction. All buildings, regardless of size, shall have a fire alarm system installed throughout.
b. Existing construction. All buildings, regardless of size, shall have a fire alarm system installed throughout.
c. Exemptions. Sanctuary and nave (central hallway) area of church buildings and similar places of worship shall be exempt.
(5) Health care facilities. Health care facilities shall conform to the requirements of NFPA-101 Life Safety Code. In addition, smoke detectors shall be located in all sleeping rooms and corridors.
(6) Child day care facilities. Child day care facilities shall conform to the requirements of NFPA-101 Life Safety Code, and more specifically, a smoke detection system shall be installed.
(7) Hazard occupancy. Any new high hazard occupancy determined to be a severe life or property hazard by the fire prevention bureau shall have a fire alarm system installed with detectors located as specified by the fire prevention bureau. Connection to a central monitoring service will also be required.
Sec. 34-135. – Installation requirements.
(a) Generally. The entire alarm system installation shall conform to the applicable National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards 72 and to State of Wisconsin Comm 28. Electrical installations shall conform to all local and State of Wisconsin Code, Comm 16, NFPA 70 and to the National Electrical Code.
(b) Smoke and heat detector locations.
(1) Smoke and heat detectors shall be chosen and located in accordance with NFPA 72, either throughout the building or in specific areas of the building as specified in this code.
(2) For hazardous locations, the term “smoke and heat detectors” shall include flame detectors. Flame or heat detectors may be required at hazardous locations both inside and outside the building, including loading docks and other hazardous areas.