Title 3. Chapter 3. Fire Code

Tooele City recognizes that the State of Utah has adopted the International Fire Code, as amended and/or revised, as law governing the State of Utah and all political subdivisions thereof. To the extent that Tooele City is not preempted by the law of the State of Utah from adopting the International Fire Code as an ordinance of Tooele City, its most current edition is so adopted, including its Appendices B,C, and D.

(Ord. 2005-14, 06-15-2005); (Ord. 2004-15, 10-20-04); (Ord. 98-04, 01-21-98); (Ord. 95-04, 05-19-95)

(1) The “International Fire Code” and the “International Fire Code Standards” shall be enforced by the bureau of fire prevention in the Tooele City fire department.

(2) The chief of the fire department shall recommend to the mayor the employment of technical inspectors, who, when such authorization is made, shall be selected through an examination to determine their fitness for the position. The examination shall be open to members and nonmembers of the fire department, and appointments made after examination shall be for an indefinite term with removal only for cause.

(Ord. 2004-15, 10-20-04); (Ord. 95-04, 05-19-95)

As used in the “International Fire Code”:

(1) “Jurisdiction” means Tooele City.

(2) “Chief of the bureau of fire prevention” means the fire chief.

(Ord. 2004-15, 10-20-04); (Ord. 95-04, 05-19-95)

The provisions of the “International Fire Code” shall be read and interpreted whenever possible so as to comply with the provisions of the zoning, building, and other ordinances of Tooele City. If a conflict between the “International Fire Code” and another ordinance arises, the conflicting provisions shall be interpreted to first provide for the greatest safety of the property and citizens of the community, and second to provide as nearly as possible for the accomplishment of the intent of the “International Fire Code.”

(Ord. 2004-15, 10-20-04); (Ord. 95-04, 05-19-95)

Applications for permits made under Section 105 of the “International Fire Code” shall be made to the Tooele City Engineering Department.

(Ord. 2004-15, 10-20-04); (Ord. 95-04, 05-19-95)

The limits referred to in Section 7902 of the “International Fire Code” in which the storage of flammable or combustible liquids is restricted are hereby established as follows: in M-D and M-G zoning districts by permitted use, and in C-G zoning districts by conditional use only.

(Ord. 2004-15, 10-20-04); (Ord.95-04, 05-19-95) 

The limits referred to in Sections 8204 and 8212 in which the storage of liquefied petroleum gas is restricted are hereby established as follows: in M-D and M-G zoning districts by permitted use, and in C-G zoning districts by conditional use only.

(Ord. 95-04, 05-19-95)

The limits referred to in Section 7702 of the “International Fire Code” in which storage of explosive materials is prohibited are hereby established as follows: in M-D, M-G, and C-G zoning districts by conditional use only.

(Ord. 2004-15, 10-20-04); (Ord. 95-04, 05-19-95)

Section 7901.1.1 of the “International Fire Code” is amended by adding the following: “No flammable or combustible liquid shall be dispensed from, transported in, or stored in any glass, crockery, or similar breakable container.”

(Ord. 2004-15, 10-20-04); (Ord. 95-04, 05-19-95)

It is unlawful for any person to build, maintain, or assist in building or maintaining any fire upon any paved street.

(Ord. 95-04, 05-19-95)

Whenever the chief disapproves an application or refuses to grant a permit applied for, or when it is claimed that the provisions of this chapter or the “International Fire Code” do not apply or that their true intent and meaning have been misconstrued or wrongly interpreted, the applicant may appeal from the decision of the chief to the board of appeals created under authority of Section 103.1.4 of the “International Fire Code.”

(Ord. 2004-15, 10-20-04); (Ord. 95-04, 05-19-95)

The chief of the fire department shall determine and specify, after giving affected persons an opportunity to be heard, any new materials, processes, or occupancies for which permits are required in addition to those now enumerated in the “International Fire Code.” The fire chief shall post a list of such new materials, processes, or occupancies in a conspicuous place at the fire department and distribute copies thereof to interested persons.

(Ord.2004-15, 10-20-04); (Ord. 95-04, 05-19-95)

(1) Any person who violates or fails to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter, the “International Fire Code”, or the “International Fire Code Standards,” or who violates or fails to comply with any order made thereunder, or who builds in violation of any detailed statement of specifications or plans submitted and approved thereunder, or any certificate or permit issued thereunder, and from which no appeal has been taken, or who fails to comply with such an order as affirmed or modified by the board of appeals or by a court of competent jurisdiction, within the time fixed herein, shall severally for each and every such violation and noncompliance, respectively, be guilty of a class C misdemeanor. The imposition of one penalty for any violation shall not excuse the violation or permit the violation to continue. All such persons shall be required to correct or remedy such violations or defects within a reasonable time. When not otherwise specified, each day that prohibited conditions are maintained shall constitute a separate offense.

(2) The application of the penalty identified in Subsection (1) of this Section shall not be held to prevent the enforced removal of prohibited conditions.

(Ord. 2004-15, 10-20-04); (Ord. 95-04, 05-19-95)

All new Type II (Fire Resistive) and Type II (Noncombustible) construction over 25,000 square feet and all buildings of “Unlimited Area” construction will require the installation of an “Internal Coaxial Antenna” which supports the Tooele County Public Safety radio communications system. Implementation of this ordinance shall be pursuant to an Administrative Policy recommended by the fire chief and approved by the Mayor.

(Ord. 2006-12, 04-27-2006); (Ord. 2001-26, 08-15-2001); (Ord. 2001-21, 06-20-2001)

(1) All new commercial and rebuilt commercial roof-ceiling assemblies that are not exempted by this ordinance, which are constructed of lightweight unprotected or non-rated metal, and/or wood framed roof systems utilizing wood panels, and/or trussed combustible construction systems, require the installation of approved “Smoke and Heat Vents” to provide for automatic ventilation of structures in the event of a fire. The word “rebuilt” shall mean and apply to any existing structure which undergoes more than fifty percent (50%) structural framing renovation of the roof.

(2) One (1) 2 foot by 4 foot (2’ X 4’) “Smoke and Heat Vent” shall be installed for every zero to fifteen hundred (0’-1500’) square feet of the top floor’s floor space in non-sprinkled buildings, or one (1) skylight type 4-foot by 4-foot (4’ X 4’) “Smoke and Heat Vent” for every zero to three-thousand (0’-3000’) square feet of the top floor’s floor space. “Smoke and Heat Vents” shall have a minimum nominal unobstructed opening of two feet by four feet (2′ x 4′) or four feet by four feet (4’ x 4’), respectfully. Approved fusible link “Smoke and Heat Vents” with unobstructed openings of four feet by four feet (4’ x 4’) for every three-thousand (3000’)square feet of the top floor’s floor space are also acceptable. The “Smoke and Heat Vents” shall be evenly separated with one (1) “Smoke and Heat Vent” every fifteen-hundred or three-thousand (1500’ or 3000’) square feet depending on the installation preference. The interior termination points shall penetrate rated or non-rated ceiling structures and be located in common areas of the top floor. The “Smoke and Heat Vents” shall be installed with a minimum of a 1-hour fire rated chase. The opening must be unobstructed by structural elements. In the event there is no enclosed attic, “Smoke and Heat Vents” shall be installed without a rated chase. Security screening may be installed which does not significantly decrease the area of the unobstructed opening. The screening may not hamper more than 10% of the opening.

(3) Exemptions.

(a) Single-family dwellings and multiple-family dwellings of four (4) units or less are exempt from these requirements.

(b) Multiple-family apartment/condominium/town-house type buildings with each apartment having an exterior egress with no common interior hallways are exempt from these requirements.

(c) Multiple-family dwellings not exempt that have common hallways shall have at least one (1) twofoot by four-foot (2’ x 4’) approved skylight in each apartment/condominium/townhouse as specified above. These dwellings shall also be required to meet the requirements of this Section for installation of “Smoke and Heat Vents” as applied to common areas of the top floor’s floor space.

(d) Unoccupied storage units with individual exterior openings are exempt from these requirements.

(e) Occupancies/Buildings that have engineered and designed smoke and heat removal systems, which meet the intent of this ordinance, are exempt from these requirements. The Fire Department Chief or designated representative will determine and approve any such exemption.

(Ord. 2003-22, 07-15-03); (Ord. 2001-27, 8-15-2001)

(1) As a condition of any building permit approval, the following structures shall be equipped with a key lock box at or near the main entrance or such other location required by the Tooele City Fire Chief:

(a) non-residential structures protected by an automatic alarm system or automatic suppression system, or that are secured in a manner that restricts access during an emergency; and,

(b) multi-family residential structures that have restricted access through locked doors and have a common corridor for access to the living units.

(2) All newly constructed structures subject to this Section shall have a key lock box installed and operational prior to the issuance of an occupancy permit. All existing structures subject to this Section that are required to obtain a building permit for any purpose shall have a key lock box installed and operational prior to the final City building inspection.

(3) The Fire Chief shall designate the type of key lock box system to be implemented within the City and shall have the authority to require all structures to use the designated system.

(4) The owner or operator of a structure required to have a key lock box shall, at all times, keep a key in the lock box that will allow for access to the structure.

(5) The Fire Chief shall be authorized to implement rules and regulations for the use of the lock box system.

(Ord. 2009-17, 11-18-09)