Council forwards sprinkler requirements

By Danica Baker
Herald Staff Writer

April 14, 2008 11:24 am

— CLINTON — The Clinton City Council could vote to approve a Rules and Regulations Committee recommendation to amend the 2006 National Fire Protection Association Life Safety Code as adopted by the city to reflect different requirements for the installation of sprinkler systems.
The R & R Committee discussed amending the code on April 2 and issued a recommendation for the installation of sprinkler systems in facilities that serve alcoholic beverages. During the Committee of the Whole meeting last week, Committee member and At-Large Councilman Mark Vulich explained that the code states any establishment that serves alcohol and hosts an occupancy of more than 100 people must have a sprinkler system. He said the change would take effect if there is a change in the license holder or a major renovation of the building.
Vulich said R & R Committee members were concerned the code provision would restrict commercial building sales and be cost prohibitive for business property owners. He said that good discussion was held during the meeting and he thinks the committee came up with an amendment to the code that hopefully, would not burden business owners.
Vulich advised the first amendment would concern establishments with first-floor level of discharge, with a change of ownership but with continued occupancy, or the same use within the previous 12 months.
The amendment would require the installation of a fire alarm system, but if a remodeling in excess of $50,000 is completed, installation of a sprinkler system would be required. A second amendment grants existing establishments with a level of discharge above or below a first or ground floor a 10-year period to install sprinkler systems.
Vulich said the R & R Committee unanimously voted in favor of the recommendation after a lengthy and varied debate, after which Fire Marshal Mike Brown and Fire Chief Mark Regenwether agreed with the amendment. He said the committee feel the amendment is a fair way to comply with the code in time, but not unfairly burden business owners.
Brown clarified that the NFPA intensified code regulations after a 2003 nightclub fire in Rhode Island in which several patrons died. He said extensive testing and re-enactments of the deadly fire showed that if the building had been sprinkled, the fire would have been completely extinguished quickly, instead of becoming an extremely dangerous flashover fire in the same amount of time.
Mayor Rodger Holm commented he was happy the city was trying to work with business owners, but questioned if lessening the code would put any liability on the city. City Attorney Matt Brisch said the level of safety desired by the community is determined through the council and noted the 2003 fire codes, by which many Iowa cities operate, are substantially less strict than the 2006 Fire Code adopted by the city of Clinton. He added that many other Iowa cities are amending the code to work within their communities.
At-Large Councilman Ron Mallicoat remarked that he feels the federal government will step in eventually and require the mandatory installation of sprinkler systems in all assembly buildings with a occupancy of more than 100 people. He said that until that time, the city is trying to work with business owners. He stated that while Clinton has not experienced any fire deaths in local businesses, there have been many fire deaths in residences, duplexes and apartment complexes.
“That’s why we should install the building code in July,” he said.
The committee approved a motion forwarding the amendment recommendations for a vote by the full council on April 22.
Later, the committee of the whole advanced a R & R Committee recommendation to prohibit overnight camping in city parks, except the recreational vehicle park. The council approved a motion to place an amendment that would require anyone wishing to camp overnight in city parks to obtain a permit through the city on the next council meeting agenda for a vote.
A third discussion was held regarding a recommendation to change the noise ordinance distance for audible perception of a violation as 300 feet.
The R & R Committee voted to recommend amending the ordinance to include a provision which would prohibit operation of a vehicle that is plainly audible at a distance of 300 feet from any person upon a public way. The council approved a motion to place the issue on the April 22 council meeting agenda.