2013/12/24 Council Agenda Packet

EVERETT CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM COVER SHEET 4 PROJECT TITLE: AN ORDINANCE Related Briefing COUNCIL BILL# (I4 to the International Proposed Action Originating Department Building Residential Code, Consent Contact Person Tony Lee Amending Section 1 of Action Phone Number 8812 Part 2 of Ordinance No. First Reading FOR AGENDA OF 3196-10 (Chapter Second Reading 16.01.010 EMC). Third Reading Public Hearing Initialed by: Department Head t CAA cao Council President Location Preceding Action Attachments Department(s)Approval Amount Budgeted -0- Expenditure Required -0- Account Number(s): Budget Remaining -0- Additional Required -0- DETAILED SUMMARY STATEMENT: The state building code is in effect in all Washington cities and towns. Townhouses are regulated by the International Residential Code,which is a part of the state building code. Each townhouse is considered a separate building that is separated by a fire-resistance wall(a common wall). Townhouses are generally required to have a 2-hour fire-resistance- rated common wall. In the past,the common wall could be fire-resistance-rated for only one hour if the townhouses were also equipped with an automatic sprinkler system. The 2012 updates to the state building code provided for the one hour fire-resistance-rated wall,but inadvertently omitted the additional sprinkling requirement. This allows for townhouses to be built with a 1-hour fire-resistance-rated common wall but no sprinkler system,which is not recommended by the City's Building Official or Fire Marshal. • The proposed ordinance,if approved,would amend the EMC to require sprinkling in the case of a 1-hour fire-resistance- rated common wall. RECOMMENDATION(Exact action requested of Council): Adopt An Ordinance Related to the International Residential Code,Amending Section 1 of Part 2 of Ordinance No.3196-10(Chapter 16.01.010 EMC). • 9