Proposed International Fire Code Amendments modifying requirements for battery operated smoke alarmsCity of Dubuque
City Council Meeting
Action Items # 02.
Copyrighted
September 3, 2024
ITEM TITLE: Proposed International Fire Code Amendments modifying requirements
for battery operated smoke alarms
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council adopt an International Fire
Code amendment with respect to battery powered smoke alarms.
ORDINANCE Amending City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances Title 14
Building and Development, Chapter 1 Building Codes, Article F Fire
Code and Regulations, Section 14-1E-2 International Fire Code
Amendments
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Motion B; MotionA
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
MVM Memo City Manager Memo
Staff Memo Staff Memo
Section 14-1 E-2 Amendments Ordinance
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
Dubuque
AIFberka city
2007.2012.2013
2017*2019
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Proposed International Fire Code Amendments modifying requirements
for battery operated smoke alarms
DATE: August 29, 2024
Housing & Community Development Director Alexis Steger is recommending City
Council adopt an International Fire Code amendment with respect to battery powered
smoke alarms.
Iowa Administrative Code, 661 Chapter 210, requires that new or replacement battery -
powered smoke alarms have a sealed, tamper -resistant 10-year battery.
The proposed change modifies existing language in the International Fire Code to align
with Iowa Administrative Code requirements.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Alexis Steger, Housing & Community Development Director
Michael Belmont, Assistant Housing & Community Development Director
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
Dubuque
krtal
1erically
I I,
2007 • 2012 • 2013
TO: Michael Van Milligan
FROM: Alexis Steger, Housing and Community Development
Department Director
SUBJECT: Proposed International Fire Code Amendments modifying requirements for
battery operated smoke alarms
DATE: August 15, 2024
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to request the City Council adopt an International Fire
Code amendment with respect to battery powered smoke alarms
BACKGROUND
The International Fire Code applies to all one and two family, and townhome construction.
The International Fire Code mandates that smoke alarms in new construction must be
hardwired with a battery backup. However, in certain situations, the code permits smoke
alarms to be solely battery -powered. For existing buildings or remodels that do not involve
opening the walls, solely battery -powered smoke alarms are allowed. Building Codes (and
most manufactures) also require that smoke alarms be replaced every 10 years. However,
building codes do not specify what type of battery is required for battery powered smoke
alarms.
DISCUSSION
Iowa Administrative Code, 661 Chapter 210, requires that new or replacement battery -
powered smoke alarms have a sealed, tamper -resistant 10-year battery.
The proposed change modifies existing language in the International Fire Code to align with
Iowa Administrative Code requirements.
REQUESTED ACTION
I respectfully request the City Council approve the amended ordinance to adopt the
proposed changes to the International Fire Code
Prepared by: Michael Belmont
Assistant Housing & Community Development Director/ Building Official
Cc: Alexis Steger, Housing & Community Development Director
1
Prepared by: Crenna M. Brumwell, Esq. 300 Main Street Suite 330 Dubuque IA 52001 563 589-4381
ORDINANCE NO. 50 - 24
AMENDING CITY OF DUBUQUE CODE OF ORDINANCES TITLE 14 BUILDING AND
DEVELOPMENT, CHAPTER 1 BUILDING CODES, ARTICLE F FIRE CODE AND
REGULATIONS, SECTION 14-1E-2 INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE AMENDMENTS
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. Section 14-1 E-2 of the City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances is hereby
amended to read as follows:
14-1E-2: INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE AMENDMENTS:
The following additions, deletions, modifications, or amendments of the International Fire
Code, 2021 edition, adopted in section 14-1 E-1 of this article to read as follows:
Section 1103.8.3 Power Source. Amended to read:
1103.8.3 Power source.
Single -station smoke alarms shall receive their primary power from the building
wiring provided that such wiring is served from a commercial source and shall be
equipped with a battery backup. Smoke alarms with integral strobes that are not
equipped with battery backup shall be connected to an emergency electrical
system. Smoke alarms shall emit a signal when the batteries are low. Wiring shall
be permanent and without a disconnecting switch other than as required for
overcurrent protection.
Exceptions:
1. Smoke alarms are permitted to be solely battery operated in existing
buildings where construction is not taking place, provided that the battery is
nonremovable, nonreplaceable and powers the alarm for at least ten years.
2. Smoke alarms are permitted to be solely battery operated in
buildings that are not served from a commercial power source, provided that
the battery is nonremovable, nonreplaceable and powers the alarm for at
least ten years.
3. Smoke alarms are permitted to be solely battery operated in existing
areas of buildings undergoing alterations or repairs that do not result in the
removal of interior walls or ceiling finishes exposing the structure, unless
there is an attic, crawl space or basement available that could provide
access for building wiring without the removal of interior finishes, provided
that the battery is nonremovable, nonreplaceable and powers the alarm for
at least ten years.
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect upon publication.
Passed, approved, and adopted this 3rd day of September, 2024.
Attest:
Adrienne Breitfelder, City Clerk
EFFECT OF AMENDMENT
14-1 E-2: INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE AMENDMENTS:
The following additions, deletions, modifications, or amendments of the International Fire
Code, 2021 edition, adopted in section 14-1 E-1 of this article to read as follows:
Section 1103.8.3 Power Source. Amended to read:
1103.8.3 Power source.
Single -station smoke alarms shall receive their primary power from the building
wiring provided that such wiring is served from a commercial source and shall be
equipped with a battery backup. Smoke alarms with integral strobes that are not
equipped with battery backup shall be connected to an emergency electrical
system. Smoke alarms shall emit a signal when the batteries are low. Wiring shall
be permanent and without a disconnecting switch other than as required for
overcurrent protection.
Exceptions:
4. Smoke alarms are permitted to be solely battery operated in existing
buildings where construction is not taking place, provided that the battery is
nonremovable, nonreplaceable and powers the alarm for at least ten years.
5. Smoke alarms are permitted to be solely battery operated in
buildings that are not served from a commercial power source, provided that
the battery is nonremovable, nonreplaceable and powers the alarm for at
least ten years.
6. Smoke alarms are permitted to be solely battery operated in existing
areas of buildings undergoing alterations or repairs that do not result in the
removal of interior walls or ceiling finishes exposing the structure, unless
there is an attic, crawl space or basement available that could provide
access for building wiring without the removal of interior finishes, provided
that the battery is nonremovable, nonreplaceable and powers the alarm for
at least ten years.
STATE OF IOWA SS:
DUBUQUE COUNTY
CERTIFICATE OF PUBLICATION
I, Kathy Goetzinger, a Billing Clerk for Woodward
Communications, Inc., an Iowa corporation, publisher
of the Telegraph Herald, a newspaper of general
circulation published in the City of Dubuque, County
of Dubuque and State of Iowa; hereby certify that the
attached notice was published in said newspaper on the
following dates:
09/06/2024
and for which the charge is 37.66
(di -
/Subscribed to before me, a Notary Public in and for
Dubuque County, Iowa,
this 6th day of September, 2024
Notary lic in and for Dubuqu County, Iowa.
A.rsom. JANET K. PAPE
z F Commission Number 199659
9 My Commission Expires
iotiyn` 12/11/2025
Ad text :
CITY OF DUBUQUE
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION
ORDINANCE NO. 50 - 24
AMENDING CITY OF DUBUQUE CODE OF ORDINANCES TITLE 14
BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT, CHAPTER 1 BUILDING CODES, ARTICLE F
FIRE CODE AND REGULATIONS, SECTION 14-1E-2 INTERNATIONAL FIRE
CODE AMENDMENTS
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. Section 14-1E-2 of the City of Dubuque Code of
Ordinances is hereby amended to read as follows:
14-1E-2: INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE AMENDMENTS:
The following additions, deletions, modifications, or
amendments of the International Fire Code, 2021 edition,
adopted in section 14-1E-1 of this article to read as follows:
Section 1103.8.3 Power Source. Amended to read:
1103.8.3 Power source.
Single -station smoke alarms shall receive their primary
power from the building wiring provided that such wiring is
served from a commercial source and shall be equipped with a
battery backup. Smoke alarms with integral strobes that are
not equipped with battery backup shall be connected to an
emergency electrical system. Smoke alarms shall emit a signal
when the batteries are low. Wiring shall be permanent and
without a disconnecting switch other than as required for
overcurrent protection.
Exceptions:
1."Smoke alarms are permitted to be solely battery operated
in existing buildings where construction is not taking place,
provided that the battery is nonremovable, nonreplaceable and
powers the alarm for at least ten years.
2."Smoke alarms are permitted to be solely battery operated
in buildings that are not served from a commercial power
source, provided that the battery is nonremovable,
nonreplaceable and powers the alarm for at least ten years.
3."Smoke alarms are permitted to be solely battery operated
in existing areas of buildings undergoing alterations or
repairs that do not result in the removal of interior walls or
ceiling finishes exposing the structure, unless there is an
attic, crawl space or basement available that could provide
access for building wiring without the removal of interior
finishes, provided that the battery is nonremovable,
nonreplaceable and powers the alarm for at least ten years.
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect upon
publication.
Passed, approved, and adopted this 3rd day of September,
2024.
/s/Brad M. Cavanagh, Mayor
Attest: /s/Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk
Published officially in the Telegraph Herald newspaper on
the 6th day of September, 2024.
/s/Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk
It 9/6