Proposed International Residential Code Amendments modifying requirements for batter operated smoke alarmsCity of Dubuque
City Council Meeting
Action Items # 03.
Copyrighted
September 3, 2024
ITEM TITLE: Proposed International Residential Code Amendments modifying
requirements for battery operated smoke alarms
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council adopt an International
Residential 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 B
Residential Code, Section 14-1 B-2 International Residential 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 B-2 Amendments Ordinance
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
Dubuque
AIFAxerka city
2007.2012.2013
2017*2019
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Proposed International Residential 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 Residential 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 Residential Code
to align with Iowa Administrative Code requirements.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
W,
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
bthi
All -America City
11111
200? . 21112 . 2011
TO: Michael Van Milligan
FROM: Alexis Steger, Housing and Community Development
Department Director
SUBJECT: Proposed International Residential 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
Residential Code amendment with respect to battery powered smoke alarms
BACKGROUND
The International Residential Code applies to all one and two family, and townhome
construction.
The International Residential 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 Residential 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 Residential 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. 51 - 24
AMENDING CITY OF DUBUQUE CODE OF ORDINANCES TITLE 14 BUILDING AND
DEVELOPMENT, CHAPTER 1 BUILDING CODES, ARTICLE B RESIDENTIAL CODE,
SECTION 14-1B-2 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE AMENDMENTS
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. Section 14-1 B-2 of the City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances is hereby
amended to read as follows:
14-1B-2: INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE AMENDMENTS:
The following additions, deletions, modifications, or amendments of the International
Residential Code, 2021 edition, adopted in section 14-1B-1 of this article to read as
follows:
R314.6 Power source. Amended to read:
Section 314.6 Power source.
314.6.1 General
Smoke alarms shall receive their primary power from the building wiring where
such wiring is served from a commercial source and, where primary power is
interrupted, shall receive power from a battery. Wiring shall be permanent and
without a disconnecting switch other than those required for overcurrent protection.
Exceptions:
1. Smoke alarms shall be permitted to be solely battery powered by a
nonremovable, nonreplaceable battery that powers the alarm for at least ten
years, where installed in buildings without commercial power.
2. Smoke alarms installed in accordance with Section R314.2.2 shall
be permitted to be battery powered by a nonremovable, nonreplaceable
battery that 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.
Brad Cavan or
Attest:
Adrienne Breitfelder, City Clerk
EFFECT OF AMENDMENT
14-1B-2: INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE AMENDMENTS:
The following additions, deletions, modifications, or amendments of the International
Residential Code, 2021 edition, adopted in section 14-1B-1 of this article to read as
follows:
R314.6 Power source. Amended to read:
314.6 Power source.
314.6.1 General
Smoke alarms shall receive their primary power from the building wiring where
such wiring is served from a commercial source and, where primary power is
interrupted, shall receive power from a battery. Wiring shall be permanent and
without a disconnecting switch other than those required for overcurrent protection.
Exceptions:
3. Smoke alarms shall be permitted to be solely battery powered by a
nonremovable, nonreplaceable battery that powers the alarm for at least ten
years, where installed in buildings without commercial power.
4. Smoke alarms installed in accordance with Section R314.2.; shall
be permitted to be battery powered by a nonremovable, nonreplaceable
battery that 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 29.53
Subscribed to efore me, a Notary Publicand for
Dubuque County, Iowa,
this 6th day of September, 2024
Notary
in and for Dubuque County, Iowa.
JANET K. PAPE
Commission Number 199659
My Commission Expires
12/11 /2025
Ad text :
CITY OF DUBUQUE
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION
ORDINANCE NO. 51 - 24
AMENDING CITY OF DUBUQUE CODE OF ORDINANCES TITLE 14
BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT, CHAPTER 1 BUILDING CODES, ARTICLE B
RESIDENTIAL CODE, SECTION 14-1B-2 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL
CODE AMENDMENTS
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. Section 14-1B-2 of the City of Dubuque Code of
Ordinances is hereby amended to read as follows:
14-1B-2: INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE AMENDMENTS:
The following additions, deletions, modifications, or
amendments of the International Residential Code, 2021
edition, adopted in section 14-1B-1 of this article to read as
follows:
R314.6 Power source. Amended to read:
Section 314.6 Power source.
314.6.1 General
Smoke alarms shall receive their primary power from the
building wiring where such wiring is served from a commercial
source and, where primary power is interrupted, shall receive
power from a battery. Wiring shall be permanent and without a
disconnecting switch other than those required for overcurrent
protection.
Exceptions:
1. "Smoke alarms shall be permitted to be solely battery
powered by a nonremovable, nonreplaceable battery that powers
the alarm for at least ten years, where installed in buildings
without commercial power.
2."Smoke alarms installed in accordance with Section
R314.2.2 shall be permitted to be battery powered by a
nonremovable, nonreplaceable battery that 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