Proposed Amendment to Ctiy Ordinance for emergency Escape & Rescue Openings - Fire Code Update Copyrighted
September 21, 2020
City of Dubuque Action Items # 2.
City Council Meeting
ITEM TITLE: Proposed Amendment to City Ordinance for Emergency Escape &
Rescue Openings - Fire Code Update
SUM MARY: City Manager recommending that City Council pass the proposed
ordinance for the Fire Code on the first reading and waive the second
and third reading to match the publication date of all other Building Code
updates.
ORDINANCE Amending City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances Title 14
Building and Development, Chapter 1 Building Codes, Article E Fire
Code and Regulations, Section 14-1 E-1 I nternational Fire Code
Adopted and 14-1 E-2 I nternational Fire Code Amendments
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Motion B; MotionA
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Proposed Building Code Amendments for Emergency
Escape and Rescue Openings— Fire Code Update- City Manager Memo
MVM Memo
Staff Memo Staff Memo
Ordinance Amending Article E Ordinance
Suggested Motion Wording Supporting Documentation
Dubuque
THE CITY OF �
ui-Aseria cih
DuB E , . � . ,
� II �
Maste iece on tj2e Mississi i zoo�•zoiz•zois
YP pp zoi�*zoi9
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Proposed Building Code Amendments for Emergency Escape and Rescue
Openings — Fire Code Update
DATE: September 16, 2020
Housing and Community Development Director Alexis Steger is recommending a Fire
Code Update related to the proposed Building Code Amendments for Emergency
Escape and Rescue Openings ordinances.
On August 17, 2020, an action item was submitted for City Council consideration that
proposes Ordinance Amendments to the City Building Code. Staff omitted an ordinance
from that action item inadvertently. The proposed ordinance that was omitted would
update the Fire Code to reflect the changes proposed across all City Code.
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
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Alexis Steger, Housing & Community Development Director
Mark Burkle, Fire Marshall
Dubuque
THE CITY OF �
AIFAmerica Cipl
DuB E �����.��.�k
� � ���'r
II
Maste iece on the Mississi i Z°°'�Z°1Z'z°13
� pp zoi�*zoi�
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Alexis M. Steger, Housing and Community Development Director
DATE: September 15, 2020
RE: Proposed Building Code Amendments for Emergency Escape and
Rescue Openings — Fire Code Update
BACKGROUND
The City of Dubuque adopts the International Code Council Building Codes to ensure
the safety of structures in the City. These codes provide minimum requirements for
safety and are intended to be modified as needed for specific local conditions that are
unique to a municipality.
On September 21, 2020 the City Council will consider passing ordinance amendments
to the International Building Codes that deal with Emergency Escape and Rescue
Openings. Staff omitted the Ordinance updating the Fire Code from that Action Item
inadvertently. This memo transmits the proposed update to the Fire Code that matches
the updates to the other building codes in that action item.
DISCUSSION
On August 17, 2020, an action item was submitted for City Council consideration
that proposes Ordinance Amendments to the City Building Code. Staff omitted an
ordinance from that action item inadvertently. The proposed ordinance that was
omitted would update the Fire Code to reflect the changes proposed across all City
Code.
To keep a cohesive and uniform publication date, the omitted proposed ordinance
for the Fire Code is being present to City Council on September 21 St, 2020. This
coincides with the third reading of all other proposed code changes.
The proposed changes in the attached ordinance updating the Fire Code mirror the
requirements for a 20-inch by 24-inch, and 4.0 square foot minimum net clear
opening requirement and the option for a specific platform or another
method/platform as an alternative to meeting the 44-inch windowsill maximum
requirement being proposed in all four other ordinances being considered for third
reading.
1
Therefore, staff recommends the City Council pass the proposed ordinance for the
Fire Code on the first reading, and waive the second and third reading to match the
publication date of all other Building Code updates.
RECOMMENDATION
I respectfully request City Council adopt the proposed Ordinances to update
City Building Code on Emergency Escape and Rescue Openings to create a
more cohesive and usable code.
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager/Acting Building Services Manager
Mark Burkle, Fire Marshall
2
Prepared by: Crenna M. Brumwell, Esq. 300 Main Street Suite 330 Dubuque IA 52001 563 589-4381
ORDINANCE NO. 37- 20
AMENDING CITY OF DUBUQUE CODE OF ORDINANCES TITLE 14 BUILDING AND
DEVELOPMENT, CHAPTER 1 BUILDING CODES, ARTICLE E FIRE CODE AND
REGULATIONS, SECTION 14-1E-1 INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE ADOPTED AND
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
amended to read as follows:
14-1E-2: INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE AMENDMENTS:
The following additions, deletions, modifications, or amendments of the international fire
code, 2018 edition, adopted in section 14-1 E-1 of this article to read as follows:
Section 1030.2 Minimum size. Amended to read:
Sec. 1030.2 Minimum size.
Emergency escape and rescue openings shall have a minimum net clear opening of
5.7 square feet.
Exception: The minimum net clear opening for grade -floor emergency escape and
rescue openings shall be 5 square feet.
Exception: Replacement windows installed in buildings meeting the scope of this
code shall be exempt from the minimum size requirements of this section, provided
that the replacement window meets the following conditions:
1. The replacement window is the manufacturer's largest standard size window
that will fit within the existing frame or existing rough opening. The
replacement window shall be of a style that provides for the greatest net clear
window opening area in the existing frame or existing rough opening, but will
have a minimum net clear openable width of 20 inches, a minimum net clear
openable height of 24 inches, and a minimum net clear opening of 4.0 square
feet.
2. Window replacements permitted between April 11, 2016 and the effective
date of this ordinance that serve as the required emergency escape and
rescue opening will be allowed to remain as long as they meet the
following requirements:
a. Window was permitted as required by the City of Dubuque
b. Window was approved as code compliant as documented by the City of
Dubuque.
3. The replacement window is not part of a change of occupancy or use.
Section 1030.3. Maximum height from floor. Amended to read:
Sec. 1030.3. Maximum height from floor.
Emergency escape and rescue openings shall have the bottom of the clear opening
not greater than 44 inches (1118 mm) measured from the floor. An existing finished
sill height may exceed 44 inches (1118 mm) above the floor if the following conditions
are met:
a. A platform capable of supporting a live load of 300 pounds shall be permanently
affixed at the interior of the structure. This platform shall be no lower than 20
inches (508 mm) above the floor and no higher than 36 inches (914 mm) above
the floor. The distance from the platform to the finished sill height shall not
exceed 36 inches (914 mm). The platform shall extend outward from the wall a
minimum of 24 inches (610 mm) and shall be at least as wide as the clear
openable width of the window, or another approved method/platform.
b. The emergency escape or rescue window shall comply with section 1030.2.
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect upon publication.
Passed, approved, and adopted this 21st day of Sept: mber, 2020.
Roy D. B tr.l. Mayor
Attest:
Kevin( S. Firnstahl, City Clerk
EFFECT OF AMENDMENT
EFFECT OF AMENDMENT
14-1 E-2: INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE AMENDMENTS:
Sec. 1030.2 Minimum size.
Emergency escape and rescue openings shall have a minimum net clear opening of 5.7
square feet.
Exception: The minimum net clear opening for grade-floor emergency escape and
rescue openings shall be 5 square feet.
Exception: Replacement windows installed in buildings meeting the scope of this code
shall be exempt from the minimum size requirements of this section, provided that the
replacement window meets the following conditions:
1. The replacement window is the manufacturer's largest standard size window
that will fit within the existing frame or existing rough opening. The
replacement window shall be of a style that provides for the greatest net clear
window opening area in the existing frame or existing rough opening, but will
have a minimum net clear openable width of 20 inches, a minimum net clear
openable height of 24 inches, and a minimum net clear opening of 4.0 square
feet.
2. Window replacements permitted between April 11, 2016 and the effective
date of this ordinance that serve as the required emergency escape and
rescue opening will be allowed to remain as long as they meet the
following requirements:
a. Window was permitted as required by the City of Dubuque
b. Window was approved as code compliant as documented by the City
of Dubuque.
3. The replacement window is not part of a change of occupancy or use.
Sec. 1030.3. Maximum height from floor.
Emergency escape and rescue openings shall have the bottom of the clear opening not
greater than 44 inches (1118 mm) measured from the floor. An existing finished sill height
may exceed 44 inches (1118 mm) above the floor if the following conditions are met:
a. A platform capable of supporting a live load of 300 pounds shall be permanently
affixed at the interior of the structure. This platform shall be no lower than 20
inches (508 mm) above the floor and no higher than 36 inches (914 mm) above
the floor. The distance from the platform to the finished sill height shall not
exceed 36 inches (914 mm). The platform shall extend outward from the wall a
minimum of 24 inches (610 mm) and shall be at least as wide as the clear
openable width of the window, or another approved method/platform.
b. The emergency escape or rescue window shall comply with section 1030.2.
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:
09/25/2020
and for which the charge is 41.24
Subscribed to before me, a Notary Pub 'c in and for
Dubuque County, Iowa,
this 25th day of September, 2020
Notary P y is in and for Dubuque Cou!ity, Iowa.
JANE'T K. PAPE
Commission Number 199659
My Comm, Exp, DEC 11, 2022
Ad text : OFFICIAL
PUBLICATION
ORDINANCE
NO. 37- 20
AMENDING CITY OF DUBUQUE CODE OF ORDINANCES TITLE 14
BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT, CHAPTER 1 BUILDING CODES, ARTICLE E
FIRE CODE AND REGULATIONS, SECTION 14-1E-1 INTERNATIONAL FIRE
CODE ADOPTED AND 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 amended to read as follows:
14-1E-2: INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE AMENDMENTS:
The following additions, deletions, modifications, or
amend-ments of the international fire code, 2018 edition,
adopted in section 14-1E-1 of this article to read as follows:
Section 1030.2 Minimum size. Amended to read:
Sec. 1030.2 Minimum size.
Emergency escape and rescue openings shall have a minimum
net clear opening of 5.7 square feet.
Exception: The minimum net clear opening for grade -floor
emergency escape and rescue openings shall be 5 square feet.
Exception: Replacement windows installed in buildings
meeting the scope of this code shall be exempt from the
minimum size requirements of this section, provided that the
replacement window meets the following conditions:
1. "The replacement window is the manufacturers largest
standard size window that will fit within the existing frame
or existing rough opening. The replacement window shall be of
a style that provides for the greatest net clear window
opening area in the existing frame or existing rough opening,
but will have a minimum net clear openable width of 20 inches,
a minimum net clear openable height of 24 inches, and a
minimum net clear opening of 4.0 square feet.
2. "Window replacements permitted between April 11, 2016 and
the effective date of this ordinance that serve as the
required emergency escape and rescue opening will be allowed
to remain as long as they meet the following requirements:
a. "Window was permitted as required by the City of Dubuque
b. "Window was approved as code compliant as documented by
the City of Dubuque.
3. "The replacement window is not part of a change of
occupancy or use.
Section 1030.3. Maximum height from floor. Amended to read:
Sec. 1030.3. Maximum height from floor.
Emergency escape and rescue openings shall have the bottom
of the clear opening not greater than 44 inches (1118 mm)
measured from the floor. An existing finished sill height may
exceed 44 inches (1118 mm) above the floor if the following
conditions are met:
a. "A platform capable of supporting a live load of 300
pounds shall be permanently affixed at the interior of the
structure. This platform shall be no lower than 20 inches (508
mm) above the floor and no higher than 36 inches (914 mm)
above the floor. The distance from the platform to the
finished sill height shall not exceed 36 inches (914 mm). The
platform shall extend outward from the wall a minimum of 24
inches (610 mm) and shall be at least as wide as the clear
openable width of the window, or another approved
method/platform.
b. "The emergency escape or rescue window shall comply with
section 1030.2.
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect upon
publication.
Passed, approved, and adopted this 21st day of September
2020.
/s/Roy D. Buol, Mayor
Attest: /s/Kevin S.
Firnstahl, City Clerk
Published officially in the Telegraph Herald newspaper on
the 25th day of September 2020.
/s/Kevin S. Firnstahl, City Clerk
It 9/25