STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Public Safety
AGENDA DATE: January 11, 2023
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): All
DEPARTMENT: Fire-Rescue Department
EXECUTIVE: Jon Fortune
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SUBJECT
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An ordinance amending Chapter 16, “Dallas Fire Code,” of the Dallas City Code by: (1) adopting with certain changes the 2021 Edition of the International Fire Code published by the International Code Council; (2) providing a penalty not to exceed $2,000.00; (3) providing a saving clause; (4) providing a severability clause; and (5) providing an effective date - Financing: This action has no cost consideration to the City (see Fiscal Information)
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BACKGROUND
Dallas Fire-Rescue is proposing to adopt the 2022 Dallas Fire Code, which is a combination of the 2021 International Fire Code with 2022 Dallas amendments. Dallas Fire-Rescue provides amendments to specific sections of the International Fire Code model code language as a part of the overall adoption of the Dallas Fire Code. The proposed 2022 amendments are primarily a carryover of previous Dallas amendments from the adoption of previous Dallas Fire Codes.
New Dallas Fire Code amendments reflect modifications of new code sections that have been added to the International Fire Code model code language since the 2016 Dallas Fire Code adoption by the City of Dallas. The new proposed Dallas amendments mirror the language and intent of the amendment additions to the 2021 Regional Code amendments for the 2021 International Fire Code adopted by the North Texas Council of Governments. The 2021 Regional Code amendments provide a base of amendments used by several municipalities in the North Texas area for Fire Code consistency.
Sections of note with the proposed 2022 Dallas Fire Code amendments; Dallas Fire-Rescue will be adopting Appendix L, Firefighter Air Replenishment Systems (FARS) as well as Section 510, Emergency Responder Communication Coverage. Appendix L, Firefighter Air Replenishment Systems (FARS), has been widely adopted by fire departments throughout the United States. This system provides the ability for firefighters to replenish their air bottles inside a structure within minutes, increasing their safety factor significantly. Likewise, Section 510, Emergency Responder Communication Coverage, provides fire code regulation to ensure that structures have the critical radio signal strength necessary for first responders to communicate during an emergency incident.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
The Public Safety Committee was briefed by memorandum regarding this matter on August 8, 2022. <http://cityofdallas.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=37c06bb3-066a-49e5-b6cf-547de634ce67.pdf>
On October 26, 2022, the Fire Code Advisory and Appeals Board (FCB) voted to approve the adoption of the 2021 International Fire Code with Dallas amendments.
FISCAL INFORMATION
This action has no cost consideration to the City. Ordinance enforcement of penalty up to $2,000.00 may generate additional revenues to the City.