Proposed Phoenix Fire Code Changes 3-8-2021.pdf

City of Phoenix — Formal (2021-05-19)

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Proposed Clarifications, Adjustment and Amendments to the City of Phoenix
2018 Fire Prevention Code (2018 International Fire Code {IFC} with Phoenix
Amendments) currently adopted by Ordinance Number G-6677 § 1, 2020
Strikethrough represents proposed code text deletion and underscore represents text addition
Updated 3/8/2021

Page 1 of 10

Code Change Categories
ERRC (Emergency
Radio Coverage
Systems)
Two-Way
Hardwired Fire
Communications
Agro, Wood Chip,
and Mulch
Facilities
Photovoltaic/Solar
and Energy
Storage Systems
Chapter 80 NFPA
Standards

1. Section
510.4.1.2
510.4.1.2 Minimum signal strength out of the building. The minimum outbound signal
strength shall be sufficient to provide usable voice communications throughout the
coverage area as specified by the fire code official. The outbound signal level shall be
sufficient to provide not less than a DAQ of 3.0 or an equivalent SINR applicable to the
technology for either analog or digital signals. A Bit Error Rate (BER) of 2.6%. is
equivalent to a DAQ 3.0 and is acceptable to meet this equivalency.
Reason: Current fire code requires system acceptance testing meet a minimum of 3.0 on the DAQ scale.
The Regional Wireless Cooperative (RWC) recommends any emergency responder radio coverage
system (ERRCS) on their network meet a Bit Error Rate (BER) of 2.6% as a more effective alternative
acceptable method of measurement. A BER of 2.6% is equal to a DAQ 3.0 as noted in a National
Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) report 99-358, Delivered Audio Quality
Measurements on Project 25 Land Mobile Radios. This report was created by the U.S. Department of
Commerce. By adopting the ERRCS testing of BER 2.6%, this action will help standardize all in-building
treatments throughout the City of Phoenix. BER is measurable data and can be provided by the vendor
on their testing result grid reports.
Action Taken: Presented to the Fire Safety Advisory Board on 3/11/2021.

2. Section
508.1.6.2
508.1.6.2 Fire Department Communications System. Two way hard wired
communication system is required in high rise buildings
Reason: Two way hard wired communication system is required in high rise buildings to augment the
VHF radio system used by the Phoenix Fire Department on hazard scenes such as fires, hazmat incidents
and environmental hazards. Base International Fire Code language assumes that in building emergency
VHF radio coverage is provided for fire fighter use and removed this wired system requirement.
Technological limitations do not allow for this proper coverage currently. Therefore, wire
communications are still required for fire fighter safety during high rise fire incidents.
Action Taken: Presented to the Fire Safety Advisory Board on 3/11/2021.

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3. Section
907.2.12.2
907.2.12.2 Fire department communication system.
Two way hard wired fire department communication system is required in high-rise
buildings. In other buildings Wwhere a wired communication system is approved in lieu
of an emergency responder radio coverage system in accordance with Section 510, the
wired fire department communication system shall be designed and installed in
accordance with NFPA 72 and shall operate between a fire command center complying
with Section 508, elevators, elevator lobbies, emergency and standby power rooms,
fire pump rooms, areas of refuge and inside interior exit stairways. The fire department
communication device shall be provided at each floor level within the interior exit
stairway.
Reason: Two way hard wired communication system is required in high rise buildings to augment the
VHF radio system used by the Phoenix Fire Department on hazard scenes such as fires, hazmat incidents
and environmental hazards. Base International Fire Code language assumes that in building emergency
VHF radio coverage is provided for fire fighter use and removed this wired system requirement.
Technological limitations do not allow for this proper coverage currently.
Action Taken: Presented to the Fire Safety Advisory Board on 3/11/2021.

4. Section 914.3.5

914.3.5 Emergency voice/alarm communication system. An emergency voice/alarm
communication system shall be provided in accordance with Section 907.6.2.2. Two
way hard wired fire department communication system is required in high-rise
buildings.
Reason: Two way hard wired communication system is required in high rise buildings to augment the
VHF radio system used by the Phoenix Fire Department on hazard scenes such as fires, hazmat incidents
and environmental hazards. Base International Fire Code language assumes that in building emergency
VHF radio coverage is provided for fire fighter use and removed this wired system requirement.
Technological limitations do not allow for this proper coverage currently. Therefore, wire
communications are still required for fire fighter safety during high rise fire incidents.
Action Taken: Presented to the Fire Safety Advisory Board on 3/11/2021.

Page 3 of 10

5. Section
2808.7.3
2808.7.3 Conveyor Systems Automatic sprinkler protection shall be provided in
conveyor tunnels and combustible enclosures that pass under a pile. Combustible
conveyor systems and enclosed conveyor systems shall be equipped with an approved
automatic sprinkler system
Reason: Duplicate to section 2808.7
Action Taken: Presented to the Fire Safety Advisory Board on 3/11/2021.

6. Section
2808.7.4
2808.7.4.3 Fire Hydrants. The fire code official may increase the distance required to a
fire hydrant as set forth in Section 507 where the conditions of this section are
complied with. The omitting of an on-site hydrant or increased overall distance to the
nearest hydrants will be evaluated with the application for permit.

Reason: To correct numbering sequence after section 2808.7.3 is removal.
Action Taken: Presented to the Fire Safety Advisory Board on 3/11/2021.

7. Section 2808.9

2808.9 Material-handling equipment. Approved material handling equipment shall be
available for moving wood chips, hogged material, wood fines and raw product during
fire-fighting operations. by contract to aid in the event of emergency for moving wood
chips and hogged material. Equipment available shall include:
1. Equipment to move stored material during a fire
2. Water trucks
3. Water pumps if using pond for any piece of water source
Reason: Allows customer to have a heavy equipment rental agreement rather than equipment on site at
all times.
Action Taken: Presented to the Fire Safety Advisory Board on 3/11/2021.

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8. Section 2808.6

2808.6.1 Internal temperature. If any location in a pile is found to have an internal
temperature of 160°F (71° C) immediate action must be taken to reduce the
temperature. If any location in a pile is found to have an internal temperature of 180º F
(82ºC) or greater, the following procedures must immediately be taken:
1. The area with the high temperature shall be dug out of the main pile. This
overheated material shall be pushed out in the designated push out area. The material
shall be no greater than 3ft. in depth in the push out area.
2. Water shall be stationed closely to the affected area, prior to digging out the
hotspot, to
immediately douse any flare ups that may occur when air is added to overheated area.
3. Continual temperature probing and removal of material greater than 180° F (82° C)
shall be conducted until all overheated material is separated into the push out area.
Reason: Clarification as to how a pile shall be monitored as currently required by Section 2808.6 Static
Pile Protection.
Action Taken: Presented to the Fire Safety Advisory Board on 3/11/2021.

9. Section
2808.7.1
2808.7.1 Delivery and tipping area. Not more than two designated tipping areas may
be provided at a single facility and Delivery and tipping areas shall be shown on the
approved facility site plan. Tipping areas shall comply with the following:
1. Size. Tipping areas shall not exceed a maximum area of 50 feet by (15 240 mm) by 50
feet (15 240 mm).
2. Height. Material within a tipping area shall not exceed 5 feet (1524 mm) in height at
any time.
3. Separation. Tipping areas shall be separated from all piles and other tipping areas by
a fire access lane that is not less than 20 feet (6096 mm) wide.
4. Water system. A water system shall be available to wet down/ cool the raw product
in case of fire within the tipping area.
5. Duration. Raw product shall be kept in tipping area long enough to ensure no load
was delivered that is already over heated. Raw product shall be
less than 160° F before mixing with main pile.
Reason: Limit of “not more than two” was an error in the original language.
Action Taken: Presented to the Fire Safety Advisory Board on 3/11/2021.

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10. Section 202
TIPPING AREA. An area within an solid waste management facility or recycling agro-
industrial, solid biomass facility for vehicles to unload new material. solid wastes or
recyclables.
Reason: Correct the language of a tipping area. Was not the intention
Action Taken: Presented to the Fire Safety Advisory Board on 3/11/2021.

11. Section
1204.2.1
1204.2.1 Solar photovoltaic systems for Group R-3 buildings. Solar photovoltaic
systems for Group R-3 buildings shall comply with Sections 1204.2.1.1 through
1204.2.1.3
Reason: As a result of continued dialog with the solar industry and other stakeholders, we are altering
the numbering sequence of this section to reflect additional solar code changes below
Action Taken: Presented to the Fire Safety Advisory Board on 3/11/2021.

12. Section
1204.2.1.1
1204.2.1.1 Roof access points. Roof access points shall be located in areas that do not
require the placement of ground ladders over openings such as windows or doors and
located at strong points of building construction in locations where the access point
does not conflict with overhead obstructions such as tree limbs, wires, or signs.

1204.2.1.1 Pathways to ridge. Not fewer than two 36 inch- wide (914 mm) pathways
on separate roof planes, from lowest roof edge to ridge, shall be provided on all
buildings. Not fewer than one pathway shall be provided on the street or driveway side
of the roof. For each roof plane with a photovoltaic array, not fewer than one 36-inch-
wide (914 mm) pathway from lowest roof edge to ridge shall be provided on the same
roof plane as the photovoltaic array, on an adjacent roof plane or straddling the same
and adjacent roof planes.

Reason: As a result of continued dialog with the solar industry and other stakeholders, we will be
reverting this section to base 2018 International Fire Code language.
Action Taken: Presented to the Fire Safety Advisory Board on 3/11/2021.

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13. Section
1204.2.1.2
1204.2.1.2 Residential systems for one- and two- family dwellings. Access to
residential systems for one- and two- family dwellings shall be provided in accordance
with Sections 1204.2.1.3 through 1204.2.1.6.

1204.2.1.2 Setbacks at ridge. For photovoltaic arrays occupying 33 percent or less of
the plan view total roof area, a setback of not less than 18 inches (457 mm) wide is
required on both sides of a horizontal ridge. For photovoltaic arrays occupying more
than 33 percent of the plan view total roof area, a setback of not less than 36 inches
(457 mm) wide is required on both sides of a horizontal ridge.

14. Section
1204.2.1.3
1204.2.1.3 Residential buildings with hip roof layouts. Panels/modules installed on
residential buildings with hip roof layouts shall be located in a manner that provides a
3- foot-wide (914 mm) clear access pathway from the eave to the ridge on each roof
slope where panels/modules are located. The access pathway shall be located at a
structurally strong location on the building capable of supporting the live load of fire
fighters accessing the roof.

1204.2.1.3 Alternative setbacks at ridge. Where an automatic sprinkler system is
installed within the dwelling in accordance with Section 903.3.1.3, setbacks at the ridge
shall conform to one of the following:
1. For photovoltaic arrays occupying 66 percent or less of the plan view total roof
area, a setback of not less than 18 inches (457 mm) wide is required on both sides of a
horizontal ridge.
2.For photovoltaic arrays occupying more than 66 percent of the plan view total roof
area, a setback of not less than 36 inches (914 mm) wide is required on both sides of a
horizontal ridge.
Reason: As a result of continued dialog with the solar industry and other stakeholders, we will be
reverting this section to base 2018 International Fire Code language.
Action Taken: Presented to the Fire Safety Advisory Board on 3/11/2021.

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15. Section
1204.2.1.4
1204.2.1.4 Residential buildings with a single ridge. Panels/modules installed on
residential buildings with a single ridge shall be located in a manner that provides two,
3-foot-wide (914 mm) access pathways from the eave to the ridge on each roof slope
where panels/modules are located.
Reason: As a result of continued dialog with the solar industry and other stakeholders, we will be
reverting this section to base 2018 International Fire Code language.
Action Taken: Presented to the Fire Safety Advisory Board on 3/11/2021.

16. Section
1204.2.1.5
1204.2.1.5 Residential buildings with roof hips and valleys. Panels/modules installed
on residential buildings with roof hips and valleys shall be located no closer than 18
inches (457 mm) to a hip or a valley where panels/modules are to be placed on both
sides of a hip or valley. Where panels are to be located on only one side of a hip or
valley that is of equal length, the panels shall be permitted to be placed directly
adjacent to the hip or valley.

17. Section
1204.2.1.6
1204.2.1.6 Residential building smoke ventilation. Panels/modules installed on
residential buildings shall be located no higher than 3 feet below the ridge in order to
allow for fire department smoke ventilation operations.

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18. Chapter 80
NFPA 2 Hydrogen Technologies Code 2016 2020

NFPA 12 Standard on Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems 2015 2018

NFPA 13 Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems 2016 2019

NFPA 13D Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family
Dwellings and Manufactured Homes 2016 2019

NFPA 13R Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in Low-Rise Residential
Occupancies 2016 2019

NFPA 14 Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems 2014 2019

NFPA 16 Standard for the Installation of Foam-Water Sprinkler and Foam-Water
Spray Systems 2015 2019

NFPA 24 Standard for the Installation of Private Fire Service Mains and Their
Appurtenances 2016 2019

NFPA 30B Code for the Manufacture and Storage of Aerosol Products 2015 2019

NFPA 33 Standard for Spray Application Using Flammable or Combustible Materials
2016 2018

NFPA 34 Standard for Dipping, Coating and Printing Processes Using Flammable or
Combustible Liquids 2015 2018

NFPA 45 Standard on Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals 2015 2019

NFPA 52 Vehicular Natural Gas Fuel Systems Code 2016 2019

NFPA 55 Standard for storage, use and handling of compressed gases and cryogenic
Fluids in portable and stationary containers, cylinders and tanks 2016 2020

Page 9 of 10

NFPA 61 Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Dust Explosions in Agricultural and
Food Processing Facilities 2017 2020

NFPA 69 Standard on Explosion Prevention Systems 2014 2019

NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code 2016 2019

NFPA 86 Standard for Ovens and Furnaces 2015 2019

NFPA 92 Standard for Smoke Control Systems 2015 2018

NFPA 110 Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems 2016 2019

NFPA 111 Standard for Stored Electrical Energy Emergency and Standby Power
Systems 2016 2019

NFPA 160 Standard for the Use of Flame Effects Before an Audience2016 2021

NFPA 241 Standard for Safeguarding Construction, Alteration, and Demolition
Operations 2013 2019

NFPA 484 Standard for Combustible Metals 2015 2019

NFPA 652 The Fundamentals of Combustible Dust 2016 2019

NFPA 654 Standard for Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions from the
Manufacturing, Processing and Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids 2017 2020

NFPA 664 Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Explosions in Wood Processing
and Woodworking Facilities 2017 2020

NFPA 853 Installation of Stationary Fuel Cell Power Systems 2015 2020

NFPA 914 Code for Fire Protection of Historic Structures 2015 2019

Page 10 of 10

NFPA 1126 Standard for the Use of Pyrotechnics Before a Proximate Audience 2016
2021

NFPA 2001 Standard on Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems 2015 2018

Reason: Updating current fire code adopted NFPA Standards to currently published editions. Allows use
of latest testing, technology and code developments. Improves cross reference compatibility of codes.
Action Taken: Presented to the Fire Safety Advisory Board on 3/11/2021.

End of Changes