Title
To amend various sections of the City of Columbus Fire Prevention Code (Title Twenty-five), relating to the fees charged for plan review, inspections, and other services, to establish a new section of the Fire Prevention Code that provides a fee schedule and outlines the requirements for establishing and terminating a fire watch or fire suppression standby, and to declare an emergency.(NFI)
Explanation
BACKGROUND:
It is the intent of the Division of Fire, Bureau of Fire Prevention to set fees for inspections, services, and plan review established by Ordinance 2049-95, to reflect costs associated with providing these services. The existing fee structure was reviewed, some new fees proposed and existing fees increased to reflect these costs.
FISCAL IMPACT: Revised and new fees more accurately reflect the Fire Division's costs associated with providing these services. And in some cases will result in the Division recovering overtime costs associated with these services for the General Fund.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: Emergency action is request to insure code changes are made promptly.
Body
Whereas, the existing fees for services rendered by the Division of Fire, established by Ordinance 2049-95, are outdated and do not reflect the Division's costs; and
Whereas, the costs of all services rendered by the Division of Fire associated with the development process and certain other special inspections and services are to more accurately reflect actual costs; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire, in that it is immediately necessary to accept said donation for the aforementioned purpose for the preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; Now, Therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS
Section 1. That Section 2502.01 of the Columbus City Code, 1959, is hereby amended to read as follows:
2502.01 Permits, Plan Review, Inspections, Services.
(A) General: No person shall engage in any business activity involving the handling, storage or use of hazardous substances, materials or devices; or maintain, store or handle materials; or conduct processes which produce conditions hazardous to life or property; or install equipment used in connection with such activities; or establish a place of assembly without first notifying the Fire Official. Permits may be required according to Section 2502.01(B).
(B) The Fire Official may require, but need not require, any such permit as specified in this code.
(C) Required permits shall be obtained from the Fire Official according to the requirements of this code. Inspection or permit fees, if any, shall be set forth in this code. Permits shall at all times be kept in the premises designated therein and shall at all times be subject to inspection by the Fire Official.
(D) Application for permit: Application for a permit required by this code shall be made to the Fire Official in such form and detail as the Fire Official shall prescribe. Applications for permits shall be accompanied by plans or drawings as required by the Fire Official for evaluation of the application.
(E) Action on application: Before a permit is issued, the Fire Official or his designated representative shall make or cause to be made such inspections or tests as are necessary to assure that the use and activities for which application is made complies with the provisions of this code.
(F) Conditions of permit: A permit shall constitute permission to maintain, store or handle materials, or to conduct processes which produce conditions hazardous to life or property, or to install equipment used in connection with such activities in accordance with the provisions of this code. Such permission shall not be construed as authority to violate, cancel or set aside any of the provisions of this code. Said permit shall remain in effect until revoked, or for such period of time specified on the permit. Permits are not transferable and any change in use, operation or tenancy shall require a new permit.
(G) Approved plans: Plans approved by the Fire Official are approved with the intent they comply in all respects to this code. Any omissions or errors on the plans do not relieve the applicant of complying with all applicable requirements of this code.
(H) Revocation of permit: The Fire Official may revoke a permit or approval issued under the provisions of this code if upon inspection any violation of the code exists, or if any false statement or misrepresentation as to material fact in the application, data or plans on which the permit or approval was based, or if any fees required by this code for inspections or permits have not been paid.
(I) Suspension of permit: Any permit issued shall become invalid if the authorized work or activity is not commenced within six months after issuance of the permit or if the authorized work or activity is suspended or abandoned for a period of six months after the time of commencement.
(J) Payment of fees: Unless otherwise specified or provided for, a permit shall not be issued, plan reviewed, nor billable inspection conducted until the designated fees have been paid. (Ord. 2049-95.)
Section 2. That Section 2502.09 of the Columbus City Code, 1959, is hereby amended to read as follows:
2502.09 Fire protection system plan review fee schedule.
(A) Sprinkler System: The fee for the sprinkler review is based on the number of sprinkler heads in the system.
Sprinkler Heads Fee Plan Review Fee Inspection Fee
1 - 200 $40.00 $40.00
201 - 300 $50.00 $50.00
301 - 400 $60.00 $60.00
401 - 750 $75.00 $75.00
over 750 $75.00 plus $0.25 $75.00 plus $0.25
per head over 750 per head over 750
The review of a hydraulically-designed sprinkler system shall be 1.5 times the normal fee for sprinkler review. Review of sprinkler systems using a fire pump shall cost an additional $50.00 over the fee for sprinkler review. Review of standpipes using the same supply as sprinkler systems with fire pumps are included in the sprinkler system fee. The plan review portion of the above fees shall be deposited into the Development Services Special Revenue Fund. The remaining portion of the above fees shall be deposited into the General Fund.
(A) Sprinkler Systems Plan Review Fee Initial Inspection Fee Total Billable Fee
001-200 Heads $50.00 $100.00 $150.00
>200 Heads $50.00 $100.00 plus $1.00 $150.00 plus $1.00
per head > 200 per head > 200
(B) Standpipe Systems: The plan review fee shall be $25.00 for systems without fire pumps and $50.00 for systems with fire pumps and shall be deposited into the Development Services Special Revenue Fund. The inspection fee shall be $25.00 for systems without fire pumps and $50.00 for systems with fire pumps and shall be deposited into the General Fund.
(B) Standpipe Systems Plan Review Fee Initial Inspection Fee Total Billable Fee
Without Fire Pump $50.00 $100.00 $150.00
With Fire Pump $50.00 $150.00 $200.00
(C) Extinguishing Systems: These would include systems using the following agents: carbon dioxide, halon, dry chemical, foam, chemical, all others:
Weight of Agent Fee Plan Review Fee Inspection Fee
Up to 50# $25.00 $25.00
51- 200 $40.00 $40.00
201 - 500# $50.00 $50.00
Over 500# $60.00 +5¢ per # $60.00 + 5¢ per #
over 500# over 500#
The plan review portion of the above fees shall be deposited into the Development Services Special Revenue Fund. The remaining portion of the above fees shall be deposited into the General Fund.
(C) Independent Suppression Systems Plan Review Fee Initial Inspection Fee Total Billable Fee
$50.00 $100.00 $150.00
(D) Automatic Fire Alarm Systems: The fee for an automatic fire alarm system is based on the number of sending, signaling and detecting devices in the system.
Devices Plan Review Fee Inspection Fee
1 - 25 $35.00 $35.00
Over 25 $35.00 + 40¢ per $35.00 + 40¢ per
device over 25 device over 25
The plan review portion of the above fees shall be deposited into the Development Services Special Revenue Fund. The remaining portion of the above fees shall be deposited into the General Fund.
(E) Manual Fire Alarm Systems: The fee for a manual fire alarm system is based on the number of sending and signaling devices.
Devices Plan Review Fee Inspection Fee
1 - 10 $35.00 $35.00
Over 10 $37.50 + 50¢ per $37.50 + 50¢ per
device over 10 device over 10
The plan review portion of the above fees shall be deposited into the Development Services Special Revenue Fund. The remaining portion of the above fees shall be deposited into the General Fund.
(D) Alarm Systems Plan Review Fee Initial Inspection Fee Total Billable Fee
Automatic 01-25 Devices $50.00 $100.00 $150.00
Automatic >25 Devices $50.00 $100.00 plus $5.00 $150.00 plus $5.00
per device over 25 per device over 25
Manual 01-10 Devices $50.00 $100.00 $150.00
Manual >10 Devices $50.00 $100.00 plus $10.00 $150.00 plus $10.00
per device over 10 per device over 10
(F) Other Fire Protection Devices and Systems: The fee for smoke removal systems and other fire protection devices and systems not listed above shall be charged on the basis of time consumed reviewing the plan at the rate of one hundred dollars ($100.00) for each hour or fraction thereof. This fee shall be in addition to, and separate from, any required inspection fee and shall be deposited into the Development Services Special Revenue Fund. The inspection fee shall be at the hourly rate as specified in C.C. 2502.11(B).
Fire Pump $50.00 $100.00 $150.00
Emergency Generator $50.00 $100.00 $150.00
Smoke Removal $50.00 $100.00 $150.00
(G) Flammable or Combustible Liquid, or Flammable or Nonflammable Gas Installations: The fee for this plan review shall be charged on the basis of time consumed reviewing the plan at the rate of one hundred dollars ($100.00) for each hour or fraction thereof. This fee shall be in addition to, and separate from, any required inspection fee and shall be deposited into the Development Services Special Revenue Fund. The inspection fee shall be at the hourly rate as specified in C.C. 2502.11(B).
Flammable/Combustible Gas $50.00 $100.00 $150.00
Section 3. That Section 2502.10 of the Columbus City Code, 1959, is hereby amended to read as follows:
2502.10 Subdivision plat plan, water main plan, street improvement plan and private development plan review fee schedule.
(A) Preliminary Subdivision Plat Plans: The fee for this plat plan review is $50.00. This fee shall be in addition to, and separate from, any required inspection fee and shall be deposited into the Development Services Special Revenue Fund. The inspection fee shall be at the hourly rate as specified in C.C. 2502.11(B).
(B) Final Subdivision Plat Plans: The fee for this plat plan review is $25.00. This fee shall be in addition to, and separate from, any required inspection fee and shall be deposited into the Development Services Special Revenue Fund. The inspection fee shall be at the hourly rate as specified in C.C. 2502.11(B).
(C) Public Street Improvement Plans - Private Development: The fee schedule for this plan review is as follows:
*NUMBER OF FIRE HYDRANTS INVOLVED IN PROJECT FEE
Plan review Fee Inspection Fee
0 - 5 $15.75 $29.25
6 - 10 $22.75 $42.25
11-15 $29.75 $55.25
Over 15 $29.75 + $0.70 per $55.25 + $1.30 per
hydrant over 15 hydrant over 15
Hydrants Plan Review Fee Initial Inspection Fee Total Billable Fee
0 $50.00 No Inspection $50.00
01-05 $50.00 $50.00 $100.00
06-10 $50.00 $100.00 $150.00
11-15 $50.00 $150.00 $200.00
> 15 $50.00 $150.00 plus $10.00 per $200.00 plus $10.00 per
hydrant over 15 hydrant over 15
* Also includes Includes new hydrants and existing hydrants to be relocated or replaced. The plan review portion of the above fees shall be deposited into the Development Services Special Revenue Fund. The remaining portion of the above fees shall be deposited into the General Fund
(D) Public Water Main Plans - Private Development: The fee schedule for this plan review is as follows:
*NUMBER OF HYDRANTS INVOLVED IN PROJECT FEE
Plan review Fee Inspection Fee
0 - 5 $19.62 $35.75
6 - 10 $26.25 $48.75
11-15 $35.00 $65.00
Over 15 $35.00 + $0.88 per $65.00 + $1.62 per
hydrant over 15 hydrant over 15
Hydrants Plan Review Fee Initial Inspection Fee Total Billable Fee
0 $50.00 No Inspection $50.00
01-05 $50.00 $50.00 $100.00
06-10 $50.00 $100.00 $150.00
11-15 $50.00 $150.00 $200.00
> 15 $50.00 $150.00 plus $10.00 per $200.00 plus $10.00 per
hydrant over 15 hydrant over 15
* Also includes Includes new hydrants and existing hydrants to be relocated or replaced. The plan review portion of the above fees shall be deposited into the Development Services Special Revenue Fund. The remaining portion of the above fees shall be deposited into the General Fund.
(E) Private Water Main Plans: The fee schedule for this plan review is as follows:
*NUMBER OF WATER MAIN APPURTENANCES INVOLVED IN PROJECT FEE
Plan review Fee Inspection Fee
0 - 5 $24.50 $45.50
6 - 10 $35.00 $65.00
11-15 $45.50 $84.50
Over 15 $45.50 + $1.05 per $84.50 + $1.95 per
appurtenance over 15 appurtenance over 15
Hydrants/Appurtenances Plan Review Fee Initial Inspection Fee Total Billable Fee
00-05 $50.00 $50.00 $100.00
06-10 $50.00 $150.00 $200.00
11-15 $50.00 $150.00 $200.00
> 15 $50.00 $150.00 plus $10.00 per $200.00 plus $10.00 per
hydrant/appurtenances hydrant/appurtenances
over 15 over 15
· Also includes Includes new fire hydrants, relocated fire hydrants, replaced fire hydrants, abandoned fire hydrants, lead-ins to risers, and remote fire department connections. The plan review portion of the above fees shall be deposited into the Development Services Special Revenue Fund. The remaining portion of the above fees shall be deposited into the General Fund.
Section 4. That Section 2502.11 of the Columbus City Code, 1959, is hereby amended to read as follows:
2502.11 Acceptance test fees.
(A) General: A building, structure or any portion thereof shall not be occupied until all required fire protection systems and devices and all fire hydrants have been tested in the presence of the Fire Official and approved.
(B) The plan review fees set forth in Section 2502.09 and 2502.10 include the cost of having one fire inspector present (if required) during the initial acceptance test for the system reviewed. If, in the opinion of the Fire Official, more than one fire inspector is required to properly and efficiently witness the acceptance test, a fee shall be charged for each additional fire inspector required on the basis of time consumed by each additional fire inspector, at the rate of thirty-five dollars ($35.00) seventy-five dollars ($75.00) for each hour or fraction thereof.
(C) Should a subsequent acceptance test inspection become necessary, for whatever reason, for approval of a fire protection system or systems, a fee of seventy ($70.00) seventy-five dollars ($75.00) shall be paid for the presence of a Fire Official at each subsequent test. If, in the opinion of the Fire Official, more than one fire inspector is required to properly and efficiently witness the acceptance test, a fee shall be charged for each additional fire inspector required on the basis of time consumed by each additional fire inspector, at the rate of seventy-five dollars ($75.00) for each hour or fraction thereof.
(D) Any person scheduling an acceptance test inspection outside of the normal business hours of the Fire Prevention Bureau as defined in Section 2502.12 (A) 2-3, shall be charged a fee for such special inspection on the basis of time consumed by each inspector or authorized person performing the services, at the rate of two times the assigned person(s) 40-hour rate as established in the current applicable collective bargaining agreement for each hour or fraction thereof. The request shall be made in writing on a form and in manner acceptable to the Fire Official. These fees shall be deposited into the General Fund and credited to the Division of Fire's overtime budget.
(D) Public Fire Hydrants - Private Developments: The acceptance test fee shall be charged on the basis of time consumed by each inspector or authorized person performing the service at the rate of thirty-five dollars ($35.00) for each hour or fraction thereof.
(E) Private Fire Service Mains and Hydrants: The acceptance test fee shall be charged on the basis of time consumed by each inspector or authorized person performing the service at the rate of thirty-five dollars ($35.00) for each hour or fraction thereof. (Ord. 2049-95.)
Section 5. That Section 2502.12 of the Columbus City Code, 1959, is hereby amended to read as follows:
2502.12 Special inspections or services. Special Inspections
(A) Definitions:
1. A Special Inspection or Service is an inspection or service performed during normal duty hours at an unscheduled time and at a responsible person's request.
2. After Hours Special Inspection or Service is an inspection or service as defined in 2502.12 (A) performed during a time which falls outside the normal duty hours of the Fire Prevention Bureau. Normal duty hours for the Fire Prevention Bureau are from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
3. Weekend Special Inspection or Service is an inspection or service as defined in 2502.12 (A) 1 performed on Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday as defined in the current collective bargaining agreement.
(B) Special Inspections or services shall be performed during Fire Prevention Bureau normal duty hours unless an after hours and/or weekend inspection request is made.
(C) Any person requesting a special inspection, or an after hours or weekend inspection or service for a building or premises under their control or any part thereof, shall make the request in writing on a form and in a manner acceptable to the Fire Official.
(D) Any person requesting an inspection as defined in 2502.12 (A) 1, 2, 0r 3, of a building or premises under their control or any part thereof, or other special services of whatever nature shall be charged a fee for such special inspection service on the basis of time consumed by each inspector or authorized person(s) performing the services, at the rate of thirty-five dollars ($35.00) two times the assigned person(s) 40 hour rate as established in the current applicable collective bargaining agreement for each hour or fraction thereof. (Ord. 2049-95.)
(H) Any person requesting an inspection of a building or premises under their control or any part thereof, because of a requirement for licensure or certification by another governmental agency, shall be charged a fee for such special inspection on the basis of time consumed by each inspector or authorized person(s) performing the services, at the rate of fifty dollars ($50.00) for each hour or fraction thereof.
Section 6. That Section 2502.13 of the Columbus City Code, 1959, is hereby amended to read as follows:
2502.13 Special Services
(A) A person requesting a modification of the Columbus Fire Prevention Code shall be required to pay charged a fee of two hundred dollars ($200.00) four hundred dollars ($400.00) in order to adequately compensate the Division of Fire for research and study of the modification request, and to ascertain that any modification allowed would not be detrimental to public safety. (Ord. 2049-95.)
(B) A person requesting a preliminary plan review shall be charged a fee of one hundred dollars ($100.00).
(C) A person requesting an evacuation plan review, for an occupancy that is not required to have an approved evacuation plan, shall be charged a fee of fifty dollars ($50.00).
Section 7. That Section 2502.14 of the Columbus City Code, 1959, is hereby established and shall read as follows:
2502.14 Fire Watch/Fire Suppression Standby.
(A) General: The Fire Official shall declare a building or structure unsafe and order an evacuation in the event any required fire protection systems or part thereof becomes inoperable and affects the fire safety of a structure or the occupants therein.
(B) Any person receiving an order to evacuate a building or premise under their control because of an inoperable or non-existent required fire protection system may request a fire watch or fire suppression standby as applicable. Such request shall be in writing on a form and in manner acceptable to the Fire Official.
(C) If, in the opinion of the Fire Official, a fire watch or fire suppression standby may be established in lieu of the structure or premise being evacuated, a fee shall be charged for each fire inspector or authorized person(s) required on the basis of time consumed by each fire inspector or authorized person(s), at the rate of two times the assigned person(s) 40-hour rate as established in the current applicable collective bargaining agreement for each hour or fraction thereof. These fees shall be deposited into the General Fund and credited to the Division of Fire's overtime budget.
(D) Once established, the fire watch or fire suppression standby shall not terminate until the inoperable fire protection equipment has been returned to service and inspected in accordance with the provisions of Section 2502.11, or the building or premise has been evacuated.
(E) Upon termination of the fire watch or fire suppression standby, the Division of Fire will invoice the person making the firewatch or fire suppression standby request the total amount of the fee to be paid.
Section 8. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.