Title
To amend various sections of Chapter 2502 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, relating to the fees charged by the Division of Fire for plan review, inspections, and other services.
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. Ordinance 1446-2007, passed September 13, 2007, was passed to correct technical errors found in the language; this ordinance further corrects clerical and numerical errors in various sections of the code.
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.
Body
Whereas, the existing fees for services rendered by the Division of Fire, established by Ordinance 2049-95 and as amended by Ordinance 1146-2007, are outdated and do not reflect the Division's costs, and
Whereas, it is necessary to amend the provisions of Ordinance 1446-2007, passed September 13, 2007, due to technical errors, 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 now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS
Section 1. That Sections 2502.09, 2502.10, 2502.11 and 2502.12 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, are hereby amended to read as follows:
2502.09 Fire protection system plan review fee schedule.
(A) Sprinkler System. The fee for the sprinkler is based on the number of sprinkler heads in the system.
Sprinkler Heads Plan Review Fee Inspection Fee
1-200 $80.00 $80.00
201-300 $100.00 $100.00
301-400 $120.00 $120.00
401-750 $150.00 $150.00
Over 750 $150.00 plus 50¢ per head over 750 $150.00 plus 25 50¢ per head over 750
The review of a hydraulically-designed sprinkler system shall be one point five (1.5) times the normal fee for sprinkler review. Review of sprinkler systems using a fire pump shall cost an additional one-hundred dollars ($100.00) 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 Revenue Fund.
(B) Standpipe Systems. The plan review fee shall be fifty ($50.00) dollars for systems without fire pumps and one-hundred ($100.00) dollars for systems with fire pumps and shall be deposited into the Development Services Special Revenue Fund. The inspection fee for standpipe systems shall be fifty ($50.00) dollars for systems without fire pumps and one-hundred ($100.00) dollars for systems with fire pumps and shall be deposited into the General Fund.
(C) Extinguishing Systems. These would include systems using the following agents: carbon dioxide, halon, dry chemical, foam, chemical, all others:
Weight of Agent Plan Review Fee Inspection Fee
Up to 50# $50.00 $100.00
51-200# $75.00 $100.00
201-500# $100.00 $100.00
Over 500# $100.00+ 10 50¢ per # over 500# $100.00 + 5 50¢ per # 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 Revenue Fund.
(D) Automatic Fire Alarm System. 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 $75.00 $75.00
Over 25 $75.00+ 80 50¢ per device over 25 $100.00 + 40¢ $1.00 per 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 Revenue 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 $75.00 $75.00
Over 10 $75.00 + $1.00 $0.50 per device over 10 $100.00 + $0.50 $1.00 per device over 10
The plan review portion of the above fees shall be deposied into the Development Services Specal Revenue Fund. The remaining portion of the above fees shall be deposited into the General Revenue Fund.
(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 General Fund. The inspection fee shall be at the hourly rate as specified in C.C. 2502.11 (B).
(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 General Fund. The inspection fee shall be at the hourly rate as specified in C.C. 2502.11 (B). (Ord. 2049-95; Ord. 448-02 § 2.; Ord. 0112-2008)
(A) Preliminary Subdivision Plat Plans: The fee for this plat plan review is seventy-five ($75.00) dollars. This fee shall be in addition to, and separate from, any required inspection fee and shall be deposited into the Development Services Special Revenue General Fund.
(B) Final Subdivision Plat Plans. The fee for this plat plan review is fifty dollars ($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 General Fund.
(C) Public Street Improvement Plans--Private Development. The fee schedule for this plan review is as follows:
Number of Fire Hydrants Involved in Project Plan Review Fee Inspection Fee
0-5 $25.00 $100.00
6-10 $50.00 $100.00
11-15 $75.00 $100.00
Over 15 $50.00 75.00+ $0.70 $1.00 per hydrant over 15 $100.00 + $1.30 $2.00 per hydrant over 15
Also includes 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 Fire Hydrants Involved in Project Plan Review Fee Inspection Fee
0-5 $25.00 $100.00
6-10 $50.00 $100.00
11-15 $70.00 75.00 $100.00
Over 15 $70.00 75.00+ $0.88 $1.00 per hydrant over 15 $100.00 + $1.62 $2.00 per hydrant over 15
Also includes 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 Plan Review Fee Inspection Fee
0-5 $50.00 $100.00
6-10 $70.00 75.00 $100.00
11-15 $100.00 $100.00
Over 15 $100.00+ $1.05 1.00/appurtenance over 15 $100.00 + $1.95 2.00 per appurtenance over 15
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. (Ord. 2049-95; Ord. 448-02 § 3.; Ord. 0112-2008)
2502.11 Acceptance test fee.
(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 as indicated, if done during normal business hours. 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 fire inspector, at the rate of fifty-eight dollars ($58.00) for each hour or fraction thereof.
(C) Should a subsequent acceptance test become necessary, for whatever reason, for approval of a fire protection system or systems, a fee of one-hundred dollars ($100.00) shall be paid for the presence of a fire official at each subsequent test.
(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 fifty-eight dollars ($35.00 58.00) 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 fifty-eight dollars ($35.00 58.00) for each hour or fraction thereof. (Ord. 2049-95; Ord. 448-02 § 4.; Ord. 0112--2008)
2502.12 Special inspections or services.
(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, that is not required by this code.
2. After hours special inspection or service is an inspection or service as defined in 2502.12(A) 1 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, or on holidays as defined by the current labor contract.
3. Weekend special inspection or service is an inspection or service as defined in 2502.12(A) l performed on Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday.
(B) 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 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 manner acceptable to the fire official.
(D) Any person requesting an inspection 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 performing the services inspection, at the rate of fifty-eight dollars ($58.00) for each hour or fraction (1/4 of an hour) thereof. (Ord. 1210 - 06 1446-2007) A twenty-five dollar ($25.00) trip charge will be assessed for each after hours or special inspection. Special inspection fees and trip charges must be paid in full prior to the inspection. Payment of these special inspection fees and trip charge entitles the requestor to an inspection, but not necessarily an approved inspection.(Ord. 0112-2008)
Section 2. That existing Sections 2502.09, 2502.10, 2502.11 and 2502.12 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, are hereby repealed.
Section 3. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.