The following sections of Chapter 9 of the 2018 edition of the IFC as adopted by BMC 17.20.010 are hereby amended as follows:

Section 901.4.6.1 Access. Automatic sprinkler system risers, fire pumps, and controllers shall be located in a sprinkler riser room dedicated solely to the building’s fire protection systems. The riser room shall be sized to meet electrical service equipment working space and clearance provisions outlined in International Fire Code Section 604 and provide a minimum of 10 square feet of floor area per building story, unless a reduced room size is approved by the fire code official. The sprinkler riser room shall be provided with a door that is directly accessible from the building’s exterior. This door must remain locked and shall be accessible to authorized personnel only. An access key shall be provided to the fire department and stored in the building’s public safety keybox.

Section 901.4.7 Additions or Changes of Use. Additions or changes of use to existing buildings which would result in a nonconforming building shall be considered as new construction and meet the requirements of this Chapter. Subject to the approval of the fire chief, and with approved guarantees documented in an executed agreement between the applicant and the City of Bellingham, a phasing plan of up to five years is permitted on sprinkler systems and fire alarm systems only.

Section 901.7.7 Replacement of fire alarm control panel in Group I or Group R occupancies. An existing building or structure with a Group I or Group R occupancy classification that requires replacement of an impaired or nonfunctional fire alarm control panel shall also make the necessary upgrades to the fire alarm system to meet the requirements of Sections 907.2 and 907.6. Subject to the approval of the Fire Chief, and with approved guarantees documented in an executed agreement between the applicant and the city of Bellingham, a phasing plan of up to five years is permitted for fire alarm system upgrades.

Exceptions:

1. The building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2, the building’s existing notification appliances will activate upon sprinkler water flow, and central monitoring of the fire alarm system is provided.

2. The building’s existing fire alarm system has been in service for less than 15 years as measured from the date of original acceptance test approval by the Bellingham Fire Department (or other authority having jurisdiction at the time of acceptance) and central monitoring of the fire alarm system is provided.

Section 903.3.1 Standards. Sprinkler systems shall be designed and installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, unless otherwise permitted by Sections 903.3.1.2 and 903.3.1.3 and other chapters of this code, as applicable. In addition, sprinkler systems shall be designed with an added safety margin to account for water system fluctuations including a low reservoir condition. The required safety margin shall be an additional 5 psi or 10% above the minimum required static pressure for the sprinkler system’s design, whichever is greater. It shall be the responsibility of permit applicants to independently confirm that the site provides the required static pressure with added safety margin prior to installing any sprinkler piping, including the installation of the underground fire service main.

Exception: Safety margins are not required for NFPA 13D sprinkler systems designed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.3.

Section 903.3.9 Temperature Monitoring. Temperature monitoring shall be installed when required by the fire code official.

Section 903.4.4 Sprinkler Zones. Automatic sprinkler systems shall be equipped to provide a separate alarm zone for each floor.

Exception: Where the Fire Code Official determines that a multi-floor zone can be allowed.

Section 907.1.4 False Alarms. In the event of more than two false alarms in any 90-day period, the Fire Code Official may charge a fee for fire department response as specified below:

False Alarms	Fee
First and second	No fee
Third and additional	$250 each

Exception: False alarms resulting from the failure of a fire alarm service technician notifying the central, proprietary or remote monitoring station shall be billed at the rate of $250 for each occurrence.

Section 907.1.4.1 Definition. For the purpose of this section, a false alarm shall be defined as any unintentional activation of the fire alarm or detection system which is the result of improper installation, maintenance or use of that system.

Section 907.1.4.2 Signs. Fire alarm system control units shall be provided with an approved sign indicating such fees will be imposed.

Section 907.6.7 Control Panel Location. Fire alarm control panels shall be located in the sprinkler riser room, if present, or in an approved location.