The following sections of Chapter 36 of the 2021 Edition of the International Fire Code, as adopted by BMC 17.20.010, are hereby amended as follows:

SECTION 3601: SCOPE

3601.1 Scope.

Marina facilities shall be in accordance with this chapter.

3601.1.1 Existing conditions.

The provisions of this chapter shall apply to conditions existing prior to the adoption of this Code.

3601.1.1.1 Compliance.

The owner of a marina or part thereof with an identified deficiency pursuant to Section 3604.9 shall submit to the fire code official, within 120 days of receiving a Notice of Violation, a written concept design and firm schedule for complying with the requirements of this chapter.

3601.1.1.2 Time limits.

The time schedule for compliance shall be measured from the date of the fire code official’s approval of the concept design and firm schedule for each marina or part thereof. The time schedule must not exceed 5 years.

3601.1.1.3 Permits.

For permits to operate marine motor fuel-dispensing stations, application of flammable or combustible finishes, boathouse, covered boat moorage, and hot works, see Section 105.6.

SECTION 3602: DEFINITIONS

3602.1 Definitions.

The following words and terms shall, for the purpose of this chapter and as used elsewhere in this code, have the meanings shown herein.

BERTH. The water space to be occupied by a boat or other vessel alongside or between bulkheads, piers, piles, fixed and floating docks, or any similar access structure. (See also the definition of Slip)

MULTI-PARTY BOATHOUSE. An independently floating structure which encloses more than one vessel and is connected to float system pilings. A multi-party boathouse is considered to be covered boat moorage.

FINGER FLOAT. A system of floats extending from the lateral walkway to provide access to moored vessels. Finger floats are typically narrower than a lateral walkway.

INDIVIDUAL BOATHOUSE. An independently floating structure designed to be moored to a main float system to enclose and protect a vessel. An individual boathouse is capable of being moved on water, but is typically moored to a float system for long periods of time.

LATERAL WALKWAY. A system of floats extending from the main walkway to provide access to vessel moorage and/or finger floats. Lateral walkways are typically narrower than a main walkway.

MAIN WALKWAY. A system of floats extending from the shore to provide vessel moorage and/or access to the lateral walkway and finger floats.

SLIP. A berthing space between or adjacent to piers, wharves, or docks; the water areas associated with boat moorage. (See also the definition of Berth)

VESSEL. A motorized watercraft, other than a seaplane on the water, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation.

SECTION 3603: GENERAL PRECAUTIONS

3603.2 Sources of ignition.

Open-flame devices used for lighting or decoration on the exterior of a vessel, float, pier or wharf, under covered boat moorage, or within a boathouse shall be prohibited.

3603.2.1 Smoking restrictions.

Smoking is prohibited in all areas where fuels and other flammable and combustible liquids and gases are stored or dispensed, under covered boat moorage, within boat houses, and in other such locations as marina management or the fire code official designate. Smoking signs shall be consistent with Section 310.

3603.4 Rubbish containers.

Metal containers with tight-fitting or self-closing lids shall be provided for the temporary storage of combustible trash or rubbish.

3603.8 Fuel dispensing.

Fuel dispensing from portable containers to vessels shall be prohibited.

Exception: At approved marine motor fuel-dispensing facilities.

3603.9 Fuel storage.

The maximum allowable quantity of fuel, which may be stored within an individual boathouse or covered boat moorage, shall be in accordance with Sections 3603.9.1 and 3603.9.2.

Exception: Fuel stored on the vessel.

3603.9.1 Flammable and combustible liquids.

The maximum allowable quantity of flammable or combustible liquids is limited to five gallons for each berth.

3603.9.2 Flammable Gases.

The maximum allowable quantity of flammable gases is limited to 20 pounds for each berth.

3603.10 Means of egress.

The means of egress system for individual boathouses and covered boat moorage shall be in accordance with Sections 3603.10.1 through 3603.10.6.

3603.10.1 General means of egress.

The requirements of Sections 1003.2 through 1003.6 shall apply to all three elements of the means of egress system.

3603.10.2 Minimum required egress width.

The means of egress width shall not be less than 36 inches.

3603.10.3 Doors.

Means of egress doors shall meet the requirements of this section. Doors serving a means of egress system shall meet the requirements of this section. Doors provided for egress purposes in numbers greater than required by this code shall meet the requirements of this section.

Means of egress doors shall be readily distinguishable from the adjacent construction and finishes such that the doors are easily recognizable as doors. Mirrors or similar reflecting materials shall not be used on means of egress doors. Means of egress doors shall not be concealed by curtains, drapes, decorations or similar materials.

3603.10.3.1 Size of doors.

The minimum width of each door opening shall provide a clear width of 32 inches. Clear openings of doorways with swinging doors shall be measured between the face of the door and the stop, with the door open 90 degrees. Where this section requires a minimum clear width of 32 inches and a door opening includes two door leaves without a mullion, one leaf shall provide a clear opening width of 32 inches. The maximum width of a swinging door leaf shall be 48 inches nominal. The height of door openings shall not be less than 80 inches.

3603.10.3.2 Projections into clear width.

There shall not be projections into the required clear width lower than 34 inches above the floor or ground. Projections into the clear opening width between 34 inches and 80 inches above the floor or ground shall not exceed 4 inches.

Exception: Door closers and door stops shall be permitted to be 78 inches minimum above the floor.

3603.10.3.3 Door swing.

Egress doors shall be of the pivoted or side-hinged swinging type.

3603.10.3.4 Door opening force.

The force for pushing or pulling open interior swinging egress doors, other than fire doors, shall not exceed 5 pounds. The door latch shall release when subjected to a 15-pound force. The door shall be set in motion when subjected to a 30-pound force. The door shall swing to a full-open position when subjected to a 15-pound force.

3603.10.3.5 Location of applied forces.

Forces shall be applied to the latch side of the door.

3603.10.3.6 Floor elevation.

There shall be a floor or landing on each side of a door. Such floor or landing shall be at the same elevation on each side of the door. Landings shall be level except for exterior landings, which are permitted to have a slope not to exceed 0.25 units vertical in 12 units horizontal (2-percent slope).

3603.10.3.7 Door operations.

Except as specifically permitted by this section egress doors shall be readily operable from the egress side without the use of a key or special knowledge or effort.

3603.10.3.7.1 Hardware.

Door handles shall not require tight grasping, tight pinching or twisting of the wrist to operate.

3603.10.3.7.2 Hardware height.

Door handles, pulls, latches, locks and other operating devices shall be installed 34 inches minimum and 48 inches maximum above the finished floor. Locks used only for security purposes and not used for normal operation are permitted at any height.

3603.10.3.7.3 Bolt locks.

Single-cylinder keyed deadbolts are allowed.

3603.10.3.8 Number of exit doors required.

A minimum of one exit door shall be provided in each 50 lineal feet, or fraction thereof, of the longest exterior wall or as approved. The required exit doors shall be distributed such that the lineal distance between adjacent exit doors does not exceed 50 feet (15240 mm) and shall not be directly across the pier, float system or access way from another boathouse or covered boat moorage exit door.

3603.10.4 Exit signs.

Exit doors shall be marked by an approved exit sign readily visible from any direction of egress travel.

Exception: Boathouses and covered boat moorage with one exit.

3603.10.5 Identification.

An approved sign shall be provided on the exterior of the boathouse and covered boat moorage which identifies the slip or slips within.

3603.10.6 Key safe.

An approved key safe shall be installed in an approved location on all multi-party boathouses. The safe shall contain the key or keys to all exterior and interior doors.

3603.10.7 Maintenance.

The means of egress shall be maintained in accordance with Section 1030.

SECTION 3604: FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT

3604.1 General.

Piers, marinas and wharves with facilities for mooring or servicing five or more vessels, and marine motor fuel-dispensing facilities shall be equipped with fire protection equipment in accordance with Sections 3604.2 through 3604.10.

3604.2 Standpipes.

Marinas shall be equipped throughout with Class I manual, dry standpipe systems in accordance with NFPA 14 and Sections 3604.2.1 through 3604.2.8.

3604.2.1 Identification of standpipe outlets.

Standpipe hose connection locations shall be clearly identified by a flag or other approved means designed to be readily visible from the pier accessing the float system.

3604.2.2 Outlet location.

Standpipe systems shall be provided with outlets located such that no point on the pier, float system, or fixed access way exceeds 150 feet from a standpipe outlet.

3604.2.3 Appurtenances.

Hose racks, hoses, and standpipe cabinets shall not be required on the pier or float system.

3604.2.4 Flow rate.

Supply piping for standpipes shall be sized for the minimum flow rate for Class I horizontal systems.

Exception: When approved, supply piping for standpipes may be sized for the minimum flow rate for Class II systems.

3604.2.5 Pressure.

Minimum hose outlet pressure shall be 130 psi while delivering the flow rate identified in Section 3602.2.4.

Exception: Approved existing standpipe systems.

3604.2.6 Material.

Approved plastic pipe may be used if installed underwater or other approved method of protection from fire is provided.

3604.2.7 Flexible connections.

Flexible connections shall be permitted on floating piers where approved.

3604.2.8 Sectional valves.

The system shall be equipped with sectional valves in approved locations.

3604.3 Access and water supply.

Piers and wharves shall be provided with fire apparatus access roads and water-supply systems with on-site fire hydrants when required by the fire code official. At least one fire hydrant capable of providing 1,500 gpm shall be provided within an approved distance of standpipe supply connections.

3604.9 Automatic sprinkler systems.

Automatic sprinklers shall be provided throughout new and existing multi-party covered boat moorage and multi-party boathouse structures in accordance with Chapter 9.

Exception: Multi-party covered boat moorage or boathouse structures not exceeding 2,500 sq. ft. in area and separated by at least 16 feet from another multi-party covered boat moorage or multi-party boathouse structure.

3604.9.1 Density.

The sprinkler system shall be designed and installed in accordance with Section 903 and NFPA Standard 13 for Extra Hazard Group 2 occupancy.

3604.9.2 Monitoring.

Sprinkler system shall be monitored in accordance with Section 903.

3604.9.3 Notification.

Notification appliances shall be installed throughout the structure in accordance with Section 907.6.2.

3604.10 Fire department connections.

Fire department connections shall be installed in accordance with Section 912.