§ 16-930. Adopted.

(a)

The following reference codes are adopted by the city:

(1)

The latest edition of the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, based on the International Fire Code, the International Building Code, and the International Residential Code, including the following Appendices:

a.

Volume 1.

1.

B - Fire Flow Requirements for Buildings.

2.

C - Fire Hydrant Locations and Distribution.

3.

D - Fire Apparatus Access Roads.

4.

E - Hazard Categories.

5.

F - Hazard Ranking.

6.

G - Cryogenic Fluids.

b.

Volume 2.

1.

C - Group U - Agricultural Buildings.

2.

D - Fire Districts.

3.

E - Supplementary Accessibility Requirements.

4.

F - Rodent Proofing.

5.

G - Flood Resistant Construction.

6.

I - Patio Covers.

c.

Also, the following local amendment shall amend the state fire protection code, Volume III, Section R 321 to become Section R 321.3.3:

1.

Buildings that are constructed greater than two feet 11 15/16 inches from a property line, but less than ten feet from a property line or assumed property line, shall have ends protected by a fire partition extending from the floor (if on slab) or from the foundation walls (if on a crawl space) to the bottom of the roof deck. Fire partitions shall be made of OSB, plywood, brick, block, sheet rock, or other materials approved by the building official. Approved materials may be applied to the inside or outside of framing.

2.

That fire partition shall be defined as a vertical or horizontal assembly of materials designed to restrict the spread of fire in which openings are protected. Windows and doors not exceeding 25 percent of total square footage and below ceiling level of said wall shall not be required to be protected.

d.

Building valuation data will be based on tables published and updated twice yearly by Building Safety Journal of the International Code Council as regional building valuations.

e.

Permit fees for temporary structures, as defined by the fire protection code, will be a minimum as currently established or as hereafter adopted by resolution of the city council from time to time and may be increased, based on the complexity of the project, as determined by the building official.

f.

The city council herby amends the current Fire Prevention Code by inserting the following:

Conflicts. Where conflicts occur between provision of 2013 edition of Arkansas Fire Prevention Code and referenced codes and standards, the most stringent shall apply.

Address Numbers. New buildings shall have approved address numbers, building numbers or approved building identification placed in a position that is legible from the street or road fronting the property. Numbers shall be in contrasting color from the exterior color scheme. Addressing shall be as followed:

Single Family Homes Minimum 6" high 5/8 " contrasting numbers

Multi-Family Communities (Apartments, condos, townhouses)

Building Numbers:

Minimum 18" high numbers with a 3" stroke with contrasting background.

• Building under 100' long only require one number per building.

• Building over 100' long require a minimum of two numbers per building.

Apartment/Corridor Spread Numbers

• Apartment/Corridor spread numbers are to be a minimum 4" high number with a 5/8 " brush stroke with contrasting background.

• Number example format:

301—310 3 ^rd Floor

201—210 2 ^nd Floor

101—110 1 ^st Floor

Commercial/Industrial Buildings

Address sizing shall be determined by the distance from the street curb.

Distance from Curb	Number Height	Brush Stroke
Up to 100'	8"	2"
101' to 300'	12"	2"
301' to 400'	18"	3"
401 +	24"	4"

 

Marquee and Monument Address installed on a marquee or monument located next to the street will require numbers measuring eight inches (8") high with a two inch (2") brush stroke be located a minimum three feet (3') above grade. Numbers shall contrast with the background.

Alarms. An approved fire alarm system meeting the requirements of NFPA 72 shall be installed and connected to all new automatic sprinkler systems and shall communicate an audible and visual alarm throughout the entire building. Such sprinkler water flow alarm devices shall be activated by water flow equivalent to the flow of a single sprinkler of the smallest orifice size installed in the system. A clear lens horn strobe tied to the water flow shall also be provided on the address side of the structure to indicate water flow in the sprinkler system.

Fire Department Connections (FDC). All FDC's shall be a four inch by five inch (4"×5") Storz fitting with a thirty (30) degree turn down and provide a sign reading FDC in six inch (6") letters. The FDC will be remote from the building and not attached. A fire hydrant will be provided within twenty-five (25) feet of the FDC.

Hydrant Spacing. The average hydrant spacing for commercial or industrial areas shall be three hundred (300) feet, residential spacing shall be five hundred (500) feet, hydrants should alternate every two hundred-fifty (250) feet on streets with center medians and underdeveloped incorporated areas shall have an average spacing of one thousand (1000) feet. Areas without water supply refer to NFPA 1142 or the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code.

Maximum Distance. The maximum distance from any point on the street or road frontage to a hydrant shall not exceed two hundred (200) feet.

Hydrant locations in reference to entrances . The first fire hydrant shall be located at the street intersection or at the main entrance(s) into a subdivision, apartment complex, or commercial development. Additional hydrants shall be spaced per Arkansas Fire Prevention Code.

(2)

The latest edition of the Life Safety Code of the National Fire Protection Association.

(3)

The latest edition of the National Electrical Code of the National Fire Protection Association with the following local amendments, said local amendments to amend the National Electrical Code as any conflict may exist:

a.

Service ground wire will be enclosed in PVC conduit only unless directed otherwise by the administrative authority, or the energy supplier.

b.

A minimum of one carbon monoxide detector will be installed in each new residence constructed within the city limits. NFPA 720, 1998 Edition, "Recommended Practice for The Installation of Household Carbon Monoxide (CO) Warning Equipment" shall be incorporated, in its entirety, into this amendment by reference.

c.

There shall be an external main disconnect within five feet of any electrical meter installed within the city, except in extreme or unusual circumstances it may be located a greater distance by approval of the electrical inspector.

d.

Reserved.

e.

Residential.

1.

There shall be no more than four convenience duplex outlets on one circuit in the kitchen, utility and workshop.

2.

There shall be no more than eight fixtures on light circuit.

3.

All major appliances shall be on separate circuits.

f.

Commercial. Load calculations (individual branch circuits and total) will be furnished to the building inspection division upon application for electrical permit.

g.

If electrical wiring or any part thereof which is installed, altered or repaired is covered before being inspected by the inspector, it shall be uncovered for inspection after notice to uncover the work has been issued to the responsible person by the inspector.

h.

Any new installation exceeding ten circuit distribution at lighting panels must have two spare circuits and provisions made to use them in case of later alterations or additions.

i.

All fixtures used to supply current to general appliances shall be of screw-type terminals. Convenience outlets and general lighting circuits shall be of copper content, and the wire size thereof shall be of not less than #12 A.W.G. wire.

j.

No convenience outlet or appliance outlet shall be installed or operated on a general lighting branch circuit, at any time, in any occupancy.

k.

On any proposed remodeling where more than 50 percent of the electrical wiring in any structure is to be altered, electrical wiring throughout the structure shall be made to comply with the requirements of 2002 N.E.C. The chief electrical inspector may, at his discretion, waive these requirements.

l.

It shall be unlawful for any person, other than an authorized employee of the electric service company, the city electrical inspector or authorized member of the fire department, to break any seal of any electric meter, transformer or cabinet. In case of emergency, an authorized employee of a licensed electrical contractor or an employee under the supervision of a licensed electrician may break a seal when necessary to replace fuses. In such cases, the electric service company must be notified by the party breaking the seal within 24 hours, in order that the equipment may be resealed.

m.

No electric service meter will be installed before final inspection without approval from the building inspection division.

n.

All underground lines shall be protected in conduit.

In order to procure an electrical permit for the installation of electrical wiring work, any person before beginning any electrical wiring, shall make application to the building inspection division and shall pay the permit fee required as currently provided or as hereafter adopted by resolution of the city council from time to time.

(4)

The latest edition of the state gas code (including Appendix A).

(5)

The latest edition of the Arkansas Mechanical Code, based on the International Mechanical Code with the following local amendments; said local amendments to amend the Arkansas Mechanical Code as any conflict may exist, deleting Appendix B:

a.

Dryer vents.

1.

Dryer vent terminations shall have a minimum clearance of 12 inches above finished grade to the bottom of the vent termination.

2.

Dryer vents shall have at least a one-eighth-inch per foot fall to the termination.

3.

Dryer vents shall not be trapped.

4.

Dryer vents shall not be located within ten feet of HVAC condensing unit.

5.

Vertical dryer vents shall have an accessible clean-out installed at the base of the vertical run of the vent.

b.

HVAC ducts and plenums.

1.

All ducts, both supply and return, shall be of galvanized sheet metal, refer to table 603.4 of the Arkansas Mechanical Code.

2.

Installation of flexible nonmetallic duct and flexible metallic duct material is prohibited with the following exception: When a suspended ceiling is to be installed, the final connections not to exceed six feet, may be flexible duct material or as approved by the building inspector.

3.

All types of wiring, including thermostat, nonmetallic cable, and alarm systems wiring, shall not be installed any where in the duct system, unless plenum rated.

4.

All joints and connections must be mechanically fastened (sheet metal screws or other approved fasteners), and sealed with welds, gaskets, or mastic, and UL-approved tape as approved by the building inspector.

5.

Ducts shall be suspended to allow at least 12 inches for insulation as per the Arkansas Energy Code.

6.

Return air platform, plenum, duct or space shall be lined and sealed so as to be made airtight.

c.

HVAC electrical connections.

1.

All electrical connections shall use an approved disconnect, within six feet of each piece of heating and air conditioning equipment, and readily accessible. (Cord and plug connections are allowed on inside gas heating units, if accessible and installed in accordance with N.E.C.)

2.

A receptacle for service equipment shall be installed within six feet of the equipment, and may be installed upstream from the equipment disconnect where provided.

d.

Fuel line connections.

1.

At a minimum, rigid steel piping, of at least schedule 40, must extend through the sheet metal cabinet where the final connections may be made using an approved flexible connector.

2.

Fuel line piping shall not be installed within any part of the air system of the HVAC system including ducts and plenums.

e.

Fireplace enclosures, including unvented decorative log sets and/or zero clearance fireboxes, shall be fire stopped at each ceiling level or attic space in order to stop the unrestricted path of fire to the attic or other concealed spaces.

f.

Open-flame fuel burning appliances shall not be allowed in any structure deemed by the fire chief or his representative to contain or produce combustible, flammable, or explosive dust or vapors.

g.

Attic access ladders for attic installation of HVAC units shall have sufficient capacity to support the weight of one service person plus the heaviest piece of equipment requiring periodic replacement (minimum 300 pound rating).

(6)

The latest edition of the state plumbing code as adopted by the state board of health, with the following local amendments, and deleting Appendix A:

a.

All PVC or plastic gas, water, or sewer service lines require a continuous tracer wire with one end brought out to an accessible location.

b.

All PVC or plastic gas service lines to be buried a minimum of 18 inches below finish grade. Service lines of other than iron pipe material shall be sleeved with a minimum of schedule 40 PVC under all paved or poured parking and driveway areas.

c.

Thermal expansion protection will be installed on all closed loop water heater systems.

d.

Gas service lines out of use more than 30 days will require an air test before being tagged for new service.

e.

Water heaters installed in any location, other than garages, where leakage could cause damage to building structure, ceiling, floor or wall coverings will be installed in an approved drain pan with proper discharge.

f.

All mobile home services require permits by licensed contractors.

g.

Private sewer systems with on-site discharge will require installation by a licensed septic installer. Private sewer systems with off-site discharge will require a sewer system permit and installation by a licensed plumber.

h.

Gas services utilizing medium pressure or higher delivery shall locate all pressure regulators outside in an open atmosphere unless otherwise approved by authority having jurisdiction. Such installations shall have a gas stop at the metering location and a separate stop immediately outside the structure.

i.

To that extent any existing ordinances to the contrary are hereby repealed in that respect only.

(7)

[The International Property Maintenance Code, 2009 edition, as published by the International Code Council, be and is hereby adopted as the property maintenance code of the city.]

a.

The following sections are hereby revised:

Section 101.1 Insert: The City of Lowell

Section 103.5 Insert: Schedule of City fees as published on the City web site.

Section 111.2 thru 111.2.5 are deleted in their entirety.

Section 112.4 Insert: $50.00, $500.00.

Section 302.4. Insert: Six (6) inches.

Section 304.14. Insert: April 1st, October 31st.

Section 602.3. Insert: October 1st, April 31st.

Section 602.4. Insert: October 1st, April 31st.

(b)

The schedule of permit fees shall be as currently established or as hereafter adopted by resolution of the city council from time to time.

(1)

The following reinspection procedures and fees are hereby adopted and apply to all permits issued by the construction services department. Each permit (building permit, electrical permit, plumbing permit, and mechanical permit) fee will cover initial and all subsequent reinspection fees.

(2)

For the purpose of this article, the building official, and his assistants, shall be the administrative authority authorized to enforce the provisions of these codes.

(Code 1992, § 8-952; Ord. No. 103, § 2, 8-11-1966; Ord. No. 249, § 1, 5-12-1987; Ord. No. 297, § 1, 5-8-1990; Ord. No. 352, § 1, 4-12-1994; Ord. No. 359, § 1, 4-12-1994; Ord. No. 368, § 1, 9-13-1994; Ord. No. 448, § 1, 3-11-1997; Ord. No. 484, §§ 1, 2, 9-8-1998; Ord. No. 506, §§ 1—5, 8-10-1999; Ord. No. 695, §§ 1—9, 12-21-2004; Ord. No. 737, § I, 12-21-2005; Ord. No. 789, § 1, 2, 6-5-2007; Ord. No. 887, §§ 1, 2, 4-19-2011; Ord. No. 908, §§ 1—3, 4-17-2012; Ord. No. 973, § 1, 5-17-2016; Ord. No. 1026, § 1, 1-15-2019 )

State law reference

State plumbing code, A.C.A. § 17-38-101 et seq.; state fire prevention code, A.C.A. § 12-13-105; adoption of technical codes by reference, A.C.A. § 14-55-207.

Editor's note

Ord. No. 887, §§ 1, 2, adopted April 19, 2011, did not specifically amend the Code; however, said provisions have been included as § 16-930(a)(7), at the editor's discretion.