COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
TO: Honorable Mayor and Council
FROM: Nathan Adler, Fire Marshal
SUBJECT:Title
Discussion and Action: Ordinance No. 25-1371 Amending City Code Chapter 12.12.010, Adoption of International Fire Code, to Adopt the 2024 Edition of the International Fire Code, Declaring as Public Record the Local Amendments to the 2024 International Fire Code, and Adopting the Local Amendments by Reference (Introduction) (Chief Pilafas)
Body
FUNDING SOURCE:
N/A
PURPOSE:
To consider introduction of an ordinance amending City Code Chapter 12.12, International Fire Code, to adopt the designated updated edition of the published fire code, declaring as a public record the local amendments to the published fire code, and adopting the local amendments by reference.
BACKGROUND:
Lake Havasu City adopts various international and national building codes and then provides specific amendments to those codes to meet local needs. The adoption of these codes and the amendments is done by reference, which requires declaring the amendment documents as public records. The actual adoption of the building codes and the attached amendments will be done by ordinance at a later date.
The City is currently operating under the 2018 International Fire Code and is proposing to adopt the 2024 International Fire Code with local amendments. The fire code is considered a “maintenance code” in that it has life and safety requirements for new building construction, current commercial practices, and the maintenance of existing building safeguards. Adoption of the updated code will keep Lake Havasu City aligned with industry standards, technological advancements, and life safety best practices. Following internal review, staff determined that the 2024 edition introduces only minor updates, with few significant changes across the last two code cycles since the City’s previous adoption.
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
The adoption of the updated published fire code with local amendments will ensure that current life safety regulations are being followed, requirements are consistent with the unique challenges of our community, and that new technological challenges are being addressed. Our fire code is often illustrated to the community as a “history textbook”. One where the best safety practices have been developed from the adverse outcomes felt by other communities, from which we can learn. The fire code promotes the safety of the public, businesses, employees, employers, customers, visitors, contractors, and emergency response personnel. It can broadly be described as a guide on how to prevent unwanted emergencies, how to mitigate the negative impact if one were to occur, and how to support emergency personnel at the scene of a life-threatening incident.
Recognizing that the fire code is considered a “maintenance code,” renewed attention has been directed toward the fundamental elements of Lake Havasu City’s fire protection standards. This includes how facilities maintain critical fire protection infrastructure and how these efforts create long-term benefits for the community. Key examples include requirements for fire hydrant and fire flow performance, the maintenance of fire sprinkler and fire alarm systems, and addressing evolving challenges related to the storage, use, and disposal of hazardous materials.
The City values the community’s views regarding the proposed adoption of the updated published codes with local amendments and has reached out for public input. In collaboration with the Building Division, the proposed local amendments were posted on the City’s website with web links to the code language and an amendment update comparison. Previously, we received public input on specific fire code requirements and considered it, along with the proposed local amendments, for this code adoption. Included are minor exceptions, unique to our community, and increased flexibility while maintaining safety standards.
City staff have reviewed the code updates and determined that the revisions are limited in scope, with no major amendments recommended. Upon adoption, the construction community will be notified of the key updates from the current code and provided guidance on the implementation process.
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN:
To assist in the transition, staff proposes to follow the Building Division’s lead to slowly integrate different aspects of the code adoption. Customers will be allowed to submit plans designed to the 2018 standards for 90 days after the effective date of the 2024 Code adoption. Standard plans approved under the 2018 Code will remain valid for 180 days from the effective date and not be required to amend the full plan set. Council has the ability to set any effective date upon approval. Staff recommend an effective date of February 1, 2026. The full implementation standards are included as an attachment.
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A
ATTACHMENTS:
Ordinance No. 25-1371
Lake Havasu City Amendments to the 2024 Edition of the International Fire Code
SUGGESTED MOTION:Recommended Action
I move to introduce Ordinance No. 25-1371 amending City Code Chapter 12.12.010, International Fire Code, to adopt the designated updated edition of the published fire code, declaring as a public record the local amendments to the published fire code, and adopting the local amendments by reference.