2023.08.24_TC_Agenda_Special1
TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
COMMISSION SPECIAL M EETING
AGENDA
Thursday, August 24, 2023 AT 1:30 PM
LIBRARY COMMUNITY ROOM, 3618 S. OCEAN BLVD.,
HIGHLAND BEACH, FL
Town Commission
Natasha Moore Mayor
David Stern Vice Mayor
Evalyn David Commissioner
Donald Peters Commissioner
Judith M. Goldberg Commissioner
Marshall Labadie Town Manager
Lanelda Gaskins Town Clerk
Glen J. Torcivia Town Attorney
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
5. PRESENTATIONS / PROCLAMATIONS
A. None.
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Public Comments will be limited to five (5) minutes per speaker.
7. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Board Vacancies
Board of Adjustment and Appeals Two (2) vacancies, all for three-year terms
and
One (1) vacancy for an unexpired term ending
September 21, 2024
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Town Commission Special Meeting Agenda August 24, 2023
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Meetings and Events
August 30, 2023 11:00 A.M. Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board
Regular Meeting
September 04,2025 Town Hall closed in observance of Labor Day
September 05, 2023 1:30 P.M. Town Commission Meeting
September 05, 2023 5:01 P.M. Town Commission First Public Hearing Budget
Meeting
Board Action Report
None
8. ORDINANCES (Public Comments will be limited to three (3) minutes per speaker
per item after Commission initial discussion.)
A. Ordinance No. 2023-002 (Second Reading/Public Hearing)
An ordinance of the Town of Commission of the Town of Highland Beach, Florida,
adopting the current edition of the Florida Fire Prevention Code and providing for
local amendments; providing for the repeal of all ordinances in conflict; providing
for severability and codification; and providing for an effective date (First Reading
was August 1, 2023).
9. CONSENT AGENDA (These are items that the Commission typically does not need
to discuss individually, and which are voted on as a group.) Public Comments will
be limited to three (3) minutes per speaker per item after Commission initial
discussion.
A. None.
10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS (Public Comments will be limited to three (3) minutes per
speaker per item after Town Commission initial discussion.)
A. Fire Rescue Implementation Update
B. FY 2023/2024 Budget Update
C. Discussion of Remaining Budget Schedule
11. NEW BUSINESS (Public Comments will be limited to three (3) minutes per speaker
per item after Town Commission initial discussion.)
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Town Commission Special Meeting Agenda August 24, 2023
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A. Consideration to approve the Health Insurance and Other Insurance Programs
for Town personnel for Fiscal Year 2024.
B. Ratification of Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the Town of
Highland Beach and the Florida State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police, Inc.
(FOP) Town Staff Agreement October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2026.
C. Resolution No. 23-020
A Resolution of the Town Commission of the Town of Highland Beach, Florida,
adopting a merit increase policy for non-union employees and amending the
Town of Highland Beach salary table; and providing an effective date.
D. Town Manger Review
12. TOWN COMMISSION COMMENTS
Commissioner Judith M. Goldberg
Commissioner Donald Peters
Commissioner Evalyn David
Vice Mayor David Stern
Mayor Natasha Moore
13. TOWN ATTORNEY’S REPORT
14. TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT
15. ADJOURNMENT
NOTE: Any person, firm or corporation decides to appeal any decision made by the Town Commission
with respect to any matter considered at this meeting, such person will need to ensure that a verbatim
record including testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. (State Law requires
the above Notice. Any person desiring a verbatim transcript shall have the responsibility, at his/her own
cost, to arrange for the transcript.) The Town neither provides nor prepares such record.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons who need accommodation in order to
attend or participate in this meeting should contact Town Hall 561 -278-4548 within a reasonable time
prior to this meeting in order to request such assistance.
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File Attachments for Item:
A. Ordinance No. 2023-002 (Second Reading/Public Hearing)
An ordinance of the Town of Commission of the Town of Highland Beach, Florida, adopting the current
edition of the Florida Fire Prevention Code and providing for local amendments; providing for the repeal
of all ordinances in conflict; providing for severability and codification; and providing for an effective
date (First Reading was August 1, 2023).
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TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
MEETING TYPE: Town Commission Meeting
MEETING DATE August 1, 2023
SUBMITTED BY: Lanelda Gaskins, Town Clerk’s Office
SUBJECT: Ordinance No. 2023-002 (Second Reading/Public Hearing)
An ordinance of the Town of Commission of the Town of Highland
Beach, Florida, adopting the current edition of the Florida Fire
Prevention Code and providing for local amendments; providing for the
repeal of all ordinances in conflict; providing for severability and
codification; and providing for an effective date (First Reading was
August 1, 2023).
SUMMARY:
On August 1, 2023, the Town Commission discussed and approved the Proposed Ordinance
adopting the current edition of the Florida Fire Prevention Code and providing for local
amendments on first reading.
On July 18th, 2023, the Town Commission considered an introduction to a proposed
amendment to the Town Code of Ordinances that would update the local fire prevention
ordinance. It was explained that pursuant to Chapter 633, Florida Statutes, every three years
the State Fire Marshal adopts an updated Florida Fire Prevention Code, which establishes the
statewide minimum fire safety code and incorporates Florida editions of the National Fire
Protection Association’s Fire Code (NFPA 1 Fire Code) and Life Safety Code (NFPA 101 Life
Safety Code).
Ordinance No. 2023-002 was advertised in accordance with Florida Statutes on August 5,
2023. Therefore Ordinance No. 2023-002 is before Town Commission for adoption on
second/final reading.
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A
ATTACHMENTS:
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Ordinance No. 2023-002 and Legal Advertisement Affidavit
August 1st Memorandum and Proposed Ordinance
July 18th Agenda Memorandum and Introduction of the Proposed Ordinance
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt Ordinance No. 2023-002 on second/final reading.
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TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
ORDINANCE No. 2023-002
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND
BEACH, FLORIDA, REPEALING CHAPTER 9, “FIRE PREVENTION AND
PROTECTION,” OF THE TOWN CODE OF ORDINANCES IN ITS ENTIRETY
AND SIMULTANEOUSLY ADOPTING A NEW CHAPTER 9 TO REFERENCE
THE CURRENT EDITION OF THE FLORIDA FIRE PREVENTION CODE AND
ADOPT LOCAL AMENDMENTS THERETO; REPEALING SECTION 35-11,
“FLORIDA FIRE PREVENTION CODE,” OF THE TOWN CODE OF
ORDINANCES; PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF ALL ORDINANCES IN
CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND CODIFICATION; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the Town of Highland Beach, Florida (the “Town”), is a duly constituted
municipality having such power and authority conferred upon it by the Florida Constitution and
Chapter 166, Florida Statutes; and
WHEREAS, the Town is in the process of establishing a Fire Rescue Department
responsible for overseeing and enforcing the Florida Fire Prevention Code within the Town; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapter 633, Florida Statutes, every three years the State Fire
Marshall adopts an updated Florida Fire Prevention Code, which establishes the statewide
minimum fire safety code and incorporates Florida editions of the National Fire Protection
Association’s Fire Code (NFPA 1 Fire Code) and Life Safety Code (NFPA 101 Life Safety Code);
and
WHEREAS, Chapter 633, Florida Statutes, provides that the updated Florida Fire
Prevention Code adopted by the State Fire Marshall shall be deemed adopted by, and shall be
enforced by, local governments with fire safety responsibilities as the minimum fire safety code;
and
WHEREAS, Chapter 633, Florida Statutes authorizes local governments to adopt more
stringent local amendments to the Florida Fire Prevention Code which strengthen the
requirements of the minimum fire safety code; and
WHEREAS, Town Staff and the Town’s Fire Marshal have recommended that the Town
adopt the most recent version of the Florida Fire Prevention Code and local amendments to the
Code, and the Town Commission determines that such local amendments are more stringent
than and strengthen the minimum fire safety code and that the adoption of such amendments
serves a public purpose and is in the best interest of the public health, safety, and welfare of the
Town of Highland Beach.
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Ordinance No. 2023-002
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN
OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The foregoing facts and recitations contained in the preamble to this
Ordinance are hereby adopted and incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
Section 2. The Town Commission hereby repeals Chapter 9, “Fire Prevention and
Protection,” of the Town Code of Ordinances in its entirety and simultaneously adopts a new
Chapter 9 to read as follows:
ARTICLE I. CODES AND STANDARDS
Sec. 9-1. Codes and Standards—Adopted.
(1) The town adopts by reference and incorporates into this code as though fully set
out herein, that certain code known as the Florida Fire Prevention Code (8th
edition) (“FFPC”), except as provided in this chapter.
(2) The town adopts by reference and incorporates into this code, as though fully set
out herein, those additional specific standards and codes published by the National
Fire Protection Agency (“NFPA”) and set forth below:
NFPA 18 2017 Standard for Wetting Agents
NFPA 22 2018 Standard for Water Tanks for Private Fire Protection
NFPA 53 2016 Recommended Practice on Materials, Equipment, and Systems Used
in Oxygen-Enriched Atmospheres
NFPA 67 2019 Guide on Explosive Protection for Gaseous Mixtures in Pipe Systems
NFPA 69 2019 Standard on Explosion Protection Systems
NFPA 102 2016 Standard for Grandstands, Folding and Telescopic Seating, Tents, and
Membrane Structures
NFPA 105 2019 Standard for Smoke Control Door Assemblies and Other Opening
Protectives
NFPA 115 2020 Standard for Laser Fire Protection
NFPA 140 2018 Standard for Motion Picture and TV Production Facilities
NFPA 160 2016 Standard for the Use of Flame Effects Before an Audience
NFPA 170 2018 Standard for Fire Safety and Emergency Symbols
NFPA 204 2018 Standard for Smoke and Heat Venting
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Ordinance No. 2023-002
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NFPA 241 2019 Standard for Safeguarding Construction, Alteration, and Demolition
Operations
NFPA 287 2017 Standard Test Methods for Flammability of Materials in Clean Rooms
NFPA 291 2019 Recommended Practice for Fire Flow Testing and Marking of Hydrants
NFPA 302 2020 Fire Protection Standard for Pleasure and Commercial Motor Craft
NFPA 306 2019 Standard for Control of Gas Hazards on Vessels
NFPA 496 2017 Standard for Purged Pressurized Enclosures for Electrical Equipment
NFPA 502 2020 Standard for Road Tunnels, Bridges, and Limited Access Highways
NFPA 601 2020 Standard for Security Services in Fire Loss Prevention
NFPA 720 2015 Standard for the Installation of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detection and
Warning Equipment
NFPA 780 2020 Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems
NFPA 801 2020 Standard for Facilities Handling Radioactive Materials
NFPA 820 2020 Standard for Fire Protection and Wastewater Treatment and Collection
Facilities
NFPA 914 2019 Code for the Protection of Historic Structures
NFPA 1225 2022 Standard for Emergency Services Communication
NFPA 1961 2020 Standard on Fire Hose
NFPA 1962 2018 Standard for Care, Use, Inspection, Service Testing, and Replacement
of Fire Hose, Couplings, Nozzles, and Fire Hose Appliances
NFPA 2001 2018 Standard on Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems
Sec. 9-2. Inspections, Testing, and Maintenance.
The town hereby adopts the following local amendments to the FFPC:
(1) All systems, equipment, tanks, piping, devices, appliances, controls, or storage
facilities over which the code contains regulatory provisions, or which are required
by any other law shall always be maintained in a working, compliant condition.
(2) All fire sprinklers, standpipe, fire pump, and all other fire suppression systems shall
be maintained under a written service contract with service companies licensed by
the State of Florida to provide such services. Regular inspection, maintenance, and
testing of these required systems shall be completed in accordance with the
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applicable standards specified under the FFPC, NFPA 1, NFPA 13, 13D, 13R,
NFPA 14, NFPA 17, NFPA 17A. NFPA 20, NFPA 24, NFPA 25, NFPA 33, NFPA
90A and 90B, NFPA 91, NFPA 92, NFPA 92A and 92B, NFPA 96, and NFPA 2001,
and all state laws and local ordinances. All reports related to fire protection system
inspection, testing, and maintenance shall be reported to the fire rescue
department, through an internet-based fire inspection reporting system approved
by the town. Any report not submitted through the town’s internet reporting system
will not be accepted.
(3) The service company performing the inspections, maintenance and tests referred
to in subsection (2) above shall forward all reports to the fire rescue department
detailing:
(a) The nature of any deficiencies and/or impairments identified and the repairs,
modifications and/or corrections completed by the service company;
(b) The date and time of all inspections, maintenance, tests, and repairs; and
(c) Any other information that may be requested or required by the town’s fire
rescue services department.
(4) A copy of all required inspection and deficiency reports shall be provided to the
building representative and kept in the fire command room, fire protection closet (if
provided), or at a designated location approved by the fire marshal. The reports
shall be available at all times to fire rescue personnel.
ARTICLE II. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS.
Sec. 9-3. Response to discharges of hazardous substances—Response costs.
(1) For the purpose of this section, the following words and phrases shall have the
meanings given herein:
(a) Discharge shall mean any intentional or unintentional action or omission resulting
in the releasing, spilling, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, or dumping of a
hazardous substance upon public or private property located within the corporate
limits of the town.
(b) Hazardous substances shall mean any substances or materials in a quantity or
form which, in the determination of the town, poses an unreasonable and
imminent risk to the life, health, safety, or welfare of persons or property within
the town, or poses a risk of harm to the environment, and shall include but not be
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limited to those substances listed in the National Fire Protection Association
Guide on Hazardous Materials, the Environmental Protection Agency's list of
extremely hazardous substances (40 C.F.R. § 335 Appx. A), or the Florida
Substance List promulgated by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
(c) Response actions shall mean any activity which is carried out in response to any
discharge or potential discharge of a hazardous substance, including:
1. Actions necessary for the cleanup or removal of discharged hazardous
substances from the environment;
2. Actions necessary to reduce and/or eliminate the threat of discharge of
hazardous substances into the environment;
3. Actions necessary to investigate, monitor, assess, and evaluate the
discharge or potential discharge of hazardous substances;
4. Actions necessary for the disposal of removed material; and
5. Actions necessary to prevent, minimize, or mitigate damage to the public
health, safety, or welfare or to the environment, which may otherwise result
from a discharge or threatened discharge. Response actions also include
the provision of security fencing or other means to limit access, the
provision of alternative water supplies, temporary evacuation of potential
individuals, and restoration of the site to pre-discharge conditions.
(d) Response costs shall mean any costs incurred in undertaking response actions.
Response costs shall not include costs incurred for actual fire suppression
services which are regularly provided by the town or its authorized agents,
except where a fire is caused or exacerbated by discharge of hazardous
materials.
(2) The town is hereby authorized to undertake response actions in the event of
discharges or potential discharges of hazardous substances upon or into public or
private property or facilities located within the corporate limits of the town.
(3) When engaging in a response action caused by the unauthorized discharge or
potential discharge of hazardous substances, the town shall keep a detailed record
of the response costs.
(4) Any person or entity responsible for causing or allowing an unauthorized discharge
or potential discharge of hazardous substances that requires response actions by
the town or its authorized agents shall reimburse the town for the full cost of all
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response actions. Reimbursement shall be made within thirty (30) days after
receipt of an itemized bill for response costs from the town.
(6) Any person or entity responsible for causing or allowing an unauthorized discharge
or potential discharge of hazardous substances that results in the town incurring
response costs and who fails to reimburse the town for such response costs within
the time set forth herein shall be subject to a late fee in the amount of ten percent
(10%) of the total amount of the response costs after thirty (30) days. Thereafter,
the late fee assessed on the unpaid balance shall be increased by two percent
(2%) for each additional thirty (30) day period until the full amount, including any
applicable late fee, is paid.
(7) The remedy provided for in this section shall be supplemental to and in addition to
all other available remedies at law or in equity.
ARTICLE III. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 9-4. Burning permit.
It shall be unlawful for anyone to set a fire on any lot, street, alley or other public or private
place within the corporate limits of the town without first obtaining a permit to do so from
the fire rescue department and paying all fees specified in the town’s municipal facilities
and services user fee schedule. The application shall be obtained from the department,
and it shall be reviewed for approval or rejection by the chief of the department or his/her
designee. Approved permits may be revoked by the department at any time if it is deemed
by the department, in its sole discretion, that changes in weather or other circumstances
render the fire a hazard or dangerous to the public in any manner.
Sec. 9-5. Illegal storage.
A determination that storage is illegal or in violation of this or other NFPA code(s) shall be
at the discretion of the fire chief or his/her designee. Illegal storage, for the purpose of this
section, includes any material stored in an electrical room, in front of major electrical
panels, fire pump rooms, fire command rooms (other than what is permitted by the Florida
Building Code and the FFPC), fire protection closet, and similar areas. Such areas shall
be provided with signs indicating “No Storage.”
Sec. 9-6. Premises identification.
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All new and existing buildings shall include signage that identifies the building address. All
such signs shall be permanent and shall meet the requirements NFPA 1. All such signage
shall be placed on buildings in such a manner that their address numbers are plainly
legible and visible from the road or street fronting the property.
Sec. 9-7. Unit and Suite Identification.
All apartment units, condominium units, and business suites located in buildings,
regardless of occupancy type, shall include signage that identifies their number (or any
other identifying designation). All such signs shall be permanent and shall meet the
requirements NFPA 1. Units shall be distinguished and identified using numbers or letters,
or a combination thereof, in sequence. Proposed numbering or lettering schemes shall be
subject to review and approval by the fire chief or his/her designee. Identification signs
shall be located on the door of the unit, or the wall adjacent to the unit, such that it is visible
and legible to approaching fire rescue personnel. Signs located on a fire rated door or fire
rated wall shall not compromise the rating of the door or wall and shall not conflict with
manufacturers recommendations.
Sec. 9-8 Directional/Wayfinding Signs.
Approved directional signs shall be provided in corridors and other areas of the building,
as required to assist fire rescue service personnel. The location of directional signs shall
be at the discretion of the fire chief or his/her designee.
Sec. 9-9 thru 9-25 - Reserved.
Sec. 9-26. Fire lanes on private property.
(1) For the purpose of this chapter, a "fire lane" shall mean a space sufficient in width
and length to permit the parking of fire trucks and other firefighting apparatus and
located nearest to, or at the best location to permit firefighting operations for, a
building or structure.
(2) Fire lanes shall be established and maintained on private property where the public
has the right to travel by motor vehicle and where the public is permitted by
invitation or by license to travel by motor vehicle, to the extent that any such fire
lane is necessary for the department to access buildings by fire trucks or other
firefighting apparatus, as more specifically provided in FFPC, NFPA 1, Chapter 18.
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“Private property where the public has the right to travel by motor vehicle and where
the public is permitted by invitation or by license to travel by motor vehicle” shall
mean all parking lots, shopping plazas, and shopping centers, as well as all
commercial, industrial, single family, and multi-family residential areas.
(3) After notification by the fire rescue department to establish fire lanes on a particular
property, the owner or person in possession and control of the property shall submit
a site plan for the fire lanes on the property to the fire department for review and
approval of the design and location of the fire lanes. The site plan shall be drawn
to scale and shall show all related buildings, driveways, streets, and other
information necessary to evaluate the sufficiency of the fire lanes.
(4) Approval of fire lanes by the fire rescue department shall constitute authorization
for the person owning, or in possession and control of, any such property to install
required official signs and necessary pavement markings prohibiting the stopping,
standing, or parking of motor vehicles within the fire lanes, and the posting of the
fire lanes as tow-away zones. Such signs and necessary pavement marking and
striping shall be furnished and installed by the owner or person in possession and
control of the property at their own cost. The owner or person in possession and
control of the property shall thereafter be responsible for the maintenance of the
signs, markings, and striping of the required fire lanes.
(5) All fire lane signs required by and installed pursuant to this section shall have red
lettering, not less than two inches (2”) or more than three inches (3”) in height, on
a white background. Each sign shall be twelve inches (12”) wide by eighteen inches
(18”) in height and shall be consistent with the manual on uniform traffic control
devices of the state department of transportation and Chapter 18 of NFPA 1, 8th
edition).
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Sec. 9-27. Use of outdoor cooking appliances.
(1) This section shall apply to all buildings and structures, except two-family dwellings
of one-story design, and single-family dwellings. This section shall not apply to
commercial cooking appliances.
(2) For the purpose of this section, an outdoor cooking appliance shall mean any
portable and non-portable cooking appliance, grill, stove, or smoker, fueled, or
powered by electricity, wood, charcoal, liquefied petroleum gas, natural gas,
gasoline, kerosene, naphtha, alcohol, or other liquid or gaseous fuel.
(3) Outdoor cooking appliances shall be operated a minimum of ten feet (10’) from the
exterior of buildings or structures.
(4) It shall be unlawful for any person to use or cause to be used any outdoor cooking
appliance on any balcony, within any screened enclosure, in any covered parking
area, in any corridor or hallway, under any overhang or within any area of any
building or structure; notwithstanding the foregoing, a tabletop or countertop
electric grill, with a cooking surface that is two hundred (200) square inches or less
in size, may be used on a balcony, as long as the balcony is not enclosed or within
a screened enclosure. This requirement also applies to one-and two-family
dwellings.
Sec. 9-28. Closing of private driveways, roadways, and entrances.
It shall be unlawful for any person to have or cause to have any driveway, roadway, or
entrance barricaded or blocked by obstacles which would interfere with the response of
the fire rescue department or other emergency vehicles. If an existing building requires a
change of access, the owners shall provide revised life safety plans and obtain a permit
from the town.
Sec. 9-29. Processes deemed hazardous to life and property.
(1) The fire chief or fire marshal may issue an order for the immediate cessation of any
activity, operation, or process, when such operation, activity, or process constitutes
a severe and immediate hazard to persons or property.
(2) No person who, after being served with either a verbal or written order to cease
such severe and immediate hazardous activity, operation, or process, shall fail or
refuse to comply with such an order.
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Sec. 9-30. Evacuation of occupied buildings or structures.
In accordance with the Florida Fire Prevention Code, NFPA 1, sec. 1.7.16, the fire chief,
the fire marshal, a fire inspector, or any department officer may order the immediate
evacuation of any occupied building or structure or assembly area when such building,
structure or assembly area is deemed hazardous due to a fire hazard, obstruction to exits,
overcrowding of the premises, or any other hazard or potential which presents immediate
and life-threatening danger to the occupants. The premises, or any portion thereof, may
not be reoccupied until it has been examined and deemed free of the hazard or potential
hazard that caused the evacuation to be ordered.
Sec. 9-31. Fireworks, pyrotechnic special effects, flame effects.
(1) The discharge, firing or use of the following fireworks products are prohibited inside
buildings, tents, structures, and other enclosed spaces:
(a) Firecrackers, rockets, torpedoes, roman candles or other fireworks or substances
designed and intended for pyrotechnic display, and of cap guns, starter pistols,
canes, cannons, or other appliances (other than a “firearm” as defined in Fla. Stat.
§ 790.001) using blank cartridges or caps containing chlorate or potash mixture;
(b) Pyrotechnic special effects including, but are not limited to, chemical mixtures
used in the entertainment industry to produce visible, audible, or thermal effects
by combustion, deflagration, or detonation; and
(c) Flame effects including, but not limited to, batons, and/or torches fueled by liquid,
solid or gaseous fuels, flame projectors which produce heat effects and/or flames,
flash powders composed of fuel(s) and oxidizer(s), flares. and similar devices.
(2) Except as provided in section 791.08, Florida Statutes, a permit shall be obtained
from the town manager or his/her designee, prior to any outdoor use of fireworks,
pyrotechnic special effects, flame effects, and/or any other fireworks item identified in
section 1 above. The application for a permit shall be on a town form and payment of
an application fee shall be required. The town manager or his/her designee may
include conditions in the permit, including but not limited to additional inspection fees,
to ensure compliance with all applicable requirements herein and state law or to
protect the public health, safety, and welfare.
(3) The permit applicant shall furnish with its application proof of financial responsibility in
the form of liability insurance. Such liability insurance shall have a minimum of
$1,000,000.00 coverage for each occurrence and shall provide coverage for all claims
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for damages to property or personal injuries, including death, arising out of the use of
the fireworks. Additionally, the applicant shall provide the town with an endorsement
from its insurer that names the town, and its officers and employees, as an additional
insured and shall otherwise be in a form acceptable to the town.
(4) The outdoor use of fireworks shall be in accordance with NFPA 1123 and NFPA 1124.
Sec. 9-32. Public Safety Radio Communication System.
In all newly constructed buildings, a minimum radio signal strength for public safety radio
signals shall be required within the building. Installation and signal strength shall be the
minimum requirements per NFPA 1225 (2022 edition), Chapter 18 (In-Building Emergency
Responder Communication Enhancement Systems) or as otherwise specified by the town.
In all new and existing buildings, as outlined in Section 633.202(18), Florida Statutes, that
cause a reduction of Emergency Responder Communication signals below the acceptable
level for reliable communications, a two-way radio enhancement system shall be required.
In buildings where phone jacks are required as part of an alarm system, a two-way radio
enhancement system shall be installed and maintained by the building owner, in lieu of
the phone jacks.
Sec. 9-33. Rubbish and linen chutes.
New buildings with a chute or chutes for trash, linen, or any other building services requires
fire sprinkler protection, and all such chutes shall be provided with a riser for the purposes
of complete isolation from the remainder of the building’s fire sprinkler system. The valve
to isolate the riser shall be supervised.
Sec. 9-34. Liquefied Petroleum Gas Containers.
All containers installed for the storage, handling, transportation, and use of liquefied
petroleum gas shall comply with the requirements of NFPA 58.
(1) Containers shall not be filled prior to rough-in inspection without the prior approval of
the fire chief or his/her designee.
(2) Underground tanks shall be visually inspected prior to back filling the location of
installation.
(3) Tanks installed within ten feet (10’) of a public vehicular thoroughfare or designated
parking location shall be provided with vehicular barrier protection.
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(4) Tanks installed under a driveway or designated parking area shall be a non-
interchangeable underground tank.
(5) Tanks installed under a driveway or designated parking area shall be provided with a
shroud that allows the tank to be installed at least eighteen inches (18”) below grade.
(6) Tanks installed under a driveway or designated parking area shall be provided with a
protective dome or cover, engineered to protect the tank valve assembly, and support
the weight of parked or moving vehicles.
ARTICLE III. ELEVATORS
Sec. 9-35. Dimensions and control of automatic elevators.
In all buildings three stories or more in height erected, after November 23, 1993, which
are equipped with automatic elevators, all elevators of the structure shall be arranged for
emergency use (firefighter's service) by department personnel. At all times, and
regardless of circumstances, elevators shall remain operable and available for emergency
use by department personnel. The control of all automatic elevators shall meet the
requirements as set forth under Chapter 61-5C, “Florida Elevator Safety Code,” Florida
Administrative Code. In addition to these requirements, the following specifications shall
be met:
(1) Emergency auxiliary power required.
(a) Emergency auxiliary electrical power shall be provided for all elevators equipped
with the key switch service for department personnel. The auxiliary power supply
shall be capable of supplying power to the elevators for a period of at least twenty-
four (24) hours. The auxiliary power supply shall be approved by the fire rescue
department.
(b) Emergency auxiliary power shall remain on for the service car in use by
firefighters regardless of selection switch devices, which may also be installed to
rotate emergency power to other cars in the building.
(c) No more than ten (10) seconds shall be required for the auxiliary power to be in
full operation and the operation of the emergency power supply shall
automatically transfer to the firefighters' service car.
(d) A maintenance schedule shall be maintained in the generator equipment room to
record all tests and operation of such auxiliary power equipment. At all times, the
records shall be posted and available to the fire rescue services department.
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(e) All auxiliary power equipment and automatic transfer apparatus shall be tested
weekly.
(f) For all buildings which are designed and constructed having multiple separate
towers, each tower shall be treated as though it were a separate building.
(2) Key switch operation (firefighter's service).
(a) As used in this section, authorized personnel shall mean the fire chief and any fire
rescue department officer designated in writing by the fire chief as authorized to
possess the standard emergency elevator control key or key to a keykeeper box.
(b) A keykeeper box shall be installed adjacent to all firefighter's service elevators.
The performance standards of the keykeeper box shall equal or exceed those of
the Bommer key-keeper box, type 5620, F2828, or the AF Florence Manufacturing
Company KK Series Key Keeper Box. The key keeper box shall be equipped with
a lock that can be opened with the Emergency Response Region 7 Key (Yale Key
No. R-80833-2006-7).
(c) The standard emergency elevator control key shall be issued only to authorized
personnel.
(d) All buildings constructed following the adoption of this code regardless of the
number of stories, shall use the emergency elevator control key for Emergency
Response Region 7 (Yale Key No. R-80833-2006-7).
(e) Any building having undergone "substantial improvement," as defined in Section
161.54(12), Florida Statutes, must comply with subsection 9-35(2)(b) of this
Code.
(f) All elevators in the town shall utilize the Emergency Response Region 7 (Yale
Key No. R-80833-2006-7) key for the keykeeper box lock.
(3) Minimum size and weight capacity.
(a) Elevators shall have a platform with dimensions of at least six feet (6’) deep by
five feet (5’), five inches (5”) wide.
(b) Elevators shall have minimum headroom inside the car of at least seven feet (7’),
six inches(6”).
(c) Doors to elevators shall be at least six feet (6’), eight inches (8’) high by three feet
(3’) wide.
(d) Elevators shall have a weight capacity of at least 3,500 pounds.
(4) Emergency access keys.
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(a) A standard emergency access door key shall be provided to the department for
all elevators.
(b) An emergency key slot shall be located on each door on every floor or landing on
which each elevator can stop.
(5) A sign shall be posted directly above each elevator door on every floor, stating: "In
Case of Fire: Use Exit Stairways—Do Not Use This Elevator."
(a) The sign shall be at least two and one-half (2½) inches high by three and one-half
(3½) inches wide.
(b) The letters shall be of a color that contrasts with background.
(6) Emergency use elevator to be identified.
(a) Any elevator provided with the fire rescue department key switch and emergency
power shall be identified by a sign of at least three inches (3”) wide by two inches
(2”) high displaying at least three-quarter (3/4) inch letters with the following
information: "Fire Rescue Services Department Emergency Power."
(b) The background of the sign shall be red with white letters.
(c) The sign shall be posted in the center of the door frame directly above the door
opening on the floor where the key switch is located.
ARTICLE IV. PERMITS
Sec. 9-36. Examination of building permits.
(1) This section shall not apply to single-family or duplex residential units, except where
the installation of fire suppression systems, fire alarm systems, or liquified petroleum
fuel tanks, are proposed, or are required by this code, the Florida Building Code or
the FFPC.
(2) Any plans and/or specification submitted as part of an application for any building
permit for new construction, demolition, moving of existing buildings, or renovation of
existing structures shall comply with Section 1.14 of the Florida Fire Prevention Code,
8th Edition, and Subtitle 61-G15 of the Florida Administrative Code, as applicable,
and examined and approved by the fire rescue department. Each set of plans and
specifications submitted for approval pursuant to this section must also include all
required fire permit applications.
(3) The fire rescue department shall provide review comments following rejection of any
submitted plans.
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(4) The owner of any new building or any existing building undergoing a level 2 or level 3
alteration, as defined by the Florida Building Code (“FBC”), or extensive modification
or reconstruction pursuant to the FFPC, shall provide floor plan drawings on a media
type specified by the fire rescue department for the purpose of pre-fire planning. This
shall be required prior to issuance of the temporary certificate of occupancy or
certificate of occupancy, as applicable.
Sec. 9-37. Permits, fee schedule.
The following enumerated installations and activities require a permit from the fire rescue
department. The applicable fees, as enumerated in the town municipal facilities and
services user fee schedule, shall be paid after the permit application is approved. Main
use building permits shall not be approved by the fire rescue services department for the
following uses until all necessary fire rescue department installation permits for special
systems and/or equipment have been applied for by the appropriate subcontractors and
issued by the fire rescue department, or as may be specifically approved by the fire chief
or a designee.
(1) Motor vehicle painting—Spray booths and bake ovens.
(2) Gas and fuel-oil-fired outdoor equipment.
(3) Elevators.
(4) Liquid petroleum or natural gas storage.
(5) Flammable or combustible liquid storage.
(6) Flammable or combustible liquid dispensing.
(7) Fire alarm systems.
(8) Fixed automatic fire protection systems.
(9) Automatic fire sprinkler systems.
(10) Standpipe systems, independent or part of sprinkler system.
(11) Fire pumps.
(12) Required emergency generators.
(13) Fire hydrant flow test.
(14) Hazardous substances storage.
(15) Fireworks display (see sec. 9-31).
(16) Outdoor burning (see sec. 9-3).
(17) BDA Systems – 2-way radio enhancement systems / Bi-Directional Amplification.
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Sec. 9-37. Work started without a permit.
(1) When work for which a permit is required by this chapter is started prior to issuance
of a fire rescue department permit, the permit fees herein specified shall be tripled.
(2) The payment of such fee shall not relieve any person from fully complying with the
requirements of this chapter in the execution of the work, nor from any other penalties
prescribed herein.
ARTICLE V. FIRE FLOW REQUIREMENTS
Sec. 9-38. Fire flow requirements.
(1) Intent. The intent of this section is to ensure an adequate water supply for fire
suppression by establishing minimum flow rates required to control and extinguish
fires that may occur within prescribed occupancy classifications. The requirements of
this section shall be applicable to public and private water systems, including
individual properties and land development projects.
(2) Required fire flow.
(a) The "required fire flow" is the rate of flow needed for firefighting purposes to
confine a major fire to the buildings within a block or other contiguous grouping.
The determination of this flow depends upon the size, construction, occupancy,
and exposure of buildings within and surrounding the block or group of buildings,
and upon the existence of automatic sprinkler protection. The determination of
required fire flow in each case shall be made by the fire chief, or a designee,
according to the criteria established by this section and by the Guide for
Determination of Required Fire Flow, published by the Insurance Services Office,
ISO Edition 06-2014, and as it may from time to time be amended, which are
adopted and incorporated herein by reference.
(b) The minimum required fire flow in the various zoning district cla ssifications shall
be as listed in Table I at the end of this section. Where conditions indicate that
consideration must be given to possible simultaneous fires, as determined by the
fire chief utilizing the criteria established or adopted herein, an additional 1,000 to
8,000 gallons per minute shall be required. However, the maximum fire flow
requirement for any system shall be 12,000 gallons per minute. The required
minimum duration for fire flow for private fire protection systems not serviced by
the town shall be as listed in Table II at the end of this section. All required fire
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flow rates shall be in addition to the water flow rates necessary to supply the
needs of normal flow demands.
(3) Normal flow demands. Flow demands for design systems shall be calculated based
on full ultimate development as known or projected. The average daily flow for
domestic use shall be calculated pursuant to normal flow demand criteria as detailed
in the town utilities services department standards manual.
(4) Fire hydrants and fire flow requirements; exemptions and qualifications; interim
criteria.
(a) All new buildings and all existing buildings being altered to increase the area,
height, or occupancy shall have available the required number of fire hydrants as
specified in Table III at the end of this section connected to a public water supply
which meets the fire flow requirements specified in Tables I and II at the end of
this section, except as follows:
1. All duplex and single-family detached homes not requiring water main
extensions for domestic purposes. For purposes of this subsection, "water
main extension" shall mean the extension of a water supply system by
installation and construction of a new water main, six inches (6”) in diameter
or larger, as required by the public utility.
2. Additions to existing buildings and accessory buildings not exceeding twenty-
five percent (25%) of the square footage of existing structure, but in no event
greater than 5,000 square feet.
3. Neighborhood shopping centers with buildings totaling an area of less than
100,000 square feet with no building under one roof of more than 10,000
square feet, with no building exceeding two stories in height, and with at least
twenty-five-foot (25’) separations between buildings, shall meet fire flow
requirements of at least 1,250 gallons per minute.
4. Individual industrial or commercial buildings or structures not part of a
neighborhood shopping center or industrial park, less than 5,000 square feet
in area, and with low or ordinary hazard content shall meet a fire flow
requirement of at least 750 gallons per minute.
(b) If the rate of fire flow required under the terms of this section is not available from
the public utility at the time of application for a building permit, and none of the
exemptions or qualifications in (a) through (c) above apply, then the following
interim criteria shall govern the issuance of building permits:
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1. Properties classified as having low hazard contents, and not exceeding two
(2) stories in height, will be required to provide a minimum of fifty percent
(50%) of the flow rate described in Table I for its zoning district at the end of
this section.
2. Properties classified as having ordinary hazard contents, and not exceeding
two (2) stories in height, will be required to provide a minimum of seventy
percent (70%) of the flow rate described in Table I for its zoning district at the
end of this section.
3. Properties classified as having low or ordinary hazard contents, and having
more than two (2) stories but not exceeding five (5) stories in height, will be
required to provide a minimum of seventy-five percent (75%) of the flow rate
described in Table I for its zoning district at the end of this section.
4. Properties classified as having high hazard contents will be required to
provide one hundred percent (100%) of the flow rate described in Table I for
its zoning district at the end of this section.
5. All properties, in excess of five (5) stories in height, will be required to provide
one hundred percent (100%) of the flow rate described in Table I for its zoning
district.
6. As used herein, "low hazard contents," "ordinary hazard contents" and "high
hazard contents" shall be defined as set forth in Florida Fire Prevention Code
NFPA 101 section 6-2.2, which section is adopted and incorporated herein by
reference.
7. In all cases of new construction where less than the flow rate described in
Table I at the end of this section is permitted pursuant to the provisions of (b)
above, engineering and construction of new facilities to meet the total fire flow
requirements as described in Table I will be provided so that at the time the
public utility is capable of providing full fire flow, the properties receiving the
flow will be capable of utilizing the full fire flow provided by the utility.
8. In all cases wherein the interim criteria of (b) above are utilized, no less than
a 500-gallon-per-minute fire flow shall be permitted for any type of improved
property, and all fire flow tests will be calculated with a minimum of twenty (20)
psi residual pressure remaining in the water main.
(5) Supplemental flow systems. If the minimum fire flow requirements set out in this
section cannot be met by the water supply utility, then the applicant for a building
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permit shall be required to supplement those flows through an on-site, or readily
available, system meeting the minimum fire flow requirements of this section and
meeting with the approval of the fire rescue services department.
(6) Extensions of time; bond. If the required fire flow is not available to allow an applicant
to obtain a certificate of occupancy, but it is determined by the fire rescue department
that system improvements are in process and are imminent so that the applicant will
be able to meet the fire flow requirements, then the fire rescue services department
may extend the time to meet the requirements of this section for an initial interim
period not to exceed ninety (90) days and may authorize a temporary certificate of
occupancy based thereon. In order to meet the fire flow requirements, a bond
sufficient to assure completion of the required system improvements shall be posted
by the applicant with the town manager. The amount of the bond shall be determined
by the fire rescue services department and shall be equivalent to two hundred (200)
percent of the cost to complete the fire flow improvements.
(7) Fire hydrants and fire hydrant branches.
(a) The location, number, and sizes of the fire hydrants, and fire hydrant branches,
shall be designated by the fire rescue department in accordance with Table III at
the end of this section.
(b) Fire hydrants of the approved municipal design and system pattern shall be
provided along all primary roadways and fire lanes throughout any proposed
project. When such development fronts on one or more existing public street(s),
fire hydrants shall be located along the public street(s) as well as throughout the
entire project. Spacing shall be measured along the actual route fire apparatus
will travel.
(c) Unobstructed access to fire hydrants, or on-site private systems, shall be provided
and maintained to accommodate firefighting apparatus.
(8) Distribution systems. The supply mains shall be of adequate size and have properly
arranged connections to the arterial mains, which shall extend throughout the system
and have numerous connections to the secondary feeders that supply the minor
distribution.
(9) Main sizes. Main sizes and system patterns shall be subject to approval of all
applicable agencies pursuant to fire and normal flow demand criteria. Design
standards shall be in conformance with current editions of the town utilities services
department standards manual.
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(10) Pressure. Sufficient pressures shall be provided within the system to maintain twenty
(20) psi residual pressure while providing required fire flows. In those cases where
system supply design and hydrant locations are capable of meeting full domestic,
commercial and fire flow demands, residual pressures of ten (10) psi will be permitted.
(11) Violations. No person shall:
(a) Use or operate any fire hydrant or other valve on any fire system that is intended
for use by the town for any purpose unless a fire hydrant use permit has been
issued by the town to such person and such person complies with the appropriate
provisions of Chapter 29 of the Town Code of Ordinances.
(b) Remove, tamper with, or otherwise disturb any fire hydrant or firefighting
appliance except for the purpose of extinguishing fires, firefighting training, or
making necessary repairs, without first obtaining written approval by the fire
rescue services department.
TABLE I. REQUIRED FIRE FLOWS BY ZONING CLASSIFICATION (Defined in Section
30-62 of the Town Code)
Zoning Districts Requirement
Group 1: RE (Residential Single-Family
Estate Zoning District), RS (Residential
Single-Family Zoning District)
The system shall deliver not less than 500
gallons per minute at 20 psi residual on the
system. Each fire hydrant shall deliver not
less than 500 gallons per minute.
Group 2: RML (Residential Multiple-Family
Low-Density Zoning District)
The system shall deliver not less than 1,000
gallons per minute at 20 psi residual on the
system. Each fire hydrant shall deliver not
less than 750 gallons per minute.
Group 3: RMM (Residential Multiple-Family
Medium-Density Zoning District)
The system shall deliver not less than 1,500
gallons per minute at 20 psi residual on the
system. Each fire hydrant shall deliver not
less than 750 gallons per minute.
Group 4: RMH (Residential Multiple-Family
High-Density Zoning District)
The system shall deliver not less than 2,000
gallons per minute at 20 psi residual on the
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Zoning Districts Requirement
system. Each fire hydrant shall deliver not
less than 750 gallons per minute.
Group 5: GSD (Government Service
Zoning District)
The system shall deliver not less than 2,000
gallons per minute at 20 psi residual on the
system. Each fire hydrant shall deliver not
less than 1,000 gallons per minute.
TABLE II. REQUIRED DURATION FOR FIRE FLOW
Required Fire Flow
(gallons per minute)
Required Duration
(hours)
10,000 and greater 10.00
9,500 9
9,000 9
8,500 8
8,000 8
7,500 7
7,000 7
6,500 6
6,000 6
5,500 5
5,000 5
4,500 4
4,000 4
3,500 3
3,000 3
2,500 and less 2
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TABLE III. FIRE HYDRANT SPACING
Districts
Hydrant
Spacing
(feet)
1.00 Multifamily structures 2 or more stories in height 300.00
2.00 Commercial, industrial, and similar structures regardless of height 300.00
3.00 Areas with multi-laned, divided highways (hydrants shall be provided along
both sides of such roads with the location of curb cuts and median cuts
considered)
400.00
4.00 Residential districts, single-family and duplex areas with dead-end streets 500.00
5.00 Residential districts, single-family and duplex areas with complete internal
circulation
600.00
6.00 Residential districts, cluster developments 1 story in height 400.00
ARTICLE VI. FIRE ALARMS AND AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS
Sec. 9-39. Central station alarm disposition.
Alarm disposition between a central station and the fire rescue department may be
transmitted via any of the transmission modes approved by NFPA 72. However, the
maximum duration between the initiation of an alarm signal at the protected premise to
transmission to and receipt of the signal by the fire rescue department shall not exceed
ninety (90) seconds.
Sec. 9-40. Automatic fire-extinguishing and detection systems.
Any automatic or manual fire alarm signal system and automatic fire-extinguishing or
automatic fire detection system hereafter installed, in addition to complying with the Florida
Fire Prevention Code, the Florida Building Code, and the state fire marshal's rules and
regulations, shall be listed by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (“NRTL”)
approved in accordance with the provisions of Section 633.334, Florida Statutes, and shall
conform to the following requirements:
(1) Any fire alarm system, automatic fire sprinkler system, smoke, ionization or heat
detection system, clean agent extinguishing system, automatic fire-extinguishing
devices, (except stand-alone automatic extinguishing systems in hoods and ducts),
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installed in any occupancy, which may be required by applicable provisions of these
regulations, shall be so arranged that the normal operation of any required alarm-
initiating device or the operation of any automatic fire-extinguishing system shall
automatically transmit an alarm to a documented NRTL central station. Listing
documentation shall be submitted to the fire rescue department for review and
approval.
(2) A NRTL central station, in accordance with NFPA 72 (2019) Section 26.3, shall be
identified by the NRTL certificated service provider for all newly installed and required
fire alarm systems. An existing required fire alarm system, wherein the control panel
or alarm components are being replaced, shall be considered a new fire alarm system
for the purposes of this section, and such system shall meet the certificating
requirements of this code. NRTL listed central station service, in full compliance with
NFPA 72 (2019) Section 26.3, shall be maintained at the protected property, so long
as the requirement for the fire alarm system exists.
(3) All fire alarm signal systems, and automatic extinguishing and detection systems,
installed in accordance with this section shall be maintained under a written service
contract providing for regular maintenance and testing of the system in acco rdance
with the state fire marshal's rules and regulations. When the fire rescue department
determines a fire alarm system is out of service in need of repair, or where
confirmation is required to verify proper functioning of the system, the fire rescue
department shall request the response of a technician as required in NFPA 72 within
the timeframes specified therein, without consent from any building representative.
Failure to comply with such a request for a technician or runner is a violation of this
code.
(4) The service company performing the maintenance and tests shall forward a written
report to the fire rescue department indicating the nature of any deficiencies,
impairments, repairs, modifications, and/or corrections completed by the service
company, the date and time of such tests and inspections, and any other information,
which may be required by the fire and life safety division. In addition, a copy of the
service report shall be maintained in the fire protection closet or fire command room,
or on the premises and it shall be subject to inspection by the fire rescue department
at any time.
(5) In accordance with NFPA 72 (2019), all fire alarm signal systems, automatic
extinguishing and/or detection systems shall be provided with an approved
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annunciator panel. Annunciator panels, either remote or part of the FACP, shall be
equipped with an LCD display with a minimum eighty (80)-character capability,
designed to indicate the floor number and the section of the building reporting a fire
alarm or fire condition. Fire alarm system activation in multi-level/story
occupancies/buildings shall indicate an alarm condition on the floor of incident, one
floor below the floor of incident, and all levels above the floor of incident. Each alarm-
initiating device shall indicate an individual location on such annunciator. The alarm
initiating device shall indicate its individual location to the monitoring central station.
The annunciator shall respond to either manual or automatic devices, and all devices
within the system shall be connected to the annunciator. The location of the
annunciator panel shall be designated by the fire rescue department, and it shall be
so located as to be immediately available to the fire rescue department at all times.
Fire alarm systems installed solely for the purpose of monitoring a fire sprinkler
system shall be allowed upon the approval of the fire chief or his/her designee. In a
complex with multiple buildings, each building shall have its own transmitter for alarm
signal disposition to the central station.
(6) Carbon monoxide detection systems shall be required in buildings as provided in
NFPA 1, NFPA 101, and NFPA 72. Carbon monoxide levels shall be monitored in
new parking structures in addition to the requirements of NFPA 88A. In addition to
established requirements, carbon monoxide detection systems shall, upon the
detection of carbon monoxide levels above 99 ppm, send a supervisory signal to the
buildings fire alarm system panel, and any area attended to by security or staff.
Detection of carbon monoxide levels exceeding 199 ppm shall activate a fire alarm
signal to notify all occupants of the building and send a signal to central station.
Existing parking structures will be required to comply with this section upon
completion of a level 2 or level 3 alteration as defined in the Florida Building Code.
(7) All fire alarm signal and detection systems shall be provided with a secondary source
of power always available for use in the event of failure of the primary power supply
to insure continuous operation of the system, pursuant to the requirements of NFPA
72 Section 10.6 (2019).
(8) Pre-signal fire alarm systems shall not be permitted.
(9) A change in service provider or a transmitter requires a permit and verification by the
fire department that the alarm system is reporting the appropriate signals to the
central station as required by code.
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(10) Communications methods shall comply with the requirements of NFPA 72 (2019 ed.),
Chapter 26, and shall be approved by the fire chief or designee.
Sec. 9-41. Alarm registration.
All required fire alarm systems must comply with the requirements of Chapter 9 of the
Town Code. All fields on the alarm registration form shall be filled out in their entirety, and
a copy of the form shall be posted adjacent to the fire alarm panel.
Sec. 9-42. Fire alarm installation permits.
(1) The fire rescue department shall issue a fire alarm installation permit after receiving
and approving a completed fire alarm application, plans, and required supporting
documentation, and only after it is determined the fire alarm system meets the criteria
of this section. The reason underlying a permit denial shall be documented on the
town permitting system and be provided to the applicant.
(2) The fire alarm system shall be installed in compliance with the Fire Alarm/Central
Station Applicable Regulations and Official Policies Guidelines of the fire rescue
department.
Sec. 9-43. - Fire alarm system certification requirements.
(1) The applicant for a required fire alarm installation permit shall submit to fire rescue
services department for review, along with the permit application, documentation
listing the NRTL central station for the alarm system and provide documentation of
NRTL certification at time of acceptance testing of the fire alarm system or added
components.
(2) The applicant must demonstrate that the fire alarm monitoring will be performed by a
NRTL certified/listed central station.
(3) All required NRTL certificated/listed fire alarm systems must maintain NRTL
compliance and NRTL monitoring.
Sec. 9-44. False alarms.
False alarms are defined, and fees, therefore, are as provided for in Chapter 9 of the Town
Code.
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Sec. 9-45. Limitation of liability.
Neither the town nor any of its officers and agents shall be under any obligation or duty to
an alarm user or to any other person. The town specifically disclaims liability for any
damages, injuries, or losses caused by or resulting from a failure to respond to an alarm.
ARTICLE VII. FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
Sec. 9-46. Applicability.
Chapter 9, Fire Protection Systems, of the Florida Building Code is supplemented as
follows:
(1) The requirements of this article shall apply to all newly constructed buildings,
structures, and installations.
(2) The requirements of this article shall also apply to any existing building or structure if
a level 2 or level 3 alteration occurs, as defined in the Florida Building Code.
Sec. 9-47. Definitions.
For the purpose of this article, the following words, terms, and phrases shall have the
meanings given in this section, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
Approved double check valve assembly is an assembly of two (2) independently
operating check valves with Outside Stem and Yoke (“O.S. & Y”) valves on each side of
the check valves, plus properly located test cocks for the testing of each check valve. The
assembly shall be listed in the "UL Fire Protection Equipment Directory" under "Backflow
Special Check Valve Devices (BAEU)." The O.S. & Y valves shall be listed in the "UL Fire
Protection Equipment Directory" under "Gate Valve (HMRZ)." The assembly shall be
installed in the horizontal position, outside, above ground and shall be readily accessible
for maintenance, testing and inspection. The O.S. & Y valves shall be supervised with
properly installed tamper switches connected to the fire alarm system. The O.S. & Y valves
shall also be secured with a chain and two interlocked padlocks, one of which shall be a
Master lock, issued by the fire department, painted red, for fire rescue department access.
Fire Rescue Services department connections shall not be directly attached to the
assembly.
Approved dual check valve assembly is a listed assembly of two (2) independently
operating check valves. For fire main use a single O.S. & Y valve shall be installed on the
supply side of the approved dual check valve. The O.S. & Y valve shall serve as the main
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control valve for the fire protection system. The assembly shall be installed in the
horizontal position, outside, above ground, and shall be readily accessible for
maintenance and inspection. The O.S. & Y valve shall be secured with a chain and a
Master lock, issued by the fire department.
Fire main is that pipe, and its appurtenances, on private property between a source
of water and the base of the riser for the automatic fire sprinkler systems, open fire
sprinkler systems, fixed water spray systems, fire standpipe systems and/or inlets to
firefighting foam making systems. When connected to the public water system, the fire
main begins at the supply side of the approved double check valve assembly or the
approved dual check valve assembly. On NFPA 13D systems, the fire main begins at the
point where the water supply line for the fire sprinkler system splits from the domestic
water service.
Sec. 9-48. Backflow prevention for fire protection systems.
An approved DDCV assembly shall be installed on all fire mains serving all structures,
except single-family homes and duplexes, as provided in NFPA 13, NFPA 13R and NFPA
13D. An approved dual check valve assembly shall be installed on all fire mains serving
one- and two-family dwellings (NFPA 13D).
Previously approved post indicator valves (“PIV”) shall be kept locked with a #2396
key Master lock. Previously approved PIV’s shall be changed to double detector check
valve (“DDCV”) assemblies meeting the requirements of this section when they are
determined to be out of service and in need of replacement.
Sec. 9-49. Fire mains.
Fire main taps connected to the public water system shall be sized for, and serve, only
the building for which they were installed. Fire main taps shall not be shared with other
buildings. Fire mains shall be constructed of class 52 ductile iron pipe (DIP) or other pipe
UL listed for underground fire main use, as approved by the fire rescue department. Fire
main taps may be shared only where a single fire pump is shared in accordance with
section 9-50. Fire mains shall only enter a building above ground and through an exterior
wall. Fire mains shall not run under foundations or footers. In high-rise buildings (as
defined in the Florida Fire Prevention Code and the Florida Building Code), fire main
configurations shall be in accordance with the Florida Building Code, Chapter 4. Any
alternative fire main configurations shall be subject to the approval of the fire chief or
designee at the time of initial permit application.
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Sec. 9-50. Fire pumps.
Fire pumps installed in buildings to meet requirements for standpipes or hydraulic demand
of the fire sprinkler system shall be provided with a secondary source of power (emergency
generator) if such system is provided. Fire pumps shall serve only the building or structure
for which they were installed and shall not be shared with other buildings or structures,
except that a single fire pump may be shared between a building and up to two (2) parking
structures if all the following are provided:
(a) All buildings and structures are under the same ownership.
(b) A "unity of title" for the buildings and structures is provided before the installation
permit is issued.
(c) The fire mains serving each building/structure are installed underground in
accordance with NFPA 24, and this article.
Sec. 9-51. Fire protection system closet.
(1) A fire protection system closet shall be provided for all buildings and structures
equipped with a fire alarm or fire sprinkler protection.
(a) The closet shall house the fire sprinkler system riser, all appropriate control
valves, all appropriate flow and tamper switches, the fire alarm system control
panel, annunciator panel, annunciator map/legend and the transmitter/control
unit. As provided in the FFPC and NFPA 72, portions of the fire alarm system may
be located elsewhere in the building subject to approval by the fire rescue
department.
(b) The annual fire alarm registration and copies of the most recent fire alarm, and
fire sprinkler, inspection reports shall be posted in the closet.
(c) The closet shall not be used for storage and shall not be used for any other
electrical, plumbing, or mechanical equipment.
(d) The minimum size of the closet shall be two feet (2’) deep by four feet (4’) wide,
which shall be increased to accommodate the provided equipment.
(e) The closet shall be separated from all other portions of the building with one (1)-
hour fire resistive construction as a minimum. The closet shall be located along
an outside wall near the fire primary fire department access, at grade, with access
from an outside swinging door, which need not be fire rated.
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(f) The door shall be labeled with a sign that reads "Fire Protection Closet." The
closet shall be kept locked at all times. A key box approved by the fire and life
safety division shall be installed on the outside wall, within three feet (3’) of the
closet. The key box shall be installed forty-two inches (42") to forty-eight inches
(48") above grade. The key box shall be sized appropriately such that the keys,
access cards, fobs, and other contents fit inside in a manner that is practical for
fire rescue department personnel to open and close with ease. The key box shall
contain a key to access the closet, all the keys necessary to control the fire alarm
system, and keys to access the building and other important areas, including but
not limited to, electrical rooms, fire pump rooms, elevator machine rooms, roof
access, hazardous materials storage areas, etc. The property owner may provide
additional keys for access to other areas of the building as appropriate.
(g) A weatherproof horn/strobe or speaker/strobe shall be installed directly above the
key box at a height easily seen upon approach to the area.
(h) The closet shall be designed and constructed so as to provide and maintain an
air-conditioned temperature of no greater than eighty (80) degrees Fahrenheit.
(2) Fire protection system closets are not required in high rise buildings and other
buildings where a fire pump room and a fire control room are required or provided.
Fire protection system closets are not required for fire sprinkler systems provided in
single family homes and duplexes.
Sec. 9-52. - Fire rescue services department connections (FDC).
(1) A single 2½-inch freestanding fire rescue department connection located within fifty
(50) feet of a fire hydrant shall be provided on all NFPA 13R fire sprinkler systems
with twenty (20) or more fire sprinkler heads.
(2) A double (Siamese) 2½-inch freestanding fire rescue department connection located
within fifty (50) feet of fire hydrant shall be provided on all NFPA 13 fire sprinkler
systems with twenty (20) or more fire sprinkler heads.
(3) Two double (Siamese) 2½-inch freestanding fire rescue department connections,
each located within fifty (50) feet of a fire hydrant shall be provided on all the following
fire sprinkler systems:
(a) Light hazard and ordinary hazard NFPA 13 fire sprinkler systems with four
hundred (400) or more fire sprinkler heads.
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Ordinance No. 2023-002
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(b) Extra hazard NFPA 13 fire sprinkler systems with two hundred (200) or more fire
sprinkler heads.
(c) On special fire protection systems or situations as designated by the fire chief or
designee.
(4) Multiple fire rescue services connections shall be installed in locations as remote as
possible from each other, as approved by the fire chief or designee.
Sec. 9-53. Hose connections as a part of fire sprinkler systems.
(1) Approved 2½-inch fire department hose connections, in accordance with NFPA 13
sec. 8.16.5.2, shall be installed in buildings and structures as follows:
(a) All one (1)-story buildings with a floor area of 52,000 square feet or more.
(b) All two (2)-story buildings with a combined floor area of 52,000 square feet or
more.
(c) All three (3)-story buildings with a combined floor area of 52,000 square feet or
more.
(2) Hose connections shall be fed from an adjoining sprinkler zone on the same floor or
from a sprinkler zone on a different floor. Hose connections may be fed directly from
the riser ahead of a zone valve. All hose connections, including those that are part of
a standpipe system, shall be installed at locations approved by the fire chief or
designee, such that all areas of the building can be reached with one hundred feet
(100’) of hose and twenty-five feet (25’) of fire stream throw. Hose connections shall
be equipped with caps to protect hose threads.
(3) Class I standpipe systems shall be provided with 2½" hose connections in the
following locations:
(a) On the inside of the stairwell at each landing.
(b) On the outside of the stairwell at each landing.
(c) On each side of the wall adjacent to the opening of horizontal exits.
(d) On the roof, near the point where the stairwell terminates. This shall be a double
2½" hose connection. It shall be provided with a UL or FM listed gauge.
(e) At other locations required by the fire chief or a designee.
(4) All standpipe systems permitted and installed shall be a manual wet system, or
automatic wet system, based on occupancy code requirements, as defined by the
FBC or NFPA 14, Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems.
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Sec. 9-54. Automatic Wet Fire Sprinklers.
(1) All new buildings or structures, including one- and two-family dwellings, 7,500 square
feet and larger shall be provided with a wet automatic fire sprinkler system in
accordance with the requirements in NFPA 13, 13R, or 13D.
(2) All new buildings or structures, including one- and two-family dwellings, three (3) or
more occupiable stories in height shall be provided with a wet automatic fire sprinkler
system in accordance with the requirements in NFPA 13, 13R, or 13D).
ARTICLE VIII. ENFORCEMENT
Sec. 9-55. Enforcement authority.
The fire chief or his/her designee shall have the authority to conduct investigations and to
do all other things necessary to enforce the provisions in this chapter.
Sec. 9-56. Violations.
Failure to comply with any provisions of this chapter shall be deemed a violation.
Sec. 9-57. Penalty for violations.
Any person or entity violating the provisions of this chapter shall be punishable as provided
in the Florida Fire Prevention Code, and as otherwise authorized by the town code,
including, but not limited to, section 1-9 and through the initiation of code enforcement
proceedings.
Section 3. The Town Commission hereby repeals Section 35-11, “Florida Fire Prevention
Code,” in its entirety.
Section 4. Severability. The provisions of this Ordinance are declared to be severable
and if any section, sentence, clause, or phrase of this Ordinance shall for any reason be held to
be invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining sections,
sentences, clauses, and phrases of this Ordinance but they shall remain in effect, it being the
legislative intent that this Ordinance shall stand notwithstanding the invalidity of any part.
Section 5. Repeal of Laws in Conflict. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict
herewith are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict.
Section 6. Codification. Section 2 of the Ordinance shall be made a part of the Town
Code of Ordinance and may be re-numbered or re-lettered to accomplish such.
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Ordinance No. 2023-002
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Section 7. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall be effective immediately upon adoption
at second reading and shall apply prospectively only.
The foregoing Ordinance was moved by __________________________________, seconded
by ________________________________ and upon being put to the vote, the vote was as
follows:
VOTES: YES NO
Mayor Natasha Moore X
Vice Mayor David Stern X
Commissioner Evalyn David X
Commissioner Donald Peters X
Commissioner Judith M. Goldberg X
PASSED on first reading at the Regular Commission meeting held on this 1st day of August,
2023.
The foregoing Ordinance was moved by Commissioner Evalyn David, seconded by Vice Mayor
David Stern and upon being put to the vote, the vote was as follows:
VOTES: YES NO
Mayor Natasha Moore
Vice Mayor David Stern
Commissioner Evalyn David
Commissioner Donald Peters
Commissioner Judith M. Goldberg
PASSED AND ADOPTED on second and final reading at the Regular Commission meeting held
on this _____ day of _________________, 2023.
ATTEST: Natasha Moore, Mayor
REVIEWED FOR LEGAL SUFFICIENCY
Lanelda Gaskins, MMC
Town Clerk
Glen Torcivia, Town Attorney
Town of Highland Beach
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TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
MEETING TYPE: Town Commission Meeting
MEETING DATE August 1, 2023
SUBMITTED BY: Matt Welhaf, Assistant Fire Chief
SUBJECT: An ordinance of the Town of Highland Beach, Florida, adopting the
current edition of the Florida Fire Prevention Code and providing for
local amendments; providing for the repeal of all ordinances in conflict;
providing for severability and codification; and providing for an effective
date.
SUMMARY:
On July 18th, 2023, the Town Commission considered an introduction to a proposed
amendment to the Town Code of Ordinances that would update the local fire prevention
ordinance. It was explained that pursuant to Chapter 633, Florida Statutes, every three years
the State Fire Marshal adopts an updated Florida Fire Prevention Code, which establishes the
statewide minimum fire safety code and incorporates Florida editions of the National Fire
Protection Association’s Fire Code (NFPA 1 Fire Code) and Life Safety Code (NFPA 101 Life
Safety Code).
Further, it was explained that the Florida Fire Prevention Code adopted by the State Fire
Marshal shall be deemed adopted by, and shall be enforced by, local governments with fire
safety responsibilities as the minimum fire safety code. Local governments are authorized to
adopt more stringent local amendments to the Florida Fire Prevention Code, which strengthen
the requirements of the minimum fire safety code.
Following the introduction by the Fire Marshal, Town Commission members asked several
questions relating to fees, third party inspection reporting, and discussed comparisons to
adjacent jurisdictions local ordinance amendments.
The ordinance is before the Commission for the first reading. Based upon approval of the first
reading, the ordinance will then be advertised in accordance with Florida statutes and
presented to the Commission for second read/final adoption on August 15 th, 2023.
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A
ATTACHMENTS:
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Proposed Ordinance
July 18th Agenda Memorandum and Introduction of the Proposed Ordinance
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommend approval of the proposed ordinance.
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TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
PROPOSED ORDINANCE
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA,
REPEALING CHAPTER 9, “FIRE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION,”
OF THE TOWN CODE OF ORDINANCES IN ITS ENTIRETY AND
SIMULTANEOUSLY ADOPTING A NEW CHAPTER 9 TO REFERENCE
THE CURRENT EDITION OF THE FLORIDA FIRE PREVENTION CODE
AND ADOPT LOCAL AMENDMENTS THERETO; REPEALING
SECTION 35-11, “FLORIDA FIRE PREVENTION CODE,” OF THE
TOWN CODE OF ORDINANCES; PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF
ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY
AND CODIFICATION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the Town of Highland Beach, Florida (the “Town”), is a duly constituted
municipality having such power and authority conferred upon it by the Florida Constitution and
Chapter 166, Florida Statutes; and
WHEREAS, the Town is in the process of establishing a Fire Rescue Department
responsible for overseeing and enforcing the Florida Fire Prevention Code within the Town; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapter 633, Florida Statutes, every three years the State Fire
Marshall adopts an updated Florida Fire Prevention Code, which establishes the statewide
minimum fire safety code and incorporates Florida editions of the National Fire Protection
Association’s Fire Code (NFPA 1 Fire Code) and Life Safety Code (NFPA 101 Life Safety Code);
and
WHEREAS, Chapter 633, Florida Statutes, provides that the updated Florida Fire
Prevention Code adopted by the State Fire Marshall shall be deemed adopted by, and shall be
enforced by, local governments with fire safety responsibilities as the minimum fire safety code;
and
WHEREAS, Chapter 633, Florida Statutes authorizes local governments to adopt more
stringent local amendments to the Florida Fire Prevention Code which strengthen the
requirements of the minimum fire safety code; and
WHEREAS, Town Staff and the Town’s Fire Marshal have recommended that the Town
adopt the most recent version of the Florida Fire Prevention Code and local amendments to the
Code, and the Town Commission determines that such local amendments are more stringent
than and strengthen the minimum fire safety code and that the adoption of such amendments
serves a public purpose and is in the best interest of the public health, safety, and welfare of the
Town of Highland Beach.
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN
OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The foregoing facts and recitations contained in the preamble to this
Ordinance are hereby adopted and incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
Section 2. The Town Commission hereby repeals Chapter 9, “Fire Prevention and
Protection,” of the Town Code of Ordinances in its entirety and simultaneously adopts a new
Chapter 9 to read as follows:
ARTICLE I. CODES AND STANDARDS
Sec. 9-1. Codes and Standards—Adopted.
(1) The town adopts by reference and incorporates into this code as though fully set
out herein, that certain code known as the Florida Fire Prevention Code (8th
edition) (“FFPC”), except as provided in this chapter.
(2) The town adopts by reference and incorporates into this code, as though fully set
out herein, those additional specific standards and codes published by the National
Fire Protection Agency (“NFPA”) and set forth below:
NFPA 18 2017 Standard for Wetting Agents
NFPA 22 2018 Standard for Water Tanks for Private Fire Protection
NFPA 53 2016 Recommended Practice on Materials, Equipment, and Systems Used
in Oxygen-Enriched Atmospheres
NFPA 67 2019 Guide on Explosive Protection for Gaseous Mixtures in Pipe Systems
NFPA 69 2019 Standard on Explosion Protection Systems
NFPA 102 2016 Standard for Grandstands, Folding and Telescopic Seating, Tents, and
Membrane Structures
NFPA 105 2019 Standard for Smoke Control Door Assemblies and Other Opening
Protectives
NFPA 115 2020 Standard for Laser Fire Protection
NFPA 140 2018 Standard for Motion Picture and TV Production Facilities
NFPA 160 2016 Standard for the Use of Flame Effects Before an Audience
NFPA 170 2018 Standard for Fire Safety and Emergency Symbols
NFPA 204 2018 Standard for Smoke and Heat Venting
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NFPA 241 2019 Standard for Safeguarding Construction, Alteration, and Demolition
Operations
NFPA 287 2017 Standard Test Methods for Flammability of Materials in Clean Rooms
NFPA 291 2019 Recommended Practice for Fire Flow Testing and Marking of Hydrants
NFPA 302 2020 Fire Protection Standard for Pleasure and Commercial Motor Craft
NFPA 306 2019 Standard for Control of Gas Hazards on Vessels
NFPA 496 2017 Standard for Purged Pressurized Enclosures for Electrical Equipment
NFPA 502 2020 Standard for Road Tunnels, Bridges, and Limited Access Highways
NFPA 601 2020 Standard for Security Services in Fire Loss Prevention
NFPA 720 2015 Standard for the Installation of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detection and
Warning Equipment
NFPA 780 2020 Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems
NFPA 801 2020 Standard for Facilities Handling Radioactive Materials
NFPA 820 2020 Standard for Fire Protection and Wastewater Treatment and Collection
Facilities
NFPA 914 2019 Code for the Protection of Historic Structures
NFPA 1225 2022 Standard for Emergency Services Communication
NFPA 1961 2020 Standard on Fire Hose
NFPA 1962 2018 Standard for Care, Use, Inspection, Service Testing, and Replacement
of Fire Hose, Couplings, Nozzles, and Fire Hose Appliances
NFPA 2001 2018 Standard on Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems
Sec. 9-2. Inspections, Testing, and Maintenance.
The town hereby adopts the following local amendments to the FFPC:
(1) All systems, equipment, tanks, piping, devices, appliances, controls, or storage
facilities over which the code contains regulatory provisions, or which are required
by any other law shall always be maintained in a working, compliant condition.
(2) All fire sprinklers, standpipe, fire pump, and all other fire suppression systems shall
be maintained under a written service contract with service companies licensed by
the State of Florida to provide such services. Regular inspection, maintenance, and
testing of these required systems shall be completed in accordance with the
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applicable standards specified under the FFPC, NFPA 1, NFPA 13, 13D, 13R,
NFPA 14, NFPA 17, NFPA 17A. NFPA 20, NFPA 24, NFPA 25, NFPA 33, NFPA
90A and 90B, NFPA 91, NFPA 92, NFPA 92A and 92B, NFPA 96, and NFPA 2001,
and all state laws and local ordinances. All reports related to fire protection system
inspection, testing, and maintenance shall be reported to the fire rescue
department, through an internet-based fire inspection reporting system approved
by the town. Any report not submitted through the town’s internet reporting system
will not be accepted.
(3) The service company performing the inspections, maintenance and tests referred
to in subsection (2) above shall forward all reports to the fire rescue department
detailing:
(a) The nature of any deficiencies and/or impairments identified and the repairs,
modifications and/or corrections completed by the service company;
(b) The date and time of all inspections, maintenance, tests, and repairs; and
(c) Any other information that may be requested or required by the town’s fire
rescue services department.
(4) A copy of all required inspection and deficiency reports shall be provided to the
building representative and kept in the fire command room, fire protection closet (if
provided), or at a designated location approved by the fire marshal. The reports
shall be available at all times to fire rescue personnel.
ARTICLE II. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS.
Sec. 9-3. Response to discharges of hazardous substances—Response costs.
(1) For the purpose of this section, the following words and phrases shall have the
meanings given herein:
(a) Discharge shall mean any intentional or unintentional action or omission resulting
in the releasing, spilling, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, or dumping of a
hazardous substance upon public or private property located within the corporate
limits of the town.
(b) Hazardous substances shall mean any substances or materials in a quantity or
form which, in the determination of the town, poses an unreasonable and
imminent risk to the life, health, safety, or welfare of persons or property within
the town, or poses a risk of harm to the environment, and shall include but not be
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limited to those substances listed in the National Fire Protection Association
Guide on Hazardous Materials, the Environmental Protection Agency's list of
extremely hazardous substances (40 C.F.R. § 335 Appx. A), or the Florida
Substance List promulgated by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
(c) Response actions shall mean any activity which is carried out in response to any
discharge or potential discharge of a hazardous substance, including:
1. Actions necessary for the cleanup or removal of discharged hazardous
substances from the environment;
2. Actions necessary to reduce and/or eliminate the threat of discharge of
hazardous substances into the environment;
3. Actions necessary to investigate, monitor, assess, and evaluate the
discharge or potential discharge of hazardous substances;
4. Actions necessary for the disposal of removed material; and
5. Actions necessary to prevent, minimize, or mitigate damage to the public
health, safety, or welfare or to the environment, which may otherwise result
from a discharge or threatened discharge. Response actions also include
the provision of security fencing or other means to limit access, the
provision of alternative water supplies, temporary evacuation of potential
individuals, and restoration of the site to pre-discharge conditions.
(d) Response costs shall mean any costs incurred in undertaking response actions.
Response costs shall not include costs incurred for actual fire suppression
services which are regularly provided by the town or its authorized agents,
except where a fire is caused or exacerbated by discharge of hazardous
materials.
(2) The town is hereby authorized to undertake response actions in the event of
discharges or potential discharges of hazardous substances upon or into public or
private property or facilities located within the corporate limits of the town.
(3) When engaging in a response action caused by the unauthorized discharge or
potential discharge of hazardous substances, the town shall keep a detailed record
of the response costs.
(4) Any person or entity responsible for causing or allowing an unauthorized discharge
or potential discharge of hazardous substances that requires response actions by
the town or its authorized agents shall reimburse the town for the full cost of all
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response actions. Reimbursement shall be made within thirty (30) days after
receipt of an itemized bill for response costs from the town.
(6) Any person or entity responsible for causing or allowing an unauthorized discharge
or potential discharge of hazardous substances that results in the town incurring
response costs and who fails to reimburse the town for such response costs within
the time set forth herein shall be subject to a late fee in the amount of ten percent
(10%) of the total amount of the response costs after thirty (30) days. Thereafter,
the late fee assessed on the unpaid balance shall be increased by two percent
(2%) for each additional thirty (30) day period until the full amount, including any
applicable late fee, is paid.
(7) The remedy provided for in this section shall be supplemental to and in addition to
all other available remedies at law or in equity.
ARTICLE III. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 9-4. Burning permit.
It shall be unlawful for anyone to set a fire on any lot, street, alley or other public or private
place within the corporate limits of the town without first obtaining a permit to do so from
the fire rescue department and paying all fees specified in the town’s municipal facilities
and services user fee schedule. The application shall be obtained from the department,
and it shall be reviewed for approval or rejection by the chief of the department or his/her
designee. Approved permits may be revoked by the department at any time if it is deemed
by the department, in its sole discretion, that changes in weather or other circumstances
render the fire a hazard or dangerous to the public in any manner.
Sec. 9-5. Illegal storage.
A determination that storage is illegal or in violation of this or other NFPA code(s) shall be
at the discretion of the fire chief or his/her designee. Illegal storage, for the purpose of this
section, includes any material stored in an electrical room, in front of major electrical
panels, fire pump rooms, fire command rooms (other than what is permitted by the Florida
Building Code and the FFPC), fire protection closet, and similar areas. Such areas shall
be provided with signs indicating “No Storage.”
Sec. 9-6. Premises identification.
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All new and existing buildings shall include signage that identifies the building address. All
such signs shall be permanent and shall meet the requirements NFPA 1. All such signage
shall be placed on buildings in such a manner that their address numbers are plainly
legible and visible from the road or street fronting the property.
Sec. 9-7. Unit and Suite Identification.
All apartment units, condominium units, and business suites located in buildings,
regardless of occupancy type, shall include signage that identifies their number (or any
other identifying designation). All such signs shall be permanent and shall meet the
requirements NFPA 1. Units shall be distinguished and identified using numbers or letters,
or a combination thereof, in sequence. Proposed numbering or lettering schemes shall be
subject to review and approval by the fire chief or his/her designee. Identification signs
shall be located on the door of the unit, or the wall adjacent to the unit, such that it is visible
and legible to approaching fire rescue personnel. Signs located on a fire rated door or fire
rated wall shall not compromise the rating of the door or wall and shall not conflict with
manufacturers recommendations.
Sec. 9-8 Directional/Wayfinding Signs.
Approved directional signs shall be provided in corridors and other areas of the building,
as required to assist fire rescue service personnel. The location of directional signs shall
be at the discretion of the fire chief or his/her designee.
Sec. 9-9 thru 9-25 - Reserved.
Sec. 9-26. Fire lanes on private property.
(1) For the purpose of this chapter, a "fire lane" shall mean a space sufficient in width
and length to permit the parking of fire trucks and other firefighting apparatus and
located nearest to, or at the best location to permit firefighting operations for, a
building or structure.
(2) Fire lanes shall be established and maintained on private property where the public
has the right to travel by motor vehicle and where the public is permitted by
invitation or by license to travel by motor vehicle, to the extent that any such fire
lane is necessary for the department to access buildings by fire trucks or other
firefighting apparatus, as more specifically provided in FFPC, NFPA 1, Chapter 18.
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“Private property where the public has the right to travel by motor vehicle and where
the public is permitted by invitation or by license to travel by motor vehicle” shall
mean all parking lots, shopping plazas, and shopping centers, as well as all
commercial, industrial, single family, and multi-family residential areas.
(3) After notification by the fire rescue department to establish fire lanes on a particular
property, the owner or person in possession and control of the property shall submit
a site plan for the fire lanes on the property to the fire department for review and
approval of the design and location of the fire lanes. The site plan shall be drawn
to scale and shall show all related buildings, driveways, streets, and other
information necessary to evaluate the sufficiency of the fire lanes.
(4) Approval of fire lanes by the fire rescue department shall constitute authorization
for the person owning, or in possession and control of, any such property to install
required official signs and necessary pavement markings prohibiting the stopping,
standing, or parking of motor vehicles within the fire lanes, and the posting of the
fire lanes as tow-away zones. Such signs and necessary pavement marking and
striping shall be furnished and installed by the owner or person in possession and
control of the property at their own cost. The owner or person in possession and
control of the property shall thereafter be responsible for the maintenance of the
signs, markings, and striping of the required fire lanes.
(5) All fire lane signs required by and installed pursuant to this section shall have red
lettering, not less than two inches (2”) or more than three inches (3”) in height, on
a white background. Each sign shall be twelve inches (12”) wide by eighteen inches
(18”) in height and shall be consistent with the manual on uniform traffic control
devices of the state department of transportation and Chapter 18 of NFPA 1, 8th
edition).
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Sec. 9-27. Use of outdoor cooking appliances.
(1) This section shall apply to all buildings and structures, except two-family dwellings
of one-story design, and single-family dwellings. This section shall not apply to
commercial cooking appliances.
(2) For the purpose of this section, an outdoor cooking appliance shall mean any
portable and non-portable cooking appliance, grill, stove, or smoker, fueled, or
powered by electricity, wood, charcoal, liquefied petroleum gas, natural gas,
gasoline, kerosene, naphtha, alcohol, or other liquid or gaseous fuel.
(3) Outdoor cooking appliances shall be operated a minimum of ten feet (10’) from the
exterior of buildings or structures.
(4) It shall be unlawful for any person to use or cause to be used any outdoor cooking
appliance on any balcony, within any screened enclosure, in any covered parking
area, in any corridor or hallway, under any overhang or within any area of any
building or structure; notwithstanding the foregoing, a tabletop or countertop
electric grill, with a cooking surface that is two hundred (200) square inches or less
in size, may be used on a balcony, as long as the balcony is not enclosed or within
a screened enclosure. This requirement also applies to one-and two-family
dwellings.
Sec. 9-28. Closing of private driveways, roadways, and entrances.
It shall be unlawful for any person to have or cause to have any driveway, roadway, or
entrance barricaded or blocked by obstacles which would interfere with the response of
the fire rescue department or other emergency vehicles. If an existing building requires a
change of access, the owners shall provide revised life safety plans and obtain a permit
from the town.
Sec. 9-29. Processes deemed hazardous to life and property.
(1) The fire chief or fire marshal may issue an order for the immediate cessation of any
activity, operation, or process, when such operation, activity, or process constitutes
a severe and immediate hazard to persons or property.
(2) No person who, after being served with either a verbal or written order to cease
such severe and immediate hazardous activity, operation, or process, shall fail or
refuse to comply with such an order.
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Sec. 9-30. Evacuation of occupied buildings or structures.
In accordance with the Florida Fire Prevention Code, NFPA 1, sec. 1.7.16, the fire chief,
the fire marshal, a fire inspector, or any department officer may order the immediate
evacuation of any occupied building or structure or assembly area when such building,
structure or assembly area is deemed hazardous due to a fire hazard, obstruction to exits,
overcrowding of the premises, or any other hazard or potential which presents immediate
and life-threatening danger to the occupants. The premises, or any portion thereof, may
not be reoccupied until it has been examined and deemed free of the hazard or potential
hazard that caused the evacuation to be ordered.
Sec. 9-31. Fireworks, pyrotechnic special effects, flame effects.
(1) The discharge, firing or use of the following fireworks products are prohibited inside
buildings, tents, structures, and other enclosed spaces:
(a) Firecrackers, rockets, torpedoes, roman candles or other fireworks or substances
designed and intended for pyrotechnic display, and of cap guns, starter pistols,
canes, cannons, or other appliances (other than a “firearm” as defined in Fla. Stat.
§ 790.001) using blank cartridges or caps containing chlorate or potash mixture;
(b) Pyrotechnic special effects including, but are not limited to, chemical mixtures
used in the entertainment industry to produce visible, audible, or thermal effects
by combustion, deflagration, or detonation; and
(c) Flame effects including, but not limited to, batons, and/or torches fueled by liquid,
solid or gaseous fuels, flame projectors which produce heat effects and/or flames,
flash powders composed of fuel(s) and oxidizer(s), flares. and similar devices.
(2) Except as provided in section 791.08, Florida Statutes, a permit shall be obtained
from the town manager or his/her designee, prior to any outdoor use of fireworks,
pyrotechnic special effects, flame effects, and/or any other fireworks item identified in
section 1 above. The application for a permit shall be on a town form and payment of
an application fee shall be required. The town manager or his/her designee may
include conditions in the permit, including but not limited to additional inspection fees,
to ensure compliance with all applicable requirements herein and state law or to
protect the public health, safety, and welfare.
(3) The permit applicant shall furnish with its application proof of financial responsibility in
the form of liability insurance. Such liability insurance shall have a minimum of
$1,000,000.00 coverage for each occurrence and shall provide coverage for all claims
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for damages to property or personal injuries, including death, arising out of the use of
the fireworks. Additionally, the applicant shall provide the town with an endorsement
from its insurer that names the town, and its officers and employees, as an additional
insured and shall otherwise be in a form acceptable to the town.
(4) The outdoor use of fireworks shall be in accordance with NFPA 1123 and NFPA 1124.
Sec. 9-32. Public Safety Radio Communication System.
In all newly constructed buildings, a minimum radio signal strength for public safety radio
signals shall be required within the building. Installation and signal strength shall be the
minimum requirements per NFPA 1225 (2022 edition), Chapter 18 (In-Building Emergency
Responder Communication Enhancement Systems) or as otherwise specified by the town.
In all new and existing buildings, as outlined in Section 633.202(18), Florida Statutes, that
cause a reduction of Emergency Responder Communication signals below the acceptable
level for reliable communications, a two-way radio enhancement system shall be required.
In buildings where phone jacks are required as part of an alarm system, a two-way radio
enhancement system shall be installed and maintained by the building owner, in lieu of
the phone jacks.
Sec. 9-33. Rubbish and linen chutes.
New buildings with a chute or chutes for trash, linen, or any other building services requires
fire sprinkler protection, and all such chutes shall be provided with a riser for the purposes
of complete isolation from the remainder of the building’s fire sprinkler system. The valve
to isolate the riser shall be supervised.
Sec. 9-34. Liquefied Petroleum Gas Containers.
All containers installed for the storage, handling, transportation, and use of liquefied
petroleum gas shall comply with the requirements of NFPA 58.
(1) Containers shall not be filled prior to rough-in inspection without the prior approval of
the fire chief or his/her designee.
(2) Underground tanks shall be visually inspected prior to back filling the location of
installation.
(3) Tanks installed within ten feet (10’) of a public vehicular thoroughfare or designated
parking location shall be provided with vehicular barrier protection.
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(4) Tanks installed under a driveway or designated parking area shall be a non-
interchangeable underground tank.
(5) Tanks installed under a driveway or designated parking area shall be provided with a
shroud that allows the tank to be installed at least eighteen inches (18”) below grade.
(6) Tanks installed under a driveway or designated parking area shall be provided with a
protective dome or cover, engineered to protect the tank valve assembly, and support
the weight of parked or moving vehicles.
ARTICLE III. ELEVATORS
Sec. 9-35. Dimensions and control of automatic elevators.
In all buildings three stories or more in height erected, after November 23, 1993, which
are equipped with automatic elevators, all elevators of the structure shall be arranged for
emergency use (firefighter's service) by department personnel. At all times, and
regardless of circumstances, elevators shall remain operable and available for emergency
use by department personnel. The control of all automatic elevators shall meet the
requirements as set forth under Chapter 61-5C, “Florida Elevator Safety Code,” Florida
Administrative Code. In addition to these requirements, the following specifications shall
be met:
(1) Emergency auxiliary power required.
(a) Emergency auxiliary electrical power shall be provided for all elevators equipped
with the key switch service for department personnel. The auxiliary power supply
shall be capable of supplying power to the elevators for a period of at least twenty-
four (24) hours. The auxiliary power supply shall be approved by the fire rescue
department.
(b) Emergency auxiliary power shall remain on for the service car in use by
firefighters regardless of selection switch devices, which may also be installed to
rotate emergency power to other cars in the building.
(c) No more than ten (10) seconds shall be required for the auxiliary power to be in
full operation and the operation of the emergency power supply shall
automatically transfer to the firefighters' service car.
(d) A maintenance schedule shall be maintained in the generator equipment room to
record all tests and operation of such auxiliary power equipment. At all times, the
records shall be posted and available to the fire rescue services department.
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(e) All auxiliary power equipment and automatic transfer apparatus shall be tested
weekly.
(f) For all buildings which are designed and constructed having multiple separate
towers, each tower shall be treated as though it were a separate building.
(2) Key switch operation (firefighter's service).
(a) As used in this section, authorized personnel shall mean the fire chief and any fire
rescue department officer designated in writing by the fire chief as authorized to
possess the standard emergency elevator control key or key to a keykeeper box.
(b) A keykeeper box shall be installed adjacent to all firefighter's service elevators.
The performance standards of the keykeeper box shall equal or exceed those of
the Bommer key-keeper box, type 5620, F2828, or the AF Florence Manufacturing
Company KK Series Key Keeper Box. The key keeper box shall be equipped with
a lock that can be opened with the Emergency Response Region 7 Key (Yale Key
No. R-80833-2006-7).
(c) The standard emergency elevator control key shall be issued only to authorized
personnel.
(d) All buildings constructed following the adoption of this code regardless of the
number of stories, shall use the emergency elevator control key for Emergency
Response Region 7 (Yale Key No. R-80833-2006-7).
(e) Any building having undergone "substantial improvement," as defined in Section
161.54(12), Florida Statutes, must comply with subsection 9-35(2)(b) of this
Code.
(f) All elevators in the town shall utilize the Emergency Response Region 7 (Yale
Key No. R-80833-2006-7) key for the keykeeper box lock.
(3) Minimum size and weight capacity.
(a) Elevators shall have a platform with dimensions of at least six feet (6’) deep by
five feet (5’), five inches (5”) wide.
(b) Elevators shall have minimum headroom inside the car of at least seven feet (7’),
six inches(6”).
(c) Doors to elevators shall be at least six feet (6’), eight inches (8’) high by three feet
(3’) wide.
(d) Elevators shall have a weight capacity of at least 3,500 pounds.
(4) Emergency access keys.
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(a) A standard emergency access door key shall be provided to the department for
all elevators.
(b) An emergency key slot shall be located on each door on every floor or landing on
which each elevator can stop.
(5) A sign shall be posted directly above each elevator door on every floor, stating: "In
Case of Fire: Use Exit Stairways—Do Not Use This Elevator."
(a) The sign shall be at least two and one-half (2½) inches high by three and one-half
(3½) inches wide.
(b) The letters shall be of a color that contrasts with background.
(6) Emergency use elevator to be identified.
(a) Any elevator provided with the fire rescue department key switch and emergency
power shall be identified by a sign of at least three inches (3”) wide by two inches
(2”) high displaying at least three-quarter (3/4) inch letters with the following
information: "Fire Rescue Services Department Emergency Power."
(b) The background of the sign shall be red with white letters.
(c) The sign shall be posted in the center of the door frame directly above the door
opening on the floor where the key switch is located.
ARTICLE IV. PERMITS
Sec. 9-36. Examination of building permits.
(1) This section shall not apply to single-family or duplex residential units, except where
the installation of fire suppression systems, fire alarm systems, or liquified petroleum
fuel tanks, are proposed, or are required by this code, the Florida Building Code or
the FFPC.
(2) Any plans and/or specification submitted as part of an application for any building
permit for new construction, demolition, moving of existing buildings, or renovation of
existing structures shall comply with Section 1.14 of the Florida Fire Prevention Code,
8th Edition, and Subtitle 61-G15 of the Florida Administrative Code, as applicable,
and examined and approved by the fire rescue department. Each set of plans and
specifications submitted for approval pursuant to this section must also include all
required fire permit applications.
(3) The fire rescue department shall provide review comments following rejection of any
submitted plans.
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(4) The owner of any new building or any existing building undergoing a level 2 or level 3
alteration, as defined by the Florida Building Code (“FBC”), or extensive modification
or reconstruction pursuant to the FFPC, shall provide floor plan drawings on a media
type specified by the fire rescue department for the purpose of pre-fire planning. This
shall be required prior to issuance of the temporary certificate of occupancy or
certificate of occupancy, as applicable.
Sec. 9-37. Permits, fee schedule.
The following enumerated installations and activities require a permit from the fire rescue
department. The applicable fees, as enumerated in the town municipal facilities and
services user fee schedule, shall be paid after the permit application is approved. Main
use building permits shall not be approved by the fire rescue services department for the
following uses until all necessary fire rescue department installation permits for special
systems and/or equipment have been applied for by the appropriate subcontractors and
issued by the fire rescue department, or as may be specifically approved by the fire chief
or a designee.
(1) Motor vehicle painting—Spray booths and bake ovens.
(2) Gas and fuel-oil-fired outdoor equipment.
(3) Elevators.
(4) Liquid petroleum or natural gas storage.
(5) Flammable or combustible liquid storage.
(6) Flammable or combustible liquid dispensing.
(7) Fire alarm systems.
(8) Fixed automatic fire protection systems.
(9) Automatic fire sprinkler systems.
(10) Standpipe systems, independent or part of sprinkler system.
(11) Fire pumps.
(12) Required emergency generators.
(13) Fire hydrant flow test.
(14) Hazardous substances storage.
(15) Fireworks display (see sec. 9-31).
(16) Outdoor burning (see sec. 9-3).
(17) BDA Systems – 2-way radio enhancement systems / Bi-Directional Amplification.
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Sec. 9-37. Work started without a permit.
(1) When work for which a permit is required by this chapter is started prior to issuance
of a fire rescue department permit, the permit fees herein specified shall be tripled.
(2) The payment of such fee shall not relieve any person from fully complying with the
requirements of this chapter in the execution of the work, nor from any other penalties
prescribed herein.
ARTICLE V. FIRE FLOW REQUIREMENTS
Sec. 9-38. Fire flow requirements.
(1) Intent. The intent of this section is to ensure an adequate water supply for fire
suppression by establishing minimum flow rates required to control and extinguish
fires that may occur within prescribed occupancy classifications. The requirements of
this section shall be applicable to public and private water systems, including
individual properties and land development projects.
(2) Required fire flow.
(a) The "required fire flow" is the rate of flow needed for firefighting purposes to
confine a major fire to the buildings within a block or other contiguous grouping.
The determination of this flow depends upon the size, construction, occupancy,
and exposure of buildings within and surrounding the block or group of buildings,
and upon the existence of automatic sprinkler protection. The determination of
required fire flow in each case shall be made by the fire chief, or a designee,
according to the criteria established by this section and by the Guide for
Determination of Required Fire Flow, published by the Insurance Services Office,
ISO Edition 06-2014, and as it may from time to time be amended, which are
adopted and incorporated herein by reference.
(b) The minimum required fire flow in the various zoning district cla ssifications shall
be as listed in Table I at the end of this section. Where conditions indicate that
consideration must be given to possible simultaneous fires, as determined by the
fire chief utilizing the criteria established or adopted herein, an additional 1,000 to
8,000 gallons per minute shall be required. However, the maximum fire flow
requirement for any system shall be 12,000 gallons per minute. The required
minimum duration for fire flow for private fire protection systems not serviced by
the town shall be as listed in Table II at the end of this section. All required fire
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flow rates shall be in addition to the water flow rates necessary to supply the
needs of normal flow demands.
(3) Normal flow demands. Flow demands for design systems shall be calculated based
on full ultimate development as known or projected. The average daily flow for
domestic use shall be calculated pursuant to normal flow demand criteria as detailed
in the town utilities services department standards manual.
(4) Fire hydrants and fire flow requirements; exemptions and qualifications; interim
criteria.
(a) All new buildings and all existing buildings being altered to increase the area,
height, or occupancy shall have available the required number of fire hydrants as
specified in Table III at the end of this section connected to a public water supply
which meets the fire flow requirements specified in Tables I and II at the end of
this section, except as follows:
1. All duplex and single-family detached homes not requiring water main
extensions for domestic purposes. For purposes of this subsection, "water
main extension" shall mean the extension of a water supply system by
installation and construction of a new water main, six inches (6”) in diameter
or larger, as required by the public utility.
2. Additions to existing buildings and accessory buildings not exceeding twenty-
five percent (25%) of the square footage of existing structure, but in no event
greater than 5,000 square feet.
3. Neighborhood shopping centers with buildings totaling an area of less than
100,000 square feet with no building under one roof of more than 10,000
square feet, with no building exceeding two stories in height, and with at least
twenty-five-foot (25’) separations between buildings, shall meet fire flow
requirements of at least 1,250 gallons per minute.
4. Individual industrial or commercial buildings or structures not part of a
neighborhood shopping center or industrial park, less than 5,000 square feet
in area, and with low or ordinary hazard content shall meet a fire flow
requirement of at least 750 gallons per minute.
(b) If the rate of fire flow required under the terms of this section is not available from
the public utility at the time of application for a building permit, and none of the
exemptions or qualifications in (a) through (c) above apply, then the following
interim criteria shall govern the issuance of building permits:
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1. Properties classified as having low hazard contents, and not exceeding two
(2) stories in height, will be required to provide a minimum of fifty percent
(50%) of the flow rate described in Table I for its zoning district at the end of
this section.
2. Properties classified as having ordinary hazard contents, and not exceeding
two (2) stories in height, will be required to provide a minimum of seventy
percent (70%) of the flow rate described in Table I for its zoning district at the
end of this section.
3. Properties classified as having low or ordinary hazard contents, and having
more than two (2) stories but not exceeding five (5) stories in height, will be
required to provide a minimum of seventy-five percent (75%) of the flow rate
described in Table I for its zoning district at the end of this section.
4. Properties classified as having high hazard contents will be required to
provide one hundred percent (100%) of the flow rate described in Table I for
its zoning district at the end of this section.
5. All properties, in excess of five (5) stories in height, will be required to provide
one hundred percent (100%) of the flow rate described in Table I for its zoning
district.
6. As used herein, "low hazard contents," "ordinary hazard contents" and "high
hazard contents" shall be defined as set forth in Florida Fire Prevention Code
NFPA 101 section 6-2.2, which section is adopted and incorporated herein by
reference.
7. In all cases of new construction where less than the flow rate described in
Table I at the end of this section is permitted pursuant to the provisions of (b)
above, engineering and construction of new facilities to meet the total fire flow
requirements as described in Table I will be provided so that at the time the
public utility is capable of providing full fire flow, the properties receiving the
flow will be capable of utilizing the full fire flow provided by the utility.
8. In all cases wherein the interim criteria of (b) above are utilized, no less than
a 500-gallon-per-minute fire flow shall be permitted for any type of improved
property, and all fire flow tests will be calculated with a minimum of twenty (20)
psi residual pressure remaining in the water main.
(5) Supplemental flow systems. If the minimum fire flow requirements set out in this
section cannot be met by the water supply utility, then the applicant for a building
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permit shall be required to supplement those flows through an on-site, or readily
available, system meeting the minimum fire flow requirements of this section and
meeting with the approval of the fire rescue services department.
(6) Extensions of time; bond. If the required fire flow is not available to allow an applicant
to obtain a certificate of occupancy, but it is determined by the fire rescue department
that system improvements are in process and are imminent so that the applicant will
be able to meet the fire flow requirements, then the fire rescue services department
may extend the time to meet the requirements of this section for an initial interim
period not to exceed ninety (90) days and may authorize a temporary certificate of
occupancy based thereon. In order to meet the fire flow requirements, a bond
sufficient to assure completion of the required system improvements shall be posted
by the applicant with the town manager. The amount of the bond shall be determined
by the fire rescue services department and shall be equivalent to two hundred (200)
percent of the cost to complete the fire flow improvements.
(7) Fire hydrants and fire hydrant branches.
(a) The location, number, and sizes of the fire hydrants, and fire hydrant branches,
shall be designated by the fire rescue department in accordance with Table III at
the end of this section.
(b) Fire hydrants of the approved municipal design and system pattern shall be
provided along all primary roadways and fire lanes throughout any proposed
project. When such development fronts on one or more existing public street(s),
fire hydrants shall be located along the public street(s) as well as throughout the
entire project. Spacing shall be measured along the actual route fire apparatus
will travel.
(c) Unobstructed access to fire hydrants, or on-site private systems, shall be provided
and maintained to accommodate firefighting apparatus.
(8) Distribution systems. The supply mains shall be of adequate size and have properly
arranged connections to the arterial mains, which shall extend throughout the system
and have numerous connections to the secondary feeders that supply the minor
distribution.
(9) Main sizes. Main sizes and system patterns shall be subject to approval of all
applicable agencies pursuant to fire and normal flow demand criteria. Design
standards shall be in conformance with current editions of the town utilities services
department standards manual.
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(10) Pressure. Sufficient pressures shall be provided within the system to maintain twenty
(20) psi residual pressure while providing required fire flows. In those cases where
system supply design and hydrant locations are capable of meeting full domestic,
commercial and fire flow demands, residual pressures of ten (10) psi will be permitted.
(11) Violations. No person shall:
(a) Use or operate any fire hydrant or other valve on any fire system that is intended
for use by the town for any purpose unless a fire hydrant use permit has been
issued by the town to such person and such person complies with the appropriate
provisions of Chapter 29 of the Town Code of Ordinances.
(b) Remove, tamper with, or otherwise disturb any fire hydrant or firefighting
appliance except for the purpose of extinguishing fires, firefighting training, or
making necessary repairs, without first obtaining written approval by the fire
rescue services department.
TABLE I. REQUIRED FIRE FLOWS BY ZONING CLASSIFICATION (Defined in Section
30-62 of the Town Code)
Zoning Districts Requirement
Group 1: RE (Residential Single-Family
Estate Zoning District), RS (Residential
Single-Family Zoning District)
The system shall deliver not less than 500
gallons per minute at 20 psi residual on the
system. Each fire hydrant shall deliver not
less than 500 gallons per minute.
Group 2: RML (Residential Multiple-Family
Low-Density Zoning District)
The system shall deliver not less than 1,000
gallons per minute at 20 psi residual on the
system. Each fire hydrant shall deliver not
less than 750 gallons per minute.
Group 3: RMM (Residential Multiple-Family
Medium-Density Zoning District)
The system shall deliver not less than 1,500
gallons per minute at 20 psi residual on the
system. Each fire hydrant shall deliver not
less than 750 gallons per minute.
Group 4: RMH (Residential Multiple-Family
High-Density Zoning District)
The system shall deliver not less than 2,000
gallons per minute at 20 psi residual on the
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Zoning Districts Requirement
system. Each fire hydrant shall deliver not
less than 750 gallons per minute.
Group 5: GSD (Government Service
Zoning District)
The system shall deliver not less than 2,000
gallons per minute at 20 psi residual on the
system. Each fire hydrant shall deliver not
less than 1,000 gallons per minute.
TABLE II. REQUIRED DURATION FOR FIRE FLOW
Required Fire Flow
(gallons per minute)
Required Duration
(hours)
10,000 and greater 10.00
9,500 9
9,000 9
8,500 8
8,000 8
7,500 7
7,000 7
6,500 6
6,000 6
5,500 5
5,000 5
4,500 4
4,000 4
3,500 3
3,000 3
2,500 and less 2
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TABLE III. FIRE HYDRANT SPACING
Districts
Hydrant
Spacing
(feet)
1.00 Multifamily structures 2 or more stories in height 300.00
2.00 Commercial, industrial, and similar structures regardless of height 300.00
3.00 Areas with multi-laned, divided highways (hydrants shall be provided along
both sides of such roads with the location of curb cuts and median cuts
considered)
400.00
4.00 Residential districts, single-family and duplex areas with dead-end streets 500.00
5.00 Residential districts, single-family and duplex areas with complete internal
circulation
600.00
6.00 Residential districts, cluster developments 1 story in height 400.00
ARTICLE VI. FIRE ALARMS AND AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS
Sec. 9-39. Central station alarm disposition.
Alarm disposition between a central station and the fire rescue department may be
transmitted via any of the transmission modes approved by NFPA 72. However, the
maximum duration between the initiation of an alarm signal at the protected premise to
transmission to and receipt of the signal by the fire rescue department shall not exceed
ninety (90) seconds.
Sec. 9-40. Automatic fire-extinguishing and detection systems.
Any automatic or manual fire alarm signal system and automatic fire-extinguishing or
automatic fire detection system hereafter installed, in addition to complying with the Florida
Fire Prevention Code, the Florida Building Code, and the state fire marshal's rules and
regulations, shall be listed by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (“NRTL”)
approved in accordance with the provisions of Section 633.334, Florida Statutes, and shall
conform to the following requirements:
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(1) Any fire alarm system, automatic fire sprinkler system, smoke, ionization or heat
detection system, clean agent extinguishing system, automatic fire-extinguishing
devices, (except stand-alone automatic extinguishing systems in hoods and ducts),
installed in any occupancy, which may be required by applicable provisions of these
regulations, shall be so arranged that the normal operation of any required alarm-
initiating device or the operation of any automatic fire-extinguishing system shall
automatically transmit an alarm to a documented NRTL central station. Listing
documentation shall be submitted to the fire rescue department for review and
approval.
(2) A NRTL central station, in accordance with NFPA 72 (2019) Section 26.3, shall be
identified by the NRTL certificated service provider for all newly installed and required
fire alarm systems. An existing required fire alarm system, wherein the control panel
or alarm components are being replaced, shall be considered a new fire alarm system
for the purposes of this section, and such system shall meet the certificating
requirements of this code. NRTL listed central station service, in full compliance with
NFPA 72 (2019) Section 26.3, shall be maintained at the protected property, so long
as the requirement for the fire alarm system exists.
(3) All fire alarm signal systems, and automatic extinguishing and detection systems,
installed in accordance with this section shall be maintained under a written service
contract providing for regular maintenance and testing of the system in acco rdance
with the state fire marshal's rules and regulations. When the fire rescue department
determines a fire alarm system is out of service in need of repair, or where
confirmation is required to verify proper functioning of the system, the fire rescue
department shall request the response of a technician as required in NFPA 72 within
the timeframes specified therein, without consent from any building representative.
Failure to comply with such a request for a technician or runner is a violation of this
code.
(4) The service company performing the maintenance and tests shall forward a written
report to the fire rescue department indicating the nature of any deficiencies,
impairments, repairs, modifications, and/or corrections completed by the service
company, the date and time of such tests and inspections, and any other information,
which may be required by the fire and life safety division. In addition, a copy of the
service report shall be maintained in the fire protection closet or fire command room,
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or on the premises and it shall be subject to inspection by the fire rescue department
at any time.
(5) In accordance with NFPA 72 (2019), all fire alarm signal systems, automatic
extinguishing and/or detection systems shall be provided with an approved
annunciator panel. Annunciator panels, either remote or part of the FACP, shall be
equipped with an LCD display with a minimum eighty (80)-character capability,
designed to indicate the floor number and the section of the building reporting a fire
alarm or fire condition. Fire alarm system activation in multi-level/story
occupancies/buildings shall indicate an alarm condition on the floor of incident, one
floor below the floor of incident, and all levels above the floor of incident. Each alarm-
initiating device shall indicate an individual location on such annunciator. The alarm
initiating device shall indicate its individual location to the monitoring central station.
The annunciator shall respond to either manual or automatic devices, and all devices
within the system shall be connected to the annunciator. The location of the
annunciator panel shall be designated by the fire rescue department, and it shall be
so located as to be immediately available to the fire rescue department at all times.
Fire alarm systems installed solely for the purpose of monitoring a fire sprinkler
system shall be allowed upon the approval of the fire chief or his/her designee. In a
complex with multiple buildings, each building shall have its own transmitter for alarm
signal disposition to the central station.
(6) Carbon monoxide detection systems shall be required in buildings as provided in
NFPA 1, NFPA 101, and NFPA 72. Carbon monoxide levels shall be monitored in
new parking structures in addition to the requirements of NFPA 88A. In addition to
established requirements, carbon monoxide detection systems shall, upon the
detection of carbon monoxide levels above 99 ppm, send a supervisory signal to the
buildings fire alarm system panel, and any area attended to by security or staff.
Detection of carbon monoxide levels exceeding 199 ppm shall activate a fire alarm
signal to notify all occupants of the building and send a signal to central station.
Existing parking structures will be required to comply with this section upon
completion of a level 2 or level 3 alteration as defined in the Florida Building Code.
(7) All fire alarm signal and detection systems shall be provided with a secondary source
of power always available for use in the event of failure of the primary power supply
to insure continuous operation of the system, pursuant to the requirements of NFPA
72 Section 10.6 (2019).
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(8) Pre-signal fire alarm systems shall not be permitted.
(9) A change in service provider or a transmitter requires a permit and verification by the
fire department that the alarm system is reporting the appropriate signals to the
central station as required by code.
(10) Communications methods shall comply with the requirements of NFPA 72 (2019 ed.),
Chapter 26, and shall be approved by the fire chief or designee.
Sec. 9-41. Alarm registration.
All required fire alarm systems must comply with the requirements of Chapter 9 of the
Town Code. All fields on the alarm registration form shall be filled out in their entirety, and
a copy of the form shall be posted adjacent to the fire alarm panel.
Sec. 9-42. Fire alarm installation permits.
(1) The fire rescue department shall issue a fire alarm installation permit after receiving
and approving a completed fire alarm application, plans, and required supporting
documentation, and only after it is determined the fire alarm system meets the criteria
of this section. The reason underlying a permit denial shall be documented on the
town permitting system and be provided to the applicant.
(2) The fire alarm system shall be installed in compliance with the Fire Alarm/Central
Station Applicable Regulations and Official Policies Guidelines of the fire rescue
department.
Sec. 9-43. - Fire alarm system certification requirements.
(1) The applicant for a required fire alarm installation permit shall submit to fire rescue
services department for review, along with the permit application, documentation
listing the NRTL central station for the alarm system and provide documentation of
NRTL certification at time of acceptance testing of the fire alarm system or added
components.
(2) The applicant must demonstrate that the fire alarm monitoring will be performed by a
NRTL certified/listed central station.
(3) All required NRTL certificated/listed fire alarm systems must maintain NRTL
compliance and NRTL monitoring.
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Sec. 9-44. False alarms.
False alarms are defined, and fees, therefore, are as provided for in Chapter 9 of the Town
Code.
Sec. 9-45. Limitation of liability.
Neither the town nor any of its officers and agents shall be under any obligation or duty to
an alarm user or to any other person. The town specifically disclaims liability for any
damages, injuries, or losses caused by or resulting from a failure to respond to an alarm.
ARTICLE VII. FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
Sec. 9-46. Applicability.
Chapter 9, Fire Protection Systems, of the Florida Building Code is supplemented as
follows:
(1) The requirements of this article shall apply to all newly constructed buildings,
structures, and installations.
(2) The requirements of this article shall also apply to any existing building or structure if
a level 2 or level 3 alteration occurs, as defined in the Florida Building Code.
Sec. 9-47. Definitions.
For the purpose of this article, the following words, terms, and phrases shall have the
meanings given in this section, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
Approved double check valve assembly is an assembly of two (2) independently
operating check valves with Outside Stem and Yoke (“O.S. & Y”) valves on each side of
the check valves, plus properly located test cocks for the testing of each check valve. The
assembly shall be listed in the "UL Fire Protection Equipment Directory" under "Backflow
Special Check Valve Devices (BAEU)." The O.S. & Y valves shall be listed in the "UL Fire
Protection Equipment Directory" under "Gate Valve (HMRZ)." The assembly shall be
installed in the horizontal position, outside, above ground and shall be readily accessible
for maintenance, testing and inspection. The O.S. & Y valves shall be supervised with
properly installed tamper switches connected to the fire alarm system. The O.S. & Y valves
shall also be secured with a chain and two interlocked padlocks, one of which shall be a
Master lock, issued by the fire department, painted red, for fire rescue department access.
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Fire Rescue Services department connections shall not be directly attached to the
assembly.
Approved dual check valve assembly is a listed assembly of two (2) independently
operating check valves. For fire main use a single O.S. & Y valve shall be installed on the
supply side of the approved dual check valve. The O.S. & Y valve shall serve as the main
control valve for the fire protection system. The assembly shall be installed in the
horizontal position, outside, above ground, and shall be readily accessible for
maintenance and inspection. The O.S. & Y valve shall be secured with a chain and a
Master lock, issued by the fire department.
Fire main is that pipe, and its appurtenances, on private property between a source
of water and the base of the riser for the automatic fire sprinkler systems, open fire
sprinkler systems, fixed water spray systems, fire standpipe systems and/or inlets to
firefighting foam making systems. When connected to the public water system, the fire
main begins at the supply side of the approved double check valve assembly or the
approved dual check valve assembly. On NFPA 13D systems, the fire main begins at the
point where the water supply line for the fire sprinkler system splits from the domestic
water service.
Sec. 9-48. Backflow prevention for fire protection systems.
An approved DDCV assembly shall be installed on all fire mains serving all structures,
except single-family homes and duplexes, as provided in NFPA 13, NFPA 13R and NFPA
13D. An approved dual check valve assembly shall be installed on all fire mains serving
one- and two-family dwellings (NFPA 13D).
Previously approved post indicator valves (“PIV”) shall be kept locked with a #2396
key Master lock. Previously approved PIV’s shall be changed to double detector check
valve (“DDCV”) assemblies meeting the requirements of this section when they are
determined to be out of service and in need of replacement.
Sec. 9-49. Fire mains.
Fire main taps connected to the public water system shall be sized for, and serve, only
the building for which they were installed. Fire main taps shall not be shared with other
buildings. Fire mains shall be constructed of class 52 ductile iron pipe (DIP) or other pipe
UL listed for underground fire main use, as approved by the fire rescue department. Fire
main taps may be shared only where a single fire pump is shared in accordance with
section 9-50. Fire mains shall only enter a building above ground and through an exterior
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wall. Fire mains shall not run under foundations or footers. In high-rise buildings (as
defined in the Florida Fire Prevention Code and the Florida Building Code), fire main
configurations shall be in accordance with the Florida Building Code, Chapter 4. Any
alternative fire main configurations shall be subject to the approval of the fire chief or
designee at the time of initial permit application.
Sec. 9-50. Fire pumps.
Fire pumps installed in buildings to meet requirements for standpipes or hydraulic demand
of the fire sprinkler system shall be provided with a secondary source of power (emergency
generator) if such system is provided. Fire pumps shall serve only the building or structure
for which they were installed and shall not be shared with other buildings or structures,
except that a single fire pump may be shared between a building and up to two (2) parking
structures if all the following are provided:
(a) All buildings and structures are under the same ownership.
(b) A "unity of title" for the buildings and structures is provided before the installation
permit is issued.
(c) The fire mains serving each building/structure are installed underground in
accordance with NFPA 24, and this article.
Sec. 9-51. Fire protection system closet.
(1) A fire protection system closet shall be provided for all buildings and structures
equipped with a fire alarm or fire sprinkler protection.
(a) The closet shall house the fire sprinkler system riser, all appropriate control
valves, all appropriate flow and tamper switches, the fire alarm system control
panel, annunciator panel, annunciator map/legend and the transmitter/control
unit. As provided in the FFPC and NFPA 72, portions of the fire alarm system may
be located elsewhere in the building subject to approval by the fire rescue
department.
(b) The annual fire alarm registration and copies of the most recent fire alarm, and
fire sprinkler, inspection reports shall be posted in the closet.
(c) The closet shall not be used for storage and shall not be used for any other
electrical, plumbing, or mechanical equipment.
(d) The minimum size of the closet shall be two feet (2’) deep by four feet (4’) wide,
which shall be increased to accommodate the provided equipment.
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(e) The closet shall be separated from all other portions of the building with one (1)-
hour fire resistive construction as a minimum. The closet shall be located along
an outside wall near the fire primary fire department access, at grade, with access
from an outside swinging door, which need not be fire rated.
(f) The door shall be labeled with a sign that reads "Fire Protection Closet." The
closet shall be kept locked at all times. A key box approved by the fire and life
safety division shall be installed on the outside wall, within three feet (3’) of the
closet. The key box shall be installed forty-two inches (42") to forty-eight inches
(48") above grade. The key box shall be sized appropriately such that the keys,
access cards, fobs, and other contents fit inside in a manner that is practical for
fire rescue department personnel to open and close with ease. The key box shall
contain a key to access the closet, all the keys necessary to control the fire alarm
system, and keys to access the building and other important areas, including but
not limited to, electrical rooms, fire pump rooms, elevator machine rooms, roof
access, hazardous materials storage areas, etc. The property owner may provide
additional keys for access to other areas of the building as appropriate.
(g) A weatherproof horn/strobe or speaker/strobe shall be installed directly above the
key box at a height easily seen upon approach to the area.
(h) The closet shall be designed and constructed so as to provide and maintain an
air-conditioned temperature of no greater than eighty (80) degrees Fahrenheit.
(2) Fire protection system closets are not required in high rise buildings and other
buildings where a fire pump room and a fire control room are required or provided.
Fire protection system closets are not required for fire sprinkler systems provided in
single family homes and duplexes.
Sec. 9-52. - Fire rescue services department connections (FDC).
(1) A single 2½-inch freestanding fire rescue department connection located within fifty
(50) feet of a fire hydrant shall be provided on all NFPA 13R fire sprinkler systems
with twenty (20) or more fire sprinkler heads.
(2) A double (Siamese) 2½-inch freestanding fire rescue department connection located
within fifty (50) feet of fire hydrant shall be provided on all NFPA 13 fire sprinkler
systems with twenty (20) or more fire sprinkler heads.
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(3) Two double (Siamese) 2½-inch freestanding fire rescue department connections,
each located within fifty (50) feet of a fire hydrant shall be provided on all the following
fire sprinkler systems:
(a) Light hazard and ordinary hazard NFPA 13 fire sprinkler systems with four
hundred (400) or more fire sprinkler heads.
(b) Extra hazard NFPA 13 fire sprinkler systems with two hundred (200) or more fire
sprinkler heads.
(c) On special fire protection systems or situations as designated by the fire chief or
designee.
(4) Multiple fire rescue services connections shall be installed in locations as remote as
possible from each other, as approved by the fire chief or designee.
Sec. 9-53. Hose connections as a part of fire sprinkler systems.
(1) Approved 2½-inch fire department hose connections, in accordance with NFPA 13
sec. 8.16.5.2, shall be installed in buildings and structures as follows:
(a) All one (1)-story buildings with a floor area of 52,000 square feet or more.
(b) All two (2)-story buildings with a combined floor area of 52,000 square feet or
more.
(c) All three (3)-story buildings with a combined floor area of 52,000 square feet or
more.
(2) Hose connections shall be fed from an adjoining sprinkler zone on the same floor or
from a sprinkler zone on a different floor. Hose connections may be fed directly from
the riser ahead of a zone valve. All hose connections, including those that are part of
a standpipe system, shall be installed at locations approved by the fire chief or
designee, such that all areas of the building can be reached with one hundred feet
(100’) of hose and twenty-five feet (25’) of fire stream throw. Hose connections shall
be equipped with caps to protect hose threads.
(3) Class I standpipe systems shall be provided with 2½" hose connections in the
following locations:
(a) On the inside of the stairwell at each landing.
(b) On the outside of the stairwell at each landing.
(c) On each side of the wall adjacent to the opening of horizontal exits.
(d) On the roof, near the point where the stairwell terminates. This shall be a double
2½" hose connection. It shall be provided with a UL or FM listed gauge.
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(e) At other locations required by the fire chief or a designee.
(4) All standpipe systems permitted and installed shall be a manual wet system, or
automatic wet system, based on occupancy code requirements, as defined by the
FBC or NFPA 14, Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems.
Sec. 9-54. Automatic Wet Fire Sprinklers.
(1) All new buildings or structures, including one- and two-family dwellings, 7,500 square
feet and larger shall be provided with a wet automatic fire sprinkler system in
accordance with the requirements in NFPA 13, 13R, or 13D.
(2) All new buildings or structures, including one- and two-family dwellings, three (3) or
more occupiable stories in height shall be provided with a wet automatic fire sprinkler
system in accordance with the requirements in NFPA 13, 13R, or 13D).
ARTICLE VIII. ENFORCEMENT
Sec. 9-55. Enforcement authority.
The fire chief or his/her designee shall have the authority to conduct investigations and to
do all other things necessary to enforce the provisions in this chapter.
Sec. 9-56. Violations.
Failure to comply with any provisions of this chapter shall be deemed a violation.
Sec. 9-57. Penalty for violations.
Any person or entity violating the provisions of this chapter shall be punishable as provided
in the Florida Fire Prevention Code, and as otherwise authorized by the town code,
including, but not limited to, section 1-9 and through the initiation of code enforcement
proceedings.
Section 3. The Town Commission hereby repeals Section 35-11, “Florida Fire Prevention
Code,” in its entirety.
Section 4. Severability. The provisions of this Ordinance are declared to be severable
and if any section, sentence, clause, or phrase of this Ordinance shall for any reason be held to
be invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining sections,
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sentences, clauses, and phrases of this Ordinance but they shall remain in effect, it being the
legislative intent that this Ordinance shall stand notwithstanding the invalidity of any part.
Section 5. Repeal of Laws in Conflict. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict
herewith are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict.
Section 6. Codification. Section 2 of the Ordinance shall be made a part of the Town
Code of Ordinance and may be re-numbered or re-lettered to accomplish such.
Section 7. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall be effective immediately upon adoption
at second reading and shall apply prospectively only.
The foregoing Ordinance was moved by __________________________________, seconded
by ________________________________ and upon being put to the vote, the vote was as
follows:
AYE NAY
Mayor Natasha Moore ____ ____
Vice Mayor David Stern ____ ____
Commissioner Don Peters ____ ____
Commissioner Judith Goldberg ____ ____
Commissioner Evalyn David ____ ____
PASSED on first reading at the Regular Commission meeting held on this _____ day of
_________________, 2023.
The foregoing Ordinance was moved by _________________________________, seconded
by ________________________________ and upon being put to the vote, the vote was as
follows:
AYE NAY
Mayor Natasha Moore ____ ____
Vice Mayor David Stern ____ ____
Commissioner Don Peters ____ ____
Commissioner Judith Goldberg ____ ____
Commissioner Evalyn David ____ ____
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PASSED AND ADOPTED on second and final reading at the Regular Commission meeting held
on this _____ day of _________________, 2023.
ATTEST:
By:
Lanelda Gaskins, MMC
Town Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
By: _________________________________
Glen J. Torcivia, Town Attorney
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TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
MEETING TYPE: Town Commission Meeting
MEETING DATE July 18, 2023
SUBMITTED BY: Matt Welhaf, Assistant Fire Chief
SUBJECT: AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA,
ADOPTING THE CURRENT EDITION OF THE FLORIDA FIRE
PREVENTION CODE AND PROVIDING FOR LOCAL AMENDMENTS;
PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT;
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND CODIFICATION; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
SUMMARY:
The Town is in the process of adopting an update to our local fire prevention ordinance.
Pursuant to Chapter 633, Florida Statutes, every three years the State Fire Marshal adopts an
updated Florida Fire Prevention Code, which establishes the statewide minimum fire safety
code and incorporates Florida editions of the National Fire Protection Association’s Fire Code
(NFPA 1 Fire Code) and Life Safety Code (NFPA 101 Life Safety Code).
The Florida Fire Prevention Code adopted by the State Fire Marshal shall be deemed adopted
by, and shall be enforced by, local governments with fire safety responsibilities as the minimum
fire safety code. Local governments are authorized to adopt more stringent local amendments
to the Florida Fire Prevention Code, which strengthen the requirements of the minimum fire
safety code.
Attached are the proposed local amendments for the Town of Highland Beach to the Florida
Fire Prevention Code, which were prepared by Town Staff and the Fire Marshal.
The ordinance is before the Commission for introduction and discussion. The first reading is
scheduled for August 1st, 2023. Based upon approval of the first reading, the ordinance will
then be advertised in accordance with Florida statutes and presented to the Commission for
second read/final adoption on August 15th, 2023.
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A
ATTACHMENTS:
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Proposed Ordinance
Town of Highland Beach Local Amendments to the Florida Fire Prevention Code
RECOMMENDATION:
Commission discussion.
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TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
PROPOSED ORDINANCE
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA,
REPEALING CHAPTER 9, “FIRE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION,”
OF THE TOWN CODE OF ORDINANCES IN ITS ENTIRETY AND
SIMULTANEOUSLY ADOPTING A NEW CHAPTER 9 TO REFERENCE
THE CURRENT EDITION OF THE FLORIDA FIRE PREVENTION CODE
AND ADOPT LOCAL AMENDMENTS THERETO; REPEALING
SECTION 35-11, “FLORIDA FIRE PREVENTION CODE ,” OF THE
TOWN CODE OF ORDINANCES; PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF
ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY
AND CODIFICATION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the Town of Highland Beach, Florida (the “Town”), is a duly constituted
municipality having such power and authority conferred upon it by the Fl orida Constitution and
Chapter 166, Florida Statutes; and
WHEREAS, the Town is in the process of establishing a Fire Rescue Department
responsible for overseeing and enforcing the Florida Fire Prevention Code within the Town; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapter 633, Florida Statutes, every three years the State Fire
Marshall adopts an updated Florida Fire Prevention Code, which establishes the statewide
minimum fire safety code and incorporates Florida editions of the National Fire Protection
Association’s Fire Code (NFPA 1 Fire Code) and Life Safety Code (NFPA 101 Life Safety Code);
and
WHEREAS, Chapter 633, Florida Statutes, provides that the updated Florida Fire
Prevention Code adopted by the State Fire Marshall shall be deemed adopted by, and shall be
enforced by, local governments with fire safety responsibilities as the minimum fire safety code;
and
WHEREAS, Chapter 633, Florida Statutes authorizes local governments to adopt more
stringent local amendments to the Florida Fire Prevention Code which stre ngthen the
requirements of the minimum fire safety code; and
WHEREAS, Town Staff and the Town’s Fire Marshal have recommended that the Town
adopt the most recent version of the Florida Fire Prevention Code and local amendments to the
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Code, and the Town Commission determines that such local amendments are more stringent
than and strengthen the minimum fire safety code and that the adoption of such amendments
serves a public purpose and is in the best interest of the public health, safety , and welfare of the
Town of Highland Beach.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN
OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, AS FOLL OWS:
Section 1. The foregoing facts and recitations contained in the preamble to this
Ordinance are hereby adopted and incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
Section 2. The Town Commission hereby repeals Chapter 9, “Fire Prevention and
Protection,” of the Town Code of Ordinances in its entirety and simultaneously adopts a new
Chapter 9 to read as follows:
ARTICLE I. CODES AND STANDARDS
Sec. 9-1. Codes and Standards—Adopted.
(1) The town adopts by reference and incorporates into this code as though fully set
out herein, that certain code known as the Florida Fire Prevention Code (8th
edition) (“FFPC”), except as provided in this chapter.
(2) The town adopts by reference and incorporates into this code, as though fully set
out herein, those additional specific standards and codes published by the National
Fire Protection Agency (“NFPA”) and set forth below:
NFPA 18 2017 Standard for Wetting Agents
NFPA 22 2018 Standard for Water Tanks for Private Fire Protection
NFPA 53 2016 Recommended Practice on Materials, Equipment, and Systems Used
in Oxygen-Enriched Atmospheres
NFPA 67 2019 Guide on Explosive Protection for Gaseous Mixtures in Pipe Systems
NFPA 69 2019 Standard on Explosion Protection Systems
NFPA 102 2016 Standard for Grandstands, Folding and Telescopic Seating, Tents, and
Membrane Structures
NFPA 105 2019 Standard for Smoke Control Door Assemblies and Other Opening
Protectives
NFPA 115 2020 Standard for Laser Fire Protection
NFPA 140 2018 Standard for Motion Picture and TV Production Facilities
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NFPA 160 2016 Standard for the Use of Flame Effects Before an Audience
NFPA 170 2018 Standard for Fire Safety and Emergency Symbols
NFPA 204 2018 Standard for Smoke and Heat Venting
NFPA 241 2019 Standard for Safeguarding Construction, Alteration, and Demolition
Operations
NFPA 287 2017 Standard Test Methods for Flammability of Materials in Clean Rooms
NFPA 291 2019 Recommended Practice for Fire Flow Testing and Marking of Hydrants
NFPA 302 2020 Fire Protection Standard for Pleasure and Commercial Motor Craft
NFPA 306 2019 Standard for Control of Gas Hazards on Vessels
NFPA 496 2017 Standard for Purged Pressurized Enclosures for Electrical Equipment
NFPA 502 2020 Standard for Road Tunnels, Bridges, and Limited Access Highways
NFPA 601 2020 Standard for Security Services in Fire Loss Prevention
NFPA 720 2015 Standard for the Installation of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detection and
Warning Equipment
NFPA 780 2020 Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems
NFPA 801 2020 Standard for Facilities Handling Radioactive Materials
NFPA 820 2020 Standard for Fire Protection and Wastewater Treatment and Collection
Facilities
NFPA 914 2019 Code for the Protection of Historic Structures
NFPA 1225 2022 Standard for Emergency Services Communication
NFPA 1961 2020 Standard on Fire Hose
NFPA 1962 2018 Standard for Care, Use, Inspection, Service Testing, and Replacement
of Fire Hose, Couplings, Nozzles, and Fire Hose Appliances
NFPA 2001 2018 Standard on Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems
Sec. 9-2. Inspections, Testing, and Maintenance.
The town hereby adopts the following local amendments to the FFPC:
(1) All systems, equipment, tanks, piping, devices, appliances, controls, or storage
facilities over which the code contains regulatory provisions, or which are required
by any other law shall always be maintained in a working, compliant condition.
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(2) All fire sprinklers, standpipe, fire pump, and all other fire suppression systems shall
be maintained under a written service contract with service companies licensed by
the State of Florida to provide such services. Regular inspection, maintenance , and
testing of these required systems shall be completed in accordance with the
applicable standards specified under the FFPC, NFPA 1, NFPA 13, 13D, 13R,
NFPA 14, NFPA 17, NFPA 17A. NFPA 20, NFPA 24, NFPA 25, NFPA 33, NFPA
90A and 90B, NFPA 91, NFPA 92, NFPA 92A and 92B, NFPA 96, and NFPA 2001,
and all state laws and local ordinances. All reports related to fire protection system
inspection, testing, and maintenance shall be reported to the f ire rescue
department, through an internet-based fire inspection reporting system approved
by the town. Any report not submitted through the town’s internet reporting system
will not be accepted.
(3) The service company performing the inspections, maintenance and tests referred
to in subsection (2) above shall forward all reports to the fire rescue department
detailing:
(a) The nature of any deficiencies and/or impairments identified and the repai rs,
modifications and/or corrections completed by the service company ;
(b) The date and time of all inspections, maintenance, tests, and repairs; and
(c) Any other information that may be requested or required by the town’s fire
rescue services department.
(4) A copy of all required inspection and deficiency reports shall be provided to the
building representative and kept in the fire command room , fire protection closet (if
provided), or at a designated location approved by the fire marshal. The reports
shall be available at all times to fire rescue personnel.
ARTICLE II. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS.
Sec. 9-3. Response to discharges of hazardous substances—Response costs.
(1) For the purpose of this section, the following words and phrases sha ll have the
meanings given herein:
(a) Discharge shall mean any intentional or unintentional action or omission resulting
in the releasing, spilling, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, or dumping of a
hazardous substance upon public or private propert y located within the corporate
limits of the town.
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(b) Hazardous substances shall mean any substances or materials in a quantity or
form which, in the determination of the town, poses an unreasonable and
imminent risk to the life, health, safety , or welfare of persons or property within
the town, or poses a risk of harm to the environment, and shall include but not be
limited to those substances listed in the National Fire Protection Association
Guide on Hazardous Materials, the Environmental Protection Agency's list of
extremely hazardous substances (40 C.F.R. § 335 Appx. A), or the Florida
Substance List promulgated by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
(c) Response actions shall mean any activity which is carried out in response to any
discharge or potential discharge of a hazardous substance, including:
1. Actions necessary for the cleanup or removal of discharged hazardous
substances from the environment;
2. Actions necessary to reduce and/or eliminate the threat of discharge of
hazardous substances into the environment;
3. Actions necessary to investigate, monitor, assess, and evaluate the
discharge or potential discharge of hazardous substances;
4. Actions necessary for the disposal of removed material; and
5. Actions necessary to prevent, minimize, or mitigate damage to the public
health, safety, or welfare or to the environm ent, which may otherwise result
from a discharge or threatened discharge. Response actions also include
the provision of security fencing or other means to limit access, the
provision of alternative water supplies, temporary evacuation of potential
individuals, and restoration of the site to pre-discharge conditions.
(d) Response costs shall mean any costs incurred in undertaking response actions.
Response costs shall not include costs incurred for actual fire suppression
services which are regularly prov ided by the town or its authorized agents,
except where a fire is caused or exacerbated by discharge of hazardous
materials.
(2) The town is hereby authorized to undertake response actions in the event of
discharges or potential discharges of hazardous substances upon or into public or
private property or facilities located within the corporate limits of the town.
(3) When engaging in a response action caused by the unauthorized discharge or
potential discharge of hazardous substances, the town shall keep a detailed record
of the response costs.
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(4) Any person or entity responsible for causing or allowing an unauthorized discharge
or potential discharge of hazardous substances that requires response actions by
the town or its authorized agents shall reimburse the town for the full cost of all
response actions. Reimbursement shall be made within thirty (30) days after
receipt of an itemized bill for response costs from the town.
(6) Any person or entity responsible for causing or allowing an unauthorized discharge
or potential discharge of hazardous substances that results in the town incurring
response costs and who fails to reimburse the town for such response costs within
the time set forth herein shall be subject to a late fee in the amount of ten percent
(10%) of the total amount of the response costs after thirty (30) days. Thereafter,
the late fee assessed on the unpaid balance shall be increased by two percent
(2%) for each additional thirty (30) day period until the full amount, including any
applic able late fee, is paid.
(7) The remedy provided for in this section shall be supplemental to and in addition to
all other available remedies at law or in equity.
ARTICLE III. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 9-4. Burning permit.
It shall be unlawful for anyone to set a fire on any lot, street, alley or other public or private
place within the corporate limits of the town without first obtaining a permit to do so from
the fire rescue department and paying all fees specified in the town’s municipal facilities
and services user fee schedule. The application shall be obtained from the department,
and it shall be reviewed for approval or rejection by the chief of the department or his/her
designee. Approved permits may be revoked by the department at any time if it is deemed
by the department, in its sole discretion, that changes in weather or other circumstances
render the fire a hazard or dangerous to the public in any manner.
Sec. 9-5. Illegal storage.
A determination that storage is illegal or in violation of this or other NFPA code(s) shall be
at the discretion of the f ire chief or his/her designee. Illegal storage, for the purpose of this
section, includes any material stored in an electrical room, in front of major electr ical
panels, fire pump rooms, fire command rooms (other than what is permitted by the Florida
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Building Code and the FFPC), fire protection closet, and similar areas. Such areas shall
be provided with signs indicating “No Storage.”
Sec. 9-6. Premises identification.
All new and existing buildings shall include signage that identifies the building address. All
such signs shall be permanent and shall meet the requirements NFPA 1. All such signage
shall be placed on buildings in such a manner that their addr ess numbers are plainly
legible and visible from the road or street fronting the property.
Sec. 9-7. Unit and Suite Identification.
All apartment units, condominium units, and business suites located in buildings,
regardless of occupancy type, shall include signage that identifies their number (or any
other identifying designation). All such signs shall be permanent and shall meet the
requirements NFPA 1. Units shall be distinguished and identified using numbers or letters,
or a combination thereof, in sequence. Proposed numbering or lettering schemes shall be
subject to review and approval by the fire chief or his/her designee. Identification signs
shall be located on the door of the unit, or the wall adjacent to the unit, such that it is visible
and legible to approaching fire rescue personnel. Signs located on a fire rated door or fire
rated wall shall not compromise the rating of the door or wall and shall not conflict with
manufacturers recommendations.
Sec. 9-8 Directional/Wayfinding Signs.
Approved directional signs shall be provided in corridors and other areas of the building,
as required to assist fire rescue service personnel. The location of directional signs shall
be at the discretion of the fire chief or his/her designee.
Sec. 9-9 thru 9-25 - Reserved.
Sec. 9-26. Fire lanes on private property.
(1) For the purpose of this chapter, a "fire lane" shall mean a space sufficient in width
and length to permit the parking of fire trucks and other firefighting apparatus and
located nearest to, or at the best location to permit firefighting operations for, a
building or structure.
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(2) Fire lanes shall be established and maintained on private property where the public
has the right to travel by motor vehicle and where the public is permitted by
invitation or by license to travel by motor vehicle, to the extent that any such fire
lane is necessary for the department to access buildings by fire trucks or other
firefighting apparatus, as more specifically provided in FFPC , NFPA 1, Chapter 18.
“Private property where the public has the right to travel by motor vehicle and where
the public is permitted by invitation or by license to travel by motor vehicle” shall
mean all parking lots, shopping plazas, and shopping centers, as well as all
commercial, industrial, single family, and multi-family residential areas.
(3) After notification by the fire rescue department to establish fire lanes on a particular
property, the owner or person in possession and control of the property shall submit
a site plan for the fire lanes on the property to the fire department for review and
approval of the design and location of the fire lanes. The site plan shall be drawn
to scale and shall show all related buildings, driveways, streets, and other
information necessary to evaluate the sufficiency of the fire lanes.
(4) Approval of fire lanes by the fire rescue department shall constitute authorization
for the person owning, or in possession and control of, any such property to install
required official signs and necessary pavement markings prohibiting the stopping,
standing, or parking of motor vehicles within the fire lanes, and the posting of the
fire lanes as tow-away zones. Such signs and necessary pavement marking and
striping shall be furnished and installed by the ow ner or person in possession and
control of the property at their own cost. The owner or person in possession and
control of the property shall thereafter be responsible for the maintenance of the
signs, markings, and striping of the required fire lanes.
(5) All fire lane signs required by and installed pursuant to this section shall have red
lettering, not less than two inches (2”) or more than three inches (3”) in height, on
a white background. Each sign shall be twelve inches (12”) wide by eighteen inches
(18”) in height and shall be consistent with the manual on uniform traffic control
devices of the state department of transportation and Chapter 18 of NFPA 1, 8th
edition).
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Sec. 9-27. Use of outdoor cooking appliances.
(1) This section shall apply to all buildings and structures, except two-family dwellings
of one-story design, and single-family dwellings. This section shall not apply to
commercial cooking appliances.
(2) For the purpose of this section, an outdoor cooking appliance shall mean any
portable and non-portable cooking appliance, grill, stove, or smoker, fueled, or
powered by electricity, wood, charcoal, liquefied petroleum gas, natural gas,
gasoline, kerosene, naphtha, alcohol, or other liquid or gaseous fuel.
(3) Outdoor cooking appliances shall be operated a minimum of ten feet (10’) from the
exterior of buildings or structures.
(4) It shall be unlawful for any person to use or cause to be used any outdoor cooking
appliance on any balcony, within any screened enclosure, in any covered parking
area, in any corridor or hallway, under any overhang or within any area of any
building or structure; notwithstanding the foregoing, a tabletop or countertop
electric grill, with a cooking surface that is two hundred (200) square inches or less
in size, may be used on a balcony, as long as the balcony is not enclosed or within
a screened enclosure. This requirement also applies to one-and two-family
dwellings.
Sec. 9-28. Closing of private driveways, roadways, and entrances.
It shall be unlawful for any person to have or cause to have any driveway, roadway , or
entrance barricaded or blocked by obstacles which would interfere with the response of
the fire rescue department or other emergency vehicles. If an existing building requires a
change of access, the owners shall provide revised life safety plans and obtain a permit
from the town.
Sec. 9-29. Processes deemed hazardous to life and property.
(1) The fire chief or fire marshal may issue an order for the immediate cessa tion of any
activity, operation, or process, when such operation, activity, or process constitutes
a severe and immediate hazard to persons or property.
(2) No person who, after being served with either a verbal or written order to cease
such severe and immediate hazardous activity, operation, or process, shall fail or
refuse to comply with such an order.
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Sec. 9-30. Evacuation of occupied buildings or structures.
In accordance with the Florida Fire Prevention Code, NFPA 1, sec. 1.7.16, the fire chief,
the fire marshal, a fire inspector, or any department officer may order the immediate
evacuation of any occupied building or structure or assembly area when such building,
structure or assembly area is deemed hazardous due to a fire hazard, obstruction to ex its,
overcrowding of the premises, or any other hazard or potential which presents immediate
and life-threatening danger to the occupants. The premises, or any portion thereof, may
not be reoccupied until it has been examined and deemed free of the hazard or potential
hazard that caused the evacuation to be ordered.
Sec. 9-31. Fireworks, pyrotechnic special effects, flame effects.
(1) The discharge, firing or use of the following fireworks products are prohibited inside
buildings, tents, structures, and other enclosed spaces:
(a) Firecrackers, rockets, torpedoes, roman candles or other fireworks or substances
designed and intended for pyrotechnic display, and of cap guns, starter pistols,
canes, cannons, or other appliances (other than a “firearm” as defined in Fla. Stat.
§ 790.001) using blank cartridges or caps containing chlorate or potash mixture;
(b) Pyrotechnic special effects including, but are not limited to, chemical mixtures
used in the entertainment industry to produce visible, audible, or thermal effects
by combustion, deflagration, or detonation; and
(c) Flame effects including, but not limited to, batons, and/or torches fueled by liquid,
solid or gaseous fuels, flame projectors which produce heat effects and/or flames,
flash powders composed of fuel(s) and oxidizer(s), flares. and similar devices.
(2) Except as provided in section 791.08, Florida Statutes, a permit shall be obtained
from the town manager or his/her designee, prior to any outdoor use of fireworks,
pyrotechnic special effects, flame effects, and/or any other fireworks item identified in
section 1 above. The application for a permit shall be on a town form and payment of
an application fee shall be required. The town manager or his/her designee may
include conditions in the permit, including but not limited to additional inspection fees,
to ensure compliance with all applicable requirements herein and state law or to
protect the public health, safety, and welfare.
(3) The permit applicant shall furnish with its application proof of financial responsibility in
the form of liability insurance. Such liability insurance shall have a minimum of
$1,000,000.00 coverage for each occurrence and shall provide coverage for all claims
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for damages to property or personal injuries, including death, arising out of the use of
the fireworks. Additionally, the applicant shall provide the town with an endorsement
from its insurer that names the town, and its officers and employees, as an additional
insured and shall otherwise be in a form acceptable to the town.
(4) The outdoor use of fireworks shall be in accordance with NFPA 1123 and NFPA 1124.
Sec. 9-32. Public Safety Radio Communication System.
In all newly constructed buildings, a minimum radio signal strength for public safety radio
signals shall be required within the building. Installation and signal strength shall be the
minimum requirements per NFPA 1225 (2022 edition), Chapter 18 (In-Building Emergency
Responder Communication Enhancement Systems) or as otherwise specified by the town.
In all new and existing buildings, as outlined in Section 633.202(18), Florida Statutes, that
cause a reduction of Emergency Responder Communication signals below the acceptable
level for reliable communications, a two-way radio enhancement system shall be required.
In buildings where phone jacks are required as part of an alarm system, a two-way radio
enhancement system shall be installed and maintained by the building owner, in lieu of
the phone jacks.
Sec. 9-33. Rubbish and linen chutes.
New buildings with a chute or chutes for trash, linen, or any other building services requires
fire sprinkler protection, and all such chutes shall be provided with a riser for the purposes
of complete isolation from the remainder of the building’s fire sprinkler system. The valve
to isolate the riser shall be supervised.
Sec. 9-34. Liquefied Petroleum Gas Containers.
All containers installed for the storage, handling, transportation, and use of liquefied
petroleum gas shall comply with the requirements of NFPA 58.
(1) Containers shall not be filled prior to rough-in inspection without the prior approval of
the fire chief or his/her designee.
(2) Underground tanks shall be visually inspected prior to back filling the location of
installation.
(3) Tanks installed within ten feet (10’) of a public vehicular thoroughfare or designated
parking location shall be provided with vehicular barrier protection.
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(4) Tanks installed under a driveway or designated parking area shall be a non -
interchangeable underground tank.
(5) Tanks installed under a driveway or designated parking area shall be provided with a
shroud that allows the tank to be installed at least eighteen inches (18”) below grade.
(6) Tanks installed under a driveway or designated parking area shall be provided with a
protective dome or cover, engineered to protect the tank valve assembly, and support
the weight of parked or moving vehicles.
ARTICLE III. ELEVATORS
Sec. 9-35. Dimensions and control of automatic elevators.
In all buildings three stories or more in height erected, after November 23, 1993, which
are equipped with automatic elevators, all elevators of the structure shall be arranged for
emergency use (firefighter's service) by department personnel. At all times, and
regardless of circumstances, elevators shall remain operable and available for emergency
use by department personnel. The control of all automatic elevators shall meet the
requirements as set forth under Chapter 61-5C, “Florida Elevator Safety Code,” Florida
Administrative Code. In addition to these requirements, the following specifications shall
be met:
(1) Emergency auxiliary power required.
(a) Emergency auxiliary electrical power shall be provided for all elevators equipped
with the key switch service for department personnel. The auxiliary power supply
shall be capable of supplying power to the elevators for a period of at least twenty -
four (24) hours. The auxiliary power supply shall be approved by the fire rescue
department.
(b) Emergency auxiliary power shall remain on for the service car in use by
firefighters regardless of selection switch devices, which may also be installed to
rotate emergency power to other cars in the building.
(c) No more than ten (10) seconds shall be required for the auxiliary power to be in
full operation and the operation of the emergency power supply shall
automatically transfer to the firefighters' service car.
(d) A maintenance schedule shall be maintained in the generator equipment room to
record all tests and operation of such auxiliary power equipment. At all times, the
records shall be posted and available to the fire rescue services department.
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(e) All auxiliary power equipment and automatic transfer apparatus shall be tested
weekly.
(f) For all buildings which are designed and constructed having multiple separate
towers, each tower shall be treated as though it were a separate building.
(2) Key switch operation (firefighter's service).
(a) As used in this section, authorized personnel shall mean the f ire c hief and any f ire
rescue department officer designated in writing by the f ire chief as authorized to
possess the standard emergency elevator control key or key to a keykeeper box.
(b) A keykeeper box shall be installed adjacent to all firefighter's service elevators.
The performance standards of the keykeeper box shall equal or exceed those of
the Bommer key -keeper box, type 5620, F2828, or the AF Florence Manufacturing
Company KK Series Key Keeper Box. The key keeper box shall be equipped with
a lock that can be opened with the Emergency Response Region 7 Key (Yale Key
No. R-80833-2006-7).
(c) The standard emergency elevator control key shall be issued only to authorized
personnel.
(d) All buildings constructed following the adoption of this code regardless of the
number of stories, shall use the emergency elevator control key for Emergency
Response Region 7 (Yale Key No. R -80833-2006-7).
(e) Any building having undergone "substantial improvement," as defined in Section
161.54(12), Florida Statutes, must comply with subsection 9-35(2)(b) of this
Code.
(f) All elevators in the town shall utilize the Emergency Response Region 7 (Yale
Key No. R-80833-2006-7) key for the keykeeper box lock.
(3) Minimum size and weight capacity.
(a) Elevators shall have a platform with dimensions of at least six feet (6’) deep by
five feet (5’), five inches (5”) wide.
(b) Elevators shall have minimum headroom inside the car of at least seven feet (7’),
six inches(6”).
(c) Doors to elevators shall be at least six feet (6’), eight inches (8’) high by three feet
(3’) wide.
(d) Elevators shall have a weight capacity of at least 3,500 pounds.
(4) Emergency access keys.
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(a) A standard emergency access door key shall be provided to the department for
all elevators.
(b) An emergency key slot shall be located on each door on every floor or landing on
which each elevator can stop.
(5) A sign shall be posted directly above each elevator door on every floor, stating: "In
Case of Fire: Use Exit Stairways—Do Not Use This Elevator."
(a) The sign shall be at least two and one-half (2½) inches high by three and one-half
(3½) inches wide.
(b) The letters shall be of a color that contrasts with background.
(6) Emergency use elevator to be identified.
(a) Any elevator provided with the fire rescue department key switch and emergency
power shall be identified by a sign of at least three inches (3”) wide by two inches
(2”) high displaying at least three-quarter (3/4) inch letters with the following
information: "Fire Rescue Services Department Emergency Power."
(b) The background of the sign shall be red with white letters.
(c) The sign shall be posted in the center of the door frame directly above the door
opening on the floor where the key switch is located.
ARTICLE IV. PERMITS
Sec. 9-36. Examination of building permits.
(1) This section shall not apply to single-family or duplex residential units, except where
the installation of fire suppression systems, fire alarm systems, or liquified petroleum
fuel tanks, are proposed, or are required by this code, the Florida Building Code or
the FFPC.
(2) Any plans and/or specification submitted as part of an application for any building
permit for new construction, demolition, moving of existing buildings, or renovation of
existing structures shall comply with Section 1.14 of the Florida Fire Prevention Code,
8th Edition, and Subtitle 61-G15 of the Florida Administrative Code, as applicable,
and examined and approved by the fire rescue department. Each set of plans and
specifications submitted for approval pursuant to this section must also include all
required fire permit applications.
(3) The fire rescue department shall provide review comments following rejection of any
submitted plans.
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(4) The owner of any new building or any existing building undergoing a level 2 or level 3
alteration, as defined by the Florida Building Code (“FBC”), or extensive modification
or reconstruction pursuant to the FFPC, shall provide floor plan drawings on a media
type specified by the fire rescue department for the purpose of pre-fire planning. This
shall be required prior to issuance of the temporary certificate of occupancy or
certificate of occupancy, as applicable.
Sec. 9-37. Permits, fee schedule.
The following enumerated installations and activities require a permit from the f ire rescue
department. The applicable fees, as enumerated in the town municipal facilities and
services user fee schedule, shall be paid after the permit application is approved. Main
use building permits shall not be approved by the fire rescue services department for the
following uses until all necessary fire rescue department installation permits for special
systems and/or equipment have been applied for by the appropriate subcontractors and
issued by the fire rescue department, or as may be specifically approved by the fire chief
or a designee.
(1) Motor vehicle painting—Spray booths and bake ovens.
(2) Gas and fuel-oil-fired outdoor equipment.
(3) Elevators.
(4) Liquid petroleum or natural gas storage.
(5) Flammable or combustible liquid storage.
(6) Flammable or combustible liquid dispensing.
(7) Fire alarm systems.
(8) Fixed automatic fire protection systems.
(9) Automatic fire sprinkler systems.
(10) Standpipe systems, independent or part of sprinkler system.
(11) Fire pumps.
(12) Required emergency generators.
(13) Fire hydrant flow test.
(14) Hazardous substances storage.
(15) Fireworks display (see sec. 9-31).
(16) Outdoor burning (see sec. 9-3).
(17) BDA Systems – 2-way radio enhancement systems / Bi-Directional Amplification.
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Sec. 9-37. Work started without a permit.
(1) When work for which a permit is required by this chapter is started prior to issuance
of a fire rescue department permit, the permit fees herein specified shall be tripled.
(2) The payment of such fee shall not relieve any person from fully complying with the
requirements of this chapter in the execution of the work, nor from any other penalties
prescribed herein.
ARTICLE V. FIRE FLOW REQUIREMENTS
Sec. 9-38. Fire flow requirements.
(1) Intent. The intent of this section is to ensure an adequate water supply for fire
suppression by establishing minimum flow rates required to control and extinguish
fires that may occur within prescribed occupancy classifications. The requirements of
this section shall be applicable to public and private water systems, including
individual properties and land development projects.
(2) Required fire flow.
(a) The "required fire flow" is the rate of flow needed for firefighting purposes to
confine a major fire to the buildings within a block or other contiguous grouping.
The determination of this flow depends upon the size, construction, occupancy,
and exposure of buildings within and surrounding the block or group of buildings,
and upon the existence of automatic sprinkler protection. The determination of
required fire flow in each case shall be made by the fire chief, or a designee,
according to the criteria established by this section and by the Guide for
Determination of Required Fire Flow, published by the Insurance Services Office,
ISO Edition 06-2014, and as it may from time to time be amended, which are
adopted and incorporated herein by reference.
(b) The minimum required fire flow in the various zoning district classifications shall
be as listed in Table I at the end of this section. Where conditions indicate that
consideration must be given to possible simultaneous fires, as determined by the
fire chief utilizing the criteria established or adopted herein, an additional 1,000 to
8,000 gallons per minute shall be required. However, the maximum fire flow
requirement for any system shall be 12,000 gallons per minute. The required
minimum duration for fire flow for private fire protection systems not serviced by
the town shall be as listed in Table II at the end of this section. All required fire
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flow rates shall be in addition to the water flow rates necessary to supply the
needs of normal flow demands.
(3) Normal flow demands. Flow demands for design systems shall be calculated based
on full ultimate development as known or projected. The average daily flow for
domestic use shall be calculated pursuant to normal flow demand criteria as detailed
in the town utilities services department standards manual.
(4) Fire hydrants and fire flow requirements; exemptions and qualifications; interim
criteria.
(a) All new buildings and all existing buildings being altered to increase the area,
height, or occupancy shall have available the required number of fire hydrants as
specified in Table III at the end of this section connected to a public water supply
which meets the fire flow requirements specified in Tables I and II at the end of
this section, except as follows:
1. All duplex and single-family detached homes not requiring water main
extensions for domestic purposes. For purposes of this subsection, "water
main extension" shall mean the extension of a water supply system by
installation and construction of a new water main, six inches (6”) in diameter
or larger, as required by the public utility.
2. Additions to existing buildings and accessory buildings not exceeding twenty -
five percent (25%) of the square footage of existing structure, but in no event
greater than 5,000 square feet.
3. Neighborhood shopping centers with buildings totaling an area of less than
100,000 square feet with no building under one roof of more than 10,000
square feet, with no building exceeding two stories in height, and with at least
twenty -five-foot (25’) separations between buildings, shall meet fire flow
requirements of at least 1,250 gallons per minute.
4. Individual industrial or commercial buildings or structures not part of a
neighborhood shopping center or industrial park, less than 5,000 square feet
in area, and with low or ordinary hazard content shall meet a fire flow
requirement of at least 750 gallons per minute.
(b) If the rate of fire flow required under the terms of this section is not available from
the public utility at the time of application f or a building permit, and none of the
exemptions or qualifications in (a) through (c) above apply, then the following
interim criteria shall govern the issuance of building permits:
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1. Properties classified as having low hazard contents, and not exceeding two
(2) stories in height, will be required to provide a minimum of fifty percent
(50%) of the flow rate described in Table I for its zoning district at the end of
this section.
2. Properties classified as having ordinary hazard contents, and not exceeding
two (2) stories in height, will be required to provide a minimum of seventy
percent (70%) of the flow rate described in Table I for its zoning district at the
end of this section.
3. Properties classified as having low or ordinary hazard contents, and hav ing
more than two (2) stories but not exceeding five (5) stories in height, will be
required to provide a minimum of seventy -five percent (75%) of the flow rate
described in Table I for its zoning district at the end of this section.
4. Properties classified as having high hazard contents will be required to
provide one hundred percent (100%) of the flow rate described in Table I for
its zoning district at the end of this section.
5. All properties, in excess of five (5) stories in height, will be required to provide
one hundred percent (100%) of the flow rate described in Table I for its zoning
district.
6. As used herein, "low hazard contents," "ordinary hazard contents" and "high
hazard contents" shall be defined as set forth in Florida Fire Prevention Code
NFPA 101 section 6-2.2, which section is adopted and incorporated herein by
reference.
7. In all cases of new construction where less than the flow rate described in
Table I at the end of this section is permitted pursuant to the provisions of (b)
above, engineering and construction of new facilities to meet the total fire flow
requirements as described in Table I will be provided so that at the time the
public utility is capable of providing full fire flow, the properties receiving the
flow will be capable of utilizing the full fire flow provided by the utility.
8. In all cases wherein the interim criteria of (b) above are utilized, no less than
a 500-gallon-per-minute fire flow shall be permitted for any type of improved
property, and all f ire flow tests will be calculated with a minimum of twenty (20)
psi residual pressure remaining in the water main.
(5) Supplemental flow systems. If the minimum fire flow requirements set out in this
section cannot be met by the water supply utility, then the applicant for a building
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permit shall be required to supplement those flows through an on-site, or readily
available, system meeting the minimum fire flow requirements of this section and
meeting with the approval of the fire rescue services department.
(6) Extensions of time; bond. If the required fire flow is not available to allow an applicant
to obtain a certificate of occupancy, but it is determined by the fire rescue department
that system improvements are in process and are imminent so that the applicant will
be able to meet the fire flow requirements, then the fire rescue services department
may extend the time to meet the requirements of this section for an initial interim
period not to exceed ninety (90) days and may authorize a temporary certificate of
occupancy based thereon. In order to meet the fire flow requirements, a bond
sufficient to assure completion of the required system improvements shall be posted
by the applicant with the town manager. The amount of the bond shall be determined
by the fire rescue services department and shall be equivalent to two hundred (200)
percent of the cost to complete the fire flow improvements.
(7) Fire hydrants and fire hydrant branches.
(a) The location, number, and sizes of the fire hydrants, and fire hydrant branches,
shall be designated by the fire rescue department in accordance with Table III at
the end of this section.
(b) Fire hydrants of the approved municipal design and system pattern shall be
provided along all primary roadways and fire lanes throughout any proposed
project. When such development fronts on one or more existing public street(s),
fire hydrants shall be located along the public street(s) as well as throughout the
entire project. Spacing shall be measured along the actual route fire apparatus
will travel.
(c) Unobstructed access to fire hydrants, or on-site private systems, shall be provided
and maintained to accommodate firefighting apparatus.
(8) Distribution systems. The supply mains shall be of adequate size and have properly
arranged connections to the arterial mains, which shall extend throughout the system
and have numerous connections to the secondary feeders that supply the minor
distribution.
(9) Main sizes. Main sizes and system patterns shall be subject to approval of all
applicable agencies pursuant to fire and normal flow demand criteria. Design
standards shall be in conformance with current editions of the town utilities services
department standards manual.
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(10) Pressure. Sufficient pressures shall be provided within the system to maintain twenty
(20) psi residual pressure while providing required fire flows. In those cases where
system supply design and hydrant locations are capable of meeting full domestic,
commercial and f ire flow demands, residual pressures of ten (10) psi will be permitted.
(11) Violations. No person shall:
(a) Use or operate any fire hydrant or other valve on any fire system that is intended
for use by the town for any purpose unless a fire hydrant use permit has been
issued by the town to such person and such person complies with the appropriate
provisions of Chapter 29 of the Town Code of Ordinances.
(b) Remove, tamper with, or otherwise disturb any fire hydrant or firefighting
appliance except for the purpose of extinguishing fires, firefighting training, or
making necessary repairs, without first obtaining written approval by the fire
rescue services department.
TABLE I. REQUIRED FIRE FLOWS BY ZONING CLASSIFICATION (Defined in Section
30-62 of the Town Code)
Zoning Districts Requirement
Group 1: RE (Residential Single-Family
Estate Zoning District), RS (Residential
Single-Family Zoning District)
The system shall deliver not less than 500
gallons per minute at 20 psi residual on the
system. Each fire hydrant shall deliver not
less than 500 gallons per minute.
Group 2: RML (Residential Multiple-Family
Low -Density Zoning District)
The system shall deliver not less than 1,000
gallons per minute at 20 psi residual on the
system. Each fire hydrant shall deliver not
less than 750 gallons per minute.
Group 3: RMM (Residential Multiple-Family
Medium -Density Zoning District)
The system shall deliver not less than 1,500
gallons per minute at 20 psi residual on the
system. Each fire hydrant shall deliver not
less than 750 gallons per minute.
Group 4: RMH (Residential Multiple-Family
High-Density Zoning District)
The system shall deliver not less than 2,000
gallons per minute at 20 psi residual on the
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Zoning Districts Requirement
system. Each fire hydrant shall deliver not
less than 750 gallons per minute.
Group 5: GSD (Government Service
Zoning District)
The system shall deliver not less than 2,000
gallons per minute at 20 psi residual on the
system. Each fire hydrant shall deliver not
less than 1,000 gallons per minute.
TABLE II. REQUIRED DURATION FOR FIRE FLOW
Required Fire Flow
(gallons per minute)
Required Duration
(hours)
10,000 and greater 10.00
9,500 9
9,000 9
8,500 8
8,000 8
7,500 7
7,000 7
6,500 6
6,000 6
5,500 5
5,000 5
4,500 4
4,000 4
3,500 3
3,000 3
2,500 and less 2
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TABLE III. FIRE HYDRANT SPACING
Districts
Hydrant
Spacing
(feet)
1.00 Multifamily structures 2 or more stories in height 300.00
2.00 Commercial, industrial, and similar structures regardless of height 300.00
3.00 Areas with multi-laned, divided highways (hydrants shall be provided along
both sides of such roads with the location of curb cuts and median cuts
considered)
400.00
4.00 Residential districts, single-family and duplex areas with dead-end streets 500.00
5.00 Residential districts, single-family and duplex areas with complete internal
circulation
600.00
6.00 Residential districts, cluster developments 1 story in height 400.00
ARTICLE VI. FIRE ALARMS AND AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS
Sec. 9-39. Central station alarm disposition.
Alarm disposition between a central station and the fire rescue department may be
transmitted via any of the transmission modes approved by NFPA 72. However, the
maximum duration between the initiation of an alarm signal at the protected premise to
transmission to and receipt of the signal by the fire rescue department shall not exceed
ninety (90) seconds.
Sec. 9-40. Automatic fire-extinguishing and detection systems.
Any automatic or manual fire alarm signal system and automatic fire-extinguishing or
automatic fire detection system hereafter installed, in addition to complying with the Florida
Fire Prevention Code, the Florida Building Code, and the state fire marshal's rules and
regulations, shall be listed by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (“NRTL”)
approved in accordance with the provisions of Section 633.334, Florida Statutes, and shall
conform to the following requirements:
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(1) Any fire alarm system, automatic fire sprinkler system, smoke, ionization or heat
detection system, clean agent extinguishing system, automatic fire -extinguishing
devices, (except stand-alone automatic extinguishing systems in hoods and ducts),
installed in any occupancy, which may be required by applicable provisions of these
regulations, shall be so arranged that the normal operation of any required alarm -
initiating device or the operation of any automatic fire-extinguishing system shall
automatically transmit an alarm to a docum ented NRTL central station. Listing
documentation shall be submitted to the fire rescue department for review and
approv al.
(2) A NRTL central station, in accordance with NFPA 72 (2019) Section 26.3, shall be
identified by the NRTL certificated service provider for all newly installed and required
fire alarm systems. An existing required fire alarm system, wherein the control panel
or alarm components are being replaced, shall be considered a new fire alarm system
for the purposes of this section, and suc h system shall meet the certificating
requirements of this code. NRTL listed central station service, in full compliance with
NFPA 72 (2019) Section 26.3, shall be maintained at the protected property, so long
as the requirement for the fire alarm system exists.
(3) All fire alarm signal systems, and automatic extinguishing and detection systems,
installed in accordance with this section shall be maintained under a written service
contract providing for regular maintenance and testing of the system in acco rdance
with the state fire marshal's rules and regulations. When the fire rescue department
determines a fire alarm system is out of service in need of repair, or where
confirmation is required to verify proper functioning of the system, the fire rescue
department shall request the response of a technician as required in NFPA 72 within
the timeframes specified therein, without consent from any building representative.
Failure to comply with such a request for a technician or runner is a violation of this
code.
(4) The service company performing the maintenance and tests shall forward a written
report to the fire rescue department indicating the nature of any deficiencies,
impairments, repairs, modifications, and/or corrections completed by the service
company, the date and time of such tests and inspections, and any other information,
which may be required by the fire and life safety division. In addition, a copy of the
service report shall be maintained in the fire protection closet or fire command room,
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or on the premises and it shall be subject to inspection by the fire rescue department
at any time.
(5) In accordance with NFPA 72 (2019), all fire alarm signal systems, automatic
extinguishing and/or detection systems shall be provided with an approved
annunciator panel. Annunciator panels, either remote or part of the FACP, shall be
equipped with an LCD display with a minimum eighty (80)-character capability,
designed to indicate the floor number and the section of the building reporting a fire
alarm or fire condition. Fire alarm system activation in multi-level/story
occupancies/buildings shall indicate an alarm condition on the floor of incident, one
floor below the floor of incident, and all levels above the floor of incident. Each alarm -
initiating device shall indicate an individual location on such annunciator. The alarm
initiating device shall indicate its individual location to the monitoring central station.
The annunciator shall respond to either manual or automatic devices, and all devices
within the system shall be connected to the annunciator. The location of the
annunciator panel shall be designated by the fire rescue department, and it shall be
so located as to be immediately available to the fire rescue department at all times.
Fire alarm systems installed solely for the purpose of monitoring a fire sprinkler
system shall be allowed upon the approval of the fire chief or his/her designee. In a
complex with multiple buildings, each building shall have its own transmitter for alarm
signal disposition to the central station.
(6) Carbon monoxide detection systems shall be required in buildings as provided in
NFPA 1, NFPA 101, and NFPA 72. Carbon monoxide levels shall be monitored in
new parking structures in addition to the requirements of NFPA 88A. In addition to
established requirements, carbon monoxide detection systems shall, upon the
detection of carbon monoxide levels above 99 ppm, send a supervisory signal to the
buildings fire alarm system panel, and any area attended to by security or staff.
Detection of carbon monoxide levels exceeding 199 ppm shall activate a fire alarm
signal to notify all occupants of the building and send a signal to central station.
Existing parking structures will be required to comply with this section upon
completion of a level 2 or level 3 alteration as defined in the Florida Building Code.
(7) All fire alarm signal and detection systems shall be provided with a secondary source
of power always available for use in the event of failure of the primary power supply
to insure continuous operation of the system, pursuant to the requirements of NFPA
72 Section 10.6 (2019).
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(8) Pre-signal fire alarm systems shall not be permitted.
(9) A change in service provider or a transmitter requires a permit and verification by the
fire department that the alarm system is reporting the appropriate signals to the
central station as required by code.
(10) Communications methods shall comply with the requirements of NFPA 72 (2019 ed.),
Chapter 26, and shall be approved by the f ire chief or designee.
Sec. 9-41. Alarm registration.
All required fire alarm systems must comply with the requirements of Chapter 9 of the
Town Code. All fields on the alarm registration form shall be filled out in their entirety, and
a copy of the form shall be posted adjacent to the fire alarm panel.
Sec. 9-42. Fire alarm installation permits.
(1) The fire rescue department shall issue a fire alarm installation permit after receiving
and approving a completed fire alarm application, plans, and required supporting
documentation, and only after it is deter mined the fire alarm system meets the criteria
of this section. The reason underlying a permit denial shall be documented on the
town permitting system and be provided to the applicant.
(2) The fire alarm system shall be installed in compliance with the Fire Alarm/Central
Station Applicable Regulations and Official Policies Guidelines of the fire rescue
department.
Sec. 9-43. - Fire alarm system certification requirements.
(1) The applicant for a required fire alarm installation permit shall submit to fire rescue
services department for review, along with the permit application, documentation
listing the NRTL central station for the alarm system and provide documentation of
NRTL certification at time of acceptance testing of the fire alarm system or added
components.
(2) The applicant must demonstrate that the fire alarm monitoring will be performed by a
NRTL certified/listed central station.
(3) All required NRTL certificated/listed fire alarm systems must maintain NRTL
compliance and NRTL monitoring.
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Sec. 9-44. False alarms.
False alarms are defined, and fees, therefore, are as provided for in Chapter 9 of the Town
Code.
Sec. 9-45. Limitation of liability.
Neither the town nor any of its officers and agents shall be under any obligation or duty to
an alarm user or to any other person. The town specifically disclaims liability for any
damages, injuries, or losses caused by or resulting f rom a failure to respond to an alarm.
ARTICLE VII. FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
Sec. 9-46. Applicability.
Chapter 9, Fire Protection Systems, of the Florida Building Code is supplemented as
follows:
(1) The requirements of this article shall apply to all newly constructed buildings,
structures, and installations.
(2) The requirements of this article shall also apply to any existing building or structure if
a level 2 or level 3 alteration occurs, as defined in the Florida Building Code.
Sec. 9-47. Definitions.
For the purpose of this article, the following words, terms, and phrases shall have the
meanings given in this section, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
Approved double check valve assembly is an assembly of two (2) independently
operating check valves with Outside Stem and Yoke (“O.S. & Y”) valves on each side of
the check valves, plus properly located test cocks for the testing of each check valve. The
assembly shall be listed in the "UL Fire Protection Equipment D irectory" under "Backflow
Special Check Valve Devices (BAEU)." The O.S. & Y valves shall be listed in the "UL Fire
Protection Equipment Directory" under "Gate Valve (HMRZ)." The assembly shall be
installed in the horizontal position, outside, above ground and shall be readily accessible
for maintenance, testing and inspection. The O.S. & Y valves shall be supervised with
properly installed tamper switches connected to the fire alarm system. The O.S. & Y valves
shall also be secured with a chain and two inte rlocked padlocks, one of which shall be a
Master lock , issued by the fire department, painted red, for fire rescue department access.
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Fire Rescue Services department connections shall not be directly attached to the
assembly.
Approved dual check valve assembly is a listed assembly of two (2) independently
operating check valves. For fire main use a single O.S. & Y valve shall be installed on the
supply side of the approved dual check valve. The O.S. & Y valve shall serve as the main
control valve for the fire protection system. The assembly shall be installed in the
horizontal position, outside, above ground, and shall be readily accessible for
maintenance and inspection. The O.S. & Y valve shall be secured with a chain and a
Master lock , issued by the fire department.
Fire main is that pipe, and its appurtenances, on private property between a source
of water and the base of the riser for the automatic fire sprinkler systems, open fire
sprinkler systems, fixed water spray systems, fire standpipe systems and/or inlets to
firefighting foam making systems. When connected to the public water system, the fire
main begins at the supply side of the approved double check valve assembly or the
approved dual check valve assembly. On NFPA 13D systems, the fire main begi ns at the
point where the water supply line for the fire sprinkler system splits from the domestic
water service.
Sec. 9-48. Backflow prevention for fire protection systems.
An approved DDCV assembly shall be installed on all fire mains serving all struct ures,
except single-family homes and duplexes, as provided in NFPA 13, NFPA 13R and NFPA
13D. An approved dual check valve assembly shall be installed on all fire mains serving
one- and two-family dwellings (NFPA 13D).
Previously approved post indicator valves (“PIV”) shall be kept locked with a #2396
key Master lock. Previously approved PIV’s shall be changed to double detector check
valve (“DDCV”) assemblies meeting the requirements of this section when they are
determ ined to be out of service and in need of replacement.
Sec. 9-49. Fire mains.
Fire main taps connected to the public water system shall be sized for, and serve, only
the building for which they were installed. Fire main taps shall not be shared with other
buildings. Fire mains shall be constructed of class 52 ductile iron pipe (DIP) or other pipe
UL listed for underground fire main use, as approved by the fire rescue department. Fire
main taps may be shared only where a single fire pump is shared in accorda nce with
section 9-50. Fire mains shall only enter a building above ground and through an exterior
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wall. Fire mains shall not run under foundations or footers. In high-rise buildings (as
defined in the Florida Fire Prevention Code and the Florida Building Code), fire main
configurations shall be in accordance with the Florida Building Code, Chapter 4 . Any
alternative fire main configurations shall be subject to the approval of the fire chief or
designee at the time of initial permit application.
Sec. 9-50. Fire pumps.
Fire pumps installed in buildings to meet requirements for standpipes or hydraulic demand
of the fire sprinkler system shall be provided with a secondary source of power (emergency
generator) if such system is provided. Fire pumps shall serve only the building or structure
for which they were installed and shall not be shared with other buildings or structures,
except that a single fire pump may be shared between a building and up to two (2) parking
structures if all the following are provided:
(a) All buildings and structures are under the same ownership.
(b) A "unity of title" for the buildings and structures is provided before the installation
permit is issued.
(c) The fire mains serving each building/structure are installed underground in
accordance with NFPA 24, and this article.
Sec. 9-51. Fire protection system closet.
(1) A fire protection system closet shall be provided for all buildings and structures
equipped with a fire alarm or fire sprinkler protection.
(a) The closet shall house the fire sprinkler system riser, all appropriate control
valves, all appropriate flow and tamper switches, the fire alarm system control
panel, annunciator panel, annunciator map/legend and the transmitter/control
unit. As provided in the FFPC and NFPA 72, portions of the fire alarm system may
be located elsewhere in the building subject to approval by the fire rescue
department.
(b) The annual fire alarm registration and copies of the most recent fire alarm, and
fire sprinkler, inspection reports shall be posted in the closet.
(c) The closet shall not be used for storage and shall not be used for any other
electrical, plumbing, or mechanical equipment.
(d) The minimum size of the closet shall be two feet (2’) deep by four feet (4’) wide,
which shall be increased to accommodate the provided equipment.
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(e) The closet shall be separated from all other portions of the building with one (1)-
hour fire resistive construction as a minimum. The closet shall be located along
an outside wall near the fire primary fire department access, at grade, with access
from an outside swinging door, which need not be fire rated.
(f) The door shall be labeled with a sign that reads "Fire Protection Closet." The
closet shall be kept locked at all times. A key box approved by the fire and life
safety division shall be installed on the outside wall, within three feet (3’) of the
closet. The key box shall be installed forty -two inches (42") to forty -eight inches
(48") above grade. The key box shall be sized appropriately such that the keys,
access cards, fobs, and other contents fit inside in a manner that is practical for
fire rescue department personnel to open and close with ease. The key box shall
contain a key to access the closet, all the keys necessary to control the fire alarm
system, and keys to access the building and other important areas, including but
not limited to, electrical rooms, fire pump rooms, elevator machine rooms, roof
access, hazardous materials storage areas, etc. The property owner may provide
additional keys for access to other areas of the building as appropriate.
(g) A weatherproof horn/strobe or speaker/strobe shall be installed directly above the
key box at a height easily seen upon appr oach to the area.
(h) The closet shall be designed and constructed so as to provide and maintain an
air-conditioned temperature of no greater than eighty (80) degrees Fahrenheit.
(2) Fire protection system closets are not required in high rise buildings a nd other
buildings where a fire pump room and a fire control room are required or provided.
Fire protection system closets are not required for fire sprinkler systems provided in
single family homes and duplexes.
Sec. 9-52. - Fire rescue services department connections (FDC).
(1) A single 2½-inch freestanding fire rescue department connection located within fifty
(50) feet of a fire hydrant shall be provided on all NFPA 13R fire sprinkler systems
with twenty (20) or more fire sprinkler heads.
(2) A double (Siamese) 2½-inch freestanding fire rescue department connection located
within fifty (50) feet of fire hydrant shall be provided on all NFPA 13 fire sprinkler
systems with twenty (20) or more fire sprinkler heads.
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(3) Two double (Siamese) 2½-inch freestanding fire rescue department connections,
each located within fifty (50) feet of a fire hydrant shall be provided on all the following
fire sprinkler systems:
(a) Light hazard and ordinary hazard NFPA 13 fire sprinkler systems with four
hundred (400) or more fire sprinkler heads.
(b) Extra hazard NFPA 13 fire sprinkler systems with two hundred (200) or more fire
sprinkler heads.
(c) On special fire protection systems or situations as designated by the fire chief or
designee.
(4) Multiple fire rescue services connections shall be installed in locations as remote as
possible from each other, as approved by the fire chief or designee.
Sec. 9-53. Hose connections as a part of fire sprinkler systems.
(1) Approved 2½-inch fire department hose connections, in accordance with NFPA 13
sec. 8.16.5.2, shall be installed in buildings and structures as follows:
(a) All one (1)-story buildings with a floor area of 52,000 square feet or more.
(b) All two (2)-story buildings with a combined floor area of 52,000 square feet or
more.
(c) All three (3)-story buildings with a combined floor area of 52,000 square feet or
more.
(2) Hose connections shall be fed from an adjoining sprinkler zone on the same floor or
from a sprinkler zone on a different floor. Hose connections may be fed directly from
the riser ahead of a zone valve. All hose connections, including those that are part of
a standpipe system, shall be installed at locations approved by the fire chief or
designee, such that all areas of the building can be reached with one hundred feet
(100’) of hose and twenty -five feet (25’) of fire stream throw. Hose connections shall
be equipped with caps to protect hose threads.
(3) Class I standpipe systems shall be provided with 2½" hose connections in the
following locations:
(a) On the inside of the stairwell at each landing.
(b) On the outside of the stairwell at each landing.
(c) On each side of the wall adjacent to the opening of horizontal exits.
(d) On the roof, near the point where the stairwell terminates. This shall be a double
2½" hose connection. It shall be provided with a UL or FM listed gauge.
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(e) At other locations required by the fire chief or a designee.
(4) All standpipe systems permitted and installed shall be a m anual wet system, or
automatic wet system, based on occupancy code requirements, as defined by the
FBC or NFPA 14, Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems.
Sec. 9-54. Automatic Wet Fire Sprinklers.
(1) All new buildings or structures, including one- and two-family dwellings, 7,500 square
feet and larger shall be provided with a wet automatic f ire sprinkler system in
accordance with the requirements in NFPA 13, 13R, or 13D.
(2) All new buildings or structures, including one- and two-family dwellings, three (3) or
more occupiable stories in height shall be provided with a wet automatic f ire sprinkler
system in accordance with the requirements in NFPA 13, 13R, or 13D).
ARTICLE VIII. ENFORCEMENT
Sec. 9-55. Enforcement authority.
The fire chief or his/her designee shall have the authority to conduct investigations and to
do all other things necessary to enforce the provisions in this chapter.
Sec. 9-56. Violations.
Failure to comply with any provisions of this chapter shall be deemed a violation.
Sec. 9-57. Penalty for violations.
Any person or entity violating the provisions of this chapter shall be punishable as provided
in the Florida Fire Prevention Code, and as otherwise authorized by the town code,
including, but not limited to, section 1-9 and through the initiation of code enforcement
proceedings.
Section 3. The Town Commission hereby repeals Section 35-11, “Florida Fire Prevention
Code,” in its entirety.
Section 4. Severability. The provisions of this Ordinance are declared to be severable
and if any section, sentence, clause, or phrase of this Ordinance shall for any reason be held to
be invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining sections,
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sentences, clauses, and phrases of this Ordinance but they shall remain in effect, it being the
legislative intent that this Ordinance shall stand notwithstanding the invalidity of any part.
Section 5. Repeal of Laws in Conflict. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict
herewith are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict.
Section 6. Codification. Section 2 of the Ordinance shall be made a part of the Town
Code of Ordinance and may be re-numbered or re-lettered to accomplish such.
Section 7. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall be effective immediately upon adoption
at second reading and shall apply prospectively only.
The foregoing Ordinance was moved by __________________________________, seconded
by ________________________________ and upon being put to the vote, the vote w as as
follows:
AYE NAY
Mayor Natasha Moore ____ ____
Vice Mayor David Stern ____ ____
Commissioner Don Peters ____ ____
Commissioner Judith Goldberg ____ ____
Commissioner Evalyn David ____ ____
PASSED on first reading at the Regular Commission meeting held on this _____ day of
_________________, 2023.
The foregoing Ordinance was moved by _________________________________, seconded
by ________________________________ and upon being put to the vote, the vote was as
follows:
AYE NAY
Mayor Natasha Moore ____ ____
Vice Mayor David Stern ____ ____
Commissioner Don Peters ____ ____
Commissioner Judith Goldberg ____ ____
Commissioner Evalyn David ____ ____
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PASSED AND ADOPTED on second and final reading at the Regular Commission meeting held
on this _____ day of _________________, 2023.
ATTEST:
By:
Lanelda Gaskins, MMC
Town Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
By: _________________________________
Glen J. Torcivia, Town Attorney
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Sold To:
Town of Highland Beach Florida - CU00661788
3614 S Ocean Blvd
Highland Beach FL 33487,FL 33487-3393
Bill To:
Town of Highland Beach Florida - CU00661788
3614 S Ocean Blvd
Highland Beach FL 33487,FL 33487-3393
Published Daily
Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida
Boca Raton, Palm Beach County, Florida
Miami, Miami-Dade County, Florida
State Of Florida
County Of Orange
Before the undersigned authority personally appeared
Rose Williams, who on oath says that he or she is a duly authorized representative of the SUN- SENTINEL,
a DAILY newspaper published in BROWARD/PALM BEACH/MIAMI-DADE County, Florida; that the
attached copy of advertisement, being a Legal Notice in:
The matter of 11720-Notice of Public Meeting ,
Was published in said newspaper by print in the issues of, or by publication on the
newspaper¶s website, if authorized on Aug 14, 2023
Affiant further says that the newspaper complies with all legal requirements for
publication in Chapter 50, Florida Statutes.
Signature of Affiant
Sworn to and subscribed before me this: August 15, 2023.
Signature of Notary Public
Name of Notary, Typed, Printed, or Stamped
Personally Known (X) or Produced Identification ( )
Affidavit Delivery Method: E-Mail
Affidavit Email Address: lgaskins@highlandbeach.us
7478900
SUN-SENTINEL
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Order # - 7478900
SUN-SENTINEL
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SUN-SENTINEL
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File Attachments for Item:
A. Consideration to approve the Health Insurance and Other Insurance Programs for
Town personnel for Fiscal Year 2024.
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TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
MEETING TYPE: Financial Advisory Board
MEETING DATE 08/24/2023
SUBMITTED BY: Eric Marmer, Human Resources and Risk Management Director
David M. Dilena, Finance Director
SUBJECT: Health Insurance and Other Related Insurance Rates
SUMMARY:
Employee Medical Insurance - October 1st
The Town’s Employee Insurance is set to change on October 1st.
With the help of our benefits consultant Rheingold & Associates, this year, we had the privilege of
reviewing proposals from several healthcare insurance providers, namely Florida Blue, Humana,
United Healthcare (UHC), Aetna, and Cigna. Our journey through this selection process has been
marked by careful consideration and insight.
Having enjoyed a three-year partnership with Humana, we were initially presented with renewal quotes
suggesting a 3% increase for the upcoming year. However, considering Humana's decision to exit the
group insurance market, concerns have arisen regarding the stability of their network and the potential
loss of valuable providers. This pivotal development has prompted us to contemplate a transition away
from Humana.
While both UHC, Aetna, and Cigna presented plans with slightly lower rates than Humana, their
offerings fell short in terms of benefit levels and the expansive provider network that our community
greatly values. In sharp contrast, Florida Blue has presented an opportunity to offer better plans with a
larger network than our current plans offered by Humana, while also extending an overall cost reduction
of approximately 1.3% for the Town.
Like every year when making this decision, our focus remains unwavering on securing a healthcare
partner that not only provides economical solutions but also upholds the comprehensive coverage and
access to providers that Town staff members rely upon. In this pursuit, Florida Blue emerges as a
compelling choice, promising both financial relief and the continuation of a robust network that stands
as a pillar of our Town staff’s well-being.
The Town will offer two plans to employees and their families through Florida Blue:
1. Base Blue Options Predictable Cost Plan # 03768 with a tiered Health Reimbursement Account
(HRA)
2. Blue Options Predictable Cost Plan #03748 Buy-up Option with a tiered Health
Reimbursement Account (HRA) Page 113
Other Insurance Programs
Apart from healthcare insurance, Town employees and their families can enroll in a range of additional
insurance programs, including Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Life Insurance, Vision, and
Dental Insurance. Currently, our Town utilizes a mix of providers for these insurance options.
However, following a thorough evaluation, the Town has decided to transition all these insurance
offerings to Guardian.
Guardian's offerings stood out after careful consideration, with their prices and coverage aligning well
or even slightly surpassing those of our previous insurers in certain aspects. This move to Guardian is
aimed at streamlining our insurance provisions and ensuring that Town employees receive the best
possible benefits across the board.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Below is a comparison of the Humana renewal and Florida Blue.
RECOMMENDATION:
Based on cost/benefit analysis, evaluation of service networks Town Staff recommends moving to
Florida Blue: 1. Base Blue Options Predictable Cost Plan # 03768 and 2. Blue Options Predictable
Cost Plan #03748 Buy-up Option.
Last year, in response to escalating deductibles and healthcare expenses, the Town proactively
increased its Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) tiers by $250 at each level to mitigate the
impact on staff. Now that these financial pressures have eased, the Town is poised to revert its HRA
funding rates to the levels observed in previous years, ensuring consistent and sustainable coverage
for all employees.
Class Count Price Monthly Florida Blue
Negotiated
Renewal
Humana $ Change
Employee Only 15 682.17$ 10,232.55$ 122,790.60$ 127,931.40$ (5,140.80)$
Employee/Spouse 7 1,555.34 10,887.38 130,648.56 119,403.48 11,245.08
Employee/Child(ren)6 1,364.34 8,186.04 98,232.48 97,228.80 1,003.68
Family 16 2,182.94 34,927.04 419,124.48 436,675.20 (17,550.72)
44 770,796.12$ 781,238.88$ (10,442.76)$
% Change -1.3%
Health Insurance
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File Attachments for Item:
B. Ratification of Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the Town of Highland Beach and the
Florida State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police, Inc. (FOP) Town Staff Agreement October 1, 2023 through
September 30, 2026.
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TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
MEETING TYPE: Town Commission Meeting
MEETING DATE August 24, 2023
SUBMITTED BY: Town Manager’s Office
SUBJECT:
Ratification of Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the
Town of Highland Beach and the Florida State Lodge Fraternal Order
of Police, Inc. (FOP) Town Staff Agreement October 1, 2023 through
September 30, 2026.
SUMMARY:
Enclosed is the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the Town of Highland Beach
and the Florida State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police, Inc. (FOP) Town Staff Agreement
October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2026. The agreement has been negotiated in good
faith and tentatively agreed to by the FOP and Town of Highland Beach negotiating team.
The provisions of the agreement remain consistent with those communicated to the
Commission via individual Commissioner meetings.
In summary, the agreement reflects a marketplace costs adjustment and it does so without
placing any additional unfunded liabilities (OPEB) on the Town. Lastly, the cost of the
agreement was, and is, accounted for within the five-year forecast; that is, no milage rate
implications.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Pursuant to CBA and five-year financial forecast.
ATTACHMENTS:
Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the Town of Highland Beach and the
Florida State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police, Inc. (FOP) Town Staff Agreement October 1,
2023, through September 30, 2026. (formatting and spacing will be cleaned up post-
execution)
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RECOMMENDATION:
Commission ratification of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the Town of
Highland Beach and the Florida State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police, Inc. (FOP) Town
Staff Agreement October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2026.
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File Attachments for Item:
C. RESOLUTION NO. 23-020
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, ADOPTING
A MERIT INCREASE POLICY FOR NON-UNION EMPLOYEES AND AMENDING THE TOWN OF HIGHLAND
BEACH SALARY TABLE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
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TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
MEETING TYPE: Town Commission Meeting
MEETING DATE August 24, 2023
SUBMITTED BY: Town Manager’s Office
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION NO. 23-020
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF
HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA, ADOPTING A MERIT INCREASE
POLICY FOR NON-UNION EMPLOYEES AND AMENDING THE
TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH SALARY TABLE; AND PROVIDING
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
SUMMARY:
Supporting documentation will be forthcoming.
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A
ATTACHMENTS:
N/A
RECOMMENDATION:
Commission discussion.
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