§ 38-2. Definitions.

Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following terms shall, for the purpose of this code, have the meaning indicated in this section:

Access box. A steel key vault, mounted on the exterior of a building that contains keys, floor plans, maps or other items as required by the AHJ, for access to all portions of the building.

Adult day care. Any place, that receives at any time for compensation four or more adults, for care and supervision, for less than 24 hours a day.

Adult family home. Similar to a CBRF except that they are licensed for five or less tenants.

Approved. Acceptable to the AHJ.

Approved agency. An agency accepted or acceptable to the bureau of fire prevention, such as Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the American Gas Association laboratories or other nationally recognized testing authorities.

Assembly group A. Group A occupancies includes, among other, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, for the gathering together of persons for purposes such as civic, social or religious functions, recreation, food or drink consumption or awaiting transportation. A room or space used for assembly purposes by less than 50 persons and accessory to another occupant shall be included as a part of that occupancy. Assembly occupancies shall include the following:

(a)

A-1. Assembly uses, usually with fixed seating, intended for the production and viewing of performing arts or motion pictures.

(b)

A-2. Assembly uses intended for food and/or drink consumption.

(c)

A-3. Assembly uses intended for worship, recreation or amusement and other assembly uses not classified elsewhere in Group A.

(d)

A-4. Assembly uses intended for viewing of indoor sporting events and activities with spectator seating.

(e)

A-5. Assembly uses intended for participation in or viewing outdoor activities.

Automatic fire detector. A device designed to detect specific products of fire: smoke, heat or both.

Authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). The fire chief, or designee of the fire chief, to enforce this code, the laws of the State of Wisconsin, as designated in § SPS 314.02(1), [Wis. Adm. Code], pertaining to the prevention of fires and public safety, and approving equipment installation, or procedures as outlined in NFPA Standards, Codes and/or Recommended Practices.

Automatic closing device. One which functions without human intervention and is actuated as a result of predetermined temperature rise, rate of rise of temperature, combustion products or smoke density.

Automatic fire alarm system. A system which automatically detects fire condition and actuates notification appliances throughout the protected premises.

Automatic fire-extinguishing system. An approved system of devices and equipment which automatically detects a fire and discharges an approved fire-extinguishing agent onto or in the area of fire.

Automatic fire sprinkler system. An integrated system of underground and/or overhead piping designed in accordance with fire protection standards. The system includes a suitable water supply. The portion of the system above ground is a network of specially sized or hydraulically designed piping installed in a structure or area, generally overhead, and to which automatic sprinklers are connected in a systematic pattern. The system is usually activated by heat from a fire and discharges water over the fire area.

Basement. That portion of a building that is partly or completely below grade plane. A basement shall be considered as a story.

Bureau of fire prevention. The bureau of fire prevention is made up of the following personnel: the fire chief, the fire marshal and/or fire inspectors, or any other designee of the chief.

Boarding house. A building arranged or used as lodging for compensation, with or without meals, not occupied as a single-family unit.

Business group B. Group B occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, for office, professional or service-type transactions, including storage of records and accounts.

Ceiling. The upper surface of a space, regardless of height. Areas with a suspended ceiling would have two ceilings, one visible from the floor, and one above the suspended ceiling.

Code. A standard that is an extensive compilation of provisions covering a broad subject matter or that is suitable for adoption into law independently of other codes and standards.

Combustible material. All material not classified as noncombustible are considered combustible. This property of a material does not relate to its ability to structurally perform under fire exposure. The degree of combustibility is not defined by standard fire test procedures.

COMM. Wisconsin Department of Commerce.

Common area. Common area refers to any area in a building that can be accessed by more than one person from different families at one time.

Community based residential facility (CBRF). A community facility where five or more adults who are not related to the operator or administrator and who do not require care above intermediate level nursing care reside and receive care, treatment or services that are above the level of room and board, but that include no more than three hours of nursing care per week per resident.

Conditional approval. An approval of plans and/or specifications by the AHJ based upon information provided to the AHJ, including, but not limited to, any changes required by the AHJ to the above mentioned plans and/or specifications.

Consultant(s). A company, individual or agency hired by the bureau of fire prevention to provide advice to the bureau of fire prevention on fire related issues. Consultants may provide services, which could include plan reviews of fire suppression systems, fire alarm systems, witness tests and/or conduct inspections.

Day care center. Any place which receives at any one time for compensation four or more children under the age of seven years, for care and supervision, for less than 24 hours a day or more than ten days a month, without the attendance of a parent, relative or legal guardian.

Dwelling or dwelling unit. A single unit providing living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation. For the purpose of this code, dwelling unit includes apartments and condominiums but does not include hotel and motel rooms, guest suites, dormitories, boarding rooms, or sleeping rooms in nursing homes.

(a)

Single-family dwelling. A detached building containing only one dwelling unit and designed for one family.

(b)

Two-family dwelling. A detached building containing not more than two individual dwelling units which are entirely separated by vertical walls or horizontal floors, unpierced except for access to the outside or common basement.

Educational group E. Group E occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, by six or more persons at any one time for educational purposes through the 12 ^th grade.

Factory industrial group F. Group F occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, for assembly, disassembly, fabricating, finishing, manufacturing, packaging, repair or processing operations that are not classified as group H occupancy.

(a)

F-1. Moderate-hazard occupancy.

(b)

F-2. Low-hazard occupancy.

False alarm. The willful and knowing initiation or transmission of a signal, message or other notification of an event of fire when no such danger exists.

(a)

Malicious alarm. A false alarm of fire deliberately sounded by someone in order to inconvenience the fire department.

(b)

Accidental alarm. An alarm set off and transmitted through accidental operation of an automatic or manual fire alarm device.

(c)

Good intent false alarm. An alarm that turns out to be false but was reported in good faith.

Family unit. Two or more individuals who are related to each other by blood, marriage, adoption or legal guardianship. For purposes of this abode a group of not more than four persons not necessarily related by blood or marriage, living together in a single living unit will be considered equivalent to a single family.

Fire alarm annunciation device. A device connected to a fire alarm to signal either a fire or trouble condition. Fire alarm annunciation devices could include visual devices, horn/strobes, horns, bells, and/or annunciator panels.

Fire alarm initiating device. A device connected to a fire alarm system that causes a trouble, supervisory and/or alarm signal to be initiated. Fire alarm initiating devices could include: smoke, heat, flame, ionization, or photoelectric detectors, water flow, low air, low temperature, low water, or supervisory switches.

Fire alarm system. A system or portion of a combination system that consists of components and circuits arranged to monitor and annunciate the status of the fire alarm or supervisory signal-initiating devices to activate notification appliances throughout the protected premises and to initiate the appropriate response to those signals.

Fire control system. A system designed and constructed with the intent of controlling or limiting a fire. Fire control systems may be automatic or non-automatic. Fire control systems could include automatic fire sprinkler systems, standpipe systems, chemical agent systems, fire hydrants and/or any other system acceptable to the AHJ.

Fire department connection (FDC). A part of a sprinkler, standpipe, deluge and/or combination system to be used by the fire department to pump additional water into the system(s) it is connected to.

Fire door assembly. Any combination of a fire door, frame, hardware, and other accessories that together provide a certain degree of fire protection to the opening.

Fire pumper pad. A designated fire apparatus parking only site.

Fire resistive. That property of materials of their assemblies that prevents or retards the passage of excessive heat, hot gases or flame under conditions of use. Materials are tested as prescribed in Section 703 of the Wisconsin Enrolled Building Code.

Firewall. A fire-resistance-rated wall having protected openings, which restricts the spread of fire and extends continuously from the foundation to or through the roof, with sufficient structural stability under fire conditions to allow collapse of construction on either side without collapse of the wall.

Floor area or square footage of a building. Refers to the total square footage of the sums of all basement, floor levels, balconies and mezzanines.

(a)

The area for basements and floor levels shall be measured from the outside perimeter of the outside walls.

(b)

The area for mezzanines shall be determined from the product of the length of the mezzanine multiplied by the width of the mezzanine.

(c)

For the purpose of determining square footage, fire division walls will not be accepted as outside walls or area dividers.

(d)

Buildings that are in close proximity to each other will have their building square footage added together to arrive at the total square footage.

1.

For the purpose of determining close proximity the following will hold true:

a.

Single story buildings: 30 feet apart or less.

b.

Two-story buildings: 60 feet apart or less

c.

Three-story buildings: 60 feet apart or less.

d.

All other multiple story buildings: 60 feet apart.

e.

Buildings of variable height next to each other: 30 feet apart or less.

(e)

For the purpose of determining square footage a firewall which has a fire-resistance rating of not less than four hours and which subdivides or separates a building to restrict the spread of fire, including a three-foot parapet wall is an approved area divider.

Floor, ground. That level of a building on a sloping or multilevel site which has a floor line at or not more than three feet above exit discharge grade for at least one-half of the required exit discharges.

Frequenter. Means every person, other than an employee, who may go in or be in a place of employment or public building under circumstances which render such person other than a trespasser. Such term includes a pupil or student when enrolled in or receiving instruction at an educational institution.

Grade plane. A reference plane representing the average of finished ground level adjoining the building exterior walls. Where the finished ground level slopes away from the exterior walls, the reference plane shall be established by the lowest points within the area between the building and the lot line or, where the lot line is more than six feet from the building, between the building and a point six feet from the building.

Height, building. The vertical distance from the grade plane to the average height of the highest roof surface.

Hazardous group H. Group H occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, that involves the manufacturing, processing, generation or storage of materials that constitute a physical or health hazard in quantities in excess of those found in Tables 307.7(1) through 307.7(4) of the International Building Code.

(a)

H-1. Buildings and structures which contain materials that poses a detonation hazard.

(b)

H-2. Buildings and structures which contain materials that pose a deflagration hazard or a hazard from accelerated burning.

(c)

H-3. Buildings and structures which contain materials that readily support combustion or pose a physical hazard.

(d)

H-4. Buildings and structures which contain materials that are health hazards.

(e)

H-5. Semiconductor fabrication facilities and comparable research and development areas in which hazardous production materials are used and the aggregate quantity of materials is in excess of those listed in Tables 307.7(1) and 307.7(2) of the International Building Code.

Institutional Group I. Group I occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, in which people having physical limitations because of health or age are harbored for medical treatment or other care or treatment, or in which people are detained for penal or correctional purposes or in which the liberty of the occupants is restricted. Institutional occupancies are classified as I-1, I-2, I-3 or I-4, as described in the International Building Code.

Listed. Means included in a list published by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, inspection agency, or other organization concerned with product evaluation, that maintains periodic inspection of production of listed equipment or materials and whose listing states either that the equipment or materials meet nationally recognized standards or has been tested and found suitable for use in a specified manner.

Manual fire alarm system. A system or portion of a combination system that consists of components and circuits arranged to initiate the notification appliances and appropriate response to those signals only after a person manually activates the fire alarm system.

Mercantile group M. Group M occupancy includes, among others, building and structures or a portion thereof, for the display and sale of merchandise, and involves stock of goods, wares or merchandise incidental to such purposes and accessible to the public.

Mezzanine or mezzanine floor. An intermediate level or levels between floor and ceiling of any story with an aggregate floor area of not more than one-third of the area of the room or space in which the level or levels are located.

Miscellaneous group U. Buildings and structures of an accessory character and miscellaneous structures not classified in any specific occupancy shall be constructed, equipped and maintained to conform to the requirements of this code commensurate with the fire and life hazard incidental to their occupancy.

Multifamily dwelling. A building or portion thereof containing three or more dwelling units, such as tenements, apartments, or rooming houses. Row houses with firewalls extending from the basement to the underside of the roof separating each living unit are not considered multifamily for the purpose of this chapter.

NFPA. The National Fire Protection Association.

Noncombustible materials. A noncombustible material is one which, in the form in which it is used, meets one of the requirements listed below. Materials used adjacent to or in contact with heat producing appliances, warm air ducts, plenums and chimneys shall be classified as noncombustible only on the basis of requirement (a). Noncombustible does not apply to the flame-spread characteristics of interior finish or trim materials. No material shall be classified as noncombustible building construction material, which is subject to increase in combustibility or flame-spread classification (FSC) beyond the limits herein established through the effects of age, moisture or other atmospheric conditions. (See flame spread rating in WI. Adm. Code.)

(a)

Materials which pass the test procedure of ASTM E-136 for noncombustibility of elementary materials when exposed to a furnace temperature of 1,382° F for a minimum period of five minutes and do not cause a temperature rise of the surface or interior thermocouple in excess of 54° F above the furnace air temperature at the beginning of the test and which do not flame after exposure of 30 seconds.

(b)

Materials having structural base of noncombustible material as defined in subsection (a), with a surfacing not more than one-eighth-inch thick which has a flame-spread classification (FSC) not greater than 50 when tested in accordance with the method of test for surface burning characteristics of building materials (ASTM E-84).

Notification appliance. A fire alarm system component such as a bell, horn, speaker, light, or text display that provides audible, tactile, visible outputs, or any combination thereof.

Occupant(s). The person or persons who physically reside, work or are present in a facility.

Other terms. Other terms not defined herein used in this section shall be as defined in the International Fire Code section 202 and are adopted herein by reference.

Owner. Includes his duly sworn agent or attorney, a purchaser, devisee, fiduciary or person having a vested or contingent interest in the property in question.

Places of employment. Includes every place, whether indoors or out or underground and the premises appurtenant thereto where either temporarily or permanently any industry, trade or business is carried on, or where any process or operation, directly or indirectly related to any industry, employed by another for direct or indirect gain or profit, but does not include any place where persons are employed in private domestic service which does not involve the use of mechanical power or in farming.

Protected premises. The physical location protected by a fire alarm system.

Remodel. To remodel, alter or both, means to change any building or structure which affects the structural strength, fire hazard, internal circulation, or exits of the existing building or structure. This definition does not apply to maintenance, re-roofing, or alterations to the heating and ventilating or electrical system.

Residential group R. Group R occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or portion thereof, for sleeping accommodations when not classed as an institutional group I.

(a)

R-1. Residential occupancies where the occupants are primarily transient in nature.

(b)

R-2. Residential occupancies containing more than two dwelling units where occupants are primarily permanent in nature.

(c)

R-3. Residential occupancies where the occupants are primarily permanent in nature and not classified R-1, R-2 or I, and where buildings do not contain more than two dwelling units or adult and child care facilities, that provide accommodations for five or fewer persons of any age for less than 24 hours.

(d)

R-4. Residential occupancies shall include buildings arranged for occupancy as residential care/assisted living facilities including five but not more than 16 occupants, excluding staff.

Roof spaces. Buildings with combustible roofs shall have all roof spaces subdivided every 3,000 square feet by one-hour rated partitions unless protected by an approved automatic fire sprinkler system. All openings must have a minimum of a one-hour rated self-closing door.

Rooming house. Means any building, which has a room or rooms for sleeping, without permanent provisions for cooking. Rooming house rooms do not include any room in a one- or two-family dwelling.

Rough inspection. Visual observation from the floor and/or ground level of any system and/or component thereof required by this code prior to being concealed in any way by any means.

Row house. A place of abode arranged to accommodate three or more attached side-by-side or back-to-back living units.

Shall. Indicates a mandatory requirement.

Should. Indicates a recommendation or that which is advised but not required.

Spacing. A horizontally measured dimension relating to the allowable coverage limits of fire detectors, automatic sprinkler systems, and fire alarm visual notification devices.

Standard. A document, the main text of which contains only mandatory requirements using the word "shall" to indicate mandatory requirements and which is in a form generally suitable for reference by another standard or code for adoption into law.

Storage group S. Group S occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or portion thereof, for storage that is not classed as hazardous group H.

(a)

S-1 (moderate-hazard storage). Buildings occupied for storage uses which are not classified as S-2.

(b)

S-2 (low-hazard storage). Building used for storage of noncombustible material such as products on wood pallets or in paper cartons with or without single thickness divisions or in paper wrappings. Such products may have negligible amount of plastic trim such as knobs, handles, or film wrapping.

Story. That portion of a building included between the upper surface of a floor and the upper surface of the floor or roof next above. To determine the number of stories in a building, all floors will be counted whether they are above grade or below grade, including basements, sub-basements, and ground floors, but not including penthouses or mezzanines less than one-third of a story.

Temporary. Less than 180 days.

Throughout. For the purpose of this code, throughout shall mean the following:

(a)

Throughout for automatic fire sprinkler systems means providing fire sprinkler protection in all areas of a structure as required by NFPA 13.

(b)

Throughout for automatic fire alarm systems means installing detection, audible and visual notification devices in all areas of the protected premises installed in accordance with NFPA 72.

(c)

Throughout for manual fire alarm systems means installing audible and visual notification devices in all areas of the protected premises installed in accordance with NFPA 72.

Water flow test. A test of an available water supply that indicates the quantity of water flowing out of a specific orifice, at a specific pressure, at a specific point in time.

Welfare. Includes comfort, decency and moral well-being.

(Ord. No. 829, § 1, 7-20-10; Ord. No. 896, § I, 4-21-15)