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City of Missoula, Montana Item to be Referred to City Council Committee Committee: Public Safety & Health Item: 2009 International Fire Code Adoption Date: March 12, 2010 Prepared by: Jason Diehl Initiated by: Jason Diehl Action Required: Set a public hearing for local adoption of the 2009 International Fire Code (IFC). Recommended Motion: I move that the City Council set a public hearing on April 26, 2010, on an ordinance for the local adoption of the 2009 International Fire Code by repealing Chapter 15.08 “Uniform Fire Code” and amending Chapter 15.04 “Uniform Codes Adopted” of Missoula Municipal Code. Timeline: Referral to committee: March 12, 2010 Committee discussion: March 24, 2010 Council acts to set hearing: April 5, 2010 Public Hearing: April 26, 2010 Deadline: NA Background and Alternatives Explored: The State of Montana has adopted the 2009 International Fire Code (IFC) as set forth in the Administrative Rules of Montana effective February 12th, 2010 and the fire department requests that the City Council also adopt the 2009 IFC by reference. In order to promote continuity and uniformity in fire code enforcement between the Missoula Fire Department, rural fire districts, and the State Fire Marshal’s Office, the City and surrounding rural fire districts have historically moved to adopt the same fire code and amendments as adopted by the State of Montana. As both the IFC and the currently adopted Uniform Fire Code both reference the same National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, there will be no substantive changes in local fire code requirements and enforcement. IFC adoption would also simplify and improve congruency between the fire and building code as the City Building Division currently works out of the International Building Code (IBC) which is the companion code to the IFC. Financial Implications: None Attachments: Draft ordinance Code adoption requirements ---PAGE BREAK--- State Administrative Rules concerning Fire Safety