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Office of the Fire Marshal


Office of the Fire Marshal
City of San Marcos
630 E. Hopkins
San Marcos, Texas 78666
(512) 393-8470



August 15, 2002



Dear complex Owner/Manager:


I have been prompted to prepare this letter by the many questions recently directed to my
office regarding fire code and city ordinance requirements for apartment complexes.
Additionally, recent inspections of complexes revealed that some properties are lacking in the
area of code compliance/fire safety. In an effort to answer questions that arise concerning city
codes and their application to apartment communities, the following guide is provided. This
does not cover all of the code requirements, but focuses on specific areas that need to be
addressed. Please share this information with your tenants.


Effective March 15, 2002, the City of San Marcos adopted the 2000 edition of the
International Code Congress (ICC) Fire Code. Asterisks (***) are used to denote where changes
or additions were made to the previous code or ordinance. Please note the changes to the
outdoor cooking appliance rules.


If you have any questions concerning these codes or their application to a particular
property, do not hesitate to contact my office by mail at:

Fire Marshals Office
630 E. Hopkins
San Marcos, Texas 78666






Kenneth E. Bell
Fire Marshal FIRE EXTINGUISHERS


Code Reference: 906

Fire Extinguishers shall be selected, installed, and maintained in accordance with this section
and NFPA 10.
(Code 1970, § 10-42; Ord. No. 1995-13, § 1 (10-41), 2-13-95; Ord. No. 2000-48, § 1, 6-
12-00; Ord. No. 2002-18, § 1, 3-5-02)


There are two acceptable methods of complying with the fire code in the distribution of fire
extinguishers:

1. OUTSIDE if fire extinguishers are located outside the individual unit(s), one must be on
each level (if a multi-level building). The maximum travel distance (the furthest point to reach
the extinguisher) may not exceed 75 feet. If this distance is exceeded, another extinguisher must
be provided. The size and type of these extinguishers shall be at LEAST 2A-10BC (5 lb.)

OR

2. INSIDE if fire extinguishers are located inside each unit, only ONE 1A-5BC (2 ½ lb.) is
required.

As property management, you only have to follow ONE of the two REQUIREMENTS listed
above to comply with the ICC Fire Code.

NOTE:

When mounting extinguishers, they must be no less than 4 inches from the floor, nor
higher than 5 feet from the ground. The RECOMMENDED height is about 3 ½ feet,
measured to the top of the extinguisher. If located outside, an approved container is
RECOMMENDED.

The property owner shall be responsible for the inspection, maintenance, and recharging
or refilling of the extinguishers located on their property. This inspection and
maintenance is required to be completed each year by a trained technician.


FIRE LANES

Code Reference: 503.3

Approved markings, signs, or other notices to identify such roads or prohibit the obstruction
thereof shall be provided for fire apparatus access roads. The Fire Marshal shall provide the
acceptable standards and specifications. Signs, markings, and other notices shall be maintained
in a clean and legible condition at all times and be replace or repaired when necessary to provide
Original 11-11-91
1
Revised
8-16-02 adequate visibility.
(Code 1970, § 10-42; Ord. No. 1995-13, § 1 (10-41), 2-13-95; Ord. No. 2000-48, §
1, 6-12-00; Ord. No. 2002-18, § 1, 3-5-02)

The marking configuration and location of fire zones and fire lanes on private property shall be
as follows:

(a) Curbs shall be marked in red traffic paint with at least an eight-inch stroke.
(b) Lane markers shall be marked in red traffic paint with at least a six-inch stroke.
(c) The terms "no parking" and "fire lane" shall be written in white paint contrasting with
the red background in six-inch lettering with a one-half inch stroke at ten-foot
alternating intervals.
(d) Fire hydrants must have a clearance zone marked at least 15 feet on all sides in the
same manner described in subsection (a) and (c) above.

Code Reference: 503.4

Fire apparatus access roads shall not be obstructed in any manner, including the parking of
vehicles. The minimum widths and clearances . . . shall be maintained at all times. (Code
1970, § 10-42; Ord. No. 1995-13, § 1 (10-41), 2-13-95; Ord. No. 2000-48, § 1, 6-12-00; Ord. No.
2002-18, § 1, 3-5-02)

ADDRESSES

Code Reference: 505.1

New and existing buildings shall have their address numbers, building numbers, or building
identification placed in a position to be plainly legible and visible from the street or road fronting
the property. The numbers and letters shall contrast with their background and shall be a
minimum of six inches in height for commercial buildings and three inches in height for
residential building. The numbers and letters shall have a minimum stroke width of 0.5 inches
(12.7 mm).
(Code 1970, § 10-42; Ord. No. 1995-13, § 1 (10-41), 2-13-95; Ord. No. 2000-48, § 1, 6-12-
00; Ord. No. 2002-18, § 1, 3-5-02)



OUTDOOR COOKING APPLIANCES

Code Reference: 308.2 ***

It is unlawful to use or to store a charcoal burner, open flame, LP gas burner, outdoor grill,
barbecue, or other outdoor cooking appliances with open flame on the premises of a residential
building with three or more dwelling units or of a multifamily residential building with two or
more stories. This provision does not apply to the use of permanently mounted outdoor cooking
devices located ten or more feet from any structure.
(Code 1970, § 10-42; Ord. No. 1995-13, § 1
(10-41), 2-13-95; Ord. No. 2000-48, § 1, 6-12-00; Ord. No. 2002-18, § 1, 3-5-02)


Original 11-11-91
2
Revised
8-16-02 MOTOR VEHICLE PARKING

Code Reference: 38.055

It is unlawful to store, park or stand a motor vehicle inside a residential unit, a storage facility
attached to a residential unit or a stairwell or under a stairway or a balcony, on premises of a
multifamily dwelling.
(Ord. No. 1995-13, § 1 (10-42), 2-13-95)


LABELING OUTSIDE ELECTRICAL METERS

Code Reference: 605.9 ***

Each disconnecting means for each service feeder, or branch circuit shall be legibly marked to
indicate its purpose at the point where it originates. Where the service feeder or branch is
located on a building or other structure, a description of the device and address of the building
must be prominently displayed utilizing a marking of sufficient durability to withstand the
environment involved. A list of acceptable marking devices and labels can be obtained through
the electric utility department.
(Code 1970, § 10-42; Ord. No. 1995-13, § 1 (10-41), 2-13-95; Ord. No.
2000-48, § 1, 6-12-00; Ord. No. 2002-18, § 1, 3-5-02)



GATE ACCESS CODES

Code Reference: 503.7 ***

All gates that obstruct emergency access roads or drives, whether on public or private property,
must be permitted by the Fire Marshal. All gates or obstructions must comply with written
installation standards and maintenance requirements as set forth by the Fire Marshal.
(Code
1970, § 10-42; Ord. No. 1995-13, § 1 (10-41), 2-13-95; Ord. No. 2000-48, § 1, 6-12-00; Ord. No. 2002-18,
§ 1, 3-5-02)


Code Reference: 503.8 ***

All gates that have access codes, locks, key controls, or other obstructions shall be maintained
in an operable condition so that they can re opened by the fire department or other emergency
service when needed. Failure to maintain these gates in an operable condition may result in the
imposition of a fine and/or revocation of the gate permit.
(Code 1970, § 10-42; Ord. No. 1995-13, §
1 (10-41), 2-13-95; Ord. No. 2000-48, § 1, 6-12-00; Ord. No. 2002-18, § 1, 3-5-02)


DO NOT CHANGE YOUR ASSIGNED GATE CODES WITHOUT PERMIT
Original 11-11-91
3
Revised
8-16-02