The Georgetown City Council approved major amendments to the Georgetown fire code in a first reading at its Feb. 8 meeting.
Georgetown Fire Department Chief John Sullivan recommended the addition of a food vendor subsection requiring food trucks that use any heat source to prepare unpackaged foods to obtain an operation permit as well as a subsection that will allow the fire department tow and provide citations to vehicles obstructing fire lanes at any time.
But the most pressing subject was the proposed amendment to the animal care facility code.
"The current code does not address animal occupants; it only considers humans," Sullivan said. "We saw this as an opportunity for us to recognize animals, especially in the care of others."
The amendment was in direct response to a fire that claimed the lives of 75 pets at the Ponderosa Pet Resort on Sept. 18.
The policy will require new animal care facilities, Business Group B, defined as businesses that provide temporary or permanent housing for animals, excluding agricultural livestock, to meet several requirements.
The new policy states:
- An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided in fire areas containing animals without constant supervision with the exceptions: that the facility serve under a maximum of 30 animals, the parameter of the facility has Class A finishes and the facility has a supervised fire alarm system.
- An automatic sprinkler system will not be required for facilities serving under a maximum of 50 animals with the exceptions: the site supports an 1-hour fire resistant construction on both sides of the boundary walls, the facility has Class A finishes and the facility has a supervised fire alarm system.
- If a facility cares for a maximum of 100 animals, a sprinkler system will be required if constant supervision is not provided.
- An automatic sprinkler system will not be required if all animals have immediate and unobstructed access to an exterior area of safety and the facility is provided with a supervised fire alarm system.
- All animal care facilities will require an automatic smoke detection system unless the site is equipped with an automatic sprinkler system.
- All detection appliances shall provide audible and visual alarms in office areas where no animals are housed or cared for. Areas where animals are cared for shall provide only visual alarm signals.
- All businesses that provide animal care or housing will require a carbon monoxide detection system when constant supervision is not provided.
After several public comments were made requesting council approve Sullivan's recommendations, Council Member Amanda Parr motioned a secondary amendment.
Parr asked that there be an additional policy requiring all existing facilities to install a smoke detection system within an 18-month window.
"If people could get it done tomorrow, I would prefer that," Parr said. "I gave an 18-month timeline as a compromise because not only is there a supply chain issue and a work issue, but also a budget issue. ... Regardless of facility size, all existing animal facilities must install a monitored smoke detection system."
Council unanimously approved Sullivan's and Parr’s amendments with the request that a list of all animal care facilities in Georgetown not in compliance as well as the number of kennels in each of those facilities be provided at the second and final reading to be held Feb. 22.
