On June 16, 2004 the City Council accepted the City Manager’s recommendation to use the International Code Council family of codes as the model codes for the development of the Phoenix Fire Code. To prepare the Code for formal adoption, staff will utilize the Five Step Process adopted by the City Council to be used for all code adoptions. A formal process was recommended to ensure staff receives sufficient input while developing the amendments and administrative processes necessary to effectively implement and apply the building codes and standards.

Step One

The first step in the Five-Step Process is a review of available model codes for compliance with Resolution 19015 for consensus. The City Council modified this resolution in January 2004 with Resolution 20044 to allow a comprehensive review of both the International Code Council family of codes (I-Codes) and the National Fire Protection Association Building Construction and Safety Code (NFPA 5000).

In February 2004, the City Manager appointed a nine-member committee to review the two codes. On June 16, 2004 the City Council accepted the committee’s recommendation to use the International Code Council family of codes as the model codes for the development of the Phoenix Construction Code.

Step Two

The staff review process is a two-pronged approach. Staff will first accept code change amendments from all interested parties. The second component of the staff review will be to review each code change submittal and incorporate the proposed change into the code according to current ordinances, interpretations and practice. Stakeholders will have the opportunity to present their proposed code change to the staff review committee.

Step Three

Once the amendments have been prepared, the Fire Safety Advisory Board will form ad hoc subcommittees to review the proposed amendments. During the subcommittee review, the FSAB members will have the opportunity to comment on the amendments and propose to staff any modifications or additions.

Step Four

Following the subcommittee review, each subcommittee chair will present the amendment package to the full Board. The subcommittee chairs will move their portion of the amendment package and then a public hearing will be held to ensure that the public input is complete. At the public hearing, members of the public will again have the opportunity to comment on the amendment package and propose any changes for the Board’s consideration. The FSAB could then take action to make a recommendation to the City Council or ask staff to make any necessary revisions.

Step Five

The final step of the Five-Step Process is formal adoption of the Phoenix Fire Code by the City Council. Staff will first present the proposed code package to the Public Safety Subcommittee for public hearing and recommendation to the full Council. The Council will then take action to adopt the amendments to the codes as recommended by the Public Safety Subcommittee. The adopted codes will generally go into effect 30 days after adoption.

Using the Five Step Process to develop and prepare the amendment package for the I-Codes will ensure staff receives sufficient input from the public and impacted stakeholders. The process will also ensure that the comments received and concerns raised during the Code Review Committee’s review of the codes will be incorporated into the amendment package.