Milwaukee Suburb Updates Its Fire and Life Safety Ordinance

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that Butler, Wisc., a suburb of Milwaukee, has updated its new fire/life safety code. The new ordinance specifies fire detection and control measures for new commercial buildings and for existing buildings.

The new ordinance applies to new commercial buildings greater than 6,000-s.f., and requires those new buildings to have networked fire alarm systems, smoke detection systems, and sprinkler systems. The fire alarm systems are required to provide data to the town's fire department.

The ordinance also applies to existing buildings, and is only in effect if the existing building's usage changes. If the usage changes, then the building will be required to install a fire alarm system and smoke detection systems. Existing buildings that have potential hazards (the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel lists chemical facilities among these) will also be required to have a sprinkler system.