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Olivette staff seek adoption of 2021 building codes; add EV‑fire blanket reimbursement language
Summary
City staff presented a first reading to update Olivette’s building and construction codes to the 2021 International Building Codes and proposed new language allowing fire chiefs to seek reimbursement for single‑use EV suppression blankets; second reading set for June 24.
City planning staff on June 10 presented the first reading of an ordinance that would update the City of Olivette’s Title 5 (Building and Construction) to adopt the 2021 International Building Codes and revise the fee schedule.
Carlos Trejo, director of planning and community development, told the council the city last updated codes in 2016 (the 2015 I‑codes) and that the 2021 codes are used by neighboring municipalities such as Clayton and Creve Coeur. Trejo said the city contracts with St. Louis County for mechanical, electrical and plumbing inspections, and noted those county inspections remain on the 2015 codes for now. He said the municipality is required by state statute to post advance notice of proposed code adoption and that the public notice was posted in March.
Trejo flagged a new provision added under the fire prevention code that would authorize the fire chief to seek reimbursement for electric‑vehicle suppression “blankets” if crews must use them. He explained the operational need: “If an electric vehicle if their battery catches on fire, traditional, fire suppression methods of water and foam are not effective. And what needs to happen is that the battery needs to be essentially smothered, and so we need, blankets, fire blankets to do that.”
Trejo provided cost figures on the record: the large EV suppression blanket is approximately $2,000 to $2,200 and a smaller blanket about $1,100, with additional hazardous‑materials disposal fees after use. He said the ordinance language is discretionary — “the fire chief may seek reimbursement” — giving the chief authority to decide when to pursue reimbursement from the responsible party or insurance.
Trejo said the 2021 code changes do not introduce sweeping technical changes beyond incremental energy‑efficiency updates and firewall clarifications, and he invited council members to submit questions before the June 27 commission meeting. The second reading was scheduled for June 24.
Why it matters: updating municipal building codes aligns the city with regional construction standards, influences insurance and safety inspections, and introduces a new cost‑recovery mechanism for single‑use EV suppression equipment that could affect vehicle owners and insurers.
Next steps: Staff will return for a second reading on June 24; the council may adopt the ordinance after that hearing. The county’s own code update timeline remains separate and may lag behind the city’s adoption.
