Council adopts 2021 International Fire Code, adds local amendments

Holland — The Holland City Council voted Aug. 20 to adopt the 2021 International Fire Code and to amend Chapter 11 of the city code to align local fire-prevention rules with the newer model code.

City staff and fire officials told council the update brings Holland into step with regional jurisdictions and adds provisions to address mobile food-vendor inspections, carbon dioxide detection thresholds and storage and suppression requirements for lithium-ion batteries. “What we want to do tonight is ask you to consider adoption of a newer version of that code,” Fire Department staff said during the presentation.

The proposed ordinance replaces the city’s previous reference to the 2012 edition and would adopt the 2021 code by reference, with modest local amendments. Fire Marshal Brett Gurneyke said the more recent code includes a framework that lets a vendor inspected in one jurisdiction use that inspection in another, easing operations for food trucks that operate across multiple communities. “They complete that checklist, and then if we would look because we’re all using that same framework, you don’t have to go through and check that,” Gurneyke said.

Councilmembers asked how the changes would affect existing businesses and what compliance timelines would look like. Staff said many provisions apply only to new construction or to situations where a building’s use changes; retroactivity is limited. On carbon-dioxide detection, Fire Department staff said requirements depend on the amount of carbon dioxide stored or used on-site and that some commercial operations (for example, those handling large quantities for carbonated-beverage systems) may need to add detection systems. Officials indicated they expect a standard ordinance effective date and planned to use routine inspections and outreach rather than sudden enforcement to bring businesses into compliance.

Councilmember Schulteis and others voiced support for the update as an administrative step to improve safety while trying to limit undue hardship on existing businesses. The council moved to approve the ordinance “as presented” and, on roll call, all members voted yes. Brenda, the clerk, recorded the motion as carried.

The ordinance will be added to the city code with the listed amendments and will take effect according to the city’s normal ordinance effective-date procedures. City Attorney Duckworth noted the standard timing and publication requirements for ordinances would apply; staff said they would return with implementation details as needed.