Council okays new Fire Code

The City Council approved a first reading of amendments that bring the city fire code in line with the international fire code but most of these changes would not affect current business owners unless they modify the interior, disturb the structure or change the occupancy type of their buildings, said Olney Police Detective Dustin Hudson, who also handles code enforcement.

Under the new code, Olney eventually will have to reinforce city streets to double their weight capacity to 85,000 pounds from the current 44,000 pounds to accommodate larger water and fire trucks. Businesses that operate spray booths will have to have sprinkler systems, fireworks will remain banned in the city, new buildings of more than five stories tall or with two or more stories below grade or with a total of more than 500,000 square feet must have a post for firefighters to refill oxygen tanks and more fire extinguishers than under current rules, Detective Hudson said.