20220214-003g: Fire Code Requirements — original pdf

Recommendation

ANIMAL ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20220214-3g March 7, 2022 Date: Subject: Recommendation regarding Fire Code Requirements for Nonprofit and Commercial Animal Shelters and Boarding Facilities in Austin Seconded By: Nancy Nemer Motioned By: Craig Nazor Recommendation The Commission recommends that the City Council take action to upgrade the City’s fire code requirements for Austin non-profit and commercial animal shelters, including boarding facilities. Description of Recommendation to Council On Saturday night, Sept. 18, 2021, a fire at a commercial animal facility in the City of Georgetown burned, killing all 75 dogs being boarded there. At the time, the City of Georgetown had no fire code specific to animal shelters or facilities. Had national fire code recommendations for animal shelters been in place (for a person to be present, or the facility to be adequately alarmed), this terrible tragedy could have been avoided. The Animal Advisory Commission recommends the Austin City Council take steps similar to what the City of Georgetown has done since this tragedy to make Austin companion animals safer. A timeline of the actions taken by the City of Georgetown can be found here: https://georgetown.org/2022/02/23/75-dogs-die-in-fire-at-pet-boarding-facility/ Rationale: Our Commission does not have the proper expertise in fire code to offer a more detailed recommendation than this. Such an endeavor should be taken up by a Commission that reviews fire code, particularly where citizen input can be heard, because this will have financial implications for local businesses. Nevertheless, the Animal Advisory Commission feels that action should be taken quickly to prevent a disaster here in Austin like the Georgetown fire. Vote 10 For: Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 3 Attest: Chair, Animal Advisory Commission 1 of 1