The Sumner City Council adopted the 2009 International Fire Code at the June 21 meeting.

Council also adopted the updated International building, residential, plumbing and mechanical codes. The codes, drafted by the National Building Code Council, are passed on to local jurisdictions. The State Building Code Council amends and adopts the updated code and then local governments are allowed to apply stricter standards, but may not lessen the standards.

Sumner’s change is setting a threshold of 5,000 square feet of floor area for sprinklers. According to the code, automatic sprinkler systems are required in buildings meeting certain criteria including having at 5,000 square feet or more of floor area.

Sounding alarms must be connected to every automatic sprinkler system. Automatic sprinkler systems re required in new one-family and two-family dwellings and townhouses.

The code prohibits buildings from being occupied until installation and approval of the sprinklers and fire alarms are complete.