HomeMy WebLinkAboutRPT 9 O.C. FIRE REPORT 01-03-94REPORTS NO. 9
1-3-94
DATE'
JANUARY 3· 1994
inter-Com
TO: WILLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER
FROM:' COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
SUBJEC~ O.C. FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT REGARDING WILDLAND/URBAN
· INTERFACE AREAS IN TUSTIN RANCH
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive and File
BACKGROUND:
· interface areas adjacent to Tustin Ranch.
At the December 6, 1993 meeting of the City Council. Councilman
Thomas requested a report from the Orange County Fire Department
regarding the fire risks to the City at the Wildland/Urban
The Fire Department conducted field inspections in December to
assess the situation. The results of the inspections and
recommendations are included in the attached report from the Fire
Department (attachment A, copies of the applicable Fire Code
Sections with local amendments are included as attachment B).
The Fire Department has also recently formed a Wildland/Urban'
interface task force. Building official, Rick Brown is a member of
the task force representing the City of Tustin. The purpose of the
task force is to identify problem areas and to draft
recommendations for standards to address life safety and property
safety issues in these areas.
Rick Brown
Building official
christine shing~t0n
Assistant City q~anager
RB:hm:wtdtand.ccr
DEC £8 ' _~3 ' 2: _-- -':'l'l P. E×4
ORANGE COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT
180 SOUTH WATER b"TREET
P.O. BOX 86, ORANGE, GAUFORNIA 92666.4XN~
Cr~4) 744-0400
December 27, 1993
LARRY J. HOLMS
DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES
~>ERVING THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS
C~ ORANGE COUNTY ANO THE CreES OF:
CYPRE~
DANA POINT
LAGUNA HILL,5
LAG, UNA NIGUEL
LA PALMA
MISSION vIr:Jo
PLACENTtA
SAN JUAN C.A~ISTRANO
6TANTON
VILLA PARK
YORINk LINDA
Mr. Rick Brown, Building Official
City of Tustin
300 Centemfial Way
Tustin, California 92680
Dear Mr. Brown:
SL;B,~C'u'f: Vfddland Interface Areas in East Tustin
On Deceanber 15, 1993, Peter Changala and Dayn¢ Stiles of Thc irvin¢ Company accompanied
Ole Bardwell and myself on a review of the Irvine Company land in East Tustin. This review
looked at the interface areas from three vantage points. The cul-de-sac on the end of Township,
the deadend of Foothill and the firea'oad on the end of Peters Canyon Road. The existing
protection for most of this area is an approximately thirty feet wide fire break, maintained each
year by diking the ground in the fire break area.- . .
.
The condition of the fire break is good in some areas and non existent in others due to existence
of Eucalyptus groves. In thc .areas where the groves meet the city/county 1/ne a very serious'
problem exist. The fire break needs to be widened to 100 feet. This added to the private
property of county residents would provide a defensible space as recommended by the fire
department.
This fire break shall be maintained at all times to the following minimum standards and are
r~-,,ommendations to reduce the tth-eat of conflagration in this high risk area.
All areas within the I00 feet area need to be maintained free of al! combustible
vegetation. This maintenance will need to be done at a mirdmum of twice a year
and as needed.
All dead or dying Eucalyptus trees within the 100 feet areas must be removed and
properly disposed of.
All living Eucalyptus trees within the 100 feet area must be trimmed up from the
bottom of the tree at a minimum of 20 % of the height of the tree.
RESIDENTIAL SPRINKLERS At,ID SMOKE DETECTORS SAVE LIVES
DEC 2~ '93 12:34PI~ P.3/4
Mr. Brown
December 27, 1993
Page Two
· All living Eucalyptus trees within the 100 fl area which are within 10 ft of any
structure must be trimmed back to at a minimum of the.property line and/or 10
ft away from any structure.
In regards to the eucalyptus groves, it a~ that some maintenanee and thinning along with
the removal or cutting down of some dead trees would provide a higher level of protection
against a conflagration. Some qu~tions regard§ this action may need input from
environmental groups and include:
Can eucalyptus be removed or thinned as a requirement of the city's Hazard
Reduction Program?
Which environmental groups or governmental agencies, if any, will need m
review proposals to remove or trim eucalyptus trees?
If trees are cut down, can they be left'to decay on thc property, or shall they be
removed 'after following the required procedure for trees with bore beetle
infestation?-
If the trees are to be thinned, how far into the interface area would thinning
allowed or required.*
Can trees be removed to provide for a wider fir~. break?
To what extent can coastal sage habitat be thinned to reduce fuel load near'
Assistance from the planning depar~ent will be necessary to answer some of these que.stions.
In regards to the coastal sage habitat, thc fire deparUnent has been working with the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service (USFWS) on similar issues in other areas. So far, they have allowed
thinning in similar situations where fire hazard concerns have been identified. This only take~
consultation with USFWS to obtain an answer.
Monitoring of wildland interface axeas should be through the City department that I~rforms the
hazard reduction and or weed aba~ment programs for the City. Thc firc department is av~.ilablc
to consult with the city on Midland management questions that may arise.
Areas of Fire Department concern are listed as follows:
HIGH (Chaparral,Eucalyptus,European Grasses)
· Open space area behind Vista Luces
DEC Z8 ' ~3 L 3: 35P1'"1 F'. ,:1/4
Mr. Brown
December 27, 1993
Page Three
· East end of Racquet Hill
* East end of Foothill, between Foothill and Covey
MEDIUM (Chaparral, European Orazses)
· Fast end of Lower lake Dr. behind Lake Court
· Behind 2165 & 2121 Lemon Heights Dr.
· Directly behind the Tustin Hills Racquet Club
LOW (European Grasses)
· South of the racquet club following around Pavi!lion and Salt Air Dr.
BetWeen thc East end of Fairweather. Rd. and new developments in thc-
La Colina area.
Regulations to provide fire safe structures and interface would be located in one of three
documents. These documents include: the land use planning document, the building code or
planned community requirements. The fire department would have input into these documents
through the review process. Any area that showed a wildland interface in the tract or site
development-plans would have requirements for fuel modification zones.
The fire department is cijrrently working on addressing building and fire code requirements fo~
those areas designated az very high fire hazard areas. These codes would affect those areas
defined and documented under the requirements of the Bates Bill (AB337)'. The City will be
contacted for review of these proposed code changes as soon as they have been formalized.
If you have any questions regarding the wildland interface areas, please feel free to contact me
at (714) 744-0498,
Respecffu~ily,
Bernie O'Neill, Battalion Chief
Planning And Development
BON:dj
..... ATTACF~MENT "B"
UNIFORM FIRE CODE SECTION 11.302(d)
COMBUSTIBLE VEGETATION
UNIFORM CIRE CODE APPENDIX II A
SUPPRESSION AND CONTROL OF HAZARDOUS FIRE AREAS
TUSTIN CITY ORDINANCE 1113
LOCAL AMENDMENTS TO UNIFORM FIRE CODE APPENDIX #A
11.302-11.303
1991 UNIFORM RIlE CODE
EXCEPTIONS: 1. Areas containing dumpsu:r~ or containers prolem~ by an
approved automatic sprinkler system.
2. Structures of Types I and H fu-e-resistive comu-uction used for dumpster or
container storage located not less than 10 feet gn~n othex buildings.
(c) Commercial Rubbish Handling Operations. Occupancies exclusively
performing commercial rubbish handling or recycling shall maintain rubbish or
product to be processed or recycled as follows:
1. In approved vaults,
2. In coveted metal or metal-lined receptacles or bins, or
iMatedals
See. 11.303. (a) General. Storage, use and handling of miscellaneo~ combus-
tible materials shall be in accordance with this S~ion.
~ (b) Storage in Bnilding~. 1. Ceiling d~ Storage of comb~tible
! materials in buildings shall be orderly and maintain~ not less than 2 fe~t fi'om the
~ ceiling and not le.~ than 18 inch~ below sprinki~ h~ad deflector.
[ 2. Exit~. Comb~fible mat~dal shall not be ~to~d in ~.xim or exit
~ 3. Equipment rooms~ Combustilfle'material shall not be stored in boiler
i rooms, mechanical rooms or electrical equipment rooms.
_--' 4. Attic, under-fl .oor and concealed spaces. Attic, under-floor and concealed
i.sl~ac. es u.s~d for storage of combustible mate~als shall be pro[ect~ on the storage
s~de as required for one-hour fa-e-resistive construction. Openings shall be pro-
~ tected by assemblies that are self-closing and are of noncombustible construction
_:.: or solid wood core not less than 13/4 inch in thickness. Storage shall not be placed
] on exposed joists.
EXCEPTIONS: 1. Areas ~ by approved automatic ~ syslems.
· i 5. Fueled equipment. Fueled equipment, inclnding but not limited to motor-
-_-- cycles, mopeds, lawn-care equipment and lxnlable cooking equipment, shall not 'be stored, operated or repaired within a building.
EXCEPTIONS: 1. Building m' moms consencted for such use in accord~ce
i with the Building Code.
._-:.- 2. When permitted by othe~ provisions of this code.
iThe chief is authorized to r~cluire removal of such equipment form any location
when t.he presence of such equipment is determined by the chief to be .hazardous.
For requirements in covered mall buildings, see.Article 35.
i (c) Use of Flammable Decorative Material. 1. General. Combustible decora-
rive material, including but not limited to cotton batting, paper, foam plastics,
78
1991 UNIFORM FIRE CODE
APPENDIX II-A
Division II
SPECIAL HAZARDS
APPENDIX II-A
SUPPRESSION AND CONTROL OF HAZARDOUS
FIRE AREAS
1. SCOPE
The unrestricted use of grass-, grain-, brush- or forest-covered land in haz-
ardous fire areas is a potential menace to life and property from fire and resulting
erosion. Safeguards to prevent the occurrence of fires and to provide adequate
fire-protection facilities to control the spread of fire which might be caused by
recreational, residential, commercial, indusuial or other aclivities conducted in
hazardous fire areas shall be in ac, co~ with this appendix.
2. DEFINmONS
For the purpose of. this Appendix, certain terms am defined as follows:
TRACER is' any bullet or projectile incorlxrating a feature which marks or
traces the flight of said bullet or projectile by flame, smoke or other means which
results in fire or heat.
TRACER CHARGE is any bullet or projectile incorporating a feature de-
signed to create a visible or audible effect by means which s~sult in fire or heat
and shall include any incendiary bullets and projectiles.
3. PERMffS
The chief is authorized to stipulate conditions for pemaits. Permits shall not be
issued when public, safety would be at risk, as determined by the chief.
4. RESTRICTED ENTRY
The chief shall determine and publicly announce when hazardous f'n~ areas
shall be closed to entry and when such areas shall again be opeaed to entry, Entry
on and occupation of hazardous fLre areas, except public roadways, inhabited
areas or established .trails and camp sites which have not been closed during such
time when the hazardous fire area is closed to entry, is prohibited.
EXCEPTIONS: 1. Residents and owners of private ~ within hazardous
fire areas and their invitees and guests going to or being upon their lands.
2. Entry, in the course of duty, by peace or police officesx, and other duly autho-
rizecl public offic.~, members of a fire. department and membe,'s of c~e United
States Forest Servi~e. ~
5. TRESPASSING ON POSTED PROPERTY
(a) General. When the chief determines that a specific area within a hazardous
fire area presents an exceptional and continuing fire danger because of the density
of natural growth, difficulty of terrain, proximity to structures or accessibility to
467
APPENDIX II-A
1991 UNIFORM FIRE CODE
the public, such areas shall be closed until changed conditions warrant termination
of closure. Such areas shall be posted as hereinafter provided.
(b) Signs. Approved signs prohibiting entry by unauthorized persons and refer-
ring to this appendix shall be placed on every closed area.
(c) Trespassing. Entering and remaining within areas closed and posted is pro-
hibited.
EXCEPTION: Owners and occupiers of private or public property within clos-
~ and posted ar~as, ~ir guests or invites, and local, state and federal public offi-
cers and their authorized agents acting in the course of duty.
6. SMOKING
Lighting, ignifin§ or otherwise setting fire to or smoking tobacco, cigarettes,
pipes or cigars in hazardous fire areas is prohibited.
EXCEPTION: Places of habitation or within the boundaries of established
smoking areas or campsites as designated by the chief.
7. SPARK ARRESTERS
Chimneys used in conjunction with fireplaces, barbecues, incinerators or heat-
ing appliances in which solid or liquid fuel is used, upon buildings, structures or
premises located within 200 feet of hazardous fire areas, shall be provided with a
spark.arrester constructed with heavy'wire mesh or other noncombustible mate-
rial.with openings not to exceed ~12 inch.
8.' TRACER BULLETS, TRACER CHARGES, ROCKETS AND
MODEL AIRCRAFT
Tracer bullets and tracer charges shall not be possessed, fired or caused to be
fired into or across hazardous fire areas.
Rockets, model planes, gliders and balloons powered with an engine, propellant
or other feature liable to start or cause fire shall not be fired or projected into or
across hazardous fire areas.
9. EXPLOSIVES AND BLASTING
Explosives shall Oot be possessed, kept, stored, sold, offered for sale., given
away, used, discharged, transported or disposed of within hazardous fire areas
except by permit from the chief.
10. FIREWORKS
Fireworks shall not be used or possessed in hazardous fire areas.
The chief is authorized to seize, take, remove or cause to be removed fireworks
in violation of this section.
11. APIARIES
Lighted and smoldering material shall not be used in connection with smoking
bees in or upon hazardous fire areas except by permit from the chief.
12. OPEN-FLAME DEVICES
Welding torches, tar pots, decorative torches and other devices, machincs or
processes liable to start or cause fire shall not be operated or used in or upon haz-
ardous fire areas, except by permit from thc chief.
468
1991 UNIFORM FIRE CODE
APPENDIX II-A
EXCEPTION: Use within habited premises or designated campsites which are
a minimum of 30 feet from grass-, grain-, brush- or forest-covered areas.
Flame-employing devices, such as lanterns or kerosene road flares shall not be
operated or used as a signal or marker in or upon hazardous fire areas.
EXCEPTION: The proper use of fusees at the scenes of emergencies or as re-
quired by standard railroad operating procedures.
13. OUTDOOR RRES
OutdOOr fires shall not be built, ignited or maintained in or upon hazardous fire
areas, except by permit from the chief.
EXCEPTION: Outdoor f'u'es within habited premises or designated campsites
where such fires are built in a permanent baxbecue, portable barbecue, outdoor fire-
place, incinerator or grill and are a minimum of 30 feet from a grass-, grain-, brush-
or forest-covg~xl area.
Permits shall incorporate such terms and conditions which wilI reasonably safe-
guard public safety and property. Outdoor fires shall not be built, ignited or main-
tained in or upon hazardous fire areas under the following conditions:
1. When high winds are blowing,
2. ~ a person age 17 or over is not present at all times to watch and tend
such fire, or
3. When public announcement is made that open burning is prohibited.
Permanent barbecues, portable barbecues, outdoor fireplaces or grills shall not
be used for the disposal of rubbish, trash or combustible waste material.
14. INCINERATORS AND FIREPLACES
Incinerators, outdoor f'u-eplaces, permanent barbecues and grills shall not be
built, installed or maintained in hazardous fire areas without prior approval of the
chief.
Incinerators, outdoor fireplaces~ permanent barbecues and grills shall be main-
rained in good repair and in a safe condition at all times. Openings in such app-
liances shall be provided with an approved spark arrester, screen or door.
EXCl~PTION: When approved by the chief, unprotected openings in barbecues
and grills nece~sa~ for proper functioning.
15. CLEARANCE OF BRUSH AND VEGETATIVE GROWTH FROM
ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION LINES
(a) ~,ener-aL Clearance of brush and vegetative growth from electrical trans-
mission lines shall be in accordance with this section.
EXCEPTION: This section does not authorize persons not having legal right of
~try to enter upon or darna~e th~ property of others without consent of the owner.
(b) Support Clearaace. Persons owning, controlling, operating or maintaini.qg
electrical transmission lines upon hazar~gus fire areas shall, at 311 times, maintain
around and adjacent to poles supporting a switch, fu~e, transformer, lightning ar-
r~ster, line junction, dead end, corner pole, towers or other poles or towers at
which power company employees are likely to work most frequently, an effective
469
l
APPENDIX II-A
1991 UNIFORM FIRE CODE
firebreak consisting of a clearing of not less thz.-. I 0 feet in each'direction from thc
outer circumference of such pole or tower.
EXCEPTION: Lines used exclusively m t~tephone, telegraph, messenger call,
alarm wansmission or od~r lines classed u communication circuits by a public
utility.
(c) High Tension Line Clear=nee. Pe~.s owning, controlling,'operating or
maintaining dectrical transmission lines upon lm-.ardous fire areas shall maintain
the clearance specified in this subsection in all directions between vegetation and
conductors carrying electrical current:
1. For lines operating al 2,400 volts and less than 68,000 volts, 4 feet,
2. For lines operating at 68,000 volts and less than 110,000 volts, 6 feet, or
3. For lines operating al 110,000 volts and o~er, 10 feet.
Such distance shall be sufficiently great to f-m-nish the required clearance from
the particular wire or conductor to positions of such wire or conductor at tern-
peratmes of 120°F. or less. Forked, dead, old. decadent and rotten trees; trees
weakened by catfaces, decay or disease; and trees leaning toward thc line, which
co~. id contact the line from the side or fall on the line, shall be felled, cut or trimmed
to remove the hazard.
·
(d) Self-supporting Aerial Cable. Line ci~ is not required for self-sup-
porting aerial cable, except that forked trees, lean~g trees and other growth which
could fall across thc cable and break it shall be removed.
16. CLEARANCE OF BRUSH OR VEGETATIVE GROWTH FROM
STRUCTURES
(a) General Persons owning, leasing, controlling, operating or maintaining
buildings or structurez in, upon or adjoining tmzardous fire areas, and persons
owning, leasing or controlling land adjacent to _~.-h buildings or structures, shall
at all times: . ·
· .
·
1. Maintain an effective fn'ebreak by removing and clearing away flammable
vegetation and combustible growth from areag ~,-izhin 30 feet of such buildings or
..
EXCEPTION: Single specimens of trees, ornamental shrubbery or similar
plants used as ground cove~, provided that they. do not form a means of rapidly
2. Maintain additional fire pro~ction or f~ by removing brush, fl;~m-
rnable vegetation and combustible growth located from 30 feet to 100 feet from
such buildings or structures, when nxluired by the chief because ofextrahazardous
conditions causing a firebreak ofordy 30 feet to be insufficient to provide reason-
able fire safe~y.
EXCEPTION: Crass and other vegetation i0cated more than 30 feet from build-
ings or structures and less than 18 inches in he'_m~ above the ground need not be re-
moved whe~ necessary to ~ t.~e soil at~ i~vcnt erosion.
3. Remove portions of trees which extend with~ 10 feet of the outlet ora chim-
ney.
4. Maintain trees a~accnt to or overhanging a l~ilding free of deadwood.
470
1991 UNIFORM FIRE CODE
APPENDIX It-A
:5. Maintain the roof of a structure free of leaves, needles or other dead vegeta-
tive growth.
(b) Corrective Actions. The executive body is authorized to instruct the chief
to give notice to the owner of th~ property upon which conditions regulated by
Section 16 (a) exist to correct such conditions. If the owner fails Io correct such
conditions, the executive body is authorized to cause the same to be done and make
the expense of such correction a lien upon the property where such condition
exists.
17. CLEARANCE OF BRUSH OR VEGETATIVE GROWTH FROM
ROADWAYS
The chief is authorized to cause areas within 10 feet on each side of portions of
highways and private streets which are improved, designed, or ordinarily used for
vehicular traffic to be cleared of flammable vegetation and other combustible
growth. The chief is authorized to enter upon private property to do so.
EXCEPTION: Single specimens of trees, ornamental shmbbe~ or cultivated
ground cover such as green grass, ivy, succulents or similar plants used as ground
covers, provided that they do not form a means, of readily transmitting f'we.
18. UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES
If the chief determines that difficult terrain, danger of erosion or other unusual
circumstances make strict compliance with the clearance of vegetation provisions
of Sections ! 5, 16 or 17 of this appendix undesirable or impractical, enforcement
thereof may be suspended and reasonable alternative measures shall be provided.
19. DUMPING
Garbage, cans, bottles, papers, ashes, refuse, Imsh, rubbish or combustible
waste material shall not be placed, deposited or dumped in or upon hazardous f'u-e
areas, ~r in, upon or along trails, roadways or highways in hazardous fire areas.
EXCEPTION: Approved public and private dumping areas.
20. DISPOSAL OF ASHES
Ashes and coals shall not be placed, deposited or dumpedin or upon b__n?_ardons
fire areas.
EXCEPTIONS: !. In the hearth of an established fire pit, camp stove or f'rr~-
place.
2. In a noncombustible container with a tightfitting lid, which is kept or main-
mined in a safe location not less than 10 feet from combustible vegetation or struc-
tures.
3. ~ such ashes or coals nrc buried and covered with I foot of mineral earth
not less than 25 feet from combustible vegetation or structures.
21. USE OF FIRE ROADS AND FIREBREAKS
Motorcycles, motor scooters and motor vehicles shall not be driven or parked
upon, and trespassing is prohibited upon, fire roads or firebreaks beyond the point
where travel is restricted by a cable, gate or sign, without the permission of the
471
APPENDIX IkA
1991 UNIFORM FIRE CODE
property owners. Vehicles shall not be parked in a manner which obstructs thc en-
trance to a fire road or fu-ebreak.
EXCEPTION: Public officers acting wilhin their scope of duty.
Radio and television aerials, guy wires thereto, and other obstructions shall not
be installed or maintained on fur roads or fire~ unless located 16 feet or more
above such fire road or firebreak.
22. USE OF MOTORCYCLES, MOTOR SCOOTERS AND MOTOR
VEHICLES
Motomyclcs, motor scooters and motor vehicles shall no~ be operated within
hazardous fire areas, without a permit by thc chief, except upon clearly established
public or private roads. Permission from the ~ owner shall be presented
when req.uesting a permit_
23. TAMPERING WITH FIRE DEPARTMENT LOCKS, BARRICADES
AND SIGNS
Locks, barricades, seals, cables, signs and markers installed within hazardous
fire areas, by or under the control of the chief, shall not be tampered with, muti-
lated, destroyed or removed.
Gates, doors, barriers and locks installed by or under the control of the chief
shall not be unlocked.
24. LIABILITY FOR DAMAGE -
The expenses of fighting fLreS which result from a violation of this appendix
shall be a charge against thc person whose violation of this appendix caused the
fire. Damages caused by such fur~ shall constitute a debt of such person and arc
collectable by the chief in the same manner as in the case of an obligation under a
contract, expressed or implied.
472
:": :i: " ...... '
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
15
115
17
18
:20
9.1
22
2~
25
2(i
27
28
QQ.
TT.
k -".RVED
Appendix II-A, Section 17, of the Uniform
Fire Code is hereby amended by ider.-_ifying
the first paragraph as (a) and adding a new
Subsection (b) to read as follo'~'s:
(b)
The Fire Chief may suspend enforcement
and require reasonable alterna%ive
measures designed to advance the ~
purposes of this article, if the Chief
determines in any specific case that any
of the following conditions exist:
1. Difficult terrain
2. Danger of erosion
~
Presence of plants included in any
State and Federal Resources
agencies, California Native -Plant
Society and County approved list of
wildlife, plants, rare, endangered
and/or threatened species.
~
Stands or groves o{ trees or
heritage trees
5.
Other unusual circumstances that
make strict compliance wiUh the
clearance of vegetation provisions
of Sections 15, 16 or 17 of this
appendix undesirable or
impractical.
Appendix II-A of the Uniform Fire Code is
hereby amended by adding the following:
25.
(a)
USE OF EQUIPMENT
Except as otherwise provided in t~is
section, no person shall use, operate,
or cause to be operated, in, upon or
adjoining any hazardous fire area, any
internal combustion engine which uses
hydrocarbon fuels, unless the engine is
equipped with a spark arrester as.
defined in subsection 25(c) maintained
in effective working order, or the
engine is constructed, equipped and
maintained for the prevention of fire
pursuant to subsection 25(c).
(b)
Spark attesters affixed to the exhaust
system cf engines or vehicles subject to
this section shall not be placed or
mounted in such a manner as to allow
]
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
!
,
(c)
flames or heat 1 .a the exhaust system
to ignite any fla'mmable material.
·
A spark arrester is a device constructed
of nonflammable material specifically
for the purpose of removing and
retaining carbon and other flammable
particles over 0.0232 of an inch in size
from the exhaust flow of an internal
combustion engine that uses hydrocarbon
fuels or which is qualified and rated by
the United States Forest Service.
(d)
Engines used to provide motor power for
trucks, truck tractors, buses, and
passenger vehicles, except motorcycles,
are not subject to this section if the
exhaust system is equipped with a
muffler as defined in the Vehicle Code
of the State of California.
(e)
Turbocharged engines are not subject to
this section if all exhausted gases pass
through the rotating turbine wheel,
there is no exhaust bypass to the
atmosphere, and the turbocharger is in
effective mechanical condition.
'.-
Appendix II-A of the Uniform Fire Code is'
hereby amended by adding the following:
26. NOTICE OF SPARK ARRESTOR REQUIREMENT
No person shall sell, offer for sale, lease,.
or rent to any person any internal combustion
engine subject to'the provisions of Section
25 and not subject to the provisions of
Section 13005 of the Health and Safety Code,
unless such person provides a written notice
to the purchaser or bailee, at the time of
sale or at the time of entering int6 t~e
lease or rental contract, that it is a
violation of the UFC to use or operate the
engine in upon or adjoining any hazardous
fire area, unless the engine is equipped with
a spark arrester, as defined in Section 25,
maintained in effective working order or the
engine is constructed, equipped, and
maintained for the prevention of fire
pursuant to Section. 27.
Appendix II-A of the Uniform Fire Code is
hereby amended by adding thC following-
27. FUEL MODIFICATION REQUIREKEI:TS FOR NEW
CONSTRUCTION
28
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
~-0
2!
22
24
26
27
.OCCUPANCY
.1 new buildings to be bi ~ or installed in
~ hazardous fire area shal~ Comply with the
following:
A Fuel Modification plan shall be
approved by the Fire Chief prior to the
issuance of a grading permit.
e
The Fuel Modification Plan shall be
approved by the Fire Chief prior to the
issuance of a building permit.
3. The Fuel Modification Plan may be
altered if conditions change. Any
alterations to the Fuel Modification
shall be approved by the Fire Chief.
. .
4. Ail elements of the Fuel M~dification
Plan shall be maintained in accordance
with the approved plan.
Appendix III-B of the Uniform Fire Cod~.is
hereby amended by deleting Table No. A-III-B-
i and replacing with the following:
TABLE NO. A-III-B-1
NUMBER AND DISTRIBUTION OF FIRE HYDRANTS
.
MAXIMUM HYDRANT
SPACING (FEET)
MAXIMUM DISTANCE
FROM HYDRANT TO ANY
POINT ON THE STREET
OR ROAD FRONTAGE
(FEET)
COMMERCIAL/
INDUSTRIAL
300 FEET
150 FEET
RESIDENTIAL,
OTHER THAN
DETACHED ONE-
AND TWO-FAMILY
DWELLINGS
300 FEET
150 FEET 2
DETACHED'ONE-
AND TWO-FAMILY
DWELLINGS 3
250 FEET
300 FEET
In subdivisions or building complexes, when all the
buildings are protected with automatic fire
sprinkler systems, the spacing may be increased to
500 feet.
In buildings protected with automatic fire
sprinklers systems, the distance may be increased
to 250 feet.
29