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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC RES 93-0604 8 ]3 ]4, ]5' 20~ 23, RESOLUTION NO. 93-60 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUSTIN, SETTING FORTH FINDINGS WITH RESPECT TO LOCAL CONDITIONS WITHIN THE CITY OF TUSTIN WHICH MAKE CERTAIN MODIFICATIONS AND CHANGES TO THE UNIFORM FIRE CODE REASONABLY NECESSARY FOR HOUSING OCCUPANCIES ~rHEREAS, Health and Safety Code Section 17958 provides that if the City of Tustin ("City!') does not adopt ordinances and regulations imposing the same or modified or changed requirements as are contained in the regulations adopted by the State pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 17922, then the regulations published pursuant to Section 17922 become applicable to the City; and WHEREAS, the State of California is mandated by HeaLth and Safety Code Section 17922 to adopt by reference the same requirements as are contained in the most recent edition of the Uniform Building and Housing Codes of the International Conference of Building Officials, the Uniform Plumbing Code of the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, and the National Electrical Code of the National Fire Protection Association (hereinafter referred to collectively as "Codes"; and WHEREAS, Health and Safety Code Section 17958.5(a) permits the City to make modifications or changes to the Codes, which are reasonably necessary because of local climatic, geological or topographic conditions; and WHEREAS, Health and Safety Code Section 17958.7 provides that before making any modifications or changes to the Codes, the City Council shall make an express finding that such changes or modifications are reasonably necessary because of local climatic, geological or topographic conditions; and 20 i 22. WHEREAS, the Community Development Department and Orange County Fire Services have recommended that changes and modifications be made to the Codes and have advised that certain said changes and modifications to the Uniform Fire Code, 1991 Edition, are reasonably necessary due to local conditions in the City and have further advised that the remainder of said changes and modifications are of an administrative or procedural nature, or concern themselves with subjects not covered by the Codes or are reasonably necessary to safeguard life and property %~ithin the City. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Tustin as follows: SECTION 1. The following changes and modifications to the 1991 Uniform Fire Code, as recommended by the city building official, are hereby found to be reasonably necessary due to the following local conditions. A. UFC Section 10.507 (modifies corresponding Title 24, California Code of Regulations, Section 3802) has been amended to require that all buildings with a gross square footage of 6,000 or greater or more than two stories in height; and all new Group R, Division 1 and Group R, Division 3 buildings other than detached one and two family dwellings have an approved automatic fire sprinkler system in addition to the other requirements of the Uniform Building Code. Additionally, all new R-3 occupancies, de~ached one and two family dwellings, where the gross square footage of the building exceeds 6,000 square feet or more than two stories in height, shall be equipped with an automatic sprinkler system. Residential cr quick response standard sprinkler heads shall be used in the dwelling unit and guest room portions cf the building. Climatic conditions: i. The City is located in a semi-arid Mediterranean type climate. It annually experiences extended periods of high temperatures wi~h little or no precipitation. Hot dry foehn (Santa Ana wind), which may reach speeds up to 70 m.p.h, is also common to the City. These climatic condi=ions cause extreme drying of vegetation and common building materials and predispose the area ~o large destructive fires (conflagration). 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 15 16 17 18 19 2O 21 2'2 241, o5:' 27!i 28. The climate alternates between extended periods of drought and brief flooding conditions. Water demand in this densely populated area far exceeds the quantity supplied by natural precipitation; and although the population continues to grow the already taxed water supply does not. California is projected to increase in population by nearly 10 million over the next quarter of a century with 50 percent of that growth centered in Southern California. These dry climatic conditions and winds contribute to the rapid spread of even small fires originating in high density housing or vegetation. These fires spread very quickly and create a need for increased levels of fire protection. The added protection of fire sprinkler systems will supplement normal fire department response, by providing immediate protection for the building occupants and by containing and controlling the fire spread to the area of origin. Fire sprinkler system will also reduce the use of water for firefighting by as much as 50 to 75 percent. Topographical conditions: Traffic and circulation congestion is an artificially created, obstructive topographical condition, which is common in the City. These topographical conditions combine to create a situation which places fire department response time to fire occurrences at risk, and makes it necessary to provide automatic on-site fire-e×tinguishing systems for reasonable protection of occupants, guests and property. Geological conditions: The City is located in an area cf high seismic activity, seismic zone 4. The Newport- Inglewood Fault, located west of the City, poses the greatest hazard to life and property. 3~ 4 5 6' 7~ 8 10 12 13 14 15 '.1 2'2: '~'-~ I 25~ 26. Geologic studies indicate that this fault is capable of generating a maximum credible 7.5 magnitude earthquake. Because of the City's degree of urbanization and close proximity to a major fault, the risk of structural damage and loss of life due to ground shaking is considerable. Major earthquakes are always accompanied by disruption of traffic flow and fires. During a major earthquake fire department resources would be extremely taxed and the ability to respond to fires would be complicated and in some cases impossible due to disrupted traffic flow in what is already a congested area. On-site fire-extinguishing systems would provide a heightened degree of protection from fires even if water mains are damaged or destroyed. B. Section 10.510 (b) (modifies corresponding Title 24, California Code of Regulations, Section 3805) has been amended to require fire department access to, or additional standpipe outlets for, any building with a horizontal dimension of 300 feet or greater. This is compatible with fire fighting equipment and human resources available to the local fire department. TopoqraDhica! conditions: Traffic and circulation congestion is an artificially created , obstructive topographical condition, which is common in the City. Many large commercial/industrial buildings exist in the City, which have a horizontal dimension of 300 feet or greater, creating an unusual topographical condition. Portions of these buildings cannot be reached with a fire hose line on initial attack. These topograpkica! conditions combine to create a situation which hinders fire department response time to fire occurrences and makes it necessary to provide additional on-site fire fighting resources. 10. ~ I. 21 2'2 24 27: C. Section 10.514 (modifies corresponding Title 24, California Code of Regulations, Section 1807) has been amended to define high-rise buildings as any structure 55 feet or greater in height above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access. This section also requires a roof top emergenc~ access and evacuation facility on all buildings 75 feet or greater in height with an occupancy classification of Group B, Division 2 or Group R, Division 1. Optional provisions are provided for buildings with a roof slope greater than 4 in 12. ToDoqraphJcal conditions: The City has an urban atmosphere which is reflected in building and building complex design and features. Landscaping and other building features often preclude or greatly limit approach or operational access by fire department vehicles. The UBC high-rise provisions were developed to provide for fire department laddering capabilities and response time in a downtown Los Angeles or New York City setting. These older cities typically have high-rise buildings which are constructed close to the street, but in the City kigh-rise buildings typically have side yards and landscaping. D. Section 11.505 (modifies corresponding Title 24, California Code of Regulations, Section 3703) has been amended to require chimney spark arresters on all new devices that burn any solid or liquid fuel. This protection is needed because of the area climatic conditions. Climatic conditions: The City is located in a semi-arid Mediterranean type climate. It annually experiences e×tended periods of high ~emperatures with little or no precipitation, which causes extreme drying of vegetation and common building materials. o The City is also subject to extreme foehn (Santa Ana wind) conditions which further contributes to drying and rapid spread of ~ire 2 7~ 11 12 17. 18, i9! 20': 21~ 24' These climatic conditions combine to create a unique situation where vegetation and building materials are the driest during the fall months. Fireplaces are most frequently used during this time and flying embers become a hazard for building materials or vegetation in the City. E. Appendix V Adopted Standards, Section 5. NFPA 14 Standard for the installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems, 1990 Edition (modifies corresponding Title 24, California Code of Regulations, Section 6003 (c) 8.) has been amended to provide for a system test/drain pipe and increase system pressure. ToDograDhica! condStions: The test/drain valve will allow state-mandated functional flow testing of the system. The increased pressure is necessary for the system to function utilizing the standard Orange County Fire Department equipment. It is also necessary to compensate for the design factors which created the inadequate standpipe system design at the fatal fire in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on February 23, 1991. The amendments address the deficiencies which were revealed by this fire. They are consistent with the Los Angeles City and County Fire Departments requirements and reflect changes which are propcsed to the national standard for standpipe design, NFPA 14. PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Tustin City Council, held on the 21st day of June, 1993. /~, City Clerk STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF ORANGE ) CITY OF TUSTIN ) J IJ~" POTTS MCyor SS City of Tustin RESOLUTION CERTIFICATION STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF ORANGE ) CITY OF TUSTIN ) ss RESOLUTION NO. 93-60 Mary E. Wynn, City Clerk and ex-officio Clerk of the City Council of the City of Tustin, California, does hereby certify that the whole number of the members of the City Council is five; that the above and foregoing resolution was passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council held on the 21st day of June, 1993, by the following vote: COUNCILMEMBER AYES: COUNCILMEMBER NOES: COUNCILMEMBER ABSTAINED: COUNCILMEMBER ABSENT: Potts, Saltarelli, Pontious, Puckett, Thomas None None None Mary E. Wynn, City Clerk