HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 2292 N.C.S. 11/19/2007 ' A
EFFECTIVE DATE ORDINANCE NO. 2292 N.C.S.
OF ORDINANCE
December 19, 2007
1 Introduced by Seconded by
2
3
4
5 Mike O'Brien Teresa Barrett
6
7
8
9
10 AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PETALUMA REPEALING
11 CHAPTER 17.04 OF THE PETALUMA MUNICIPAL CODE AND ADDING A NEW
12 CHAPTER 17.04 ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE FOLLOWING CODES:
13 2007 EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE,
14 CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS TITLE 24, PART 1 - 2007 CALIFORNIA
15 ADMINISTRATIVE CODE; PART 2 - 2007 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE BASED
16 ON THE 2006 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE; PART 3 - 2007 CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL
17 CODE BASED ON THE 2005 NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE; PART 4 - 2007 CALIFORNIA
18 MECHANICAL CODE BASED ON THE 2006 UNIFORM MECHANICAL CODE; PART 5 - 2007
19 CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE BASED ON THE 2006 UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE; PART 6 -
20 2007 CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE; PART 8 - 2007 CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL BUILDING
21 CODE; PART 10 - 2007 CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE BASED ON THE 2006
22 INTERNATIONAL EXISTING BUILDING CODE; PART 12 - 2007 CALIFORNIA REFERENCED
23 STANDARDS CODE, INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE, 2006 EDITION, 1997
24 UNIFORM HOUSING CODE; AND 1997 UNIFORM CODE FOR ABATEMENT OF DANGEROUS
25 BUILDINGS; APPENDIX CHAPTERS 1 (ADMINISTRATION), J (GRADING) AMENDED BY
26 DELETING J103.2 EXCEPTIONS 1 H (SIGNS) AND I (PATIO COVERS) OF THE CALIFORNIA
27 BUILDING CODE; APPENDIX CHAPTER 1 (ADMINISTRATION) AND APPENDIX CHAPTER A
28 (CODE STANDARD 6-2) OF THE CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE; AND APPENDIX
29 CHAPTER 1 (ADMINISTRATION) OF THE CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE AS PUBLISHED BY THE
30 INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL
31
32
33
34
35 BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PETALUMA AS FOLLOWS:
36
37 SECTION 1. REPEAL OF OLD BUILDING CODES.
38 Chapter 17.04 of the Petaluma Municipal Code, entitled "Uniform Codes for Construction and
39 Regulation of Buildings and Structures" is hereby repealed in its entirety.
40
Ordinance No. 2292 N.C.S. Page 1
1 SECTION 2. FINDINGS.
2
3 The City Council of the City of Petaluma finds that in order to best protect the health, safety and
4 welfare of the citizens of the City of Petaluma, the standards of building within the City must
5 conform with state law except where local conditions warrant more restrictive regulations.
6 Therefore, the City Council should adopt the current state building codes, contained in
7 California Building Standards Code Title 24, and other uniform codes governing the construction
8 and regulation of buildings and structures with the modifications and amendments contained
9 herein.
10
11 Pursuant to California Health and Safety Code section 17958.7, the City Council makes the
12 factual findings set forth in "Exhibit A" attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference,
13 and finds that the amendments made in this ordinance to the California Building Standards
14 Code Title 24, Part 2, 2007 California Building Code., based on the International Building Code,
15 2006 Edition, are reasonably necessary because of the local climatic, geological or
16 topographical conditions described in Exhibit A.
17
18 SECTION 3. CURRENT BUILDING CODES ADOPTED.
19 Chapter 17.04 of fhe Petaluma Municipal Code, entitled "Uniform Codes for Construction and.
20 Regulation of Buildings and Structures" is hereby added to read as follows:
21
22 17.040.010 Adoption of Uniform Codes.
23 Pursuant to Section 50022.2 of the California Government Code, the following codes
24 are adopted by reference, including the amendments listed in this chapter which are
25 made pursuant to the findings of fact set forth in the adopting ordinance.
26 A. Part 1 - 2007 California Administrative Code;
27 B. Part 2 - 2007 California Building Code based or1 the 2006 International Building
28 Code, including Appendix Chapters 1 (Administration), J (Grading) amended
29 by deleting J 103.2 Exception 1., H (Signs) and I (Patio Covers) except as
30 amended in section 17.04.020 below;
31 C. Part 3 - 2007 California Electrical Code based on the 2005 National Electrical
32 Code;
33 D. Part 4 - 2007 California Mechanical Code based on the 2006 Uniform
34 Mechanical Code including Appendix Chapter 1 (Administration) and
35 Appendix Chapter A (Code Standard b-2);
36 E. Part 5 - 2007 California Plumbing Code based on the 2006 Uniform Plumbing
Ordinance No. 2292 N.C.S. Page 2
1 Code including Appendix Chapter 1 (Administration);
2 F. Part b - 2007 California Energy Code;
3 G. Part 8 - 2007 California Historical Building Code;
4 H. Part 10 - 2007 California Existing Building Code based on the 2006 International
5 Existing Building Code;
6 I. Part 12 - 2007 California Referenced Standards Code, International Property
7 Maintenance Code;
8 J. 2006 edition, 1997 Uniform Housing Code; and
9 K. 1997 Uniform Code for Abatement of Dangerous Buildings.
10
11 All references to permit fees are hereby deleted. The permit fees shall be fixed by the
12 Fee Schedules adopted by the City Council via Resolution.
13
14 17.04.020 Amendments Made in California Building Code.
15
16 The California Building Code, as adopted in section 1.7.04.010, is hereby amended to
17 include the following additions, amendments and deletions:
18
19 Section 1 15 is hereby added to read as follows:
20
21 115 Stop work orders.
22 (a) A Stop Work Order will be issued when:
23 1) Work is being done or has been done without a permit.
24 2) Work being done is beyond the scope of the issued permit.
25 3) Work being done does not match approved plans.
26 4) Work being done violates current adopted Building Code..
27 5) Work being done in violation of Municipal Code and Zoning
28 Ordinance.
29 (b) Violators receiving a Stop Work Order are required to respond fo the
30 Building Division within 48 hours of the issued notice to receive
31 instructions on how to rescind the order. If no response is forthcoming,
32 within 48 hours, the Building Division will forward a Building Code
33 Violation memo to the City Attorney's Office for abatement action. A
34 copy of the abatement request will be sent to the Planning Department
35 for their use and information.
36 (c) A building permit application with construction plans and supporting
Ordinance No. 2292 N.C.S. Page 3
1 (structural calculations, energy calculations, handicapped access)
2 documents must be submitted for approval within 15 working days
3 following response to the Building Division. Plans will be reviewed within
4 15 working days and correction letters issued or permit application
5 approved. A response to any correction letter must be returned within
6 15 working days. Five working days will be required to review this second
7 submission and a permit approved for issue. Permits ready for issue must
8 be issued within 5 working days. All construction must be inspected as
g work progresses and signed off by all (affected) departments within 60
10 days of building permit issuance.
11 (d) All time limitations for plan check review and construction indicated in
12 the building codes shall not apply to any work indicated in Section (a)
13 that has received a Stop Work Order.
14 (e) An additional fee of five times the permit fee shall be added to each
15 permit reflecting a Stop Work Order.
16
17 Section 202 is hereby amended to add the following definition:
18
19 ABANDONED. Work shall be considered abandoned if an inspection has not been
20 recorded and approved within 1.80 days from the last approved progress inspection.
21
22 Chapter 7A -MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION METHODS FOR EXTERIOR WILDFIRE EXPOSURE
23
24 Section 701 A.3 is hereby deleted and replaced to read as follows:
25
26 701.A.3 Applicability. New buildings for which a building permit is submitted on or after
27 January 1, 2008, that are located within any Moderate, High or Very High Fire Severity
28 Zone as designated by the Director of CalFire or in any Moderate, High or Very High Fire
29 Severity Zone as identified by the FHSZ map as defined in Section 17.20.040 of the
30 Petaluma Municipal Fire code shall comply with the following sections:
31
32 1. Section 4707 California Fire Code Defensible Space (moderate, high, very
33 high)
34 2. Section 4710.1 California Fire Code and Section 704.A1, 2007 California
35 Building Code -Roofing (Moderate, high, very high)
Ordinance No. 2292 N.C.S. Page 4
1 3. Section 4710.2 California Fire Code and Section 704.A2, 2007 California
2 Building Code -Attic Ventilation (moderate, high, very high)
3 4. Section 704A.3 2007 California Building Code -Exterior Walls (moderate,
4 high, very high)
5 5. Section704.A.4 -Decking, floor and under floor protection (high, very
6 high)
7 b. Section 704.A4.2 -Underfloor and appendages protection (high, very
$ high)
9
10 Section 701 A.3.2.2 is hereby deleted and replaced to read as follows:
11
12 701.A.3.2.2 Local Agency Moderate, High and Very-High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. New
13 buildings located in any local agency moderate, high and very high fire hazard severity
14 zone for which an application for a building permit is submitted on or after January 1,
15 2008, shall comply with the sections designated in 701.A.3 parts 1-6.
16
17 Chapter 9 -FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
18
7.9 Section 903.2. is hereby deleted and replaced to read as follows:
20
21 903.2 Where Required. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed and maintained in
22 all newly constructed buildings.
23
24 Exceptions:
25
26 1. Detached Group U occupancies 1000 sq. ft. or less. Agricultural buildings and
27 private riding arenas as approved by the Fire Code Official.
28 2. Detached pool houses up to 1000 sq. ft. in floor area within 50 feet of the pool
29 and limited to a single bathroom.
30 3. A room above a detached garage used for storage only that does not contain a
31 bathroom, cooking or refrigeration facilities or connections for such facilities.
32 4. Detached non-combustible motor vehicle fuel dispensing canopies classified as a
33 Group M occupancy.
34 5. Car ports of non-combustible construction.
35 6. B or M occupancies 500 sq. ft. or less.
36
Ordinance No. 2292 N.C.S. Page 5
1 Section 903.2.1 is hereby deleted and replaced to read as follows:
2
3 903.2.1 Additions. Additions to existing commercial buildings that increase square feet
4 (based on the following percentages) calculated by the existing gross floor area shall
5 meet the requirements for a newly constructed building:
6 0-1000 sq. ft.: 200% (or 2000 sq ft. maximum cumulative total)
7 1001-4000 sq. ft.: 100%
8 >=4001 sq. ft.: 50%
9
10 Sections 903.2.1.1 through 903.2.1.5 are hereby deleted.
11
12 Section 903.2.2. is hereby deleted and replaced to read as follows:
13
14 903.2.2 Alteration or Repairs. For alterations or repairs to existing building(s) involving
15 demolition, removal, or repair due to fire damage of more than 50% of the structure, the
16 building shall meet the requirements for a newly constructed building.
17
18 Exceptions:
19
20 1. One time alterations or additions made solely for the purpose of complying
21 with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
22
23 Sections 903.2.3 through 903.2.3.1 are hereby deleted and replaced to read as follows:
24
25 903.2.3 Residential Conversions and Additions. Fire sprinkler systems shall be installed in all
26 single-family dwellings that are converted to duplexes and/or multi-family dwellings, bed
27 and breakfasts, inns, lodging houses, or similar uses. All additions to residences with an
28 existing sprinkler system shall require the extension of the sprinkler system into the
29 addition. Existing residences in which an addition occurs and no fire sprinkler system has
30 been previously installed will not require installation of a sprinkler system in either the
31 existing structure or the addition.
32
33 Sections 903.2.4 through 903.2.4.3 are hereby deleted and replaced to read as follows:
34
35 903.2.4 Changes of Occupancy. For any change of occupancy when the proposed new
36 occupancy classification is more hazardous based on life and fire risk, as determined by
Ordinance No. 2292 N.C.S. Page 6
1 the Fire Code Official, including the conversion of residential buildings to condominiums,
2 the building shall meet the requirements for a newly constructed building.
3
4 Sections 903.2.5 through 2.5.1 are hereby deleted and replaced to read as follows:
5
6 903.2.5 Design Criteria. Fire sprinkler systems installed in buildings of undetermined use
7 shall be designed and installed to have a design density of (.33) gallons per minute per
$ square foot over a minimum design area of 3000 square feet. Where a subsequent
9 occupancy change requires a system with greater capacity, it shall be the building
10 owners' responsibility to upgrade the system to the required density and meet any
11 additional requirements of the Fire Code at the time of such change.
12
13 Sections 903.2.6 through 903.2.6.1 are hereby deleted replaced to read as follows:
14
15 903.2.6 .Residential Fire Extinguishing System -Fully sprinklered. Requirements. Full sprinkler
16 systems are required in all newly constructed single-family dwellings that meet any one of
17 the following conditions (see definition, Section 202, Fully sprinklered Building -
18 Residential). The buildings:
19
20 1. Have fire flows of 1000 GPM or less where the residual pressure is 20 PSI or less.
21 2. Are three or more stories in height.
22 3. Are located within the boundaries of the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone.
23 4. Are located at elevations or in areas where the water supply does not meet fire
24 flow requirements as determined by the fire chief.
25 5. Are. located more than 150 feet from an approved all weather emergency
26 vehicle access.
27 6. Are located where access is hampered by insufficient road widths, excessive
28 grades, lack of adequate turnarounds, or other conditions which would impede
29 or delay emergency response vehicles.
30 7. In the opinion of the chief, create an increased hazard or contain conditions that
31 will hamper the ability of fire suppression crews to adequately suppress a fire
32 and/or affect firefighter safety.
33
34 Section 903.2.7 is hereby deleted and replaced to read as follows:
35
Ordinance No. 2292 N.C.S. Page 7
1 903.2.7 Installation of Automatic Fire Sprinklers in Pre-existing Buildings- Historic
2 Downtown Business District.
3
4 A. Geographic Boundary- Historic Downtown District:
5 For the purposes of this section, the Historic Downtown Business District shall include
6 all buildings located inside the geographic area generally formed by Kentucky
7 Street to the west, Washington Street to the north, the Petaluma River to the east,
$ and B Street to the south. Also included in this section is 201 Washington Street
9 (Phoenix Theater) and 132 Keller Street (formerly Tuttle Drug), as more particularly
10 described in Figure 1003.2.12.
'~./'~'•.~'\r moo` 'I
~ . ~ , " /'rte ~ ~ ~
~ _~~I
- figure iooa.l.~:
11
12 B. Installation Requirements:
13 An automatic sprinkler system conforming to the Standard for the Installation of
14 Sprinkler Systems (NFPA13) shall be installed in all existing buildings in the Historic
15 Downtown Business District in accordance with the following criteria:
16 (1) Kentucky Street and Western Avenue:
17 a. In any building wherein a change of occupancy occurs.
18 b. In any building or occupancy where the square footage of the building or
19 occupancy is increased in area by greater than or equal to 25% of the
20 building's or occupancy's existing square footage.
21 c. All buildings with basement or space below street grade used for storage,
22 business, or public use shall have automatic fire sprinklers installed within
23 the basements or the below street grade areas no later than December
24 31, 2010.
Ordinance No. 2292 N.C.S. Page 8
1 d. All buildings not meeting the criteria of 'a' or 'b' above, shall have
2 automatic fire sprinklers installed throughout the structure, including all
3 public, private, storage and/or concealed spaces, as defined by the
4 Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems (NFPA13) by no later than
5 December 31, 201 b.
6 (2) Petaluma Boulevard North:
7 Automatic fire sprinkler requirements shall not become effective until the City
8 of Petaluma installs an appropriate sized water main and laterals to the curb
9 lines similar to the main installed. Upon notice by the City of such installation, an
10 automatic sprinkler system conforming to the Standard for the Installation of
11 Sprinkler Systems (NFPA-13) shall be installed according to the following criteria:
12 a. In any building wherein a change of occupancy occurs.
13 b. In any building or occupancy where the square footage of the building or
14 occupancy is increased in area by greater than or equal to 25% of the
15 building's or occupancy's existing square footage.
16 c. All buildings with basement or space below street grade used for storage,
17 business or public use shall have automatic fire sprinklers installed within
18 the basements or the below street grade areas, no later than December
19 31, six (b) years from the date of the water main installation.
20 d. All buildings not meeting the criteria of 'a', or 'b' above, shall have
21 automatic fire sprinklers installed throughout the structure, including all
22 public, private, storage and/or concealed spaces, as defined by the
23 Standard for the Installation of Sprinklers (NFPA-13), no later than
24 December 31, twelve (12) years from the date of the water main
25 installation.
26 C. Property Owner's Responsibility for System Installation:
27 (1) The Property Owner shall be responsible for installation of the lateral service from
28 the curb line into the building. This also includes isolation, check or other valves
29 or devices, as applicable.
30 (2) The Property Owner shall be responsible for the installation of the automatic fire
31 sprinkler system according to the Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler
32 Systems (NFPA-13).
33 D. Plans and Specifications:
34 Plans and Calculations (NFPA-13, Chapter 8) for the service lateral and fire sprinkler
35 system shall be submitted to and approved by the Fire Prevention Bureau prior to
36 installation of equipment and materials.
Ordinance No. 2292 N.C.S. Page 9
1 (1) For the Kentucky Street installations that are required on or before December
2 31, 2010 or December 31, 2016, all Plans and Calculations for service lateral and
3 sprinkler systems shall be submitted no later than June 30, 2010 or June 30, 2016
4 respectively, with installation and approval of work to occur prior to December
5 31, 2010 or December 31, 2016 respectively.
6 (2} For Petaluma Boulevard North installations that occur in the last year of the six
7 (b) or twelve (12) year deadline (when established) after the installation of the
8 water main by the City of Petaluma, Plans and Calculations shall be submitted in
9 that last year no later than June 30, with installation and approval of work to
10 occur prior to December 31 of that last year.
11
12 Sections 903.2.8 throucrh 903.2.12.2 are hereby deleted.
13
14 Section 903.3 is hereby deleted and replaced to read as follows:
15
16 903.3 Installation requirements. Sprinkler systems shall be installed in accordance with
17 NFPA 13, NFPA 13R if approved by the Fire Code Official and NFPA 13D.
18
19 Section 903.4 is hereby deleted and amended to read as follows:
20
21 903.4 Sprinkler system monitoring and alarms. Except for Group R, Division 3
22 Occupancies, all valves controlling the water supply for automatic sprinkler systems,
23 pumps, tanks, water levels, and water flow switches shall be electronically supervised.
24 Valves when used for standpipes are excluded from this provision unless required by the
25 Fire Code Official.
26
27 Section 903.4.1 is hereby is amended to read as follows:
28
29 903.4.1 Signals. Alarm, supervisory and trouble signals shall be distinctly different and shall
30 be automatically transmitted to an approved central station, remote supervising station
31 or proprietary supervising station as defined in NFPA 72, or when approved by the Fire
32 Code Official, shall sound an audible signal at a constantly attended location.
33
34 Section 905.3.1 is hereby deleted and replaced to read as follows:
35
Ordinance No. 2292 N.C.S. Page 10
1 905.3.1 Building height. Class I standpipes shall be installed in buildings three stories or
2 over in height and/or if, in the opinion of the Chief, a hazard or condition exists in which
3 the installation of standpipes would improve firefighting operations. Standpipes will be
4 provided with approved outlets provided on each floor level, including the roof when
5 roof access is provided.
6
7 Section 907.2.8.3 is hereby amended as follows: all wording after "as required by section
$ 907.2.10." is hereby deleted.
9
10 Section 907.2.10.1.2.1 is hereby added to read as follows:
11
12 907.2.10.1.2.1 Smoke Alarms -Sale of Property. No person or persons shall buy or
13 otherwise receive legal or equitable title in real property or permit a change of tenancy
14 in owned real property improved with one or more dwellings or apartments capable of
15 human habitation unless there is installed therein one or more smoke alarms, listed by
16 Underwriter's Laboratories or a similar testing organization and listed by the State Fire
17 Marshal. Such devices shall be installed in the same locations required by the Building
18 Code for new structures, and may be powered by battery, house current or any means
19 authorized for such devices.
20
21 Every person who buys or who permits a change of tenancy in owned residential real
22 property as described herein shall certify, by declaration made under penalty of perjury,
23 that this section has been complied with and the detector or detectors required by this
24 section has or have been installed in and are operational in said dwelling, to the
25 standards set out herein.
26
27 17.04.030 Violations/Penalty.
28 Every person who violates any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor,
29 punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000.00 and/or imprisonment of up to six (6)
30 months. A person is guilty of a separate offense for each day during which he/she
31 commits, or continues or permits a violation of this chapter, or each time he/she disobeys
32 a valid order of an enforcement officer.
33
34 In addition to any other remedies available to the city under any applicable state or
35 federal statute or pursuant to any other lawful power the City may possess, any violation
36 of this chapter may be prosecuted or enforced as a nuisance and enforced by a civil
Ordinance No. 2292 N.C.S. Page 1 1
1 court action as provided in Chapter 1.13 of the Petaluma Municipal code or via
2 administrative enforcement as a nuisance as provided in Chapter 1.14 of the Petaluma
3 Municipal Code as Chapters 1.13 and 1.14 may be amended from time to time.
4
5 17.04.040 Copies made available.
6 The city clerk shall retain three copies of each code adopted in Section 17.04.010 of
7 this chapter, and keep the same on file in the office of said city clerk for the
8 examination of the public, but such codes shall not be deemed invalid because of the
9 omission to have copies on file at any time.
10
11 17.04.050 Amendments -State Building Standards Commission.
12 All amendments to the codes mentioned in Section 17.04.010 which have been duly
13 adopted by regulation or act of the California Building Standards Commission shall be
14 deemed to be a part of the code so amended, whether said regulation is effective
15 upon the effective date. of this section or thereafter.
16
17 SECTION 4. The City Clerk is hereby directed to file this ordinance and the attached findings of
1.8 fact, with the California Building Standards Commission.
19
20 SECTION 5. All former ordinances or parts thereof conflicting or inconsistent with the provisions of
21 this ordinance or of the Code or Standards hereby adopted are hereby repealed.
22
23 SECTION 6. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase or word of this ordinance is for
24 any reason held to be unconstitutional, unlawful or otherwise invalid by a court of competent
25 jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance.
26 The City Council of the City of Petaluma hereby declares that it would have passed and
27 adopted this ordinance and each and all provisions thereof irrespective of the fact that any one
28 or more of said provisions be declared unconstitutional, unlawful or otherwise invalid.
29
30 SECTION 7. The City Council finds that this Ordinance is not subject to the California
31 Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in
32 a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c) (3)
33 (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines because it has
34 no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
35
Ordinance No. 2292 N.C.S. Page 12
1 SECTION 8. This ordinance shall become effective thirty (30) days after the date of its adoption
2 by the Petaluma City Council, and its provisions shall become applicable on January 1, 2008.
3
4 SECTION 9. The City Clerk is hereby further directed to post and publish this ordinance or a
5 synopsis of this ordinance for the period and in the manner required by the City Charter.
6
7 INTRODUCED and ordered posted/e~ this 5th day of November, 2007.
8
9 ADOPTED this 19th day of November, 2007 by the following vote:
10
11 Ayes: Barrett, Freitas, Harris, Vice Mayor Nau, O'Brien, Rdbbitt, Torliatt
12
13 Noes: None
14
15 Abstain: None ~
16 ° ~
17 Absent: None r yJ,~.
18
.
19 ~
20 Pamela Torliatt,iMayor
21
22 ATTEST: APPRO D S T FO M:
23
24
25 Claire Cooper, City Clerk Eric W. Danly, Cit torney
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
Ordinance No. 2292 N.C.S. Page 13
1 Exhibit "A"
2
3
4 FINDINGS OF FACT AND NEED FOR CHANGES OR MODIFICATIONS
5 TO THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE TITLE 24,
PARTS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, b, 8, 10, AND 12
7
8 CHANGES OR MODIFICATIONS: Pursuant to Section 17958 of the State of California
9 Health and Safety Code, the governing body of the City of Petaluma in its ordinance adopting
10 and amending the 2007 Edition of the California Fire Code, with California Amendments,
11 changes or modifies certain provisions of the State Building Standards Code as it pertains to the
12 regulation of buildings used for human habitation. A copy of the text of such changes or
13 modifications is attached.
14
15 FINDINGS: Pursuant to Sections 17958.5 and 17958.7 (a) of the State of California
16 Health and Safety Code, the governing body of the City of Petaluma has determined and finds
17 that all the attached changes or modifications are needed and are reasonably necessary
18 because of local climatic, geological and topographic conditions as discussed below.
19
20 LOCAL CONDITIONS: Local conditions have an adverse effect on the prevention of (1) major
21 loss fires, (2) major earthquake damage, and (3) the potential for life and property loss, making
22 the changes or modifications in the California Fire Code and the State Building Standards Code
23 necessary in order to provide a reasonable degree of property security, and fire. and life safety in
24 the City of Petaluma.
25
26 Below are adverse local climatic, geological and topographic conditions that necessitate the
27 modifications to the California Fire Code and State Building Standards Code.
28
29 CLIMATIC
30
31 Precipitation: Precipitation ranges from 20 .inches to approximately 25 inches per year.
32 Approximately ninety percent (90%) falls during the months of November through April, and 10%
33 from May through October. Severe flooding occurred during the months of January and March
34 1995 and in 1998 and 2006.
35
36 Relative Humidity: Humidity generally ranges from 50% during daytime 86% at night. It drops to
37 20% during the summer months and occasionally drops lower during the months of September
38 through November.
39
40 Temperatures: Temperatures have been recorded as high as 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Average
41 summer highs are in the 78-85 degree range.
42
43 Winds: Prevailing winds are from the northwest. However, winds are experienced from virtually
44 every direction at one time or another. Velocities are generally in the 5-15 mph range, gusting to
45 7.4-30 mph, particularly during the summer months. Extreme winds, up to 50 mph, have been
46 known to occur:
47
48 Summary: These local climatic conditions affect the acceleration intensity, and size of fires in the
49 community. Times of little or no rainfall, of low humidity and high temperatures create extremely
50 hazardous conditions, particularly as they relate to wood shake and shingle roof fires and
51 conflagrations. The winds experienced in this area also adversely impact structure fires in
Ordinance No. 2292 N.C.S. Page 14
1 buildings in close proximity to one another. Winds can carry sparks and burning branches to
2 other structures, thus spreading the fire and causing conflagrations. In building fires, winds can
3 literally force fires back into the building and create a blowtorch effect, in addition to
4 preventing "natural" ventilation and cross-ventilation efforts. Petaluma's downtown and
5 surrounding areas contain numerous historic and older buildings that are located very close
6 together, which exacerbates the fire danger from dry conditions, wind, and shake/shingle roofs.
7
g TOPOGRAPHIC
9
10 The topographic fire environment of a community is primarily a combination of two factors: The
11 area's physical geographic characteristics and the historic pattern of urban-suburban
12 development. These two factors, alone and combined, create a mixture of environments which
13 ultimately determine the areas' fire protection needs.
14
15 The basic geographical boundaries of the city include hills to the south and west, and valley
16 floor in the central area and to the north and east. The Petaluma River bisects the city through
17 the central area. The City of Petaluma covers 13 square miles, including an urban population
18 estimated at 57,000. The city's service area is a conglomeration of bay, plains, hills, valleys, and
19 ridges. Within the city are three fire stations and 56 fire personnel. Because of the size of the City
20 of Petaluma the characteristics of the fire environment changes from one location to the next.
21 For example, the central downtown area contains older buildings situated close together, which
22 increases the ability of fire to spread from one building to the net. In contrast, some of the
23 properties on the outlying hills are far apart, but contain large grassy acreages that promote
24 quickly-spreading wildfires during the long dry season.
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26 The city's development pattern also contributes to its unique fire protection needs.
27 Development has traditionally occurred on the flat lands (0 - 5% slope) in the central and
28 eastern portions of the city. However, over the last ten years, development has spread into the
29 hills and the smaller valleys and canyons. This development has significantly increased the
30 service area for the city's fire department and added complicated logistical challenges for
31 getting fire equipment to remote fires or fires on steep hillsides. The majority of the hillsides in
32 these areas have slopes ranging from 15 - 30%. As a basic rule of thumb, the rate of spread will
33 double as the slope percentage doubles, all other factors remaining the same.
34
35 The local vegetation further contributes to fire dangers in the city. Petaluma's semi-arid
36 Mediterranean-type climate produces vegetation similar to that of most of Sonoma County. In
37 the long periods of the year with little or no rain (April through October), this vegetation provides
38 ready fuel for fast-spreading wildfires.
39
40 Moreover, approximately half of all the structures in the city have combustible wood-shingle or
41 shake roofs. This very flammable material is susceptible to ignition by embers from a wild land
42 fire, furthering the spread of fire to adjacent buildings.
43
44
45 GEOLOGICAL
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47 The above local topographic conditions enhance the magnitude, exposure, accessibility
48 problems, and fire hazards presented to the Cify of Petaluma. Fire following an earthquake has
49 the potential of causing greater loss of life and damage than the earthquake itself.
50
51 The relatively young geological processes that have created the San Francisco Bay Area are still
52 active today. Two active earthquake faults (San Andreas and the Healdsburg-Rodgers Creek)
Ordinance No. 2292 N.C.S. Page 15
1 affect the Petaluma area. Approximately 50% of the city's land surface is in the high-to-
2 moderate seismic hazard zones.
3
4 The majority of the City's industrial complexes are located in the highest seismic risk zones. The
5 highest seismic risk zone also contains the largest concentration of hazardous materials.
6 Hazardous materials, particularly toxic gases, could pose the greatest threat to the largest
7 number, should a significant seismic event occur. The City's resources would have to be
8 prioritized to mitigate the greatest threat, and may likely be unavailable for fires in smaller single-
9 dwellings and structures.
10
11 Other variables that may intensify the fire danger after a major seismic event include:
12
13 The extent of damage to the water system
14 a The extent of .isolation due to bridge and/or freeway overpass collapse
15 e The extent of roadway damage and/or amount of debris blocking the roadways
16 Climatic conditions (hot, dry weather with high winds)
17 o Time of day, which will influence the amount of traffic on roadways and could intensify
18 the risk of life during normal business hours
19 The availability of timely mutual aid or assistance from neighboring departments, which
20 will likely have similar emergencies at the same time. The large portion of dwellings with
21 wood shingle roof coverings will increase the likelihood of conflagrations
22
23 CONCLUSION
24
25 Local climatic, geological and topographic conditions impact fire protection efforts, and the
26 frequency, spread, acceleration, intensity and size of fire involving buildings in this community.
27 Further, they impact potential damage to all structures from earthquake and subsequent fire.
28 Therefore it is found to be reasonably necessary that the California Fire Code be changed or
29 modified to mitigate the effects of the above conditions.
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