HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 2135 N.C.S. 09/09/2002 ~ ~~f~
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3 ORDINANCE N0.2135 N.C.S.
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7 Introduced by Seconded by
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10 Councilmember Maguire Councilmember Cader-Thompson
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15 AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PETALUMA
16 AMENDING CHAPTER 17.20 OF THE PETALUMA MUNICIPAL
1.7 CODE TO ADOPT THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS
18 TITLE 24, PART 9, 2001 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE,
19 INCORPORATING T>FIE 2000 EDITION OF THE UNIFORM
20 FIRE CODE AND UNIFORM FIRE CODE STANDARDS
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23
24 BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL. OF THE CITY OF PETALUMA AS
25 FOLLOWS:
26
27 SECTION 1. Pursuant to California Health and Safety Code section 17958.7, the City
28 Council makes the factual findings set forth in "Exhibit A" attached hereto and incorporated
29 herein by reference, and finds that the amendments made in this ordinance to the California
30 Building Standards Title 24, Part 9, 2001 California Fire Code, incorporating the 2000 Edition of
31 the Uniform Fire Code, are reasonably necessary because of the local climatic, geological or
32 topographical conditions set forth in said exhibit.
33
34 SECTION 2. Section 17.20.010 of the Petaluma Municipal Code is hereby amended to
35 read as follows:
36
37 17.20.010. ADOPTION OF CALIFORNIA BUILDING
38 STANDARDS TITLE 24, PART 9, 2001 CALIFORNIA FIRE
39 CODE, INCORPORATING THE 2000 EDITION OF THE
40 UNIFORM FIRE CODE AND UNIFORM FIRE CODE
41 STANDARDS.
42
Ord. 2135 N.C.S. Page 1
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1 There is hereby adopted by the City of Petaluma for the purpose of
2 prescribing regulations governing conditions hazardous to life and
3 property from fire, hazardous materials or explosion, that certain
4 Code and Standards known as the California Building Standards
5 Title 24, Part 9, 2001 California Fire Code (CFC), incorporating
6 the 2000 Edition of the Uniform Fire Code, including Appendix
7 Chapters I-A, I-C, II-A, II-B, II-C, II-E, II-F, III-A, III-B, III-C,
8 III-D, IV-A, V-A, VI-A, VI-B, VI-C, VI-D and VI-E, and
9 appendix standards 10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 74-2, 79-3, 79-5, 80-1, 81-1,
10 81-2, 81-3, 82-1, 88-1 published by the Western Fire Chiefs
11 Association and The California Building Standards Commission,
12 being particularly the 2001 Edition CFC and the whole thereof,
13 save and except such portions as are hereinafter deleted, added or
14 amended by this chapter. Not less than one (1) copy of said Code
15 has been and is now filed in the office of the clerk of the City and
16 the same is adopted and incorporated as fully as if set out at length
17 herein and. the provisions thereof shall be controlling within the
18 limits of the City.
19
20 SECTION 3. Section 17.20.030(C) of the Petaluma Municipal Code is hereby amended
21 to read as follows:
22
23 Whenever the term "Uniform Fire Code" is used in this chapter, it shall
24 mean the California Building Standards Title 24, Part 9, 2001 California
25 Fire Code, incorporating the 2000 Edition of the Uniform Fire Code and
26 Uniform Fire Code Standards.
27
28 SECTION 4. Section 17.20.070 of the Petaluma Municipal Code, entitled
29 "Amendments Made in the Uniform Fire Code," is hereby amended to include the following
30 additions, amendments and deletions to the Uniform Fire Code:
31
32 1. Section 214-M is hereby added to read as follows:
33
34 214-M -Definition. "Mid-Rise Building" is a building having floors used
35 for human occupancy located more than 55 feet (16 764 mm), but less than
36 75 feet (22 860 mm) above the lowest level of fire department vehicle
37 access, as measured from the walking surface of the highest human
38 occupied floor to the surface of the lowest fire department access road
39 complying with Section 902 of this code.
40
Ord. 2135 N.C.S. Page 2
1 2. Section 219-R is hereby amended to read as follows:
2
3 219-R -Definition. "Rubbish" is combustible and non-combustible waste
4 materials including but not limited to residue from the burning of wood,
5 and other combustible materials, papers, rags, cartons, boxes, wood,
6 excelsior, rubber, leather, tree branches, yard trimmings, tin cans, metals,
7 mineral matter, glass, crockery, dust, and other similar materials.
8
9 3. Section 901.4.4 is hereby amended to read as follows:
10
11 901.4.4. Premises Identification. Approved numbers or addresses shall be
12 placed on all new and existing buildings in such a position as to be plainly
13 visible and legible from the street or road fronting the property.
14 Numbers/addresses on residential structures shall be at least four (4)
15 inches (101.6 mm) in height with three-fourths (3/4) inch (19.1 mm)
16 stroke. All other occupancies shall have numbers/addresses a minimum of
17 six (6) inches (152.4 mm) in height with three-fourths (3/4) inch (19.1
18 mm) stroke. All numbers/addresses shall contrast with their background.
19
20 4. Section 902.2.2.7 is hereby added to read as follows:
21
22 902.2.2.7. Mid-Rise Buildings. Mid-rise buildings shall be accessible on a
23 minimum of two sides. Roadways shall not be less than 10 feet (3048 mm)
24 or more than 35 feet (10 668 mm) from the building. Landscaping or other
25 obstructions shall not be placed or maintained around structures in a manner
26 so as to impair or impede accessibility for fire fighting and rescue
27 operations.
28
29 5. Sections 902.3.4, 902.3.4.1, and 902.3.4.2 are hereby added to read as follows:
30
31 902.3.4. Mid-Rise Stair shaft Doors -Exterior Access. There shall be
32 provided for Fire Department use at least one access door to one enclosed
33 exit stair shaft that serves all building levels and the roof at the main
34 entrance level outside the building.
35
36 902.3.4.1. Mid-Rise Stair shaft -Obstructions. All enclosed exit stairways
37 shall be continuous to each floor served in either direction and shall be
38 without obstructions such as intervening doors and gates.
39 EXCEPTION: Approved barriers provided at the ground floor level
40 to prevent persons traveling downward from accidentally continuing
Ord. 2135 N.C.S. Page 3
1 into the basement. In accordance with Section 1005.3.3.4 of the
2 Building Code.
3
4 902.3.4.2. Mid-Rise Stair shaft Doors -Locks. Locking of enclosed exit
5 stair shaft doors.
6 1. All enclosed exit stair shaft doors that are to be locked from the stair
7 shaft side shall have the capability of being unlocked without
8 unlatching, by all of the following methods:
9 1.1 A manual signal from the central fire control room.
10 1.2 The actuation of a fire alarm device.
11 1.3 Upon failure of electrical power.
12 2. When enclosed exit stair shaft doors are locked from the stairway
13 side, an approved emergency communication system directly
14 connected to the building control station, proprietary supervisory
15 station, or other approved emergency location shall be available to
1.6 the public.
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18 6. Sections 902.5, 902.5.1, 902.5.1.2, and 902.5..1.3 are hereby added to read as
19 follows:
20
21 902.5. Mid-Rise Elevators.
22
23 902.5.1. General. In every bank of elevators, there shall be provided and
24 available to the fire department, an elevator that opens on to each floor
25,; served by the individual bank. A bank of elevators is one or more elevator
26 cars controlled by a common operating system, or where all elevator cars
27 will respond to a single call button.
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29 902.5.1.2. Lobbies.
30 Elevators shall open into a lobby on all floors except the lowest terminal
31 floor of building entry. Lobbies may serve more than one (1) elevator.
32
33 Lobbies shall be separated from the corridor by one (1) hour fire resistive
34 construction with all openings protected by tight fitting twenty (20) minute
35 door assemblies designed to close automatically upon activation of a
36 detector that will respond to visible or invisible particles of combustion.
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38 Lobbies shall also be separated from the remainder of the building as
39 required for corridor walls and ceilings.
40
Ord. 2135 N.C.S. Page 4
1 902.5.1.3. Size of Car.
2 1. Elevator cars assigned for Fire Department use shall have a height,
3 recessed area, or removable ceiling which will make possible the
4 carrying of a nine (9) foot (2743 mm) high ladder.
5 2. At least one elevator car assigned for Fire Department use and
6 serving all floors shall be of a size that will accommodate a 24-inch
7 (610 mm) by 78 inch (1981 mm) ambulance stretcher in the
8 horizontal position, and have a clear door opening width of 42
9 inches (1067 mm). The elevator shall be identified with approved
10 signs.
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12 7. Section 903.3 (1) is hereby amended to read as follows:
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14 903.3 (I). Adequate Water Supply. Minimum fire flow for buildings
15 shall be calculated as specified in Uniform Fire Code Appendix III-A,
16 "Fire flow Requirements for Buildings." If building fire flow calculations
17 cannot be made at the time of project submittal, the following fire flows
18 shall apply. When the building fire flow calculations are submitted, these
19 flows shall be adjusted in accordance with Appendix III-A.
20 Single and Two Family Residential:
21 1500 GPM
22 Commercial, Industrial, Schools and Multi.-family
23 Residential:
24 2500 GPM
25 Fire flows for single-family dwellings may be reduced to the minimum
26 flow as permitted by Appendix III-A so long as the building is fully fire
27 sprinklered and the residual pressure shall be a minimum of twenty (20)
28 pounds per square inch for pumping rated capacity.
29 EXCEPTION: Some existing mains are old and sub-standard,
30 the City Engineer and Fire Marshal shall determine the fire
31 flows for these mains on a site-by-site basis.
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33 8. Section 1001.5.4 is hereby added to read as follows:
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35 1001.5.4. Systems in high-rise and mid-rise buildings. The owner of a
36 high-rise or mid-rise building shall be responsible for assuring that the
37 fire- and life-safety systems required by this Code and the Building Code
38 are maintained in an operable condition at all times. Unless otherwise
39 required by the Chief, approved persons shall conduct quarterly tests of
Ord. 2135 N.C.S. Page 5
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1 such systems. A written record shall be maintained and shall be made
2 available to the inspection authority. (See Uniform Building Code Section
3 403.)
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5 9. Section 1001.5.6 is hereby deleted in its entirety.
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7 10. Section 1003.1.2.1 is hereby amended to read as follows:
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9 1003.1.2.1. Uniform Building Code (UBC) standards for sprinklers and
10 standpipes. Where the current UBC standards 9-1 and 9-3 (automatic fire
1.1 sprinkler systems) and 9-2 (standpipe systems) are referenced in this
12 code, substitute the current edition of NFPA 13, 13D, 13R and 14
13 respectively.
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15 11. Sections 1003.2.10, 1003.2.10.1, 1003.2.10.2. and 1003.2.10.3 are hereby deleted
16 in their entirety.
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:18 12. Sections 1003.2.11, 1003.2.11.1, 1003.2.11.2 and 1003.2.11.3 are hereby added to
19 read as follows:
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21 1003.2.11. Residential Fire Extinguishing System Required After July 1,
22 2000. Commencing on or after July 1, 2000, all single family dwellings
23 for which a building permit is submitted shall require a residential fire
24 extinguishing system designed in accordance with NFPA 13 "D".
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26 1003.2.11.1. Residential Fire Extinguishing System -Fully Sprinklered -
27 Requirements. Full sprinkler systems are required in all newly
28 constructed single-family dwellings that meet any one of the following
29 conditions (residential -see definition, Section 207).
30 1. Fire flows of 1000 GPM or less where the residual pressure is 30
31 PSI or less.
32 2. Three or more stories in height.
33 3. Located within the boundaries of the Very High Fire Hazard
34 Severity Zone.
35 4. Are located at elevations or in areas where the water supply does
36 not meet fire flow requirements as determined by the fire chief.
37 5. Are located more than 150 feet from an approved all weather
38 emergency vehicle access.
Ord. 2135 N.C.S. Page 6
1 6. Are located where access is hampered by insufficient road widths,
2 excessive grades, lack of adequate turnarounds, or other conditions
3 which would impede or delay emergency response vehicles.
4 7. In the opinion of the chief, create an increased hazard or condition
5 that will hamper the ability of fire suppression crews to adequately
6 suppress a fire and/or affect firefighter safety.
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8 1003.2.11.2. Residential Type Sprinkler Heads. Fire sprinklers installed
9 in residential occupancies shall be approved and listed. quick response
10 type heads in living and sleeping areas.
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12 1003.2.11.3. Residential Conversions and Additions. Fire sprinkler
13 systems shall be installed in all single-family dwellings that are converted
14 to duplexes and/or multi-family dwellings, bed and breakfasts., inns,
15 lodging houses, or similar uses (see multi-family family definitions,
16 Section 207). All additions in residences with an existing sprinkler
17 system shall require the extension of the sprinkler system into the
18 addition. Exiting residences in which an addition occurs and no fire
19 sprinkler system has been previously installed will not require installation
20~ of a sprinkler system in either the existing structure or the addition.
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22 13. Section 1004.6 is hereby added to read as follows:
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24 1004.6. Mid-Rise Combination Standpipes. Every mid-rise building shall
25 be provided with an approved combined standpipe system. A combined
26 standpipe system is one in which the water piping serves the required 2'/z-
27 inch (63.5 mm) outlets for Fire Department use and the outlets for the
28 automatic fire sprinkler system. The combined standpipe system shall be
29 capable of not less than 500 gpm (1893 Lpm) for the first standpipe plus
30 250 gpm (946 Lpm) for each additional standpipe and the sprinkler
31 demand need not be added. A residual pressure of 100psi at the topmost
32 outlet of each standpipe shall be maintained. The maximum water supply
33 need not exceed 1500 gpm (5678 Lpm). Street water mains may be used
34 as the supply and on-site water supplies are not required, unless the street
35 water mains cannot supply the demand.
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37 14. Section 1004.7 is hereby added to read as follows:
38
39 1004.7. Standpipe Modifications. Standpipe requirements of Section
40 1004.2 (Referencing Table 1004-A) in buildings three or more stories in
Ord. 2135 N.C.S. Page 7
1 height may be modified and otherwise required, if in the opinion of the
2 Chief, a hazard or condition exists in which the installation of standpipes
3 would improve firefighting operations.
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5 15. Section 1006.2.14 is hereby added to read as follows:
6
7 1006.2.14. Mid-Rise Buildings General. Group B office buildings and
8 Group R, Division 1 Occupancies, each having floors used for human
9 occupancy located more than 55 feet (16 764 mm) above the lowest level
10 of Fire Department vehicle access, shall be provided with an automatic
11 fire alarm system and a communication system in accordance with Section
12 1006.2.12.2.
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14 16. Section 1103.2.2.1 is hereby added to read as follows:
15
16 1103.2.2.1. Dumpsters and Containers -Non-Combustible -Fire Zone 1.
17 Dumpsters and containers with an individual capacity of 1.5 cubic yards
18 (40.S;cubic feet) or more, located in the boundaries of Fire Zone 1(generally
19 defined as the downtown business district) as defined in Section 17.22 of
20 the Petaluma Municipal Code, shall be noncombustible, and all lids/covers
21 shall be secured and locked at all times, except when disposing of
22 rubbish/trash.
23
' 24 17. Section 1111.1.1 is hereby added to read as follows:
25
26. 1111.1.1. Repair of Breaches Non-Rated Walls/Ceilings in Fire Zone 1.
27 Breaches, openings, holes or other broken wall and ceilings areas in
28 buildings in Fire Zone 1 (generally defined as the downtown business
29 district) as defined in Section 17.22 of the Petaluma Municipal Code, shall
30 be repaired, restored or replaced when damaged, altered, breached,
31 penetrated, removed or improperly installed. Openings breaches can be
32 repaired with like material such as lath and plaster, sheetrock, plywood or
33 other reasonable barrier. The intent of this section to close
34 openings/breaches to limit spread of fire and products of combustion in the
35 downtown business district.
36
37 18. Section 1116 is hereby deleted in its entirety.
38
39 SECTION 5. The City Clerk is hereby directed to file this ordinance and the attached
40 findings of fact, with the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
41
Ord. 2135 N.C.S. Page 8
1 SECTION 6. All former ordinances or parts thereof conflicting or inconsistent with the
2 provisions of this ordinance or of the Code or Standards hereby adopted are hereby repealed.
3
4 SECTION 7. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase or word of this
5 ordinance is for any reason held to be unconstitutional, unlawful or otherwise invalid by a court
6 of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of
7 this ordinance. The City Council of the City of Petaluma hereby declares that it would have
8 passed and adopted this ordinance and each and all provisions thereof irrespective of the fact that
9 any one or more of said provisions be declared unconstitutional, unlawful or otherwise invalid.
10
11 SECTION 8. This ordinance shall become effective thirty (30) days after the date of its
12 adoption by the Petaluma City Council, or on November 1, 2002, whichever is later.
13
14 SECTION 9. The City Clerk is hereby directed to post this ordinance for the period and
15 in the manner required by the City Charter.
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17 INTRODUCED and ordered posted/ this 9th day of September, 2002.
18
19 ADOPTED this 17th day of September, 2002 by the following vote:
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22 AYES: Cader-Thompson, Vice Mayor Healy, Maguire, Moynihan, O'Brien,
23 Mayor Thompson, Torliatt
24 NOES: None
25 ABSENT: None
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27
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29 E. Cla k Thompson, Mayor
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31 ATTEST: AP~Q D RM:
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33
34 /
35 Gayle Pet ~ en, City Clerk Rich rd Rudnans(ty, City Attorne
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Ord. 2135 N.C.S. Page 9
EXHIBIT "LS"
FINDINGS OF FACT AND NEED FOR CHANGES OR MODIFICATIONS TO THE
CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS TITLE 24, PART 9, 2001 CALIFORNIA
FIRE CODE, INCORPORATING THE UNIFORM FIRE CODE AND UNIFORM
FIRE CODE STANDARDS, 2000 EDITION, DUE TO LOCAL CONDITIONS
CHANGES OR MODIFICATIONS: Pursuant to Section 17958 of the State of California Health
and Safety Code, the governing body of the City of Petaluma in its ordinance adopting, and
amending the 2000 Edition of the Uniform Fire Code, with California Amendments, changes or
modifies certain provisions of the State Building Standards Code as it pertains to the regulation
of buildings used for human habitation. A copy of the text of such changes or modifications is
attached.
FINDINGS: Pursuant to Sections 17958.5 and 17958.7 (a) of the State of California Health and
Safety Code, the governing body of the City of Petaluma has determined and finds that all the
attached changes or- modifications are needed and are reasonably necessary because of local
climatic, geological and topographic conditions as discussed below.
LOCAL CONDITIONS: Local conditions have an adverse effect on the prevention of (1) major
loss fires, (2) major earthquake damage, and (3) the potential for life and property loss, making
necessary changes or modifications in the Uniform Fire Code and the State Building Standards
Code in order to provide a reasonable degree of property security, and fire and life safety in the
City of Petaluma.
Below are listed adverse local climatic, geological and topographic conditions.
CLIMATIC
Precipitation: Precipitation ranges from 20 inches to approximately 25 inches per year.
Approximately ninety percent (90%) falls during the months of November through April, and
10% from May through October. In 1994-1995, severe flooding occurred during the months of
January and March 1995 and 1998.
Relative Humidity: Humidity generally ranges from 50% during daytime 86% at night. It drops
to 20% during the summer months and occasionally drops lower during the months of September
through November.
Temperatures: Temperatures have been recorded as high as 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Average
summer highs are in the 78-85 degree range
Winds: Prevailing winds are from the northwest. However, winds are experienced. from virtually
every direction at one time or another. Velocities are generally in the 5-15 mph range, gusting to
Exhibit A
Page 1 of 3
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7.4-30 mph, particularly during the summer months. Extreme winds, up to 50 mph, have been
known to occur.
Summary: These local climatic conditions affect the acceleration intensity, and size of fire in the
community. Times of little or no rainfall, of low humidity and high temperatures create
extremely hazardous conditions, particularly as they relate to wood shake and shingle roof fires
and conflagrations. The winds experienced in this area can have a tremendous impact upon
structure fires in buildings in close proximity to one another. Winds can carry sparks and burning
brands to other structures, thus spreading the fire and causing conflagrations. In building, fires,
winds can literally force fires back into the building and create a blowtorch effect, in addition to
preventing "natural" ventilation and cross-ventilation efforts.
GEOLOGICAL AND TOPOGRAPHIC
The fire environment of a community is primarily a combination of two factors: the. area's
physical geographic characteristics and the historic pattern of urban-suburban development.
These two factors, alone and combined, create a mixture of environments which ultimately
determine the areas' fire protection needs.
The basic geographical boundaries of the city include hills to the south and west, and valley floor
in the central area and to the north and east. The Petaluma River bisects the. city through the
central area. Because of the size of the City of Petaluma (12 square miles), the characteristics of
the fire environment changes from one location to the next. Therefore the city has not one, but a
number of, fire environments; each of which has its individual fire protection needs.
The service area of the City of Petaluma has a varied topography and vegetative cover. A
conglomeration of bay, plains, hills and. ridges make up the terrain. Development has occurred
on the flat lands in the central and eastern portions of the city. However, over the last ten years,
development has spread into the hills and the smaller valleys and canyons.
Seismic Location: The relatively young geological processes that have created the San Francisco
Bay Area are still active today. Two active earthquake faults (San Andreas and the Healdsburg-
Rodgers Creek) affect the Petaluma area. Approximately 50°Io of the city's land surface is in the
high-to-moderate seismic hazard zones.
Size and Population: The City of Petaluma covers 12 square miles including an urban
population estimated at 50,000. Within the city are three (3) fire stations and a total of 53 fire
personnel. The Fire Department handles diverse responsibilities including wild land and urban
fires, freeway, air, rail and medical emergencies.
Topo~raphX: The city's service area is a conglomeration of bay plains, hills, vallcys, and ridges.
The flatter lands are found in the central and eastern portions of the city. Most of the existing
urban and suburbanized areas are on relatively flat lands (O - 5°Io) slope.
Future residential development is also proposed for the hill areas south and west of the city. The
majority of the hillsides in these areas have slopes ranging from 15 - 30%. Correspondingly,
there is much diversity in slope percentages. Slope is an important factor in fire .spread. As a
Exhibit A
Page 2 of 3
basic rule of thumb, the rate of spread will double as the slope percentage doubles, all other
factors remaining the same.
Ve etg ation: Petaluma's semi-arid Mediterranean-type climate produces vegetation similar to that
of most of Sonoma County.
Approximately half of all the structures in the city have combustible wood-shingle or shake
roofs. This very flammable material is susceptible to ignition by embers from a wild land fire,
furthering the spread of fire to adjacent buildings.
Summary: The above local geological and topographic conditions enhance the magnitude,
exposure, accessibility problems, and fire hazards presented to the City of Petaluma. Fire
following an earthquake has the potential of causing greater loss of life and damage than the
earthquake itself.
The majority of the City's industrial complexes are located in the highest seismic risk zones. The
highest seismic risk zone also contains the largest concentration of hazardous materials.
Hazardous materials, particularly toxic gases, could pose the greatest threat to the largest
number, should a significant seismic event occur. The City's resources would have to be
,.prioritized to mitigate the greatest threat, and may likely be unavailable for fires in smaller
single-dwellings and structures.
Other variables may tend to intensify the situation:
'The extent of damage to the water system, the extent of isolation due to bridge and/or freeway
overpass collapse, the extent of roadway damage and/or amount of debris blocking the roadways,
climatic conditions (hot, dry weather with high winds); time of day will influence the amount of
traffic on roadways and could intensify the risk of life during normal business hours.
The availability of timely mutual aid or assistarice from neighboring departments, which could
also have emergencies at the same time. The large portion of dwellings with wood shingle roof
coverings could result in conflagrations.
CONCLUSION
Local climatic, geological and topographic conditions impact fire protection efforts, and the
frequency, spread, acceleration, intensity and size of fire involving buildings in this community.
Further, they impact potential damage to all structures from earthquake and subsequent fire.
Therefore it is found to be reasonably necessary that the Uniform Fire Code be changed or
modified to mitigate the effects of the above conditions.
Exhibit A
Page 3 of 3