HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinances 1997 11/20/1995f -
i .~
. ' ~ 1 ~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~
2 ~ ~~~ ~
,
4 ~~. ~ 0 1995 ` ~
5
6
7
8
9
10 ~ ORDINANCE NO. 1997 N.C.S.
11
12
13
14 Introduced by Councilman Seconded by Councilman
15
16 Jane Hamilton Matt Maguire
17
18
19 AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE 1994 UNIFORM FIRE CODE AND UNIFORM FIIZE
20 CODE STANDARDS AND REPEALING ALL FORMER ORDINANCES OR PARTS
21 THEREOF CONFLICTING OR 1NCONSISTENT WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS
22 ORDINANCE OR OF THE CODE OR STANDARDS HEREBY ADOPTED
23
24 BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PETALUMA AS FOLLOWS:
25
26 SECTION 1
27
28 17.20.010 AI)OPTION OF 1994 UNIFO~tM F'IItE COI)E.
29
30 There is hereby adopted by the City of Petaluma for the purpose of prescribing regulations
31 governing conditions hazardous to life and property from fire, hazardous materials or explosion,
32 that certain Code and Standards known as the Uniform Fire Code, including Appendix Chapters
33 I-A, I-C, II-A, II-B, II C, II-D, III-A, III-C, III-D, IV-A, V-A, VI-A, VI-B, VI-D and VI-E, and
34 appendix standards 10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 74-2, 79-3, 79-5, 80-1, 81-1, 81-2, 81-3, 82-1, 88-1
35 published by the International Fire Code Institute, being particularly the 1994 edition and the
36 whole thereof, save and except such portions as are hereinafter deleted, modified or amended by
37 this chapter; not less than one (1) copy of this has been and is now filed in the office of the clerk
38 of the City and the same is adopted and incorporated as fully as if set out at length herein and the
39 provisions thereof shall be controlling within the limits of the City.
40
41 17.20.011 NATIONALI.Y RECOGNIZED STANDAI2IDS
42
43 Where no applicable standards or requirements are set out in this code, or contained within other
44 laws, codes, regulations, ordinances or rule adopted by the City or its officials, compliance with
45 applicable standards of the National Fire Protection Association or other nationally recognized
Ord. 1997 NCS Page 1 of 13
~
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
fire safety standards or other recognized good engineering practices, as the same are approved by
the~_Chief shall be deemed as prima facie evidence of compliance with the intent of this code.
Nothing herein shall derogate from the power of the Fire Chief to determine compliance with
codes or standards for those activities or installations within the Chiefs jurisdiction or
responsibility.
17.20.020 ESTABI,ISFIMEN'T AND Di1'TIES OF BUY2EAiT OF FIRE
PREVENTION.
(A) The Uniform Fire Code shall be enforced by the Bureau of Fire Prevention in the fire
department of the City which shall be operated under the supervision of the chief of the
fire department.
(B) The Fire Marshal in charge of the Bureau of Fire Prevention shaIl be appointed by the City
Manager on the basis of examination to determine his/her qualifications.
(C) The Chief of the Fire Department shall recommend to the City Manager the employment
of technical inspectors, who shall be selected through an examination to determine their
fitness for the position.
17.20.030 I)EFINITIONS.
(A) Wherever the word "jurisdiction" is used in the Uniform Fire Code, it is the City of
Petaluma.
(B) Wherever the words "Chief of the Bureau of Fire Prevention" are used they shall be held
to mean "Fire Marshal."
17.20.040 ESTABI,ISHIVIENTS OF I.IMI'I'S OF DISTRICTS IN WHIC~
STORAGE O~ I.IQ~J~FIED PETROLEUM GAS~S IS TCl BE
RESTRICTED.
The limits referred to in Section 8204.3 of the Uniform Fire Code, in which storage of
liquefied petroleum gas is restricted, are hereby established as being Zone 1.
~ ~~:~ W ~ ~ ~' ~~S 1'~ ~ S
Page 2 of 13
~ ~ .
1
2
3
4
S
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
17.20.050 ESTABI,IS~MEN'T OF L~IVIITS OF DISTRIC'I'S IN WHICFI
STOItAGE OF EXPI,OSIVES ANY) ~I,AS'TING AGENTS IS TO ~E
P120HIBITED.
The limits referred to in Section 7701.7.2 of the Uniform Fire Code, in which storage of
explosives and blasting agents is prohibited, are hereby established as follows: The limits referred
to in Section 7701.7.2 of the Uniform Fire Code are established as being all areas except M-G,
general industrial districts as shown in the Petaluma zoning ordinance, copies of which are on file
in the office of the city clerk.
17.20.060 EST'ABLISHMEN~ OF I,IMITS OF AREAS KNOWN AS VERY
~IG~ Fr~ ~AZA~ s~v~iu~ zoNES ~v~F~sz~ o~
HAZAI2DOUS FIRE AREAS.
The limits of areas referred to in appendix II A as hazardous fire areas are established and
shown on a map of the City of Petaluma, maintained in the Office of the Fire Chief.
17.20.070 AlVIENDMEN'TS MAI)E IN ~'HE UNIF'ORM F~ CODE.
The Uniform Fire Code sections noted herein are amended and changed in the following respects:
105.3 Application i'or Eermit is amended to read as follows:
"All applications for a permit required by this Code shall be made to the Bureau of Fire
Prevention in such form and detail as it shall prescribe. Applications for permits shall be
accompanied by such plans and/or documentation as required by the bureau and permit andlor
inspection fees as established by resolution of the City Council."
105.8 (d.2.1) I)ust producing operations is added to read as follows:
"A permit is required for woodworking establishments where combustible dust or shavings are
produced."
105.8 (d.3) I)ay Care is added to read as follows:
"A permit to operate a day care occupancy with an occupant load of seven or more persons is
required."
~~~. ~ 9 9 7 N C S Page 3 of l3
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
105.8 (f.2.1) Retail sales of fireworks is added to read as follows:
"A permit to engage in the sales or distribution of safe and sane fireworks is required."
105.8 (f.2.1.1) Public display and/or special effects of fireworks is added to read as follows:
"A permit is required for the public display or special effects use of fireworks."
105.8 (f.6) Fire sprenkler or standpipe system permit required is added to read as follows:
"Fire sprinkler or standpipe systems. To install, alter, or remove any fire sprinkler or standpipe
system."
105.8 (f.7) Fixed extinguishing or fire alarm system other than fire sprinklers is added to
read as follows:
"A permit to install a fixed fire e~ctinguishing or fire alarm system, other than fire sprinklers is
required. "
105.8 (i.l) Institutional occupancy is added to read as follows:
"A permit is required to operate an institutional occupancy, except day care."
105.8 (m.4) Medical gas systems installations is added to read as follows:
"A permit is required to install a medical gas system."
105.8 (p.l) Parade Floats is deleted in its entirety.
105.8 (u.l) Private underground fire mains-installation of is added to read as follows:
"A permit to install any private underground fire main to supply fire hydrant(s) and/or fire
sprinklers is required."
207.1 Definition-"Fire Lane" is added to read as follows:
~~~.1997NCS
Page 4 of 13
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
"A Fire Lane of an access roadway reserved for emergency vehicles and the conduct of fire
fighting or other emergency operations as designated by the Fire Department and posted as
required by the Fire Marshal and is in accordance with the California Vehicle Code."
902.4 Key box is amended to read as follows:
"When access to or within a structure or an area is unduly difficult because of secured openings or
where immediate access is necessary for life-saving or firefighting purposes, the Chief is
authorized to require a key box to be installed in an accessible location. The key box shall be of a
type approved by the Chief and shall contain keys to gain necessary access as required by the
Chief. When access to pre-fire plans and/or hazardous materials information is required, the Chief
shall determine the type and size of security cabinet to store the materials."
903.3 Type of Water Supply is amended to read as follows:
"Water supply system(s) shall be consistent with that approved by the City Engineer and Fire
Marshal and capable of supplying the rec~uired fire flow. In setting the requirements for fire flow,
the chief may be guided by the standard published by the Insurance Services Office, "Guide for
Determination of Required Fire Flow and/or Appendix III-A Uniform Fire Code."
l. Adequate Water Supply
"Minimum fire flow for buildings shall be calculated as specified in Uniform Fire Code
Appendix III-A, "Fire Flow Requirements for Buildings." If building fire flow calculations cannot
be made at the time of project submittal, the following fire flows shall apply. When the building
fire flow calculations are submitted, these flows shall be adjusted in accordance with Appendix
III-A
Single & Two Family Residential: 1,500 GPM
Commercial, Industrial and Multi-family Residential: 2,500 GPM
Schools: 2,500 GPM
Under no circumstances shall the fire flow from any hydrant be less than fifteen-hundred
(1,500) GPM. Residual pressure shall be a minimum of twenty (20) pounds per square inch for
pumping rated capacity.
~~~~n~~9~~C~
Page 5 of 13
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
Exception:
Some e~sting mains are old and substandard, the fire flows for these mains shall be
determined by the City Engineer and Fire Marshal on a site by site basis."
Minimum Water Supply and Hydrant Requirements
2
Location and Spacing:
A.
(1) "Fire hydrants shall be spaced at a maximum of three-hundred (300) linear feet for single
family residential districts and for commercial, industrial or multi-family residential districts. Upon
review of site conditions by the Fire Department, fire hydrant spacing requirements may be
reduced or modified. Fire hydrants shall be placed along all adjoining public and private streets
and Fire Department access drives."
(2) "Divided streets shall have hydrants as required by this section on both sides of the street,
and they shall be staggered to prevent a hydrant being placed directly across the divided street
frorn another hydrant."
(3) "Water supply systems shall be capable in material and construction of supplying required
water flow for fire protection, including concurrent fire sprinkler and fire hydrant flows as
required in this section. Plans and specifications shall be approved by the Fire Department and
City Engineering Department prior to construction."
(4) "No public or private mains with an inside diameter of less than eight (8) inches shall be
installed in residential districts or in looped systems within commercial, industrial or multi-family
residential districts."
(5) "Public or private dead-end mains in residential districts shall not be less than eight (8)
inches inside diameter, and not less than twelve (12) inches inside diameter in commercial,
industrial or multi-family residential districts."
,.i:..
Exception:
A minimum of 6" inside diameter pipe may be permitted in short dead end cul-de-sacs.
Minimum -fire flows and approval of the City Engineer is required.
~~~.19 9 ~' N~C S
Page 6 of l 3
}
1 (6) "When a building is equipped with an automatic fire sprinkler system, a single fire hydrant
2 meeting the requirements of this section shall be provided within fifty (50) feet of the Fire
3 Department connection (FDC)."
4
5 B. Types of Hydrants
6
7 "Hydrants shall conform to the City of Petaluma Sewer and Water Design and Construction
8 Standards."
9
10 1001.5.5 Special F~azards is added to read as follows:
11
12 "Buildings four or more stories in height shall have a storeroom on every third floor for the
13 storage of emergency equipment to be accessible for exclusive use by the fire department. The
14 building owner shall provide and maintain at owner's expense the type and amount of emergency
15 equipment as required and specified by the Chief. The room(s) shall not be used for other
16 purposes and shall be located as required by the chief, giving consideration to location of enclosed
17 stairwells."
18
19 1003.2 Fire sprinkler requirements for all Occupancies is amended to read as follows:
20
21 1. "Automatic sprinkler systems shall be installed and maintained throughout all new
22 buildings 3,500 or more square feet in area or three stories or more in height and in all buildings
23 that will house an occupancy, which in the opinion of the Fire Chief, may create a substantial
24 threat to life or property. The Fire Chief shall be guided by the statistical report of the California
25 Fire Incident Reporting System. Sprinkler systems shall be installed in accordance with the
26 applicable National Fire Protection Association Pamphlet. Sprinkler systems installed in non-
27 residential buildings shall be monitored by automatic transmission of an alarm to an approved
28 central alarm receiving station."
29 "It shall not be the intent of this requirement to reduce the more restrictive requirements
30 of Chapter 9 of the 1994 Uniform Building Code. For purposes of this section, new building shall
31 mean any building for which site plan and architectural review application was made pursuant to
32 the Zoning Ordinance on or after June 20, 1990."
33
34 2. "Additions or alterations made to a building so that the combined building exceeds 3,500
35 square feet in area or three stories or more in height shall be required to install and maintain an
36 automatic sprinkler system as described in Subsection 1 throughout the addition or alteration,
37 except that a one-time addition or alteration of an aggregate area not to exceed 250 square feet to
Q~ff~~.1997NCS Page7ofl3
1 an unsprinklered building shall be exempt from this subsection, if made more than one year after
2 the "Certificate of Occupancy" is issued."
3
4 3. "Any new structure or building constructed outside the four minute response area (A map
5 of which is on file in the office of the Fire Chie~, regardless of size or area, shall be provided with
6 an approved automatic fire sprinkler system"
7
8 4. "Any new structure or building, regardless of size or area, constructed at or above the 160
9 foot elevation shall be provided with an approved automatic fire sprinkler system."
10
11 5. "In residential occupancies less than 3500 square feet or 3 stories in height, automatic fire
12 sprinklers shall be located at areas where a normal source of ignition is located. These areas are
13 specifically at clothes dryers, kitchen stoves, furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces and in attic areas
14 containing vents and chimneys for these appliances and equipment. Water supply for these
15 sprinklers shall be looped and may be from the building's domestic water system with a minimum
16 3/4 inch supply to each sprinkler."
17 "Where sources of ignition systems are installed, a spare sprinkler head and wrench box
18 shall be installed in each residence. One of each type of sprinkler used in the residence shall be
19 placed in the box, along with a sprinkler head wrench. The location of the box in the residence
20 shall be in accordance with the Fire Marshal's directions."
21
22 "Residential Type Sprinkler Heads: Fire sprinklers installed in residential occupancies,
23 shall be approved and listed quick response residential type in living and sleeping areas."
24
25 6. "Design Criteria: Fire sprinkler systems installed in buildings of undetermined use shall be
26 designed and installed to have a design density of .33 gallons per minute per square feet over a
27 minimum design area of 3000 square feet. Where a subsequent occupancy change requires a
28 system with greater capacity, it shall be the building owner's responsibility to upgrade the system
29 to the required density, and to meet any additional requirements required by the Uniform Fire
30 Code at the time of the change."
31
32 7. "In all structures, approved four-hour masonry, area separation walls with parapets 30
33 inches above the roof line and without openings or penetrations may be substituted for the
34 required sprinkler system. The Fire Chief may prescribe additional regulations relative to sprinkler
35 systems or separation walls. Any openings in or penetration of separation walls shall be
36 conclusively presumed to be a fire hazard and subject to abatement under the Uniform Fire Code."
37
~~~.1997N~~
Page 8 of 13
1 1007.2.9.1.1 (1) Alarm Systems is added to read as follows:.
2
3 "Such fire alarm system shall be so designed that all occupants of the building will be warned
4 simultaneously and the alarm is audible throughout. A fire alarm and communication system shall
5 be provided in Group R, Division 1 Occupancies located in a high-rise building as set forth in the
6 Building Code."
7
8 1007.2.9.1.2 (2) Products of Combustion IDetectors is added to read as follows:
9 .
10 "No person or persons shall buy or otherwise receive legal or equitable title in real
11 property or permit a change of tenancy in owned real property improved with one or more
12 dwellings or apartments capable of human habitation unless there is installed therein one or more
13 products of combustion detectors (commonly called a'smoke detector'), listed by Underwriter's
14 Laboratories or a similar testing organization and listed by the State Fire Marshal, except that no
15 such device shall be sensitive to heat only. Such devices shall be installed in the same locations
16 required by the Building Code for new structures, and may be powered by battery, house current
17 or any means authorized for such devices."
18
19 "Every person who buys or who permits a change or tenancy in owned residential real
20 property as described herein shall certify, by declaration made under penalty of perjury, that this
21 section has been complied with and the detector or detectors required by this section has or have
22 been installed in and are operational in said dwelling, to the standards set out herein. The original
23 certificate shall be forwarded to the Petaluma Fire Prevention Bureau."
24
25 1115 Roof coverings is added to read as follows:
26
27 "All roof assemblies constructed after the effective date of these regulations shall have a
28 minimum Class "B" fire rating, treated in accordance with the 1994 UBC Standard 15."
29
30 "When an existing building is re-roofed the new roof covering material shall have a
31 minimum Class "B" fire rating treated in accordance with the 1994 UBC Standard 15."
32 1116 Exterior wall coverings is added read as follows:
33
34 "All roof covering materials applied as exterior wall covering shall have a minimum fire
35 rating of Class "B", treated in accordance with the 1994 UBC Standard 15."
~a~~.19 9 7 N C S Page 9 of 13
1
2 7802.1 Fireworks is amended to read as follows:
3
4 "Except as herein after provided, it shall be unlawful for any person to possess, store, offer
5 for sale, expose for sale, sell at retail, or use or explode any fireworks; provided that the Fire
6 Chief shall have power to adopt reasonable rules and regulations for the granting of permits for
7 supervised public displays of fireworks by a public agency, fair association, amusement park or
8 other organization or for the use of fireworks by artisans in pursuit of their trade. Every such use
9 or display shall be handled by a competent operator approved by the Fire Chief, and shall be of
10 such character and so located, discharged or fired as in the opinion of the Fire Chief, after proper
11 investigation, so as not to be hazardous to property or endanger any person."
12
13 "Safe and Sane Fireworks: During the period beginning 12:00 noon June 28th and ending
14 12:00 noon July 6th fireworks classified by the California State Fire Marshal as "Safe and Sane"
15 fireworks may be sold, possessed and discharged. Sale, possession and discharge, during this
16 period shall be in compliance with all other applicable state and local regulations."
17
18 7802.3.1 Storage of fireworks is added to read as follows:
19
20 "The storage and use of fireworks inside buildings is prohibited."
21
22 Exception:
23 Safe and sane fireworks purchased by the public for individual or family use.
24
25 7802.3.1.1 Storage of safe and sane fireworks-Retail sales is added to read as follows:
26
27 "The storage of safe and sane fireworks by those conducting retail sales shall be in a non-
28 combustible container or magazine as approved by the Fire Marshal. The location of said storage
29 shall be within the City limits of Petaluma and be approved by the Fire Marshal."
30
31 8001.3.2 ~azardous 1Vlaterials Ndanagement Plan is amended to read as follows:
32
33 "Hazardous Materials Management Plan: When required by the Chief, each application for
34 a permit pursuant to this Article shall include a Hazardous Materials Management Plan in
35 accordance with California Health and Safety Code, Chapter 6.95 (Section 25500 ET SEQ.)."
0~~.1997NCS Pagel0of13
1
2 8001.3.3 ~azardous NYaterials Inventory Statement is amended to read as follows:
3
4 "Hazardous Materials Inventory Statement: When required by the Chief each application
5 for a permit pursuant to this Article shall include a Hazardous Materials Inventory Statement in
6 accordance with California Health and Safety Code Chapter 6.95 (Section 25500 ET SEQ.)."
7
8 8001.5.1 12elease of ~azardous 1Vlaterials and/or Deleterious 1Vlaterials is amended to
9 read as follows:
10
11 "Hazardous materials and/or deleterious materials shall not be abandoned, buried or
12 released into any sewer, storm drain, ditch drainage canal, take, river, tidal waterway or in or
13 upon any building premises, ground, sidewalk, street, highway, alley or into the atmosphere."
14
15 Exception:
16
17 l. Materials intended for use in weed abatement, erosion control, soil amendment or
18 similar applications when applied in accordance with the manufacturer's
19 instructions or nationally recognized practices.
20 2. Materials released in accordance with federal, state or lacal governing regulations
21 or permits of the jurisdictional Air Quality Management Board, with a National
22 Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit, with waste discharge requirements
23 established by the jurisdictional Water Quality Control Board, or with local sewer
24 pretreatment requirements for Publicly Owned Treatment Works."
25
26 8001.5.2.1.1 ~Jnauthorized discharges is added to read as follows:
27
28 "Any person, firm or corporation responsible for any unauthorized discharge shall
29 immediately institute and complete all actions necessary to remedy the effects of such
30 unauthorized discharge, whether sudden or gradual, at no cost to the jurisdiction. When deemed
31 necessary by the Chief, identification and clean-up and/or removal may be initiated by the Fire
32
33 Department or by an authorized individual or firm. All costs associated with response by City
34 personal and such clean-up and/or removal shall be borne by the owner, operator or other person
35 responsible for the unauthorized discharge."
0~~. ~ 9 9 7 N C S Page I 1 of 13
1.
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
8704.3 Water supply during construction is amended to read as follows:
"Water mains and hydrants shall be installed and operational, as approved by the Fire
Marshal, prior to combustible construction either in structures below grade or those above grade
with finished sub-floor."
17.20.080 APPEALS.
103.1.4.1 Appeals is amended to read as follows:
"Whenever the Chief disapproves an application or refuses to grant a permit applied for,
or when it is claimed that the provisions of the code do not apply or that the true intent and
meaning of the code have been misconstrued or wrongly interpreted, the applicant may appeal
from the decision of the Chief to the board of appeals, which is designated to be the board of
building review as heretofore established and appointed according to Chapter 17.08 of this code,
within thirty days from the date of the decision appealed. The Fire Chief shall act as secretary of
the board when it is hearing appeals concerned with the Uniform Fire Code".
17.20.090 NEW 1VIATERIALS, PROCESSES OR OCCiTPANCIES WHICH MAY
REQUYR~ PERMITS.
"The City Manager, the Chief and the Chief of the Bureau of Fire Prevention shall act as a
committee to determine and specify, after giving affected persons an opportunity to be heard, any
new materials, processes or occupancies for which permits are required in addition to those now
enumerated in said code. The Chief of the Bureau of Fire Prevention shall post such list in a
conspicuous place at the Bureau of Fire Prevention and distribute copies thereof to interested
persons."
SECTION 2
FINDINGS OF FACT
Pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Section 17958.7 the attached findings are
hereby made and the amendment made to the Uniform Fire Code (1994 Edition) is necessary due
to local climatic, geological or topographical conditions.
~~~.19 9'7 N C S
Page 12 of 13
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
I1
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
SECTION 3
CI'~~' C~ERK - FII.ING
The city clerk is hereby directed to file this ordinance, specifically the modification of the
Uniform Fire Code, 1994 Edition, and the attached findings of fact, with the California
Department of Housing and Community Development.
SECTION 4
REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES.
All former ordinances or parts thereof conflicting or inconsistent with the provisions of
this ordinance or of the Code or Standards hereby adopted are hereby repealed.
IF ANY SECTION, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase or word of this ordinance is for any
reason held to be unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not
affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance. The City Council of the City of
Petaluma hereby declares that it would have passed and adopted this ordinance and each and all
provisions thereof irrespective of the fact that any one or more of said provisions be declared
unconstitutional.
INTRODUCED and ordered Posted/Published this 6th day of November , 1995.
ADOPTED this 20th day of November , 19 95 , by the following vote:
AYES: Hamilton, Stompe, Read, Vice Mayor Shea, Mayor Hilligoss
NOES: None
ABSENT: Maguire, Barlas
AB STAIN:
ATTEST:
. .
Mayor
City Clerk
Ord. 1997 NCS
Page 13 of 13
1 FINDINGS OF FACT AND NEED FOR
2 CHANGES OR MODIFICATIONS TO THE
3 UNIFORM FIRE CODE, 1994 EDITION
4 DUE TO LOCAL CONDITIONS
s CHANGES OR MODIFICATIONS: Pursuant to Section 17958 of the State of California
6 Health and Safety Code, the governing body of the City of Petaluma in its ordinance
7 adopting and amending the 1994 Edition of the Uniform Fire Code changes or modifies
g certain provisions of the State Building Standards Code as it pertains to the regulation of
9 buildings used for human habitation. A copy of the text of such changes or modifications
1o is attached.
11 Findin~s: Pursuant to Sections 17958.5 and 17958.7 (a) of the State of California
12 Health and Safety Code, the governing body of the City of Petaluma has determined and
13 finds that all the attached changes or modifications are needed and are reasonably
14 necessary because of local climatic, geological and topographic conditions as discussed
15 below.
16 Local Conditions: Local conditions have an adverse effect on the prevention of (1)
17 major loss fires, (2) major earthquake damage, and (3) the potential for life and property
18 loss, making necessary changes or modifications in the Uniform Fire Code and the State
19 Building Standards Code in order to provide a reasonable degree of property security, and
2o fire and life safety in the City of Petaluma.
21 Below are listed adverse local climatic (see No.l), geological and topographic (see No. 2)
22 conditions.
23 1. Climatic
24 a. Precipitation. Precipitation ranges from 20 inches to approximately 25
25 inches per year. Approximately ninety percent (90%) falls during the
26 months of November through April, and 10% from May through October.
2~ In 1994-1995 severe flooding occured during the months of January and
28 March 1995.
~~~a ~ 9 9,~„ N C~ Page 1 of 5
1 b. Relative Humiditv. Humidity generally ranges from 50% during daytime to
2 86% at night. It drops to 20% during the summer months and occasionally
3 drops lower during the months of September through November.
4 c. Tem~eratures. Temperatures have been recorded as high as 104 degrees
5 Fahrenheit. Average summer highs are in the 78-85 degree range.
6 d. Winds. Prevailing winds are from the northwest. However, winds are
7 experienced from virtually every direction at one time or another.
8 Velocities are generally in the 5- 15 mph range, gusting to 7.4 mph - 30
9 mph, particularly during the summer months. Extreme winds, up to 50
1o mph, have been known to occur.
11 e. Summarv. These local climatic conditions affect the acceleration,
12 intensity, and size of fire in the community. Times of little or no rainfall, of
13 low humidity and high temperatures create extremely hazardous conditions,
14 particularly as they relate to wood shake and shingle roof fires and
15 conflagrations. The winds experienced in this area can have a tremendous
16 impact upon structure fires in buildings in close proximity to one another,
1~ commonly found in Petaluma. Winds can carry sparks and burning brands
1g to other structures, thus spreading the fire and causing conflagrations. In
19 building fires, winds can literally force fires back into the building and can
2o create a blowtorch effect, in addition to preventing "natural" ventilation
21 and cross-ventilation efforts.
22 2. Geolo~ical and Topo~raphic
23 a. The fire environment of a community is primarily a combination of two
24 factors: the area's physical geographic characteristics and the historic
25 pattern of urban-suburban development. These two factors, alone and
25 combined, create a mixture of environments which ultimately determines
27 the area's fire protection needs.
2
~~~.1997NCS
1 The basic geographical boundaries of the city include hills to the south and
2 west, and valley floor in the central area and to the north and east. The
3 Petaluma River bisects the city through the central area. Because of the
4 size of the City of Petaluma (12 square miles), the characteristics of the fire
5 environment changes from one location to the next. Therefore the city has
6 not one, but a number of fire environments, each of which has its individual
7 fire protection needs.
g The service area of the City of Petaluma has a varied topography and
9 vegetative cover. A conglomeration of bay, plains, hills and ridges make
1o up the terrain. Development has occurred on the flat lands in the central
11 and eastern of the city. However, over the last ten years, development has
12 spread into the hills and the smaller valleys and canyons.
13 b. Seismic Location. The relatively young geological processes that have
14 created the San Francisco Bay Area are still active today. Two active
15 earthquake faults (San Andreas and the Healdsburg-Rodgers Creek) affect
16 the Petaluma area. Approximately 50% of the City's land surface is in the
17 high-to-moderate seismic hazard zones.
18 c. Size and Population. The City of Petaluma covers 12 square miles
19 including an urban population estimated at 48,000. Within the city are
2o three (3) fire stations and a total of 53 fire personnel. The fire department
21 handles diverse responsibilities including wild land and urban fires, freeway,
22 air, rail and medical emergencies.
23 d. Topo~ra~h~ The city's service area is a conglomeration of bay plains,
24 hills, valleys and ridges. The flatter lands are found in the central and
25 eastern portions of the city. Most of the existing urban and suburbanized
26 areas are on relatively flat lands (0 - 5°/a ) slope.
Page 3 of 5
~~~~.y997NCS
1 Future residential development is also proposed for the hill areas south and
2 west of the city. The majority of the hillsides in these areas have slopes
3 ranging from 15 - 30% and 30+%.
4 Correspondingly, there is much diversity in slope percentages. Slope is an
5 important factor in fire spread. As a basic rule of thumb, the rate of spread
6 will double as the slope percentage doubles, all other factors remaining the
7 same.
g e. Ve et..~ation. Petaluma's semi-arid Mediterranean-type climate produced
9 vegetation similar to that of most of Sonoma County.
1o Approximately half of all the structures in the city have combustible wood
11 shingle or shake roofs. This very flammable material is susceptible to
12 ignition by embers from a wild land fire, furthering the spread of fire to
13 adjacent buildings.
14 f. Summarv. The above local geological and topographic conditions increase
15 the magnitude, exposure, accessibility problems and fire hazards presented
16 to the City of Petaluma.
17 Fire following an earthquake has the potential of causing greater loss of life
18 and damage than the earthquake itself. Approximately 50% of all dwellings
19 in the city have wood shingle roofs.
2o The majority of the City's industrial complexes are located in the highest
21 seismic risk zones. The highest seismic risk zone also contains the largest
22 concentration of hazardous materials. Hazardous materials, particularly
23 toxic gases, could pose the greatest threat to the largest number, should a
24 significant seismic event occur. The City's resources would have to be
25 prioritized to mitigate the greatest threat, and may likely be unavailable for
26 fires in smaller single-dwellings and structures.
4 F~-s
~~~~.1 9 9'?' N C S
~ ~ 4 ,
•
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
Other variables may tend to intensify the situation:
1) The e~ent of damage to the water system;
2) The extent of isolation due to bridge and/or freeway overpass
collapse;
3) The extent of roadway damage and/or amount of debris blocking
the roadways;
4) Climatic conditions (hot, dry weather with high winds);
5) Time of day will influence the amount of traffic on roadways and
could intensify the risk of life during normal business hours;
6) The availability of timely mutual aid or assistance; from
neighboring departments which could also have emergencies at the
same time.
7) 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.
Page 5 of 5
~~~• 1 9 971V C S