TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Mark Danaj, City Manager
FROM:
Robert D. Espinosa, Fire Chief
Tim O’Brien, Fire Captain/Fire Marshal
SUBJECT:Title
Second Reading of Ordinance Adopting the 2016 California Fire Code with Certain Local Amendments, Deletions and Additions; Resolution Setting Forth Findings for Local Amendments (Fire Chief Espinosa).
ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 16-0021 AND ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 16-0076
Title
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Recommended Action
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt Ordinance No 16-0021, an Ordinance of the City of Manhattan Beach, adopting by reference the 2016 Edition of the California Fire Code, with certain amendments, deletions, and additions, and amending Title 3 of the Manhattan Beach Municipal Code. Adopt Resolution No. 16-0076, a resolution of the Manhattan Beach City Council setting forth required findings for amendments to the 2016 California building standards code based on local climatic, topographic and/or geological conditions.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
There is no fiscal implication associated with this item.
BACKGROUND:
Every three years, the State adopts new model codes (known collectively as the California Building Standards Code) to establish uniform standards for the construction and maintenance of buildings.
Section 13143.5 of the Health and Safety Code allows the City by ordinance to change, make alterations or modifications to the fire code that are more stringent than the requirements published in the California Building Standards Code relating to fire and panic safety and the other regulations adopted pursuant to this part. The City Attorney assisted the Fire Department staff in drafting the attached Ordinance and accompanying resolution making the findings to support those local changes to ensure compliance with State Law.
DISCUSSION:
At the City Council meeting on October 18, 2016 this Ordinance was introduced and a public hearing was scheduled for November 15, 2016. Notifications were published in The Beach Reporter on October 20 and 27, 2016 to announce the public hearing to adopt the ordinance.
The State of California has adopted the California Building Standard Codes that must in turn be adopted or utilized by each city or county. Certain of the provisions of these Codes are inappropriate for use within the Manhattan Beach because of unique climatic, geological and topographical conditions prevailing within the City.
The California Health and Safety Code Sections 17958, 17985.7 and 17958.5 provide for certain amendments to the California Building Standard Codes provided findings of necessity can be made. Those findings are contained in the resolution.
The most significant amendments are:
Deletion of the following amendments to the 2013 Fire Code. The 2016 Fire Code adequately addresses these issues:
1. 106.2.1 Inspection requests. It is the duty of the person doing the work authorized by a permit to notify the fire code official that such work is ready for inspection. Every request for inspection must be filed not less than two working days before such inspection is desired. Such request may be in writing or by telephone.
2. 104.10.1 Assistance from other agencies. The Police Department and other public agencies are authorized to assist the Fire Department in its investigations when requested to do so.
3. 105.2 Application for permit. Applications for permits will be made to the fire prevention office in such form and detail as prescribed by the fire code official. Applications for permits must be accompanied by such plans as required by the fire code official. Any applicable permit fees must be paid at the time of application for the permit.
4. 405.2 Table 405.2 Footnote ‘a’
a. The frequency in all school levels shall be allowed to be modified in accordance with Section 408.3.2. Secondary level schools need only conduct evacuation drills twice each school year.
5. 2306.2 Table 2306.2, Footnote ‘j’ is amended to read as follows
j. Smoke and heat removal must be accomplished by mechanical ventilation in accordance with Section 910.4 when storage areas are protected by early suppression fast response (ESFR) sprinkler systems installed in accordance with NFPA 13.
Amending the following:
1. 105.6.48 Battery systems. To install or operate stationary storage battery systems having a liquid capacity of more than 50 gallons (189 L) for flooded lead acid, nickel cadmium (NiCad) and valve-regulated lead acid (VRLA), or 1,000 pounds (454 kg) for lithium-ion, used for facility standby power, emergency power or uninterruptible power supplies. See Section 608.
2. 503.2.1.2 Road divider. An access road divider into separate adjacent one-way traffic lanes by a curbed divider or similar obstacle must not be less than 15 feet (4572 mm) in unobstructed width on each side of the divider.
3. 503.2.4 Turning radius. The inside turning radius of a fire apparatus access road must be a minimum of 60 feet, outside and 40 feet, inside.
4. 503.3 Fire Lane Marking/Signage. In accordance with California Vehicle Code the designation shall be indicated (1) by a sign posted immediately adjacent to, and visible from, the designated place clearly stating in letters not less than one inch in height that the place is a fire lane (2) by outlining or painting the place in red and, in contrasting color, marking the place with the words “NO PARKING FIRE LANE”, which are clearly visible from the vehicle, or (3) by a red curb or red paint on the edge of the roadway upon which clearly marked the words “NO PARKING FIRE LANE”. The Chief shall have the authority to designate fire apparatus access roads on private property.
5. 605.11.1.2.2 Hip Roof Layouts. Panels and modules installed on Group R-3 buildings with hip roof layouts shall be located in a manner that provides a minimum 3-foot-wide (968 mm) clear perimeter around the edges of the roof. The access pathway shall be capable of supporting the firefighters accessing the roof.
6. 605.11.1.2.3 Single ridge roofs. Panels and modules installed on Group R-3 buildings with single ridge roof layouts shall be located in a manner that provides a minimum 3-foot-wide (968 mm) clear perimeter around the edges of the roof. The access pathway shall be capable of supporting the firefighters accessing the roof.
7. 605.11.1.2.5 Allowance for smoke ventilation operations. Panels/modules installed on Group R-3 buildings shall be located not less than 1 foot from the ridgeline, and shall be located on only one side of any ridge to allow for smoke ventilation operations on the opposing side. EXCEPTIONS:
a. Where solar panels are located a minimum of 5 feet from the ridge on the opposing side
b. Where alternative means of allowance for smoke ventilation operations have been approved by the fire chief
CONCLUSION:
In accordance with California Health and Safety Code Sections 17922 and 18935, the Building Standards Commission approved the adoption of new model codes relating to fire and life safety in July 2016.
The new codes will become effective at the local level on January 1, 2017. In order to include our local amendments and adequately protect our first responders, business community and citizens, we must complete our adoption process 30 days prior to this date. The adoption of the code into the City Municipal Code provides for an orderly administration of the codes by City Fire and Building Officials.
Attachments:
1. Ordinance No.16-0021 (Final)
2. Resolution No. 16-0076