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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-12-12; City Council; 10412; Adoption & Amendment 1988 Uniform Fire CodeCIT,`"PF CARLSBAD -- AGENDr BILL AB# �� `��� I TITLE : DEPT. HD.-s1 MTG. 121,2189 Adoption and Amendment of the CITY AT1 DEPT. FIR 1988 Edition Uniform Fire Code CITY MG RECOMMENDED ACTION: Introduce Ordinance No. /v S ,f Ir _ and set a public hearing for January 2, 1990, adopting and amending the 1988 Uniform Fire Code. ITEM EXPLANATION: The Fire Department is proposing the adoption of the 1988 Edition of the Uniform Fire Code with amendments, as the Fire Prevention Code for the City of Carlsbad. The 1979 Edition of the code, adopted in 1981, is currently in effect in Carlsbad and would be repealed with this adoption. The Uniform Fire Code is a model code copyrighted by the International Congress of Building Officials and the Western Fire Chiefs Association. It prescribes regulations consistent with nationally recognized standards for the protection of life and property from fire, explosion and hazardous building conditions. SIGNIFICANT CHANGES: l The most noteworthy upgrade in this edition of the code is in the area of hazardous materials management. The new code will specify requirements for storage and handling of all classes of hazardous materials. Five additional sections have been added to the code in the form of local amendments to assist the City in recovering costs associated with meeting extraordinary service demands. They will enable the City to recover costs related to chronic false alarms, incidents resulting from negligent or unlawful activity, and emergency activity which requires resources beyond the scope of ordinary service delivery. Most of the sections in Chapter 17.04 of the Municipal Code, adopted in 1981, will be deleted with this adoption, as they dealt with issues which are now addressed in the body of the model code. Others which relate to emergency access, fire sprinklers etc., have been updated. FISCAL IMPACT: The City will recover some costs associated with extraordinary service demands. EXHIBITS: 1. Adopting ordinance with amendments 2. kialysis of amendments ORDINANCE NO. Ns-97 1 2 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING TITLE 17 3 OF THE CARLSBAD MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADOPT BY 4 REFERENCE THE 1988 EDITION QF UNIFORM FIRE CODE 5 6 The City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, does ordain as 7 follows. 8 SECTION 1: That existing Title 17, Chapter 17.04 of the 9 10 Carlsbad Municipal Code is repealed and a new Chapter 17.04 is 11 added to read as follows: 12 Chanter 17.04 13 FIRE PREVENTION CODE 14 15 Sections: 16 17.04.010 Adoption. 17.04.020 Section 10.207, sub -sections (k) and (1) amended-- 17 Obstruction and signing of fire apparatus access 18 roads. 19 17.04.030 Section 10.306(a) amended --Automatic fire exting- uishing systems. 20 17.04.040 Section 77.106 amended --Prohibiting storage of 21 explosives and blasting agents. 17.04.050 Section 79.501 amended --Restricted locations of 22 stationary tanks used for storage of flammable and 23 combustible liquids. 17.04.060 Section 80.101 amended --Hazardous materials 24 Division I, General Provisions. 17.04.061 Section 80.109 added --Hazardous materials 25 Division I General Provisions, Retail sales. 26 17.04.062 Section 80.306(a)1 amended --Indoor storage of 27 liquid and solid oxidizers, 17.04.063 Section 80.306(a)2 a.nended--exempt amounts of 28 1 1, 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1.0 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 liquid and solid oxidizers. 17.04.064 Sections 80.309(a), 80.310(a)1, 80.312(a)1, 80.314(a)1, 80.315(a)1 amended --Hazardous materials in retail sales. 17.04.070 Section 82.104 amended --Restricting storage of liquified petroleum gas. 17.04.080 Violations. 17.04.090 Recovery of costs associated with certain emergency services provided by the City Fire Department. 17.04.010 Adoption, The Uniform Fire Code, IS,88 Edition, including appendix III -A, copyrighted by the International Conference of Building Officials and the Western Fire Chiefs Association, three copies of which are on file with the city clerk, is adopted by reference as the city fire code, except for the following changes, additions and amendments thereto which shall supercede certain provisions of the model code. 1� 1 1 •� 1 • - •1 , -1• m Sections10.207 (k) and (1) of the Uniform Fire Code are amended to read: 10.207(k) Obstruction. The required width of any fire apparatus access road shall not be obstructed in any manner. minimum required widths and clearances established under this section shall be maintained at all times. No vehicles except those owned by the Fire and Police Departments may be left standing in a fire lane. Any person violating this section is guilty of an infraction and shall be subject to a fine as provided in Chapter 1.08 of the Carlsbad Muncipal Code. Members of the Police Department or Fire Prevention Bureau may cause the removal of fire lane obstructions at the owner's expense or may give notice of violation in accordance with the California Vehicle Code. 10.207(I) Signs. When required, approved signs or methods shall be provided and maintained to identify fire apparatus access roads and state the prohibition of their obstruction. One or more of the following methods may be required: 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 15 19 20 21 22 23, 24 25 26 27 28► I. The entire length of the road shall have signs posted at intervals 1-10 greater than one hundred feet which identify the road as a "Fire lane" and state the prohibition of parking therein. The sign shall also warn that vehicles in violation are subject to citation or removal. Such signs shall be posted in a permanent manner at a height no greater than nine feet and no less than seven feet; or, 2. Standard curbs bordering fire access roads shall have the words "NO PARKING FIRE LANE" painted upon their tops and faces at intervals of not less than twenty-five feet. Letters shall be of block style, a minimum five (5) inches in height with a stroke of not less than one inch and shall be white on a red background. The background shall extend at least six inches beyond the first and last letters of the text; or, 3. A monument type sign may be placed at the entrance to a private street which provides information as stated in subparagraph one (1) above, along with additional wording necessary to adequately warn approaching traffic. Such signs must be approved by the Police Department and the Fire Marshal prior to installation. 17.04.030 Section 10.30F.amended-- Automatic Fire -extinguishing_ Systems. Section 10.306 (a) of the Uniform Fire Code is amended to read: 10.306(a) Where Required. An automatic fire sprinkler system shall be installed in the occupancies and locations as set forth in this section. Exception: (1) Excluding detached R-3 occupancies, in buildings two or more stories in height, an automatic fire sprinkler system shall be installed in those areas which lie below the lowest elevation of Fire Department vehicular access. The access elevation shall be determined by the Chief. Exception: (2) Other provisions of this section notwithstanding, all buildings hereafter constructed in which the aggregate floor area exceeds 10,000 square feet shall be protected throughout by an approved automatic fire sprinkler system. Exception: (3) Other provisions of this section notwithstanding, all existing buildings in which the aggregate floor area is expanded to exceed 10,000 square feet shall be protected 3 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 throughout by an approved automatic fire sprinkler system. Exception: (4) When Apartment mouses and other buildings containing attached dwelling units having an aggregate floor area exceeding 10,000 square feet are one or two stories in height and contain fewer than 16 dwelling units, they may be protected by an approved automatic fire sprinkler system con€orming to the National Fire Protection Association standards for residential sprinkler protection. Residential sprinkler systems shall not be used as the basis for increases to the basic allowable area or exemption from any other Uniform Building Code requirements. 1� 1�1 • 1• •-• • • • • .•- Section 77.106 of the Uniform Fire Code is amended by the addition of: 77.106(e) The limits of the district in which the storage of explosives and blasting agents is prohibited is hereby defined as the City limits. 14 1 / Section 79,501 amend . R- -. locations of stgtionary tanks uspd for storage of flgmmable and combustible Section 79.501 of the Uniform Fire Code is amended to read: 79.501. The storage of Class I and Class II liquids in aboveground tanks outside of buildings is prohibited within the limits established by law as the limits of districts in which such storage is prohibited. The limits of those districts are hereby defined as the City Limits. Exception: (1) Farms, rural areas and construction sites as provided in section 79.1001 of this code. Exception: (2) With the Chief's approval class I and II liquids may be stored above ground outside of buildings in specially designed approved and listed containers which have features incorporated into their design which mitigate concerns for exposure to heat, ignition sources and mechanical damage. Containers must 4 I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 i 23 24 25 26 27 28 be installed and used in accordance with their listing and provisions must be made for leak and spill containment. Storage in such. tanks on any site shall not exceed 550 gallons for class I or 1100 gallons for class II liquids. The Chief may disapprove the installation of such containers when, in his opinion, their use presents a risk to life or property. In no case shall such storage be permitted on residential property. 17.04.060 Section 80.101 amended --Hazardous matgrials Division I. General provisions Section 80.101 of the Uniform Fire Code is amended by the addition of: Sec. 80.101 EXCEPTIONS: 3. For retail display of nonflammable solid and nonflammable or noncombustible liquid hazardous materials in Group B, Division 2 retail sales occupancies, see Section 80.109. Division• • • Article 80, Division I of the Uniform Fire Code is amended by the addition of Section 80.109, Retail Display to read as follows: 80.109. When in accordance with this section, the aggregate quantity of nonflammable solid and nonflammable or noncombustible liquid hazardous materials permitted within a single control area of a Group B, Division 2 retail sales occupancy may exceed the exempt amounts specified in Division III, Tables 80.306-A, 80.309-A, 80.310A,80.312-A and 80.315-A, the maximum allowable quantity in pounds or gallons permitted within a single control area shall be the amount derived from the following formula: The exempt amount permitted in a single control area of a retail sales occupancy, is equal to the product of the multiplication of all of the following: - the exempt amount specified in Division III tables - the density factor from items 12 or 13 below I - the retail display or storage area of the material in square feet. 5 �I 21 3 4 5 6 7 10 11 12 13 14I 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 The maximum aggregate floor area for hazardous material retail display or storage over which the density factor may be applied shall not exceed 1500 square feet per control area. The area of storage or display shall also comply with the following requirements: 1. The floor load of a display of solids shall not exceed 200 pounds per square foot, applied over the area it occupies. 2. The volume per unit area of a display of liquids shall not exceed 20 gallons per square foot, applied over the area it occupies. 3. Display height shall not excused 6 feet. 4. Individual containers of less than 5 gallons or weighing less than 25 pounds shall be stored on pallets, racks or shelves. 5. Storage rack and shelf specifications shall be in accordance with the provisions of section 80.301(i). 6. Containers shall be approved for the use proposed. 7. The capacity of individual containers shall not exceed 100 pounds or 5 gallons. 8. Materials which are not compatible shall be separated in accordance with the provisions of Section 80.301(n) 9. Except for their surfaces, floors in display or storage areas shall be noncombustible. 10. Aisles 4 feet in width shall be maintained on three sides of the display or storage area. 11. Hazard identification signs shall be provided in accordance with the provisions of Section 80.104(e). 12. When calculating the maximum quantities of Oxidizers, unstable (reactive) materials or water reactive materials permitted, the following factors are to be used: Class 4 not permitted Class 3 0.075 Class 2 0.006 Class 1 0.003 13. When calculating the maximum quantities permitted of highly toxic solids and liquids, corrosives or other health hazards in solid, liquid or gas form, a density factor of 0.0013 shail be used. 14. The density factors shall not apply to categories other than those listed. C.1 I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 211 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 15. When classifying materials in displays, the hazard categories specified in Division II are to be used. 04 1• • :1 •)l amen-ded--Indoor stQraae of ILQUid—andsglid oxidizers. Section 80.306(a)1 of the Uniform Fire Code is amended by the addition of a second sentence to read as follows: 80.306(a)1 Exception: For retail display of nonflammable solid and nonflammable or noncombustible liquid Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 oxidizers, see section 80.109. liquid . sglid oxidizers. Section 80.306(a)2, footnotes to table 80.306A of the Uniform Fire Code are amended to read: 80.306(a)2, Table 80.306A footnotes: 1. No exempt amounts of Class 4 oxidizers are permitted in Group R occupancies, offices or retail sales portions of Group B occupancies. 2. No exempt amounts of Class 4 oxidizers are permitted in Group A,E,I or M occupancies or in classrooms of Group B occupancies unless storage is within a hazardous material storage cabinet containing no other storage. 3. A maximum quantity of 200 pounds of solid or 20 gallons of liquid Class 3 oxidizers may be permitted in Groups I,M and R occupancies when such materials are necessary for maintenance purposes or for operation of equipment. The oxidizers shall be stored in approved containers and in a manner approved by the Chief. aalp& areas. Sections 80.309(a), 80.310(a)1,80.312(a)1, 80.314(a)1 80.315(a)1, of the Uniform Fire Code are amended by the addition of the following: F y 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15', 16I 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 80:309(a) Exceptions: 2 For retail display of nonflammable solid and nonflammable or noncombustible liquid unstable (reactive) materials, see Section 80.109. 80.310(a)1 Exception: For Retail display of nonflammable solid and nonflammable or noncombustible liquid water reactive materials, see Section 80.109. 80.312(a)1 Exception: For retail display of nonflammable solid and non- flammable or noncombustible liquid highly toxic materials, see Section 80.109. 80.314(a)1 Exception: For retail display of nonflammable solid and non- flammable or noncombustible liquid corrosive materials, see Sec 80.109. 80.315(a)1 Exception: For retail display of nonflammable solid and nonflammable or noncombustible liquid materials which are classified as other health hazards, see section 80.109. liquified petrolpum Section 82.104 of the Uniform Fire Code is amended by the addition of Section 82.104(e) to read as follows: 82.104(e) The limits of the district in which the storage of liquified petroleum gas is restricted are hereby defined as the City limits. 17.04.080 Violations. Any person or corporation who violates the provisions of Sections 3.101, 3.102, 3.103, 3.104, 10.102 or 11.302 of the Uniform Fire Code as adopted by this chapter, is guilty of a misdemeanor. Any person or corporation who violates any other provisions of this chapter is guilty of an infraction except that the fourth and each additional violation of a provision in a 12 month period shall be a misdemeanor. Penalties for a violation of this chapter shall be as designated in ..,pter 1.08 of the Carlsbad Municipal Code. DI 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 r .A 17.04.090 ..ei costs associated with certain emergency services provided by the City Fire Department. The cost of emergency services shall be computed by the Fire Department under the direction of the City Finance Department and shall consist of personnel, equipment, facilities, materials and other external resource costs. (a) Any person or corporation who allows a hazard to exist on property under control of that person or corporation, after having been ordered by the Fire Department or other city department to abate that hazard, is liable for the cost of emergency services provided by the Fire Department as a result of a response arising from said unabated hazard. (b) Any person or corporation whose negligence causes an incident to occur on any public or private street, driveway or highway, which, for purposes of life, property or environmental protection, places a service demand on the City Fire Department resources which is beyond the scope of routine service delivery, shall be liable for all costs associated with that service demand. (c) Any Person or corporation responsible foi property equipped with fire protection or detection devices which, due to malfunction, improper manipulation or negligent operation causes a needless response by the Fire Department to the property shall for a period of twelve months after written notification by the Fire Prevention Bureau, be liable for all future costs associated with each subsequent needless response caused by those devices. (d) Any person or corporation who conducts unlawful activity which results in fire, explosion, chemical release or any other incident to which the Fire Department responds for the purpose of performing services necessary for the protection of life, property or the environment, shall be liable for the costs associated with the delivery of those services. (e) When, in the interest of public safety, the Fire Chief, pursuant -1 1 4 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9I 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 t 10,1k to Secticr3 25.1 17 of this code, assigns Fire Department employees as standby personnel at an event, the person or corporation responsible for the event shall reimburse the Fire Department for all costs associated with providing the standby personnel. EFFECTIVE DATE: This ordinance shall be effective thirty days after its adoption, and the City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this ordinance and cause it to be published at least once in the Carlsbad Journal within fifteen days after its adoption. INTRODUCED AND FIRST READ at a regular meeting of the Carlsbad City Council on the 12th day of December , 1989, and thereafter PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Carlsbad City Council held on the _ day of , 1989 by the following vote, to wit: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY VINCENT F. BIONDO, JR., City Attorney CLAUDE A. LEWIS, Mayor ATTEST: ALETHA L. RAUTENKRANZ, City Clerk 1 1-4-89 ANALYSIS OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO 88 UNIFORM FIRE CODE 17.04.020 Section 10.207(k). This section provides standards for fire apparatus access( FIRE LANES). It has been amended by the addition of language which specifies the fine for violation of the section and allows police and fire personnel to remove vehicles which are in violation. Section 10.207(I). This section establishes sign standards for fire lanes. It specifies wording of signs and the method of identifying fire lanes. It is necessary to provide specific standards in the ordinance so that conflicts in enforcement can be avoided. Our current ordinance has caused some consternation among homeowners because of the requirement for so many signs and unsightly red curbs. The proposed amendment offers alternatives which should be better received by the community. 17.04.030 Section 10.306(a). This section specifies locations and the types of occupancies that will require automatic sprinkler protection. It is virtually identical to chapter 38 of the Uniform Building Coda and therefore any amendments to this section will also be reflected in Carlsbad's building code amendments. In 1982, Carlsbad adopted automatic sprinkler regulations which are more restrictive than the model codes. It was recognized at that time that the city's fire defense resources might be severely taxed or overcome by a large magnitude fire. Because of the nature of development in Carlsbad's business parks and commercial areas it was decided by council that the prudent method of controlling the demand on the city's fire defenses was to limit the size of potential fires. Because of the history of reliability of automatic fire sprinklers in controlling fires, Council ordained that buildings not protected by automatic sprinklers would be limited in area to 10,000 square feet. Th?s area is still considered by the Fire Chief to be the limit of Carlsbad's effective fire defense capability. It should be pointed out that since our original adoption of these sprinkler standards, many other jurisdictions throughout the state have adopted similar ordinances for the same reasons. Wd Some upgrading of the sprinkler amendment is proposed with the adoption of the 88 UFC. It occurs as follows: Exception. 1. Formerly 17.04.060, 79 UFC Section 10.309(b)(1)(A) is now found in 17.04.030 Section 10.306(a). There is no significant change. Language has been modified for clarification. The purpose of this requirement is to provide a means of controlling fires in the lower levels of residential buildings, since descending ingress in a fire situation is extremely difficult and impedes rescue and fire control operation. Exception.2. Formerly 17.04.060, 79 UFC Section 10.309(b)(7) is now found in 17.04.060 Section 10.306(a). Former section allowed Type I and II Fire resistive buildings to be exempted from the sprinkler requirements up to an area of 20,000 square feet. The proposed 88 change eliminates the exemption based on construction type and requires sprinklers at 10,000 square feet. It also deletes the provision allowing the substitution of 4 hour area separation walls in lieu of sprinklers. The area separation option is infrequently used under the current code and presents a conflict when applied to wood frame buildings. Exception. 3. This is a new addition which provides for upgrading of buildings which add floor space during remodel, causing the floor area to exceed the maximum allowable for unsprinklered buildings. Currently it is arguable whether or not the city has the authority to require retro-fit of sprinkler protection in existing portions of these buildings. The effectiveness of fire sprinklers in partially protected buildings is questionable due to the ability of a fire in an unprotected area to overcome the designed capability of the sprinklers a protected area. Exception: 4. This item would permit apartment buildings, condominiums and hotels which are larger than 10,000 square feet, one or two stor:ps in height, having fewer than 16 dwelling units to be protected by means: of a residential type fire sprinkler system. In the past, These buildings have been protected by means of wood -framed area separations which divide the building into areas of 10,000 square feet. It is the opinion of the Fire Chief that this provision will enhance life safety in such buildings and afford an equal or greater level of property protection. 3 17.04.040 This item will prohibit the routine storage of explosives or blasting agents within the city limits. It does not prohibit the temporary storage of such items in conjunction with permitted blasting operations. 17.04.050 This section restricts the storage of flammable and combustible liquids in aboveground tanks within the city limits. The two exceptions to this section will, in certain locations permit a limited amount of the material to be stored in specially designed tanks which have been constructed and installed in such a way that safety concerns normally associated with aboveground tanks are mitigated. '17.04.060 This chapter addresses specific needs of retail establishments relating to the storage and display of consumer products which due to their physical and or chemical properties are now classified as hazardous materials. Examples of these items could be insecticides, pool chemicals, petroleum products, drain cleaners etc. Article 80 of the Uniform Fire Code has been rewritten to include provisions for classifying and regulating the use and storage of hazardous materials. Its requirements for construction and protection of these materials did not take retail sales into consideration. In later code hearings Article 80 was amended by the Western Fire Chiefs to include special provisions addressing retail standards. Those sections have been substantially reproduced here. For clarity, some changes in language and form were deemed necessary, content and intent remain unchanged. 17.04.070 This section defines the area of restricted storage of Liquified Petroleum Gas (Propane, Butane) as the area within the City Limits. The Fire Chief feels this section is necessary in order to clearly establish that the volume of such storage in any single container is limited to 2000 gallons per the provisions of article 82 of the Uniform Fire Code. 17.04.080 This chapter establishes certain violations of a more serious nature as misdemeanors. The section is carried forward intact from the current code. 17.04.090 This Chapter defines Fire Department services fo; which the city shall be reimbursed, and how the reimbursement is to be calculated. 4 Sections (a) through (e) identify activities which are considered beyond the scope of routine service delivery. These provisions will permit the city to recover costs associated with responses which result from negligent or illegal activity as well as chronic or unnecessary demands for service.