HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-05-13; City Council; 17167; Amend Sections of the Municipal CodeCITY OF CARLSBAD -AGENDA BILL
17,167
5/13/03
Fir
AB#
MTG.
DEPT.
TITLE: DEPT. HD.
INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND
SECTIONS 17.04.030 AND 18.04.260 OF THE CARLSBAD
EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS
CITY ATTY.
CITY MGRq
MUNICIPAL CODE PERTAINING TO AUTOMATIC FIRE-
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
That the City Council INTRODUCE Ordinance No. NS-660 amending Sections 17.04.030
and 18.04.260 of the Carlsbad Municipal Code pertaining to automatic fire-extinguishing
systems.
ITEM EXPLANATION:
On October 8, 2002, the City Council adopted Ordinances NS-637 and NS-638 amending
Chapters 17.04 and 18.04 of the Carlsbad Municipal Code respectively. The Ordinances
incorporated the most recent versions of the California Fire Code and California Building
Code into the Carlsbad Municipal Code. The Ordinances also made certain amendments to
these codes based on local climatic, geological, and topographical conditions. One such
amendment was a requirement that buildings with more than 10,000 square feet in
aggregate floor area be protected by an approved fire-extinguishing system. Staff is now
proposing to narrow this requirement to exclude “Open Parking Garages’’ as that term is
defined in the California Building Code.
Open Parking Garages are structures with openings on two or more sides that are used
solely for storing private or pleasure-type motor vehicles. By definition, these structures
cannot be used for automobile repair work, parking buses, trucks, or similar vehicles, or
dispensing of fuel. Further, their openings may not be closed off in whole or part by
tarpaulins or other means.
Because of these characteristics, studies and tests of fires in “Open Parking Garages” have
shown that, in addition to an extremely low fire loading, the potential for a large fire is
exceedingly remote. The key is that open parking garages are well ventilated naturally, and
as a result the products of combustion dissipate rapidly and do not contribute to the spread
of fire.
Staff is unaware of any local climatic, geological, or topographical conditions that would
increase the fire risk in these structures. Accordingly, staff believes it is unnecessary to
apply the automatic fire-extinguishing system requirements contained in Carlsbad Municipal
Code Sections 17.04.030 and 18.04.260 to these structures and is, therefore,
recommending their exclusion from this requirement. Notwithstanding this exclusion, “Open
Parking Garages” would still be required to have sprinkler systems if such systems were
otherwise required by the California Building Code.
ENVIRONMENTAL:
The Planning Director has determined that these activities are categorically exempt from
CEQA review pursuant to Section I5309 of the CEQA Guidelines.
PAGE 2 OF AGENDA BILL NO. 17,167
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this allowance. No new fees are proposed, no
additional staff time will be expended outside of normal customer services, and there is no
financial impact to the homeowner.
EXHIBITS:
1. Ordinance No. Ns-660 .
2. Strike-Out version of Proposed Revisions.
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
ORDINANCE NO. NS-660
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTIONS
17.04.030 AND 18.04.260 OF THE CARLSBAD MUNICIPAL
EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS
CODE PERTAINING TO AUTOMATIC FIRE-
WHEREAS, the City of Carlsbad has incorporated the 2001 editions of the California
Fire Code and the California Building Code into the Carlsbad Municipal Code by reference.
WHEREAS, the City of Carlsbad has made certain amendments to the California Fire
Code and California Building Code based on local climatic, geological, and topographic
conditions, including a requirement that buildings with more than 10,000 square feet in
aggregate floor area be protected by an approved fire-extinguishing system.
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that Open Parking Garages, as that term is defined in
the California Building Code, have a low fire risk because of their natural ventilation.
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that there are no local climatic, geographical, or
topographical conditions that would increase the fire risk in Open Parking Garages.
Now, therefore, the City Council of the City of Carlsbad does ordain as follows:
SECTION 1: That Section 17.40.030 of the Carlsbad Municipal Code is amended to
read as follows:
17.40.030 Section 1003.2.2 amended-Automatic fire-extinguishing systems.
Section 1003.2.2 of the California Fire Code is amended to add:
6. Excluding detached R-3 occupancies, in buildings two or more stories in height, an
automatic fire-extinguishing 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
Fire Chief.
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
7. Other provisions of this section notwithstanding, all buildings hereafter constructed in
which the aggregate floor area exceeds ten thousand (1 0,000) square feet shall be protected
throughout by an approved automatic fire-extinguishing system.
8. Other provisions of this section notwithstanding, all existing buildings in which the
aggregate floor area is expanded to exceed ten thousand (1 0,000) square feet shall be protected
throughout by an approved automatic fire-extinguishing system.
Subsections 7 and 8 shall not apply to an “Open Parking Garage” as that term is defined
in the 2001 edition of the California Building Code.
SECTION 2: That Section 18.04.260 of the Carlsbad Municipal Code is amended to read
as follows:
1 8.04.260
Section 904.2 of the California Building Code is amended to add:
904.2.1.1 Excluding detached R-3 occupancies, in buildings two or more stories in
Section 904.2 amended-Automatic fire-extinguishing systems
height, an automatic fire-extinguishing 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 Fire Chief.
904.2.1.2 Other provisions of this section not withstanding, all buildings hereafter
constructed in which the aggregate floor area exceeds ten thousand (10,000)
square feet shall be protected by an approved automatic fire-extinguishing
system.
904.2.1.3 Other provisions of this section notwithstanding, all existing buildings in
which the aggregate floor area is expanded to exceed ten thousand (1 0,000)
square feet shall be protected throughout by an approved automatic fire-
extinguishing system.
-2- Y NS-660 Ordinance No.
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
Subsections 904.2.1.2 and 904.2.1.3 shall not apply to an “Open Parking Garage”
as that term is defined in the 2001 edition of the California Building Code.
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 a newspaper of general circulation in the City within fifteen days after its adoption.
The City Clerk shall also file a copy of this Ordinance upon adoption, with the California
Building Standards Commission.
INTRODUCED AND FIRST READ at a regular meeting of the Carlsbad City Council
held on the 13th day of MAY ,2003 and thereafter
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of said City Council held on the
day of ,2003, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
RONALD R. BALL, City Attorney
CLAUDE A. LEWIS, Mayor
ATTEST:
LORRAINE M. WOOD, City Clerk
5’ NS-660 Ordinance No. -3 -
EXHIBIT 2
STRIKE-OUT VERSION OF PROPOSED REVISIONS TO SECTIONS 17.04.030
AND 18.04.260 OF THE CARLSBAD MUNICIPAL CODE
17.40.030 Section 1003.2.2 amended -Automatic fire-extinguishing systems.
Section 1003.2.2 of the California Fire Code is amended to add:
6. Excluding detached R-3 occupancies, in buildings two or more stories in
height, an automatic fire-extinguishing 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 Fire Chief.
7. Other provisions of this section notwithstanding, all buildings hereafter
constructed in which the aggregate floor area exceeds ten thousand (10,000) square feet
shall be protected throughout by an approved automatic fire-extinguishing system.
8. Other provisions of this section notwithstanding, all existing buildings in
which the aggregate floor area is expanded to exceed ten thousand (10,000) square feet
shall be protected throughout by an approved automatic fire-extinguishing system.
Subsections 7 and 8 shall not apply to an “Open Parking - Garage” - as that term is defined
in the 2001 edition of the California Building Code.
18.04.260 Section 904.2 amended-Automatic fire-extinguishing systems.
Section 904.2 of the California Building Code is amended to add:
904.2.1.1 Excluding detached R-3 occupancies, in buildings two or more
stories in height, an automatic fire-extinguishing 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 Fire Chief.
904.2.1.2 Other provisions of this section not withstanding, all buildings
hereafter constructed in which the aggregate floor area exceeds ten thousand (10,000)
square feet shall be protected by an approved automatic fire-extinguishing system.
904.2.1.3 Other provisions of this section notwithstanding, all existing
buildings in which the aggregate floor area is expanded to exceed ten thousand (10,000)
square feet shall be protected throughout by an approved automatic fire-extinguishing
system.
Subsections 904.2.1.2 and 904.2.1.3 shall not apply to an “Open Parking Garage” as that
term is defined in the 2001 edition of the California Building Code.