HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Reso 2020-001 Amendments to the 2019 Fire CodeRESOLUTION NO. 2020-001
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE,
CALIFORNIA, SETTING FORTH FINDINGS FOR AMENDMENTS TO THE 2019
CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE
WHEREAS, certain building standards and other related model codes are adopted by the
State of California in the California Building Standards Code and applicable in the City of Lake
Elsinore ("City") unless amended by the City pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 17958;
and
WHEREAS, Health and Safety Code Section 17958.5 authorizes the City Council to make
reasonably necessary changes or modifications to the California Building Standards Code,
including the 2019 California Fire Code ("Code"), adopted by the California Building Standards
Commission, based on local climatic, geographic, or topographic conditions; and
WHEREAS, Health and Safety Code Section 17958.7 requires that the City Council make
an express finding that such changes or modifications are reasonably necessary because of local
climatic, geographic, or topographic conditions; and
WHEREAS, the City adopted a resolution on November 12, 2019 in accordance with
Health and Safety Code Section 17958.7 making express findings that changes and modifications
contained in the draft ordinance, later adopted as Ordinance No. 2019-1419, were reasonably
necessary; and
WHEREAS, the City subsequently discovered that the above -referenced resolution had
inadvertently omitted the required findings as to local amendments to the California Fire Code
contained in Ordinance No. 2019-1419; and
WHEREAS, the Fire Department and Building and Safety Division have recommended
that changes and modifications be made to the Code and have advised that certain said changes
and modifications to the Code are reasonably necessary due to local conditions in the City of
Lake Elsinore and have further advised that the remainder of said changes and modifications are
of an administrative or procedural nature, or concern themselves with subjects not covered by the
Code or are reasonably necessary to safeguard life and property within the City of Lake Elsinore.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE DOES
HEREBY RESOLVE, DETERMINE AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The above recitals are true and correct.
SECTION 2. Amendments contained in Sections 102.5, 308.1.6.3, 507.5.7, 507.5.8,
508.1, 508.1.1, 508.1.3, 508.1.6, 508.1.8, 509.2.1, 606.10.1.2, 903.2, 903.3.5.3, App Ch B Table
B105.2, and App Ch C C103.1 of the 2019 Edition of the California Fire Code are hereby found
to be reasonably necessary due to the following local conditions:
1. Climatic Conditions:
a. The City of Lake Elsinore located in Riverside County is in Southern California and
covers a vast and varied geographic area. The base climate in western Riverside
County consists of semi- and Mediterranean weather patterns. Eastern Riverside
County is a desert area with Mohave Desert temperatures and weather patterns.
Resolution No. 2020-001
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Those two primary areas are divided by the San Bernardino Mountain Range. Both
areas outside of the mountain terrain annually experience extended periods of high
temperatures with little or no precipitation. Hot, dry winds, which may reach speeds
of 70 M.P.H. or greater, are common to the area. Examples are Santa Ana/ Foehn
winds, afternoon surface -heating generated winds, and prevailing desert winds.
b. These climatic conditions cause extreme drying of vegetation and common
building materials. Frequent periods of drought and low humidity add to the fire
danger. This predisposes the area to large destructive fires (conflagration) which
necessitates rapid identification, locating and extinguishment of all fires in the
smallest stage possible. In addition to directly damaging or destroying buildings,
these fires are also prone to disrupt utility services throughout the County.
Obstacles generated by a strong wind, such as fallen trees, street lights and utility
poles, will greatly impact the response time to reach an incident scene. During
these winds, the inability to use aerial type firefighting apparatus would further
decrease our ability to stop fires in large buildings and place rescue personnel at
increased risk of injury.
c. Although Riverside County and the City of Lake Elsinore occasionally experiences
periods of significant drought, they can also experience periods of substantial
rainfall. Annual rainfall varying from three (3) inches in Blythe to over thirty-three
(33) inches in Pine Cove. When Riverside County does experience heavy rain, or
rain over a period of days or weeks, many areas of the County are subject to
flooding. Runoff from rain drains either naturally into rivers, washes, and creeks or
into flood control facilities. Flash flooding is also a common problem, especially in
the Coachella Valley and the easterly portions of the county. Flash flooding is
typically associated with short duration, high intensity precipitation events often
associated with summer thunderstorms. Such events can occur even during a
drought.
d. Water demand in densely populated Southern California far exceeds the quantity
supplied by natural precipitation; and although the population continues to grow,
the already -taxed water supply does not. California is projected to increase in
population by nearly 10 million over the next quarter of a century with 50 percent
of that growth centered in Southern California. Due to storage capacities and
consumption, and a limited amount of rainfall future water allocation is not fully
dependable. This necessitates the need for additional and on -site fire protection
features. It would also leave tall buildings vulnerable to uncontrolled fires due to a
lack of available water and an inability to pump sufficient quantities of available
water to floors in a fire.
e. These dry climatic conditions and winds contribute to the rapid spread of even
small fires originating in high -density housing or vegetation. These fires spread
very quickly and create a need for increased levels of fire protection. The added
protection of fire sprinkler systems and other fire protection features such as
identification and notification will supplement normal fire department response by
providing immediate protection for the building occupants and by containing and
controlling the fire spread to the area of origin. Fire sprinkler systems will also
reduce the use of water for firefighting by as much as 50 to 75 percent.
2. Topographical conditions
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a. Natural: The topographical conditions of Riverside County vary from three hundred
(300) feet below sea -level, flat desert communities, to mountains over ten
thousand (10,000) feet in Alpine -like areas of the San Bernardino Mountain Range.
In between these areas, developable slopes of 25 percent and greater generally
occur throughout the foothills. Riverside County extends from Orange County to
the State of Arizona and is mixed with congested urban areas, rural lands and wild
lands. A large number of sensitive habitats for various animal species and
vegetation consist within large open space areas between major urban centers
that impact building and structure location, which impedes emergency access and
response. This variety in regions contributes to an increased emergency response
time, which necessitates cooperation between local agencies.
b. Traffic and circulation congestion are an artificially created, obstructive
topographical condition, which is common throughout Riverside County.
c. These topographical conditions combine to create a situation, which places fire
department response time to fire occurrences at risk and makes it necessary to
provide automatic on -site fire -extinguishing systems and other protection
measures to protect occupants and property.
3. Geological Conditions
a. Located within Riverside County are several known active and potentially active
earthquake faults, including the San Andreas, San Jacinto, and Elsinore Fault. In
the event of an earthquake, the location of the epicenter as well as the time of day
and season of the year would have a profound effect on the number of deaths and
casualties, as well as property damage.
b. The major form of direct damage from most earthquakes is damage to
construction. Bridges are particularly vulnerable to collapse, and dam failure may
generate major downstream flooding. Buildings vary in susceptibility, dependent
upon construction and the types of soils on which they are built. Earthquakes
destroy power and telephone lines; gas, sewer, or water mains; which, in tum, may
set off fires and/or hinder firefighting or rescue efforts. The hazard of earthquakes
varies from place to place, dependent upon the regional and local geology. Ground
shaking may occur in areas 65 miles or more from the epicenter (the point on the
ground surface above the focus). Ground shaking can change the mechanical
properties of some fine grained, saturated soils, where upon they liquefy and act
as a fluid (liquefaction).
c. Previous earthquakes in southern California have been accompanied by disruption
of traffic flow and fires. A severe seismic event has the potential to negatively
impact any rescue or fire suppression activities because it is likely to create
obstacles similar to those indicated under the high wind section above. With the
probability of strong aftershocks there exists a need to provide increased
protection for anyone on upper floors of buildings.
d. Road circulation features located throughout the County also make amendments
reasonably necessary. Located through the County are major roadways, highways
Resolution No. 2020-001
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and flood control channels that create barriers and slow response times. Hills,
slopes, street and storm drain design accompanied with occasional heavy rainfall,
cause roadway flooding and landslides and at times may make an emergency
access route impassable. There are areas in Riverside County that naturally have
extended emergency response times.
SECTION 3. Amendments to the 2019 California Fire Code are found reasonably
necessary based on the climatic, topographical and/or geographical conditions cited in Section
2 of this resolution and are listed in Table 1 as follows:
Code Section
102.5
308.1.6.3
507.5.7
507.5.8
508.1, 508.1.1, 508.1.3, 508.1.6, 508.1.8
509.2.1
606.10.1.2
903.2
903.3.5.3
Ch B, Table B105.2
Ch C, C103.1
Table 1
W-W-M
Findinqs in Section 2
SECTION 4. Additional amendments have been made to the Code. Such amendments
are hereby found to be either administrative or procedural in nature or concern themselves with
subjects not covered in such Code.
SECTION 5. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this resolution.
To the extent allowed by law, this resolution shall be deemed to take effect and be in full force,
nunc pro tunc, concurrent with the effective date of the resolution referenced in the fourth Recital
herein, but in no event later than the date of adoption of this resolution.
Passed and Adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Lake Elsinore,
California, this 14th day of January 2020.
r � �
Brian dale
Mayor
Resolution No. 2020-001
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Attest:
f f
Candice Alv rez C
City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA }
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE } ss.
CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE }
I, Candice Alvarez, MMC City Clerk of the City of Lake Elsinore, California, do hereby certify that
Resolution No. 2020-001 was adopted by the City Council of the City of Lake Elsinore, California,
at the Regular meeting of January 14, 2020 and that the same was adopted by the following vote:
AYES:
Council Members Sheridan, Johnson and Manos; Mayor Pro-Tem Magee, and
Mayor Tisdale
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
None
ABSTAIN:
None
22�
Candice �Wre4�MC
City Clerl(