HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem No. 05 Amendment to 2019 California Fire CodeText File
City of Lake Elsinore 130 South Main Street
Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
www.lake-elsinore.org
File Number: ID# 19-439
Agenda Date: 1/14/2020 Status: Approval FinalVersion: 1
File Type: Council Consent
Calendar
In Control: City Council / Successor Agency
Agenda Number: 5)
Page 1 City of Lake Elsinore Printed on 1/9/2020
REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Grant Yates, City Manager
Prepared by: Bill Belvin, Building and Code Enforcement Manager
Steve Payne, Assistant Fire Marshal
Date: January 14, 2020
Subject: Adoption of a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Lake Elsinore,
California, setting forth findings for amendments to the 2019 California Fire
Code
Recommendation
adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE,
CALIFORNIA, SETTING FORTH FINDINGS FOR AMENDMENTS TO THE 2019 CALIFORNIA
FIRE CODE
Background
On November 12, 2019, the City Council approved the introduction of Ordinance No. 2019-1419
of the City of Lake Elsinore adopting the 2019 California Building Standards Code, including the
California Fire Code. On December 10, 2019, the City Council approved Ordinance No. 2019-
1419 adopting the 2019 California Building Codes, including the 2019 California Fire Code, with
local amendments.
In connection with the introduction of Ordinance No. 2019-1419, the City Council also approved
a resolution setting forth findings for amendments to the 2019 California Building Code,
California Residential Code and California Green Building Standards Code based on local
climatic and geographic conditions. However, that resolution inadvertently omitted findings
supporting amendments contained in Ordinance No. 2019-1419 to the California Fire Code
based on local conditions.
Discussion
The Fire Department and the Division of Building & Safety advise that certain changes and
modifications to the 2019 California Fire Code contained within Ordinance No. 2019-1419
approved on December 10, 2019, are reasonably necessary due to local climatic, geological
and/or topographical conditions in the City of Lake Elsinore.
Health and Safety Code Section 17958.7 requires, in part, that the City Council make an
express finding that such changes or modifications to uniform codes are reasonably necessary
because of local climatic, geological and/or topographical conditions. In accordance with Health
and Safety Code Section 17958.7, the attached Resolution identifies the local climatic,
2019 Building and Fire Code Updates
January 14, 2020
Page 2
geological and topographical conditions that necessitate changes to the California Fire Code
and makes express findings that the changes or modifications to the 2019 California Fire Code
are reasonably necessary because of such conditions.
Environmental Determination
The proposed Resolution is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (Cal. Publ.
Res. Code §§21000 et seq. “CEQA”) and the State CEQA Guidelines (14. Cal. Code Regs
§§15000 et seq.), specifically pursuant to pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2), 15060(c)(3), and
15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a direct or reasonably
foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, because there is no possibility that it
may have a significant effect on the environment, and because it is not a “project” as that term is
defined in Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines.
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact related to this action and all costs of subsequent building and fire plan
check processes and related inspection processes are paid by those seeking a permit.
Furthermore, the existing fee schedule will be retained.
Exhibits
A. Resolution
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-XX
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:
Resolution No. _____
Page 2
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- arid Mediterranean weather patterns. Eastern
Riverside County is a desert area with Mohave Desert temperatures and weather
patterns. 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
Resolution No. _____
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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
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
Resolution No. _____
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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 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:
Table 1
Code Section Findings in Section 2
102.5 I, II & III
308.1.6.3 I, II & III
507.5.7 I & III
507.5.8 I, II & III
508.1, 508.1.1, 508.1.3, 508.1.6, 508.1.8 I, II & III
509.2.1 I & III
606.10.1.2 II & III
903.2 I, II & III
903.3.5.3 I & II
App Ch B, Table B105.2 I, II & III
App Ch C, C103.1 I, II & III
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, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of
Lake Elsinore, California, this 14th of January 2020.
_______________________________
Brian Tisdale,
MAYOR CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE
Resolution No. _____
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ATTEST:
_______________________________
Candice Alvarez, MMC
CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_______________________________
BARBARA ZEID LEIBOLD
CITY ATTORNEY
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE )
I, Candice Alvarez, MMC, City Clerk, of the City of Lake Elsinore, California, hereby certify that
Resolution No. 2020-__ was adopted by the City Council of the City of Lake Elsinore, California,
at a regular meeting held on the Tuesday January 14, 2020, and that the same was adopted by
the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
___________________________
Candice Alvarez, MMC
CITY CLERK