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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-61 CC Reso - 2016 State Fire CodeRESOLUTION 2016- 61 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF UKIAH, CITY COUNCIL ESTABLISHING FINDINGS OF FACT AND NEED FOR CHANGES OR MODIFICATIONS TO THE STATE FIRE CODE 2016 VERSION BECAUSE OF LOCAL CONDITIONS. CHANGES OR MODIFICATIONS: Pursuant to section 13869.7, 17958.5, 1798.7, 17922 and 1841.5 of the State of California Health and Safety Code, the City Council of the City of Ukiah in its ordinance adopting and amending the 2016 Edition of the California Fire Code with reference to the 2013 edition of the International Fire Code, changes or modifies certain provisions of the 2016 California Building Standards Code (Title 24, Part 9) as it pertains to the regulation of buildings used for human habitation. A copy of the text of such changes or modifications is attached. Findings: Pursuant to Sections 17958.5, 1798.7, 17922 and 1841.5 of the State of California Health and Safety Code, the City Council of the City of Ukiah has determined and finds that the attached changes or modification to the 2016 California Building Code Standards are needed and are reasonably necessary because of local climatic, geographic, and topographic conditions. Local Conditions: Local conditions have an adverse effect on the prevention of (1) major loss fires, (2) major earthquake damage, and (3) the potential for life and property loss, making necessary changes or modifications to the 2016 California Fire Code, 2016 International Fire Code and the 2016 California Building Standards Code in order to provide a reasonable degree of property security and fire and life safety within the city limits or city owned properties. Below are listed adverse local climatic (see No. 1), geographic and topographic (see No. 2) conditions. 1. Climatic. A. Precipitation. Precipitation ranges from 13 5o 71 inches per year with an average of approximately 37 inches per year. Approximately eighty-nine percent (89%) falls during the months of November through April, and eleven (11 %) from May through October. B. Relative Humidity. Humidity generally ranges from 35% during daytime to 85% at night. The humidity can drop to 12% or lower during the summer months. C. Temperatures. Temperatures have been recorded as high as 115 degrees F. Average summer highs are in the 86 to 91 degree range. D. Winds. Prevailing winds are from the northwest. However, winds are experienced from virtually every direction at one time or another. Velocities are generally in the 3 to 18 mph range, gusting to 33 mph, particularly during the summer months. Extreme winds, up to 50 mph, have been known to 0 occur. E. Summary. These local climatic conditions affect the acceleration, intensity, and size of fire in the community. Times of little or nor rainfall, of low humidity and high temperatures create extremely hazardous conditions, particularly as they relate to the ignition of structure fires which have the potential to burn into the vegetation (wildland), and vice versa. The winds experienced in this area can have a tremendous impact upon structure fires in buildings of close proximity to one another, commonly found in the residential neighborhoods throughout the City of Ukiah and surrounding area. During structure, or wildland fires, winds can carry sparks and burning brands to other structures, thus spreading the fire and causing conflagrations. In building fires, winds can literally force fire back into the building and create a blowtorch effect, in addition to preventing "natural" ventilation and cross -ventilation efforts. 2. Geographic and Topographic. A. The fire environment of a community is primarily a combination of two factors: the area's physical geographic characteristics and the historic pattern of urban -suburban development. These two factors, alone and combined, create a mixture of environments, which ultimately determines the area's fire protection needs. The basic geographical boundaries of Ukiah are roughly Empire Drive to the north, slightly past Washington Ave. to the south, U.S 101 / Oak Manor subdivision to the east and roughly to the midpoint of our western hills to the west. Ukiah encompasses roughly 4.5 square miles, however various geographic and topographic conditions commonly exist throughout the community. This creates a number of fire environments, each having its own individual fire protection needs. B. Seismic Location. The relatively young geological processes that have created the San Francisco Bay Area are still active today. Ukiah sits on a portion of the Maacama fault between the San Andreas fault to the west and the Bartlett Springs fault to the east. C. Size and Population. Within the 4.5 square miles which encompass the City of Ukiah there is an average population of 15,000 to 16,000. With and average mid-day population of possibly as many as 35,000 to 40,000. This is largely due to Ukiah being the county seat, and hosting most of the local business locations within the local area. The City and Fire District are currently in discussions regarding a consolidation of fire protection services. Two fire stations currently serve the needs of not only the City but also of the Fire District. These two station are located outside the formal city limits. There is no active station within the City currently. This combined fire service handles a diverse responsibility of providing for wildland, urban fires, and freeway, and medical incidents. D. Roads and Streets. All roadways and / or city streets are maintained by the City of Ukiah "Streets Department". All or most are of a grid or loop system. Streets in the interface (hillside) areas are narrow and in some locations 2 rather steep and winding, affording difficult ingress to emergency apparatus. Ingress and egress into the foothill areas will be made extremely difficult by large-scale emergencies such as earthquake and wildland fire. E. Toaograahy. The City of Ukiah is situated in a relatively large, somewhat flat valley, with slopes ranging from 0 to 5%. There is however, along our western boundaries some rather steep roads leading into small pockets of development. Typically all residential. The average elevation of the City is roughly 600 +/- feet above sea level. F. Vegetation. The overall vegetation of the local area is of a semi -arid Mediterranean type. Most of our exposure is located on the eastern facing slopes with heavy oak and annual grasses. There has been some development into areas of the city with heavier vegetation, specifically in the western hills from Doolan Canyon to Low Gap Rd. G. Hydrology. The easterly most boundary of Ukiah abuts the Russian River on the east side of the city. Annual precipitation at or above the annual average of 37 inches can result in flooding along the Russian River and its tributaries. The last significant flooding occurred in 2006, and affected several neighborhoods within the city limits in close proximity to the Russian River. This flood and other flooding events lead to increased emergency response times for apparatus responding through or around the flooded roadways. H. Summary. The above local geographic and topographic conditions increase the magnitude, exposure, and accessibility problems, and fire hazards presented to the City of Ukiah. Fire following an earthquake has the potential of causing greater loss of life and damage than the earthquake itself. The majority of the industrial / commercial complexes are located in close proximity to the Maacama fault. This fault zone also contains the largest concentration of hazardous materials. Hazardous materials, particularly toxic gases, could pose the greatest threat to the largest number, should a significant seismic event occur. City of Ukiah emergency resources would have to be prioritized to mitigate the greatest threat, and may likely be unavailable for smaller single -dwelling or structure fires. Other variables may tend to intensify the situation: 1. The extent of damage to the water system. 2. The extent of isolation due to bridge and / or freeway overpass collapse. 3. The extent of roadway damage and / or amount of debris blocking the roadways. 4. Climatic conditions (hot, dry weather with high winds). 5. Time of day will influence the amount of traffic on roadways and could intensify the risk to life during normal business hours. 6. The availability of timely mutual aid or military assistance. 3 Conclusion. Local climatic, geographic and topographic conditions impact fire prevention efforts, and the frequency, spread, acceleration, intensity and size of the involved buildings in this community. Further, they affect potential damage to all structures from earthquake, or flood, and subsequent fire. Therefore it is found to be reasonably necessary that the California Fire Code be changed or modified to mitigate the effects of the above conditions. Furthermore, California Health and Safety Code Section 17958.7 requires that the modification or change be expressly marked and identified as to which each finding refers. Therefore the City of Ukiah, City Council finds that the following table provides code sections that have been modified pursuant to Ordinance 2016- which are standards as defined in Health and Safety Code Section 18909, and the associated referenced conditions for modification due to local climatic, geological and topographical reasons. Section Number Local climatic, geological and topographical conditions 503.3.1 le, 2a, 2d, 2e, 2f 505.1 le, 2h 505.5 le, 2h 605.3.1.1 le, 2h Minor administrative changes not affected by local climatic, geological, or topographical conditions. Section 109.4, Violation Penalties Section 111.4, Failure to Comply NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED AND ORDERED that the Fire Marshall of the City of Ukiah Fire Department shall provide a copy of the change or modification together with a copy of this resolution to the City of Ukiah, Ukiah City Council pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Section 13869.7(b) PASSED AND ADOPTED, by the City of Ukiah, City Council, State of California, on November 2, 2016. AYES: Councilmember Crane, Mulheren, Doble, Brown, and Mayor Scalmanini NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None ATTEST: C � kti Stephe G. Scalmanini, Mayor Kristine LIrAwler, City Clerk 4 II I I I