HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-80 - Setting Forth Findings Based on Local Conditions Within the City of Newport Beach Which Make Certain Modifications and Changes to the Californa Fire Code as Reasonably Necessary.RESOLUTION NO. 2013 -80
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA, SETTING FORTH
FINDINGS BASED ON LOCAL CONDITIONS WITHIN THE CITY
OF NEWPORT BEACH WHICH MAKE CERTAIN
MODIFICATIONS AND CHANGES TO THE CALIFORNIA FIRE
CODE AS REASONABLY NECESSARY.
WHEREAS, Health and Safety Code Section 17958 mandates that the City of
Newport Beach ( "City ") adopt ordinances and regulations imposing the same or modified or
changed requirements as are contained in the regulations adopted by the State pursuant to
Health and Safety Code Section 17922; and
WHEREAS, the State of California is mandated by Health and Safety Code Section
17922 to impose the same requirements as are contained in the 2013 California Fire Code
based on the 2012 International Fire Code of the International Code Council; and
WHEREAS, Health and Safety Code Section 17958.5(a) permits the City to make
modifications or changes to the Codes, which are reasonably necessary because of local
climatic, geographic, or topographic conditions; and
WHEREAS, Health and Safety Code Section 17958.7 requires that the City Council,
before making any modifications or changes pursuant to Section 17958.5, make express
findings that such changes or modifications are needed due to local climatic, geographic, or
topographic conditions; and
WHEREAS, the Fire Chief has recommended that changes and modifications be made
to the Codes and has advised that these changes and modifications to the model codes are
reasonably necessary due to local conditions in the City of Newport Beach and has further
advised that the remainder of said changes and modifications are administrative or
procedural in nature.
NOW THEREFORE, the City Council of the City Of Newport Beach does hereby
RESOLVE as follows:
SECTION 1: The following changes and modifications to the 2013 Edition of the
California Fire Code as recommended by the Fire Chief are hereby found to be necessary
due to local climatic, geographic, or topographic conditions:
SECTION
JUSTIFICATION /EXPRESS FINDINGS
202 (Definitions)
a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, I
305 (Ignition Sources)
a, b, c, i
307.4.2.1 (Recreational Beach Fires)
a, b, c, i
319 (Geological Surveys)
d, e, f, g, In
503.2.1 (Dimensions)
a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h
503.2.4 (Turning Radius)
a, b, c, d, e, f, g, In
503.2.5 (Dead Ends)
a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h
503.2.7 (Grade)
a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h
503.4.2 (Fire Apparatus Access Roads)
a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h
503.6.1 (Vehicle Access Gates)
a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h
5051.1 (Premises Identification)
a, b, c, d, e, f, g, In
510.4 (Technical Requirements)
a, b, c, d, e, f, g, In
511.1 (Building Information)
a, b, c, d, f, h
604.2.15.2.2 (Emergency Power Outlets)
d, e, f
903.2 (Where Required)
a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h,
903.2.8 (Group R)
a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i
903.3.1.22 (Alarms)
a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, 1
903.3.1.4 (System Design)
a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, I
907.1.6 (System Design)
a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, I
907.3.1 (Duct Smoke Detectors)
a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i
912.1.1 (Installation)
a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, I
912.2 (Location)
a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i
912.2.1 (Visible Location)
a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, I
3603.6 (Berthing and Storage)
e, f, g, h
3603.6.1 (Multiple Berthing)
e, f, g, h
3603.6.2 (Permitted Multiple Berthing)
e, f, g, h
3604.1 (General, Piers, Marinas)
e, f, g, h
3604.2 (Standpipes)
e, f, g, h
SECTION
JUSTIFICATION/EXPRESS FINDINGS
4901 (Reduction of Brush)
a, b, c, e, i
4902 (Definitions)
a, b, c, e, 1
4903 (Maintenance of Fuel)
a, b, c, e, i
4904 (Construction Requirements)
a, b, c, e, 1
4905 (Building Construction Features)
a, b, c, e, i
4906 (Hazard Reduction Zone)
a, b, c, e, I
4907 (Use of Equipment in Local Agency)
a, b, c, e, i
4908 (Restricted Entry to VHFHSZ)
a, b, c, e, i
4909 (Open Flame Devices)
a, b, c, e, I
4910 (Outdoor Fires in Local Agency)
a, b, c, e, 1
4911 (Recreational Fires in Local Agency)
a, b, c, e, i
5003.12 (Outdoor Control Areas)
a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h
5004, 1.1 (Maximum Quantity On Site)
a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h
5601.1 (Explosives and Fireworks)
a, b, c, i
5610 (Fireworks)
a, b, c, i
5611.1 (Storage of Explosives)
a, b, c, 1
5704211.2 (Flammable & Combustible)
a, b, c, 1
5706.4 (Bulk Plants or Terminals)
a, b, c, i
8105.2 (Fire -Flow Requirements)
a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, I
SECTION 2: Findings:
a. The City is located in an area subject to a climatic condition of high winds. This
environment is conducive to rapidly spreading fires. Control of such fires
requires rapid response. Obstacles generated by a strong wind, such as fallen
trees, streetlights and utility poles, will greatly impact the response time to reach
an incident scene.
b. Many areas of Newport Beach have significant growths of vegetation of a highly
combustible nature. Dry climatic conditions can create the potential for the rapid
spread of fire in both vegetation and structures. The addition of fire protection
systems will supplement the Fire Department response by providing immediate
protection for the building occupants and by containing or controlling the spread of
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fire. Fire sprinkler systems also provide an efficient use of water for the control
and containment of fires and lessen the environmental impact of water runoff from
fire suppression activities.
C. The City, especially the foothill areas, is geographically located in an area
periodically subject to hot, dry, wind conditions of high velocity. The
topographical conditions of the foothill areas and canyons contained therein can
accelerate the periodic high velocity winds by means of a venturi effect.
Accordingly, pursuant to California Government Code Section 51179 and by City
ordinance, the City has designated these types of areas as Local Agency Very
High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. These zones identify the type of climate,
geography, and topography that potentially increase the possibility of uncontrolled
fire spread through vegetative fuels threatening life or property.
d. The City is located in a seismically active area. There are earthquake faults
that run along both the northeastern and southwestern boundaries of Orange
County. The Newport - Inglewood Fault Zone (NIFZ), which runs through Orange
County was the source of the destructive 1933 Long Beach earthquake (6.3
magnitude, hypocenter off Newport Beach coast) that claimed 120 lives and
damaged areas from Laguna Beach to Marina del Rey and inland to Whittier.
The NIFZ poses one of the greatest hazards to lives and property in the nation.
Regional planning for reoccurrence is recommended by the State of California,
Department of Conservation. There was also an earthquake in December 1989,
with the epicenter located near the City of Irvine. The fault on which this quake
occurred was unknown prior to this activity. The City contains hilly areas subject
to landslide and coastal areas subject to liquefaction.
e. The City is located in a seismically active area. The viability of the public water
system would be questionable at best after a major seismic event. This would
leave structures vulnerable to uncontrolled fires due to a lack of available
water and an inability to pump sufficient quantities of available water. 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.
f. The City is located in a low to moderate tsunami area. These seismic sea waves
have the ability to flood large sections of the low -lying areas. These flood
conditions also impact the response and activity level of the Fire Department.
g. The City contains low -lying coastal areas subject to flooding from sustained rain
with tide which hinders drainage to the bay. Certain other areas such as Balboa
Island are subject to water surges from drainage through the Back Bay. The
southern boundary of the City is along the Pacific Ocean. Winter storms and
tropical storms come into the City from the ocean. These storms can create high
winds and large ocean waves that can cause flooding in areas of the city.
ll
h. Along part of the western boundary of the City is the Santa Ana River. This river
originates in the San Bernardino Mountains and flows through many communities
until it terminates in the ocean at the Huntington Beach /Newport Beach border.
The river is contained in a man -made channel. Heavy rainfall and urban runoff
has potential to cause flooding in the flood plain due to the river and /or its
tributaries. West Newport Beach is subject to flooding from the Santa Ana River.
i. Due to the geographic conditions of widespread development separated by
waterways and the street congestion caused by local geography, and the
expected infrastructure damage inherent in a seismic hazard zone, it is prudent
to rely on automatic fire sprinkler systems to mitigate extended Fire Department
response time and keep fires manageable with reduced fire flow (water)
requirement for a given structure.
SECTION 3: A copy of this Resolution together with the Ordinances adopting the
City Codes shall be filed with the California Building Standards Commission and the
California Department of Housing and Community Development by the City Clerk of the
City of Newport Beach as required by State law (Health and Safety Code Section
17958.7).
SECTION 4: This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by
the City Council, and the City Clerk shall certify the vote adopting the resolution.
ADOPTED this 12" day of November, 2013.
ATTEST: yes
ak�° , "12 rl ��
Leilani 1. Brown, City Clerk
5
Keith D. Curry, Mayor
STATE OF CALIFORNIA }
COUNTY OF ORANGE
CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH }
1, Leilani I. Brown, City Clerk of the City of Newport Beach, California, do hereby certify that the
whole number of members of the City Council is seven; that the foregoing resolution, being Resolution
No. 2013 -80 was duly and regularly introduced before and adopted by the City Council of said City at a
regular meeting of said Council, duly and regularly held on the 12`h day of November, 2013, and that the
same was so passed and adopted by the following vote, to wit:
Ayes: Gardner, Petros, Hill, Selich, Henn, Daigle, Mayor Curry
Nays: None
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the official seal of
said City this I day of November, 2013.
City Clerk
Newport Beach, Ca'
(Seal)