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Home My WebLink About92-46 - Uniform Building, Plumbing, Electric CodeRESOLUTION NO. 92- 46 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH SETTING FORTH FINDINGS BASED ON LOCAL CONDITIONS WITHIN THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH WHICH MAKE CERTAIN MODIFICATIONS AND CHANGES TO THE UNIFORM BUILDING CODE, THE UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE, AND THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE REASONABLY NECESSARY • WHEREAS, Health & Safety Code Section 17958 mandates that the City of Newport Beach shall adopt ordinances or regulations imposing the same requirements as are contained in the regulations adopted by the State pursuant to Health & Safety Code, Section 17922; and WHEREAS, the State of California is mandated by Health & Safety Code Section 17922 to impose the same requirements as are contained in the 1991 Edition of the Uniform Housing Code of the International Conference of Building Officials, the 1991 Uniform Building Code of the International Conference of Building Officials, the 1991 Uniform Plumbing Code of the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, the 1991 Uniform Mechanical Code of the International Conference of Building Officials and the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, the 1990 National Electrical Code of the National Fire Protection Association, the 1991 Edition of the Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code of the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (hereinafter referred to collectively as "Codes "); and WHEREAS, Health & Safety Code Section 17958.5 permits the City to make such changes or modifications to the Codes as are reasonably necessary because of local conditions; and WHEREAS, Health & Safety Code Section 17958.7 requires that the City Council before making any changes or modifications pursuant to Section 17958.5 make express findings that such changes or modifications are needed due to climatic, geographic, or topographic conditions; and WHEREAS, the Building Director 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, BE IT RESOLVED by City Council of the City of Newport Beach as follows: 1 SECTION I The following changes and modifications to the 1991 Edition of the UNIFORM BUILDING CODE as recommended by the Building Director are hereby found to be necessary due to local climatic, geographical or topographical conditions: • 1. Section 1103 has been modified to permit residential patios and private carports when less than 400 square feet in area and open on 3 sides to be governed by the Zoning Code and be constructed nearer to the property line than 3 feet. This modification maximizes property usage of narrow 25 and 30 foot lots and permits additional off street parking to reduce the critical parking shortage on Newport Beach's narrow public streets and alleys. 2. Section 3203(f) has been amended to require roof coverings to be of fire retardant material of not less than Class C rating. This provision should reduce the threat of serious tragedies and property losses arising from Santa Ana wind -swept fires which occur annually in Orange County Communities. 3. Section 3703(h) has been amended requiring spark arresters on all chimneys. This should reduce the possibility of roof fires on existing residences containing ordinary wood roof coverings. 4. Section 3802(a) has been modified to require installation of an automatic fire extinguishing system in all occupancies exceeding 5,000 square feet before allowable floor areas and increases specified in Table No. 5 -C, Section 506 are applicable. This requirement offsets Fire Department extended response time in Newport's sprawling development separated by waterways and narrow • and congested streets. The requirement also keeps fires manageable and reduces fire flow (water) requirement for a given structure. 5. Section 3802(b) has been amended to require an automatic sprinkler system in all building having floors used for human occupancy and located more than 40 feet above the lowest level of Fire Department vehicle access. This requirement matches building height and available fire- fighting equipment and human resources available in the Newport Beach Fire Department. 6. Appendix Chapter 70 has been amended by augmenting the Code provisions of excavating and grading as well as erosion control measures. This will minimize siltation and pollution of the Bay and assist in preserving the natural environment of Newport Beach. SECTION II The following changes and modifications to the 1991 Edition of the UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE as recommended by the Building Director are hereby found to be necessary due to local climatic, geographical or topographical conditions: 1. Section 1212(a) has been amended to require the installation of approved PVC or PE piping only in exterior buried piping systems. This requirement is needed due to poor performance of non - plastic materials in local soils containing a high sulfur and acid concentrations. This provision would reduce the danger of explosion and fire caused by undetected gas leaks, especially in multi -story condominiums used as vacation homes and rentals. SECTION III The following changes and modifications to the 1990 Edition of the NATIONAL • ELECTRICAL CODE as recommended by the Building director are hereby found to be necessary due to local climatic, geogaphical or topographical conditions: I . Article 110 -5 is amended to require that installation of smaller than #6 AWG aluminum conductors shall be inspected continuously by an approved special inspector to insure tightness of all termination points. This requirement is needed due to poor performance of the • material, especially in the moist and corrosive climate and soil around the beach area. 2. (a) Article 210 -1 is amended to require undergrounding of conductors for accessory uses or buildings located on same lot. City incidence of accidental contact and electric shock by metal ladders, pool cleaning tools, or similar equipments, as well as becoming disconnected during local wind storms will be minimized. (b) This article is further amended to require a raceway leading from spare circuit breakers to specified future expansion areas. This requirement reduces the hazards experienced locally due to uninspected future installations, caused by the constant add -ons and remodels prevalent in Newport Beach. 3. Article 250 -91 is amended to prohibit the use of flexible metal conduit as a grounding conductor. This requirement will protect against early corrosion of materials due to the high sulphur and acid content prominent in local soils. 4. Article 345 -3(b) is amended by requiring corrosion protection for intermediate metal conduit and fittings. This protection is needed to guard against the high salt and • sulphur content in air and soil around the ocean areas which considerably reduces the lifespan of metallic materials. CI 5. Article 346 -1(c) is amended by requiring corrosion protection for ferrous and nonferrous metal conduit and fittings. This protection is needed to guard against the high salt and sulphur content in air and soil around the ocean areas which considerably reduces the lifespan of metallic materials. • 6. Article 348 -1 is amended by prohibiting the installation of metallic tubing where exposed to outside air or weather, where subject to physical damage, where galvanic action occurs due to dissimilar metals, and where protected only by enamel coating. This is necessary due to local corrosive soils condition, oxidation due to salt air and weather. 7. Article 350 -5 is amended by prohibiting the use of flexible metal conduit as a grounding means. Local climatic conditions of air and soil accelerate the corrosion of materials jeopardizing the reliability and safety. An Underwriter's Laboratory Report published in May 1982, states that "Flexible metal conduit longer than six feet has not been judged to be suitable as a ground means." SECTION IV Additional amendments and deletions to the 1991 Editions of the Uniform Building Code, the 1991 Edition of the Uniform Housing Code, the 1991 Edition of the Mechanical Code, the 1991 Edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code, the 1991 Edition of the Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code, and the 1990 Edition of the National Electrical Code were found to be administrative or procedural and contained mostly in the 1991 Edition of the Uniform Administrative Code, or do not contain subjects addressed in Title 24 of the California Administrative Code, and are found to be reasonable and necessary to safeguard life and property • within the City of Newport Beach. 3 SECTION V A copy of this Resolution together with the Ordinances adopting the City Codes shall be filed with the California Department of Housing and Community Development by the City Clerk of the City of Newport Beach as required by State • law (Section 17958.7 H & S Code). • ADOPTED THIS 11th DAY OF May , 1992 ATTEST: 11 i MAYOR