Chapter 8.32
FIRE CODE*
Sections:
8.32.010 International Fire Code – Adopted.
8.32.020 Fire Code – Effective Date – Copy on File.
8.32.030 Definitions.
8.32.040 Establishment of Limits in Which Storage of Flammable or Combustible Liquids in Outside Aboveground Tanks Is Prohibited.
8.32.050 Establishment of Limits in Which Storage of Liquefied Petroleum Gases Is Prohibited.
8.32.060 Establishment of Limits in Which Storage of Explosives and Blasting Agents Is Prohibited.
8.32.070 Establishment of Limits in Which Storage of Stationary Tanks of Flammable Cryogenic Fluids Is Prohibited.
8.32.080 Establishment of Limits in Which the Storage of Hazardous Materials Is Prohibited.
8.32.090 Fireworks Prohibited.
8.32.100 Amendments to the California Fire Code.
8.32.110 Repeal of Conflicting Ordinances.
8.32.120 Validity.
* Prior legislation: Code 1975 §§ 720.0 – 725.0, 726.0, 726.1, 730.0 – 730.0(o), Ords. 325 C.S., 77-25, 79-21, 82-11, 83-25, 85-21, 86-17, 87-11, 89-24, and 95-15.
For statutory provisions authorizing cities to adopt codes by reference, see Government Code § 50022.1 et seq.; for provisions on fire and fire protection generally, see Health and Safety Code § 13000 et seq.
8.32.010 International Fire Code – Adopted.
For the purpose of prescribing regulations governing conditions hazardous to life and property from fire or explosion, that certain code known as the 2007 California Fire Code, including Appendix Chapter 1 and Appendices A, B, C, and D, published by the International Code Council, save and except those portions as are deleted, modified, or amended, of which code not less than three copies are now on file in the office of the City Clerk, is adopted and incorporated in the municipal code as if set out at length in this code, and the provisions thereof shall be controlling within the limits of this City. (Ord. 2008-01 § 1, 2008; Ord. 2003-04 § 1, 2003; Ord. 2001-08 § 1, 2001; Ord. 2000-09 § 1, 2001).
8.32.020 Fire Code – Effective Date – Copy on File.
The effective date for the 2007 California Fire Code adopted by CMC 8.32.010 within the City shall be January 8, 2008. The City Clerk shall maintain on file in the official records the edition of the California Fire Code currently in effect at all times. (Ord. 2008-01 § 1, 2008; Ord. 2001-08 § 1, 2001; Ord. 2000-09 § 1, 2001).
8.32.030 Definitions.
Whenever the word “jurisdiction” is used in the California Fire Code, it shall be held to mean the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Whenever the term “fire code official” is used in the California Fire Code, it shall be held to mean the Contract Fire Marshal of the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea. (Ord. 2008-01 § 1, 2008; Ord. 2001-08 § 1, 2001; Ord. 2000-09 § 1, 2001).
8.32.040 Establishment of Limits in Which Storage of Flammable or Combustible Liquids in Outside Aboveground Tanks Is Prohibited.
The limits referred to in Chapter 34 of the California Fire Code in which storage of flammable or combustible liquids is restricted is hereby established as within the City limits, except as approved by the Fire Code Official. (Ord. 2008-01 § 1, 2008; Ord. 2001-08 § 1, 2001; Ord. 2000-09 § 1, 2001).
8.32.050 Establishment of Limits in Which Storage of Liquefied Petroleum Gases Is Prohibited.
The limits referred to in Chapter 38 of the California Fire Code in which storage of liquefied petroleum gas is restricted is hereby established as within the City limits, except as approved by the Fire Code Official. (Ord. 2008-01 § 1, 2008; Ord. 2001-08 § 1, 2001; Ord. 2000-09 § 1, 2001).
8.32.060 Establishment of Limits in Which Storage of Explosives and Blasting Agents Is Prohibited.
The limits referred to in Chapter 33 of the California Fire Code and in Title 19, CCR, Chapter 10, in which storage of explosives and blasting agents is restricted is hereby established as within the City limits, except as approved by the Fire Code Official. (Ord. 2008-01 § 1, 2008; Ord. 2001-08 § 1, 2001; Ord. 2000-09 § 1, 2001).
8.32.070 Establishment of Limits in Which Storage of Stationary Tanks of Flammable Cryogenic Fluids Is Prohibited.
The limits referred to in Chapter 32 of the California Fire Code in which storage of flammable cryogenic fluids in stationary tanks is restricted is hereby established as within the City limits, except as approved by the Fire Code Official. (Ord. 2008-01 § 1, 2008; Ord. 2001-08 § 1, 2001; Ord. 2000-09 § 1, 2001. Formerly 8.23.080).
8.32.080 Establishment of Limits in Which the Storage of Hazardous Materials Is Prohibited.
The limits referred to in Chapter 27 of the California Fire Code in which storage of hazardous materials is restricted is hereby established as within the City limits, except as approved by the fire code official. (Ord. 2008-01 § 1, 2008; Ord. 2001-08 § 1, 2001; Ord. 2000-09 § 1, 2001. Formerly 8.32.090).
8.32.090 Fireworks Prohibited.
It shall be unlawful to sell, possess, trade or discharge any fireworks, including “Safe and Sane” fireworks, anywhere within the City limits, except by duly issued permit for fireworks displays. (Ord. 2008-01 § 1, 2008; Ord. 2001-08 § 1, 2001; Ord. 2000-09 § 1, 2001. Formerly 8.32.095).
8.32.100 Amendments to the California Fire Code.
The 2007 California Fire Code is amended and changed as follows as described in subsections (1) through (39) of this section.
1. Appendix Chapter 1, Section 101.1, is amended to read as follows:
101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the Fire Code of the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea, hereinafter referred to as “this code.”
2. Appendix Chapter 1, Section 101.2.1, is amended to read as follows:
101.2.1 Appendices. Provisions in Appendix Chapter 1 and Appendices A, B, C, and D are hereby adopted in their entirety and shall apply.
3. Appendix Chapter 1, Section 102.1, is amended to read as follows:
102.1 Construction and design provisions. The construction and design provisions of this code shall apply to:
1. Structures, facilities and conditions arising after the adoption of this code.
2. Existing structures, facilities and conditions not legally in existence at the time of adoption of this code.
3. Existing structures, facilities and conditions when identified in specific sections of this code.
4. Existing structures, facilities and conditions, which, in the opinion of the fire code official or building official, constitute a distinct hazard to life and property.
5. Existing structures to which additions, alterations or repairs are made that involve the addition, removal or replacement of fifty percent (50%) or greater of the linear length of the walls of the existing building (exterior plus interior) within a one-year period.
6. Existing structures to which additions, alterations or repairs are made that are valued at or over two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000).
4. Appendix Chapter 1, Section 102.3, is amended to read as follows:
102.3 Change of use or occupancy. No change shall be made in the use or occupancy of any structure that would place the structure in a different division of the same groups or occupancy or in a different group of occupancies, unless such structure is made to comply with the provisions of this code.
5. Appendix Chapter 1, Section 109.3, is amended to read as follows:
109.3 Violation penalties. Persons who shall violate any provision of this code or shall fail to comply with any of the requirements thereof or shall erect, install, alter, repair or do work in violation of the approved construction documents or directive of the fire code official, or of a permit or certificate used under provisions of this code, shall be guilty of an infraction, punishable by a fine not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00). Each day that a violation continues after due notice has been served shall be deemed a separate offense.
6. Appendix Chapter 1, Section 111.4, is amended to read as follows:
111.4 Failure to comply. Any person who shall continue any work after having been served with a stop work order, except such work as that person is directed to perform to remove a violation or unsafe condition, shall be guilty of an infraction as specified in Section 109.3 of this code.
7. Section 202 is amended to add the following definitions:
ALL WEATHER SURFACE. A road surface constructed to the minimum standards adopted by the jurisdiction.
BRIDGE. A structure to carry a roadway over a depression or obstacle.
OCCUPANCY GROUP U. Add the following examples to “Agricultural buildings”: Storage, livestock, and poultry; milking barns, shade structures, and horticultural structures (greenhouses and crop protection structures).
8. Section 316 is added to read as follows:
Section 316 – IDLE PALLET STORAGE
316.1 General. The requirements of this section apply to all pallets, whether wood or plastic.
316.2 Storage of idle pallets.
1. Idle pallets shall be stored outside, except as permitted by Section 316.2(2) of this code.
2. Idle pallets shall be permitted to be stored in a building if the building is sprinklered in accordance with NFPA 13.
3. Idle pallets stored outside shall be stored in accordance with Section 316.3 of this code.
316.3 Physical characteristics of outside storage.
1. Idle pallet stacks shall not exceed fifteen feet (15') in height.
2. Idle pallet stacks shall not cover an area of greater than 400 square feet.
3. Idle pallet stacks shall be arranged to form stable piles.
4. A distance of not less than twenty feet (20') shall separate stacks.
5. Stacks shall be no closer than twenty feet (20') to any property line.
6. Stacks shall be no closer than twenty feet (20') to any other yard storage.
7. Stacks shall be no closer than the distances shown in Table 316.3 to buildings.
|
Wall Construction |
Under 50 Pallets |
51 – 200 Pallets |
Over 200 Pallets |
|
Masonry with no openings |
No restrictions |
No restrictions |
15 feet |
|
Masonry with wired glass in openings, outside sprinklers, and one-hour doors |
No restrictions |
10 feet |
20 feet |
|
Masonry with wired or plain glass, outside sprinklers, and 3/4-hour doors |
10 feet |
20 feet |
30 feet |
|
Wood or metal with outside sprinklers |
10 feet |
20 feet |
30 feet |
|
Wood, metal, or other |
20 feet |
30 feet |
50 feet |
9. Section 503.2.6.1 is added to read as follows:
503.2.6.1 Private bridge engineering. Every private bridge hereafter constructed shall meet the following engineering requirements:
a. The weight shall be designed for a minimum of HB-17 loading as prescribed by the AASHTO.
b. The unobstructed vertical clearance shall be not less than 15 feet clear.
c. The width shall be a minimum of 20 feet clear. The fire code official may require additional width when the traffic flow may be restricted or reduce the width to a minimum of 12 feet for Occupancy Group U or R-1 occupancies.
d. The maximum grade change of the approach to and from any private bridge shall not exceed 8% for a minimum distance of 10 feet.
10. Section 503.2.6.2 is added to read as follows:
503.2.6.2 Private bridge certification. Every private bridge hereafter constructed shall be engineered by a licensed professional engineer knowledgeable and experienced in the engineering and design of bridges. Certification that the bridge complies with the design standards required by this code and the identified standards, and that the bridge was constructed to those standards, shall be provided by the licensed engineer, in writing, to the fire code official. Every private bridge, including existing and those constructed under this code, shall be certified as to its maximum load limits every ten (10) years or whenever deemed necessary by the fire code official. Such recertification shall be by a licensed professional engineer knowledgeable and experienced in the engineering and design of bridges. All fees charged for the purpose of certification or recertification of private bridges shall be at the owner’s expense.
11. Section 503.2.7 is amended to read as follows:
503.2.7 Grade. The grade of fire apparatus access roads shall be no greater than 15% unless specifically approved by the fire code official.
12. Section 503.2.7.1 is added to read as follows:
503.2.7.1 Paving. All fire apparatus access roads over eight percent (8%) shall be paved with a minimum 0.17 feet of asphaltic concrete on 0.34 feet of aggregate base. All fire apparatus access roads over fifteen percent (15%) where approved shall be paved with perpendicularly grooved concrete.
13. Section 503.3.1 is added to read as follows:
503.3.1 PROHIBITION OF UNAUTHORIZED SIGNAGE. Posting of any road naming signs not authorized by the fire code official or the jurisdiction shall be prohibited.
14. Section 506.1 is amended to read as follows:
506.1 Where required. Where access to or within a structure or an area is restricted because of secured openings or where immediate access is necessary for life-saving or fire-fighting purposes, the fire code official is authorized to require a key box or other approved emergency access device to be installed in an approved location. The key box or other approved emergency access device shall be of an approved type and shall contain keys or other information to gain necessary access as required by the fire code official.
15. Section 508.5.2 is amended to read as follows:
508.5.2 Inspection, testing and maintenance. Fire hydrant systems shall be subject to periodic tests as required by the fire code official. Fire hydrant systems shall be maintained in an operative condition at all times and shall be repaired where defective. Additions, repairs, alterations and servicing shall comply with approved standards. When required by the fire code official, hydrants shall be painted in accordance with the most current edition of NFPA 291.
16. Section 603.6.6 is added to read as follows:
603.6.6 Spark arresters. An approved spark arrester shall be installed on all chimneys, incinerators, smokestacks or similar devices for conveying smoke or hot gases to the outer air.
17. Section 901.1.1 is added to read as follows:
901.1.1 Responsibility. The owner of the protected premises shall be responsible for all fire protection systems within the protected premises, whether existing or installed under this code.
18. Section 901.4 is amended to read as follows:
901.4 Installation. Fire protection systems shall be maintained in accordance with the original installation standards for that system. All systems shall be extended, altered, or augmented as necessary to maintain and continue protection whenever the building is altered, remodeled or added to. Alterations to the fire protection systems shall be done in accordance with applicable standards.
19. Section 901.4.5 is added to read as follows:
901.4.5 Nonoperational equipment. Any fire protection equipment that is no longer in service shall be removed.
20. Section 903.2 is amended to read as follows:
903.2 Where required. Approved automatic sprinkler systems shall be provided in all new buildings and structures constructed, moved into or relocated within the jurisdiction.
Exceptions:
(1) Structures not classified as Group R occupancies and not more than 500 square feet in total floor area.
(2) Detached Group “U” occupancies located at least one hundred feet (100') from any other structure or the property line, whichever is closer, and used for agricultural purposes.
(3) Where an insufficient water supply exists to provide for an automatic fire sprinkler system and where the fire code official permits alternate protection.
21. The following sections are amended by changing requirements to 500 square feet for fire sprinkler installation, as follows (the complete text of the section is not provided):
903.2.1.1 Group A-1. Change 12,000 square feet to 500 square feet.
903.2.1.2 Group A-2. Change 5,000 square feet to 500 square feet.
903.2.1.3 Group A-3. Change 12,000 square feet to 500 square feet.
903.2.1.4 Group A-4. Change 12,000 square feet to 500 square feet.
903.2.1.5 Group A-5. Change 1,000 square feet to 500 square feet.
903.2.2 Group E. Change 20,000 square feet to 500 square feet.
903.2.3 Group F-1. Change 12,000 square feet to 500 square feet.
903.2.6-1 Group M. Change 12,000 square feet to 500 square feet.
903.2.6-3 Group M. Change 24,000 square feet to 500 square feet.
903.2.8 Group S-1. Change 12,000 square feet to 500 square feet.
903.2.8.1 Repair Garages. Change 10,000 square feet (2 story buildings) and 12,000 square feet (1 story buildings) to 500 square feet.
903.2.8.2 Bulk storage of tires. Change 20,000 cubic feet to 500 square feet.
22. Section 903.2.7 is amended to read as follows:
903.2.7 Group R. An automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3 shall be provided in all buildings with a Group R fire area, including, but not limited to, one- and two-family dwellings, townhomes, manufactured homes and mobile homes hereafter constructed, moved into or relocated within the jurisdiction, including all additions to buildings already equipped with automatic fire sprinkler systems.
23. Section 903.3.1.1.2 is added to read as follows:
903.3.1.1.2 Elevators. Automatic fire sprinklers shall not be installed at the top of passenger elevator hoistways or in the associated passenger elevator mechanical rooms.
903.3.1.1.2.1 Where automatic fire sprinklers are not installed at the top of passenger elevator hoistways, heat detectors for the shunt trip mechanism shall not be installed, nor shall smoke detectors for elevator recall be installed.
903.3.1.1.2.2 Where automatic fire sprinklers are not installed in associated elevator mechanical rooms, heat detectors for the shunt trip mechanism shall not be installed. A smoke detector shall be installed for elevator recall.
24. Section 903.3.1.3 is amended to read as follows:
903.3.1.3 NFPA 13D sprinkler systems. Where allowed, automatic sprinkler systems installed in one- and two-family dwellings shall be installed throughout in accordance with NFPA 13D.
903.3.1.3.1 All fire sprinkler systems installed in one- and two-family dwellings shall be tested for leakage by undergoing a hydrostatic test made at 200 psi for a two-hour duration.
903.3.1.3.2 Each water system supplying both domestic and fire protection systems shall have a single indicating-type control valve, arranged to shut off both the domestic and sprinkler systems. A separate shut-off valve for the domestic system only shall be permitted to be installed. The location of the control valve shall be approved by the fire code official.
903.3.1.3.3 Automatic sprinklers shall be installed in all bathrooms, regardless of square footage.
903.3.1.3.4 Automatic sprinklers shall be installed in all attached garages and structures.
903.3.1.3.5 Automatic sprinklers shall be installed in all accessible storage areas.
903.3.1.3.6 Local water flow alarms shall be provided on all sprinkler systems. Local water flow alarms shall be powered from the main kitchen refrigerator circuit. The local water flow alarm shall be clearly audible from within the master bedroom at an audibility level of not less than 70 dBa. Where no kitchen exists in the building, the water flow alarm shall be powered from the bathroom lighting circuit.
25. Section 903.4.1 is amended to read as follows:
903.4.1 Signals. Alarm, supervisory and trouble signals shall be distinctly different and shall be automatically transmitted to an approved central station as defined in NFPA 72. The fire alarm system installed to transmit such signals shall be considered a building fire alarm system.
26. Section 903.4.2.1 is added to read as follows:
903.4.2.1 Where an automatic fire sprinkler system is installed in a building with more than one tenant or with over 100 sprinkler heads, audible and visible notification appliances shall be installed throughout the building as follows:
a. Audible notification appliances shall be installed so as to be audible at 15 dBa above average sound pressure level throughout the building.
b. Visible notification appliances shall be installed in all public and common use areas, restrooms and corridors in accordance with the spacing requirements of NFPA 72.
c. Visible notification appliances can be eliminated in normally unoccupied portions of buildings where permitted by the fire code official.
EXCEPTION: The requirements of this section do not apply to Group R occupancies.
27. Section 903.4.3 is amended to read as follows:
903.4.3 Floor control valves. Approved indicating control valves and water flow switches shall be provided at the point of connection to the riser on each floor in all buildings over one story in height, and shall be individually annunciated as approved by the fire code official.
28. Section 907.1.5 is added to read as follows:
907.1.5 Multiple Fire Alarm Systems. Multiple fire alarm systems within a single protected premises are not permitted, unless specifically authorized by the fire code official.
29. Section 907.2 is amended to read as follows:
907.2 Where required – new buildings and structures. An approved manual, automatic, or manual and automatic fire alarm system installed in accordance with the provisions of this code and the Central Station Service requirements of NFPA 72 shall be provided in new buildings and structures in accordance with Section 907.2.1 through 907.2.23 and provide occupant notification in accordance with Section 907.10, unless other requirements are provided by another section of this code. Where automatic sprinkler protection installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2 is provided and connected to the building fire alarm system, automatic heat detection required by this section shall not be required. The automatic fire detectors shall be smoke detectors unless otherwise permitted by the fire code official. Where ambient conditions prohibit installation of automatic smoke detection, other automatic fire detection shall be allowed.
30. Section 907.2.10.1.2 is amended to add an exception to read as follows:
Exception: Where a household fire warning system is installed in accordance with Section 907.2.10.5.
31. Section 907.2.10.2 is amended by adding an exception to read as follows:
Exception: Where a household fire warning system is installed in accordance with Section 907.2.10.5.
32. Section 907.2.10.3 is amended by adding an exception to read as follows:
Exception: Where a household fire warning system is installed in accordance with Section 907.2.10.5.
33. Section 907.2.10.6 is added to read as follows:
907.2.10.6 Household Fire Warning Systems. An approved household fire warning system shall be permitted to be installed in lieu of the single- or multiple-station smoke alarms required by Section 907.2.10 and the California Building Code. Plans and specifications for the household fire warning system shall be submitted for review and approval prior to installation. Household fire warning systems installed in lieu of single-station smoke alarms required by the International Building Code shall be required to be placarded as permanent building equipment.
34. Section 907.9.5 is added to read as follows:
907.9.5 Zone transmittal. Where required by the fire code official, fire alarm signals shall be transmitted by zone to the supervising station and retransmitted by zone to the public fire service communications center.
35. Section 907.10.2 is amended by changing the word “occupied” to “occupiable,” to read in part as follows:
“...in every occupiable space within a building…”
36. Section 907.13 is amended to read as follows:
907.13 Access. Access shall be provided to each fire alarm system component for periodic inspection, maintenance and testing.
37. Section 907.18 is amended to read as follows:
907.18 Completion documents. The following documentation shall be provided at the time of acceptance testing for all fire alarm system installations:
1. A record of completion in accordance with NFPA 72.
2. A contractor’s statement verifying that the system has been installed in accordance with the approved plans and specifications, and has been 100% tested in accordance with NFPA 72.
3. A contractor’s affidavit of personnel qualifications, indicating that all personnel involved with the installation of the fire alarm system meet the qualification requirements of the fire code official.
38. Section 2505.1 is amended to read as follows:
2505.1 Individual piles. Tire storage shall be restricted to individual piles not exceeding 2,500 square feet of continuous area. Piles shall not exceed 25,000 cubic feet in volume or 10 feet in height.
39. Section D103.2 is amended to read as follows:
D103.2 Grade. Fire apparatus access roads shall not exceed 15 percent in grade with a maximum side slope of 5%.
EXCEPTION: Grades steeper than 15 percent as approved by the fire code official shall be paved with perpendicularly grooved concrete.
(Ord. 2008-01 § 1, 2008; Ord. 2003-04 § 1, 2003; Ord. 2001-08 § 1, 2001; Ord. 2000-09 § 1, 2001).
8.32.110 Repeal of Conflicting Ordinances.
All former ordinances or parts thereof conflicting or inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter or of the California Fire Code as adopted and amended herein are hereby repealed. (Ord. 2008-01 § 1, 2008; Ord. 2001-08 § 1, 2001; Ord. 2000-09 § 1, 2001).
8.32.120 Validity.
Should any section, paragraph, sentence or word of this chapter or of the California Fire Code as adopted and amended be declared for any reason to be invalid, the City Council of the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea hereby declares that it would have passed all other portions of this chapter independent of the elimination of any such portion as may be declared invalid. (Ord. 2008-01 § 1, 2008; Ord. 2001-08 § 1, 2001; Ord. 2000-09 § 1, 2001).