Chapter 18.32
FIRE PREVENTION1
Sections:
18.32.010 Amendments to the fire code.
18.32.020 Establishment and duties of bureau of fire prevention.
18.32.050 New materials, processes or occupancies which may require permits.
18.32.080 Very high fire hazard severity zone.
18.32.010 Amendments to the fire code.
The California Fire Code as adopted under PGMC 18.04.010 is amended and changed in respect of the following sections set forth therein:
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 Pacific Grove.
Section 307.1.1 is amended to read as follows:
307.1.1 Prohibited open burning: Open burning shall be prohibited including outdoor rubbish fires and bonfires, unless: 1) the fire is confined to an approved container as defined by the Uniform Mechanical Code and authorized by the Monterey Bay Air Pollution Control District; 2) the open fire is for the explicit purpose of preparation of food, such as in the case of a luau, barbecue, and the like; or 3) a special condition or circumstance exists and written authorization is granted by the Fire Chief.
Section 605.3.1 is added to read as follows:
605.3.1 Spark Arrestors: An approved spark arrestor shall be installed on all chimneys, incinerators, smokestacks or similar devices where the burning of solid fuel conveys smoke, embers and hot gases to the outer air.
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.
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 (private garages, carports, sheds, and agriculture buildings).
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.
903.2.3 Group E. Change 12,000 square feet to 500 square feet.
903.2.4 Group F-1. Change 12,000 square feet to 500 square feet. Change 2,500 square feet for woodworking operations to 500 square feet.
903.2.7-1 Group M. Change 12,000 square feet to 500 square feet.
903.2.7-3 Group M. Change 24,000 square feet to 500 square feet.
903.2.9 Group S-1. Change 12,000 square feet to 500 square feet.
903.2.9.1 Repair Garages. Change 10,000 square feet (2 story buildings) and 12,000 square feet (1 story buildings) to 500 square feet.
903.2.9.2 Bulk storage of tires. Change 20,000 cubic feet to 500 square feet.
Section 903.2.8 is amended to read as follows:
903.2.8 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, town homes, and manufactured homes and mobile homes located outside of licensed mobile home parks hereafter constructed, moved into or relocated within the jurisdiction, including all additions to buildings already equipped with automatic fire sprinkler systems.
Section 903.6.1 is added to read as follows:
903.6.1 Existing Group R-3 buildings. Additions, alterations, or repairs which involve the removal or replacement to 50 percent or greater of the linear length of walls of the building (exterior plus interior) within a one-year period shall meet the requirements of new construction or this code. To qualify as an alteration or repair, the wall must be physically added, removed, replaced or relocated; removal of wall coverings does not constitute an alteration or repair.
Section 907.6.6.2 is added to read as follows:
907.6.6.2 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.
Section 907.7.2 is amended to read as follows:
907.7.2 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.
Section 5704.2.9.6.1 is added to read as follows:
Section 5704.2.9.6.1 Outdoor Storage of Containers and Portable Tanks. Storage of Class I and Class II liquids in aboveground tanks outside of buildings is prohibited within the limits established by law as the limits of districts in which such storage is prohibited except as permitted by the Zoning Ordinance.
Exceptions:
1. For marine fueling operations, a maximum of 2000 gallons of diesel fuel may be stored and dispensed from an above ground tank as approved by the Fire Chief.
2. Storage tanks of 500 gallon maximum capacity may be used only in conjunction with emergency generators as approved by the Fire Chief.
Section 4907.1.1 is added to read as follows:
4907.1.1 Standard Defensible Space Requirements: Remove combustible vegetation from within a minimum of 100 feet or to the property line from structures, whichever is closer. Vegetation shall be no taller than four inches (4") high. Limb trees 6 feet up from ground. Remove limbs within 10 feet of chimneys. Additional or alternate fire protection approved by the fire code official may be required to provide reasonable fire safety. Environmentally sensitive areas may require alternative fire protection, to be determined by the fire code official and other jurisdictional authorities.
[Ord. 22-019 § 2, 2022; Ord. 13-019 § 3, 2013; Ord. 10-029 § 4, 2010; Ord. 09-005 § 24, 2009; Ord. 08-007 §§ 3, 4, 2008; Ord. 99-19 § 2 (Exh. A), 1999].
18.32.020 Establishment and duties of bureau of fire prevention.
(a) The Uniform Fire Code shall be enforced by the bureau of fire prevention which is established and shall be operated under the supervision of the chief of the fire department.
(b) The chief in charge of the bureau of fire prevention shall be appointed by the city manager on the basis of examination to determine his qualifications.
(c) The chief of the fire department may detail such members of the fire department as inspectors as shall from time to time be necessary. The chief of the fire department shall recommend to the city manager the employment of technical inspectors, who, when such authorization is made, shall be selected through an examination to determine their fitness for the position. The examination shall be open to members of the fire department, and appointments made after examination shall be for an indefinite term with removal only for cause. [Ord. 99-19 § 2 (Exh. A), 1999].
18.32.030 Storage limits for explosives, flammable and combustible liquids, and liquefied petroleum gas.
(a) Except as excepted, the limits referred to in Articles 77, 79, 80, and 82 of the Uniform Fire Code, in which the storage of explosives and blasting agents, flammable or combustible liquids, and storage of liquefied petroleum gas, is prohibited, are established as the city limits, as all such storage is prohibited within the city.
Exceptions:
(1) Crankcase oil may be stored in aboveground tanks having a capacity of 500 gallons or less at commercial automotive repair garages, service stations and other repair facilities for motor vehicles. Such tanks shall be subject to the approval of the fire chief.
(2) Aboveground tanks having a capacity of 1,000 gallons or less may be maintained for the disposal of Class I, II, or III flammable liquids in the city corporation yard and in other city facilities. Such tanks shall be subject to the approval of the fire chief.
(3) Portable liquefied petroleum gas tanks with a capacity of 10 gallons or less. [Ord. 99-26, 1999; Ord. 99-19 § 2 (Exh. A), 1999].
18.32.040 Appeals.
Repealed by Ord. 22-019. [Ord. 99-19 § 2 (Exh. A), 1999].
18.32.050 New materials, processes or occupancies which may require permits.
The city manager, the chief of the fire department and the chief of the fire prevention bureau shall act as a committee to determine and specify, after giving affected persons an opportunity to be heard, any new materials, processes or occupancies, which shall require permits, in addition to those now enumerated in the code. The chief of the fire prevention bureau shall post such list in a conspicuous place in his office, and distribute copies to interested persons. [Ord. 99-19 § 2 (Exh. A), 1999].
18.32.060 Penalties.
Repealed by Ord. 22-019. [Ord. 09-005 § 25, 2009; Ord. 08-006 § 74, 2008; Ord. 99-19 § 2 (Exh. A), 1999].
18.32.070 Fees.
Fees for services provided under the terms of this chapter shall be as established by resolution of the council. [Ord. 99-19 § 2 (Exh. A), 1999].
18.32.080 Very high fire hazard severity zone.
This section shall be known as the very high fire hazard severity zone (VHFHSZ) regulations and is adopted pursuant to the requirements of Government Code Sections 51175 through 51189. The area described as a VHFHSZ has been recommended by the Director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The city of Pacific Grove VHFHSZ is designated on a map titled “Pacific Grove VHFHSZ” dated July 22, 2008, and retained on file at the city of Pacific Grove and which shall also be retained on file at the office of the State Fire Marshal. Whenever a more restrictive standard is set forth on any of the city’s codes or state law, the more restrictive standard shall apply in all cases. [Ord. 09-008 § 2, 2009].
For statutory provisions, see California Government Code 38600 et seq. For provisions regarding the fire department see Chapter 4.08 PGMC.