Chapter 15.20 FIRE CODE

Chapter 15.20
FIRE CODE

Sections:

15.20.030 Amendments to California Fire Code.

15.20.010 Adoption by reference.

See Section 15.04.010(E) adopting by reference the 2019 California Fire Code, contained in Part 9 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, based on the 2018 International Fire Code as published by the International Code Council, the 2019 National Fire Protection Association 13 Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, and the 2019 National Fire Protection Association 72 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, together with all appendices and tables, save and except such portions as are deleted, modified or amended by Section 15.20.030. (Ord. 2021-03 § 5 (Exh. B))

15.20.020 Enforcement.

A. The California Fire Code, as adopted and amended herein, shall be enforced by the city of Winters fire prevention division, which is hereby established, and which shall be operated under the supervision of the fire code official.

B. The fire department referred to herein and in the codes adopted pursuant to this chapter shall be the Winters fire department, and the fire chief or fire code official referred to herein and in the codes adopted pursuant to this chapter shall be the fire chief of the fire department, or his or her designee. (Ord. 2021-03 § 5 (Exh. B))

15.20.030 Amendments to California Fire Code.

The California Fire Code, as described above and adopted by reference in Section 15.20.010, is hereby amended, modified and revised as set forth in this chapter.

A. Section 106.1.2 is amended to read as follows:

[A] 106.1 Fees for Plan Checking, Inspection, Permits. The city council may, by resolution, establish a schedule of fees to be charged and collected for plan checking, inspection services, and for the issuance of permits. A copy of the fee schedule shall be kept in the Office of the Building Division and available for public inspection.

B. Section 507.5.4 is amended by adding the following language to the end of the text of that section to read as follows:

Where hydrants and Fire Department connections are located along any access ways where curbs exist, such curbs shall be painted red to prohibit parking for a distance of five feet (5') in either direction from any such hydrant and Fire Department connections. In such case where curbs do not exist, there shall be appropriate markings painted on the pavement, or signs erected, or both, giving notice that parking is prohibited five feet (5') from any such hydrant and Fire Department connections. When such areas have signage or are marked as provided herein, no person shall park or leave standing a vehicle within five feet (5') of any such fire hydrant or Fire Department connections.

C. Section 1103.5 is amended to read:

1103.5 Sprinkler Systems

An automatic fire sprinkler system shall be provided in existing buildings in accordance with Sections 1103.5.1 through 1103.5.4.

Any addition, alteration, or remodel which causes the total square footage to exceed the allowable floor area per Table 903.2 by more than 50%, shall require the entire building be protected by an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Sections 903.3.1 through 903.3.8.

Exception: Group R-3 Occupancy

Existing buildings which undergo a change in use, character, or occupancy classification shall require the entire building be protected by an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3 when the area of the building exceeds the allowable square footage in Table 903.2.

For Group R-3 occupancies, additions, alterations, or remodels that increase the existing floor area by more than 50% shall require the entire building to be protected by an automatic sprinkler system.

An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in existing Group R-3 occupancies throughout the building where due to additions, alterations or remodels the accumulative total square footage exceeds 4,000 square feet, or when the total square footage of the increases exceed 50% of the original building.

D. Section 903.2 is amended to read as follows:

903.2 Where Required.

Approved automatic sprinkler systems shall be installed in new buildings and structures as set forth in Section 903.2 on the basis of occupancy classification, type of construction and square footage as specified in Table 903.2 as added hereto:

Table 903.2

Summary of Automatic Sprinkler Requirements

Type Of Construction
	Total Square Footage of Floor Area
Occupancy	I	II	III	IV	V
A-1	4,000	4,000	4,000	4,000	4,000
A-2	4,000	4,000	4,000	4,000	4,000
A-3	4,000	4,000	4,000	4,000	4,000
A-4	4,000	4,000	4,000	4,000	4,000
B	4,000	4,000	4,000	4,000	4,000
E-private	4,000	4,000	4,000	4,000	4,000
E- Daycare	4,000	4,000	4,000	4,000	4,000
F-1	4,000	4,000	4,000	4,000	4,000
F-2	4,000	4,000	4,000	4,000	4,000
M	4,000	4,000	4,000	4,000	4,000
S-1	4,000	4,000	4,000	4,000	4,000
S-2	4,000	4,000	4,000	4,000	4,000
U	4,000	4,000	4,000	4,000	4,000

The floor areas set forth in Table 903.2 shall be the total floor area of buildings or structures respective of area separation walls.

E. Section 903.2.8.1 is amended to read as follows:

903.2.8.1 Group R-3. Calculation of the total floor area of Group R-3 occupancies shall include unfinished areas having a clearance height of seven feet (7') or greater at any single point. Unfinished areas may utilize California Building Code Section 1208.2, Exception 2 to determine floor areas to be included in the overall floor area calculation.

Exceptions:

1. Systems which are required to mitigate deficiencies shall be installed in accordance with requirements as deemed necessary by the fire code official.

2. In Group R-3 occupancies, the floor area of an attached garage shall be included in the square footage calculation to determinate the total floor area of the occupancy. Attached garages are required to be protected by an automatic sprinkler system when installed in the structure.

F. Section 903.2.1 is amended to read as follows:

Section 903.2.1 Group A

An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings containing a Group A occupancy as provided in this section.

G. Section 903.2.1.1 is amended to read as follows:

Section 903.2.1.1 Group A-1

An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for Group A-1 occupancies where the fire area exceeds the square footage based on type of construction in Table 903.2.

H. Section 903.2.1.2 is amended to read as follows:

Section 903.2.1.2 Group A-2

An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for Group A-2 occupancies where the fire area exceeds the square footage based on type of construction in Table 903.2.

I. Section 903.2.1.3 is amended to read as follows:

Section 903.2.1.3 Group A-3

An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for Group A-3 occupancies where the fire area exceeds the square footage based on type of construction in Table 903.2.

J. Section 903.2.1.4 is amended to read as follows:

Section 903.2.1.4 Group A-4

An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for Group A-4 occupancies where the fire area exceeds the square footage based on type of construction in Table 903.2.

K. Section 903.2.3 is amended to read as follows:

Section 903.2.3 Group E

An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for Group E occupancies where the fire area exceeds the square footage based on type of construction in Table 903.2.

L. Section 903.2.4 is amended to read as follows:

Section 903.2.4 Group F-1

An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all buildings containing a Group F-1 occupancy where one of the following conditions exists:

1. A Group F-1 fire area exceeds the square footage based on type of construction in Table 903.2.

2. A Group F-1 fire area is located more than three stories above grade plane.

3. The combined area of all Group F-1 fire areas on all floors, including any mezzanines, exceeds 24,000 square feet (2230 m2).

4. A Group F-1 occupancy used for the manufacture of upholstered furniture or mattresses exceeds 2,500 square feet (232 m2).

M. Section 903.2.7 is amended to read as follows:

903.2.7 Group M

An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings containing a Group M occupancy where one of the following conditions exists:

1. A Group M fire area exceeds the square footage based on type of construction in Table 903.2.

2. A Group M fire area is located more than three stories above grade plane.

3. The combined area of all Group M fire areas on all floors, including any mezzanines, exceeds 24,000 square feet (2230 m2).

4. A Group M occupancy used for the display and sale of upholstered furniture or mattresses exceeds 5,000 square feet (464 m2).

5. [SFM] The structure exceeds 24,000 square feet (465 m2), contains more than one fire area containing a Group M occupancy, and is separated into two or more buildings by fire walls of less than 4-hour fire-resistance rating without openings.

N. Section 903.2.9 is amended to read as follows:

Section 903.2.9 Group S-1

An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings containing a Group S-1 occupancy where the fire area exceeds the square footage based on type of construction in Table 903.2.

O. Section 903.2.9.1 is amended to read as follows:

903.2.9.1 Repair Garages:

An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings where the Group S-1 fire area used as a repair garage exceeds the square footage based on type of construction in Table 903.2.

P. Section 903.2.9.10 is amended to read as follows:

Section 903.2.9.10 Group S-2 Enclosed Parking Garages

An automatic fire sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all buildings containing a Group S-2 occupancy where the fire area exceeds the square footage based on the type of construction in Table 903.2 and in any building where an enclosed parking garage is located below other occupancy classifications in Table 903.2.

Q. Section 903.2.11.3 is amended to read as follows:

Section 903.2.11.3 Buildings 35 feet or More in Height.

Buildings three stories or more than 35 feet in height. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in all occupancies regardless of type of construction, floor area, or occupant load if the building is three or more stories or more than 35 feet in height measured in accordance with California Building Code.

(Ord. 2021-03 § 5 (Exh. B))

15.20.040 Appeals.

Whenever a permit application is disapproved or refused, or when it is claimed that the provisions of the California Fire Code or National Fire Protection Association 13 or 72 do not apply or the true intent and meaning of the California Fire Code and National Fire Protection Association have been misconstrued or wrongly interpreted, the applicant may appeal from the decision of the Winters fire department to the city council within thirty (30) days from the date of the decision appealed. (Ord. 2021-03 § 5 (Exh. B))

15.20.050 Fees.

Fire permit fees shall be collected according to a schedule established by resolution of the city council. (Ord. 2021-03 § 5 (Exh. B))