Chapter 15.06
CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE

Sections:

15.06.010    Adoption of the California Fire Code.

15.06.020    Purpose.

15.06.030    Subsections 105.5.54.4, Christmas Tree Lots, 105.5.54.5, Green Waste, and 105.5.54.6, Pallets, added.

15.06.040    Subsection 110.4.2, Costs Incurred, added.

15.06.050    Section 202, General Definitions, amended.

15.06.060    Subsection 307.1.2, Material Restrictions, and 307.1.3, Burning Operations, added.

15.06.070    Subsection 503.2.3, Surface, amended.

15.06.080    Subsection 503.2.7, Grade, amended.

15.06.090    Subsection 503.4, Obstruction of Fire Apparatus Access Roads, amended.

15.06.100    Subsections 505.1.1, Address Illumination, 505.1.2, Commercial Addresses, and 505.1.3, Map Directory, added.

15.06.110    Subsection 603.8.1, Residential Incinerators, amended.

15.06.120    Subsection 901.7.6.1, Problematic Systems and System Out-of-Service, added.

15.06.130    Subsection 904.3.5, Monitoring, amended.

15.06.140    Subsection 3405.1, Individual piles, amended.

15.06.150    Repealed.

15.06.160    Repealed.

15.06.170    Subsection 5704.1.1, Storage of Flammable and Combustible liquids, added.

15.06.010 Adoption of the California Fire Code.

The 2022 California Fire Code (Part 9 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations), including Chapter 1, Division II, “Scope and Administration,” and Appendix I, “Fire Protection Systems – Noncompliant Conditions,” Appendix N, “Indoor Trade Shows and Exhibitions,” and Appendix O, “Temporary Haunted Houses, Ghost Walks and Similar Amusement Uses,” based on the 2021 International Fire Code as published by the International Code Council, is adopted by reference, together with the amendments, additions, deletions, and exceptions set forth in this chapter. One complete copy of the same is on file and is open for inspection by the public in the office of the city clerk and is designated as the fire code for the city of Highland. The fire marshal and building official are hereby designated the authorities charged with the administration and enforcement of this code. (Ord. 457 § 3, 2022; Ord. 438 § 4, 2019)

15.06.020 Purpose.

The purpose of this code is to prescribe reasonable safeguards for the erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, improvement, removal, conversion, demolition, occupancy, equipment, use, height, egress, area and maintenance of all buildings and structures related to fire, explosion and dangerous conditions in order to provide life safety and property protection. (Ord. 457 § 3, 2022; Ord. 438 § 4, 2019)

15.06.030 Subsections 105.5.54.4, Christmas Tree Lots, 105.5.54.5, Green Waste, and 105.5.54.6, Pallets, added.

Subsections 105.5.54.4, Christmas Tree Lots, 105.5.54.5, Green Waste, and 105.5.54.6, Pallets, are hereby added to Section 105.5.54, Additional Permits, of Section 105, Permits, of Part 2, Administration and Enforcement, of Division II of Chapter 1, Scope and Administration to read as follows:

105.5.54.4 Christmas Tree Lots. To operate a Christmas tree sales lot.

105.5.54.5 Green Waste. Commercial green waste recycling, mulching, composting, storage and operations.

105.5.54.6 Pallets. Storage, handling, repair or manufacturing of combustible pallets in excess of 100 units at any one site.

(Ord. 457 § 3, 2022; Ord. 438 § 4, 2019)

15.06.040 Subsection 112.4.2, Cost Incurred, added.

Subsection 112.4.2, Cost Incurred, is hereby added to Section 112.4, Violation Penalties, of Section 112, Violations, of Part 2, Administration and Enforcement, of Division II of Chapter 1, Scope and Administration, to read as follows:

112.4.2, Cost Incurred. Any person who negligently, intentionally, or in violation of law, causes an emergency response, including but not limited to, a traffic accident or spill of toxic or flammable fluids or chemicals, is liable for the costs of securing such emergency, including those costs set out in Health and Safety Code Section 13009 et seq. and Government Code Section 53150 et seq. Any expense incurred by the fire department for securing such an emergency shall constitute a debt of such person and shall be collectible by the City in any means as established by law.

(Ord. 457 § 3, 2022)

15.06.050 Section 202, General Definitions, amended.

Section 202, General Definitions, of Chapter 2, Definitions, is hereby amended to add or clarify the following definitions:

ALL-WEATHER DRIVING SURFACE. An approved concrete or asphalt covering of sufficient thickness to support the imposed loads of fire apparatus or where road grades are no greater than 8% and an approved alternate material compacted to 95%.

CORPORATION COUNSEL. Where used in said California Fire Code, it shall mean the City Attorney for the city of Highland.

FIRE CODE OFFICIAL. Where used in said California Fire Code, it shall mean the Fire Marshal, Deputy Fire Marshal, Building Official of the city of Highland, or his or her authorized representative.

FIRE DEPARTMENT. Where used in said California Fire Code, it shall mean the Fire Department of the city of Highland.

JURISDICTION. Where used in said California Fire Code, it shall mean the city of Highland.

MODEL ROCKET. Any toy or educational device which weighs not more than 500 grams, (17.637 ounces, or 1.1 pounds) including the engine and any payload that is propelled by model rocket engines.

MODEL ROCKET ENGINE. A commercially manufactured, non-reusable rocket propulsion device which is constructed of a nonmetallic casing and solid propellant, wherein all of the ingredients are self-contained so as not to require mixing or handling by the user and which have design and construction characteristics determined by the State Fire Marshal to provide a reasonable degree of safety to the user.

SPARK ARRESTER – APPROVED. An approved spark arrester shall mean a device constructed of stainless steel, copper, brass, or woven galvanized wire mesh. The spark arrester screen shall have heat and corrosion resistance equivalent to 12-gauge wire, 19-gauge galvanized wire or 24-gauge stainless steel. Openings shall not permit the passage of spheres having a diameter larger than 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) and shall not block the passage of spheres having a diameter of less than 3/8 inch (9.5 mm). The screen shall be mounted in or over all outside flue openings in a vertical or near vertical position, adequately supported to prevent movement and visible from the ground.

(Ord. 457 § 3, 2022; Ord. 438 § 4, 2019)

15.06.060 Subsections 307.1.2, Material Restrictions, and 307.1.3, Burning Operations, added.

Subsections 307.1.2, Material Restrictions, and 307.1.3, Burning Operations, are hereby added to Section 307.1, General, of Section 307, Open Burning Recreational Fires and Portable Outdoor Fireplaces, of Chapter 3, General Requirements, to read as follows:

307.1.2 Material Restrictions. Open burning of rubbish containing paper products, trash and debris containing non-organic material is prohibited.

307.1.3 Burning Operations. The burning of salvage vehicles and salvage or waste materials shall be prohibited.

(Ord. 457 § 3, 2022; Ord. 438 § 4, 2019)

15.06.070 Subsection 503.2.3, Surface, amended.

Subsection 503.2.3, Surface, of Section 503.2, Specifications, of Section 503, Fire Apparatus Access Roads, of Chapter 5, Fire Service Features is hereby amended to read as follows:

503.2.3 Surface. Fire apparatus access roads shall be designed and maintained to support the imposed loads of fire apparatus and shall be provided with a surface so as to provide all-weather driving capabilities. Turf block, Ritter Rings, Turf Paver Gravel and other similar products shall not be used for fire department access surfacing.

(Ord. 457 § 3, 2022; Ord. 438 § 4, 2019)

15.06.080 Subsection 503.2.7, Grade, amended.

Subsection 503.2.7, Grade, of Section 503.2, Specifications, of Section 503, Fire Apparatus Access Roads, of Chapter 5, Fire Service Features, is hereby amended to read as follows:

503.2.7, Grade. The gradient for a fire apparatus access road shall not exceed the maximum 12% unless approved by the Fire Code Official.

(Ord. 457 § 3, 2022; Ord. 438 § 4, 2019)

15.06.090 Subsection 503.4, Obstruction of fire apparatus access roads, amended.

Subsection 503.4, Obstruction of fire apparatus access roads, of Section 503, Fire Apparatus Access Roads, of Chapter 5, Fire Service Features, is hereby amended to read as follows:

503.4 Obstruction of fire apparatus access roads. Access roads, private roadways, and public roadways shall be provided and maintained in a passable condition at all times. Any obstruction or impedance to reasonable access may be removed by any public safety agency with the expense of such removal to be borne by the owner of the roadway, or in the case of an obstructing vehicle or object, by the owner of said vehicle or object.

(Ord. 457 § 3, 2022; Ord. 438 § 4, 2019)

15.06.100 Subsections 505.1.1, Address Illumination, 505.1.2, Commercial Addresses, and 505.1.3, Map Directory, added.

Subsections 505.1.1, Address Illumination, 505.1.2, Commercial Addresses, and 505.1.3, Map Directory, are hereby added to Section 505.1, Address Identification, of Section 505, Premises Identification, of Chapter 5, Fire Service Features, to read as follows:

505.1.1 Address Illumination. New structures of all occupancies shall provide address identification with illumination during the hours of darkness. Illumination shall be of the high efficiency type meeting provisions of the energy code. Addressing for Occupancy Group R-3 shall be provided with internal illumination.

505.1.2 Commercial Addresses. All new and existing Group A, B, E, F, H, I, M, R-1, R-2, and S occupancies shall be provided with minimum eight (8) inch address numbers. Occupancies with multiple tenant spaces shall be posted with a minimum of four (4) inch contrasting tenant specific identification displayed over their main entrance, additionally, tenant spaces with rear access shall provide minimum (3) inch contrasting address numbers on the rear doors.

505.1.3 Map Directory. A lighted directory site map shall be installed and maintained at each driveway entrance to multiple unit residential projects where the total number of units in the project exceeds fifteen (15).

(Ord. 457 § 3, 2022; Ord. 438 § 4, 2019)

15.06.110 Subsection 605.8.1, Residential Incinerators, amended.

Subsection 605.8.1, Residential Incinerators, of Section 605.8, Incinerators, of Section 605, Fuel-Fired Appliances, of Chapter 6, Building Services and Systems, is hereby amended to read as follows:

605.8.1 Residential Incinerators. Residential incinerators are prohibited.

(Ord. 457 § 3, 2022; Ord. 438 § 4, 2019)

15.06.120 Subsection 901.7.6.1, Problematic Systems and System Out-of-Service, added.

Subsection 901.7.6.1, Problematic Systems and System Out-of-Service, is hereby added to Subsection 901.7.6, Restoring system to service, of Section 901.7, Systems out of service, of Section 901, General, of Chapter 9, Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems, to read as follows:

901.7.6.1 Problematic Systems and Systems Out-of-Service. In the event of temporary failure of the alarm system or an excessive number of false alarm activations, the Fire Code Official is authorized to require the building owner or occupant to provide standby personnel until the system is restored.

After repeated alarm malfunctions resulting in a Fire Department response, in number deemed by the Fire Code Official to be excessive to the Fire Department, the Fire Code Official may schedule a hearing to provide the alarm owner and/or company the opportunity to show cause why the system should not be removed from service. Following said hearing, if it is determined that the problems in the alarm system have not been corrected to the Fire Code Official’s satisfaction, after providing written notice, the Fire Code Official may order that the alarm service be discontinued, the occupancy cease its use and fines be imposed until such time as the system is repaired and properly maintained, and unnecessary responses are mitigated.

(Ord. 457 § 3, 2022; Ord. 438 § 4, 2019)

15.06.130 Subsection 904.3.5, Monitoring, amended.

Subsection 904.3.5, Monitoring, of Section 904.3, Installation, of Section 904, Alternative Automatic Fire-Extinguishing Systems, of Chapter 9, Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems, is hereby amended to read as follows:

904.3.5 Monitoring. Where a building fire alarm or monitoring system is installed, automatic fire-extinguishing systems shall be monitored by the building fire alarm or monitoring system in accordance with NFPA 72.

(Ord. 457 § 3, 2022; Ord. 438 § 4, 2019)

15.06.140 Subsection 3405.1, Individual piles, amended.

Subsection 3405.1, Individual piles, of Section 3405, Outdoor Storage, of Chapter 34, Tire Rebuilding and Tire Storage, is hereby amended to read as follows:

3405.1 Individual piles. Tires shall be restricted to individual piles not exceeding 2,500 square feet (232.26 m2) of continuous area. Piles shall not exceed 25,000 cubic feet in volume or 10 feet (3048 mm) in height. Pile width shall not exceed 25 feet.

(Ord. 457 § 3, 2022; Ord. 438 § 4, 2019)

15.06.150 California Fire Code; Section 4906, Hazardous Vegetation and Fuel Management; adding subsections 4906.2.1, Clearance of Brush or Vegetative Growth From Structures, and 4906.2.2, Practical Difficulties, to Section 4906.2, Application.

Repealed by Ord. 457. (Ord. 438 § 4, 2019)

15.06.160 California Fire Code; adding subsection 4906.4, Requirements, Section 4906.4, Clearance of Brush or Vegetative Growth from Roadways, and 4906.4.1, Practical Difficulties, and Section 4906.4.2, Corrective Action, to Section 4906, Hazardous Vegetation and Fuel Management.

Repealed by Ord. 457. (Ord. 438 § 4, 2019)

15.06.170 Subsection 5704.1.1, Storage of Flammable and Combustible Liquids, added.

Subsection 5704.1.1, Storage of Flammable and Combustible Liquids, is hereby added to Section 5704.1, General, of Section 5704, Storage, of Chapter 57, Flammable and Combustible Liquids, to read as follows:

5704.1.1 Storage of Flammable and Combustible Liquids.

Bulk storage of flammable or combustible liquids in above ground storage tanks is prohibited on residential or institutional properties.

For properties other than residential or institutional properties, bulk storage of flammable or combustible liquids in above ground storage is prohibited, unless the Fire Code Official determines, with specific written findings, that such an installation will not create a hazard to life or property in the area.

Exceptions: Crankcase draining may be stored in specially constructed above-ground storage tanks with a maximum capacity of 550 gallons. Tanks may be located within a building when approved by the Fire Code Official, provided the tank meets all of the following criteria: Specially designed, approved and listed containers, which have features, incorporated into their design that mitigate concern for exposure to heat, ignition sources and mechanical damage. Containers must be installed, maintained and used in accordance with their listing. Adequate provisions shall be made for leak and spill containment, in accordance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System requirements.

Class I and II liquids may be stored in above-ground storage tanks, up to the quantities permitted in California Fire Code Sections 5701.1 and 5704.1, outside of buildings, in specially designed, approved and listed containers which have features incorporated into their design which mitigate concerns for exposure to heat, ignition sources and mechanical damage. Containers must be installed, maintained and used in accordance with their listing. Adequate provisions shall be made for leak and spill containment, in accordance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System requirements.

(Ord. 457 § 3, 2022; Ord. 438 § 4, 2019)