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HomeMy WebLinkAbout17886 - RESOLUTIONS - 6/17/1992 RESOLUTION NO. 17886 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, FINDING THAT CERTAIN ' LOCAL CONDITIONS REQUIRE AMENDMENTS, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS TO THE UNIFORM BUILDING CODE, 1991 EDITION, THE UNIFORM MECHANICAL CODE, 1991 EDITION, THE UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE, 1991 EDITION AND THE UNIFORM FIRE CODE,, 1991 EDITION. WHEREAS the City Council is considering adoption of the 1991 editions of the Uniform Building Code, Uniform :Mechanical Code, Uniform Plumbing Code, and the Uniform Fire Code; and , WHEREAS modifications and changes of certain provisions in said Uniform Codes are considered reasonably necessary due to local conditions; and WHEREAS California Health and Safety Code Sections 17921, 17922, 17951, 17958, 17958. 5 and 17958, 7 and Title 25 of the California Administrative Code govern the adoption by local governments of the various uniform codes and certain provisions of other ordinances pertaining to methods of housing construction and said provisions require, among other things,, that the adopting local government make express findings that such modifications and changes are needed before enacting said modifications and changes; and WHEREAS express findings of need due to local conditions have been determined by the City Council in the case of each modification and change of the Uniform Codes herein referred to. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council. of the City of Palm Springs, as follows: Section 1. That the set of express findings entitled "Express findings in connection with City of Palm Springs' amendments, deletions and additions to the Uniform Codes (1991 editions of Uniform Building, Mechanical, Plumbing and Fire Codes) ", consisting of four (4) sheets or pages, which are attached to this Resolution as Exhibit "A" and which are hereby incorporated herein, shall. constitute the official set of express findings of need for changes to the 1991 Editions of the Uniform Building Code, Uniform Mechanical Code, Uniform Plumbing Code, and the Uniform Fire Code as required by California Health and Safety Code Sections 17921, 17922, 17951, 17958, 17958.5 and 17958.7 and Title 25 of the California Administrative Code. Section 2. That the City Clerk shall forward directly to the California Department of Housing and Community Development for failing therewith, a certified copy of this Resolution. ADOPTED this 17th day of June , 1992, AYES: Councilmembers Hodges,, Lyons, Schlendorf and Mayor Maryanov NOES: None ABSENT: Councilmember Reller ATTEST: CITY F P SPR;lC , CALI'FORNIA By F _ •_ l__E __ City Clerk 01ty anager REVIEWED & APPROVED �� /I R17886 Page 2 EXHIBIT "A" TO RESOLUTION NO. EXPRESS FINDINGS IN CONNECTION WITH CITY OF PALM SPRINGS' AMENDMENTS, DELETIONS AND ADDITIONS TO THE UNIFORM CODES (1991 EDITIONS OF UNIFORM BUILDING, MECHANICAL, PLUMBING AND FIRE CODES) . ' HEADINGS ARE SHOWN IDENTIFYING EACH SPECIFIC UNIFORM CODE AFFECTED. EACH MODIFICATION OR CHANGE OF A UNIFORM CODE PROVISION IS SUMMARIZED, FOLLOWED BY AN EXPRESS FINDING SO DESIGNATED. THE UNIFORM BUILDING CODE, 1991 EDITION • Express Findings for Section 3203 : This provision prohibits the use of untreated wood shingle or shake roofs. Local fire conditions of high winds, hot temperatures, and low humidity contribute to a local fire conflagration problem. Lateral extension of fire between structures, which results from fire ignition of combustible roofs or surrounding areas, is a serious local concern. Express Finding for Appendix Chapter 32 , Section 3210: This provision requires that, at the time of reroofing, roof top equipment be provided with a six inch high platform with sheetmetal cap, when not already present. Due to the extreme heat experienced in desert areas, reroofing is required more frequently than under normal conditions. Equipment platforms allow reroofing to take place without removing and reinstalling roof top equipment, thereby reducing damage to that equipment and associated ductwork and electrical wiring. Express Finding for Section 3802 (b) and 3802 (c) (1) : These modifications require sprinkler systems in buildings at occupancy F levels lower than those stipulated in the Uniform Building Code. The active earthquake fault system that is located near this community possesses the capability of initiating a disaster that would quickly overrun the Fire Department's current resources. Providing additional built-in fire protection for the buildings allows more fires to be automatically extinguished without Fire Department assistance if a major earthquake were to occur. Express Finding for Section 3805(b) : This modification requires standpipes to be installed in a larger variety of buildings than the Uniform Building Code requires. It also requires a more elaborate system. A wet standpipe is an "early-response" fire protection appliance that is especially important in a desert environment where wood and other combustibles in a building retain little natural moisture and burn markedly faster than in regions of normal humidity. Express Finding for Section 3806(b) : This provision requires that suitable water be available on site when new buildings are to be constructed utilizing combustible materials. The very hot and dry local climate enables wooden building products to become very vulnerable to fire. Providing water for the building site at the time of construction allows workers and firefighters the opportunity to extinguish a fire before it grows to an uncontrollable size. Express Finding for Section 4706 (d) : This provision eliminates the requirement for two layers of Grade D paper in weather resistive barriers applied over wood base sheathing. High heat and extremely + 11A €P17886 Page 3 low humidity conditions experienced in local desert areas preclude the accumulation of moisture between weather resistive barriers and wood base sheathing. Express Finding for Section 4706(e) : This modification provides an exception which recognizes a long-standing and successful local construction method which does not employ a weep screed. Determination is made that no demonstrated need exists in the local, dry desert climate to vent trapped water within walls and the use of weep screeds on slab-on-grade construction has further been shown to provide a needless avenue of penetration for dust and vermin from exterior grounds.. Expl-ess Finding for Appendix Chapter 70, Sections 7003 (b) , 7006 (d) and 7006 (c) : All modifications listed here apply to excavation and ' grading and consist of eliminating exemptions from permit controls, requiring a showing of method of dust control, and reducing the scope of "required" grading from 5, 000 to 2, 000 cubic yards (unless excepted) . All of 'the above are deemed reasonable and necessary due to the fragile nature of the typical desert area topography and ultra-dry climate. The desert "crust" is thin and surface disturbances remain as potential "sand blow" problems for a long time if abandoned without proper continuing attention. The problem may become completely out of control should a windstorm take: place in an area where there has been insufficient watering. THE UNIFORM MECHANICAL CODE, 1991 EDITION Express Finding for Section 51.0(a) : This provision requires condensate water to be conducted to an approved place of ground absorption and prohibits discharge of condensate to the public sewer or other specified locations. +� Due to the extreme local desert heat, refrigeration cooling equipment operates nearly continuously for a major portion of the year. If allowed to discharge on roofs, structures, walkways, roads and the like, a continuous water flow results in these areas, which leads to deterioration of the surfaces and constitutes a slip ,( hazard to pedestrians. Volumes of condensate are such that disposal into the local sewer system would place :increased demand on wastewater treatment facilities. THE UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE, 1991 EDITION Express Finding for the IAPMO Installation Standard IS 1-90, PVC Sewer Pipe, Subsection 201. 1: This provision requires that PVC sewer pipe be a minimum schedule 40 rating. Local sewer line burial depth and presence of very :rocky conditions in certain local areas have resulted in ovalization and failure of classes of sewer pipe of less than schedule 40 rating. THE UNIFORM FIRE CODE, 1991 EDITION Express Finding for Subsection 10.501 (c) : This provision requires that suitable water be available on site when new buildings are to be constructed utilizing combustible materials. The very hot and dry local climate enables wooden building products to become very vulnerable to fire. Providing water for the building site at the time of construction allows workers and firefighters the opportunity to extinguish, a fire before it grows to an uncontrollable size. Express Finding for Subsection 10.501 (f) : This provision increases the length and number of the building's fire hose: lines so that they are capable of reaching all areas. Because this R 17886 Page 4 community is situated next to a major and active earthquake fault system, building movement occurs on a frequent and regular basis. ` Fires resulting from portions of a building shifting or collapsing will have to be initially attacked by the building's occupants with the proper appliances that are capable of reaching all areas of that building. Express Finding for Subsection 10.507 (a) and 10.507 (c) : These modifications require sprinkler systems in buildings at occupancy levels lower than those stipulated in the Uniform Fire Code. The active earthquake fault system that is located near this community possesses the capability of initiating a disaster that would quickly overrun the Fire Department's current resources. Providing additional built-in fire protection for the buildings allows more fires to be automatically extinguished without Fire Department assistance if a major earthquake were to occur. Express Finding for Subsection 10.510 (b) : This modification requires standpipes to be installed in a larger variety of buildings than the Uniform Fire Code requires. It also requires a more elaborate system. A wet standpipe is an "early-response" fire protection appliance that is especially important in a desert environment where wood and other combustibles in a building retain little natural moisture and burn markedly faster than in regions of normal humidity. _ Express Finding for Subsection 12. 111 (e) : This modification requires additional low level exit signs to be installed in all buildings currently required to have normal types of exit signage. Currently, low level exit signs are required in all but two types of occupancy. If a major earthquake were to occur in this community, damaged and obscured doorways would make escape difficult. Additional exit signage would allow better identification of these primary and alternative exitways. Express Finding for Subsection 14. 104 (i) : The current edition of the Uniform Building Code requires the installation of smoke detectors in all single family dwellings. This modification of the Uniform Fire Code allows the Fire Department to test these devices ` at the time an existing single family dwelling is sold. Although this modification does not alter the Building Code requirement for these devices, it does allow the Fire Department to verify their installation. Express Finding for Subsection 25. 116 (c) : This modification provides a more specific definition for approved candles and decorative lighting devices when they are used in places accessible to the general public. Because this community is situated next to a major and active earthquake fault system, building movement occurs on a frequent and regular basis. In the event of an earthquake, candles and decorative lighting that are not of a secure and safe variety could topple and easily ignite clothing or furnishings. ' Express Finding for Subsection 25. 118: This provision requires that tiki and/or luau torches be installed in a permanent fashion. The hot and dry local climate enables vegetation and combustible building products to become very vulnerable to fire. Torches of the variety mentioned, if not properly secured and located, can easily ignite both buildings and vegetation. Express Finding for Subsection 61.105: This deletion disallows the • use of portable unvented oil-burning heating appliances. Because this community is situated next to a major and active earthquake fault system building movement occurs on a frequent and regular basis. If portable unvented oil-burning heating appliances were to 817886 Page 5 topple over or should their fresh air source become obstructed in the event of an earthquake, a significant danger to building occupants could result. Exparess Finding for Subsection 79.501. This modification disallows the use of aboveground storage tanks for flammable liquids such as gasoline. The very hot daytime temperatures that occur in this community enable flammable liquids, such as gasoline in exposed tanks, to rapidly expand. If a storage tank is overfilled, this liquid could be forced out by way of the filler tube or vent stacks, thereby creating a very dangerous fire and explosion hazard. Installing tanks underground or in specially designed enclosures not only insulates them from these exceedingly high temperatures, but also protects them from the effects of fare and explosion. Exp ess Finding for Subsection 82 . 103 (d) : This provision restricts the size of new installations for the storage of liquefied petroleum gas and requires the installation of a protective automatic fixed water spray system. Because this community is situated to a major and active earthquake fault system, ground movement occurs on a frequent and regular basis. In the event of an earthquake, large installations of this type could cause significant damage and overrun the Fire Department's resources. If smaller approved installation does become involved in a fire, the immediate concern for firefighters is keeping the contents of the tanks cool so that the liquefied petroleum gas does not expand to the point of detonation. A fixed water spray system installed to keep these tanks cool would. provide that element, allowing firefighters to safety approach the tanks and extinguish the fire. Express Finding for Appendix Section II-F: This provision establishes reasonable limitations on the installation of aboveground fuel tanks. Deletion of this appendix becomes necessary because of the modification made to subsection 79.501. The express findings given for Subsection 79.50:1. apply for this w deletion as well. a-