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HomeMy WebLinkAbout18732 - RESOLUTIONS - 11/15/1995 RESOLUTION NO. 18732 ' 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, 1994 EDITION, THE UNIFORM MECHANICAL CODE, 1994 EDITION, THE UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE, 1994 EDITION, THE UNIFORM FIRE CODE, 1994 EDITION AND THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE, 1993 EDITION. ' WHEREAS the City Council is considering adoption of the 1994 editions of the Uniform Building Code, Uniform Mechanical Code, Uniform Plumbing Code, Uniform Fire Code and the 1993 edition of the National Electrical Code; and WHEREAS modifications and changes of certain provisions in said 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 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 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 and the National Electrical Code (1994 editions of the Uniform Building, Mechanical, Plumbing and Fire Codes and the 1993 edition of the National Electrical Code) consisting of three (3) 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 1994 Editions of the Uniform Building code, Uniform Mechanical Code, Uniform Plumbing Code, Uniform Fire Code and the 1993 edition of the National Electrical 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 filing therewith, a certified copy of this Resolution. �� R18732 Page 2 EPF- -7 Adopted this 15th dzty of November , 1995. AYES: Members Kleindienst, Lyons , Reller-Spurgin and Mayor Maryanov ' NOES: None —� ABSENT: Member Hodges ATTEST: - CITY' O PC S, ALIFORNIA ByCity Clerk ity Ma agex REVIEWED & APPROVED_ 1 R18732 Page 3 EXHIBIT "A" TO RESOLUTION NO. ' EXPRESS FINDINGS IN CONNECTION WITH CITY OF PALM SPRINGS AMENDMENTS, DELETIONS AND ADDITIONS TO THE UNIFORM CODES (1994 EDITIONS OF UNIFORM BUILDING, MECHANICAL, PLUMBING AND FIRE CODES AND THE 1993 EDITION OF THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE. ) HEADINGS ARE SHOWN IDENTIFYING EACH SPECIFIC CODE AFFECTED. EACH MODIFICATION OR CHANGE OF A CODE PROVISION IS SUMMARIZED, FOLLOWED BY AN EXPRESS FINDING SO DESIGNATED. THE UNIFORM BUILDING CODE, 1994 EDITION Express Finding for Section ,1503 : This provision prohibits the use of untreated wood shingle or shake roofs. Local fire conditions of high winds, high 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 15, Section 1515: 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 Subsections 904 . 2 . 2 and 904.2 . 3 . 1: These modifications require sprinkler systems in buildings at occupancy 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 Subsection 2506. 4 : 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 low humidity conditions experienced in local desert areas preclude the accumulation of moisture between weather resistive ' barriers and wood base sheathing. Express Finding for Subsection 2506.5: 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. -163 R19832 Page 4 16V Express Finding for Appendix Chapter 3 , Subsections 3306. 2, 3309.3 and 3309.4 : 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 considerable period of 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, 1994 EDITION Express Finding for Subsection 310. 1: 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,, 1994 EDITION Express Finding for the IAPMO Installation Standard IS 1-91, PVC Sewer Pipe, Subsection 301. 1. 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 NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE, 1993 EDITION Express Finding for Subsection 90-8 (a) - Service Load: This provision establishes standards which provide additional service capacity and distribution center spaces to allow for future additions requiring increased use of electricity. Reserve capacity and distribution center spaces are considered necessary due to increased electrical demand associated with special air conditioning and other requirements due to the extremes of temperature prevalent in desert areas. Express Finding for Subsection 310-2 (b) - .Aluminum Conductor , Limitations: This provision establishes limitation concerning the use of aluminum conductors. These more stringent requirements are established to minimize the fire hazard caused by the inherent characteristics of aluminum wiring under the extremes of temperature prevalent in desert areas. R18732 Page 5 THE UNIFORM FIRE CODE, 1994 EDITION ' Express finding for Subsection 1003 . 2 . 1 and 1003 .2 . 3 . 1: 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's located near our 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 of them to automatically extinguish fires without Fire Department assistance if a major earthquake were to occur. Express finding for Subsection 1007.2 .9 . 3 : The current edition of the Uniform Building Code requires the installation of smoke detectors in all single family dwellings. This provision to the Uniform Fire Code allows the Fire Department to test these devices at the time an existing single family dwelling is sold. Although it doesn't alter the Building Code's requirement for these devices it does allow the Fire Department the ability, to ensure their installation. Express finding for Section 2501. 20: 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 discussed, if not properly secured and located can ' easily ignite both buildings and vegetation. Express finding for Section 7802 . 3 : This modification allows for the prohibition of common fireworks. The hot and dry local climate enables vegetation and combustible building products to become very vulnerable to fire. The use of "safe and sane" fireworks by the general public significantly increases the chances for numerous fires to occur during our summer months. Express finding for Section 8203 . 4 : This provision restricts the size of new installations for liquefied petroleum gas and requires that an approved automatic fixed water spray system be installed to protect it. Because our community is situated next to a very major and active earthquake fault system ground movement occurs on a frequent and regular basis. Large installations of this type could cause significant damage and overrun the Fire Department's resources in the event of a large earthquake. If a smaller approved installation does become involved in a fire the immediate concern for firefighters is keeping the contents of the tanks cool so that liquefied petroleum gas doesn't expand to the point of detonation. A fixed water spray system installed to keep these tanks cool would provide that element so that the firefighters could safely approach the tanks and extinguish the fire.