HomeMy WebLinkAbout19502 - RESOLUTIONS - 4/21/1999 RESOLUTION NO. 19502
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS,
CALIFORNIA, FINDING THAT CERTAIN LOCAL
CONDITIONS REQUIRE AMENDMENTS, ADDITIONS AND
DELETIONS TO THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE, 1998
EDITION, THE CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE, 1998
EDITION, THE CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE, 1998
EDITION, THE CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE, 1998 EDITION,
AND THE CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE, 1998 EDITION
WHEREAS the City Council is considering adoption of the 1998 editions of the California
Building Code, California Mechanical Code, California Plumbing Code, California Fire Code and
the California 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 California Building
Standards Code (1998 editions of the California Building, Mechanical, Plumbing,
Fire and Electrical Codes) 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
1998 editions of the California Building, Mechanical, Plumbing, Fire, and
Electrical Codes 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 Building Standards
Commission for filing therewith, a certified copy of this Resolution.
Adopted this 21st day of April , 1999.
AYES: Members Barnes, Hodges, Oden, Reller-Spurgin and Mayor Kleindienst
' NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ATTEST: YT O&Mahager
GS, CALIFORNIA
City Clerk
REVIEWED & APPROVED F��
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EXHIBIT "A" TO RESOLUTION NO. 19502 '
EXPRESS FINDINGS IN CONNECTION WITH CITY OF PALM
SPRINGS AMENDMENTS,DELETIONS AND ADDITIONS TO
THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE. (1998
EDITIONS OF THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING,MECHANICAL,
PLUMBING, FIRE AND ELECTRICAL CODES.)
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 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE, 1998 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 sheetruetal 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 California 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 2506A.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 2506A.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.
Express Finding for Appendix Chapter 33, 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
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"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 CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE, 1998 EDITION
Express Finding for Subsection 309.1: 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 CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE, 1998 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 and piping carrying storm water be a
minimum schedule 40 rating.
Local sewer line burial depth and the presence of very rocky conditions in certain local areas have
resulted in ovalization and failure of classes of sewer and storm water pipe of less than schedule
40 rating.
THE CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE, 1998 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.
THE CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE, 1998 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 California Fire Code.
The active earthquake fault system that is 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 fires to be automatically
extinguished without Fire Department assistance if a major earthquake were to occur.
Express finding for Subsection 1007.2.9.3: •The current edition of the California Building Code
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requires the installation of smoke detectors in all single family dwellings. This provision to the
California 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 2501.19: This provision requires that Tiki and/or Luau Torches be
installed in a permanent fashion. The;hot and dry local climate enables vegetation and a)mbustible
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 petrolieum 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.
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