HomeMy WebLinkAbout20455 - RESOLUTIONS - 9/4/2002 RESOLUTION NO. 20455
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, 2001
EDITION, THE CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE, 2001
EDITION, THE CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE, 2001
EDITION, THE CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE, 2001 EDITION,
AND THE CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE,2001 EDITION
WHEREAS the City Council is considering adoption of the 2001 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 24 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 (2001 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 2001 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 24 of the California Administrative Code.
Resolution 20455
Page 2
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 4th day of September, 2002
AYES: Members Hodges, Mills, Ode n, Reller—Spurgin, and Mayor Kleindienst
NOES: None
ABSENT None
A -TES IT, CITY OF PALM S, CALIFORNIA
City Clerk City r
REVIEWED & APPROVED
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Page .i
EXHIBIT "A" TO RESOLUTION NO. 20455
EXPRESS FINDINGS IN CONNECTION WITH CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS AMENDMENTS, DELETIONS AND
ADDITIONS TO THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS
CODE. (2001 EDITIONS OF THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING,
MECHANICAL, PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL AND FIRE
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, 2001 EDITION
Express Finding for Subsections 904.2.2 and 904.2.3.1:These modifications require sprinkler
systems in buildings at occupancy levels lowerthan 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 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 Findinq 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 Subsection 2506A.4: This provision eliminates the requirement for two
layers of Grade D paper in weather resistive barriers applied overwood 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.
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Resolution 20455
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Egress Finding for Appendix Chapter 12, Division I IA:This modification provides a minimum
noise insulation performance standard to protect persons within detached single family
dwellings from the effects of excessive noise which are located within the airport 'N' zone
overlay.
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"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 "stand 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, 2001 EDITION
Express Finding: None
THE- CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE, 2001 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, 2001 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 to1he extremes of temperature prevalent in
desert areas.
Ex ress 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, 2001 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.
Resolution 20455
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Express finding for Subsection 1007.2.9.3: The current edition of the California Building
Code 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
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 5201.6.3: This modification prohibits unsupervised dispensing of
motor vehicle fuel to the general public. 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. Requiring an attendant at all times motor
vehicle fuel is dispensed will provide that the dispensing pumps can be manually shut down
in the event of a spill or malfunction caused by seismic activity.
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 findinq 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.