HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/20/2013 - STAFF REPORTS - 3A pALA7 Sp4
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c4`IFpoERN`P CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: February 20, 2013 LEGISLATIVE
SUBJECT: INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALM
SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SUBECTION 27 OF SECTION
8.04.510 OF THE PALM SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE (SECTION
903.2.1.2 OF THE STATE FIRE CODE) PERTAINING TO FIRE
SPRINKLER REQUIREMENTS FOR A-2 (ASSEMBLY) OCCUPANCIES,
INCLUDING RESTAURANTS AND BARS.
FROM: David H. Ready, City Manager
BY: FIRE DEPARTMENT
SUMMARY
The City Council will consider introduction of an ordinance amending the current 2010
Palm Springs Fire Code regulating fire sprinklers for outdoor patios associated with
restaurants and bars. This amendment would reinstate minimum California State Fire
Code requirements for restaurants and bars, restate a requirement for fully enclosed
areas, and effectively allow for the addition of ground level patios to existing structures,
without triggering the current, more restrictive Palm Springs Fire Code requirements for
fire sprinklers related to outdoor patios for restaurants and bars.
RECOMMENDATION:
1) Introduce for first reading Ordinance No. "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SUBECTION 27 OF SECTION
8.04.510 OF THE PALM SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE (SECTION 903.2.1.2 OF
THE STATE FIRE CODE) PERTAINING TO FIRE SPRINKLER
REQUIREMENTS FOR A-2 (ASSEMBLY) OCCUPANCIES, INCLUDING
RESTAURANTS AND BARS."
2) Direct staff to schedule a public hearing on March 6, 2013 to consider the
adoption of the proposed Ordinance.
ITEM NO.
Staff Report re Fire Code Amendment, February 20, 2013
Page 2
STAFF ANALYSIS:
The Palm Springs Municipal Code provides more restrictive fire sprinkler requirements
when adding square footage to an existing building or structure than those provided
under the State Code. In the case of restaurants and bars, any addition to the "fire
area" of the restaurant or bar will trigger the installation of fire sprinklers under the
Municipal Code. The term "fire area" includes outside patio areas "if such areas are
included within the horizontal projection of the roof or floor next above." Thus the
construction of any patio area covered by a roof projection extending from an existing
restaurant or bar requires the installation of fire sprinklers under the current Palm
Springs Municipal Code.
The proposed ordinance will reinstate the minimum requirements of the State Fire Code
for A-2 occupancies, which includes restaurants and bars. In addition, the proposed
ordinance provides a 3,000 square foot limit for fully enclosed areas. This amendment
will make it possible for restaurants and bars to provide outside patio areas without
installing fire sprinkler systems while still complying with the minimum fire sprinkler
requirements provided under State Law. As a result of this amendment, fire sprinklers
will only be required if the fully enclosed area of an affected restaurant or bar exceeds
3,000 square feet or if the fire area, which by definition under the State Fire Code
includes the patio area as well as the fully enclosed area, exceeds 5,000 square feet.
Thus, a 3,000 square foot restaurant could add a patio area up to 2,000 square feet
without triggering the need for installing fire sprinklers, so long as the other minimum
requirements of the State Fire Code are achieved.
Adoption of this proposed ordinance amendment, as prescribed above, allows for the
addition of a ground level patio structure to an existing building or structure while
meeting the intent of the fire code to provide a reasonable degree of safety. This
proposed ordinance does not amend any other provision of the California Fire Code (i.e.
occupancy load, exiting etc.) All other provisions remain applicable.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
John All Fire Chief David H. Ready, Ciryyl Hager
Doug as Holland, City Attorney
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ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS,
CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SUBECTION 27 OF SECTION
8.04.510 OF THE PALM SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE
(SECTION 903.2.1.2 OF THE STATE FIRE CODE)
PERTAINING TO FIRE SPRINKLER REQUIREMENTS
FOR A-2 (ASSEMBLY) OCCUPANCIES, INCLUDING
RESTAURANTS AND BARS.
City Attorney Summary
The current provisions of the Palm Springs Fire Code
generally require the installation of fire sprinkler systems for
all new construction involving A-2 occupancies, an assembly
classification that includes restaurants and bars. This
requirement exceeds the requirements of the State Fire
Code. This Ordinance will reinstate the minimum State Fire
Code requirements for existing A-2 occupancies and restate
a requirement for fully enclosed areas, thereby effectively
allowing the addition of ground level patios to existing
structures without triggering imposition of more restrictive
Palm Springs Fire Code requirements for fire sprinklers for
restaurants and bars while still requiring compliance with
minimum State Fire Code requirements.
The City Council of the City of Palm Springs ordains:
Section 1. Subsection 27 of Section 8.04.510 of the Palm Springs Municipal
Code (Section 903.2.1.2 of the State Fire Code) is amended to read:
27) Amend Section 903.2.1.2 Group A-2 to read:
903.2.1.2 Group A-2. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for
existing Group A-2 occupancies where one of the following conditions exist:
1. The fully enclosed area exceeds 3,000 square feet. For the purposes
of this Section, the term "fully enclosed area" means an area enclosed by fire
walls, fire barriers, or exterior walls extending from floor to ceiling but does not
include patio areas included solely within the horizontal projection of the roof or
floor next above.
2. The fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet.
3. The fire area has an occupant load of 100 or more.
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4. The fire area is located on a floor other than a level of exit discharge
serving such occupancies.
5. The structure exceeds 5,000 square feet, contains more than one fire
area containing a Group A-2 occupancy, and is separated into two or more
buildings by fire walls of less than four hour fire resistance rating without
openings.
Section 2. The Mayor shall sign and the City Clerk shall certify to the passage
and adoption of this Ordinance and shall cause the same, or the summary
thereof, to be published and posted pursuant to the provisions of law and this
Ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after passage.
PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS DAY OF 2013.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
STEPHEN P. POUGNET, MAYOR
ATTEST:
James Thompson, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Douglas Holland, City Attorney
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