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City Council Meeting 11-7-95 Santa Monica, California
ORDINANCE NUMBER 1827 (CCS)
(city Council Series)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SANTA MONICA AMENDING SANTA MONICA MUNICIPAL
CODE SECTION 8.04.120 RELATING TO SUPPLEMENTAL
FIRE SAFETY AND PREVENTION REQUIREMENTS
WHEREAS, the City council has discussed and considered in
detail certain seismic and fire safety problems caused by the
cumulative impact of development and construction activity and the
continued use of certain buildings which are seismically hazardous
and potential fire hazards; and
WHEREAS, the city Council finds that the modification and
additions to the Uniform Administrative Code (1991 Edition) are
required for climatic, topographical and geological conditions; and
WHEREAS, the city Council finds that the City of Santa Monica
is subject to seismic activity due to its close proximity to, among
others, the Santa Monica-Malibu Coast fault, Newport-Inglewood
fault and the San Andreas fault; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that following the January 17,
1994 earthquake, the need for emergency fire services in the City
of Santa Monica greatly exceeded the available resources of the
Santa Monica Fire Department and there remains the significant
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possibility that mUltiple fires following a future earthquake will
exceed the available resources of the Fire Department if built-in
fire suppression systems are not required; and
WHEREAS, the city Council finds that the damaging effects of
local seismic activity on streets, roadways and overpasses at the
Santa Monica freeway will hamper and delay emergency vehicle
response; and
WHEREAS, the city of Santa Monica's climate, which is
primarily influenced by the Pacific Ocean, is characterized by
infrequent rainfall and winds which come from west during the
daytime and from the north and northeast during the nighttime
hours, with intermittent Santa Ana winds occurring from September
to March, all of which creates the potential for high velocity
winds with high temperatures, which are conducive to uncontrolled
wind driven fires; and
WHEREAS, the structures in the ci ty of Santa Monica are
situated in close proximity to each other, with only about 1% of
the 8.3 square miles that the city occupies vacant; and
WHEREAS, the city Council finds that the close proximity of
structures to each other, many of which are on narrow lots or on
hilly terrain, limits access to side yards for fire suppression and
placement of ladders for rescue operations, increasing the threat
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to life and property, especially if built-in fire suppression
systems are not required. The size and placement of the lots also
contributes to the ability of fires to spread quickly between
buildings, because of their proxmity to each other; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that many of the structures in
the city of Santa Monica are older structures which are prone to
the quick spread of fire from adjacent structures. In the event of
an earthquake or other major disaster, the Fire Department will be
forced to depend on built-in fire suppression systems in new
buildings, or buildings whose occupancy has changed, to extinguish
or limit fires in those structures so that they do not spread to
the older structures; and
WHEREAS, the City council finds that the areas of hilly
terrain, narrow streets and congested parking will increase
response time of the Fire Department and a built-in fire
suppression system will increase the time available to the Fire
Department to respond to the fire; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that these climatic,
topographical and geological conditions result in demands on
emergency services that need to be significantly reduced; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the proposed amendments
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to the Uniform Administrative Code (1991 Edition) requiring the
installation of automatic fire sprinkler systems in all new
construction or existing buildings for which there is a change in
either its occupancy and hazardous division classification will
reduce the threat of 'fires spread as a result of an earthquake or
wind driven fire and will assist in maintaining the community's
building inventory within present emergency services capabilities.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. section 8.04.120 of the Santa Monica Municipal
Code is amended to read as follows:
8.04.120 UAe section
supplemental
206(a) added--
Fire safety and
Prevention Requirements.
Section 206(a) of the Uniform
Administrative Code, 1991 Edition, relating to
Supplemental Fire Safety and Prevention
Requirements, is added to read as follows:
Division 1. 00. Purpose. The purpose of
this Division is to promote public safety and
welfare by reducing the cumulative impact of
certain individual construction and building
projects each with an increased potential
demand on the rescue and fire suppression
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resources of the community. The City Council
establishes the policy of regulating both new
and existing buildings in this class by
requiring approved automatic fire
extinguishing and detection systems,
standpipes, fire resistive doors, and other
construction to be provided in these
structures at the time of their construction,
conversion, alteration, and maintenance so as
to significantly reduce their potential demand
from simultaneous incidents on emergency
services resources.
Division 2.00. Scope. The provisions of
this Division shall apply to all proposed and
existing buildings within the city. structures
for which a building permit has been issued
prior to October 17, 1995, shall be considered
as existing buildings.
Division 3.00. Requirements for
Automatic Fire Extinguishing and Protection
Systems.
3.01. (a) Notwithstanding any provision to
the contrary, any proposed building housing
any occupancy classification shall be provided
with an approved automatic fire sprinkler
system. An approved automatic fire sprinkler
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system shall be installed as set forth in this
subsection:
(1) Automatic fire sprinkler
system shall be installed and
maintained in all new buildings and
structures.
(2) Throughout any existing
building for which there is a change
either in occupancy classification
or to a more hazardous Division, as
determined by the Fire Chief.
(b) Enforcement. When it is determined
that a building does not comply with the
requirements of this section, the owner shall
be served wi th a notice by registered or
certified mail, return receipt requested and
the notice shall be deemed served on the date
it is placed in the United states Postal
System. The notice shall specify the manner
in which the building fails to meet the
minimum requirements of this section. It
shall direct that plans be submitted and that
necessary permits be obtained not less than
ninety (90) days after the service of the
notice, and that corrections be completed not
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later than one year after service of the
notice.
(c) Notice of Non-compliance. Any
building or structure failing to meet the
provisions of this Division shall be posted
with a notice of non-conformance. The notice
shall be posted at the main entrance of the
structure or structures, or as close thereto
as reasonably possible, until all required
work has been completed to the satisfaction of
the Fire Chief or his or her designee.
(d) Standards. The Fire Chief is
authorized to promulgate standards regarding
the installation and type of automatic fire
sprinkler systems required by this Division.
3.02. Notwithstanding any provision to
the contrary, buildings or structures housing
any occupancy classification having floors
used for human occupancy more than 55 feet
above the lowest level of Fire Department
vehicle access shall comply with the high-rise
building requirements contained in Section
1807 of the Uniform Building Code, 1991
Edition, and Section 2-1807 of Title 24 of the
California Administrative Code.
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3.03. Notwithstanding any provision to
the contrary, buildings or structures as
determined by the Fire Chief to be used
primarily for pUblic assembly, including
drinking, dining, entertainment, exhibition,
display, or similar concentrated uses, more
than 5,000 square feet in total square
footage, shall be provided with an approved
full automatic fire sprinkler system.
3.04. Notwithstanding any provision to
the contrary, in buildings or structures four
or more stories in height all stairways
serving the top floor shall extend to the roof
surface.
3.05. On or before June 1, 1982, every
existing building or structure, excepting
existing residential buildings or structures,
with floors more than 30 feet above the lowest
level of Fire Department vehicle access shall
be provided with:
(a) An approved automatic fire alarm
system unless the building is provided with an
approved full automatic fire sprinkler system.
(b) Tight-fitting smoke and draft
control, 20-minute rated (or equivalent) door
assemblies on all doors opening into exit
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corridors or stairways. Such doors shall be
equipped with an approved self or automatic
closer in accordance with section 4306 of the
Uniform Building Code, 1991 Edition.
(e) A sign indicating the number of each
floor posted in the stairwells and every
elevator lobby area. Type, size, color, and
specific location of each sign shall be as
required by the Fire Chief.
(d) Automatic unlocking mechanisms for
all stairway doors, including those required
to open onto the roof, which are locked from
the stairway side. The mechanisms shall have
the capability of being unlocked
simultaneously without unlocking upon
activation of an approved fire detection alarm
system, electric power failure, and
electromechanically using one switch located
as required by the Fire Chief.
(e) Approved emergency lighting systems
for all exitways, stairways, corridors, and
other integral portions of means of egress for
safe evacuation of the building.
3.06. On or before January 1, 1983,
every existing building or structure,
excepting existing residential buildings or
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structures, with floors more than 55 feet
above the lowest level of Fire Department
vehicle access shall be provided with:
(a) An approved partial automatic fire
sprinkler system and an approved automatic
fire detection alarm system, unless the
building contains an approved full automatic
fire sprinkler system.
(b) Automatic shutoff for heating,
ventilating and cooling systems as set forth
in Section 1009 of the Uniform Mechanical
Code, 1991 Edition, with an added smoke
detector for automatic shutdown as required by
the National Fire Protection Association
standard 90A, 1989 Edition, and manual
switching as required by the Fire Chief.
3.07. On or before January 1, 1983,
every existing building or structure as
determined by the Fire Chief to be used
primarily for public assembly, including
drinking, dining, entertainment, exhibition,
display, or similar concentrated uses, more
than 5,000 square feet in total square
footage, shall be provided with an approved
automatic fire sprinkler system that protects
the assembly areas and exitways and an
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approved automatic fire detection alarm system
for other rooms and areas. This subdivision
shall not apply to buildings or structures
with an approved full automatic fire sprinkler
system or to churches and theaters with fixed
seating.
3.08. For purposes of this Division, a
full automatic fire sprinkler system is a
system that meets the requirements of the Fire
Code adopted by Section 8.04.060 of the Santa
Monica Municipal Code . Notwithstanding any
provision to the contrary, a full automatic
fire sprinkler system installed in any new
building with floors more than 55 feet in
height shall, unless determined by the Fire
Chief to be infeasible, shall have two
connections with control valves to independent
risers on each floor level, with each riser
being of the size necessary to deliver the
required water supply.
3.09. For purposes of this Division, a
partial automatic fire sprinkler system is a
system that provides for protection of all
exitways, both vertical and horizontal,
including major aisleways leading to exits.
Protection shall be provided for any room or
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area that opens directly into the exitway by
locating one sprinkler opposite the center of
and inside any such room or area. Partial
systems shall meet the requirements of the
National Fire Protection Association Standard
13 and the Fire Chief.
3.10. For purposes of this Division, an
automatic fire detection alarm system is a
system that complies with the Santa Monica
Fire Department requirements and is an
approved arrangement of smoke, rate-of-rise,
fixed temperature, or any other detector which
is approved for the use intended. The system
shall alert all occupants of a building in
case of fire and, when required by the Fire
Chief, notify the Fire Department through
Central station Supervision.
3.11. For purposes of this Division, an
existing building is a building for which a
building permit has been issued by the
Building Officer. The requirements of 3.01,
3.02, 3.03, and 3.04 shall not apply to
existing buildings.
3.12. The requirements of 3.01, 3.02,
3.05, and 3.06 shall not apply to:
(a) Hospitals as defined in Health and
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Safety Code Section 1250.
(b) Buildings used exclusively as open
parking garages.
(c) Buildings such as power plants,
lookout towers, steeples, grain houses, and
similar structures with noncontinuous human
occupancy only when so determined by the Fire
Chief.
(d) Buildings owned by any public agency
or school district.
3.13. Prior to installation of any
automatic fire extinguishing or protection
system required by this Division, the Fire
Chief shall approve the plans and
specifications for the system.
Division 4.00. Standards for Automatic
Fire Extinquishinq systems.
(a) General. Systems shall conform to
Uniform Building Code Standards No. 381 and to
supplemental requirements of the Fire Chief.
(b) Alarms. Systems shall be supervised
by an approved central receiving service.
Exception. Systems containing less than 100
heads may be provided with a proprietary or
local alarm.
(c) Annunciation and Control.
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Extinguishing systems shall include control
valves and signaling devices to control and
indicate system operation by floors or other
approved subdivisions. An annunciator panel
shall be provided in an approved location near
the principal entrance.
(d) Fire Department Connections and
System Zones. Systems shall be provided with
Fire Department connections at approved
locations on public street frontages. Multiple
exterior connections and system zones shall be
interconnected.
(e) Approval, Acceptance, Testinq. The
design, plans, materials, installation,
acceptance, and periodic tests of components
and systems required by this Division shall be
approved by the Chief and conform to current
standards of the Fire Code.
Division 5.00. Requirements for
standpipe systems. Class II standpipes shall
be provided in buildings three stories in
height in accordance with the Building Code.
Alternate protection to this provision may be
approved by the Fire Chief.
Division 6.00. Attic
Requirements. All nonresidential
Draft stop
attic and
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ceiling spaces formed of combustible
construction shall be divided into horizontal
areas of 1000 square feet by draft partitions
conforming to the Building Code. Exception. In
buildings provided with automatic
extinguishing systems, the horizontal area may
be increased to 3000 square feet.
Division 7.00. Requirements for Existinq
Residential structures.
7.01. On or before January 1, 1982, every
dwelling unit and every guest room in a hotel,
apartment house, or lodging house used for
sleeping purposes shall be provided with
approved smoke detectors located as required
by section 1210 of the Uniform Building Code,
1991 Edition. The Fire Chief shall make
available to the public an informational
brochure on those smoke detectors approved by
the Fire Chief and the proper manner of
installation.
7.02. On or before January 1, 1983, every
building or structure used as a hotel,
apartment house, or lodging house with floors
more than 30 feet above the lowest level of
Fire Department vehicle access shall be
provided with:
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(a) The fire protection system required
for nonresidential buildings contained in 3.05
of Division 3.00 of section 206 (a) of the
Uniform Administrative Code, 1991 Edition.
(b) Emergency and evacuation procedures
approved by the Fire Chief posted in each
sleeping room.
7.03. On or before June 1, 1983, every
building or structure used as a hotel,
apartment house, or lodging house with floors
more than 55 feet above the lowest level of
Fire Department vehicle access shall meet the
requirements for nonresidential buildings
contained in 3.06(b) of Division 3.00 of
section 206(a) of the Uniform Administrative
Code, 1991 Edition. On or before June 30,
1986, every building or structure used as a
hotel, apartment house or lodging house with
floors more than 55 feet above the lowest
level of Fire Department vehicle access shall
meet the requirements for nonresidential
buildings contained in 3.06 (a) of Division
3.00 of Section 206(a) of the Uniform
Administrative Code, 1991 Edition.
7.04. The provisions of subdivisions
7.02 and 7.03 shall not apply to any property
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for which the mortgage is insured or held by
the united states Department of Housing and
Urban Development until such time as the City
Council determines such provisions are
applicable after exploring and seeking all
available federal and state assistance to
finance the requirements of these provisions.
The exception contained in this paragraph 7.04
will expire on December 31, 1993, and any
property previously exempt shall be in full
compliance with the provisions of 7.02 and
7.03 no later than December 31, 1993.
7.05. Notwithstanding the provisions of
7.03, the time period to install the required
automatic fire sprinkler system for any
residential building which contains asbestos
in ceiling materials or other areas impacted
by fire sprinkler installation, shall be
extended to July 1, 1987. This time period may
be further extended by resolution of the city
Council.
Division 8.00. Requirements for Buildings
Over 7 5 Fee~. The compartmentation or safe
areas of refuge alternative shall not be
permitted as an alternative to automatic fire
sprinklers for buildings within the scope of
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section 1807 of the Uniform Building Code,
1991 Edition.
Division 9.00. unt.reat:ed Wood Roofing.
The use of untreated wood shingles or
untreated wood shakes for new or replacement
roofing is prohibited.
SECTION 2. Any provision of the Santa Monica Municipal Code
or appendices thereto inconsistent with the provisions of this
Ordinance, to the extent of such inconsistencies and no further,
are hereby repealed or modified to that extent necessary to affect
the provisions of this Ordinance.
SECTION 3. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or
phrase of this Ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or
unconsti tutional by a decision of any court of any competent
jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the
remaining portions of this Ordinance. The city Council hereby
declares that it would have passed this Ordinance, and each and
every section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase not declared
invalid or unconstitutional without regard to whether any portion
of the ordinance would be subsequently declared invalid or
unconstitutional.
SECTION 4. The Mayor shall sign and the city Clerk shall
attest to the passage of this Ordinance. The City Clerk shall cause
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the same to be published once in the official newspaper within 15
days after its adoption. This ordinance shall become effective
after 30 days from its adoption.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
JJ~Jo~~
city AttorrMy
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Mayor
State of CalIfornia )
County of Los Angeles) ss
City of Santa MOlllca )
I, Mana M Stewart, City Clerk of the City of Santa MOllIca, do hereby certify that the foregomg
OrdInance No 1827 (CCS) had Its first readmg on October 17. 1995 and had Its second readmg
on November 7, 1995 and was passed by the followmg vote
Ayes
CouncIl members
Abdo, Ebner, Genser, Greenberg, Holbrook, O'Connor,
Rosenstem
Noes
CouncIl members
None
Abstam
CouncIl members
None
Absent
CounCil members
None
ATTEST
'-
.~~~
City Clerk