HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-59 - Buliding - Plumbing & Electrical CodesRESOLUTION NO. 2002- 59
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
SETTING FORTH FINDINGS BASED ON LOCAL CONDITIONS WITHIN THE CITY OF
NEWPORT BEACH WHICH MAKE CERTAIN MODIFICATIONS AND CHANGES TO
THE CALIFORNIA BUII ,DING CODE, THE CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE, AND THE
CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE REASONABLY NECESSARY.
WHEREAS, Health & Safety Code Section 17958 mandates that the City of Newport
Beach adopt ordinances or regulations imposing the same requirements as are contained in the
regulations adopted by the State pursuant to Health & Safety Code, Section 17922; and
WHEREAS, the State of California is mandated by Health & Safety Code Section 17922
to impose the same requirements as are contained in the 2001 California Building Code based on
the 1997 Uniform Building Code of the International Conference of Building Officials, the 2001
California Plumbing Code based on the 2000 Uniform Plumbing Code of the International
Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, and the 2001 California Electrical Code
based on the 1999 National Electrical Code of the National Fire Protection Association
(hereinafter referred to collectively as "Codes "); and
WHEREAS, Health & Safety Code Section 17958.5 permits the City to make such
changes or modifications to the Codes as are reasonably necessary because of local conditions;
and
WHEREAS, Health & Safety Code Section 17958.7 requires that the City Council, before
making any changes or modifications pursuant to Section 17958.5 make express findings that
such changes or modifications are needed due to climatic, geographic, or topographic conditions;
and
WHEREAS, the Building Director has recommended that changes and modifications be
made to the Codes and have advised that these changes and modifications to the model codes are
reasonably necessary due to local conditions in the City of Newport Beach and have further
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advised that the remainder of said changes and modifications are administrative or procedural in
nature,
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by City Council of the City of Newport Beach
as follows:
SECTION 1.
The following changes and modifications to the 2001 Editions of the CALIFORNIA
BUILDING CODE as recommended by the Building Director are hereby found to be necessary
due to local climatic, geographical or topographical conditions:
1. Section 403 redefines High Rise buildings from 75 feet in height to 55 feet
and modifies the application of special provisions for these buildings to all
occupancies from office and residential occupancies.
FINDINGS:
a. The City of Newport Beach is located in an area subject to a climatic condition of high
winds. This environment is conducive is to rapidly spreading fires. Control of such fires
requires rapid response. Obstacles generated by a strong wind, such as fallen trees, street
lights and utility poles, and the requirement to climb 75 feet vertically up flights of stairs
will greatly impact the response time to reach an incident scene. Additionally Table 16 -G
identifies a significant increase in the amount of wind force at 60 feet above the ground.
Use of aerial type fire fighting apparatus above this height would place rescue personnel
at increased risk of injury.
b. The City of Newport Beach is located in the middle of the seismically active area
identified as seismic zone 4. The viability of the public water system would be
questionable at best after a major seismic event. This would leave tall buildings
vulnerable to uncontrolled fires due to a lack of available water and an inability to pump
sufficient quantities of available water to floors above the 55 -foot level. A severe seismic
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event has the potential to negatively impact any rescue or fire suppression activities
because it is likely to create obstacles similar to those indicated under the high wind
section above. With the probability of strong aftershocks there exists a need to provide
increased protection for anyone on upper floors.
2. Section 904.2.1 and Section 904.2.2 were modified to require installation of
an automatic fire extinguishing system in all occupancies exceeding 5,000
square feet before allowable floor area increases specified in Table No. 5 -B,
Section 505 are applicable and in all buildings having floors used for human
occupancy and located more than 40 feet above the lowest level of Fire
Department vehicle access.
FINDINGS:
Due to the geographic conditions of widespread development separated by waterways and the
street congestion caused by this geography, and due to the seismic activity and the expected
infrastructure damage inherent in seismic zone 4, it is prudent to rely on automatic fire sprinkler
systems to mitigate extended Fire Department response time and keep fires manageable with
reduced fire flow (water) requirement for a given structure.
3. Section 1005.3.3.7 requires pressurized enclosures for high -rise buildings as
defined where the floor level used for human occupancy is located more than
55 feet above the lowest level of Fire Department vehicle access versus 75 feet
consistent with Section 403.
FINDINGS:
a. The City of Newport Beach is located in an area subject to a climatic condition of high
winds. This environment is conducive is to rapidly spreading fires. Control of such fires
requires rapid response. Obstacles generated by a strong wind, such as fallen trees, street
lights and utility poles, and the requirement to climb 75 feet vertically up flights of stairs
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will greatly impact the response time to reach an incident scene. Additionally Table 16 -G
identifies a significant increase in the amount of wind force at 60 feet above the ground.
Use of aerial type fire fighting apparatus above this height would place rescue personnel
at increased risk of injury.
b. The City of Newport Beach is located in the middle of the seismically active area
identified as Seismic Zone 4. The viability of the public water system would be
questionable at best after a major seismic event. This would leave tall buildings
vulnerable to uncontrolled fires due to a lack of available water and an inability to pump
sufficient quantities of available water to floors above the 55 - foot level. A severe
seismic event has the potential to negatively impact any rescue or fire suppression
activities because it is likely to create obstacles similar to those indicated under the high
wind section above. With the probability of strong aftershocks there exists a need to
provide increased protection for anyone on upper floors.
4. Delete Section 1502.3 and amend Table 15 -A and footnotes to the table to
require roof coverings to be of fire retardant material of not less than Class
C rating.
FINDINGS:
a. Many areas of Newport Beach have significant growths of vegetation of a highly
combustible nature.
b. The City of Newport Beach, especially the foothill areas, is geographically located in an
area periodically subject to wind conditions of high velocity. Moreover, the
topographical conditions of the foothill areas, and canyons contained therein, tend to
accelerate the periodic high velocity winds by means of a venturi effect.
C. The City of Newport Beach, especially the foothill areas, is located within an area subject
to high temperatures, in conjunction with high winds.
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d. The use of non -rated or special purpose roofing materials as roof coverings within the City
of Newport Beach may create an inordinate fire hazard during periods of high velocity
winds when fire may spread across buildings with roof coverings of non -rated combustible
materials.
C. Embers from chimneys without spark arresters within the City of Newport Beach, including
the foothill areas, coupled with the climatic, topographic and geographic conditions
described herein above, may permit the throwing of sparks, embers and cinders upon non-
rated and special purpose roofing material roofs during periods of high velocity winds,
thereby creating a fire hazard which in turn may spread throughout areas where the roofs of
structures are covered with untreated wood shakes and shingle.
5. Change to load combinations formula 12 -6 in Section 1612.2.1.
FINDINGS:
The formula accounts for both horizontal and vertical accelerations, whereas formula 12 -5
accounts for vertical acceleration, therefore formula 12 -6 was amended to account for horizontal
earthquake acceleration. This conclusion was made by the Structural Engineers Association in
studies made after the Northridge earthquake. The City of Newport Beach is located in
seismically active area 4 and would be affected by any future seismic events.
6. Changes to Section 1629.4.2 Seismic Zone 4 Near - Source Factor to reflect
most recent design provisions as published by RISC.
FINDINGS:
Results from studies after the Northridge earthquake. The City of Newport Beach is located in a
seismically active area identified as seismic zone 4 and in close proximity to the Newport-
Inglewood fault. Results from studies after the Northridge earthquake indicated severe vertical
ground acceleration causing substantial damage to buildings.
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7. Changes to Section 1630.8.2.2 Detailing Requirements in Seismic Zones 3 and
4 to reflect most recent design provisions as published by the AISC.
FINDINGS:
Also results from studies after the Northridge earthquake. The City of Newport Beach is located
in a seismically active area identified as seismic zone 4 and in close proximity to the Newport-
Inglewood fault. Results from studies after the Northridge earthquake indicated severe vertical
ground acceleration causing substantial damage to buildings.
8. Section 1900.4.4 is amended to require vapor barriers below concrete slabs.
FINDING:
Most of Orange County is located above some type of aquifer that is often just a few feet below
the surface. In addition, Newport Beach is subjected to potentially severe rainstorms during the
winter months. Combining these two water sources with the water retention capacity of the
area's expansive soil produces a condition wherein the moisture content of the soil is sufficient to
increase the moisture content of concrete in contact with the soil. Concrete, which is used as part
of a building structure, has the potential to transfer that moisture to the structure causing
structural deterioration unless a moisture barrier is provided.
9. Section 1922.10.3 exception 2 is deleted.
FINDING:
Due to prevailing expansive soil conditions in Newport Beach, deleting this exception would
require that slabs be reinforced with Minimum reinforcement, a typical requirement, specified
routinely by soil engineers and used widely by design engineers to mitigate damage due to soil
expansion and shrinkage.
10. Changes to Section 2205.3 Design Provisions for Structural Steel to reflect
most recent design provisions as published by the AISC.
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FINDINGS:
Also results from studies after the Northridge earthquake. The City of Newport Beach is located
in a seismically active area identified as seismic zone 4 and in close proximity to the Newport-
Inglewood fault. Results from studies after the Northridge earthquake indicated severe vertical
ground acceleration causing substantial damage to buildings.
11. Divisions IV and V of Chapter 22 are deleted and replaced with Division IV
Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings as published by the AISC.
FINDINGS:
Also results from studies after the Northridge earthquake. The City of Newport Beach is located
in a seismically active area identified as seismic zone 4 and in close proximity to the Newport-
Inglewood fault. Results from studies after the Northridge earthquake indicated severe vertical
ground acceleration causing substantial damage to buildings.
SECTION 2.
The following changes and modifications to the 2001 Edition of the CALIFORNIA
ELECTRICAL CODE as recommended by the Building Director are hereby found to be
necessary due to local climatic, geographical or topographical conditions:
1. Article 110 -5 is amended to require that installation of smaller than #6 AWG
aluminum conductors shall be inspected continuously by an approved special
inspector to insure tightness of all termination points.
FINDINGS:
Aluminum expands and shrinks at a much higher rate than other metals. This property becomes
critical for smaller sizes or aluminum conductors, which may break down at termination point in a
seismic event causing a fire. Orange County is located in an active seismic area (Seismic zone 4).
The continuous inspection requirement will insure proper installation.
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SECTION 3.
The following changes and modifications to the 2001 Edition of the CALIFORNIA
PLUMBING CODE as recommended by the Building Director are hereby found to be necessary
due to local climatic, geographical or topographical conditions:
1. Section 604.1.1 is amended to require non - metallic pipe for underground
water service to a building.
FINDINGS:
Soil throughout Newport Beach possesses corrosive properties that reduce the expected usable life of
water services when metallic pipes in contact with soils are utilized.
2. Section 1210.1 has been amended to require the installation of approved PVC
or PE piping only in exterior buried piping systems.
FINDINGS:
Soil throughout Newport Beach possesses corrosive properties that reduce the expected usable life
of metallic gas systems when utilized in contact with soil.
SECTION 4.
Additional amendments and deletions to the 2001 California Building Code based on the
1997 Uniform Building Code of the International Conference of Building Officials, the 2001
California Plumbing Code based on the 2000 Uniform Plumbing Code of the International
Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, the 2001 California Mechanical Code based
on the 2000 Uniform Mechanical Code of the International Conference of Building Officials, the
2001 California Electrical Code based on the 1999 National Electrical Code of the National Fire
Protection Association and 2001 California Fire Code based on the 2000 Uniform Fire Code of
the International Fire Code Institute were found to be administrative or procedural and are
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contained in the 1997 Edition of the Uniform Administrative Code, and are found to be
reasonable and necessary to safeguard life and property within the City of Newport Beach.
SECTION 5.
A copy of this Resolution together with the Ordinances adopting the City Codes shall be
filed with the California Building Standards Commission and the California Department of
Housing and Community Development by the City Clerk of the City of Newport Beach as
required by State law (Section 17958.7 H & S Code).
ADOPTED THIS
ATTEST:
24th
fir% 0n_d --A
City Clerk
DAYOF September -12002
M
MAYOR
STATE OF CALIFORNIA }
COUNTY OF ORANGE } ss.
CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH }
I, LaVonne M. Harkless, City Clerk of the City of Newport Beach, California, do
hereby certify that the whole number of members of the City Council is seven; that the foregoing
resolution, being Resolution No. 2002 -59 was duly and regularly introduced before and adopted by
the City Council of said City at a regular meeting of said Council, duly and regularly held on the 24th
day of September, 2002, and that the same was so passed and adopted by the following vote, to wit:
Ayes: Heffernan, O'Neil, Bromberg, Adams, Proctor, Mayor Ridgeway
Noes: None
Absent: Glover
Abstain: None
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the
official seal of said City this 25th day of September, 2002.
(Seal)
City Clerk
Newport Beach, California