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HomeMy WebLinkAbout38.136 ORDINANCE NO. 38. 136 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SAEATOGA AMENDING THE BUILDING REGULATIONS, SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS AND ZONING REGULATIONS TO IMPLEMENT THE SAFETY ELEMENT OF THE GENERAL PLAN RELATING TO INSTALLATION OF EARLY WARNING FIREALARM SYSTEMS THE CITY 'COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1: Findings and purpose : The City Council finds and determines as follows: (a) Utilization of current technology in the detection and warning of fire will significantly enhance the level of protection from such hazard while at the same time maximizing the effectiveness of existing equipment and facilities for emergency responses. · (b) Certain areas of the City have been designated as hazardous fire areas, which are defined as any land covered with grass, grains, .brush or forest which is so situated or is of such inaccessible loeation,~that a fire originating upon such land " would present an abnormally difficult job of suppressiOn:Or would result in great and · unusual damage through fire or resulting erosion. The 'response time of emergency equipment to calls for aid in the hazardous fire areas is impaired due to: (1) the nonavailability of access to some portions of such areas; (2) the'existence of steep, narrow streets and roadways located in such areas; - (3) the lack of connecting streets and roadways.in such areas; and!(4) the unasua~ topography of such areas. Further, the presence of heavy vegetation· in the hazardous fire :areas increases the potential for the rapid spread of any fire which may start in such ar~as, particularly during Seasonal dry spells. (C) A substantial portion of-the new single-family .dwellings being constructed in the City are larger structures, typically in excess of 5,000 square f~et with three-car garages. By reason of their size, a fire inl these structures can be more difficult to extinguish. - ' (d) The risk of fire to persons and property within n~ulti-family dwellings and structures containing multiple sleeping units is proportionately greater because . of the~ higher density of occupants. Immediate warning of fire and notification to the fire district of the existence and location of the fire will serve to reduce the possibility of death, injury and property ~amage. (e) The public safety and welfare may necessitate installation 0f an early warning fire alarm system in a commercial structur~ or commdnity facility, depending upon the facts and circumstances to be evaluated by the Fire Chief in each individual case. -1- (f) It is the goal and policy of the City, as set forth in the Safety Element of the General Plan, to require installation of an early warning fire alarm system as hereinafter provided in this Ordinance. The purpose of this Ordinance is to implement such goal and policy. SECTION 2: AMENDMENT TO BUILDING REGULATIONS Section 3-21.4 of the City Code, amending Section 1210 of the Uniform Building Code, is hereby repealed and a new Article XIll, entitled Early Warning Fire Alarm System, is hereby added to Chapter 3 of the City Code, to read as follows: ARTICLE XI]I EARLY WARNING FIRE ALARM SYSTEM Sections: 3-150 Application of Article 3-151 Required components 3-152 Plan check by Fire Dihtrict 3-153 Qualifications and responsibilities of installer 3-154 Inspections by Fire District 3-155 Voluntary installation $3-150 Application of Article Where installation of an early warning fire alarm system is required under the safety element of the General Plan or any provision of this Code, including Section I3.10 of the Subdivision Ordinance or Seerion 14.14 of the Zoning Ordinanee, such early warning fire alarm system shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the provisions of this Artiele. $3-151 Required components Each early warning fire alarm system installed pursuant to this Article shall include, contain, and incorporate the following components connected in such a manner as to be capable of automatically transmitting by standard telephone lines or such other means as may be designated and required from time to time by the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Saratoga Fire District, designated alarm signals from any such installation to the Saratoga Fire District Digital Alarm Communicator Receiver: (a) Digital Alarm Communieator Transmitter, A California State Fire Marshal listed and appreved solid state electronic Digital Alarm Communieator T~ansmitter and control panel (either combined with the transmitter or separately connected thereto) shall be installed with provision for connection of supervised integrating zone circuits. Such transmitter and control panel shall meet the requirements of National Fire Protection-Association Document 72A or 74 in the ease of residential structures or Chapter 5 of NFPA Document 71 in the case of commercial structures, or equivalent method as approved by the Chief of the -2- Saratoga Fire District. If a separate Fire Alarm Control Panel is used, the connection between the Fire Alarm Control Panel and the Digital Alarm Communicator Transmitter shall be through dry relay contacts on the Fire Alarm Control Panel, or other California State Fire Marshal listed configuration for the Digital Alarm Communicator Transmitter can be used. In addition, the Digital Alarm Communicator Transmitter and/or Fire Alarm Control Panel used shall incorporate the following features: (1) The Digital Alarm Communicator Transmitter shall be capable of transmitting to the Saratoga Fire District one or more multiple digit numbers, as may be assigned by the Saratoga Fire District, via commercial telephone lines or such other means as may be designated and required, from time to time, by the Board of Commissioners of the Saratoga Fire District, and shall communicate information in such a manner and of such content as to be compatible with such specifications as may be made and published by the Fire Chief of the Saratoga Fire District. (2) The Digital Alarm Communicator Transmitter shall be capable of transmitting a separate and distinct code for each of the following conditions: Zone 1: Smoke detection zone in alarm Zone 2: Heat detection zone in ~arm Zone 3: Manual station zone in alarm Zone 4: Sprinkler zone in alarm Zone 5: Medical emergency in alarm Zone 6: Digital Alarm Communicator Transmitter low battery indication Zone 7: Digital Alarm Communicator Transmitter and Fire Alarm Control Panel general trouble indication Zone 8 or 9: Digital Alarm Communicator Transmitter test signal transmission once every 24 hours. The functions designated for Zones 6, 7 and 8 or 9 above may be placed in that configuration or in an alternative configuration or format compatible with the Saratoga Fire District Digital Alarm Communicator Receiver. If the Digital Alarm Communicator Transmitter and/or the Fire Alarm Control Panel incorporate Class "A" initiating zones, they shall be dedicated to fire alarm zones 1 through 4 above. (3) The Digital Alarm Communicator Transmitter shall be capable of communicating an entire alarm signal transmission within thirty seeonds of the time at whieh the eonneetion of the eall is eompleted. (4) The Digital Alarm Communieator Transmitter, and Fire Alarm Control Panel if used, shah eontain an internal eontinuously eharging battery, eapable of powering the system for a period of at least twenty-four hours in the standby mode, and five minutes under alarm eonditions. (5) Eleetrieal supervision of the heat deteetion zone, manual station zone, and the smoke detection zone (and power to the smoke deteetors) shall be provided by the Digital Alarm Communieator Transmitter or the Fire Alarm Control Panel. A single open or ground fault eondition in one of these zones in the Digital Alarm Communieator Transmitter, or the Fire Alarm Control Panel, shall be indieated by a distinetive, audible trouble signal in the strueture in whieh the system is installed. The Digital Alarm Communieator Transmitter shall also be capable of transmitting a trouble signal to the Saratoga Fire Distriet Digital Alarm Communieator Reeeiver in the event of a single open or ~round fault eondition in one of the aforementioned zones in the Digital Alarm Communieator Transmitter or the Fire Alarm Control Panel. (6) The Digital Alarm Communieator Transmitter employed in the structure for transmitting signals shah be eapable of assuming line seizure priority over any other digital alarm eommunieator transmitter employed for other purposes in the same strueture. The fire alarm digital alarm eommunieator transmitter eoaneetions to telephone lines shah be made ahead of those employed for burglar alarm or other purposes, and shall eleetrieally diseonneet other digital alarm eommunieator transmitters while transmitting signals. (7) All Digital Alarm Communicator Transmitters shall be capable of being programmed to send signals that are compatible With the Saratoga Fire District Digital Alarm Communieator Receiver, which shall be deemed a central station as referenced in Chapter 5 of National Fire Protection Association Document 71. (8) The Digital Alarm Communieator Transmitter and the Fire Alarm Control Panel shall receive their primary power from the external electrical supply provided to the structure and shall be powered by a separate circuit that shah have its own circuit breaker switch, (b) Smoke detectors. California State Fire iVlarshal and Underwriter's Laboratory, Inc. approved and listed automatic detectors, capable of responding to visible products of combustion, arranged to communicate with the Digital Alarm Communieator Transmitter or the Fire Alarm Control Panel, shall be installed in accordance with the standards contained in National Fire Protection Association Document 72E~1982 or as otherwise directed by the Fire Chief. Where any portion of the structure is used for sleeping purposes, such detectors shah be installed in the following areas at points approved by the Fire Chief: -4- (1) On the ceiling or wall at a point located in the corridors or areas giving access to rooms used for sleeping purposes. (2) In each bedroom, located on the ceiling or wall of the room. (3) On the ceiling or wall near the base of any stairway where sleeping rooms are on an upper level. (c) Heat detectors. California State Fire Marshal and Underwriter's Laboratory, Inc. approved and listed automatic detectors, of the combination fixed- temperature rate-of-rise type, arranged to communicate with the Digital Alarm Communicator Transmitter or the Fire Alarm Control Panel, shall be installed in accordance with the standards contained in National Fire Protection Association Document 72E-1982 or as otherwise approved by the Fire Chief. Where any portion of the structure is used for sleeping purposes, such detectors shall be installed in the following areas at points approved by the Fire Chief: (1) All rooms in the dwelling, including furnace rooms, excepting those areas specified in Paragraph (b) of this Section, and bathrooms. (2) Attics. (3) Garages. Exceptions to these standards may be permitted by the Fire Chief. (d) Warning devices. In the case of any structures used for sleeping purposes, California State Fire Marshal and Underwriter's Laboratory, Inc. approved and listed audible warning devices of sufficient number and adequately located, pursuant to National Fire Protection Association Document 74-1984, shall be installed within the sleeping area of the structure so as to cause a level of audibility of not less than fifteen decibe]s above ambient noise levels measured four feet above the floor with bedroom doors closed. S~-152 Plan cheek by Fire District All documentation relative to the proposed installation shall be submitted to the Fire District for approval. Where the property is located within the jurisdiction of the Central Fire District, one copy of such documentation shall be furnished to the Chief of such District and one copy of such documentation shall also be furnished to the Chief of the Saratoga Fire District who shall determine whether the proposed installation will be compatible with the Saratoga Fire District Digital Alarm Communicator Receiver and will otherwise comply with the requirements of this Article. This documentation shall include the following: (a) A complete list of all fire alarm equipment and devices to be installed, including': (1) Manufacturer's make and model numbers; (2) Quantities of each type; (3) California State Fire Marshal listing numbers; -5- (4) Underwriters' Laboratory, Inc., spacing specifications for heat detectors; (5) Evidence of control panel compatibility with connected smoke detectors. (b) Point to point wiring diagram or electrical sequence list for each zone in a form aceptable to the Saratoga Fire District. Details shall include: (1) Wiring sequence of each initiating zone, including wire size and the number of conductors; (2) Wiring sequence of each audible circuit, including wire size and the number of conductors; (3) Identification of the types of initiating devices used; (4) Temperature ratings indicated, when applicable; (5) Locations of Class "B" circuit end of line devices; (6) Locations of junction boxes, when installed. (c) If requested, copies of California State Fire Marshal listing data sheets, and any other documents deemed pertinent by the Fire Chief. (d) The Fire Districts may establish a fee for the plan checking services rendered pursuant to this Section. S3-153 Q,mnfieations and responsibilities of installer All early warning fire alarm systems shall be installed by a person holding a valid fire protection engineering license, C-16 classification, issued by the California Department of Consumer Affairs, or a valid electrical license, C-10 classification, or a valid specialty license, C-61 classification, issued by the California Contractors State License Board. All such systems shall be installed in a workmanlike manner and in accordance with the specifications and standards approved by the Fire District. Upon completion of the installation, the licensed installer shall instruct the property owner, or his designated representative, in the use of the system and shall provide applicable manufacturer's operating manuals. S3-154 Inspections by Fire District The Fire District having jurisdiction over the property shall be responsible for conducting inspections and approving or disapproving any system installed in a structure pursuant to this Article. The Fire Districts may establish a fee for the inspection services rendered pursuant to this Section. The licensed installer shall provide the Fire District having jurisdiction with a set of as built plans for the system. -6- S3-155 Voluntary instellntion Nothing contained in this Article shall prohibit any person from voluntarily installing and maintaining an early warning fire alarm system as described in this Article in any type of building or structure within the City~ subject only to appropriate arrangement for such installation and mMntenanee being made between the owner and the Chief of the Saratoga Fire District. SECTION 3: AMENDMENT TO SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE Section 13-10 is hereby added to Ordinance NS-60, the Subdivision Ordinance, to read as follows: See. 13.10 Early warning fire nlRrm system (a) As a condition for tentative map or building site approval under this Ordinance, the advisory agency shall require the installation of an early warning fire alarm system in accordance with Article XHI in Chapter 3 of the City Code, and the connection of such system to the digital alarm eommunieator receiver maintained by the Saratoga Fire District, in each of the following eases: (1) All new single-family dwellings and any existing single-family dwellings which are expanded by fifty percent or more in gross floor area, where such new or expanded dwellings are located within a designated hazardous fire area. (2) ALl new single-family dwellings having a gross floor area in excess of 5,000 square feet. (3) Any existing single-family dwelling which is expanded by fifty percent or more in floor area which, after such expansion, will exceed 5,000 square feet in gross floor area. (4) ALl new multi-family dwellings and other new structures having multiple sleeping units including, but not limited to, hotels, motels, apartments, eondominiums or other community housing projects, townhouses and nursing homes. (5) Any existing multi-family dwelling or other structure having multiple sleeping units such as described in Paragraph (4) above, which is expanded by fifty percent or more in gross floor area. (b) When so required by the Chief of the Fire District having jurisdiction over the project, the advisory agency shall impose as a condition for tentative map or building site approval under this Ordinance, the installation of an early warning fire alarm system in accordance with Article XIH in Chapter 3 of the City Code, and the connection of such system to the digital alarm eommunieator receiver maintained by the Saratoga Fire District, in new commercial structures or community facilities, or an existing commercial structure or community facility which is expanded by fifty percent or more in gross floor area. As used herein, the term "commercial structure" includes, but is not limited to, office buildings, retail stores, restaurants, repair shops, and industrial buildings, and the term "community facility" includes, but is not limited to, schools, theatres, churches, meeting hails -7- and conference centers. In determining whether to require installation of such system, the Fire Chief shall be guided by the following considerations: (1) The number of people expected to occupy the building on a regular basis. (2) The interior and exterior configuration of the building and the fire resistant nature of the materials utilized in the construction thereof. (3) The nature and extent of other fire extinguishing and fire alarm devices installed within the building. (4) Whether any highly flammable, explosive or toxic materials are regularly stored or located within the building. (5) The proximity and nature of other structures located upon the same site or adjacent sites. (6) The estimated response time to the property from the fire station at peak traffic hours. (e) For the purposes of this Section, the determination as to whether a structure will be expanded by fifty percent or more in gross floor area shall be made in the same manner as provided in Subsection 21(e) of this Ordinance, relating to the requirement for building site approval. SECTION 4: AMENDMENT TO ZONING ORDINANCE Section 14.14 is hereby added to Ordinance NS-3, the Zoning Ordinance, to read as follows: See. 14.14 F~rly warning fire AlArm system (a) As a condition for any permit or approval granted under this Ordinance, the approving authority shall require the installation of an early warning fire alarm system in accordance with Article XIII in Chapter 3 of the City Code, and the connection of such system to the digital alarm communicator receiver maintained by the Saratoga Fire District, in each of the following cases: (1) All new single-family dwellings and any existing single-family dwellings which are expanded by fifty percent or more in gross floor area, where such new or expanded dwellings are located within a designated hazardous fire area. (2) All new single-family dwellings having a gross floor area in excess of 5,000 square feet. (3) Any existing single-family dwelling which is expanded by fifty percent or more in floor area which, after such expansion, will exceed 5,000 square feet in gross floor area. -8- (4) All new multi-family dwellings and other new structures having multiple sleeping units including, but not limited to, hotels, motels, apartments, condominiums or other community housing projects, townhouses and nursing homes. (5) Any existing multi-family dwelling or other structure having multiple sleeping units such as described in Paragraph (4) above, which is expanded by fifty percent or more in gross floor area. (b) When so required by the Chief of the Fire District having jurisdiction over the project, the approving authority shall impose as a condition for any permit or approval granted under this Ordinance, the installation of an early warning fire alarm system in accordance with Article XIII in Chapter 3 of the City Code, and the connection of such system to the digital alarm communicator receiver maintained by the Saratoga Fire District, in new commercial structures or community facilities, or an existing commercial structure or community facility which is expanded by fifty percent or more in gross floor area. As used herein, the term "commercial structure" includes, but is not limited to, office buildings, retail stores, restaurants, repair shops, and industrial buildings, and the term "community facility" includes, but is not limited to, schools, theatres, churches, meeting halls and conference centers. In determining whether to require installation of such system, the Fire Chief shall be guided by the following considerations: (1) The number of people expected to occupy the building on a regular basis. (2) The interior and exterior configuration of the building and the fire resistant nature of the materials utilized in the construction thereof. (3) The nature and extent of other fire extinguishing and fire alarm devices installed within the building. (4) Whether any highly flammable, explosive or toxic materials are regularly stored or located within the building. (5) The proximity and nature of other structures located upon the same site or adjacent sites. · (6) The estimated response time to the property from the fire station at peak traffic hours. (c) For the purposes of this Section, the determination as to whether a structure will be expanded by fifty percent or more in gross floor area shall be made in the same manner as provided in Subsection 21(c) of the Subdivision Ordinance, relating to the requirement for building site approval. S~-CTION 5: If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this Ordinance is for any reason held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining pertions of this Ordinance. The City Council of the City of Saratoga hereby declares that it would have passed this Ordinance and each section, subsection, sentence, clause and -9- phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subseetions, sentences, clauses or phrases be held invalid or unconstitutional. SECTION 6: This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect thirty days from and after the date of its passage and adoption. *** The above and foregoing Ordinance was regularly introduced and after the waiting time required by law, was thereafter passed and adopted this 4th day of December , 1985, by the following vote: AYES: COti~Cilmembers Fanelli, Hlava, Moyles and Mayor Clevenger NOES: None ABSENT: Counci~ Callon ABSTAIN: None MA ATTEST: The above and foregoing is a true and correct CITY CLERK ' DSputy City Clerk · / Date -10-