CONTRA COSTA COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT .
4005 Port Chicago Highway, Suite 250 • Concord, CA 94520-1180 Telephone: (925) 941-3300 • Fax: (925) 941-3309 • www.cccfpd.org 000.
TO: Geoff Simmons
FROM: Chris Bachman
DATE: 11/03/22
RE: Fire Code Ordinance Update
The attached ordinance amends the 2022 California Fire Code, the following chapters have additional changes from the current 2019 Fire Code Ordinance 2019-37:
Chapter 2 (Definitions) has additional amendments to provide clarity on wildland firefighting and preparedness terminology.
Chapter 4 (Emergency Planning and Preparedness) is amended to now add Aerial PrePlans for new construction projects if required by the fire official.
Chapter 9 (Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems) is amended to (1) change the definition of Substantial Addition and Alteration to align with the other fire districts for consistency on the interpretation; and (2) to establish automatic sprinkler system requirements that are more restrictive than the sprinkler requirements in the statewide code.
Chapter 33 (Fire Safety During Construction and Demolition) is amended to define the additional site security requirements that could be required if deemed necessary by the building official and fire official from arson fires or hazards occurring within the jurisdiction.
Chapter 50 (Hazardous Materials) and Chapter 57 (Flammable and Combustible Liquids) are amended to provide the fire official with the ability to require a risk assessment stamped by a fire protection engineer if the facility manager is unable to provide accurate risk assessment of the facility to include all hazardous materials stored onsite.
Previously, the fire districts’ existing weed abatement program was incorporated into Section 321 of the ordinance. This program authorizes the fire districts to declare certain weeds that pose a fire hazard as a public nuisance, to abate those weeds, and to recover abatement costs from property owners. Presently, a stand-alone ordinance is being drafted to address the fire districts’ weed abatement program. This ordinance will be brought to the Fire Board of Directors for adoption in early 2023.
Additional redline changes were administrative from code sections changing or spelling errors.