RESOLUTION NO. ______
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIALTO, CALIFORNIA, TO COMPLY WITH THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE SECTIONS 17958, 17958.5 AND 17598.7, RELATING TO THE ADOPTION OF THE 2022 EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE.
WHEREAS, Health and Safety Code Section 17958 and Government Code Section 50022 empower the City to adopt by reference the California Fire Code, and other regulations adopted pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 17922; and WHEREAS, Health and Safety Code Section 17958.5 authorizes the City to make modifications to the requirements contained in the California Building Standards Code, including the California Fire Code, and the other regulations adopted pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 17922 on the basis of local climatic, geological, or topographical conditions; and WHEREAS, the City Council needs to amend provisions of the 2022 Edition of the California Fire Code pursuant to Section 17958.7; and WHEREAS, Health and Safety Code Section 17958.7 requires that before making any modifications or changes pursuant to Section 17958.5, the governing body of a city or county shall make expressed finding of local necessity that such modifications or changes are needed; and WHEREAS, the City Council is informed and finds that such climatic, geological, and topographical conditions include, but are not limited to, the following conditions:
Climate
Weather
The weather patterns within Rialto are a factor making the amendments reasonably necessary. Frequent periods of drought and low humidity add to the fire danger and are conducive to fire spread.
High Temperature, Low Humidity and Winds
During the summer months, the dry winds and existing vegetation mix to create a hazardous fuel condition, which has resulted in large loss vegetation and structure fires. Summer temperatures can exceed 100 degrees during the months of June, July, August, and September. The area of Rialto is subject to an extremely strong wind condition, commonly referred to as the “Santa Ana” winds. These winds can reach, and many times exceed 90 miles per hour. Extensive damage often occurs during such winds including downed trees, power lines, utility poles, utility service lines and spreads fires rapidly. These adverse conditions cause:
Fires
Impairment of emergency apparatus access
Delays in response times of emergency apparatus
The depletion of apparatus readily available for suppression activities Limited Water Supply
Because of weather patterns, the City of Rialto receives relatively small amounts of precipitation and experiences very low humidity. Due to storage capacities and consumption, and a limited amount of rainfall, future water allocation is threatened. While sound management of the water resources is possible, demands and possible critical depletions on an already stressed water supply are possible. This condition can contribute to uncontrolled fire spread and increased fire growth.
Specific amendments to the 2022 Edition of the California Fire Code, contained in Ordinance No. ______ pursuant to this express finding of local necessity are made in accordance with Attachment A – to Resolution No. ____ Topographical
Location on Alluvial Plain
The City of Rialto is situated on an alluvial plain, which during seasons of heavy rains, such as a 100-year storm, provides the potential for heavy flooding. This additional adverse condition can also contribute to the City’s inability to respond to emergency situations requiring response from emergency responders.
Topographical Obstructions
Within the City of Rialto, development has occurred and continues to occur, which has resulted in the contribution to increased and at times severe traffic congestion during the area’s peak traffic hours. This development is a combination of residential, commercial, and industrial zoned areas, buildings, and structures. This resulting congestion contributes to the probability of delays in responding emergency personnel and apparatus to fires, emergency medical services and other hazardous conditions. Also, within the jurisdiction of the City of Rialto there are two Interstate freeways, the I-10 and the I-210, which divides the City into three parts (North, Central and South), and three (3) railroads, the former Pacific Electric (East and West), the Metrolink (East and West) and the Union Pacific (East and West). These major systems further create topographical obstructions that cause delays of responding emergency personnel and apparatus during emergency situations.
Specific amendments to the 2022 Edition of the California Fire Code, contained in Ordinance No. ______ pursuant to this express finding of local necessity are made in accordance with Attachment A – to Resolution No. ____.
Geological
Seismic Hazards
Within the City of Rialto there is one (1) earthquake fault, the “San Jacinto”, and adjacent to the City of Rialto there are four additional faults, The San Andreas, Cucamonga, Chino Central Avenue and San Jose faults. In the event of a severe earthquake, these faults present the potential for catastrophic damage throughout the City, including extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure including water and sewer distribution lines, roadways, bridges and railroad right-of-way, and other impairments that will cause delays of emergency responding personnel and apparatus.
Specific amendments to the 2022 Edition of the California Fire Code, contained in Ordinance No. ______ pursuant to this express finding of local necessity are made in accordance with Attachment A – to Resolution No. ____ NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIALTO DOES HEREBY FIND, DETERMINE, AND RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: The City of Rialto establishes the modifications to the 2022 Edition of the California Fire Code, as outlined in Ordinance No. ______ because of local climate, geological, and topographical conditions as described in the recitals to this resolution.
Section 2: The amendments are necessary to protect life, property and to deal with high fire hazards, limited water supplies, built in fire protection such as automatic fire sprinklers systems, and the storage, handling, and use of hazardous materials.
Section 3: A copy of this Resolution and Amendments shall be forwarded to the California Building Standards Commission.
Section 4: A copy of the Resolution shall be incorporated and filed with the City Clerk’s Office.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this _____ day of January, 2024. _________________________________
DEBORAH ROBERTSON, Mayor
ATTEST:
___________________________
BARBARA McGEE, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
___________________________
Eric Vale, City Attorney
- PAGE \* MERGEFORMAT 1-
1 2
3 4
5 6
7 8
9 10
11 12
13 14
15 16
17 18
19 20
21 22
23 24
25 26
27 28