across the Property (“Existing PUE”); and
WHEREAS, no public utility improvements have been made within the Existing PUE, nor are there any public facilities located within the Existing PUE; and WHEREAS, to accommodate installation of a sewer line that will have the ability to more readily serve surrounding properties, the owner of the Property and the Town wish to relocate the public utility easement from the Existing PUE location to the southern property line of the Property; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Government Code section 37354 the Town may accept real property rights by gift or device; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Streets and Highways Code section 8333, the Town may summarily vacate a public service easement when the easement has been superseded by relocation, or determined to be excess, and there are no public facilities located within the easement; and
WHEREAS, by presentation of the attached Relocation of Public Utility Easement Agreement, Owner has offered to dedicate to the Town the relocated Public Utility Easement, as described in its Exhibit A1 and depicted in its Exhibit B1.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Council of the Town of Woodside hereby accepts the offer to dedicate the Public Utility Easement as described in Exhibit A1 and depicted in Exhibit B1 of the attached Relocation of Public Utility Easement Agreement.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Woodside that the Existing PUE shown on Parcel B as depicted on the Parcel Map recorded at Volume 47, Page 15 of the San Mateo County Recorder’s records has been superseded by relocation and for that reason is summarily vacated.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Council does approve of the attached Relocation of Public Utility Easement Agreement and authorizes the Mayor to Item 5 Page 3 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
execute said Agreement on the Town’s behalf. Upon its execution, the Town Clerk shall cause the Relocation of Public Utility Easement Agreement to be recorded with the San Mateo County Recorder.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that should Owner fail to execute the Relocation of Public Utility Easement Agreement, this Resolution shall be of no effect and the Existing PUE as shown on Parcel B of the Parcel Map recorded at Volume 47, Page 15 of the San Mateo County Recorder’s records shall remain.
PASSED AND ADOPTED as a resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Woodside at the regular meeting held on the 26th day of September, 2023, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
__________________________________
Chris Shaw, MAYOR
ATTEST:
______________________________
CLERK OF THE TOWN OF WOODSIDE
Item 5 Page 4 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
RECORDING REQUESTED BY
AND WHEN RECORDED MAIL TO:
Town of Woodside
2955 Woodside Road
Woodside, CA 94062
Attention: Town Clerk
Record for the benefit of the
The Town of Woodside pursuant to
Government Code Section 27383
______________________________________________________________________ Space above this line for recorder’s use
RELOCATION OF PUBLIC UTILITY EASEMENT AGREEMENT
This Relocation of Public Utility Easement Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into as of September 26, 2023 (“Effective Date”), by and between Tai Winfred and Wu Yun Min (“Owner”), and the Town of Woodside, a California municipal corporation (“Town”). Town and Owner are referred to individually in this Agreement as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties.”
RECITALS
A. Owner is the fee owner of that certain real property known as 809 Woodside Drive in the Town of Woodside, designated as APN 069-150-700, and shown as “Parcel B” on the Parcel Map recorded at with the San Mateo County Recorder at Volume 47, Page 15 (the “Property”).
B. As shown on the Parcel Map recorded at Volume 47, Page 15, there is a 10’ wide Public Utility Easement running through the Property (“Prior PUE”). No public utility improvements have been made in the Prior PUE.
C. To accommodate the installation of a sewer line that more readily accommodate surrounding properties, Owner and Town wish to relocate the Public Utility Easement on the Property.
D. By the attached Resolution (Exhibit C), the Town has summarily vacated the Prior PUE.
E. By that same Resolution, the Town has accepted Owner’s offer to dedicate to the Town a Public Utility Easement as described in Exhibit A hereto and depicted in Exhibit B hereto.
Item 5 Page 5 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
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AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged and approved, Owner and Town hereby agree as follows:
1. Offer to Dedicate and Acceptance of Easement. Owner hereby grants and dedicates to Town, and Town accepts, a perpetual public utility easement (the “Easement”), in, on, over, under, and across those certain portions of the Property, as described on Exhibit A and depicted on Exhibit B attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference (“Easement Area”), together with the right of ingress to and egress from such Easement Area for the purpose of installing, improving, maintaining, and repairing public utility improvements on behalf and for the benefit of the public.
2. Improvements to Easement Area. The Town and its agents may access areas of the Property necessary to complete public utility improvements or maintenance and repair works within the Easement Area. Owner shall keep the Easement Area free and clear from any buildings or permanent structures of any kind. Owner may not install roadway or landscaping improvements within the Easement Area or otherwise interfere with Town’s ability to access the Easement Area. When undertaking any excavation, construction, maintenance, or repair work within the Easement Area, Town shall utilize diligent good faith efforts to ensure that the work is undertaken expeditiously and in a manner to reasonably minimize the interference with Owner’s use of the Property, and Town agrees to restore the areas of the Property not within the Easement Area to substantially its original condition as it existed prior to the excavation, construction, maintenance, or repair work.
3. Miscellaneous Provisions.
a. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire understanding and agreement of the parties hereto relating to the rights herein granted and the obligations set forth herein. Any prior, contemporaneous, or subsequent written or oral representations and modifications concerning this Agreement shall be of no force or effect. This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument signed by Owner and Town.
b. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall, for all purposes, be deemed an original and all such counterparts, taken together, shall constitute one and the same instrument. c. Recitals; Exhibits. The recitals above and the exhibits attached hereto are incorporated herein by reference.
d. Binding on Successors and Assigns. Owner’s Property is to be burdened by, and Town is to be benefited by, the provisions of this Agreement, and such Property shall be held, conveyed, hypothecated, encumbered, leased, rented, Item 5 Page 6 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
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used, occupied, and improved subject to the foregoing limitations, restrictions, obligations, and conditions imposed by the Easement. All provisions of this Agreement shall run with the land and be binding upon all parties having or acquiring any right, title, or interest in the Property, and shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the Town, and its successors and assigns.
e. Partial Invalidity. If any term or provision of this Agreement or the application of it to any person or circumstance shall to any extent be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement or the application of such term or provision to persons or circumstances, other than those as to which it is invalid or unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby, and each term and provision of this Agreement shall be valid and shall be enforced to the extent permitted by law. f. Exhibits. The following exhibits are attached to this Agreement and are hereby incorporated herein by this reference for all purposes as if set forth herein in full:
Exhibit A Legal Description of the Easement Area
Exhibit B Plat of the Easement Area
Exhibit C Resolution of the Town Council Relocating Public Utility Easement by Acceptance of Grant of New Public Utility Easement and Summary Vacation of Prior Public Utility Easement
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Owner and Town have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
TOWN
Town of Woodside, a California municipal
corporation
By: ____________________________
Chris Shaw, Mayor
(Notary Acknowledgment Required)
ATTEST:
By: _____________________________
Jennifer Li, Town Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Item 5 Page 7 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
- 4 -
By: _____________________________
Jean B. Savaree, Town Attorney
OWNER
By: ______________________________
Tai Winfred
(Notary Acknowledgment Required)
By: ______________________________
Wu Yun Min
(Notary Acknowledgment Required)
Item 5 Page 8 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
Item 5 Page 9
Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
Item 5 Page 10 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
TOWN OF WOODSIDE
Report to Town Council Agenda Item A
From: Jean B. Savaree, Town Attorney September 26, 2023 SUBJECT: INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 32.01 OF THE
WOODSIDE MUNICIPAL CODE TO REDUCE THE SIZE OF THE PLANNING
COMMISSION TO FIVE MEMBERS
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Town Council conduct a public hearing and introduce an Ordinance Amending Section 32.01 of the Woodside Municipal Code to Reduce the Size of the Planning Commission to Five Members. In order to do so, staff requests that the Council:
1. Receive the staff report;
2. Open the public hearing on the proposed Ordinance;
3. Close the public hearing; and
4. After Council discussion, motion to introduce Ordinance by title, waive further reading, and schedule second reading and adoption at the October 10, 2023 meeting.
BACKGROUND
Historically, the Town of Woodside has elected members of the Town Council and appointed members to the Planning Commission from seven districts. In 2022, as part of the shift from a “from-district” to a “by-district” form of Council elections, the Town adopted a new District Map with only five districts and began transitioning from a seven-member Council to a five-member Council.
The transition from seven to five districts created conflicting provisions in the Woodside Municipal Code regarding the composition of the Planning Commission. Specifically, Section 32.01 indicates that the Planning Commission shall be comprised of seven members, while Section 32.04 dictates that each member of the Planning Commission shall reside in a different district. The Council discussed this issue at the September 12, 2023 meeting and directed staff to draft an ordinance amendment that would reduce the size of the Planning Commission to five members, and retain the requirement that each member be appointed from a different Council district.
ANALYSIS
The attached proposed Ordinance amends Section 32.01 of the Municipal Code to indicate that the Planning Commission will consist of five members, rather than seven. The rest of the section describing the Planning Commission would remain unchanged.
The proposed Ordinance, at Section 3, provides that existing Planning Commissioners will serve out their terms. The change to the size of the Planning Commission will be implemented by filling Item A Page 1 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
only 2 of the 3 seats that will come open for reappointment in 2024. At that time, the Commission will be comprised as follows:
Member District Term Expiration
Garr 1 2026
Weaver 2 2027
Volke 3* 2027
2024 Appointee 4 2028
2024 Appointee 5 2028
*Commissioner Voelke resides in District 2 but was appointed in 2023 to serve as an out-of-district Commissioner for District 3 per Section 32.04 of the Municipal Code.
ALTERNATIVE APPROACH TO IMPLEMENTATION
As an alternative, if the Council would prefer to immediately move to a five-member Planning Commission, it could decide to implement the Ordinance by ending all current commissioner terms and making new appointments from all five districts. This would require each current member to reapply for their position if they wished to remain on the Planning Commission. It would also require the Council to designate whether each of the five members should be appointed to standard fouryear terms, or instead appoint members from some districts to shorter terms so that terms are staggered moving forward.
If the Council wishes to reappoint all five seats now, staff recommends appointing Districts 1 and 3 to two-year terms and Districts 2, 4, and 5 to standard four-year terms. Upon the expiration of the initial two-year terms, Districts 1 and 3 would thereafter be appointed to standard four-year terms.
The Council may take this action by amending Section 3 of the proposed ordinance prior to its formal introduction. The alternative Section 3 language should read as follows:
SECTION THREE: To implement Section 2, the Town shall
immediately recruit potential appointees for all five
districts. All current planning commission members shall continue to serve their terms until such time that the Town Council can consider applicants for appointment to the five districts. Current Planning Commission members may apply for reappointment to one of the five districts.
Notwithstanding Section 32.03 of the Woodside Municipal Code, the initial appointments from Districts 1 and 3 shall be for terms of two years. The initial appointments from Districts 2, 4, and 5 and all subsequent appointments from all Districts shall be for terms as specified in Section
32.03 of the Woodside Municipal Code.
CONCLUSION
Staff requests that the Council hold a public hearing to solicit public input on the proposed Ordinance. At the close of that hearing, Item A Page 2
Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
staff recommends that the Council introduce the proposed Ordinance and schedule its second reading and adoption on October 10, 2023.
Attachments
1. Proposed Ordinance
Item A Page 3 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
ATTACHMENT 1
ORDINANCE
Item A Page 4 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
ORDINANCE NO. 2023 - _____
ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF WOODSIDE AMENDING SECTION 32.01 OF THE WOODSIDE MUNICIPAL CODE TO REDUCE THE SIZE OF THE
PLANNING COMMISSION TO FIVE MEMBERS
WHEREAS, historically the Town of Woodside was divided into seven districts, from which members of the Town Council were elected;
WHEREAS, Chapter 32, Article I of the Woodside Municipal Code provides for the creation of the Town Planning Commission, to be comprised of seven members, each residing in a different district;
WHEREAS, pursuant to California Government Code Section 34886, the Town Council adopted an ordinance in April 2022, providing for the election of members of the Town Council of the Town of Woodside by district in five single-member districts; WHEREAS, the move from seven to five Council districts caused internal inconsistency among the provisions of Chapter 32, Article I;
WHEREAS, the Town Council wishes to retain the Town’s long-standing practice of appointing members to the Planning Commission from each of the Council Districts; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission is currently comprised of only six active members, with one seat vacant.
IT IS HEREBY ORDAINED by the Town Council of the Town of Woodside as follows:
SECTION ONE: The recitals set forth above are true and correct and are hereby incorporated herein by this reference as if fully set forth in their entirety.
SECTION TWO: Section 32.01, Creation, of Title III, Chapter 32, Article I of the Woodside Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 32.01 - Creation.
Pursuant to the provisions of Cal. Gov't Code § 65100, a Planning Commission, consisting of five members, is hereby created.
SECTION THREE: Notwithstanding Section 2, the members currently appointed to the Planning Commission shall serve the remainder of their designated terms. The Council shall fill only two of three seats becoming vacant by expiration of terms in 2024, at which time the Commission shall be comprised of five members each appointed from different districts.
SECTION FOUR: If any section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this Ordinance or any part thereof is for any reason held to be unconstitutional or invalid, or ineffective by any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity or effectiveness of the remaining portions of the Ordinance or any part thereof. The Item A Page 5 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
Town Council hereby declares that it would have passed each section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase thereof irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, subdivisions, paragraphs, sentences, clauses or phrases be declared unconstitutional or invalid or ineffective.
SECTION FIVE: Pursuant to Section 36937 of the Government Code of the State of California, this Ordinance shall take effect 30 days after its passage.
SECTION SIX: The Town Clerk shall cause this Ordinance to be published in accordance with the requirements of Section 36933 of the Government Code of the State of California.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
I, the undersigned, hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance is a full, true and correct copy of Ordinance No. 2023-_____ of the Town of Woodside entitled as above; that it was introduced on the 26th day of September 2023 and was passed and adopted by the Town Council on the 10th day of October 2023, by the following vote:
AYES, Councilmembers:
NOES, Councilmembers:
ABSENT, Councilmembers:
ABSTAIN, Councilmembers:
_____________________________
Clerk of the Town of Woodside
APPROVED:
_____________________________
Mayor of the Town of Woodside
Item A Page 6 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
TOWN OF WOODSIDE
Report to Town Council Agenda Item B
From: Kevin Bryant, Town Manager September 26, 2023
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION RATIFYING ORDINANCE NO. 13-2023 OF THE WOODSIDE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT, ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE 2021 INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE WITH THE 2022 CALIFORNIA AMENDMENTS
AND WOODSIDE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT BOARD DETERMINED
AMENDMENTS AND ADDITIONS
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Town Council adopt the draft resolution, which would formally ratify Woodside Fire Protection District (WFPD) Ordinance No. 13-2013 and make it effective within the Town of Woodside.
BACKGROUND
Properties within the Town of Woodside receive fire suppression and prevention services through the Woodside Fire Protection District (WFPD), an independent special district that derives its powers and authority in part from the Fire Protection District Law, as delineated in the California Health and Safety Code. Section 13869.7 of the Health and Safety Code provides that “a district may adopt a fire prevention code by reference.”
The Town Council reviewed a draft version of the WFPD ordinance adopting the California Fire Code with local amendments at its May 9, 2023, meeting. Included in the Council packet for the meeting was a draft comment letter. The Fire Marshal was at the May 9th meeting and addressed the draft comments. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Council directed that the comment letter be sent to the WFPD Board of Directors.
DISCUSSION
The WFPD Board of Directors considered the Town’s comments, as well other comments on their draft ordinance, and on July 25, 2023 adopted Ordinance No. 13-2023 (Attachment 2). Pursuant to the California Health and Safety Code, the WFPD has now transmitted the adopted ordinance to the Towns of Woodside, Portola Valley, and the County of San Mateo. The legislative body of each jurisdiction may ratify, modify, or deny the adopted ordinance and transmit its determination.
Any modification or denial of the adopted ordinance shall include a written statement describing the reasons for any modifications or denial. No ordinance adopted by the fire board shall be effective until it has been ratified by the town in which it shall apply. The Town of Portola Valley ratified Ordinance 13-2023 on September 13, 2023.
Item B Page 1 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
Attachment 3 provides the Town’s comments included in the May 10, 2023 letter to the WFPD along with Town staff notes on the response to each comment. In some instances, Ordinance 13-2023 has changed from the draft reviewed by the Town Council in May, and in other instances additional information has been provided to clarify the purpose and effect of the ordinance.
Town staff finds that the WFPD has been responsive to the Town’s comments and recommends that the Council ratify Ordinance 13-2023 as adopted by the WFPD Board of Directors.
CONCLUSION
The Woodside Fire Protection District has adopted Ordinance No. 13- 2023, which would adopt by reference the 2021 International Fire Code with the 2022 California amendments, after accepting comments from the Town Council and incorporating them into the ordinance. It is appropriate for the Town Council to formally ratify Ordinance No. 13- 2023 to make it effective within the Town of Woodside.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Draft Resolution
2. WFPD Ordinance 13-2023
3. Responses to Town Comments on Draft Ordinance
4. WFPD Transmittal Letter, August 17, 2023
a. WFPD Board Packet, July 25, 2023
(https://tinyurl.com/yc7768dr)
b. WFPD Spreadsheet Showing Local Amendments
Item B Page 2 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
RESOLUTION NO. 2023 -
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF WOODSIDE
RATIFYING ORDINANCE NO. 13-2023 OF THE WOODSIDE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT, ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE 2021 INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE WITH THE 2022 CALIFORNIA AMENDMENTS AND WOODSIDE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
BOARD DETERMINED AMENDMENTS AND ADDITIONS
WHEREAS, California Health and Safety Code Section 13869 provides that a fire protection district may adopt a fire prevention code by reference; and
WHEREAS, California Health and Safety Code Section 13869.7 specifies that cities and counties to which the fire prevention code apply shall have an opportunity to review and ratify, modify or deny said code; and
WHEREAS, the Woodside Fire Protection District Board of Directors adopted Ordinance No. 13-2023 on July 25, 2023, adopting by reference the 2021 International Fire Code with the 2022 California Amendments including all adopted standards and locally determined additions and amendments; and
WHEREAS, it is in the public interest that the Town ratify the Fire Code, as adopted by the Woodside Fire Protection District through Ordinance No. 13-2023.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the Town Council of the Town of Woodside does hereby ratify Ordinance No. 13-2023 of the Woodside Fire Protection District, attached hereto as Exhibit A, adopted by said body on July 25, 2023, and adopting by reference the 2021 International Fire Code, including the 2022 California Amendments and including all adopted standards and Board-determined local amendments and additions. * * * * * *
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Town Council of the Town of Woodside, California, at a meeting thereof held on the 26th of September 2023 by the following vote of the members thereof:
AYES, and in favor thereof, Councilmembers:
NOES, Councilmembers:
ABSENT, Councilmembers:
ABSTAIN, Councilmembers:
_________________________________
Mayor of the Town of Woodside
ATTEST:
___________________________________
Clerk of the Town of Woodside
Item B Page 3 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
1 WOODSIDE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
ORDINANCE NO. 13-2023
DISTRICT FIRE PREVENTION CODE
AN ORDINANCE OF THE WOODSIDE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT ADOPTING THE 2022 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE (BASED ON THE 2021 EDITION OF THE
INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE), INCLUDING APPENDICES B, BB C, CC, D, L AND P ONLY, WITH LOCAL AMENDMENTS, ADOPTING THE 2021 EDITION OF THE
INTERNATIONAL WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE, INCLUDING APPENDICES
A THROUGH D ONLY, ADOPTING FINDINGS SUPPORTING THE LOCAL
AMENDMENTS, ADOPTING A FINDING THAT THE ORDINANCE IS EXEMPT FROM
REVIEW UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT, AND REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 12.
WHEREAS, pursuant to Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, also known as the California Building Standards Code (“CBSC”) and California Health and Safety Code Section 13869 et seq., a fire protection district may adopt a fire prevention code by reference and may also, when reasonably necessary due to local climatic, geological, or topographical conditions, establish more stringent local building standards relating to fire and safety than those set forth in the CBSC; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to California Health and Safety Code sections 18941.5 and 17958, the Board of Directors of the Woodside Fire Protection District hereby finds that the amendments adopted herein are reasonably necessary because of local climatic, geologic, and topographic conditions; and
WHEREAS, the Woodside Fire Protection District (the “District” or the “Fire District”) now desires to adopt by reference an amended and restated District Fire Prevention Code that makes local amendments to the 2022 Edition of the California Fire Code based upon the 2021 Edition of the International Fire Code; and
WHEREAS, this Ordinance was introduced and was adopted after the holding of a public hearing pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Section 13869.7 and California Government Code Section 50022.3.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Board of Directors of the Woodside Fire Protection District ordains as follows:
SECTION 1: LOCAL CLIMATIC, GEOLOGICAL AND TOPOGRAPHICAL
CONDITIONS
Pursuant to Sections 13869.7, 17958.5, 17958.7 and 18941.5 of the California Health and Safety Code, the findings contained herein are submitted as the “Findings of Fact” document supporting adoption of the Woodside Fire Protection District Ordinance No. 13-2023 in order to protect health, safety, and welfare of the residents and the property specific to the areas served by the District.
Item B Page 4 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
2 The Woodside Fire Protection District encompasses 32 square miles in southern San Mateo County. The physical location of the district includes the Town of Woodside, the Town of Portola Valley, and several unincorporated areas of San Mateo County such as Ladera, Los Trancos, Vista Verde, Emerald Lake, and the Skyline region. The Woodside Fire Protection District finds that unique climatic, geological, and topographic conditions within the District warrant amendments to the 2022 California Fire Code that are reasonably necessary to address fire-related problems and concerns and the future direction by which this Fire District can establish and maintain an environment that will afford a level of fire and life safety to its citizens. These climatic, geological, and topographical conditions are as follows:
Climatic Conditions
The climatic weather patterns within the Woodside Fire Protection District are moderate. The district, on average, experiences an annual rainfall of 26 inches. This rainfall can be expected between October and April of each year. However, during the summer months there is little, if any, measurable precipitation. During this dry period the temperatures are usually between 70 – 95 F degrees (June-October) with light to gusty westerly winds. These drying winds, combined with the natural and imported vegetation, which is dominant throughout the area, create a hazardous fuel condition that can cause extensive encroaching into the dense, heavily wooded brush covered hillsides and canyons, and grass covered areas where wind-driven fires can have severe consequences. This has been demonstrated in several similar climatic areas within the State of California and the Western United States.
Because of variable weather patterns, normal rainfall cannot always be relied upon. This can result in water rationing and water allocation programs, as demonstrated in past drought patterns. Water shortages may also be expected in the future due to limited water storage capabilities and increased consumption. The district is bounded by San Francisco Bay on the East and the foothills of the Santa Cruz Coastal Range of mountains on the west. This setting allows for strong gusty winds to blow through the Fire District. These winds are a common occurrence each afternoon during summer months. Wind increases a fire’s ability to spread and has been attributed to the rapid spread of both vegetation and structure fires. This is especially true during Diablo wind events when strong northerly winds are aligned with the downslope direction of the canyons and watersheds of the coastal mountains. Automatic fire sprinkler protection as required in buildings specified in Chapter 9 of the Fire Code and the local requirements and standards of the Woodside Fire Protection District would significantly reduce the fire’s ability to spread rapidly, especially when the jurisdiction is affected by the typical wind patterns.
The Fire District is in a “Chaparral Biome.” In its natural state, chaparral is characterized by infrequent fires, with intervals ranging between 10 to 15 years to over a hundred years. Mature chaparral (stands that have been allowed greater intervals between fires) is characterized by impenetrable, dense thickets. These plants are highly flammable. They grow as woody shrubs with hard and small leaves, are non-leaf dropping (non-deciduous), and are drought tolerant. After the first seasonal rains following a fire, the landscape is dominated by soft-leaved, non-woody annual plants, known as fire followers, which die back with the summer dry period. The California Interior Chaparral and Woodlands Eco-Region covers 24,900 square miles in an elliptical ring around the California Central Valley. It occurs on hills and mountains ranging from 300 to 3,000 feet in elevation. It is part of the Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub biome. Many of the plants Item B Page 5
Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
3 are pyrophytes, or “fire-loving,” adapted to (or even depending on) fire for reproduction, recycling of nutrients, and the removal of dead or senescent vegetation. Many plant and animal species in this ecoregion are adapted to periodic fire.
The Fire District’s chaparral vegetation includes chamise, manzanita, buckeye, and ceanothus. Oak woodlands is the most widespread, with coast live oak dominating, but the chaparral vegetation also includes scrub oak, blue oak, canyon live oak, valley oak, tan oak, black oak, and interior oak.
Open grasslands are the primary understory within the oak savannah woodlands. In areas with interlocking tree canopy, primarily north and east facing slopes, the understory is primarily tree duff and litter.
All vegetation in the Fire District reaches some degree of combustibility during the dry summer months, and under certain conditions, during the winter months. For example, as chaparral and other brush species age, twigs and branches within the plants die and are held in place, increasing the decadent material component. A stand of 10 to 20-year-old brush typically contains enough dead material to produce rates of spread equivalent to fully cured grass. Due to the higher fuel load, fires in brush fields also yield much higher fire line intensity.
In severe drought years, additional plant material may die, contributing to the fuel load. There will normally be enough dead fuel load that has accumulated in 20 to 30-year-old brush to give rates of spread about twice as fast as the rates of spread in a grass fire. Under moderate weather conditions that produce a spread rate of a one-half foot per second in grass, a 20- to 30-year-old stand of brush may have a rate of fire spread of approximately one foot per second. Fire spread in old brush (40 years or older) has been measured at eight times faster than grass (4 feet per second).
Under extreme weather conditions these rates can be much higher, with the fastest fire spread rate in grass at up to 12 feet per second or about eight miles per hour. Residential structures within the wildland intermix or interface near mature brush fields are thus at greater threat from wildfire. The climatic conditions along the Peninsula affect the acceleration, intensity, and size of a fire within the District. Times of little or no rainfall, low humidity, and high temperatures have created extremely hazardous fire conditions, particularly as they relate to roof fires and conflagrations.
The winds experienced in the District can have a tremendous impact upon structure fires by carrying sparks and burning brands to other structures, thus spreading the fire and causing conflagrations.
Geological Conditions
A. Seismic Location. Seismically, parts of the District sit on the San Andreas Fault and other parts sit between two active earthquake faults, the San Andreas Fault and the Hayward/Calaveras Fault, and the District includes numerous other potentially active faults. A majority of the District’s land surface is in the high-to-moderate seismic hazard zones as established by the U.S. Geological Survey. The location makes it particularly vulnerable to damage to taller and older structures caused by seismic events. The relatively young geological processes that have created the San Francisco Bay Area are still active today.
Fires following an earthquake have the potential of causing greater loss of life and damage than the earthquake itself. A significant portion of the District’s residential and commercial structures are in seismic risk zones. Should a significant seismic event occur, fire suppression resources Item B Page 6
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4 would have to be prioritized to mitigate the greatest threat and may not be available for every structural fire. In such an event, individual structures should be equipped to help in mitigation of the risk of damage.
Other variables could aggravate the fire hazard after an earthquake: (i) the extent of damage to the water system; (ii) the extent of isolation due to bridge and/or freeway overpass collapse; (iii) the extent of roadway damage and/or amount of debris blocking the roadways; (iv) climatic conditions (hot, dry weather with high winds); (v) time of day, which will influence the amount of traffic on roadways and could intensify the risk to life during normal business hours; and; (vi) the availability of timely mutual aid or military assistance.
B. Waterways. The Fire District’s Southern boundary line being the San Francisquito Creek is influenced by tides. The San Francisquito Creek is fed from Searsville Dam, located along Jasper Ridge, and collects water from storm drains along its drainage pathway. The creek finally empties into San Francisco Bay and is therefore influenced by tidal activity. During periods of heavy rainfall in combination with high tides in the Bay, San Francisquito Creek has overflowed its banks, causing floods in the Southernmost portions of the district. The floods have hampered fire apparatus making a timely response to emergencies and providing needed service to the community. Proper roadway widths as defined in Chapter 5 of the Fire Code and the minimum roadway standards established by Woodside Fire Protection District can provide fire apparatus with accessibility while helping to divert excess water flow during rainy seasons.
All of the District’s geological conditions described above increase the magnitude, exposure, and accessibility to fire events. For example, a fire following an earthquake has the potential of causing greater loss of life and damage than the earthquake itself. Hazardous materials, particularly toxic gases, could pose the greatest threat to the largest number of people, should a significant seismic event occur. Fire protection resources would have to be prioritized to mitigate the greatest threat and may likely be unavailable for smaller single-family dwellings or smaller business occupancy fires. Other variable conditions could include damage to the water system, freeway overpass collapse, roadways blocked by debris, and time of day, which could affect traffic patterns during or after the event.
In 1989 a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the San Francisco Bay Area via the San Andreas Fault.
For three hours following the event, firefighters from Woodside Fire Protection District responded to over 100 incidents per hour. Though during this event, losses in the District due to fire were minimal, however other neighboring jurisdictions were not as lucky. Had automatic fire sprinkler protection systems been a requirement at the time, it could have assisted firefighters in setting their priorities and assisting those citizens who needed emergency services the most.
Topographical Conditions
The district’s topographical conditions are closely associated with the geological element. With elevation changes between 400 and 1800 feet within the district, development has followed the path of least resistance, creating a meandering pattern. The district is divided by canyons, hills, lakes, and streams. This circumstance does not lend itself to a good systematic street and road layout, which would promote easy traffic flow. It has, in fact, resulted in few major cross-town thoroughfares that tend to be heavily congested, primarily during commute hours and seasonal Item B Page 7
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5 periods of the year. This creates barriers that reduce the response time of fire equipment and other emergency services.
The topography of the District is also challenged by major development patterns. Employment areas are located adjacent to and throughout the jurisdiction. The people who work in these areas have added to the traffic congestion in the District thereby reducing the District’s response time capabilities.
Inherent delays caused by these traffic patterns make it necessary to mitigate these problems with greater requirements for built-in automatic fire protection systems, noted in Section 903 of the District Fire Prevention Code, along with local requirements and standards. In addition, the Fire District has added Fire Alarm maintenance requirements, specifically UL Certification noted in Section 907, to reduce false alarms and ensure system reliability.
Heavy traffic congestion on Town streets already acts as a barrier to the timely response of fire equipment and emergency services. Continued growth, both residential and commercial, from inside and outside the District will only serve to continue the traffic problem. In the event of an accident or other emergency at certain key point intersections, portions of the Fire District could be isolated, or response times could be sufficiently slowed, thus increasing the risk of substantial injury and damage.
If fire apparatus is hindered in their response, automatic fire sprinkler protection will help.
According to IFSTA Training Manuals, the temperature inside a structure can go from ambient to more than 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit within the first ten minutes of a fire. Delay of fire apparatus will only allow the fire to grow, thus making efforts to suppress the fire more difficult.
Additionally, the ability to perform an effective rescue is diminished if firefighters are delayed in their response. With an automatic fire sprinkler protection system in place, the fire should be held to a controllable level, allowing citizens to escape from the burning structure, as well as allowing firefighters to contain the fire in a safe manner in its beginning stages.
The district is divided by three major state highways (La Honda Road/ Hwy 84 and Skyline Blvd./Hwy 35) and one major interstate freeway (I-280). However, the interconnecting road system is significantly less well developed. These conditions are likely to affect response times of fire suppression personnel and apparatus during periods of heavy traffic or conditions of major emergencies.
Many of the older and taller buildings are of designs which also greatly limit accessibility by district fire suppression resources. This includes large narrow parcels that have been subdivided into “flag-lots” on narrow residential streets. The infrastructure that supports these buildings is old and not in compliance with current Codes. Some water purveyors and water mains in residential and commercial areas deliver water supplies that do not meet fire flow requirements required by Appendix B of the California Fire Code. Some fire hydrant locations in both residential and commercial do not meet distance requirements of Appendix C of the Fire Code.
This will not only hamper fire suppression operations, but limits building design. When water supplies must be altered to accommodate new construction, Woodside Fire Protection District Standards on Water Supplies attempt to work with the existing infrastructure to accommodate the needs of firefighters.
Item B Page 8
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6 Residential properties in the Fire District consist primarily of one-acre or smaller and 1–5-acre parcels, flag lots, and single and multi-family infill developments. Common to the larger parcels is the development of additional residential or in-law type occupancies for which fire department access is difficult based on existing driveway configurations for the original single-family parcels.
Flag lots, for example, typically have driveways more than 150 feet, with narrow access, necessitating additional requirements, which the Fire District has added to Section 503, by creating Standards for driveways and private roadways that includes minimum driveway widths, fire apparatus turnaround specifications, and minimum vertical clearances. Areas in the District have older narrow roads, less than 20 feet wide, unimproved sidewalks or gutters and allow parking on both sides. Parking is a regional issue which plagues the streets causing streets to be narrow allowing only one vehicle to pass. Regional traffic has increased causing neighborhoods to be flooded with increased pass-through traffic, reducing alternative emergency response routes.
Additionally, Fire Department response times are increased due to gated access roads, a lack of street or address illumination, and existing vegetation barriers. Section 505.1 provides minimum standards for addresses on buildings and now requires new buildings to have illuminated addressing. However, neighborhood street lighting continues to be an issue.
The historical and rural significance of the entire District is an ongoing concern. Buildings, roadways, open space preserves, parks and rural neighborhoods have been preserved to create a feeling of being in the past. More structures are being built on topographically challenging parcels.
Proper roadway widths as required by Chapter 5 and Appendix D of the Fire Code, along with minimum Woodside Fire Protection District Fire Prevention Codes, would allow fire apparatus to set up fire suppression operations and access both driveways that extend greater than 150 feet, and private roadways serving minor developments.
The Very High Fire Severity areas that exist in the District’s foothills of the Santa Cruz coastal mountain range and “the narrow drainage and sub-drainage topographic features” of this coastal range have the capability to funnel winds, increase wind speeds, erratically alter wind direction, and facilitate fire spread and promote extreme fire behavior. This is especially true during Diablo wind events when strong northerly winds are aligned with the downslope direction of the canyons and watersheds of the coastal mountains. The topography of the District is, therefore, capable of producing wind conditions that promote extreme wildfire behavior. These unique topographic and weather conditions that promote fast moving and extreme wildfire conditions make swift evacuation critical for residents within and adjacent to the Very High Fire Severity areas.
Furthermore, many Very High and High Fire Severity areas are adjacent to and amongst unmitigated non-fire resilient open space lands containing extreme fuel loads which only make matters worse. Many residents have only a single route out of the area. A large portion of the roads in the Very High Fire Severity areas are narrow and winding having the potential to cause life threatening traffic congestion during an evacuation as residents try to leave the area and firefighters attempt to enter the area to fight the fire. In building fires, winds can literally force the fire back into the structure, creating a blow torch effect, in addition to preventing the natural and cross ventilation efforts of firefighters.
Water supply, (municipal fire flow), systems within the district are directly affected by the topographical layout of the district. Water supplies within the district vary dramatically with some Item B Page 9
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7 areas having little or no water flowing more than 500 gallons per minute. This wide variation causes major problems for development as well as fire suppression activities.
The roadway systems throughout the district by and large were designed around the topographical lay of the land with respect to narrow, windy, steep grades with numerous overhanging tree canopy. Grades on some of the roadways exceed 25% and widths of less than twelve feet would not be uncommon. The topographical nature of the district also lends itself to power failures caused when tree limbs fall on sections of electrical lines.
SECTION 2: TITLE, ENFORCEMENT AND RECORDKEEPING
This Ordinance, including provisions adopted and incorporated by reference, shall be known as the "District Fire Prevention Code" of the Woodside Fire Protection District and may be cited as such. It is also referred to herein as “this code” or the “Fire Code.” A. No section of the District Fire Prevention Code shall impose a mandatory duty of enforcement on the Fire District, or on any officer, official, agent, employee, board, or commission thereof. Instead, if any section purports to impose a mandatory duty of enforcement, said section shall be deemed to invest the Fire District, and the appropriate officer, official, agent, employee, board, council, or commission with discretion to enforce the section, or not to enforce it.
B. A copy of the District Fire Prevention Code, as defined herein, shall be kept on file in the office of the Woodside Fire Protection District or Bureau of Fire Prevention & Life Safety.
SECTION 3: AUTHORITY
The District Fire Prevention Code is adopted pursuant to the Fire Protection District Act of 1987 (California Health and Safety Code Sections 13800 et seq.) and the following provisions of that Act:
A. Section 13861(h), which empowers the district to adopt ordinances; B. Section 13861(i), which empowers the district to establish and enforce rules and regulations for the administration, operation, and maintenance of the governmental services which it is authorized to provide;
C. Section 13862, which empowers the district to provide certain governmental services including fire protection services;
D. Section 13869, which empowers the district to adopt a fire prevention code by reference; E. Section 13870, which empowers the district’s authorized representatives to order correction or elimination of fire and life hazards;
F. Section 13871(b), which provides that failure to correct or eliminate a fire or life hazard after a duly issued order is a misdemeanor;
Item B Page 10 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
8 G. Section 13872, which empowers the District’s authorized representatives to issue citations for certain violations;
H. Section 13873, which provides that the District’s employees shall have the powers of peace officers while engaged in the prevention and suppression of fires and the preservation of life and property; and
I. Sections 13916, 13917, 13918 and 13919, which, among other things, empower the District’s Board of Directors to charge a fee to cover the cost of any services that the District provides and the cost of enforcing any regulation for which a fee is charged.
SECTION 4: ADOPTION BY REFERENCE
The Woodside Fire Protection District hereby adopts the 2022 California Fire Code (California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part, 9, based on the 2021 International Fire Code published by the International Code Council, with California Amendments), including Chapters 1-80 and Appendices B, BB C, CC, D, L and P only, except to the extent portions of the California Fire Code may be added, deleted, modified, or amended by Section 6 (local amendments) of this code. The 2022 California Fire Code, with the changes, additions, and deletions set forth in this Ordinance, is adopted by this reference as though fully set forth in this Ordinance. The Woodside Fire Protection District also hereby adopts by reference the 2021 edition of the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (published by the International Code Council), including Appendices A through D, only. As of the effective date of this Ordinance, the provisions of these adopted and amended fire codes, the District Fire Prevention Code, are controlling and enforceable within the limits of each town or city or unincorporated area within the jurisdiction of the District.
SECTION 5: AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF THE BUREAU OF FIRE PREVENTION
AND LIFE SAFETY
The California Fire Code, including California Fire Code Standards as adopted and amended herein, shall be enforced by the Woodside Fire Protection District, and managed by the Bureau of Fire Prevention and Life Safety, and shall operate under the direction of the Fire Chief and the Fire Marshal of the Woodside Fire Protection District. Both Fire Officers shall be known as the Fire Code Officials.
A. The Chief of the Fire Department shall appoint an officer of the Fire Department as Chief of the Bureau of Fire Prevention. The title shall be Fire Marshal. The appointment shall continue during good behavior and satisfactory service, and they shall not be removed from office except for cause in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Woodside Fire Protection District.
B. The Fire Marshal may appoint such members of the Fire Department as Deputy Fire Marshals and Inspectors as shall from time to time be necessary.
C. A report of the Bureau of Fire Prevention shall be made monthly or annually and transmitted to the Board of Directors. It shall contain such statistics as the Chief of the Department, or the Board of Directors may wish to include therein. The Fire Marshal shall produce and transmit to the Board of Directors, Town Councils of Woodside, Item B Page 11 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
9 Portola Valley, and the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors a report of all California State Fire Marshal mandated inspection activity within the Woodside Fire Protection District territory annually, by December 15th. The Chief of the Department shall recommend any amendments to the Code, which, in his judgment, shall be desirable.
SECTION 6: LOCAL AMENDMENTS, MODIFICATIONS AND DELETIONS TO THE
CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE
Based upon the findings of the Board of Directors of the Woodside Fire Protection District regarding local climatic, topographical, and geological conditions, the following sections and/or subsections of the 2022 California Fire Code are amended or modified as set forth in this section.
If a section is not referenced below, it remains unchanged.
CHAPTER 1 IS ADOPTED IN ITS ENTIRETY AND AMENDED BELOW
101 SCOPE AND GENERAL REQUIREMENTS is amended to read as follows:
101.1 Title is amended to read as follows:
101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the 2022 California Fire Code with amendments adopted by the Woodside Fire Protection District (“District’) and will be referred to herein as the “this code, “the Fire Code,” and/or the “District Fire Prevention Code.” 101.6 Standards and Guidelines Manual is added to read as follows:
101.6 Standards and Guidelines Manual. The Bureau of Fire Prevention and Life Safety Standards and Guidelines Manual (“Standards and Guidelines Manual”) shall serve as a supplemental instruction and interpretation manual for the District Fire Prevention Code and is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. The Fire Marshal is responsible for amending this manual as necessary to maintain current instructions and interpretations. The information contained within the Standards and Guidelines Manual shall not be construed to make new code requirements not authorized by this Ordinance.
SECTION 102 APPLICABILITY is amended to read as follows:
102.1 Construction and Design Provisions is amended to read as follows:
102.1 Construction and Design Provisions
The construction and design provisions of this code shall apply to:
1. Structures, facilities and conditions arising after the adoption of this code.
2. Existing structures, facilities, and conditions not legally in existence at the time of adoption of this code.
3. Existing structures, facilities and conditions where required in Chapter 11.
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10 4. Existing structures, facilities, and conditions that, in the opinion of the fire code official, constitute a distinct hazard to life or property.
5. Vehicles, ships and boats that are permanently affixed to a permanent location within the boundaries of this jurisdiction where not otherwise limited by law. 102.1.1 Applicability to Alterations, Additions and Repairs of Existing Buildings or Structures is added to read as follows:
102.1.1 Applicability to Alterations, Additions and Repairs of Existing Buildings or Structures. Alterations, additions and additions that include alterations to existing buildings for which building permit(s) have been issued within any 12-month period that collectively exceeds more than 50 percent of the existing gross floor area, 50 percent of the existing wall area or when the combination of the percentages of affected gross floor area and affected wall area exceeds 50 percent are treated as new buildings, such buildings or structures shall be made in their entirety to conform to the Fire Code requirements for new buildings or structures. In calculating these percentages, the following guidelines shall apply:
a. Calculation of Percentage of Affected Gross Floor Area (PFA): The floor area of any addition, all rooms affected by any addition, and the floor area of all rooms affected by structural changes made in the building, such as walls, columns, beams or girders, floor or ceiling joists and coverings, roof rafters, roof diaphragms, footings, piles or retaining walls or similar components, shall be included in computing the floor areas for applying this section.
b. Calculation of Percentage of Affected Wall Area (PWA): The calculated wall area affected shall include all interior and exterior walls where no studs are proposed to be remain or if some studs remain and/or if the surface of both sides of the studs are proposed to be removed such that one can see through the wall.
c. Calculation of Combination of Percentage of Affected Gross Floor Area (PFA) and Wall Area (PWA): The combination of the percentage of Affected Gross Floor Area (PFA) as describe above plus the percentage of Affected Wall Area (PWA) as described above (PFA + PWA > 50%).
Areas to be included in the gross floor area square footage calculation include:
1. Garages or carports if under a habitable space
2. New attached garage
3. All additions
4. Total square footage of any room that received alterations or additions. Removing sheetrock exposing structural framing or any structural change in a room involves the total square footage of that room.
Item B Page 13 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
11 Existing square footage shall be obtained from the San Mateo County Tax Assessor’s Office or may be submitted by a licensed architect.
Within the Woodside Fire Protection District’s jurisdiction, each of the Building Departments may use their specific dollar values and structural formulas to complete the computation of existing and new gross floor areas in accordance with their respective ordinance requirements only to the extent the respective ordinances impose a more stringent standard. The Fire District will accept such computations within the structure’s jurisdictional boundary. Verification must be attained by the Municipal or County Building Official. 102.6 Historic Buildings is amended to read as follows:
102.6 Historic Buildings The provisions of this code relating to the construction, alteration, repair, enlargement, restoration, relocation or moving of buildings or structures shall not be mandatory for existing buildings or structures identified and classified by the state or local jurisdiction as historic buildings where such buildings or structures do not constitute a distinct hazard to life or property. Fire protection in designated historic buildings shall be provided in accordance with the California Historic Building Code.
SECTION 104 DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE FIRE CODE OFFICIAL is amended as follows:
104.1.1 Design Standards is added to read as follows:
104.1.1 Design Standards. Woodside Fire Protection District will maintain a set of design and installation standards (Standards and Guidelines Manual) that includes but is not limited to:
Address posting, Bridges, Emergency shut off placards, Turnarounds, Turnouts, Driveway criteria, Knox installations, Solar PV integrated roof installations, battery systems and fire sprinkler systems, including those with tanks and pumps.
These standards, which apply to subjects not specifically covered by the Fire Code, are necessary for the Woodside Fire Protection District to provide a reasonable degree of fire and life safety for the community and firefighters within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Fire District and are maintained in accordance with Section 102.9 of the Fire Code. 104.2.1 Review Construction Documents is added to read as follows:
104.2.1 Review Construction Documents. Woodside Fire Protection District shall review all applications and construction documents related to any type of existing or new driveway construction, improvement or reconstruction within its territory jurisdiction which have been submitted to the Building Department.
104.12.4 Authority to Photograph or Otherwise Record Investigations is added to read as follows:
104.12.4 Authority to Photograph or Otherwise Record Investigations. The Chief or his duly authorized representative may make such audio, visual or other recordings including photographs, video tapes, audio tapes, diagrams, drawings, sketches, and the like, in connection Item B Page 14 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
12 with the investigation of any actual or alleged violation of this code or in connection with the investigation of any incident as authorized by this code.
SECTION 105 PERMITS is amended as follows:
105.5 Required Operational Permits is amended to read as follows:
105.5 Required Operational Permits.
The fire code official is authorized to issue operational permits for operations set forth in Sections 105.5.1 through 105.5.55.
105.5.16 Explosives is amended to read as follows:
105.5.16 Explosives.
An operational permit is required for the manufacture, storage, handling, sale, or use of any quantity of explosives, explosive materials, fireworks, pyrotechnic special effects, or rocketry within the scope of Chapter 56. See Health and Safety Code Division 11, Part 1, Sections 12000, et seq. for additional requirements.
Exception: Storage in Group R-3 occupancies of smokeless propellant, black powder, and small arms primers for personal use, not for resale and in accordance with Section 5606. 105.5.33 Motor Fuel Dispensing is amended to read as follows:
105.5.33 Motor Fuel Dispensing.
An operational permit is required for the fueling of motor vehicles, including automotive, marine, and fleets, at fixed facilities and through mobile operations. 105.5.34 Open Burning is hereby modified by deleting the exception, as follows:
105.5.34 Open Burning
An operational permit is required for the kindling or maintenance of an open fire or a fire on any public street, alley, road, or other public or private ground. Instructions and stipulations of the permit shall be complied with.
105.5.55 Local Permits is added to read as follows:
105.5.55 Local Permits. In addition to the other operational permits required by Section 105.5, an operational permit shall be obtained from the Bureau of Fire Prevention & Life Safety prior to engaging in the following activities, operations, practices, or functions:
1. Apartment, hotel, or motel. An operational permit is required to operate an apartment house, hotel, or motel.
Item B Page 15 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
13 2. Cannabis. An operational permit is required to operate a cannabis facility or operation listed below:
2.1 Cultivation
2.2 Distribution
2.3 Manufacturing
2.4 Testing/lab
3. Care facilities. An operational permit is required to operate a day care facility with an occupant load greater than eight (8) persons.
Exception: Residential or commercial institutional care facility occupancies complying with Health and Safety Code Section 13235 are exempt.
4. Emergency responder Communication Coverage. An operational permit is required to operate an Emergency Responder Radio System.
5. High-rise occupancy. An operational permit is required to operate a high-rise building as defined in Title 24, Part 2, California Code of Regulations.
6. Live entertainment. An operational permit is required to operate a business where alcohol is served, while providing live entertainment to the public.
7. Model rockets rental, sale, or operation. An operational permit is required to operate, manufacture, import, export, possess, store, rent or sell model rockets as defined by Health and Safety Code Section 12519.
8. Asbestos removal. A permit is required to conduct asbestos-removal operations regulated by section 3319.
9. Christmas tree sales. A permit is required to use a property for the purpose of selling cut Christmas trees.
10. Temporary water supply. A permit is required to use a temporary water supply for construction of residential projects or subdivisions pursuant to Section 3313.1.
11. Indoor growing operations. A permit is required to operate an indoor growing operation.
Exception: agricultural greenhouses in an agricultural zone. [A]105.6 Required Construction Permits is amended to read as follows:
[A] 105.6 Required Construction Permits.
The fire code official is authorized to issue construction permits for work as set forth in Sections 105.6.1 through 105.6.25.
Item B Page 16 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
14 105.6.25 Local Construction Permits is added to read as follows:
105.6.25 Local Construction permits. In addition to the permits required by Section 105.6.1 through 105.6.24, the following construction permits shall be obtained from the Bureau of Fire Prevention & Life Safety for work as described in this section:
1. Fire Protection Plan. A construction permit is required to implement a Fire Protection plan in accordance with Chapter 49 of this Code and the International Wildland Urban-Interface Code as adopted..
2. Landscape Plan. A construction permit is required to implement a Landscape plan in accordance with Chapter 49 of this Code.
105.7 Responsibility of Permittee is added, to read as follows:
105.7 Responsibility of Permittee. Construction permits shall be presumed by the Fire District to incorporate all the work that the applicant or the applicant's agent, employees, or contractors shall carry out. Work performed shall be in accordance with the approved plans and with all requirements of this code and any other laws or regulations applicable thereto. No Fire District approval shall relieve or exonerate any person from the responsibility of complying with the provisions of this code, nor shall any vested rights be created for any work performed in violation of this code.
105.8 Fire Protection Plan is added to read as follows:
105.8 Fire Protection Plan A fire protection plan shall be prepared by the applicant when required by the Fire Code Official in accordance with Chapter 49 of this Code and the International Wildland Urban-Interface Code as adopted. All fire protection and vegetation management plans require approval by the Fire Code Official.
105.8.1 Landscape Plan is added to read as follows:
105.8.1 Landscape Plan. A Landscape plan shall be prepared by the applicant when required by the Fire Code Official in accordance with Chapter 49 of this Code. All Landscape plans require approval by the Fire Code Official.
105.8.1.1 Cost is added to read as follows:
105.8.1.1 Cost. The cost of preparing and reviewing a fire protection or vegetation management plan shall be the responsibility of the applicant. The cost of the fire protection plan preparation and review shall be the responsibility of the applicant.
SECTION 107 FEES is amended to read as follows:
107.1 Inspection Authority is amended to read as follows:
107.1 Fees The fees for the permits and other services shall be established by resolution of the Woodside Fire Protection District Fire Board Fee Schedule (“Fee Schedule”). The fee shall be set Item B Page 17 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
15 to cover the cost the Fire District incurs to review and inspect the intended activities, operations, or functions.
Exception: Fees for a permit may be waived at the discretion of the Fire Marshal when the work or event to be conducted is for the Town of Portola Valley, Town of Woodside, County of San Mateo or Mid-Peninsula Open Space District.
107.1A Inspection Authority is added to read as follows:
107.1A Inspection Authority the Fire Marshal or other designated representatives shall inspect buildings and premises, including appliances and other hazards, to ascertain and cause to be corrected any condition which would be deemed a fire hazard and reasonably tend to cause fire or contribute to its spread, or any violation of the purpose or provisions of this code and of any other law or standard affecting fire and life safety.
107.2 Schedule of Permit Fees is amended to read as follows:
107.2 Schedule of Permit Fees. Where a permit or other inspection fee is required, a fee for each permit shall be paid as required, in accordance with the Woodside Fire Protection District Fee Schedule.
107.7 Cost Recovery is added to read as follows:
107.7 Cost Recovery. The costs of fire suppression, rescue, emergency medical services, and other costs are recoverable in accordance with Health and Safety Code Sections 13009 and 13009.1, as they may be amended or superseded from time to time. Additionally, any person whose negligence, intentionally wrongful conduct, or violation of law causes an incident resulting in an appropriate emergency response, including, but not limited to, a traffic accident, spill of toxic, flammable, or combustible fluids or chemicals is liable for the costs of responding to the incident, including those costs pursuant to Government Code Section 53150, et seq, as may be amended or superseded from time to time. Any expense incurred by the Woodside Fire Protection District for securing such emergency shall constitute a debt of such person and shall be collectable by the Woodside Fire Protection District in the same manner as in the case of an obligation under a contract, expressed or implied.
SECTION 111 MEANS OF APPEALS is amended to read as follows:
111.1 Board of Appeals Established is amended to read as follows:
111.1 Board of Appeals Established. Whenever the Fire Marshal or Fire Code Official shall disapprove an application or refuse to grant a permit applied for, or when it is claimed that the provisions of this code do not apply or that the true intent and meaning of this code has been misconstrued or wrongly interpreted, the applicant may appeal the decision of the Fire Marshal or Fire Code Official by presenting, within 10 days, a written request to the District Board of Directors, acting as the District’s Board of Appeals, for a hearing on and a review of such decision.
The request shall state the reasons therefore, and the District Board of Directors shall, within 60 days of the receipt of same, hold a hearing, and may modify, vacate, or affirm the decision.
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16 111.2 Limitation on Authority is amended to read as follows:
111.2 Limitation on Authority. An application for appeal shall be based on a claim that the true intent of this code or the rules legally adopted thereunder have been incorrectly interpreted, the provisions of this code do not fully apply, or an equivalent or better form of construction is proposed.
111.3 Qualifications and 111.4 Administration are deleted in their entirety.
SECTION 112 VIOLATIONS is amended as follows:
[A] 112.4 Violation Penalties. is amended to read as follows:
[A] 112.4 Violation penalties. Persons who shall violate a provision of this code or shall fail to comply with any of the requirements thereof or who shall erect, install, alter, repair or do work in violation of the approved construction documents or directive of the fire code official, or of a permit or certificate used under provisions of this code, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not more than $1000 or by imprisonment not exceeding 6 months, or both such fine and imprisonment. Each day that a violation continues after due notice has been served shall be deemed a separate offense.
[A] 112.4.2 Other Penalties and Remedies. is added to read as follows:
Section 112.4.2 Other penalties and remedies. Nothing in this Section 112.4 shall limit the fire code official from pursuing other available legal remedies for violations of this code, including but not limited to administrative citations and attendant fines, civil penalties, and administrative and summary abatements.
CHAPTER 2 IS ADOPTED IN ITS ENTIRETY AND AMENDED BELOW
SECTION 202 GENERAL DEFINITIONS is amended to add the following:
Administrator. The Fire Chief.
Aerial Fuels. Standing and supported live and dead combustibles not in direct contact with the ground and consisting mainly of foliage, twigs, branches, stems, cones, bark, and vines.
Agency Having Jurisdiction. The agency having delegated or assigned legal authority to adopt, determine, mandate, or enforce ordinances and regulatory requirements, or to take other actions under local, state, or federal law.
All Weather Driving Surface. A roadway designed to carry the imposed weight loads of fire apparatus complete with all underground utilities, curbs, gutters, and a minimum surface finish of one layer of asphalt or concrete or road pavers.
Board of Directors. The governing body of the District.
Item B Page 19 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
17 Combustible Material. Rubbish, litter, or material of any kind, other than hazardous vegetation, that is combustible and endangers the public safety by creating a fire hazard as determined by the Fire Code Official.
Driveway, a private access road that provides access from the public way to a structure and that is used for public or private vehicular access, including fire and emergency apparatus or vehicles.
Essential Service Facility. That building or structure which has been designated by the local government to house facilities that are necessary for emergency operations.
Fire Code Official. The District's Fire Chief, employees of the District’s Fire Prevention and Fire Suppression Divisions, and such other representatives of the District as may be authorized by the Woodside Fire District Board of Directors or the Fire Chief.
Fire Protection Plan: A document prepared for a specific project or development proposed for the wildland-urban interface area. It describes ways to minimize and mitigate the fire problems created by the project or development, with the purpose of reducing impact on the community's fire protection delivery system.
Fire Trail, a graded firebreak of sufficient width, surface, and design to provide access for personnel and equipment to suppress and to assist in preventing surface extension of fires. Must be able to support the safe travel of a Type 3 Fire Apparatus.
Hazardous Vegetation. Vegetation that is combustible and endangers the public safety by creating a fire hazard, including but not limited to seasonal and recurrent grasses, weeds, vines, stubble, brush, dry leaves, dry needles, dead, dying, or diseased trees and any other vegetation as determined by the fire code official.
Jurisdiction. Jurisdiction shall mean the territorial boundaries of the Woodside Fire Protection District. As such, “jurisdiction” would mean, as appropriate, certain unincorporated areas of the County of San Mateo, the Town of Woodside, and the Town of Portola Valley. The Fire District’s map book shall be adopted by reference to indicate the territorial boundaries of the Woodside Fire Protection District.
When the term "jurisdiction" is used in this code in a context that implies the ability to exercise governmental powers, such as “the authority having jurisdiction,” the term “jurisdiction” shall mean, instead the Woodside Fire Protection District.
Landscape Plan. a component of a development plan prepared for a specific project or development proposed for the wildland-urban interface area on which is shown proposed landscape species (such as number, spacing, size at time of planting, size at maturity, and planting details); proposals for protection and treatment of existing vegetation during and after construction; proposed treatment of hard and soft surfaces; proposed decorative features; grade changes; buffers and screening devices; and any other information that can reasonably be required in order that an informed decision can be made by the Fire Code Official.
Nuisance Alarm. The activation of any fire protection or alarm system which results in the response of the Fire District and is caused by mechanical failure, malfunction, improper Item B Page 20 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
18 installation or maintenance, negligence, or misuse of the system by an owner, occupant, employee, or agent, or any other activation not caused by excessive heat, smoke, fire, or similar activating event.
Person: Includes an individual, heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, and also includes any agency of the State, county, city, district, town or other local public entity, and any individual, firm, association, partnership, business trust, corporation, limited liability company, or company and its successors or assigns, or the agent of any of the aforesaid.
Response Time. The elapsed time from receipt of a call to the District seeking emergency assistance and the arrival of the first unit on scene.
Rubbish. Waste matter, litter, trash, refuse, debris, and dirt on streets or private property in the jurisdiction which is, or when dry may become, a fire hazard.
Rural Area. An area generally designated for agricultural or open space uses with parcels of more than 10 acres (4.046873ha) in size.
Rural Residential Area. An area generally designated for single family residential use with parcels between three (1.2140619ha) and 10 (4.046873ha) acres in size.
Sprinkler Alarm and Supervisory System (SASS). A Dedicated Function Fire Alarm System located at the protected premise installed specifically to monitor sprinkler water-flow alarm, valve supervisory, and general trouble conditions where a building fire alarm is not required.
Streets. Includes alleys, parkways, driveways, sidewalks, and areas between sidewalks and curbs, highways, public rights of way, private roads, public streets, and easements.
Structure: That which is built or constructed.
Temporary Water Supply. Water stored for firefighting purposes in an approved aboveground tank during combustible construction.
Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI). A geographical area identified by the state as a “Fire Hazard Severity Zone” in accordance with the Public Resources Code, Sections 4201 through 4204, and Government Code, Sections 51175 through 51189, or other areas designated by the Woodside Fire Protection District to be at a significant risk from wildfires.
CHAPTER 3 IS ADOPTED IN ITS ENTIRETY AND AMENDED BELOW
SECTION 304 COMBUSTIBLE WASTE MATERIAL is amended to read as follows:
304.1.2 Vegetation is amended to read as follows:
304.1.2. Vegetation. Hazardous vegetation, combustible material, combustible growth, debris, or rubbish capable of being ignited and endangering property shall be cut down and removed by the owner or occupant of the premises in accordance with the Fire District’s ordinances, including but Item B Page 21 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
19 not limited to those ordinances addressing defensible space, exterior hazard abatement, and fuel breaks. Vegetation clearance requirements in wildland-urban interface areas shall be in accordance with Chapter 49 of this code and in accordance with the Fire District’s ordinances.
SECTION 307 OPEN BURNING, RECREATIONAL FIRES AND PORTABLE OUTDOOR FIREPLACES is amended as follows:
307.1.1 Prohibited Open Burning is amended to read as follows:
307.1.1A Prohibited Open Burning Open burning is prohibited within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Woodside Fire Protection District. The Fire Marshal prohibits burning of trash or vegetation, except for fuel reduction purposes and dedicated campfires in County Parks by special permit only.
Exceptions:
1. Gas Fire Pits inspected by the Fire Prevention Bureau.
2. Open burning does not include approved exterior fireplaces with permanent spark arrestors, or barbecues, that are used in a safe manner and used for cooking or warming purposes only.
SECTION 308 OPEN FLAMES is amended as follows:
308.3.2 Theatrical Performances is amended to read as follows:
308.3.2 Theatrical Performances. Where approved, open-flame devices used in conjunction with theatrical performances are allowed to be used where adequate safety precautions have been taken in accordance with NFPA 160 and Title 19 CCR.
CHAPTER 4 IS ADOPTED IN ITS ENTIRETY AND AMENDED BELOW
SECTION 401 EMERGENCY PLANNING AND PREPAREDNESS is amended to read as follows:
401.3.2.1 Nuisance Alarm Notification is added to read as follows:
401.3.2.1 Nuisance Alarm Notification. Notification of emergency responders based on a nuisance alarm may be punishable by a fine in accordance with the Woodside Fire Protection District Fee Schedule or requirements. In addition, the responsible party may be liable for the operational and administrative costs incurred from the emergency response or mitigation procedures resulting from a nuisance alarm notification. 401.3.2.2 Multiple Nuisance Alarm Activations is added to read as follows:
401.3.2.2 Multiple Nuisance Alarm Activations. Any occupancy that has more than three nuisance alarms causing emergency response within a 12-month period may be required to modify, repair, upgrade or replace their system and/or monitoring station as determined by the fire code official.
Item B Page 22 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
20 SECTION 402 DEFINITIONS is added and amended to read as follows:
402.1 is amended to add the following:
NUISANCE ALARM
CHAPTER 5 IS ADOPTED IN ITS ENTIRETY AND AMENDED BELOW:
501.1 Scope is amended to read as follows:
501.1 Scope Fire service features for buildings, structures and premises shall comply with this chapter, and appendix D.
SECTION 503 FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROADS is amended to read as follows:
503.1 Where Required is amended to read as follows:
503.1 Where Required. Fire apparatus access roads shall be provided and maintained in accordance with Sections 503.1.1 through 503.1.3, interpreted according to the Woodside Fire Protection District “Standards and Guidelines Manual.”
503.1.1.1 Fire Lanes is added to read as follows:
503.1.1.1 Fire Lanes Nothing in this code shall prevent a Town or County from designating or maintaining a street as a “Fire Lane” which does not meet the requirements of a fire apparatus access road under Sections 503.1.2 - 503.6.
503.1.4 Access to Open Spaces is added to read:
503.1.4 Access to Open Spaces. When access to open land/space or fire trail systems maintained for public or private use is obstructed by new development of any kind, the developer shall provide alternate acceptable access into the area that is sufficient to allow access for fire personnel and apparatus. The alternate means of access requires the approval of the fire code official. 503.1.5 Existing Fire Trail Systems Shall be Maintained is added to read:
503.1.5 Existing Fire Trail Systems Shall be Maintained. When conditions make access and maintenance of existing trails unavailable or impractical, alternate means of access shall be provided and require approval by the fire code official. 503.2.1 Dimensions is amended to read as follows:
503.2.1 Dimensions: Fire apparatus access roads shall have an unobstructed width of not less than 20 feet, inclusive of all-weather surface shoulders, and a vertical clearance of not less than 13 feet 6 inches. Security gates shall be in accordance with section 503.6. Driveways serving one property with one or more habitable dwellings shall have an unobstructed driveway width of not less than 12 feet and unobstructed vertical clearance of not less than 13 feet 6 inches. Shared driveways serving more than one property with habitable structures shall have an unobstructed minimum width of 18 feet, inclusive of all-weather drivable surface shoulders and an unobstructed vertical Item B Page 23 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
21 clearance of not less than 13 feet 6 inches. All gates obstructing emergency access roadways shall have a sign stating, “Emergency Evacuation Route.”
503.2.6.1 Evaluation and Maintenance is added to read as follows:
503.2.6.1 Evaluation and Maintenance. All existing private bridges and elevated surfaces that are a part of the fire apparatus access road shall be evaluated by a California licensed civil engineer experienced in structural engineering, or a California licensed structural engineer, for safety and weight rating, in accordance with American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Manual: “The Manual for Bridge Evaluation,'' Second Edition, or other approved standard. Vehicle load limits shall be posted at both entrances to bridges. All bridges and elevated structures providing fire apparatus access shall be routinely maintained in accordance with Section 503.2.6, or when directed by the Fire Code Official. 503.3 Marking is amended to read as follows:
503.3 Marking. Where required by the fire code official, approved signs and markings designating fire lanes shall comply with California Vehicle Code Section 22500.1. The designation shall be indicated (1) by a sign posted immediately adjacent to, and visible from, the designated place, clearly stating in letters not less than one inch in height that the place is a fire lane, (2) by outlining or painting the place in red and, in contrasting color, marking the place with the words "FIRE LANE", which are clearly visible from a vehicle, or (3) by a red curb or red paint on the edge of the roadway upon which is clearly marked the words "FIRE LANE". Signs and markings shall not be obstructed and shall be maintained in a clean and legible condition and be replaced or repaired when necessary to provide adequate visibility. Reference is made to the Designation and Marking of Fire Lanes Standards and Guidelines included in the Standards and Guidelines Manual (Section 101.6 of this Code).
503.7 Fire Lane Restrictions and Requirements is added to read as follows:
503.7 Fire Lane Restrictions and Requirements Restrictions and requirements as specified in the California Vehicle Code shall apply to fire lanes established by this section.
SECTION 505 PREMISES IDENTIFICATION is amended to read as follows:
505.1 Address Identification is amended to read as follows:
505.1 Address Identification. New and existing buildings shall have approved address numbers, building numbers, or approved building identification placed in a position that is plainly legible and visible from the street or road fronting the property. These numbers shall contrast with their background. Address numbers shall be Arabic numerals or English alphabet letters. Where required by the fire code official, address identification shall be provided in additional approved locations to facilitate emergency response. Where access is by means of a private road and the building cannot be viewed from the public way, a monument, pole, or other sign or means shall be used to identify the structure. Address identification shall be maintained. Said numbers shall be either internally or externally illuminated in all new construction. Numbers shall be as follows:
Minimum of one-half inch (1/2″) stroke by eight inches (8″) high.
Item B Page 24 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
22 Exception: For a single-family dwelling a minimum of one-half inch (1/2") stroke by four inches (4") high. When the structure is more than fifty (50) feet from the street or fire apparatus access road, a minimum of one inch (1”) stroke by twelve inches (12″) high is required. 505.1.1 Multi-Tenant Buildings is added to read as follows:
505.1.1 Multi -Tenant Buildings. Numbers or letters shall be designated on all occupancies within a building. Size shall be one-half inch (1/2″) stroke by four inches (4″) high and on a contrasting background. Directional address numbers or letters shall be provided. Said addresses or numbers shall be posted at a height no greater than 5 feet, 6 inches (5′ 6″) above the finished floor and shall be either internally or externally illuminated in all new construction. 505.1.2 Rear Addressing is added to read as follows:
505.1.2 Rear Addressing. When required by the fire code official, approved numbers or addresses shall be placed on all new and existing buildings in such a position as to be plainly visible and legible from the fire apparatus road at the back of a property or where rear parking lots or alleys provide an acceptable vehicular access. Number stroke and size shall comply with Section 505.1.
Section 506.1 Fire Service Features, Key Boxes amended to read as follows:
506.1 Where Required is amended to read as follows:
506.1 Where Required. Where access to or within a structure or an area is restricted because of secured openings or where immediate access is necessary for lifesaving or fire-fighting purposes, the fire code official is authorized to require a key box to be installed in an approved location. The key box shall be of an approved type listed in accordance with UL 1037 and shall contain keys to gain necessary access as required by the fire code official. Where a new gate or barrier is installed on a fire access roadway, the fire department shall have emergency access. Gates or barriers shall have a Knox® key switch.
506.1.1.1 Key Box Content Requirements added to read as follows:
506.1.1.1 Key Box Content Requirements. The keys to multi-tenant spaces shall be included.
Additional keys shall be included for card access, elevator control, fire alarm control panels, and fire sprinkler control valve access. Reference is made to the Knox Box Standards and Guidelines included in the Standards and Guidelines Manual (Section 101.6 of this Code).
SECTION 507 FIRE PROTECTION WATER SUPPLIES is amended to read as follows:
507.5.1.1 Hydrant for standpipe systems is amended to read as follows:
507.5.1.1 Hydrant for Fire Department Connections. Buildings equipped with a water-based fire protection system installed in accordance with Section 903 through 905 shall have a fire hydrant within 100 feet of the fire department connections, or as approved by the fire code official. (Also see Section 912.2).
Exception:
Item B Page 25 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
23 The distance shall be permitted to exceed 100 feet (30 480 mmm) where approved by the fire code official.
507.5.7 Fire Hydrant Size and Outlets is added to read as follows:
507.5.7 Fire Hydrant Size and Outlets. Shall be in accordance with the Woodside Fire Protection District standards and guidelines, or as approved by the fire code official. 507.5.8 Fire Hydrant Street Marker is added to read as follows:
507.5.8 Fire Hydrant Street Marker. Fire hydrant locations shall be visually indicated in accordance with the Woodside Fire Protection District standards or as approved by the fire code official, as may be amended from time to time. Any hydrant marker damaged or removed during street construction or repair shall be immediately replaced by the contractor, developer, or person responsible for removal or damage.
SECTION 508 FIRE COMMAND CENTER is amended to read as follows:
508.2 Fire Control Room is added to read as follows:
508.2 Fire Control Room. An approved fire control room shall be provided in all new buildings and in occupancies with a change of use requiring protection by an automatic fire sprinkler system.
The room shall contain the fire alarm control panels, ERCCS control equipment, and other fire equipment required by the fire code official. Fire control rooms shall be located within the building at a location approved by the fire code official and shall be provided at grade with a means to access the room directly from the exterior. Durable signage shall be provided on the exterior side of the access door to identify the fire control room. Fire control rooms shall not be less than 50 square feet.
Exceptions:
1. Group R-3 Occupancies.
2. Occupancies with a fire pump shall have a fire control room that is a minimum of 200 square feet.
3. In high-rise buildings, the fire control room shall not be less than 200 square feet.
SECTION 510 EMERGENCY RESPONDER COMMUNICATION COVERAGE is amended to read as follows:
510.1 Emergency responder communication coverage in new buildings. Exception no. 1 is deleted.
510.3 Permit Required is amended to read as follows:
Item B Page 26 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
24 510.3 Permit required. Construction permits shall be required as set forth in Sections 105.6 and 105.7. Maintenance performed in accordance with this code is not considered a modification and does not require a permit.
510.4.2 System Design is amended to read as follows:
510.4.2 System design. The in-building, two-way emergency responder communication coverage system shall be designed in accordance with Sections 510.4.2.1 through 510.4.2.8, NFPA 1221, NFPA 72 and San Mateo County ERCCS (P-500).
510.5 Installation Requirements is amended to read as follows:
510.5 Installation requirements. The installation of the in-building, two-way emergency responder communication coverage system shall be in accordance with San Mateo County ERCCS (P-500), NFPA 72, NFPA 1221, and Sections 510.5.2 through 510.5.5.
CHAPTER 6 IS ADOPTED IN ITS ENTIRETY AND AMENDED AS BELOW SECTION 605 FUEL-FIRED APPLIANCES is amended as follows:
605.3.1 Spark Arrestors is added to read:
605.3.1 Spark Arrestors. All chimneys attached to any appliance or fireplace that burns solid fuel shall be equipped with an approved spark arrestor per California Building Code Section 2113.9.2.
CHAPTER 9 IS ADOPTED IN ITS ENTIRETY AND AMENDED AS BELOW SECTION 901 FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS, GENERAL SCOPE is amended as follows:
901.4.4.1 Additional Fire Protection Systems in Accessory Dwelling Units. is added to read as follows:
901.4.4.1 Additional Fire Protection Systems in Accessory Dwelling Units. An automatic fire sprinkler system may be used in new accessory dwelling units as an alternative, when aspects of the fire code cannot be met in their entirety and when approved by the fire code official. 901.6.3.2 Records Reporting is added to read as follows:
901.6.3.2 Records Reporting. Fire detection, alarm, and extinguishing systems shall always be maintained in an operative condition and shall be replaced or repaired when defective. Nonrequired fire protection systems and equipment shall be inspected, tested, and maintained or removed. All inspection, testing and maintenance reports shall be forwarded to the Fire District using electronic media to the designated third-party electronic record keeping service as chosen by the Fire District's fire code official. Hard copy reports are not permitted.
SECTION 903 AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEMS is amended as follows:
903.2 Where Required is amended to read as follows:
Item B Page 27 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
25 903.2 Where Required. Approved automatic sprinkler systems shall be provided throughout new buildings and structures in the locations described in this Section or in Sections 903.2.1 through 903.2.21, whichever is most restrictive.
Approved automatic sprinkler systems in existing buildings and structures shall be provided in locations described in Section 903.6.
For the purposes of this Section, firewalls and fire barriers used to separate building areas shall be constructed in accordance with the California Building Code and shall be without openings or penetrations.
1. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all new buildings and structures greater than 1,000 square feet of building area.
Exceptions:
1. Group S-2 or U occupancies used exclusively for vehicle parking, and which meet all the following:
1.1 Noncombustible construction.
1.2. Maximum building area not to exceed 5,000 square feet.
1.3. Structure is open on three (3) or more sides.
1.4 Minimum of 10 feet separation from existing buildings unless the area is separated by fire walls complying with California Building Code Section 706.
2. Detached non-combustible motor vehicle fuel dispensing canopies less than 1000 square feet that cover motor vehicle fuel dispensing facilities when constructed in accordance with Section 406.7.2 of the 2022 California Building Code.
3. Agricultural buildings as approved by the fire code official. 903.2.7 Group M is amended to read as follows:
903.2.7 Group M. Automatic fire sprinkler systems shall be provided throughout buildings containing a Group M occupancy and a fire area greater than 1,000 square feet, and any Group M occupancy used for the display and sale of upholstered furniture. 903.2.10.3 Lithium-Ion Batteries in Vehicles is added to read as follows:
903.2.10.3 Lithium-Ion Batteries in Vehicles. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout buildings having Group S-2 occupancies that house vehicles with lithium-ion batteries.
The sprinkler system shall be designed for the square footage area of the building that houses such vehicles, based on an area of sprinkler operation of 2,500 square feet and design density of 0.40 gpm/sf. Group S-2 occupancies with portions of floors without lithium-ion batteries in vehicles shall be provided with a sprinkler protection system per NFPA 13.
Item B Page 28 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
26 903.2.11 Specific Building Areas and Hazards is amended as follows:
903.2.11 Specific Building Areas and Hazards. In all occupancies an automatic sprinkler system shall be installed for building design or hazards in the locations set forth in sections 903.2.11.1 through 903.2.11.6.
903.2.11.1 Stories without openings is amended as follows:
903.2.11.1 Stories and Basements without Openings. Automatic sprinkler systems shall be installed in every building with a basement.
Automatic sprinkler systems shall be installed in every story of all buildings where the floor area exceeds 1000 square feet and where the following type of exterior wall opening is not provided.
1. Openings entirely above the adjoining ground level totaling at least 20 square feet (1.86 m2) in each 50 linear feet (15 240 mm), or fraction thereof, of the exterior wall in the story on at least one side.
903.2.18 Group U private garages and carports accessory to Group R-3 occupancies is amended to read as follows:
903.2.18 Group U Private Garages and Carports Accessory to Group R-3 Occupancies.
Carports with habitable space above and attached garages, accessory to Group R-3 occupancies, shall be protected by residential fire sprinklers in accordance with this Section. Residential fire sprinklers shall be connected to, and installed in accordance with, an automatic residential fire sprinkler system that complies with R313 of The California Residential Code or with NFPA 13D.
Fire sprinklers shall be residential sprinklers or quick-response sprinklers, designed to provide a minimum density of 0.05 gpm/ft2 over the most hydraulically demanding area of the structure, but not to exceed two sprinklers for hydraulic calculations purposes. Garage doors shall not be considered obstructions with respect to sprinkler placement. 903.2.22 Fire Department Delivery Capability is added to read as follows:
Section 903.2.22 Fire Department Delivery Capability. An automatic fire sprinkler shall be installed in all new buildings and occupancies or in existing buildings or structures that change occupancy classification or use when the required fire flow exceeds 2,000 gallons per minute. 903.3.1.1.2 Bathrooms is deleted.
903.3.1.2 NFPA 13R Sprinkler Systems. is amended to read as follows:
903.3.1.2 NFPA 13R Sprinkler Systems. Where in this code a NFPA 13R sprinkler system is allowed in Group R-1, R-2, R-2.1, and R-4 occupancies, a NFPA 13 sprinkler system shall be used.
903.3.3 Obstructed Locations. is amended to read as follows:
Item B Page 29 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
27 903.3.3 Obstructed Locations. Automatic sprinklers shall be installed with regard to obstructions that will delay activation or obstruct the water distribution pattern and shall be in accordance with the applicable automatic sprinkler system standard that is being used. Automatic fire sprinklers shall be installed in or under covered kiosks, displays, booths, concession stands, laboratory fume hoods, bio-safety cabinets that use flammable liquids in processes, or equipment that exceeds 4 feet (1219 mm) in width. Not less than a 3-foot (914 mm) clearance shall be maintained between automatic sprinklers and the top of piles of combustible fibers. Sprinklers shall be provided in all areas, including combustible or noncombustible concealed spaces 6 inches or more in height.
Exception:
1. Kitchen equipment under exhaust hoods protected with a fire-extinguishing system in accordance with Section 904.
903.3.5.3 Non-permissible Water Supply Storage is added to read as follows:
903.3.5.3 Non-permissible Water Supply Storage. Swimming pools and ponds shall not be considered water storage for the purposes of Section 903.3.5. 903.3.10 Partial Systems in New Buildings or Structures is added to read as follows:
903.3.10 Partial Systems in New Buildings or Structures. Automatic fire sprinkler systems that only protect a portion of the building shall not be allowed. 903.4.2 Alarms is amended to read as follows:
903.4.2 Alarms. One exterior approved audible and visual device, located on the exterior of the building in an approved location, shall be connected to each automatic sprinkler system. Such sprinkler water-flow alarm devices shall be activated by water flow equivalent to the flow of a single sprinkler of the smallest orifice size installed in the system. A fire alarm monitoring system is required to be installed and connected whereas actuation of the automatic sprinkler system shall actuate the monitored building fire alarm system.
903.6 Where Required in Existing Buildings and Structures is amended to read as follows:
903.6 Where Required in Existing Buildings and Structures. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided in existing buildings and structures where required in Chapter 11 or when improvements are conducted in accordance with this Section. 903.6.1 Where Required Due to Improvements to Buildings and Structures is added to read as follows:
903.6.1 Where Required Due to Improvements to Buildings and Structures. The provisions of this Section are intended to provide a reasonable degree of fire safety in existing structures by requiring installation of an automatic fire-extinguishing system. All existing buildings and structures, regardless of type of occupancy or area, shall be provided with an automatic fire sprinkler system in the following circumstances:
Item B Page 30 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
28 1. Where the alterations fall within the provisions of Section 102.1.1 of this Code. Within the unincorporated San Mateo County State Responsibility Area, where the gross floor area of a proposed alteration, addition, or combination of alterations and additions and the gross floor area of any alterations, additions, or combination of alterations and additions meets the definition of a “substantial alteration” as defined in San Mateo County Ordinance number 4873 or its successor ordinance.
2. Any combination of additions, alterations, or repairs to more than 50% of the existing gross floor area of the building within a two-year time-period. Within the unincorporated San Mateo County State Responsibility Area, any combination of additions, alterations and/or repairs within a two-year time-period meets the definition of a “substantial alteration” as defined in San Mateo County Ordinance number 4873 or its successor ordinance. Timelines will be based on the date of the last final fire inspection.
3. Any additions, alterations or repairs within a building that contains an existing automatic fire sprinkler system shall have the automatic fire sprinkler system extended/modified to the area of proposed work.
4. Any change in use or occupancy creating a more hazardous fire/life safety condition as determined by the Fire Code Official requires that an automatic fire sprinklers system be installed in the space where the change in use or occupancy is proposed.
5. Any change of use from a non-habitable to a habitable, non-day-lighted basement requires the installation of an automatic fire sprinkler system in the proposed habitable basement portion.
6. All automatic fire sprinkler systems shall comply with the current edition of NFPA-13, NFPA-13D, NFPA-13R and any additional National and local standards recognized by the Woodside Fire Protection District.
Exceptions:
1. Buildings or Structures less than 1,000 square feet.
2. Seismic, foundation or accessibility improvements.
3. Detached group U and group U agricultural occupancies which do not already have fire sprinklers and do not have living quarters attached.
4. Work requiring only mechanical, electrical, plumbing and/or demolition.
5. Exterior improvements, including windows, roofing or repairs that constitute reconstruction or renewal for the purpose of maintenance.
6. Work related to damage due to a natural disaster.
Item B Page 31 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
29 7. Mobile/manufactured or factory-built homes constructed or altered on or before March 12, 2011 that were not manufactured with automatic fire sprinklers and are not subject to fire sprinkler requirements.
8. Independent solar carports or structures, non-combustible carports, or shade structures.
9. Canopies less than 1000 square feet over motor vehicle fuel dispensing facilities when constructed in accordance with Section 406.7.2 of the 2022 California Building Code. 903.6.1.2 Partial Systems in Existing Buildings and Structures is added to read as follows:
903.6.1.2 Partial Systems in Existing Buildings and Structures. Automatic fire sprinkler systems that only protect a portion of the building shall not be allowed.
Exception: A phased installation of an automatic fire sprinkler system may be accepted as an alternate materials and method application, as prescribed in Section 104.9, when different tenant spaces in the same building are occupied, and the installation of a fire sprinkler system may disrupt business. Not to exceed five (5) years for final completion from initial permit date. 903.6.2 Change of Occupancy Classification is added, to read as follows:
903.6.2 Change of Occupancy Classification. Any existing building that undergoes a change of occupancy classification into a higher hazard category shall comply with the requirements of Section 903.2. Relative hazard categories of occupancy groups shall be established based upon the Heights and Areas Hazard Categories of Table 1011.5 of the 2021 edition of the International Existing Building Code, as published by the International Code Council. The requirements of Section 903.2 shall not be required when a change of occupancy classification is made to an equal or lesser hazard category. Group L occupancies shall be considered a relative hazard of 1 (highest hazard).
SECTION 905 STANDPIPE SYSTEMS is amended to read as follows:
905.3.12 Lithium-Ion Batteries in Vehicles is added to read as follows:
905.3.12 Lithium-Ion Batteries in Vehicles. Commercial buildings with lithium-ion battery vehicle parking shall be equipped with Class I standpipe systems extended to have hose connections located within 100 feet of lithium-ion battery vehicle parking.
Exceptions: Group R-3 and R-3.1 occupancies.
SECTION 907 FIRE ALARM AND DETECTION SYSTEMS is amended to read as follows:
907.1.6 Certification is added to read as follows:
907.1.6 Certification. New fire alarm systems shall be UL-Certified. A certificate of completion and other documentation as listed in NFPA 72 shall be provided for all new fire alarm system installation. It is the responsibility of the building owner or owner’s representative to obtain and Item B Page 32 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
30 maintain a current and valid certificate. The protected premises shall be issued a UUFX type certification from Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
907.1.6.1 Posting of Certification is added to read as follows:
907.1.6.1 Posting of Certification. The UL certificate required in Section 907.1.6 shall be posted in a durable transparent cover within three (3) feet of the fire alarm control panel within 45 days of the final acceptance test/inspection.
907.4.4 Monitoring of Other Fire Systems is added to read as follows:
907.4.4 Monitoring of Other Fire Systems. In buildings equipped with a fire alarm system or sprinkler alarm and supervisory service (SASS) system, where other fire suppression or extinguishing systems are installed in the building (including, but not limited to commercial kitchen suppression systems, pre-action fire suppression systems, dry chemical systems, and clean agent systems), these other suppression systems shall be monitored by the SASS dedicated function fire alarm system and transmitted as a specific signal to the Central Station. The system shall be monitored in compliance with Section 907.6.6.
907.7 Acceptance Tests and Completion is amended to read as follows:
907.7 Acceptance Tests and Completion. Upon completion of the installation, the fire alarm system and all fire alarm components shall be tested in accordance with NFPA 72. Fire alarm systems in commercial structures shall obtain a UL Certificate for the system prior to final inspection.
907.9 Where Required in Existing Buildings and Structures is amended to read as follows:
907.9 Where Required in Existing Buildings and Structures. An approved fire alarm system shall be provided in existing buildings and structures where required in Chapter 11. When an alteration to any existing building or structure requires an upgrade or new fire alarm system, multiple fire alarm systems shall be approved by the fire code official.
SECTION 912 FIRE DEPARTMENT CONNECTIONS is amended to read as follows:
912.2 Location is amended to read as follows:
912.2 Location. With respect to hydrants, driveways, buildings and landscaping, fire department connections shall be so located that fire apparatus and hose connected to supply the system will not obstruct access to the buildings for other fire apparatus. The location of the fire department connections shall be within 100 feet of a fire hydrant or as approved by the fire code official (Also see Section 507.5.1.1).
CHAPTER 10 IS ADOPTED IN ITS ENTIRETY AND AMENDED AS BELOW SECTION 1028 EXIT DISCHARGE is amended as follows:
1028.5.1 Exit Discharge Surface is added to read as follows:
Item B Page 33 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
31 1028.5.1 Exit Discharge Surface. Exterior exit pathway surfaces shall be of a non-slip type surface that would not contribute to a fall, slip, or trip hazard in inclement weather. The pathway shall terminate at a public way as defined in the California Building Code.
CHAPTER 12 IS ADOPTED IN ITS ENTIRETY AND AMENDED AS BELOW SECTION 1207 ELECTRICAL ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS (ESS) is amended as follows:
1207.11.5.1 Electrical Disconnect added to read as follows:
1207.11.5.1 Electrical Disconnect. The ESS disconnect shall be located on the exterior of the building and at the main panel.
1207.11.11 Interconnected Electrical Power Sources is added to read as follows:
1207.11.11 Interconnected Electrical Power Sources, A permanent directory site plan plaque denoting the location of all electrical power source disconnecting means on or in the premises shall be installed at each service equipment location and at the location(s) of the system disconnect(s) for all electric power production sources capable of being interconnected.
CHAPTER 33 IS ADOPTED IN ITS ENTIRETY AND AMENDED AS BELOW SECTION 3303 FIRE SAFETY DURING CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION is amended to read as follows:
3303.1.2 Additional Amendments is added to read as follows:
3303.1.2 Additional Amendments. Additional requirements may be required to an approved site safety plan if deemed necessary by both the Building Official and fire code official, based on previous fires or hazards that occurred on site or within the jurisdiction. 3303.1.3 Site Security Requirements is added to read as follows:
3303.1.3 Site Security Requirements. Site security requirements hall include the following if deemed necessary by both the Building Official and fire code official:
1. Controlled access points.
2. Site fencing, up to 12 feet in height with tamper sensors and security wires on top.
3. Security guards, full-time 24/7 presence on-site, to perform fire watch and patrols.
4. Detection check points located throughout the buildings for fire watch and patrol verification.
5. Security camera coverage throughout the site with motion detection notifications.
6. Identify measures taken to prevent tampering with security cameras and motion sensors.
Item B Page 34 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
32 7. Necessary lighting throughout the project site.
SECTION 3319 GENERAL ASBESTOS REMOVAL is added to read as follows:
3319.1 General is added to read as follows:
3319.1 General. Operations involving removal of asbestos or asbestos-containing materials from buildings shall be in accordance with Section 3319.
Exception: Section 3319 does not apply to the removal of asbestos from:
1. Pumps, valves, gaskets, and similar equipment.
2. Pipes, ducts, girders, or beams that have a length less than 21 linear feet (6400 mm).
3. Wall or ceiling panels that have an area of less than 10 square feet (0.93 m2) or a dimension of less than 10 linear feet (3048 mm).
4. Floor tiles when their removal can be completed in less than four hours.
5. Group R-3 occupancies.
3319.2 Notification is added to read as follows:
3319.2 Notification. The fire code official shall be notified 24 hours prior to the commencement and closure of asbestos-removal operations. The permit applicant shall notify the building official when asbestos abatement involves the removal of materials that were used as a feature of the building's fire resistance.
3319.3 Plastic Film is added to read as follows:
3319.3 Plastic Film. Plastic film that is installed on building elements shall be flame resistant as required for combustible decorative material, in accordance with Section 807. 3319.4 Signs is added to read as follows:
3319.4 Signs. Approved signs shall be posted at the entrance, exit and exit-access door, decontamination areas, and waste disposal areas for asbestos-removal operations. The signs shall state that asbestos is being removed from the area, that asbestos is a suspected carcinogen, and that proper respiratory protection is required. Signs shall have a reflective surface. Lettering shall be a minimum of 2 inches (51 mm) high.
CHAPTER 39 IS ADOPTED IN ITS ENTIRETY AND AMENDED AS BELOW SECTION 3901 GENERAL is amended as follows:
3901.1.1 Cannabis Growing, Processing, or Extraction Facilities is added to read as follows:
Item B Page 35 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
33 3901.1.1 Cannabis Growing, Processing, or Extraction Facilities. Cannabis growing, processing, and extraction facilities shall be designed and constructed in accordance with this chapter and NFPA 1, Chapter 38 as amended in Chapter 80.
CHAPTER 49 IS ADOPTED IN ITS ENTIRETY AND AMENDED AS BELOW SECTION 4902 DEFINITIONS is amended as follows:
4902.1 WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE (WUI) is amended to read as follows:
4902.1 WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE (WUI). A geographical area identified by the state as a “Fire Hazard Severity Zone” in accordance with the Public Resources Code, Sections 4201 through 4204, and Government Code, Sections 51175 through 51189, or other areas designated by the Woodside Fire Protection District to be at a significant risk from wildfires.
SECTION 4903 PLANS is amended as follows:
4903.2 CONTENTS is amended to read as follows:
4903.2 CONTENTS.
The fire protection plan shall be based on a project-specific wildfire hazard assessment that includes consideration of location, topography, aspect, and climatic and fire history.
The plan shall identify conformance with all applicable state wildfire protection regulations, statutes and applicable local ordinances, whichever are more restrictive.
The plan shall address fire department access, egress, road and address signage, water supply in addition to fuel reduction in accordance with Public Resources Code (PRC) 4290; the defensible space requirements in accordance with PRC 4291 or Government Code 51182 and applicable Fire District ordinances; and the applicable building codes and standards for wildfire safety. The plan shall identify mitigation measures to address the project’s specific wildfire risk and shall include the information required in section 4903.2.1
SECTION 4906 VEGETATION MANAGEMENT is amended as follows:
4906.2 APPLICATION is amended to read as follows:
4906.2 APPLICATION. All new plantings of vegetation in State Responsibility Areas (SRA) and Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) designated as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone shall comply with Sections 4906.3 through 4906.5.3 and applicable Fire District ordinances.
SECTION 4907 DEFENSIBLE SPACE is amended to read as follows:
4907.1 General is amended to read as follows:
4907.1 General. Hazardous vegetation and fuels and defensible space shall be managed in State Responsibility and Local Responsibility Areas as identified in Section 4907.2 to reduce the severity of potential exterior wildfire exposure to buildings and to reduce the risk of fire spreading Item B Page 36 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
34 to buildings as required by applicable laws and regulations, including applicable ordinances of the Fire District.
4907.3 Requirements is amended to read as follows:
4907.3 Requirements. Hazardous vegetation and fuels around all applicable buildings and structures shall be maintained in accordance with the following laws and regulations:
1. Public Resources Code, Section 4291.
2. California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, Subchapter 3, Section 1299 (see guidance for implementation “General Guidelines to Create Defensible Space”).
3. California Government Code, Section 51182.
4. California Code of Regulations Title 19, Division 1, Chapter 7, Subchapter 1, Section 3.07.
5. All applicable ordinances of the Woodside Fire Protection District.
CHAPTER 50 IS ADOPTED IN ITS ENTIRETY AND AMENDED AS BELOW SECTION 5001 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS GENERAL PROVISIONS is amended as follows:
5001.5.1 Hazardous Materials Management Plan (HMMP) is amended to read as follows:
5001.5.1 Hazardous Material Management Plan (HMMP). Where required by the fire code official, an application for a permit shall include an HMMP. The HMMP shall include an aerial pre-plan of the facility that includes, but is not limited to, the following:
1. Access to each storage and use area.
2. Location of emergency equipment.
3. Location where liaison will meet emergency responders.
4. Facility evacuation meeting point locations.
5. The general purpose of other areas within the building.
6. Location of all above-ground and underground tanks and their appurtenances including, but not limited to sumps, vaults, below-grand treatment systems and piping.
7. The hazard classes in each area.
8. Locations of all control areas and Group H occupancies.
9. Emergency exits.
Item B Page 37 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
35 10. Fire Department related safety equipment:
A. Fire alarm control panel (FACP)
B. Sprinkler riser
C. Fire department connection (FDC)
D. Knox Box location
E. Gas valve shutoff
F. Electrical main shutoff
G. Water shutoff
H. Elevator equipment room
5001.5.3 Emergency Response Support Information is added to read as follows:
5001.5.3 Emergency Response Support Information. This section is applicable to occupancies with an operational permit as set forth in Section 105.5 and/or in conjunction with Section 5001.5.2. Floor plans, material safety data sheets, Hazardous Materials Management Plans (HMMP), Hazardous Material Inventory Statements (HMIS), and other information must be stored at a readily accessible location as determined by the fire code official. This location may be in cabinets located outside of facilities or buildings. Information may be required to be maintained in a specific electronic media format to facilitate computer aided dispatching.
SECTION 5003 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS GENERAL REQUIREMENTS is amended as follows:
5003.9.1.2 Documentation is added to read as follows:
5003.9.1.2 Documentation. Evidence of compliance with the provisions of this chapter as well as with state and federal hazardous material regulations shall be maintained on site and available for inspection by Fire District personnel.
CHAPTER 53 COMPRESSED GASES IS ADOPTED IN ITS ENTIRETY AND AMENDED
AS BELOW
SECTION 5307 COMPRESSED GASES NOT OTHERWISE REGULATED is amended as follows:
5307.4.3 Gas Detection System is amended to read as follows:
5307.4.3 Gas Detection System. A gas detection system complying with Section 916 shall be provided in rooms or indoor areas in which the carbon dioxide enrichment process is located, in rooms or indoor areas in which container systems are located, and in other areas where carbon dioxide is expected to accumulate. Carbon dioxide sensors shall be provided within 12 inches (305 Item B Page 38 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
36 mm) of the floor in the area where the gas is expected to accumulate, or leaks are most likely to occur. The system shall be designed as follows:
1. Activates a low-level alarm upon detection of a carbon dioxide concentration of 5,000 ppm.
2. Activates a high-level alarm upon detection of a carbon dioxide concentration of 10,000 ppm.
CHAPTER 56 IS ADOPTED IN ITS ENTIRETY AND AMENDED AS BELOW SECTION 5601 EXPLOSIVES AND FIREWORKS is amended as follows:
5601.1.3 Fireworks is amended to read as follows:
5601.1.3 Fireworks. The possession, manufacture, storage, sale, handling, and use of fireworks within all areas of the Woodside Fire Protection District are prohibited.
Exceptions:
1. Storage and handling of fireworks by a Public Safety Agency.
2. Special permit issued to a licensed pyrotechnic operator by the Fire Marshal.
3. Snap Caps and Party Poppers classified by the State Fire Marshal as pyrotechnic devices. 5601.2.2 Sale and Retail Display is amended to read as follows:
5601.2.2 Sale and Retail Display. No person shall construct a retail display or offer for sale any explosives, explosive materials, or fireworks within the jurisdiction.
Exception:
Snap Caps and Party Poppers classified by the State Fire Marshal as pyrotechnic devices.
SECTION 5608 FIREWORKS DISPLAY is amended as follows:
5608.1 General is amended to read as follows:
5608.1 General. All professional pyrotechnical devices used for public display, or special effects, shall be in accordance with the applicable provisions of the State of California Code of Regulations, Title 19, and the applicable section of this code. Permits for public display and/or special effects shall be obtained through the Fire Marshal. 5608.1.1 Scope is amended to read as follows:
5608.1.1 Scope. All non-professional fireworks listed by the California State Fire Marshal as “Safe and Sane” are prohibited within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Woodside Fire Protection District.
Item B Page 39 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
37 CHAPTER 57 IS ADOPTED IN ITS ENTIRETY AND AMENDED AS BELOW SECTION 5704 FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID STORAGE is amended as follows:
5704.2.9.6.1 Locations Where Above-Ground Tanks are Prohibited is amended to read as follows:
5704.2.9.6.1 Locations Where Above-Ground Tanks are Prohibited. The limits referred to in sections 5704.2, 5704.4.2.4, Table 5704.2, and section 5706 of the California Fire Code in which the storage or dispensing of flammable or combustible liquid, in outside above ground tanks, is permitted, shall be limited to districts zoned for commercial, industrial, or agricultural uses. The dispensing, mixing, handling, or storage adjacent to or on parcels with R1 and R2 occupancies is prohibited.
Exceptions:
1. Quantities less than 50 gallons.
2. Protected above-ground tanks for the purpose of emergency power generator installations in areas zoned commercial, industrial, agricultural, business district, rural or rural residential district, and for approved facilities on an individual basis consistent with the intent of this provision. Tank size shall not exceed an aggregate total of 1,000 gallons for any class of liquids.
3. Farms, critical infrastructure, and construction sites if it is determined by the Fire Marshal that the safety of the public is not compromised. The occupancy classification quantities in chapter 57 shall not be exceeded.
5706.2.4.4 Locations where Above-ground Tanks are Prohibited is amended to read as follows:
5706.2.4.4 Locations where Above-Ground Tanks are Prohibited. Storage of Class I and II liquids in above-ground tanks is prohibited in all zoning districts except districts zoned for commercial, industrial, or agricultural uses.
Exception: Protected above-ground tanks for the purpose of emergency power generator installations in areas zoned commercial, industrial, agricultural, business district, rural or rural residential, and for approved facilities on an individual basis consistent with the intent of this provision. Tank size shall not exceed 1,000 gallons for any class liquids.
CHAPTER 58 IS ADOPTED IN ITS ENTIRETY AND AMENDED AS BELOW SECTION 5806 FLAMMABLE CRYOGENIC FLUIDS is amended as follows:
5806.2 Limitations is amended to read as follows:
5806.2 Limitations. The storage of flammable cryogenic fluids in stationary containers outside of buildings is prohibited in any area which is zoned for other than industrial use.
Item B Page 40 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
38 Exception: Liquid hydrogen fuel systems in compliance with Section 5806.3 or 5806.4 of this code
CHAPTER 61 IS ADOPTED IN ITS ENTIRETY AND AMENDED AS BELOW SECTION 6103 LIQUIFIED PETROLEUM GAS, INSTALLATION OF EQUIPMENT is amended as follows:
6103.2.1.7 Use for Food Preparation is amended to read as follows:
6103.2.1.7 Use for Food Preparation. Individual portable L-P containers used, stored, or handled inside a building classified as a Group A, Group B, or Group M occupancy for the purposes of cooking, food display, or a similar use, shall be limited in size to one pound capacity and shall be of an approved type. The number of portable containers permitted will be at the discretion of the fire code official. LP-gas appliances used for food preparation shall be listed for such use in accordance with the California Mechanical Code and NFPA 58.
SECTION 6104 LOCATION OF LIQUIFIED PETROLEUM GAS CONTAINERS is amended to read as follows:
6104.2 Maximum Capacity Within Established Limits is amended to read as follows:
6104.2 Maximum Capacity Within Established Limits The storage of liquefied petroleum gas shall not exceed a water capacity of 100 gallons aggregate for any one premise installation within the Woodside Fire Protection District territory where natural gas mains exist.
Exception: Installation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas may be permitted if used as a means of emergency standby supply for residential or industrial operations, or used for medical, research, testing, or purposes not suited to the use of natural gas. Such installation shall be in accordance with Chapter 61 of the California Fire Code and all provisions of NFPA 58 and must not exceed 1000 gallons aggregate for any one premise installation.
CHAPTER 80 IS ADOPTED IN ITS ENTIRETY AND AMENDED AS BELOW CHAPTER 80 REFERENCED STANDARDS is amended by amending NFPA 13D (2020):Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes as follows:
Add Section 7.7.1 to read:
7.7.1 Where CPVC pipe is installed above the normal insulation in an unconditioned space, such as in an attic space, or a garage without conditioned living space above, CPVC pipe shall be adequately insulated to a minimum R-19 value, or equivalent, or pipe shall be limited to Type K or L copper, or ferrous piping.
Revise Section 8.3.5.1.2 to read:
Item B Page 41 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
39 8.3.5.1.2 Where fuel-fired equipment is below or on the same level as occupied areas of the dwelling unit, at least one quick-response intermediate temperature sprinkler shall be installed above the equipment or at the wall separating the space with the fuel-fired equipment from the occupied space. In unconditioned spaces, CPVC pipe shall be adequately insulated to a minimum R-19 value, or equivalent, or pipe shall be limited to Type K or L copper, or ferrous piping.
APPENDIX B FIRE FLOW REQUIREMENTS FOR BUILDINGS IS ADOPTED IN ITS
ENTIRETY AND AMENDED AS BELOW
SECTION B105 FIRE FLOW REQUIREMENTS FOR BUILDINGS is amended as follows:
Section B105.1 is amended to read as follows:
B105.1 One- and two-family dwellings, Group R-3 and R-4 buildings and townhouses.
The minimum fire-flow and flow duration requirements for one- and two-family dwellings, Group R-3 and R-4 buildings and townhouses shall be as specified in Tables B105.1(1) and B105.1(2).
The minimum fire flow shall be 1000 gallons per minute. A water supply for fire protection shall mean a fire hydrant within 600 feet from the building, measured via an approved roadway/driveway capable of the required fire flow. Where a public or private water company is not within a 1000 feet of a required fire hydrant location, or the water company cannot provide the required gallons per minute, NFPA 1142 Standard on Water Supplies for Suburban and Rural Firefighting 2022 Edition may be adhered to for fire flow requirements as an alternate means.
Item B Page 42 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
40 TABLE B105.1(1) REQUIRED FIRE FLOW FOR ONE- AND TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGS, GROUP R-3 AND R-4 BUILDINGS AND TOWNHOUSES is amended as follows:
TABLE B105.1(1)
REQUIRED FIRE-FLOW FOR ONE- AND TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGS, GROUP R-3 AND R-4 BUILDINGS AND TOWNHOUSES
FIRE-FLOW
CALCULATION
AREA
(Square feet)
AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER
SYSTEM
(Design Standard)
MINIMUM FIREFLOW
(gallons per
minute)
FLOW DURATION
(hours)
0-3,600 No automatic sprinkler system 1,000 1
3,601 and greater No automatic sprinkler system Value in Table B105.1(2)
Duration in Table
B105.1(2) at
the required fire-flow
rate
0-3,600 Section 903.3.1.3 of the California
Fire Code
or Section 313.3 of the California
Residential Code
1,000 1
3,601 and greater Section 903.3.1.3 of the California
Fire Code
or Section 313.3 of the California
Residential Code
½ value in
Table B105.1(2)a
1 For SI: 1 square foot = 0.0929 m2, 1 gallon per minute = 3.785 L/m. a. The reduced fire-flow shall be not less than 1,000 gallons per minute.
Item B Page 43 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
41 TABLE B105.2 REQUIRED FIRE FLOW FOR BUILDINGS OTHER THAN ONE- AND TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGS, GROUP R-3 AND R-4 BUILDINGS AND TOWNHOUSES is amended to read as follows:
TABLE B105.2
REQUIRED FIRE-FLOW FOR BUILDINGS OTHER THAN ONE- AND
TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGS, GROUP R-3 AND R-4 BUILDINGS AND TOWNHOUSES
AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER
SYSTEM
(Design Standard)
MINIMUM FIREFLOW
(Gallons per minute)
FLOW DURATION
(hours)
No automatic sprinkler system Value in Table
B105.1(2)
Duration in Table B105.1(2)
Section 903.3.1.1 of the
California Fire Code
50% of the value in
Table B105.1(2)a
Duration in Table B105.1(2) at the
reduced flow rate
Section 903.3.1.2 of the
California Fire Code
50% of the value in
Table B105.1(2)a
Duration in Table B105.1(2) at the
reduced flow rate
For SI: 1 gallon per minute = 3.785 L/m.
a. The reduced fire-flow shall be not less than 1,500 gallons per minute.
APPENDIX C FIRE HYDRANT LOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTION IS ADOPTED IN ITS
ENTIRETY AND AMENDED AS BELOW
SECTION C103 FIRE HYDRANT SPACING is amended as follows:
C103.2.1 Modified Distribution of Fire Hydrants is added to read as follows:
C103.2.1 Average Spacing. In rural areas where parcels with structures have large frontages and or long driveways, the minimum location of a fire hydrant shall be 600 feet to the structure measured via a roadway or primary driveway as approved by the Fire Code Official.
APPENDIX D FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROADS IS ADOPTED IN ITS ENTIRETY
AND AMENDED AS BELOW
SECTION D103 MINIMUM SPECIFICATIONS is amended as follows:
D103.1 Access Road with a Hydrant is amended to read as follows:
D103.1 Access Road with a Hydrant. Where a fire hydrant is located on a fire apparatus access road, the road shall be a minimum of 20 feet in width inclusive of all-weather drivable shoulders.
Item B Page 44 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
42 Figure D103.1 DEAD-END FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROAD TURNAROUND is amended to read as follows:
For SI: 1 foot = 304.88 mm.
Item B Page 45 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
43 D103.2 Grade is amended to read as follows:
Section D103.2 Grade. Fire apparatus access roads or driveways shall not exceed 20 percent in grade.
Appendix L REQUIREMENTS FOR FIREFIGHTER AIR REPLENISHMENT SYSTEMS IS
ADOPTED IN ITS ENTIRETY AND AMENDED AS BELOW
SECTION L101.1 SCOPE is amended as follows:
L101.1 Scope. Buildings more than 10 stories in height shall install Firefighter Air Replenishment Systems.
SECTION 7: VALIDITY
The Woodside Fire Protection District Board of Directors hereby declares that should any section, paragraph, sentence, or word of this Ordinance or of the codes adopted by reference herein be declared for any reason to be invalid, it is the intent of the Woodside Fire Protection District Board of Directors that it would have passed all other portions of this Ordinance independent of the elimination here from of any such portion as may be declared invalid.
SECTION 8: PUBLIC POSTING AND PUBLICATION
This ordinance shall be publicly posted in the following places:
Front Door of the Woodside Fire Protection District office.
Bulletin Board in Front of Station 19 in the Woodside Fire Protection District; and Woodside Fire District Website.
Publication shall be as required by law in the Country Almanac.
SECTION 9: REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES.
Ordinance No.12 of the Woodside Fire Protection District is hereby repealed.
SECTION 10: ADOPTION OF CEQA FINDINGS.
The Woodside Fire Protection District Board finds that the adoption of this Ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to Title 14, Chapter 3, California Code of Regulations Section 15061(b)(3) in that it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the adoption of this Ordinance will have a significant effect on the environment. The Ordinance adopts standard codes in effect pursuant to state law and sets requirements for compliance. The adoption of this Ordinance does not entitle new development or any changes to the physical environment.
Item B Page 46 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
SECTION 11: DATE OF EFFECT.
This ordinance shall be published once in the Country Almanac and shall be effective upon the expiration of 30 days from its adoption, except that this Ordinance shall not be effective within a municipality within the District until it is ratified by that municipality's governing body, and shall not be effective within the unincorporated areas that are part of the District until it is ratified by the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Mateo.
Regularly passed and adopted this 25th day of July 2023 by the following vote:
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 25th day of July 2023 at the regular meeting of the District Board of Directors held on July 25th, 2023, on a motion made by Director Randy Holthaus, seconded by Director Patrick Cain, and duly carried with the following roll call vote:
A YES: Directors Matt Miller, Randy Holthaus, and Patrick Cain NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ORDINANCE NO. 13-2023
Matt Miller, President
Board of Directors
ATTEST:
Don Bullard
Fire Marshal
Randy Holthaus
District Secretary
44 AS TO FORM:
Jon Holtzman
District Counsel
Item B Page 47 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
ATTACHMENT 3 – RESPONSES TO TOWN COMMENTS
1 May 10, 2023 Comment
Chapter 80. The most substantial local amendment included in Draft Ordinance No. 13-2023 is the adoption of NFPA 3 and NFPA 1140 into Chapter 80, Referenced Standards. The Town believes that as drafted, adoption of NFPA 3 and NFPA 1140 into Chapter 80 does not make them enforceable. This is because, as the user note for Chapter 80 states, “this chapter contains a comprehensive list of all standards that are referenced in [the Fire Code]. These standards, in essence, are part of this code to the extent of the reference of the standard.” [Emphasis added]. Neither NFPA 3, NFPA 1140 nor its component standards are referenced in the California Fire Code or Ordinance No. 13-2023 and are therefore not enforceable.
However, the Town’s objection goes beyond the technical drafting of the ordinance with respect to NFPA 1140. Specifically, Sections 12.2.1 and 12.2.2 of NFPA 1140 would require buildings in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) to be setback 30 feet from any other building and 30 feet from a property line. This setback would increase to 50 feet for a building that exceeds two stories or 30 feet in height.
Recent state law requires all cities and towns to approve Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) within four feet of property lines, even in the WUI. The Town will continue to abide by State ADU law.
Many lots within the Town, most notably those designated in the WUI, have physical constraints to development, including steep slopes, landslides, earthquake faults, and other environmentally sensitive areas. Due to these constraints, and sometimes in conjunction with a smaller lot size, many structures need to be closer than 30 feet to a property line as that is the only place a structure can be located.
The adoption NFPA 1140 would also appear to require that property owners who want to renovate more than 50 percent of existing buildings that are within 30 feet of another building or property line would be required to move the building to achieve the 30-foot setback. This would result in older buildings not being improved or brought up to current building and fire codes, an outcome that runs counter to the objectives of both the Town and the District.
Building setbacks are established and controlled by zoning regulations, which provide processes for considering site specific exceptions and variances. Inclusion of setbacks in the locally adopted Fire Code would represent a substantial and unprecedented change. The Building Code and Fire Code recognize that buildings may be built at varying distances from each other, and property lines, and these codes prescribe construction means and methods to mitigate the spread of fire based on those separations.
As drafted, the adoption of NFPA 1140 would provide the Fire Marshal the ability to approve alternative means and methods if buildings can’t meet the 30-foot setback.
Approval of alternative means and methods for construction should be the decision of the Building Official, not the Fire Marshal.
Item B Page 48 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
ATTACHMENT 3 – RESPONSES TO TOWN COMMENTS
2 The Town requests that the Board remove the addition of NFPA 3 and NFPA 1140 from Ordinance 13-2023. If it remains, the Town Council may exercise its right to modify the Ordinance prior to ratification for application within the Town of Woodside.
The Town has the additional following comments about Draft Ordinance No. 13- 2023. As with the adoption of NFPA 3 and NFPA 1140, the Town may exercise its right to modify the Ordinance prior to ratification for application within the Town of Woodside.
WFPD Ordinance Response to Comment
WFPD Ordinance 13-2023 does not adopt NFPA 3 and NFPA 1140 into Chapter
80. May 10, 2023 Comment
Sections 105.6, 105.6.25, 105.8, and 105.8.1. The Ordinance would adopt a local amendment authorizing the Fire District to review and approve a Vegetation Management Plan and a Fire Protection Plan, neither of which are included in the California Fire Code. The Ordinance defines a Fire Protection Plan as “a document prepared for a specific project or development proposed for the wildland-urban interface area. It describes ways to minimize and mitigate the fire problems created by the project or development, with the purpose of reducing impact on the community’s fire protection delivery system.” The Ordinance does not include a definition of a Vegetation Management Plan. It is unclear what additional measures may be needed in an approved Fire Protection Plan beyond measures already included in the Building and Fire Codes. The Town requests examples of these plans before it considers ratifying these sections of Ordinance 13-2023.
WFPD Ordinance Response to Comment
WFPD Ordinance 13-2023 Sections 105.6, 105.6.25, 105.8, and 105.8.1 reference Chapter 49 of the California Fire Code which specify the contents of fire protection plans and landscape plans.
May 10, 2023 Comment
Section 105.9 would adopt a local amendment requiring mobile food preparation vehicles to display a San Mateo County Health Department sticker as prescribed by County Health. This is an unnecessary local amendment as the County Health Department is responsible for the regulation of mobile food preparation vehicles.
WFPD Ordinance Response to Comment
WFPD Ordinance 13-2023 does not include Section 105.9.
May 10, 2023 Comment
Section 401.10 would adopt a local amendment authorizing the Fire District to require the preparation and approval of an Aerial Pre-Plan. The Ordinance defines an Aerial PrePlan as “aerial photographs from Google or Bing Maps can be added to a Zone preplan Item B Page 49 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
ATTACHMENT 3 – RESPONSES TO TOWN COMMENTS
3 diagram to show surrounding streets or even an entire block of buildings. This instantly gives the Incident Commander important site information such as where alleys are located, where street access is especially narrow, and potential places to stage. If a full floor plan is not available, the footprint of a building can be traced and measured from the aerial map to create a basic site diagram in just a few minutes.” The Town seeks clarification of the cost burden given that the definition suggests it might take a few minutes to prepare while the language in Section 401.10 indicates it would need to be prepared by an approved vendor.
WFPD Ordinance Response to Comment
WFPD Ordinance 13-2023 does not include Section 401.10.
May 10, 2023 Comment
Sections 101.6 and 503.1. Section 101.6 would adopt a local amendment incorporating the Woodside Fire Protection District “Standards and Guidelines Manual” in the Fire Code. It provides that the Fire Marshal would be responsible for amending the manual.
Section 503.1 would add compliance with the “Standards and Guidelines Manual” to requirements for fire apparatus access roads. The Town believes that the “Standards and Guidelines” should not be incorporated by reference and that standards that the District seeks to include in the Fire Code should be done explicitly by Ordinance.
WFPD Ordinance Response to Comment
WFPD Ordinance 13-2023 Section 101.6 explicitly states that “the information contained within the Standards and Guidelines Manual shall not be construed to make new code requirements not authorized by this Ordinance.” May 10, 2023 Comment
Section 903.2.22 would adopt a local amendment that would require an automatic fire sprinkler system in all new buildings or in existing buildings that change occupancy classification when the required fire flow exceeds 2,000 gallons per minute. The Town would like clarification if an early suppression sprinkler system would be required in buildings that require fire flows in excess of 2,000 gallons.
WFPD Response to Comment
WFPD has confirmed that an early suppression sprinkler system would not be required in buildings that require fire flows in excess of 2,000 gallons.
May 10, 2023 Comment
Section 903.1.1.2 would adopt a local amendment that would eliminate an exemption for the requirement for sprinklers in bathrooms that have noncombustible or limitedcombustible materials. It is unclear why this exemption has been removed.
WFPD Response to Comment
WFPD states that bathrooms still contain combustibles and pointed to data captured in Menlo Park on bathroom fires. This code amendment is consistent with the code in effect in Atherton, East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and Portola Valley.
Item B Page 50 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
ATTACHMENT 3 – RESPONSES TO TOWN COMMENTS
4 May 10, 2023 Comment
Section 903.3.1.2 would adopt a local amendment that would override the California Fire Code’s allowance to use NFPA 13R sprinkler systems in residential buildings up to and including four stories in height not exceeding 60 feet. The California Fire Code allows the use of NFPA 13R systems because residential buildings are used differently than commercial buildings. The local amendment would significantly increase the cost of construction. Additionally, the Building Code sections which discuss the use of the NFPA 13R systems would need to be amended. Furthermore, Section 903.6.1 of the Draft Ordinance makes reference to the use of NFPA 13R systems, which contradicts Section 903.1.2.
WFPD Response to Comment
Town staff spoke with a private mechanical engineering firm that works on residential and commercial projects to obtain cost information about the difference in NFPA 13 and NFPA 13R systems. The firm’s staff advised that while a NFPA 13 system is more expensive, it is not a significant additional cost. The requirement for an NFPA 13 system where a NFPA 13R system is allowed has been adopted in Atherton, East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and Portola Valley.
May 10, 2023 Comment
Section 903.3.1.3.1 would adopt a local amendment that would require sprinkler protection under roof eaves in the Wildland-Urban Interface. This requirement would be redundant as the Residential and Building Codes require fire rated roof eaves or closed eaves. Exterior sprinklers would add unnecessary cost and as there is no building code section that addresses sprinkler protection under roof eaves the type of and spacing of sprinkler heads is unknown.
WFPD Ordinance Response to Comment
WFPD Ordinance 13-2023 does not include Section 903.3.1.3.1 May 10, 2023 Comment
Section 903.4.2 would adopt a local amendment to add the need for a visual device in addition to an audible device connected to sprinkler systems that is required by the California Fire Code. The Town would request that the Fire District consider adding a requirement that alarms be coupled with a mandatory fire alarm monitoring system so that if a building is unoccupied an alarm company can respond and shut it off, if appropriate.
WFPD Ordinance Response to Comment
WFPD Ordinance 13-2023 Section 903.4.2 states that “a fire alarm monitoring system is required to be installed and connected whereas actuation of the automatic sprinkler system shall actuate the monitored building fire alarm system.”
Item B Page 51 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
ATTACHMENT 3 – RESPONSES TO TOWN COMMENTS
5 May 10, 2023 Comment
Section 905.3.12 would adopt a local amendment that would require buildings with lithium-ion battery vehicle parking to be equipped with standpipe systems. The Town would like clarification that this section would apply to commercial parking garages and not to private residential garages.
WFPD Response to Comment
WFPD has confirmed that Section 905.3.12 would apply to commercial parking garages only.
May 10, 2023 Comment
Section 907.7 would adopt a local amendment that would require commercial building owners to obtain a UL Certificate for their fire alarm system. The California Fire Code requires that upon completion of the installation of a fire alarm system that the components be tested in accordance with NFPA 72. The Town seeks to clarify whether the local amendment would require Underwriter Laboratories to come and do special testing and certification, which would add significant costs.
WFPD Response to Comment
WFPD has confirmed that Section 907.7 would not require Underwriter Laboratories to come and do special testing and certification.
May 10, 2023 Comment
Section 1028.5.1 would adopt a local amendment that would require that the exterior exit pathway surfaces from a building to a public way “be suitable for pedestrian use in inclement weather.” The Town requests a definition of “suitable for pedestrian use.” WFPD Ordinance Response to Comment
WFPD Ordinance 13-2023 Section 1028.5.1 states that “exterior exit pathway surfaces shall be of a non-slip type surface that would not contribute to a fall, slip, or trip hazard in inclement weather.”
May 10, 2023 Comment
Section 4902.1 would adopt a local ordinance that would define the Wildland-Urban Interface Area as “a geographical area identified by the Woodside fire Protection District as a “Fire Hazard Severity Zone.” The Town seeks confirmation that any area that is different than the “Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone” that was adopted by CalFire and the Town of Woodside in 2008 would be subject to a separate ordinance adoption process.
WFPD Response to Comment
WFPD has confirmed any change from the currently adopted “Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone” map for the Town of Woodside would be subject to a separate ordinance adoption process.
Item B Page 52 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
ATTACHMENT 3 – RESPONSES TO TOWN COMMENTS
6 May 10, 2023 Comment
Section 5001.5.3 would adopt a local ordinance which would require that floor plans, material safety data sheets, Hazardous Materials Management Plans, Hazardous Material Inventory Statements be stored at a readily accessible location as determined by the fire code official and may be required to be maintained in a specific electronic media format.
This would put a burden on homeowners and commercial business owners to keep specific records at a specific location or in a specific medium. The Town questions whether this represents an unreasonable expectation.
WFPD Response to Comment
WFPD has confirmed that the information requested is required by code to be provided. Section 5001.5.3 applies to Hazardous Material storage which would not be applicable in Woodside.
Item B Page 53 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
WOODSIDE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
Fire Prevention Bureau
Administration
808 Portola Road, Portola Valley, Ca. 94028
(650) 851-1594
www.woodsidefire.org
Don Bullard – Fire Marshal
TO: Woodside Town Council
From: Fire Marshal Bullard
RE: The Fire District recommends that the Woodside Town Council ratify Woodside Fire Protection District Fire Code Ordinance 13-2023, in accordance with Health & Safety Code section 13869.7.
Date: August 17, 2023
Dear Woodside Town Council,
The Woodside Fire Protection District recommends that the Woodside Town Council ratify Woodside Fire Protection District Fire Code Ordinance 13-2023, in accordance with Health & Safety Code section 13869.7.
Every three years, new editions of the state building codes are published. The new codes and local amendments reflect changes in technology, fire safety techniques, and the building industry. These codes became the minimum standards for the State of California on January 1, 2023. The proposed ordinance also reflects local amendments with more restrictive building standards reasonably necessary because of local climactic, geological, or topographical conditions.
The District thanks everyone who provided their written comments to the Ordinance and the District has attempted to address and respond to them. The Ordinance reflects the input that has been received.
The Ordinance is consistent with state regulations. Under state law, after the first reading of the title of the proposed ordinance, which occurred on June 13, 2023, the District was required to hold a public hearing before the Ordinance was adopted (Government Code § 50022.3). The District held a public hearing on July 25, 2023, at which time the District Board of Directors voted to approve and adopt Fire Code Ordinance 13- 2023.
Item B Page 54 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
Enclosed please find the following:
1. The final, signed Ordinance 13-2023.
2. The Amended Board Packet that was submitted to the Board for the July 25, 2023, meeting.
3. A spreadsheet that corresponds with Ordinance 13-2023 and shows what is being adopted and/or amended along with the reasons for each.
Thank you for your consideration.
Don Bullard
Fire Marshal
Woodside Fire Protection District
[email protected]
(650) 851-6206 - Office
(408) 592-8339 – Mobile
www.woodsidefire.org
Enclosures
Item B Page 55 Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
WFPD Ordinance
Existing 2022 CFC Code Sections CFC New Adoptions to WFPD ORDINANCE NO 12 (changes in Red) Reason Status CHAPTER 1 SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATION
Adopting
101.1 Title These regulations shall be known as the Fire Code of [NAME OF JURISDICTION], hereinafter referred to as “this code.” California Fire Code Section 101.1 Title is amended to read as follows:
California Fire Code Section 101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the 2022 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE, and with amendments adopted by the Woodide Fire Protection District, will be hereinafter referred to as "THIS CODE,” “this code, “the Fire Code,” and/or the “District Fire Prevention Code ” Section 101.1 is the Title of the Code and is required to be filled in by the jurisdiction. The referral to Paragraph 3 of the Ordinance is parallel language adopting the entire Fire Code with District amendments.
Adopting (An Addition to CFC - 101.6 to read as follows) California Fire Code Section 101.6 is added to read as follows:
101.6 Standards and Guidelines Manual. The Bureau of Fire Prevention and Life SafetyStandards and Guidelines Manual (“Standards and Guidelines Manual”) shall serve as asupplemental instruction and interpretation manual for the District Fire Prevention Code and ishereby adopted and incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. The Fire Marshal isresponsible for amending this manual as necessary to maintain current instructions andinterpretations. The information contained within the Standards and Guidelines Manual shall not be construed to make new code requirements not authorized by this Ordinance.
Section 101.6 is for contractors and builders to know plan submittal and inspection expectations for building and bidding purposes. Provides and allows consistency for fire sprinklers, fire alarms, access roads, etc.
Adopting CFC, [A] 102.1 Construction and Design Provisions The construction and design provisions of this code shall apply to:1. Structures, facilities and conditions arising after the adoption of this code.2. Existing structures, facilities and conditions not legally in existence at the time of adoption of this code.3. Existing structures, facilities and conditions where required in Chapter 11.4. Existing structures, facilities and conditions that, in the opinion of the fire code official, constitute a distinct hazard to life or property.
California Fire Code Section [A] 102.1Construction and Design Provisions is amended to add item 5, to read as follows: [A] 102.1 Construction and Design ProvisionsThe construction and design provisions of this code shall apply to:1. Structures, facilities and conditions arising after the adoption of this code.2. Existing structures, facilities and conditions not legally in existence at the time of adoption of this code.3. Existing structures, facilities and conditions where required in Chapter 11.4. Existing structures, facilities and conditions that, in the opinion of the fire code official, constitute a distinct hazard to life or property.5. Vehicles, ships and boats that are permanently affixed to a permanent location within theboundaries of this jurisdiction where not otherwise limited by law.
To provide enforcement capabilities throughout the jurisdiction of the Woodside Fire Protection District where the Code would otherwise not provide for the enforcement of vehicles, ships and boats that are existing in unsafe locations.
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(An Addition to CFC - 102.1.1 (to read as follows) California Fire Code Section 102.1.1 Applicability is added to read as follows:
102.1.1 Applicability to Alterations, Additions and Repairs of Existing Buildings orStructures. Alterations, additions and additions that include alterations to existing buildings forwhich building permit(s) have been issued within any 12-month period that collectively exceedsmore than 50 percent of the existing gross floor area, 50 percent of the existing wall area or when the combination of the percentages of affected gross floor area and affected wall area exceeds 50 percent are treated as new buildings, such buildings or structures shall be made in their entirety to conform to the Fire Code requirements for new buildings or structures. In calculating these percentages, the following guidelines shall apply:a. Calculation of Percentage of Affected Gross Floor Area (PFA): The floor area of anyaddition, all rooms affected by any addition, and the floor area of all rooms affected bystructural changes made in the building, such as walls, columns, beams or girders, floor orceiling joists and coverings, roof rafters, roof diaphragms, footings, piles or retaining wallsor similar components, shall be included in computing the floor areas for applying thissection.b. Calculation of Percentage of Affected Wall Area (PWA): The calculated wall areaaffected shall include all interior and exterior walls where no studs are proposed to beremain or if some studs remain and/or if the surface of both sides of the studs are proposedto be removed such that one can see through the wall. Wall Area (PWA): The combination of the percentage of Affected Gross Floor Area (PFA)as describe above plus the percentage of Affected Wall Area (PWA) as described above(PFA + PWA > 50%).Areas to be included in the gross floor area square footage calculation include:1. Garages or carports if under a habitable space2. New attached garage 3 All additions
These standards are necessary for the Woodside Fire Protection District to provide a reasonable degree of fire and life safety for the community and firefighters within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Fire District and is hereby in accordance with section 102.9 of the California Fire Code: For subjects not specifically covered by the code, as deemed necessary for firefighter safety and suppression activities. 2022 CA Fire Code vs. Ordinance - Towns of Woodside, Portola Valley and Unincorporated San Mateo Co Instructions: This document is designed to display proposed adoption changes to the existing WFPD Fire Prevention Code by Fire Marshal Bullard. Codes stating "is amended to read as follows" are existing in the current 2022 California Fire Code and amended to read as stated in the middle column. Codes stating "added to read as follows" do not exist in the 2022 California Fire Code but are being added to the WFPD Fire Prevention Code to be more restrictive based on Climatic, Topographic and Geographic findings of fact that exist within the boundaries of the WFPD.
Item B Page 56
Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
Adopting CFC, 102.6 Historic Buildings
The provisions of this code relating to the construction, alteration, repair, enlargement, restoration, relocation or moving of buildings or structures shall not be mandatory for existing buildings or structures identified and classified by the state or local jurisdiction as historic buildings where such buildings or structures do not constitute a distinct hazard to life or property. Fire protection in designated historic buildings shall be provided with an approved fire protection plan as required in Section 1103.1.1.
California Fire Code Section 102.6 Historic Buildings is amended to read as follows:
102.6 Historic Buildings The provisions of this code relating to the construction, alteration, repair, enlargement, restoration, relocation or moving of buildings or structures shall not be mandatory for existing buildings or structures identified and classified by the state or local jurisdiction as historic buildings where such buildings or structures do not constitute a distinct hazard to life or property. Fire protection in designated historic buildings shall be provided in accordance with the California Historic Building Code.
Section 102.6 is to provide guidance on how to properly construct and protect CA Historic Buildings.
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None California Fire Code Section 104.1.1 Design Standards is added to read as follows:
104.1.1 Design Standards. Woodside Fire Protection District will maintain a set of design and installation standards (Standards and Guidelines Manual) that includes but is not limited to: Address posting, Bridges, Emergency shut off placards, Turnarounds, Turnouts, Driveway criteria , Knox installations, Solar PV integrated roof installations, battery systems and Fire Sprinkler systems including those with tanks and pumps.These standards, which apply to subjects not specifically covered by the Fire Code, are necessary for the Woodside Fire Protection District to provide a reasonable degree of fire and life safety for the community and firefighters within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Fire Di t i t d i t i d i d ith S ti 102 9 f th Fi C d
These standards are necessary for the Woodside Fire Protection District to provide a reasonable degree of fire and life safety for the community and firefighters within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Fire District and is hereby in accordance with section 102.9 of the California Fire Code: For subjects not specifically covered by the code, as deemed necessary for firefighter safety and suppression activities.
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None California Fire Code Section 104.2.1 Review Construction Documents is added to read as follows: 104.2.1 Review Construction Documents. Woodside Fire Protection District shall review all applications and construction documents related to any type of existing or new driveway construction, improvement or reconstruction within its territory jurisdiction which have been submitted to the Building Department.
These standards are necessary for the Woodside Fire Protection District to provide a reasonable degree of fire and life safety for the community and firefighters within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Fire District and is hereby in accordance with section 102.9 of the California Fire Code: For subjects not specifically covered by the code, as deemed necessary for firefighter safety and suppression activities.
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None California Fire Code Section 104.12.4 Authority to Photograph or Otherwise Record Investigations is added to read as follows:104.12.4 Authority to Photograph or Otherwise Record InvestigationsThe Chief or his duly authorized representative may make such audio, visual or other recordings including photographs, video tapes, audio tapes, diagrams, drawings, sketches, and the like, in connection with the investigation of any actual or alleged violation of this code or in connection with the investigation of any incident as authorized by this code.
To provide enforcement and documentation capabilities throughout the jurisdiction of the Woodside Fire Protection District where the Code would otherwise not provide for the authority to photograph or use the other listed means for inspections and investigations.
Adopting CFC, Section 105.5 Required operational permits.
The fire code official is authorized to issue operational permits for operations set forth in Sections 105.5.2 through 105.5.52.
California Fire Code Section105.5 Required operational permits is amended to read as follows: 105.5 Required operational permits. The fire code official is authorized to issue operational permits for operations set forth in Sections 105.5.1 through 105.5.55.
These standards are necessary for the Woodside Fire Protection District to provide a reasonable degree of fire and life safety for the community and firefighters within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Fire District and is hereby in accordance with section 102.9 of the California Fire Code: For subjects not specifically covered by the code, as deemed necessary for firefighter safety and suppression activities Adopting 105.5.16 Explosives
An operational permit is required for the manufacture, storage, handling, sale or use of any quantity of explosives, explosive materials, fireworks or pyrotechnic special effects within the scope of Chapter 56. See Health and Safety Code Division 11, Part 1, Sections 12000, et seq. for additional requirements.Exception: Storage in Group R-3 occupancies of smokeless propellant, black powder and small arms primers for personal use, not for resale and in accordance with Section 5606.
California Fire Code Section 105.5.16 Explosives is amended to read as follows:105.5.16 Explosives. An operational permit is required for the manufacture, storage, handling, sale, or use of any quantity of explosives, explosive materials, fireworks, pyrotechnic special effects, or rocketry within the scope of Chapter 56. See Health and Safety Code Division 11, Part 1, Sections 12000, et seq. for additional requirements.Exception: (No change) These standards are necessary for the Woodside Fire Protection District to provide a reasonable degree of fire and life safety for the community and firefighters within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Fire District and is hereby in accordance with section 102.9 of the California Fire Code: For subjects not specifically covered by the code, as deemed necessary for firefighter safety and suppression activities.
Adopting 105.5.33 Motor Fuel-Dispensing Facilities
An operational permit is required for the operation of automotive, marine and fleet motor fuel-dispensing facilities.
California Fire Code Section 105.5.33 Motor fuel dispensing is amended to read as follows:105.5.33 Motor fuel dispensing. An operational permit is required for the operation of fueling motor vehicles including automotive, marine, and fleets at fixed facilities and through mobile operations.
These standards are necessary for the Woodside Fire Protection District to provide a reasonable degree of fire and life safety for the community and firefighters within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Fire District and is hereby in accordance with section 102.9 of the California Fire Code: For subjects not specifically covered by the code, as deemed necessary for firefighter safety and suppression activities Item B Page 57
Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
Adopting 105.5.34 Open Burning
An operational permit is required for the kindling or maintaining of an open fire or a fire on any public street, alley, road, or other public or private ground. Instructions and stipulations of the permit shall be complied with.
Exception: Recreational fires
California Fire Code Section 105.5.34 Open Burning is hereby modified by deleting the exception: 105.5.34 Open BurningAn operational permit is required for the kindling or maintaining of an open fire or a fire on any public street, alley, road, or other public or private ground. Instructions and stipulations of the permit shall be complied with.Delete the exception Remove Exception
Adopting None
California Fire Code Section 105.5.55 Local permits is added to read as follows:105.5.55 Local permits. In addition to the other operational permits required by section 105.5, the following operational permits shall be obtained from the Bureau of Fire Prevention & Life Safety prior to engaging in the following activities, operations, practices, or functions: 1. Apartment, hotel, or motel. An operational permit is required to operate an apartment house, hotel or motel. 2. Cannabis. Operational permits are required to operate a cannabis facility or operation listed below: 2.1 Cultivation 2.2 Distribution 2.3 Manufacturing 2.4 Testing/lab 3. Care facilities. An operational permit is required to operate a day care facility with anoccupant load greater than eight (8) persons.Exception: Residential or commercial institutional care facility occupancies complyingwith Health and Safety Code Section 13235 are exempt. 4. Emergency responder radio system. An operational permit is required to operate an Emergency Responder Radio System. 5. High-rise occupancy. An operational permit is required to operate a high-rise building as defined in Title 24, Part 2, California Code of Regulations. 6. Live entertainment. An operational permit is required to operate a business where alcohol is served, while providing live entertainment to the public. 7. Model rockets rental, sale or operation. An operational permit is required to operate, manufacture, import, export, possess, store, rent or sell model rockets as defined by Health and Safety Code Section 12519.
These standards are necessary for the Woodside Fire Protection District to provide a reasonable degree of fire and life safety for the community and firefighters within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Fire District and is hereby in accordance with section 102.9 of the California Fire Code: For subjects not specifically covered by the code, as deemed necessary for firefighter safety and suppression activities.
Adopting [A] 105.6 Required Construction Permits
The fire code official is authorized to issue construction permits for work as set forth in Sections 105.6.1 through 105.6.24.
California Fire Code Section 105.6 Required Construction Permits is amended to read as follows:[A] 105.6 Required construction permits.
The fire code official is authorized to issue construction permits for work as set forth in Sections 105.6.1 through 105.6.25.
These standards are necessary for the Woodside Fire Protection District to provide a reasonable degree of fire and life safety for the community and firefighters within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Fire District and is hereby in accordance with section 102.9 of the California Fire Code: For subjects not specifically covered by the code, as deemed necessary for firefighter safety and suppression activities.
Adopting None
California Fire Code Section 105.6.25 Local Construction Permits is added to read as follows:105.6.25 Local Construction permits. In addition to the permits required by section 105.6, the following construction permits shall be obtained from the Bureau of Fire Prevention & Life Safety for work as described in this section: 1. Fire protection plan. A construction permit is required to implement a fire protection plan in accordance with Chapter 49 of this Code and the international wildland Urban-Interface Code as adopted.
2. Landscape plan. A construction permit is required to implement a Landscape plan in accordance with Chapter 49 of this code.
Describes two additional circumstances where permits are required within the jurisdiction of the WFPD Adopting None California Fire Code Section 105.7 Responsibility of Permittee is added, to read as follows:
105.7 Responsibility of permitee. Construction permits shall be presumed by the Fire District to incorporate all of the work that the applicant or the applicant's agent, employees, or contractors shall carry out. Work performed shall be in accordance with the approved plans and with all requirements of this code and any other laws or regulations applicable thereto. No Fire District approval shall relieve or exonerate any person from the responsibility of complying with the provisions of this code nor shall any vested rights be created for any work performed in violation of this code.
Section 105.7 is for contractors and builders to clarify what the applicant is responsible to provide to the Fire Official in the Fire Prevention Division when applying for a permit.
Adopting None California Fire code Section 105.8 Fire Protection Plan is added to read as follows: 105.8 Fire Protection plan. A fire protection plan shall be prepared by the applicant when required by the fire code official in accordance with chapter 49 of this Code and the international Wildland urban-interface Code as adopted. All fire protection and vegetation management plans require approval by the Fire Code Official.
Describes who prepares and reviews fire protection plans.
Item B Page 58
Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
Adopting None
105.8.1 Landscape plan is added to read as follows: 105.8.1 landscape plan. A landscape plan shall be prepared by the applicant when required by the Fire code Official in accordance with Chapter 49 of this code. All landscape plans require approval by the Fire Code Official.
Describes who prepares and reviews landscape plans.
Adopting None 105.8.1.1 Cost is added to read as follows: 105.8.1.1 Cost. The cost of preparing and reviewing a fire protection or vegetation management plan shall be the responsibility of the applicant. The cost of the fire protection plan preparation and review shall be the responsibility of the applicant.
Establishes reference as to who is responsible for the preparation and review costs for a fire protection and landscape plan.
Adopting 107.1 Fees
A permit shall not be issued until the fees have been paid, nor shall an amendment to a permit be released until the additional fee, if any, has been paid.
California Fire Code Section 107.1 Inspection Authority is amended to read as follows:107.1 Fees. The fees for the permits and other services shall be established by resolution of the Woodside Fire Protection, Fire Board Fee Schedule ("Fee Schedule"). The fees shall be set to cover the cost of the Fire District to review and inspect the intended activities, operations or functions. Exception: Fees for a permit may be waived at the descresion of the Fire Marshal when the work or event to be conducted is for the Town of Portola Valley, Town of Woodside, County of San Mateo, or Mid-Peninsula Open Space District.
Establishes reference to established cost recovery fees for services related to construction, occupancy permits, etc.
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None California Fire Code Section 107.1A Inspection Authority is added to read as follows:
107.1A Inspection Authority The Fire Marshal or other designated representatives shall inspect buildings and premises, including appliances or other hazards, to ascertain and cause to be corrected any conditions which would be deemed a fire hazard and reasonably tend to cause fire or contribute to its spread, or any violation of the purpose or provisions of this code and of any other law or standard affecting fire and life safety.
Establishes reference to where the district gets it's inspection authority in the Code Adopting [A] 107.2 Schedule of Permit Fees
Where a permit is required, a fee for each permit shall be paid as required, in accordance with the schedule as established by the applicable governing authority.
California Fire Code Section 107.2 Schedule of permit Fees is amended to read as follows:107.2 Schedule of Permit Fees. Where a permit or other inspection fee is required, a fee for each permit shall be paid as required, in accordance with the Woodide Fire Protection District Fee Schedule.
States fees shall be paid for permits and inspections
Adopting None California Fire Code Section 107.7 Cost Recovery is added to read as follows:
107.7 Cost recovery. The costs of fire suppression, investigation or emergency medical costs are recoverable in accordance with Health and Safety Code Sections 13009 and 13009.1, as they may be amended or superseded from time to time. Additionally, any person whose negligence, intentionally wrongful conduct, or violation of law causes an incident resulting in an appropriate emergency response, including, but not limited to, a traffic accident, spill of toxic or flammable or combustible fluids or chemicals is liable for the costs of securing such emergency, including those costs pursuant to Government Code Section 53150, et seq, as may be amended from time to time. Any expense incurred by the Woodside Fire Protection District for securing such emergency shall constitute a debt of such person(s) and shall be collectable by the Woodside Fire Protection District in the same manner as in the case of an obligation under contract, expressed or implied.
This Code Section provides for a means of recovering response costs and expenses incurred by the District in circumsatances where the incident has been caused by willful misconduct or negligence of the party that caused the incident.
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111.1 Board of Appeals EstablishedIn order to hear and decide appeals of orders, decisions or determinations made by the fire code official relative to the application and interpretation of this code, there shall be and is hereby created a board of appeals. The board of appeals shall be appointed by the applicable governing authority and shall hold office at its pleasure. The board shall adopt rules of procedure for conducting its business and shall render all decisions and findings in writing to the appellant with a duplicate copy to the fire code official.
California Fire Code Section 111.1 Board of Appeals Established is amended to read as follows:111.1 Board of Appeals Established Whenever the Fire Marshal or Fire Code Official shall disapprove an application or refuse to grant a permit applied for, or when it is claimed that the provisions of the Code do not apply or that the true intent and meaning of the Code have been misconstrued or wrongly interpreted the applicant may appeal the decision of the FireMarshal or Fire Code Official by presenting, within 10 days, a written request to the District Board of Directors, acting as the District’s Board of Appeals, for a hearing on and areview of such decision. The request shall state the reasons therefore, and the District Board of Directors shall, within 60 days of the receipt of same, hold a hearing, and may, modify, vacate, or affirm the decision.
Appeals process described to follow legal process.
Adopting 111.2 Limitation on Authority. An application for appeal shall be based on a claim that the true intent of this code or the rules legally adopted thereunder have been incorrectly interpreted, the provisions of this code do not fully apply, or an equivalent or better form of construction is proposed. The Board shall not have authority to waive requirements of this code or interpret the administration of this code
111.2 Limitation on Authority is amended to read as follows: 111.2 Limitation on Authority. An application for appeal shall be based on a claim that the true intent of this code or the rules legally adopted thereunder have been incorrectly interpreted, the provisions of this code do not fully apply, or an equivalent or better form of construction is proposed.
Allows the Board to have the authority to waive requirements and to interpret the administration of the Code.
Deletions 111.3 Qualifications and 111.4 administration are deleted in their entirety
111.3 Qualifications and 111.4 administration are deleted in their entirety.
Item B Page 59
Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
Adopting [A] 112.4 Violations Penalties
Persons who shall violate a provision of this code or shall fail to comply with any of the requirements thereof or who shall erect, install, alter, repair or do work in violation of the approved construction documents or directive of the fire code official, or of a permit or certificate used under provisions of this code, shall be guilty of a [SPECIFY OFFENSE], punishable by a fine of not more than [AMOUNT] dollars or by imprisonment not exceeding [NUMBER OF DAYS], or both such fine and imprisonment. Each day that a violation continues after due notice has been served shall be deemed a ff
California Fire Code Section [A] 112.4 Violation penalties is amended to read as follows:[A] 112.4 Violation penalties. Persons who shall violate a provision of this code or shall fail to comply with any of the requirements thereof or who shall erect, install, alter, repair or do work in violation of the approved construction documents or directive of the fire code official, or of a permit or certificate used under provisions of this code, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not more than $1000 or by imprisonment not exceeding 6 months, or both such fine and imprisonment. Each day that a violation continues after due notice has been served shall be deemed a separate offense.
Allows District to abate code violations.
Adopting None 112.4.2 Other penalties and Remedies is added to read as follows: 112.4.2 Other penalties and remedies. Nothing in this section 112.4 shall limit the fire code official from pursuing other available legal remedies for violations of this code, including but not limited to administrative citations and attendant fines, civil penalties, and administrative and summary abatements.
Allows the district flexibility to abate code violations.
CHAPTER 2 DEFINITIONS Definitions:
Adopting None Administrator The Fire Chief
Adopting None Aerial Fuels: Standing and supported live and dead combustibles not in direct contact with the ground and consisting mainly of foliage, twigs, branches, stems, cones, bark, and vines.
Adopting None Agency Having Jurisdiction: The agency having delegated legal authority to adopt, determine, mandate or enforce ordinances and regulatory requirements, or to take other actions under local, state, or federal law.
Adopting None All Weather Driving Surface. A roadway designed to carry the imposed weight loads of fire apparatus complete with all underground utilities, curbs, gutters, and a minimum surface finish of one layer of asphalt or concrete or road pavers.
Clarify a driving surface that includes fire apparatus
Adopting None Board of Directors, the governing body of the District Adopting None Cumbustible Material, rubbish, litter or material of any kind other than hazardous vegetation that is cumbustible and endangers the publc safety by creating a fire hazard as determined by the Fire Code Official.
Existing,
ammended
None Driveway, a private access road that provides access from the public way to a structure that is used for public or private vehicular access, including fire and emergency apparatus or vehicles.
Adopting None Essential Service Facility, That building or structure which has been designated by the local government to house facilities that are necessary for emergency operations.
Clarify fire stations, EOCs and other public facilities.
Adopting FIRE CODE OFFICIAL. The fire chief or other designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of the code, or a duly authorized representative.
FIRE CODE OFFICIAL. The District's Fire Chief, employees of the District’s Fire Prevention and Fire Suppression Divisions and such other representatives of the District as may be authorized by the Woodide Fire District Board of Directors or the Fire Chief In the International Fire Code, the term Fire Code Official is used generically to allow other agencies, besides the Fire Department, to enforce the Fire Code. For Woodide Fire District, the Fire Chief and employees of the Fire District are charged with the enforcement of the Fire Code.
Adopting None Fire Protection Plan: A document prepared for a specific project or development proposed for the wildland-urban interface area. It describes ways to minimize and mitigate the fire problems created by the project or development, with the purpose of reducing impact on the community's fire protection delivery system.
Adopting None Fire Trail, a graded firebreak of sufficient width, surface, and design to provide access for personnel and equipment to suppress and to assist in preventing a surface extension of fires. Must be able to support the safe travel of a Type 3 Fire Apparatus.
Adopting None Hazardous Vegetation. Vegetation that is combustible and endangers the public safety by creating a fire hazard including but not limited to seasonal and recurrent grasses, weeds, stubble, brush, dry leaves, dry needles, dead, dying or diseased trees and any other vegetation as determined by the fire code official.
Existing,
ammended
Jurisdiction. The governmental unit that has adopted this code under due legislative authority.
Jurisdiction. Jurisdiction shall mean the territorial boundaries of the Woodside Fire Protection District. As such, “jurisdiction” would mean, as appropriate, certain unincorporated areas of theCounty of San Mateo, the Town of Woodside, and the Town of Portola Valley. The Fire District’s map book shall be adopted by reference to indicate the territorial boundaries of the Woodside Fire Protection District. When the term "jurisdiction" is used in this code in a context that implies the ability to exercise governmental powers, such as “the authority having jurisdiction,” the term “jurisdiction” shall mean, instead the Woodside Fire Protection District.
The term Jurisdiction has two meanings. One, indicates the boundary lines which make up the Woodide Fire Protection District, and Two, indicates the government agency exercising its governmental powers.
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Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
Adopting None Landscape Plan. a component of a development plan prepared for a specific project or development proposed for the wildland-urban interface area on which is shown proposedlandscape species (such as number, spacing, size at time of planting, size at maturity, andplanting details); proposals for protection and treatment of existing vegetation during and afterconstruction; proposed treatment of hard and soft surfaces; proposed decorative features; grade changes; buffers and screening devices; and any other information that can reasonably be required in order that an informed decision can be made by the Fire Code Official.
Adopting None Nuisance Fire Alarm. The activation of any fire protection or alarm system which results in the response of the Fire Department and is caused by malfunction, improper installation, negligence, or misuse of the system by an owner, occupant, employee, or agent, or any other activation not caused by excessive heat, smoke, fire, or similar activating event.
Adopting None Person: Includes an individual, heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, and also includes any agency of the State, county, city, district or other local public agency and any individual, firm, association, partnership, business trust, corporations, limited liability company, or company and its successors or assigns, or the agent of any of the aforesaid.
Adopting None Response Time. The elapsed time from receipt of call to to the District seeking emergency assistance and the arrival of the first unit on scene.
Adopting None Rubbish. Waste matter, litter, trash, refuse, debris, and dirt on streets or private property in the jurisdiction which is, or when dry may become, a fire hazard. See combustible material.
Adopting None Rural Area. An area generally designated for agricultural or open space uses with parcels more than 10 acres (4.046873ha) in size.
Adopting None Rural Residential Area. An area generally designated for single family residential use with parcels between three (1.2140619ha) and 10 (4.046873ha) acres in size.
Adopting None SPRINKLER ALARM AND SUPERVISORY SYSTEM (SASS). A Dedicated Function Fire Alarm System located at the protected premise installed specifically to monitor sprinkler waterflow alarm, valve supervisory, and general trouble conditions where a Building Fire Alarm is not required.
Adopting None Streets. Includes alleys, parkways, driveways, sidewalks, and areas between sidewalks and curbs, highways, public right of ways, private road, paper street and, easements.
Adopting None Structure: That which is built or constructed.
Adopting None Temporarty Water Supply. Water stored for firefighting purposes in an approved aboveground tank during combustible construction.
Adopting WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE (WUI). A geographical area identified by the state as a "Fire Hazard Severity Zone" in accordance with the Public Resources Code, Sections 4201 through 4204, and Government Code, Sections 51175 through 51189, or other areas designated by the enforcing agency to be at a significant risk from wildfires supported by findings of fact.
WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE FIRE AREA (WUI). [SFM] (See California Building Code Chapter 7A, Section 702A and Chapter 49, Section 4902 of this code for defined term.) A geographical area identified by the state as a “Fire Hazard Severity Zone” in accordance with the Public Resources Code, Sections 4201 through 4204, and Government Code, Sections 51175 through 51189, or other areas designated by the Woodside Fire Protection District to be at a significant risk from wildfires.
CHAPTER 3 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS304.1 Waste Accumulation Prohibited Adopting
California Fire Code Section 304.1.2 Vegetation Weeds, grass, vines or other growth that is capable of being ignited and endangering property, shall be cut down and removed by the owner or occupant of the premises. Vegetation clearance requirements in wildland-urban interface areas shall be in accordance with Chapter 49.
California Fire Code Section 304.1.2 Vegetation is amended to read as follows:California Fire Code Section 304.1.2 Vegetation is amended to read as follows:304.1.2. Vegetation. Hazardous vegetation, combustible material, combustible growth, debris, or rubbish capable of being ignited and endangering property shall be cut down and removed by the owner or occupant of the premises in accordance with the Fire District’s ordinances, including but not limited to those ordinances addressing defensible space, exterior hazard abatement, and fuel breaks. Vegetation clearance requirements in wildland-urban interface areas shall be in accordance with Chapter 49 of this code and in accordance with the Fire District’s ordinances Adding language to be more restrictive than the CFC based on the districts climatic, geographic and topographical findings of fact and WUI exposure.
Item B Page 61
Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
Exists
Carrying Forward
307.1.1Prohibited open burning.Open burning shall be prohibited when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fires hazardous.Exception: Prescribed burning for the purpose of reducing the impact of wildland fire when authorized by the fire code official.
California Fire Code Section Section 307.1.1 Prohibited Open Burning is amended to read as follows: Section 307.1.1A Prohibited Open Burning Open burning is prohibited within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Woodside Fire Protection District. The Fire Marshal prohibits burning of trash or vegetation, except for fuel reduction purposes and dedicated campfires in County Parks by special permit only. Exceptions:1. Gas Fire Pits inspected by the Fire Prevention Bureau.2. Open burning does not include approved exterior fireplaces with permanent spark arrestors, or barbecues, that are used in a safe manner and used for cooking or warming purposes only.
No substantive change, already exists in the WFPD "Fire Code" Adopting 308.3.2 Theatrical Performances
Where approved, open-flame devices used in conjunction with theatrical performances are allowed to be used where adequate safety precautions have been taken in accordance with NFPA 160.
California Fire Code Section 308.3.2 Theatrical Performances is amended to read as follows:Section 308.3.2 Theatrical performances Where approved, open-flame devices used in conjunction with theatrical performances are allowed to be used where adequate safety precautions have been taken in accordance with NFPA 160 and Title 19 CCR
Added and amended to allow state approved devices in theatrical shows.
CHAPTER 4 EMERGENCY PLANNING AND PREPAREDNESS
Adopting None California Fire Code Section 401.3.2.1 Nuisance Alarm Notification is added to read as follows:401.3.2.1 Nuisance alarm notification. Notification of emergency responders based on a nuisance alarm may be punishable by a fine in accordance with the Woodside FireProtection District fee schedule or requirements. In addition, the responsible party may be liable for the operational and administrative costs, incurred from the emergency response or mitigation procedures resulting from a nuisance alarm notification.
To provide enforcement capabilities throughout the jurisdiction of the Woodside Fire Protection District where the Code would otherwise not provide for the enforcement of nuisance alarms and provides for motivation to remedy problems.
Adopting None California Fire Code Section 401.3.2.2 Multiple nuisance alarm Activations is added to read as follows:401.3.2.2 Multiple nuisance alarm activations. Any occupancy that has more than three nuisance alarms, causing emergency response within a 12-month period may be required to modify, repair, upgrade or replace their system and/or monitoring station as determined by the fire code official.
To provide enforcement capabilities throughout the jurisdiction of the Woodside Fire Protection District where the Code would otherwise not provide for the enforcement of nuisance alarms and provides for motivation to remedy problems.
Adopting None California Fire Code Section 402.1 Nuisance fire alarm is added to read as follows:
402.1 Nuisance Alarm.
Added to definitions in Chapter 2 as it is used multiple times in Chapter 4 for Nuisance Alarm activations.To provide enforcement capabilities throughout the jurisdiction of the Woodside Fire Protection District where the Code would otherwise not provide for the enforcement of nuisance alarms and provides for motivation to remedy problems CHAPTER 5 FIRE SERVICE FEATURES
Adopting 501.1 Scope. Fire service features for buildings, structures and premises shall comply with this chapter.
California Fire Code Section 501 .1 Scope is amended to read as follows:
501 .1 Scope Fire service features for buildings, structures and premises shall comply with this chapter, and appendix D.
Added for more detailed criteria.
Adopting 503 Fire Apparatus Access Roads
Adopting 503.1 Where Required. Fire apparatus access roads shall be provided and maintained in accordance with Sections 503.1.1 through 503.1.3 California Fire Code Section 503.1 Where Required is amended to read as follows:503.1 Where Required. Fire apparatus access roads shall be provided and maintained in accordance with Sections 503.1.1 through 503.1.3 interpreted according to Woodide Fire District Fire District "Standards and Guidelines Manual." Added to describe fire access road requirements
Adopting None California Fire Code Section 503.1.1.1 Fire Lanes is added to read as follows:
503.1.1.1 Fire Lanes. Nothing in this California Fire Code shall prevent the Town or County from designating or maintaining a street as a “Fire Lane” which does not meet the requirements of a fire apparatus access road under the California Fire Code. 503.1.2 - 503.6 (CFC text not modified)
Added to allow jurisdictions to recognize public roads as Fire Lanes or Fire Access Roads.
Adopting None California Fire Code Section 503.1.4 Access to Open spaces is added to read:
503.1.4 Access to open spaces. When access to open land/space or fire trail systems maintained for public or private use is obstructed by new development of any kind, the developer shall provide alternate acceptable access into the area that is sufficient to allow access for fire personnel and apparatus. The alternate means of access requires the approval of the fire code official.
Added to provide access to open spaces.
Adopting None California Fire Code Section 503.1.5 Existing Fire Trail systems shall be Maintained is added to read:503.1.5 Existing fire trail systems shall be maintained. When conditions make access and maintenance of existing trails unavailable or impractical, alternate means of access shall be provided and requires approval by the fire code official.
Added to provide access to open spaces.
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Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
Adopting 503.2.1 Dimensions
Fire apparatus access roads shall have an unobstructed width of not less than 20 feet (6096 mm), exclusive of shoulders, except for approved security gates in accordance with Section 503.6, and an unobstructed vertical clearance of not less than 13 feet 6 inches (4115 mm).
California Fire Code Section 503.2.1 Dimensions is deleted in its entirety and replaced by the following section. 503.2.1 Dimensions: Fire apparatus access roads shall have an unobstructed width of not less than 20 feet, inclusive of all-weather surface shoulders, and a vertical clearance of not less than 13 feet 6 inches. Security gates shall be in accordance with section 503.6. Driveways serving one property with one or more habitable dwellings shall have an unobstructed driveway width of not less than 12 feet and unobstructed vertical clearance of not less than 13 feet 6 inches. Shared driveways serving more than one property with habitable structures shall have an unobstructed minimum width of 18 feet, inclusive of all-weather drivable surface shoulders and an unobstructed vertical clearance of not less than 13 feet 6 inches. All gates obstructing emergency access roadways shall have a sign stating, “Emergency Evacuation Route.” Added to describe fire access road requirements specific to the Woodside Fire Protection District.
Adopting None California Fire Code Section 503.2.6.1 Evaluation and maintenance is added to read as follows:503.2.6.1 Evaluation and maintenance. All existing private bridges and elevated surfaces that are a part of the fire apparatus access roadway shall be evaluated by a California licensed civil engineer experienced in structural engineering or a California licensed structural engineer, for safety and weight rating, in accordance with American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Manual: ``The Manual for Bridge Evaluation,'' Second Edition, or other approved standard. Vehicle load limits shall be posted at both entrances to bridges. All bridges and elevated structures providing fire department access shall be routinely maintained in accordance with Section 503.2.6 or when directed by the fire code official.
Provides a policy, procedure and process for evaluation and maintenance of District bridges.
Adopting 503.3 Marking. Where required by the fire code official, approved signs or other approved notices or markings that include the words NO PARKING—FIRE LANE shall be provided for fire apparatus access roads to identify such roads or prohibit the obstruction thereof. The means by which fire lanes are designated shall be maintained in a clean and legible condition at all times and be replaced or repaired when necessary to provide adequate visibility.
California Fire Code Section 503.3 Marking is amended to read as follows:503.3 Marking. Where required by the fire code Official, approved signs and markings designating fire lanes shall comply with California Vehicle Code section 22500.1. The designation shall be indicated (1) by a sign posted immediately adjacent to, and visible from, the designated place clearly stating in letters not less than one inch in height that the place is a fire lane, (2) by outlining or painting the place in red and, in contrasting color, marking the place with the words "FIRE LANE", which are clearly visible from a vehicle, or (3) by a red curb or red paint on the edge of the roadway upon which is clearly marked the words "FIRE LANE". Signs and markings shall not be obstructed and shall be maintained in a clean and legible condition and be replaced or repaired when necessary to provide adequate visibility. Reference is made to the Designation and Marking of Fire Lanes Standards and Guidelines included in the Standards and Guidelines Manual (Section 101.6 of this Code).
Local law enforcement has asked that designated fire lanes are marked with both signs AND red curbs AND lettering stating "No Parking - Fire Lane."Section changed to follow language from the California Vehicle Code, per San Mateo County Sheriff's Office.
Adopting None California Fire Code Section 503.7 Fire Lane Restrictions and requirements is added to read as follows: 503.7 Fire Lane Restrictions and Requirements as specified in the CA Vehicle Code shall apply to fire lanes established by this section.
Added to follow CA Vehicle Code
Adopting 505.1 Address identification. New and existing buildings shall be provided with approved address identification. The address identification shall be legible and placed in a position that is visible from the street or road fronting the property. Address numbers shall be Arabic numbers or alphabetical letters. Numbers shall not be spelled out. Each character shall be not less than 4 inches high with a minimum stroke width of 1/2 inch. Where required by the fire code official, address identification shall be provided in additional approved locations to facilitate emergency response. Where access is by means of a provate road and the building cannot be viewed from the public way, a monument, pole or other sign or means shall be used to identify the structure. Address identification shall be maintained.
California Fire Code Section 505.1 Address Identification is amended to read as follows:505.1 Address Identification. New and existing buildings shall have approved address numbers, building numbers or approved building identification placed in a position that is plainly legible and visible from the street or road fronting the property. These numbers shall contrast with their background. Address numbers shall be Arabic numerals or English alphabet letters. Where required by the fire code official, address identification shall be provided in additional approved locations to facilitate emergency response. Where access is by means of a private road and the building cannot be viewed from the public way, a monument, pole or other sign or means shall be used to identify the structure. Address identification shall be maintained. Said numbers shall be either internally or externally illuminated in all new construction. Numbers shall be as follows: (1). Minimum of one-half inch (1/2 ″) stroke by eight inches (8″) high.Exception: Single-family dwelling minimum of one-half inch (1/2") stroke by four inches (4") high. (2). When the structure is more than fifty (50) feet from the street or fire apparatus access, a minimum of one inch (1”) stroke by twelve inches (12″) high is required.
The Fire District responds to many types of emergencies, including medical calls, critical home services such as flooding or natural gas leaks, and smoke or carbon monoxide alarms, just to name a few. In many areas of the Fire District, street lighting is not available, which makes finding addresses difficult, especially when seconds count. The Fire District ordinance requires new buildings and buildings undergoing a substantial alteration to include an illuminated address, so that emergency responders can more easily find the location needing help. The ordinance also provides minimum size requirements for address numbers on larger structures for better visibility, where the International Fire Code is silent.
Adopting None
California Fire Code Section 505.1.1 Multi-Tenant Buildings is added to read as follows:505.1.1 Multi -Tenant Buildings. Numbers or letters shall be designated on all occupancies within a building. Size shall be one-half inch (1/2 ″) stroke by four inches (4″) high and on a contrasting background. Directional address numbers or letters shall be provided. Said addresses or numbers shall be posted at a height no greater than 5 feet, 6 inches (5 ′ 6″) above the finished floor and shall be either internally or externally illuminated in all new construction.
The ordinance requires individual tenant spaces to have address numbers, and provides guidance as to height and size of the numbers. The International Fire Code is silent on this issue.
Adopting None California Fire Code Section 505.1.2 Rear Addressing is added to read as follows:
505.1.2 Rear Addressing. When required by the fire code official, approved numbers or addresses shall be placed on all new and existing buildings in such a position as to be plainly visible and legible from the fire apparatus road at the back of a property or where rear parking lots or alleys provide an acceptable vehicular access. Number stroke and size shall comply with 505 1 The ordinance requires rear entrances to tenant spaces to have corresponding address, so fire fighters can orientate themselves when approaching the rear of a single building that has multiple addresses. The International Fire Code is silent on this issue.
Item B Page 63
Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
Adopting 506.1 Where required. Where accecss to or within a structure or an area is restricted because of secured openings or where immediate access is necessary for life-saving or fire-fighting purposes, the fire code official is authorized to require a key box to be installed in an approved location. The key box shall be an approved type listed in accorance to UL 1037, and shall contain keys to gain necessary access as required by the fire code official.
California Fire Code Section 506.1 Where Required is amended to read as follows:506.1 Where required. Where access to or within a structure or an area is restricted because of secured openings or where immediate access is necessary for life-saving or fire-fighting purposes, the fire code official is authorized to require a key box to be installed in an approved location. The key box shall be of an approved type listed in accordance with UL 1037, and shall contain keys to gain necessary access as required by the fire code official. Where a new gate or barrier is installed on a fire access roadway, the fire department shall have emergency access. Gates or barriers shall have a Knox® key switch.
Added to require knox key box
Adopting None California Fire Code Section 506.1.1.1 Key Box content requirements added to read as follows:506.1.1.1 Key box content requirements. The keys to multi-tenant spaces shall be included.Additional keys shall be included for card access, elevator control, fire alarm control panels, andfire sprinkler control valve access. Reference is made to the Knox Box Standards and Guidelines included in the Standards and Guidelines Manual (Section 101.6 of this Code).
Description of keys required for fire department access box.
Adopting 507.5.1.1 Hydrant for Standpipe Systems
Buildings equipped with a standpipe system installed in accordance with Section 905 shall have a fire hydrant within 100 feet (30 480 mm) of the fire department connections.Exception: The distance shall be permitted to exceed 100 feet (30 480 mm) where approved by the fire code official.
California Fire Code Section 506.1.1.1 Key Box content requirements added to read as follows:506.1.1.1 Key box content requirements. The keys to multi-tenant spaces shall be included.Additional keys shall be included for card access, elevator control, fire alarm control panels, and fire sprinkler control valve access. Reference is made to the Knox Box Standards and Guidelines included in the Standards and Guidelines Manual (Section 101.6 of this Code).
Decreases the potential for emergency vehicle access obstructions from fire hose on the ground. Better when a hydrant is close to the fire department connections.
Adopting None California Fire Code Section 507.5.7 Fire Hydrant size and outlets is added to read as follows:507.5.7 Fire hydrant size and outlets. Shall be in accordance with the Woodside Fire Protection District standards and guidelines, or as approved by the fire code official.
Describes the type of hydrants required within the WFPD.
Adopting None California Fire Code Section 507.5.8 Fire Hydrant street marker is added to read as follows:
507.5.8 Fire hydrant street marker. Fire hydrant locations shall be visually indicated in accordance with the Woodside Fire Protection District standards or as approved by the fire code official, as may be amended from time to time. Any hydrant marker damaged or removed during the course of street construction or repair shall be immediately replaced by the contractor, developer or person responsible for removal or damage.
Provides a means for enforcing the removal of fire hydrant markers that the district purchases and installs ourselves.
Adopting 508.2 Fire Control Room California Fire Code section 508.2 Fire Control Room is added to read as follows: 508.2 Fire Control Room. An approved fire control room shall be provided for all new buildings or occupancies with a change of use, requiring protection by an automatic fire sprinkler system. The room shall contain the fire alarm control panels, ERCCS control equipment, and other fire equipment required by the Fire Code Official. Fire control rooms shall be located within the building at a location approved by the Fire Code official, and shall be provided at grade with a means to access the room directly from the exterior. Durable signage shall be provided on the exterior side of the access foor to identify the fire control room. Fire Control Rooms shall not be less than 50 square feet. Exceptions: 1. Group R-3 Occupancies. 2. Occupanices with a fire pump shall have a fire control room that is a minimum of 200 square feet. 3 In high rise buildings the fire control room shall not be less than 200 square feet Added to follow standard for San Mateo County fire jurisdictions operational consistency.
Item B Page 64
Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
Adopting
510.1 Emergency Responder Communication Coverage in New BuildingsApproved in-building, two-way emergency responder communication coverage for emergency responders shall be provided in all new buildings. In-building, two-way emergency responder communication coverage within the building shall be based on the existing coverage levels of the public safety communication systems utilized by the jurisdiction, measured at the exterior of the building. This section shall not require improvement of the existing public safety communication systems.Exceptions:1. Where approved by the building official and the fire code official, a wired communication system in accordance with Section 907.2.13.2 shall be permitted to be installed or maintained instead of an approved radio coverage system.2. Where it is determined by the fire code official that the radio coverage system is not needed.3. In facilities where emergency responder radio coverage is required and such systems, components or equipment required could have a negative impact on the normal operations of that facility, the fire code official shall have the authority to accept an a tomaticall acti ated emergenc responder radio
California Fire Code Section 510.1 exception #1 is deleted. Deleted. No hard wire is accepted for fire and police communications.
Adopting 510.3 Permit Required
A construction permit for the installation of or modification to inbuilding, two-way emergency responder communication coverage systems and related equipment is required as specified in Section 105.6.4. Maintenance performed in accordance with this code is not considered a modification and does not require a permit
California Fire code Section 510.3 Permits required is amended to read as follows:510.3 Permits required. Construction permits shall be required as set forth in Sections 105.6 and 105.7. Maintenance performed in accordance with this code is not considered a modification and does not require a permit.
Provides for where permits are required and that maintenance work does not require a permit.
Adopting 510.4.2 System design
The in-building, two-way emergency responder communication coverage system shall be designed in accordance with Sections 510.4.2.1 through 510.4.2.8 and NFPA 1221.
California Fire Code Section 510.4.2 System design is amended to read as follows:510.4.2 System design. The in-building, two-way emergency responder communication coverage system shall be designed in accordance with Sections 510.4.2.1 through 510.4.2.8, NFPA 1221, NFPA 72 and San Mateo County ERCCS (P-500).
Amended to follow San Mateo County Fire Chiefs policy for coverage design.
Adopting 510.5 Installation Requirements
The installation of the in building, two-way emergency responder communication coverage system shall be in accordance with NFPA 1221 and Sections 510.5.2 through 510 5 5
California Fire Code Section 510.5 Installation requirements is amended to read as follows:510.5 Installation requirements. The installation of the in-building, two-way emergency responder communication coverage system shall be in accordance with San Mateo County ERCCS (P-500), NFPA 72, NFPA 1221, and Sections 510.5.2 through 510.5.5.
Amended to follow San Mateo County Fire Chiefs policy for coverage design.
Adopting 605.3.1 Spark Arrestors California Fire Code Section 605.3.1 Spark arrestors is added to read:
605.3.1 Spark Arrestors. All Chimneys attached to any appliance or fireplace that burns solid fuel shall be equipped with an approved spark arrestor per CBC 2113.9.2 Eliminates the potential for ember ignitions throughout the district.
Adopting
Adopting None California Fire Code Section 901.4.4.1Additional Fire Protection Systems in Accessory Dwelling Units is added to read as follows:Section 901.4.4.1 Additional Fire Protection Systems in Accessory Dwelling Units. An automatic fire sprinkler system may be used in new accessory dwelling units as an alternative,when aspects of the fire code cannot be met in their entirety and when approved by the Fire Code Official. provides for an alternative means and method when aspects of the fire code cannot be met as per CFC Section 104.1 Alternative Means and Methods.
Adopting None California Fire Code, Section 901.6.3.2 Records reporting is added to read as follows:
901.6.3.2 Records Reporting. Fire detection, alarm and extinguishing systems, shall be maintained in an operative condition at all times, and shall be replaced or repaired where defective. Non-required fire protection systems and equipment shall be inspected, tested, and maintained or removed. All inspection, testing and maintenance reports shall be forwarded to the Fire District using electronic media to the designated third-party electronic record keeping service as chosen by the Fire District's Fire Code Official. Hard copy reports are not permitted.
Explains the process of records reporting for the Prevention Bureau.
Adopting 903 Automatic Sprinkler Systems
CHAPTER 6 BUILDING SERVICES & SYSTEMSCHAPTER 9 FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS Item B Page 65
Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
Adopting 903.2 Where required. Approved automatic sprinkler systems in new buildings and structures shall be provided in the locations described in Sections 903.2.1 through 903.2.12 and Sections 903.2.14 through 903.2.21.
California Fire Code, Section 903.2 Where required is amended to read as follows:
903.2 Where required. Approved automatic sprinkler systems shall be provide throughout new buildings and structures in the locations described in this Section or in Sections 903.2.1 through 903.2.21, whichever is most restrictive. Approved automatic sprinkler systems in existing buildings and structures shall be provided in locations described in Section 903.6.For the purposes of this section, firewalls and fire barriers used to separate building areas shall be constructed in accordance with the California Building Code and shall be without openings or penetrations. 1. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all new buildings and structures greater than 1,000 square feet of building area. Exceptions: 1. Group S-2 or U occupancies used exclusively for vehicle parking, and which meet all thefollowing:1.1 Noncombustible construction.1.2. Maximum building area not to exceed 5,000 square feet.1.3. Structure is open on three (3) or more sides.1.4 Minimum of 10 feet separation from existing buildings unless the area is separated by firewalls complying with California Building Code Section 706.2. Detached non-combustible motor vehicle fuel dispensing canopies less than 1000 square feetthat cover motor vehicle fuel dispensing facilities when constructed in accordance with Section406.7.2 of the 2022 California Building Code. 3 Agricultural buildings as approved by the fire code official Maintaining Ordinance requirements that have already been in place to aid in fire propogation and spread. Aging water infrastructure, inadequate hydrant spacing and increased response times due to traffic, road width, and traffic calming devices slow down response times requiring increased protection.
Adopting 903.2.7 Group M. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings containing a Group M occupancy where one of the following conditions exists: 1. A Group M fire area exceeds 12,000 square feet (1115 m2). 2. A Group M fire area is located more than three stories above grade plane. 3. The combined area of all Group M fire areas on all floors, including any mezzanines, exceeds 24,000 square feet (2230 m2). 4. A Group M occupancy used for the display and sale of upholstered furniture or mattresses exceeds 5,000 square feet (464 m2).
California Fire Code Section 903.2.7 Group M is amended to read as follows:California Fire Code Section 903.2.7 Group M. Automatic fire sprinkler systems shall be provided throughout buildings containing a Group M occupancy with a fire area greater than 1,000 square feet and any Group M occupancy used for the display and sale of upholstered furniture.
The ordinance requires new M occupancies to have automatic fire sprinklers when the square footage exceeds 1,000 square feet. Section 903.2.7.1 requires Group M Occupancies with high piled storage to follow the fire sprinkler requirements of Chapter 32 on High Piled Combustible Storage.
Adopting None California Fire Code, Section 903.2.10.3 Lithium-Ion Batteries in Vehicles is added to read as follows:903.2.10.3 Lithium-ion batteries in vehicles. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout buildings having Group S-2 occupancies that house vehicles with lithium-ionbatteries. The sprinkler system shall be designed for the square footage area of the lithium-ion batteries in vehicles, based on an area of sprinkler operation of 2,500 square feet and design density of 0.40 gpm/sf.In Group S-2 occupancies, with portions of floors without lithium-ion batteries in vehicles, shall be provided with a sprinkler protection system per NFPA 13.
Added to be in alignment with San Mateo County Fire Agencies Adopting 903.2.11 Specific Building Areas and Hazards. In all occupancies other than group U, an automatic sprinkler system shall be installed for building design or hazards in the locations set forth in sections 903.2.11.1 through 903.2.11.6 903.2.11 Specific building Areas and hazards is amended to read as follows: 903.2.11 Specific Building Areas and Hazards. In all occupancies an automatic sprinkler system shall be installed for building design or hazards in the locations set forth in sections 903.2.11.1 through 903.2.11.6 Included Group U occupancies as specific Building areas and hazards where sprinklers shall be installed.
Adopting 903.2.11.1 Stories without openings. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout all stories, including basements , of all buildings where the floor area exceeds 1,500 square feet (139.4 m2) and where there is not provided at least one of the following types of exterior wall openings: 1. Openings below grade that lead directly to ground level by an exterior stairway complying with Section 1009 or an outside ramp complying with Section 1010. Openings shall be located in each 50 linear feet (15 240 mm), or fraction thereof, of exterior wall in the story on at least one side. The required openings shall be distributed such that the lineal distance between adjacent openings does not exceed 50 feet (15 240 mm). 903.2.11.1 Stories and basements without openings is amended to read as follows:903.2.11.1 Stories and basements without openings. Automatic sprinkler systems shall be installed in every building with a basement.
Automatic sprinkler systems shall be installed in every story of all buildings where the floor area exceeds 1000 square feet and where the following type of exterior wall opening is not provided.1. Openings entirely above the adjoining ground level totaling at least 20 square feet (1.86 m2) in each 50 linear feet (15 240 mm), or fraction thereof, of exterior wall in the story on at least one side.
Adjustments in this section require automatic fire sprinkler protection in basements of occupancies. The threshold begins at square footage exceeding 250 square feet, except for the Town of Atherton which has no threshold square footage. Basement fires bring a different tactic to fire suppression operations. Entry is obscured by thick smoke. Opening doors to basement create a rush of hot gases typically exceeding 900 degrees F. A fire in a basement can cause the floor to giveaway under firefighters as they enter the structure to attempt extinguishment.
Item B Page 66
Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
Adopting 903.2.18 Group U Private Garages and Carports Accessory to Group R-3 OccupanciesCarports with habitable space above and attached garages, accessory to Group R-3 occupancies, shall be protected by residential fire sprinklers in accordance with this section. Residential fire sprinklers shall be connected to, and installed in accordance with, an automatic residential fire sprinkler system that complies with Section R313 of the California Residential Code or with NFPA 13D. Fire sprinklers shall be residential sprinklers or quick-response sprinklers, designed to provide a minimum density of 0.05 gpm/ft2 (2.04 mm/min) over the area of the garage and/or carport, but not to exceed two sprinklers for hydraulic calculation purposes. Garage doors shall not be considered obstructions with respect to sprinkler placement.Exception: An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall not be required when additions or alterations are made to existing carports and/or garages that do not have an automatic residential fire sprinkler system installed in accordance with this section
California Fire Code, Section 903.2.18 is amended to read as follows, with the exception being deleted: 903.2.18 Group U private garages and carports accessory to Group R-3 occupancies. Carports with habitable space above and attached garages, accessory to Group R-3 occupancies, shall be protected by residential fire sprinklers in accordance with this section. Residential fire sprinklers shall be connected to, and installed in accordance with, an automatic residential fire sprinkler system that complies with R313 of The California Residential Code or with NFPA 13D. Fire sprinklers shall be residential sprinklers or quick-response sprinklers, designed to provide a minimum density of 0.05 gpm/ft2 over the most hydraulically demanding area of the structure, but not to exceed two sprinklers for hydraulic calculations purposes. Garage doors shall not be considered obstructions with respect to sprinkler placement.
Higher risk of an ignition from a garage being below a habitable living space triggering the installation of sprinklers in these kinds of spaces.
Adopting None California Fire Code Section 903.2.22 Fire Department Delivery Capability is added , to read: Section 903.2.22 Fire Department Delivery Capability. An automatic fire sprinkler shall be installed in all new buildings and occupancies or in existing buildings or structures that change occupancy classification or use, when the required fire flow exceeds 2,000 gallons per minute.
In buildings that require fire flows in excess of 2,000 gallons which would be difficult to produce within the WFPD, an early suppression sprinkler system should be installed to keep the fire managed and suppressed until suppression crews can arrive on scene.
Adopting 903.3.1.1.2 Bathroom 903.3.1.1.2 Bathroom is Deleted WFPD standard to delete bathrooms due to fire history Adopting 903.3.1.2 NFPA 13R sprinkler systems. Automatic sprinkler systems in Group R occupancies up to and including four stories in height not exceeding 60 feet in height above grade plane shall be permitted to be installed throughout in accordance with NFPA 13R as amended in Chapter 80. 903.3.1.2 NFPA 13R sprinkler systems is amended to read as follows:
903.3.1.2 NFPA 13R sprinkler systems. Where in this code a NFPA 13R sprinkler system is allowed in Group R-1, R-2, R-2.1, and R-4 occupancies, a NFPA 13 sprinkler system shallbe used.
NFPA 13R sprinkler systems are used in multi-family dwellings (apartments). They allow un-sprinklered spaces and installation practices inconsistent with similar size occupancies. This change requires a full fire sprinkler system, which is consistent with similar size buildings.
Adopting 903.3.3 Obstructed locations. Automatic sprinklers shall be installed with regard to obstructions that will delay activation or obstruct the water distribution pattern. Automatic sprinklers shall be installed in or under covered kiosks, displays, booths, concession stands or equipment that exceeds 4 feet (1219 mm) in width. Not less than a 3- foot (914 mm) clearance shall be maintained between automatic sprinklers and the top of piles of combustible fibers. Exception: Kitchen equipment under exhaust hoods protected with a fire-extinguishing system in accordance with Section 904. 903.3.3 Obstructed locations is amended to read as follows:903.3.3 Obstructed locations. Automatic sprinklers shall be installed with regard to obstructions that will delay activation or obstruct the water distribution pattern and shall be in accordance with the applicable automatic sprinkler system standard that is being used. Automatic fire sprinklers shall be installed in or under covered kiosks, displays, booths, concession stands, laboratory fume hoods, bio safety cabinets that use flammable liquids in processes, or equipment that exceeds 4 feet (1219 mm) in width. Not less than a 3-foot (914 mm) clearance shall be maintained between automatic sprinklers and the top of piles of combustible fibers. Sprinklers shall be provided in all areas including combustible or noncombustible concealed spaces, 6 inches or more. Exception:1. Kitchen equipment under exhaust hoods protected with a fire-extinguishing system inaccordance with Section 904.
The Fire District requires fire sprinkler protection in obstructed locations that are 6 inches or more in height or width. These spaces are typically used to run electrical wiring, and have been collection points for combustible debris. Fires in these concealed spaces have the ability to overcome automatic fire sprinkler protection. By providing fire sprinkler protection in these spaces, early fire detection is established and the fire is controlled.Industrial areas of the District cater to Research and Development Laboratories. Due to fire histories in these labs, the Fire District requires fire sprinkler protection inside lab fume hoods, and in biosafety cabinets that use flammable liquids in processes. By including an exception, for sprinklering the 6 inch concealed space, the ordinance allows for flexibility depending on the occupancy and the use of the space.
Adopting 903.3.5 Water Supplies
Water supplies for automatic sprinkler systems shall comply with this section and the standards referenced in Section 903.3.1. The potable water supply shall be protected against backflow in accordance with Health and Safety Code 13114.7. For connections to public waterworks systems, the water supply test used for design of fire protection systems shall be adjusted to account for seasonal and daily pressure fluctuations based on information from the water supply authority and as approved by the fire code official.
California Fire Code Section 903.3.5.3 Non-permissible water supply storage is added, to read: 903.3.5.3 Non-permissible water supply storage. Swimming pools and ponds shall not be considered water storage for the purposes of Section 903.3.5.
Pools and Ponds are not suitable water sources for automatic sprinkler systems and this provides a means of conveying the message .
Item B Page 67
Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
Adopting None 903.3.10 Partial Systems in new buildings or structures is added to read as follows:
903.3.10 Partial Systems in new buildings or structures. Automatic fire sprinkler systems that only protect a portion of the building shall not be allowed.
The Fire District added a section to the ordinance that requires a full fire sprinkler system in a building, and to not allow for a partial system. When firefighters respond to a fire in a sprinklered building, it is assumed that all portions of the building have fire sprinkler protection. If the fire's origin happened to be in an unsprinklered portion of a sprinklered building, the fire's heat can overcome the sprinklered portion of the building.
Adopting 903.4.2 Alarms
One exterior approved audible device, located on the exterior of the building in an approved location, shall be connected to each automatic sprinkler system. Such sprinkler waterflow alarm devices shall be activated by water flow equivalent to the flow of a single sprinkler of the smallest orifice size installed in the system. Where a fire alarm system is installed, actuation of the automatic sprinkler system shall actuate the building fire alarm system. Visible alarm notification appliances shall not be required except when required by Section 907.
California Fire Code, Section 903.4.2 Alarms is amended to read as follows:903.4.2 Alarms. One exterior approved audible and visual device, located on the exterior of the building in an approved location, shall be connected to each automatic sprinkler system. Such sprinkler water-flow alarm devices shall be activated by water flow equivalent to the flow of a single sprinkler of the smallest orifice size installed in the system. A fire alarm monitoringsystem is required to be installed and connected whereas actuation of the automatic sprinkler system shall actuate the building fire alarm system.
Provides for a means of exterior notifications.
903.6 Where Required in Existing Buildings and StructuresAn automatic sprinkler system shall be provided in existing buildings and structures where required in Chapter 11. 903.6 Where Required in Existing Buildings and Structures is amended to read as follows:903.6 Where Required in Existing Buildings and Structures An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided in existing buildings and structures where required in Chapter 11 or when improvements are conducted in accordance with this section.
No changes to the introductory statement. Just added 3 additional conditions that will trigger sprinkler installations and an exception for ADA barrier removals.
Adopting None 903.6.1 Where required due to improvements to buildings and structures is added and amended to read as follows:
903.6.1 Where required due to improvements to buildings and structures The provisionsof this Section are intended to provide a reasonable degree of fire safety in existing structuresby requiring installation of an automatic fire-extinguishing system. All existing buildingsand structures, regardless of type of occupancy or area, shall be provided with anautomatic fire sprinkler system in the following circumstances: Where the alterations fall within the provisions of Section 102.1.1 of this Code. Within theunincorporated San Mateo County State Responsibility Area, where the gross floor area of aproposed alteration, addition, or combination of alterations and additions and the gross floorarea of any alterations, additions, or combination of alterations and additions meets thedefinition of a “substantial alteration” as defined in San Mateo County Ordinance number4873 or its successor ordinance.2. Any combination of additions, alterations, or repairs to more than 50% of the existing grossfloor area of the building within a two-year time-period. Within the unincorporated SanMateo County State Responsibility Area, any combination of additions, alterations and/orrepairs within a two-year time-period meets the definition of a “substantial alteration” asdefined in San Mateo County Ordinance number 4873 or its successor ordinance. Timelineswill be based on the date of the last final fire inspection.3. Any additions, alterations or repairs within a building that contains an existing automatic firesprinkler system shall have the automatic fire sprinkler system extended/modified to the areaof proposed work.4. Any change in use or occupancy creating a more hazardous fire/life safety condition asdetermined by the Fire Code Official requires that an automatic fire sprinklers system beinstalled in the space where the change in use or occupancy is proposed. 5. Any change of use from a non-habitable to a habitable, non-day-lighted basement requires The Fire Code does not specify weather or not an existing building that under goes improvements should include automatic fire sprinkler protection. The Fire District has specified in this section, what it believes to be reasonable requirements to add fire sprinkler protection when buildings are improved or occupancies are changed to become hazardous.
Adopting None California Fire Code 903.6.1.2 Partial Systems in existing buildings and structures is added to read as follows:903.6.1.2 Partial Systems in existing buildings and structures. Automatic fire sprinkler systems that only protect a portion of the building shall not be allowed. Exception: A phased installation of an automatic fire sprinkler system may be accepted as an alternate materials and method application, as prescribed in Section 104.9, when different tenant spaces in the same building are occupied, and the installation of a fire sprinkler system may disrupt business. Not to exceed five (5) years for final completion from initial permit date.
Description of not allowing partial systems. Allows exceptions for existing multi-tenant buildings.
Adopting None California Fire Code Section 903.6.2 Change of occupancy classification is added, to read as follows:903.6.2 Change of occupancy classification. Any existing building that undergoes a change of occupancy classification into a higher hazard category shall comply with the requirements of Section 903.2. Relative hazard categories of occupancy groups shall be established based upon the Heights and Areas Hazard Categories of Table 1011.5 of the current edition of the International Existing Building Code, as published by the International Code Council. The requirements of Section 903.2 shall not be required when a change of occupancy classification is made to an equal or lesser hazard category. Group L occupancies shall be considered a l ti h d f 1 (hi h t h d)
Provides for a greater level of protection for higher hazard occupancy classifications.
Item B Page 68
Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
Adopting None California Fire Code, Section 905.3.12 Lithium-ion batteries in vehicles is added to read as follows:905.3.12 Lithium-ion batteries in vehicles. Commercial buildings with lithium-ion battery vehicle parking shall be equipped with Class I standpipe systems extended to have hose connections located within 100 feet of lithium-ion battery vehicle parking. Exceptions: Group R3 and R-3.1 occupancies.
Added to be in alignment with other San Mateo County Fire Agencies.
Adopting 907.1.6 Certification California Fire Code 907.1.6 Certification is added to read as follow:
907.1.6 Certification. New fire alarm systems shall be UL-Certified. A certificate of Completion and other documentation as listed in NFPA 72 shall be provided for all new fire alarm system installation. It is the responsibility of the building owner or owner’s representative to obtain and maintain a current and valid Certificate. The protected premise shall be issued a UUFX type certification from Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Added for system integrity and reduction of false alarms. Now becoming a San Mateo County standard Adopting None California Fire Code, Section 907.1.6.1 Posting of certification is added to read as follows:
907.1.6.1 Posting of certification. The UL certificate required in Section 907.1.6 shall be posted in a durable transparent cover within three (3) feet of the fire alarm control panel within 45 days of the final acceptance test/inspection.
San Mateo County Standard .
Adopting None California Fire Code Section 907.4.4 Monitoring of other fire systems is added, to read as follows:907.4.4 Monitoring of other fire systems. In buildings equipped with a fire alarm system or sprinkler alarm and supervisory service (SASS) system, where other fire suppression or extinguishing systems are installed in the building (including, but not limited to commercial kitchen suppression systems, pre-action fire suppression systems, dry chemical systems, and clean agent systems), these other suppression systems shall be monitored by the SASS dedicated function fire alarm system and transmitted as a specific signal to the Central Station. The system shall be monitored in compliance with Section 907.6.6.
Provides for a dedicated and more effective means of monitoring and notification of suppression systems.
Adopting 907.7 Acceptance Tests and Completion
Upon completion of the installation, the fire alarm system and all fire alarm components shall be tested in accordance with NFPA 72.
California Fire Code Section 907.7 Acceptance tests and completion is amended to read as follows:907.7 Acceptance tests and completion. Upon completion of the installation, the fire alarm system and all fire alarm components shall be tested in accordance with NFPA 72. Fire alarms systems in commercial structures shall obtain a UL Certificate for the system prior to final inspection.
In the early 1980's UL established a program for certification of fire alarm systems. NFPA 72 Standards were used as the requirements for the certification. The certificate is a declaration by the alarm company responsible for the installation that the system as described on the certificate form has been installed and will be maintained in accordance with the NFPA Standard.
Adopting 907.9 Where Required in Existing Buildings and Structures An approved fire alarm system shall be provided in existing buildings and structures where required in Chapter 11.
California Fire Code Section 907.9 Where required in existing buildings and structures is amended to read as follows: 907.9 Where required in existing buildings and structures. An approved fire alarm system shall be provided in existing buildings and structures where required in Chapter 11. When an alteration to any existing building or structure requires an upgrade or new fire alarm system, multiple fire alarm systems shall be approved by the fire code official.
If a fire occurs in a single space of a multi-tenanted building, occupants of the other spaces should also be notified of the fire and evacuated. However, NFPA 72 allows individual tenants to install their own fire alarm system, thus NOT notifying other tenants of a fire. To correct this problem, the Fire District will require a single fire alarm system for multi-tenanted spaces. Fire code official will approve multiple systems with conditions.
Adopting 912.2 Location
With respect to hydrants, driveways, buildings and landscaping, fire department connections shall be so located that fire apparatus and hose connected to supply the system will not obstruct access to the buildings for other fire apparatus. The location of fire department connections shall be approved by the fire code official
California Fire Code, Section 912.2 Location is amended to read as follows:912.2 Location. With respect to hydrants, driveways, buildings and landscaping, fire department connections shall be so located that fire apparatus and hose connected to supply the system will not obstruct access to the buildings for other fire apparatus. The location of the fire department connections shall be within 100 feet of a fire hydrant or as approved by the fire code official (Also see Section 507.5.1.1).
Provides for less obstructions from fire hose on the fireground when hydrants are closer to the Fire department connections.
Chapter 10 MEANS OF EGRESS
Adopting None California Fire Code Section 1028.5.1 Exit discharge surface is added, to read:
1028.5.1 Exit discharge surface. Exterior exit pathway surfaces shall be of a non-sliptype surface that would not contribute to a fall, slip, or trip hazard in inclement weather. Thepathway shall terminate at a public way as defined in the California Building Code.
Provides for a safer exiting surface in inclement weather.
Chapter 12 ENERGY SYSTEMS
Adopting None California Fire Code Section 1207.11.5.1 Electrical Disconnect added to read as follows:
1207.11.5.1 Electrical Disconnect. The ESS disconnect shall be located on the exterior of the building and at the main panel.
Added to allow firefighters to secure utilitites from the exterior of the house in the event of an emergency Adopting None California Fire Code Section 1207.11.11 Interconnected Electrical Power Sources added to read as follows:1207.11.11 Interconnected Electrical Power Sources. A permanent directory site plan plaque denoting the location of all electrical power source disconnecting means on or in the premises shall be installed at each service equipment location and at the location(s) of the system disconnect(s) for all electric power production sources capable of being interconnected.
Added to provide notification to firefighters of multiple power sources and locations to secure utilities and aid in firefighter safety and safe operations.
Item B Page 69
Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
Chapter 33 Fire Safety During Construction and Demolition Adopting None California Fire Code Section 3303.1.2 Additional amendments is added to read:
3303.1.2 Additional amendments. Additional requirements may be required to an approved site safety plan if deemed necessary by both the building official and fire official, based on previous fires or hazards that occurred on site or within the jurisdiction Provides for additional options for site safety on sites with past history with the district.
Adopting None California Fire Code Section 3303.1.3 Site Security requirements is added to read as follows:3303.1.3 Site Security requirements. Site security requirements shall include the following if deemed necessary by both the building official and fire official: 1. Controlled access points 2. Site fencing, up to 12 feet in height with tamper sensors and security wires on top 3. Security guards, full-time 24/7 presence on-site, to perform fire watch and patrols 4. Detection check points located throughout the buildings for fire watch and patrol verification 5. Security camera coverage throughout the site with motion detection notifications 6. Identify measures taken to prevent tampering with security cameras and motion sensors 7. Necessary lighting throughout the project site Added for the Safety and Security of construction sites.
Adopting None California Fire Code Section 3319.1 General is added to read as follows:
3319.1 General. Operations involving removal of asbestos or asbestos-containing materials from buildings shall be in accordance with Section 3319.Exception: Section 3319 does not apply to the removal of asbestos from:1. Pumps, valves, gaskets and similar equipment.2. Pipes, ducts, girders or beams that have a length less than 21 linear feet (6400 mm).3. Wall or ceiling panels that have an area of less than 10 square feet (0.93 m2) or a dimension of less than 10 linear feet (3048 mm).4. Floor tiles when their removal can be completed in less than four hours.5. Group R-3 occupancies.
Provides for additional safety measures when working with Asbestos and Asbestos materials.
Adopting None California Fire Code Section 3319.2 Notification is added to read as follows:
3319.2 Notification. The fire code official shall be notified 24 hours prior to the commencement and closure of asbestos-removal operations. The permit applicant shall notify the building official when asbestos abatement involves the removal of materials that were used as a feature of the building's fire resistance
Provides for additional safety measures when working with Asbestos and Asbestos materials.
Adopting None California Fire Code Section 3319.3 Plastic Film is added to read as follows:
3319.3 Plastic Film. Plastic film that is installed on building elements shall be flame resistant as required for combustible decorative material, in accordance with Section 807.
Provides for additional safety measures when working with Asbestos and Asbestos materials.
Adopting None California Fire Code Section 3319.4 Signs is added to read as follows: Provides for additional safety measures when working with Adopting None California Fire Code, Section 3901.1.1 Cannabis growing, processing, or extraction San Mateo County Standard Adopting
Adopting
WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE (WUI). A geographical area identified by the state as a "Fire Hazard Severity Zone" in accordance with the Public Resources Code, Sections 4201 through 4204, and Government Code, Sections 51175 through 51189, or other areas designated by the enforcing agency to be at a significant risk from wildfires.
California Fire Code, Section 4902.1 WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE FIRE AREA is amended to read as follows:California Fire Code, Section 4902.1 WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE FIRE AREA. A geographical area identified by the state as a “Fire Hazard Severity Zone” in accordance with the Public Resources Code, Sections 4201 through 4204, and Government Code, Sections 51175 through 51189, or other areas designated by the Woodside Fire Protection District to be at a significant risk from wildfires.
Provides for the definition of what constitutes a "Wildland Urban Interface Fire Area" within the jurisdiction of the Woodside Fire Protection District.
CHAPTER 39 PLANT PROCESSING AND EXTRACATION FACILITIES
CHAPTER 49 REQUIREMENTS FOR WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE AREAS Item B Page 70
Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
Adopting CFC 4903.2 Contents. The fire protection plan shall be based on a project-specific wildfire hazard assessment that includes consideraions of location, topography, aspect, and climatic and fire history. The plan shall identify conformance with all applicable State wildfire protection regulations, statutes and applicable local ordinances, whichever are more restrictive. The plan shall address fire department access, egress, road and address signage, water supply in addition to fuel reduction in accordance with Public Resource code (PRC) 4290; the defensible space requirements in accordance with PRC 4291 or Government code 51182 and the applicable building codes and standards for wildfire safety. The plan shall identify mitigation measures to address the projects specific wildfire risk and shall include the information required in 4903.2.1.
CFC 4903.2 Contents is amended to read as follows: CFC Section 4903.2 Contents. The fire protection plan shall be based on a project-specific wildfire hazard assessment that includes consideraions of location, topography, aspect, and climatic and fire history. The plan shall identify conformance with all applicable State wildfire protection regulations, statutes and applicable local ordinances, whichever are more restrictive. The plan shall address fire department access, egress, road and address signage, water supply in addition to fuel reduction in accordance with Public Resource code (PRC) 4290; the defensible space requirements in accordance with PRC 4291 or Government code 51182 and applicable fire district ordinances; and the applicable building codes and standards for wildfire safety.The plan shall identify mitigation measures to address the projects specific wildfire risk and shall include the information required in 4903.2.1.
Added Fire district Ordinances to the content definition.
Adopting 4906.2 Application
All new plantings of vegetation in State Responsibility Areas (SRA) and Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) designated as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone shall comply with Sections 4906 3 through 4906 5 3
California Fire Code, Section 4906.2 Application is amended to read as follows:4906.2 Application. All new plantings of vegetation in State Responsibility Areas(SRA) and Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) designated as a Very High Fire Hazard SeverityZone shall comply with Sections 4906.3 through 4906.5.3 and applicable Fire Districtordinances.
Describes where in the district that hazardous vegetation and fuel management is required.
Adopting 4907.1 General
Hazardous vegetation and fuels shall be managed to reduce the severity of potential exterior wildfire exposure to buildings and to reduce the risk of fire spreading to buildings as required by applicable laws and regulations.Defensible space will be managed around all buildings and structures in State Responsibility Areas (SRA) as required in P bli R C d 4291
California Fire Code, Section 4907.1 General is amended to read as follows:4907.1 General. Hazardous vegetation and fuels and defensible space shall be managed in State Responsibility and Local Responsibility Areas as identified in Section 4907.2 to reduce the severity of potential exterior wildfire exposure to buildings and to reduce the risk of fire spreading to buildings as required by applicable laws and regulations, including applicable ordinances of the Fire District.
Describes where defensible space will be managed around buildings and structures and the codes and regulations that govern those areas.
Adopting CFC 4907.3 Requirements. Hazardous vegetation and fuels around all applicable buildings and structures shall be maintained in accordance with the following laws and regulations: 1. Public Resources code, Sec 4291 2. California code of regulations, Title 14, division 1.5, Chapter 7, subchapter 3, Section 1299 (See guidance for implementation "General Guidelines to Create Defensible space"). 3. California Government code, Section 51182 4. California code of Regulations title 19, division 1, Chapter 7, subchapter 1, S ti 3 07
CFC Sec 4907.3 is amended to read as follows: CFC Sec 4907.3 Requirements.Hazardous vegetation and fuels around all applicable buildings and structures shall be maintained in accordance with the following laws and regulations: 1. Public Resources code, Sec 4291 2. California code of regulations, Title 14, division 1.5, Chapter 7, subchapter 3, Section 1299 (See guidance for implementation "General Guidelines to Create Defensible space"). 3. California Government code, Section 51182 4. California code of Regulations title 19, division 1, Chapter 7, subchapter 1, Section 3.07. 5. All applicable Ordinances of the Woodside Fire Protection district.
Adopting 5001.5.1 Hazardous Materials Management Plan (HMMP) Where required by the fire code official, an application for a permit shall include a Hazardous Materials Management Plan (HMMP). The HMMP shall include a facility site plan designating the following: 1. Access to each storage and use area. 2. Location of emergency equipment. 3. Location where liaison will meet emergency responders. 4. Facility evacuation meeting point locations. 5. The general purpose of other areas within the building. 6. Location of all above-ground and underground tanks and their appurtenances including, but not limited to, sumps, vaults, below-grade treatment systems and piping. 7. The hazard classes in each area. 8. Locations of all control areas and Group H occupancies. 9. Emergency exits.[For SFM] The HMMP shall comply with Health and Safety Code, Chapter 6.95, Sections 25500 through 25545, and Title 19, Division 2, Chapter 4.
California Fire Code Section 5001.5.1 Hazardous Materials Management Plan (HMMP) item number 10 is added to read as follows:5001.5.1 Hazardous Material Management Plan (HMMP). Where required by the fire codeofficial, an application for a permit shall include an HMMP. The HMMP shall include an aerialpre-plan of the facility that includes, but is not limited to, the following:10. Fire Department related safety equipment A. Fire alarm control panel (FACP) B. Sprinkler riser C. Fire department connection (FDC) D. Knox Box location E. Gas valve shutoff F. Electrical main shutoff G. Water shutoff H. Elevator equipment room Relevant addition to the Code section that has a direct impact on our emergency operations and safety of our crews..
CHAPTER 50 Hazardous Materials General Provisions
Item B Page 71
Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
Adopting None California Fire Code Section 5001.5.3 Emergency Response Support Information is added to read as follows: 5001.5.3 Emergency response support information. This section is applicable to occupancies with an operational permit as set forth in Section 105.5 and/or in conjunction with Section 5001.5.2. Floor plans, material safety data sheets, Hazardous Materials Management Plans (HMMP), Hazardous Material Inventory Statements (HMIS), and other information must be stored at a readily accessible location; as determined by the fire code official. This location may be in cabinets. located outside of facilities or buildings. Information may be required to be maintained in a specific electronic media format to facilitate computer aided dispatching.
Provides emergency crews with easy access to important information when on scene of an emergency.
Adopting None California Fire Code Section 5003.9.1.2 Documentation is added to read as follows:
5003.9.1.2 Documentation. Evidence of compliance with provisions of this chapter as well as with state and federal hazardous material regulations shall be maintained on site and available for inspection by fire department personnel.
Provides documentation for inspection records
Adopting 5307.4.3 Gas Detection System
A gas detection system complying with Section 916 shall be provided in rooms or indoor areas in which the carbon dioxide enrichment process is located, in rooms or indoor areas in which container systems are located, and in other areas where carbon dioxide is expected to accumulate. Carbon dioxide sensors shall be provided within 12 inches (305 mm) of the floor in the area where the gas is expected to accumulate or leaks are most likely to occur. The system shall be designed as follows:Activates a low-level alarm upon detection of a carbon dioxide concentration of 5,000 ppm (9000 mg/m3).
Activates a high-level alarm upon detection of a carbon dioxide concentration of 30,000 ppm (54 000 mg/m3).
California Fire Code Section 5307.4.3 Gas Detection System is amended to read as follows:5307.4.3 Gas detection system. A gas detection system complying with Section 916 shall be provided in rooms or indoor areas in which the carbon dioxide enrichment process is located, in rooms or indoor areas in which container systems are located, and in other areas where carbon dioxide is expected to accumulate. Carbon dioxide sensors shall be provided within 12 inches (305 mm) of the floor in the area where the gas is expected to accumulate or leaks are most likely to occur. The system shall be designed as follows:1. Activates a low-level alarm upon detection of a carbon dioxide concentration of 5,000 ppm.2. Activates a high-level alarm upon detection of a carbon dioxide concentration of 10,000 ppm.
The lower concentration level of 10,000 PPM provides for a greater safety margin in detection.
Adopting 5601.1.3 Fireworks
The possession, manufacture, storage, sale, handling and use of fireworks are prohibited.Exceptions: 1.Storage and handling of fireworks as allowed in Section 5604. 2. Manufacture, assembly and testing of fireworks as allowed in Section 5605 and Health and Safety Code Division 11. 3. The use of fireworks for fireworks displays pyrotechnics before a proximate audience and pyrotechnic special effects in motion pictures, television, theatrical or group entertainment productions as allowed in Title 19, Division 1, Chapter 6 Fireworks reprinted in Section 5608 and Health and Safety Code Division 11. 4. The possession, storage, sale, handling and use of specific types of Division 1.4G fireworks where allowed by applicable laws, ordinances and regulations, provided that such fireworks and facilities comply with the 2006 edition of NFPA 1124, CPSC 16 CFR Parts 1500 and 1507, and DOTn 49 CFR Parts 100—185, as applicable for consumer fireworks and Health and Safety Code Division 11.
California Fire Code Section 5601.1.3 Fireworks is amended to read as follows:5601.1.3 Fireworks. The possession, manufacture, storage, sale, handling and use of fireworks within all areas of the Woodside Fire Protection District are prohibited.EXCEPTIONS:1. Storage and handling of fireworks by a Public Safety Agency.2. Special permit issued to a licensed pyrotechnic operator by the Fire Marshal.3. Snap Caps and Party Poppers classified by the State Fire Marshal as pyrotechnic devices.
All Fireworks are prohibited within the jurisdiction of the Woodside Fire Protection District Adopting 5601.2.2 Sale and Retail Display
Persons shall not construct a retail display nor offer for sale explosives, explosive materials or fireworks on highways, sidewalks, public property or in Group A or E occupancies.Exception: Fireworks in accordance with California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, Chapter 6, see Section 5608.
California Fire Code Section 5601.2.2 Sale and Retail Display is amended to read as follows:5601.2.2 Sale and retail display. No person shall construct a retail display or offer for sale any explosives, explosive materials, or fireworks within the jurisdiction.Exception: Snap Caps and Party Poppers classified by the State Fire Marshal as pyrotechnic devices.
All Fireworks are prohibited within the jurisdiction of the Woodside Fire Protection District CHAPTER 53 Compressed GasesCHAPTER 56 Explosives and Fireworks Item B Page 72
Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
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5608.1 GeneralOutdoor fireworks displays, use of pyrotechnics before a proximate audience and pyrotechnic special effects in motion picture, television, theatrical and group entertainment productions shall comply with California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, Chapter 6 Fireworks and this section.
California Fire Code Section 5608.1 General is amended to read as follows:5608.1 General All professional pyrotechnical devices used for public display, or special effects, shall be in accordance with the applicable provisions of the State of California Code of Regulations, Title 19 and the applicable section of the California Amended Fire Code. Permits for public display and/or special effects shall be obtained through the Fire Marshal.
No change, already exists in the WFPD "Fire Code "
Exists, carrying 5608.1.1 Scope California Fire Code Section 5608.1.1 Scope is deleted in its entirety and is amended to read No change, already exists in the WFPD "Fire Code" Exists, carrying
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5704.2.9.6.1 Locations Where Above-Ground Tanks Are ProhibitedStorage of Class I and II liquids in above-ground tanks outside of buildings is prohibited within the limits established by law as the limits of districts in which such storage is prohibited [JURISDICTION TO SPECIFY].
California Fire Code Section 5704.2.9.6.1 Locations where above-ground tanks are prohibited is amended to read as follows:
Section 5704.2.9.6.1 Locations where above-ground tanks are prohibited. The limits referred to in section 5704.2, 5704.4.2.4, Table 5704.2, and section 5706 of the CFC, in which the storage or dispensing of flammable or cumbustable liquids, in outside above ground tanks shall be limited to districts zoned for commercial, industrial, or agricultural uses. The dispensing, mixing, handling, or storage ajacent to or on parcels with R1 and R2 occupancies is prohibited.Exceptions: 1. Quantities less than 50 gallons2. Protected above-ground tanks for the purpose of emergency power generator installations in areas zoned commercial, industrial, agricultural, business district, rural or rural residential, and for facilities on an individual basis consistent with the intent of this provision. Tank size shall not exceed 1,000 gallons for any class of liquids. 3. Farms, critical infrastructure and construction sites are determined by the Fire Marshal that the safety of the public is not compromised. The occupancy classification quantities in chapter Allows for the use of Class I and II liquids is specific locations, prohibits the use in certain locations, and limits the tank size and quantity allowed, and is only allowed for specific reasons listed.
Adopting 5706.2.4.4 Locations Where Above-Ground Tanks Are California Fire Code Section 5706.2.4.4 Locations where above-ground tanks are Allows for the use of Class I and II liquids, but limits the Adopting
5806.2 LimitationsStorage of flammable cryogenic fluids in stationary containers outside of buildings is prohibited within the limits established by law as the limits of districts in which such storage is prohibited [JURISDICTION TO SPECIFY].
California Fire Code Section 5806.2 Limitations is amended to read as follows:5806.2 Limitation. The storage of flammable cryogenic fluids in stationary containers outside of buildings is prohibited in any area which is zoned for other than industrial use. Exception: Liquid hydrogen fuel systems in compliance with Section 5806.3 or 5806.4 of thiscode The district does not want the storage of flammable cryogenic fluids to be allowed in commercial and residential areas. Not safe.
Adopting
6103.2.1.7 Use for Food PreparationWhere approved, listed LP-gas commercial food service appliances are allowed to be used for food-preparation within restaurants and in attended commercial food-catering operations in accordance with the International Fuel Gas Code, the California Mechanical Code and NFPA 58.
California Fire Code Section 6103.2.1.7 Use For Food Preparation is amended to read as follows:6103.2.1.7 Use for food preparation. Individual portable L-P containers used, stored, or handled inside a building classified as a Group A, Group B, or Group M occupancy for the purposes of cooking, food display, or a similar use, shall be limited in size to one pound capacity and shall be of an approved type. The number of portable containers permitted will be at the discretion of the fire code official. LP-gas appliances used for food preparation shall be listed for such use in accordance with the California Mechanical Code and NFPA 58.
Provides for the limitation of how much LPG can be used inside of an A,B and M occupancy building providing for a safer environment.
Existing,
ammended
6104.2 Maximum Capacity Within Established LimitsWithin the limits established by law restricting the storage of liquefied petroleum gas for the protection of heavily populated or congested areas, the aggregate capacity of any one installation shall not exceed a water capacity of 2,000 gallons (7570 L) [JURISDICTION TO SPECIFY].Exception: In particular installations, this capacity limit shall be determined by the fire code official, after consideration of special features such as topographical conditions, nature of occupancy, and proximity to buildings, capacity of proposed LPgas containers, degree of fire protection to be provided and capabilities of the local fire department.
California Fire Code Section 6104.2 Maximum Capacity Within Established Limits is amended to read as follows:Section 6104.2 Maximum Capacity Within Established Limits The storage of liquefied petroleum gas shall not exceed a watercapacity of 100 gallons aggregate for any one premise installation within the Woodside Fire Protection District territory where natural gas mains exist.Exceptions: Installation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas may be permitted if used as a means of emergency standby supply for residential or industrial operations, or used for medical, research, testing, or purposes not suited to the use of natural gas. Such installation shall be in accordance with Chapter 61 of the California Fire Code and all provisions of NFPA 58 and must not exceed 1000 gallons aggregate for any one premise installation.
No change, this has been in our Code for years to provide for maximum limits of LPG storage within the district.
CHAPTER 80 Referenced StandardsCHAPTER 57 FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS CHAPTER 58 Flammable Gases and Flammable Cryogenic FluidsCHAPTER 61 Liquified Petroleum Gases Item B Page 73
Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023
Chapter 80 Referenced Standards is amended by adding the following referenced standards:
Adopting
None
p y g ( )(
Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes) standard as follows:Section 7.7.1 is added, to read:Section 7.7.1 Where CPVC pipe is installed above the normal insulation in an unconditioned space, such as in an attic space, or a garage without conditioned living space above, CPVC pipe shall be adequately insulated to a minimum R-19 value, or equivalent, or pipe shall be limited to Type K or L copper, or ferrous piping.Section 8.3.5.1.2 is amended to read:Section 8.3.5.1.2 Where fuel-fired equipment is below or on the same level as occupied areas of the dwelling unit, at least one quick-response intermediate temperature sprinkler shall be installed above the equipment or at the wall separating the space with the fuel-fired equipment from the occupied space. In unconditioned spaces, CPVC pipe shall be adequately insulated to a minimum R-19 value, or equivalent, or pipe shall be limited to Type K or L copper, or ferrous piping.
Section 7.7.1 is added to provide extra protection to the CPVC sprinkler pipes against the affects of heat.Section 8.3.5.1.2 is added to provide additional sprinkler protection around fuel-fired equipment in occupied spaces.
Adopting
Appendix B Table B105.1(1) Minimum fire flow for Section 903.3.1.3 - minimum fire flow shall be 1000gpm for 1 hour duration minimum B105.1 One- and two-family dwellings, Group R-3 and R-4 buildings and townhouses.Table B105.1(1) REQUIRED FIRE-FLOW FOR ONE- AND TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGS, GROUP R-3AND R-4 BUILDINGS AND TOWNHOUSES Required fire flow for Section 903.3.1.3 shall be 1000 gpm for 1 hour duration. The minimum fire-flow and flow duration requirements for one- and two-family dwellings, Group R-3 and R-4 buildings and townhouses shall be as specified in Tables B105.1(1) and B105.1(2). The minimum fire flow shall be 1000 gallons per minute. A water supply for fire protection shall mean a fire hydrant within 600 feet from the building, measured via an approved roadway/driveway capable of the required fire flow. Where a pubic or private water company is not withing a 1000 feet of a required fire hydrant location, or the water company cannot provide the required gallons per minute, NFPA 1142 Standard on Water Supplies for Subrban and Rural Fire Fighting 2022 Edition maybe adhered to for fire flow requirements as an alternate means.
The CA Fire Code historically allowed the AHJ to reduce fire flow requirements. The code now makes it automatic, which takes away the local AHJ ability to mitigate local water issues and conflagration potential. This provides WFPD with what we have historically provided for over 30 years and allows proper fire protection for our inreasing density and larger buildings and potential for conflagration.
Adopting
Appendix B Table B105.2 Minimum fire flow for Section 903.3.1.1 - 25% of the value in Table B105.1(2)a ; Section 903.3.1.2 - 25% of the value in Table B105.1(2)b Table B105.2 REQUIRED FIRE-FLOW FOR BUILDINGS OTHER THAN ONE- ANDTWO-FAMILY DWELLINGS, GROUP R-3 AND R-4 BUILDINGS AND TOWNHOUSES Required fire flow for Section 903.3.1.1 - 50% of the value in Table B105.1(2)a; Section 903.3.1.2 - 50% of the value in Table B105.1(2)b.The minimum fire flow shall be 1000 gallons per minute. A water supply for fire protection shall mean a fire hydrant within 600 feet from the building, measured via an approved roadway/driveway capable of the required fire flow. Where a pubic or private water company is not withing a 1000 feet of a required fire hydrant location, or the water company cannot provide the required gallons per minute, NFPA 1142 Standard on Water Supplies for Subrban and Rural Fire Fighting 2022 Edition maybe adhered to for fire flow requirements as an alternate The CA Fire Code historically allowed the AHJ to reduce fire flow requirements. The code now makes it automatic, which takes away the local AHJ ability to mitigate local water issues and conflagration potential. This provides WFPD with what we have historically provided for over 30 years and allows proper fire protection for our inreasing density and larger buildings and potential for conflagration.
APPENDIX C FIRE HYDRANT LOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTION
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Appendix C C103.2.1 Modified Distribution of Fire Hydrants is added to read as follows:
C103.2.1 Average Spacing. In rural areas where parcels with structures have large frontages and or long driveways, the minimum location of a fire hydrant shall be 600 feet to the structure measured via a roadway or primary driveway as approved by the Fire C ode Official.
Appendix D Added - Fire Apparatus Access Roads To clarify requirements of fire access roads for uniformity.
APPENDIX B
APPENDIX D FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROADS
Item B Page 74
Town Council Meeting September 26, 2023