Chapters 1, 3, 5, 9, 12, 34, 56 and Appendix B of Title 24, Part 9 of the California Code of Regulations (2019 California Fire Code) adopted by reference as the Fire Code of the City of Alhambra are hereby amended, deleted or added as follows:
(A) Chapter 1 Division II Administration deleted in its entirety.
(B) A new section 315.1.1 is added to read as follows:
315.1.1 Idle pallets shall be stored outside, except as permitted by permitted by sections 315.2-315.5.
(C) A new section 315.2.1 is added to read as follows:
315.2.1 Idle pallets shall be permitted to be stored in a building if the building is equipped with fire sprinklers in accordance with NFPA 13.
(D) Section 315.7.3 amended in its entirety to read as follows:
315.7.3 Storage height. Idle pallet stacks shall not exceed fifteen feet (15') in height.
(E) A new section 315.7.6.3 is added to read as follows:
315.7.6.3 Stacks shall be no closer than twenty feet (20') to any other yard storage.
(F) Section 320.3.10 is amended to read as follows:
320.3.10 Technical assistance. Where required by the fire code official, a report evaluating the acceptability of technologies, processes, products, facilities, materials and uses associated with the operation shall be provided in accordance with Section 104.7.2 and approved.
(G) Section 503 FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROADS of Chapter 5 is adopted in its entirety.
(H) Section 503.2 is amended in its entirety to read as follows:
503.2 Specifications. Fire apparatus access roads shall be installed and arranged in accordance with Sections 503.2.1 through 503.2.8 and Appendix D of this code.
(I) A new section is added to read as follows:
505.3 Additional Address Identification. When required by the Fire Code Official, larger signage than required in section 505.1, approved address signage shall be provided in order to facilitate emergency response, including but not limited to facility layout maps for facilities with multiple address designations whose addresses are not readily visible from the street.
(J) Section 901.4.2 is amended in its entirety to read:
901.4.2 Non-Required Fire Protection Systems: Any fire sprinkler system installed, even if not required by the Code, shall be installed in the entire building or structure. Partial installation of fire sprinkler systems shall be prohibited. Such systems shall be installed in accordance with this Code, the California Building Code, and applicable, adopted NFPA Standards.
(K) Section 903.2 is amended in its entirety to read:
903.2 Where required. Approved automatic sprinkler systems in buildings and structures shall be provided when one of the following conditions exists:
1. New buildings:
1.1 Approved automatic sprinkler systems in new buildings and structures shall be provided in the locations described in Sections 903.2.1 through 903.2.21.
1.2 Regardless of occupancy type, an automatic fire sprinkler system shall be installed throughout all new buildings or structures, exceeding 6,000 square feet in total fire area.
Exception: Open parking structures.
2. Existing Buildings: Additions, Alterations, and/or Repairs: All existing buildings and structures, regardless of the type of construction, type of occupancy or area, shall be provided with an automatic sprinkler system conforming to Section 903.3 and this Code upon the occurrence of any of the following conditions:
2.1 Any addition to any building or structure, other than one- and two-family dwelling units, which creates a fire area large enough that if the existing building or structure plus the area of the proposed work were being built new today, an automatic sprinkler system would be required under this Code;
2.2 Within any twelve (12) calendar month period of time, any alteration, including repairs, to any existing building or structure, other than one- and two-family dwelling units where the value of the work proposed exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the replacement cost of the building, as determined by the building official and/or by the fire official and where such alteration, including repairs, creates or alters a fire area large enough that if the existing building or structure were being built new today, an automatic sprinkler system would be required by this Code;
2.3 Within any twelve (12) calendar month period of time, any combination of addition and alteration to any existing building or structure, other than one and two-family dwelling units, where the value of the work proposed exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the replacement cost of the building, as determined by the building official and/or by the fire official, and where such addition and alteration creates or alters a fire area large enough that if the existing building or structure were being built new today, an automatic sprinkler system would be required by this Code;
2.4 Any addition to any building or structure which causes the building or structure to be classified as a three-story building or structure;
2.5 Within any twelve (12) calendar month period of time, any addition to any unsprinklered one- or two-family dwelling including Group R-3.1 or R-4 occupancies where the proposed increase in fire area is equal to or greater than seven hundred (700) square feet in new fire area;
2.6 Within any twelve (12) calendar month period of time, any framing alteration and/or repairs, to any unsprinklered one- or two-family dwelling, including Group R-3.1 or R-4 occupancies, where the total square footage of the rooms or areas with framing alterations exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the existing square footage of the building, as determined by the fire code official. This calculation will include framing alterations to the existing building's roof structure;
2.7 Within any twelve (12) calendar month period of time, any combination of addition AND framing alteration and/or repairs to any unsprinklered one- or two-family dwelling, including Group R-3.1 or R-4 occupancies, where the square footage of the proposed addition AND areas with framing alteration exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the existing square footage of the building, as determined by the fire code official;
2.8 Where a change in occupancy or use increases the fire hazard to the building, structure, or life safety of the occupants, as determined by the fire code official.
3. Access difficulty. When the fire code official determines that access for fire apparatus and equipment is unduly difficult to serve any building and structure not otherwise required to be sprinklered; the installation of an automatic fire sprinkler system may be required.
(L) Section 903.2.1.1 Group A-1 Item No. 1 is amended in its entirety to read:
The fire area exceeds 6,000 square feet.
(M) Section 903.2.1.2 Group A-2 Item No. 1 is amended in its entirety to read:
The fire area exceeds 2,250 square feet.
(N) Section 903.2.1.3 Group A-3 Item No. l is amended in its entirety to read:
The fire area exceeds 6,000 square feet.
(O) Section 903.2.1.4 Group A-4 Item No. 1 is amended in its entirety to read:
The fire area exceeds 6,000 square feet.
(P) A new section 903.2.2.1 is added to read:
903.2.2.1 — All Other Group B Occupancies: The fire area exceeds 6,000 square feet or is more than one story above or below the lowest level of fire department access.
(Q) Section 903.2.3 Group E Item No. l is amended in its entirety to read:
Throughout all Group E fire areas greater than 6,000 square feet in fire area or with a calculated occupant load of 100 persons.
(R) Section 903.2.4 Group F-1 Item No. l is amended in its entirety to read:
Where a Group F-1 fire area exceeds 6,000 square feet.
(S) Section 903.2.4 Group F-1 Item No. 3 is amended in its entirety to read:
The combined area of all Group F-1 fire areas on all floors, including any mezzanines, exceeds 12,000 square feet.
(T) Section 903.2.7 Group M Item No. l is amended in its entirety to read:
1. Where a Group M fire area exceeds 6,000 square feet.
(U) Section 903.2.7 Group M Item No. 3 is amended in its entirety to read:
3. The combined area of all Group M fire areas on all floors, including any mezzanines, exceeds 12,000 square feet.
(V) Section 903.2.9. Group S-1 Item No. 1 is amended in its entirety to read:
1. Where a Group S-1 fire area exceeds 6,000 square feet.
(W) Section 903.2.9. Group S-1 Item No. 3 is amended in its entirety to read:
3. The combined area of all Group S-1 fire areas on all floors, including any mezzanines, exceeds 12,000 square feet.
(X) Section 903.2.9.1. Repair Garages Item No. 1 is amended in its entirety to read:
1. Buildings having two or more stories above grade plane, including basements, with a fire area containing a repair garage exceeding 5,000 square feet.
(Y) Section 903.2.9.1. Repair Garages Items No. 2 is amended in their entirety to read:
2. Buildings no more than one story above grade plane, with a fire area containing a repair garage exceeding 6,000 square feet.
(Z) Section 903.2.9.1. Repair Garages Items No. 4 is amended in their entirety to read:
4. A Group S-1 fire area used for the repair of commercial trucks or busses where the fire area exceeds 2,500 square feet.
(AA) Section 903.2.10 Group S-2 enclosed parking garages. Item No. 1 is amended in its entirety to read:
1. Where the fire area of the enclosed parking garage exceeds 6,000 square feet.
(BB) Section 903.2.11.3 is amended in its entirety to read:
903.2.11.3 — Buildings Three or More Stories in Height: Regardless of occupancy type, an automatic fire sprinkler system shall be installed throughout all buildings or structures which are three or more stories in height.
Exceptions: Open parking structures.
(CC) Section 903.2.18 exception deleted.
(DD) Section 903.3.1.1 is amended in its entirety to read:
1. 903.3.1.1. NFPA 13 Sprinkler Systems Detailed Requirements. Where the provisions of this code require that a building or portion thereof be equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with this section, sprinklers shall be installed throughout in accordance with NFPA 13 as amended in Chapter 80 and the conditions, restrictions and modifications as set forth below except as provided by section 903.3.1.1.1.
1. In buildings three or more stories in height and/or two or more stories below the highest level of fire department access, and with a common stairway, separate control valve(s) capable of independently controlling the fire sprinkler system on each floor and each basement level shall be provided and installed in the stairway.
2. A 10% safety factor shall be provided for all hydraulically calculated sprinkler systems.
(EE) Section 903.3.1.1.2 deleted in its entirety.
(FF) Section 903.3.1.2 is amended in its entirety to read:
903.3.1.2 NFPA 13R Sprinkler Systems Detailed Requirements. Automatic sprinkler systems in Group R occupancies up to and including four stories in height in buildings 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 and the conditions, restrictions and modifications as set forth below.
1. A 10% safety factor shall be provided for all hydraulically calculated sprinkler systems.
2. All fire areas shall be sprinklered including, but not limited to, bathrooms, closets, attached carports, garages, corridors, penthouse equipment rooms, attics, elevator machine rooms, storage rooms, covered driveways and usable space underneath stairways.
3. A water flow alarm shall be provided in each dwelling unit. The alarm shall be of sufficient intensity to be clearly audible in all rooms over background noise levels with all intervening doors closed. A horn/strobe may be required inside the dwelling unit for the hearing impaired and to meet the audibility requirements.
4. A supply of spare sprinklers and a special sprinkler wrench shall be maintained on the premises. If more than one type or temperature rating of sprinkler is installed in the building, the spare amount of each type shall be maintained in accord with the requirements of the NFPA 13R as amended in Chapter 80.
The number of stories of Group R occupancies constructed in accordance with Sections 510.2 and 510.4 of the Building Code shall be measured from the horizontal assembly creating separate buildings.
(GG) Section 903.3.1.2.3 is deleted in its entirety.
(HH) Section 903.3.1.3 is amended in its entirety to read:
Section 903.1.3 NFPA 13 D sprinkler systems Detailed Requirements. Automatic sprinkler systems installed in one-and two- family dwellings; Group R3 shall be permitted to be installed throughout in accordance with NFPA 13D, as amended in Chapter 80 and with the conditions, restrictions and modifications as set forth below:
NFPA 13D shall not be allowed to be installed in Residential Buildings including townhomes where more than two units are physically connected.
1. With a common water supply connection serving one or more dwelling units, five gallons per minute, per unit shall be added to the sprinkler system demand in order to determine the size of common piping, the total water supply requirements, and the size of the water meter.
2. Sprinkler systems connected to a water supply upstream of the main domestic shutoff valve shall be provided with a main shutoff valve to control both the fire sprinkler and the domestic systems. The fire sprinkler system piping shall not have a separate control valve.
3. Local water flow alarms shall be provided on all sprinkler systems. The alarm shall be of sufficient intensity to be clearly audible in all rooms over background noise levels with all intervening doors closed. A horn/strobe may be required inside the dwelling unit for the hearing impaired and to meet the audibility requirements.
4. Sprinklers shall be required in all attached garages and accessory structures. Sprinklers shall be listed residential sprinklers or quick response sprinklers having the same orifice size as the sprinklers in the dwelling unit.
5. Sprinklers shall be required in all garages and accessory structures with less than five feet of clearance from eave to eave. Sprinklers shall be listed residential sprinklers or quick response sprinklers having the same orifice size as the sprinklers in the dwelling unit.
6. Sprinklers may be omitted from attics and crawl spaces which are not used or intended for living purposes or storage. When a forced-air unit is installed in an attic, one or more intermediate temperature residential or quick response sprinklers, of like orifice size as the dwelling unit, shall be installed above the mechanical unit. Fire sprinkler protection shall be required in bathrooms with combustible shower pans, enclosures and/or tubs.
7. A 10% safety factor deduction from the existing static pressure shall be included in the hydraulic calculations.
8. All overhead piping shall be hydrostatically tested for leakage at 150 psi for two hours and shall be inspected prior to the installation of drywall or insulation.
9. A supply of at least two spare sprinklers of each type installed in the system and a special sprinkler wrench(s) shall be maintained on the premises.
(II) Section 903.3.5 Water Supplies- is amended in its entirety to read:
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 Section 13114.7. For connections to public waterworks systems, the water supply test used for design a 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.
1. Where a dedicated fire service line is required, the minimum fire service size shall be 4" (four inches).
2. All fire service sizing shall be approved by the Utilities Department, in accord with its Guidelines for Fire Service Sizing. A size increase or decrease may be required or granted, respectively, if available water supply and/or hydraulic calculations support such a change.
3. At least one 2-1/2 inch fire department connection shall be required on all dedicated fire service systems, along with a listed control valve and backflow prevention assembly.
(JJ) A new subsection 903.4.2.1 is added read to read as follows:
903.4.2.1 — Additional Notification for Sprinkler Systems: Additional audible/visible appliances may be required for notification of occupants when deemed necessary by the fire code official.
(KK) A new section 905.13 is added to read as follows:
905.13 - Standpipes in residential complexes. All multi-family residential complexes which cause unusual firefighting problems due to size, configuration, location, and/or lack of access shall be equipped at the discretion of the fire code official with one or more 2 1/2-inch-valved standpipe(s).
(LL) A new Section1205.6 is added to read as follows:
1205.6 Additional Requirements: Additional safety requirements including but not limited to additional electrical disconnects, may be required in order to provide reasonable safety for firefighting operations.
(MM) Section 3405.1 is amended in its entirety to read:
3405.1 — Individual Piles. Piles of tires or carcasses shall not exceed 600 cubic feet in volume, and shall not exceed six feet in height, and shall be separated from every pile by an aisle way at least ten feet wide. Tires in racks shall comply with the length, width, and aisle way requirements for indoor storage arrangement as outlined in Section 3509.
(NN) Section 3405.2 deleted.
(OO) Section 3405.3 deleted.
(PP) Section 3405.6 deleted.
(QQ) Section 3409.1 is amended in its entirety to read:
3409.1 - Indoor Storage Arrangement. Tires stored inside of buildings shall not block doors, windows, or exit ways. Piles and racks of tires which are placed directly against and parallel to walls, shall not extend out from such walls more than five feet. Piles or racks of tires placed in rows perpendicular to the walls, shall not exceed ten feet in width or fifty feet in length. Every row of tires shall be accessible on at least one side, by an aisle way at least three feet wide. Tires which are stored in such a pattern as to form dead-end aisle ways against the walls of a building, shall terminate at an aisle way at least six feet wide at the inside end of such piles. Every rack or pile of tires shall be kept at least 18 inches below sprinkler heads in a sprinklered building. Piles of tires shall be kept at least three feet (36 inches) below the ceiling or roof, and below every chord, beam, or girder in an unsprinklered building. Racks of tires shall be kept at least 18 inches below the ceiling or roof, and below every chord, beam, or girder in an unsprinklered building. Piles and racks of tires shall maintain stability and shall not create a hazard by falling during a fire or other emergency.
(RR) A new subsection 5608.1.2 is added to read as follows:
5608.1.2 Permits. It shall be unlawful for any person to present or conduct any public display of fireworks within the City of Alhambra without first having obtained a permit from the fire code official.
(SS) A new subsection 5608.1.3 is added to read as follows:
5608.1.3 Detailed Requirements. The public display of fireworks within the City of Alhambra shall be in accord with Section 5608.1 of this Code and all of the following:
1. The fire code official is authorized to grant permits for supervised public displays of fireworks to be conducted by the city or by other organizations. Every such display shall be personally supervised by a competent, licensed pyrotechnic operator approved by the fire code official. Each such display shall be held at an approved location and shall be so discharged or fired as, in the opinion of the fire code official after proper investigation, not to be hazardous to property or to endanger any person.
2. Applications for permit shall be made in writing at least ten days in advance of the date of the display. A permit fee which includes costs related to required fire watch personnel and site inspection will be collected upon approval and issuance of the authorization to transport. After such permit shall have been granted, the sale, possession, use, and/or distribution of fireworks for such display shall be lawful for the permitted activity and time frame only. No permit granted hereunder shall be transferable.
3. The permittee shall furnish a bond or certificate of insurance in an amount deemed adequate by the fire code official for the payment of all damages which may be caused either to a person or persons or to property by reason of the permitted display and arising from any acts of the permittee, his agents, employees, or subcontractors.
4. When required by the fire code official, the pyrotechnic operator shall employ and provide additional personnel whose sole duty shall be the enforcement of crowd control around the display area. Unauthorized persons shall not be allowed to enter the discharge site until the site has been inspected and cleared after conclusion of the display by the pyrotechnic operator.
5. The fire code official is authorized to require rope barriers, fences, signs or other devices to be installed around the display area to aid in crowd control.
6. The fire code official is authorized to adopt such additional rules and regulations not inconsistent herewith as are reasonably required to prevent injury to persons and/or property, including, but not limited to, the requirement for standby fire personnel or apparatus at the firing site.
7. Mortar racks grouped together or alone may be required to be provided with additional tip-over protection in addition to the already required wood strips, nails, and screws. Said protection maybe required to be comprised of additional wood strips, fasteners as well as straps designed to a break strength of not less than 2,000 lbs. Each strap will be required at top and bottom of each rack group, within six inches from the top and bottom. Straps shall be ratcheting type; ratchets shall be located toward the center of the rack set up.
8. If the fire code official determines that there is a lack of crowd control or that the crowd is in danger, the display shall be immediately discontinued. If at any time high winds or wet weather creates a danger, the display shall be postponed until weather conditions are acceptable to the fire code official.
9. The entire firing site shall be inspected immediately following a display and prior to allowing public access for the purpose of locating unexploded aerial shells and/or hazardous debris. Unexploded shells shall not be handled within 15 minutes after the time of their firing. Such shells shall then be doused thoroughly with water, allowed to stand for at least five minutes, and then be submersed in a full bucket of water.
(TT) A new section 5608.2 is added to read as follows:
Section 5608.2 - Explosives and Fireworks.
5608.2.1 The manufacture, possession, storage, sale, transportation and use of explosive materials shall be prohibited, unless it is authorized by the State Fire Marshal. This shall not apply to hand loading of small arms ammunition for personal use when not for resale.
5608.2.2 No explosive materials shall be bolts, explosive rivets or cartridges for explosive-actuated power task in quantities involving less than 500 pounds.
5608.2.3 It shall be unlawful to manufacture fireworks within the City of Alhambra.
5608.2.4 The fire code official is authorized to seize, take, remove or cause to be removed, at the expense of the owner, all stocks of fireworks or explosives offered or exposed for sale, or stored or held in violation of this Section.
(UU) Section B105.2 is amended in its entirety to read:
B105.2 Buildings other than one-and two-family dwellings, R-3 and R-4 buildings and townhouses. The minimum fire-flow and flow duration for buildings other than one-and two-family dwellings, Group R-3 and R-4 buildings and townhouses shall be as specified figures on Table B105.1(2). A reduction of fire flow requirement up to 75% may granted with fire sprinklers added/proposed, with a duration as in Table B105.1(2) at the reduced flow rate. The reduced fire flow shall not be less than 1500 gpm at 20 psi for two hours.
(VV) TableB105.2 is deleted.
(Ord. 4507, passed 12-10-07; Am. Ord. 4508, passed 12-10-07; Am. Ord. 4518, passed 2-25-08; Am. Ord. 4534, passed 1-12-09; Am. Ord. 4545, passed 5-26-09; Am. Ord. 4561, passed 12-13-10; Am. Ord. 4562, passed 12-13-10; Am. Ord. 4582, passed 6-13-11; Am. Ord. 4641, passed 12-9-13; Am. Ord. 4700, passed 11-14-16; Am. Ord. 4765, passed 12-9-19; Am. Ord. 4767, passed 12-9-19; Am. Ord. 4806, passed 11-14-22)