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Section 507.2 of the California Fire Code is revised to read:
Sec. 507.2 Type of water supply. A water supply may consist of reservoirs, pressure tanks, elevated tanks, water mains or other fixed systems, as approved by the fire code official, capable of providing the required fire flow. In setting the requirements for fire flow, the fire code official shall follow section 507.3 or Appendix B of the CFC, or the standard published by the Insurance Service Office, "Guide for Determination of Required Fire Flow".
Sec. 507.2.1 Private fire service mains. Private fire service mains and appurtenances shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 24 as referenced in Chapter 80 of CFC.
Sec. 507.2.2 Water tanks. Water tanks for private residential fire protection, when authorized by the fire code official, shall comply with Table 507.2.2 and be installed in accordance with the NFPA 22 edition referenced in Chapter 80 of CFC. Water tanks for commercial fire protection, when authorized by the fire code official, shall be installed in accordance with the NFPA 22 edition referenced in Chapter 80 of CFC. Water tanks are only allowed as determined by the fire code official if a letter from the applicable water district is provided stating that the district would not be able to provide service (proper fire flow) if the water line were extended and a hydrant installed.
TABLE 507.2.2
RESIDENTIAL WATER TANK REQUIREMENTS
Building Size (Square Feet) | Water Flow (Gallons per Minute) | Capacity (Gallons) | Duration (Minutes) |
Up to 1,500 Over 1,500 | 250 250 | 5,000 10,000 | 20 40 |
When the exposure distance is one hundred feet (100') or less from an adjacent property, or where additional hazards or higher fire flow exists, the required water storage may be modified by the fire code official. | |||
1. Tank bottom elevation shall be equal to or higher than the fire department connection on the premises. Regardless of domestic use, all tanks shall be equipped with a device that will ensure that the tank contains the designated amount of water for fire flow duration as determined by the FAHJ. Tank size may be increased to serve multiple structures on a single parcel. The bottom of the water storage tank shall be level with or above the building pad.
2. Supply outlet shall be at least one-4 inch in diameter from the base of the tank to the point of outlet at the fire department connection. The fire department connection shall have an approved means of controlling water flow. The fire department connection shall be at least one-4 inch National Standard Thread (male), reduced to one 2½ inch National Standard Thread (male). Additional outlets may be required.
3. Location of fire department outlet shall be shown on the plot plan when submitted to the FAHJ. Consideration will be given to topography, elevations, and distance from structures, driveway access, prevailing winds, etc.
4. The outlet shall be located along a fire apparatus access roadway and shall not be closer than 50 feet or further than 150 feet from the structure unless approved by the FAHJ.
5. All exposed tank supply pipes shall be listed for above-ground use as per the NFPA 13 edition referenced in Chapter 80 of CFC. Adequate support shall be provided.
6. Water storage tanks shall be constructed from materials approved by the NFPA 22 edition referenced in Chapter 80 of CFC and installed per manufacturer instructions.
7. Plans shall be submitted to the FAHJ for approval prior to tank installation. Tanks shall be installed as per County Zoning setback requirements. See "Annex F" example plan submittal.
8. Vessels previously used for products other than water shall not be allowed.
9. All underground piping serving the fire department connection shall be listed and approved as per the NFPA 24 edition referenced in Chapter 80 of CFC.
(Added by Ord. No. 9915 (N.S.), effective 1-30-08; repealed and reenacted by Ord. No. 10337 (N.S.), effective 6-19-14; repealed and reenacted by Ord. No. 10465 (N.S.), effective 4-14-17; repealed and reenacted by Ord. No. 10659 (N.S.), effective 3-26-20; repealed and reenacted by Ord. No. 10833 (N.S.), effective 4-13-23)
Section 507.3 of the California Fire Code is revised to read:
Sec. 507.3 Fire flow. Fire flow requirements shall be based on Appendix B of the California Fire Code or the standard published by the Insurance Services Office, "Guide for Determination of Required Fire Flow." Consideration should be given to increasing the gallons per minute to protect buildings and structures of extremely large square footage and for such reasons as: poor access roads, grade and canyon rims, hazardous brush and response times greater than five minutes by a recognized fire department or fire suppression company. In hazardous fire areas the main capacity for new subdivisions shall not be less than 2,500 - 3,000 gallons per minute, unless otherwise approved by the fire code official. If fire flow increases are not feasible, the fire code official may require alternative design standards such as: alternative types of construction that provides a higher level of fire resistance, fuel break requirements, which may include required irrigation, modified access road requirements, specified setback distances for building sites addressing canyon rim developments and hazardous brush areas, and other requirements as authorized by this chapter and as required by the fire code official.
(Added by Ord. No. 9915 (N.S.), effective 1-30-08; amended by Ord. No. 10014 (N.S.), effective 11-13-09; repealed and reenacted by Ord. No. 10337 (N.S.), effective 6-19-14; repealed and reenacted by Ord. No. 10465 (N.S.), effective 4-14-17; repealed and reenacted by Ord. No. 10659 (N.S.), effective 3-26-20; repealed and reenacted by Ord. No. 10833 (N.S.), effective 4-13-23)
Section 507.5.7 is added to the California Fire Code to read: (Title 14 1275.15)
Sec. 507.5.7 Fire hydrant and fire valve location. The fire hydrant or fire valve shall be between 14 to 24 inches above grade, no closer than 4 feet nor further than 10 feet from the roadway, and 10 feet from combustible vegetation.
Sec. 507.5.7.1 Signing of water sources and fire department connections. The fire code official shall require fire hydrants and fire department connections to be identified. Fire hydrants shall be identified by a reflective blue marker and fire department connections shall be identified by a reflective green marker, with a minimum dimension of 3 inches, in the center of the travel lane adjacent the water source, or by other methods approved by the fire code official.
All materials shall be listed and approved by the water purveyor and/or fire code official. The fire code official may require a fire hydrant to have any combination of one-4 inch and one-2½ inch outlets with National Standard Threads.
(Added by Ord. No. 10337 (N.S.), effective 6-19-14; repealed and reenacted by Ord. No. 10465 (N.S.), effective 4-14-17; repealed and reenacted by Ord. No. 10659 (N.S.), effective 3-26-20; repealed and reenacted by Ord. No. 10833 (N.S.), effective 4-13-23)
Section 507.5.8 is added to the California Fire Code to read:
Sec. 507.5.8 Waterline Extensions. The fire code official may require a waterline extension for the purpose of installing a fire hydrant if a water main is 1,500 feet or less from the property line. Water tanks are only allowed as determined by the fire code official if a letter from the applicable water district is provided stating that the district would not be able to provide service (proper fire flow) if the water line were extended and a hydrant installed.
(Added by Ord. No. 10465 (N.S.), effective 4-14-17; repealed and reenacted by Ord. No. 10659 (N.S.), effective 3-26-20; repealed and reenacted by Ord. No. 10833 (N.S.), effective 4-13-23)
Section 605.3.1 is added to the California Fire Code to read:
Sec. 605.3.1 Spark arresters. All buildings and structures having a chimney, flue or stovepipe attached to a fireplace, stove, barbecue or other solid or liquid fuel burning equipment or device shall have the chimney, flue or stovepipe equipped with an approved spark arrester. An approved spark arrester is a device intended to prevent sparks from escaping into the atmosphere, constructed of welded or woven wire mesh, 12- gauge thickness or larger, with openings no greater than ½” inch, or other alternative material the FAHJ determines provides equal or better protection.
(Added by Ord. No. 9915 (N.S.), effective 1-30-08; repealed and reenacted by Ord. No. 10337 (N.S.), effective 6-19-14; repealed and reenacted by Ord. No. 10465 (N.S.), effective 4-14-17; repealed and reenacted by Ord. No. 10659 (N.S.), effective 3-26-20; repealed and reenacted by Ord. No. 10833 (N.S.), effective 4-13-23)
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