SunnyvaleRTC

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SUNNYVALE AMENDING SUNNYVALE MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 16.52.250 REGARDING FIRE SPRINKLER REQUIREMENTS

SECTION 1. SECTION 16.52.250 AMENDED. Section 16.52.250 of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

Uniform Fire Code Section 1003 is hereby deleted and replaced with the following:

"1003.1.1 General. Automatic fire sprinkler systems shall comply with the provisions of this section. Where reference is made to U.B.C. Standards 9-1, 9-2 or 9-3 in the Uniform Fire Code, NFPA Standards shall be applied.

"1003.1.2 Applicability. The provisions of this section shall apply to all new structures and to existing conforming and non-conforming structures to which additions, alterations or repairs are made in excess of 50 percent of the floor area within a 12 month period.

“The provisions of this section shall also apply when there is any change in the character of occupancy or in the use of any building with a floor area in excess of 5,000 square feet which, in the opinion of the Chief, would place the building into a more hazardous division of the same occupancy group which constitutes a greater life safety exposure or increased fire risk.

"EXCEPTION: In existing Group R-3 occupancies, an approved automatic sprinkler system shall be required to be installed only when additions to the Group R portion of the structure are made in excess of 50 percent of the total existing Group R occupancy floor area.

"EXCEPTION: The chief may require an automatic fire sprinkler installation for that portion that is added to an existing structure. The chief may also require an area separation wall between sprinklered and nonsprinklered portions of an existing structure, which has been modified less than 50 percent of the floor area.

"1003.1.3 Mixed Occupancy Group. When mixed occupancy groups are within a structure, the more restrictive requirement for automatic fire sprinkler installation shall be the determining factor for the structure.

"1003.1.3.1 Monitoring of Fire Extinguishing Systems. When a fire alarm system or waterflow monitoring system is installed in a building, the system shall monitor all fire extinguishing systems including, but not limited to, commercial kitchen extinguishing systems, clean agent systems, CO2 systems, foam systems, and dry chemical systems. Activation of the fire extinguishing system shall send an alarm signal and initiate the alarm signaling devices.

"1003.1.4.1 General. For the purpose of determining the requirement for automatic fire sprinkler protection, ‘ floor area’ shall mean the sum of the square footage to include basement and all stories within the surrounding exterior walls of the structure. Floor area shall also include the sum of all horizontal projections of the roof or other projections beyond the exterior walls of the structure. For structures or portions of, not provided with exterior walls, the floor area shall be the sum of the area under the horizontal projections of the roof.

"EXCEPTION: In existing Group R structures, ‘ floor area’ is defined as the sum of the actual interior square footage in the Group R portion of the structure.

"1003.1.4.2 Area separation walls. Portions of a building separated by area separation walls shall not be considered as separate buildings when determining requirements for automatic fire sprinkler and wet standpipe installation.

"1003.1.5 Riser Shut-off Valve. Each individual riser shall be equipped with a post indicator valve located outside the structure. The post indicator valve locations shall be determined upon plan review. Post indicator valves shall be a minimum of 20 feet (6096 mm) from any building opening. All valves shall be secured with non-case-hardened locks. Break-away type locks are not permitted.

"1003.1.6 Fire Department Connections. All fire department connections shall be located as approved by the chief within 25 feet (7620 mm) of the street or approved fire apparatus access. Fire department connections shall not be less than 30 inches (762 mm) nor more than 3 feet (914.4 mm) above the finished grade, and shall be equipped with an approved check valve and approved plugs or caps. All fire department connections shall be protected against mechanical or vehicular damage and shall be visible and accessible. The chief shall determine the number of fire department connections.

"1003.2.1 General. Unless otherwise further restricted by this code, an automatic fire sprinkler system shall be installed in all new buildings when the floor area exceeds 5,000 square feet.

"For provisions on special hazards and hazardous materials, see Section 1001.9 and Articles 79, 80 and 81.

"1003.2.2.1 Basements. Any story or basement located entirely or partially below grade in excess of 1500 square feet (139.4 square meters) regardless of the number of openings giving access.

"1003.2.2.2 Combustible waste storage. In all rooms within the building that are used for combustible waste storage unless, such storage is within containers in accordance with Sec. 1103.2.1.4; and in all storage areas that are within 5 feet (3048 mm) of the exterior building walls, roof overhangs, canopies or constitute an exposure to adjacent property.

"Such sprinklers may be connected to the domestic water supply if the structure is not otherwise required to be fire sprinklered. Systems using domestic water-supply shall not be less than 1-inch (25.4-mm) diameter pipe. Sufficient coverage of the area shall be provided and an approved accessible shut-off valve is to be provided for each room or area. Where valves are subject to possible vandalism an approved means of securing the valve in the open position shall be provided. Where there are no ceilings, an 18 square inch (11613 square mm) heat baffle shall be provided not more than 6 inches (152.4 mm) above the sprinkler head. All exposed piping shall be brazed copper or metal.

"1003.2.2.3 Noncombustible attics. In all noncombustible attic space or areas above ceilings which are greater than 6 inches (152.4 mm) in a fire sprinklered structure.

"1003.2.2.4 Floor spaces use as plenums. In all noncombustible floor spaces or areas below floors in a fire sprinklered structure which is used as an air plenum.

"1. The chief may permit the use of smoke detection in lieu of fire sprinklers in noncombustible floor spaces and when construction materials do not exceed a flame spread rating of 50.

"2. Noncombustible floor spaces in computer rooms constructed in accordance with NFPA 75.

"1003.2.2.6 Combustible fiber storage vaults. In combustible, fiber storage vaults as defined in this code.

"1003.2.2.7 Sound stages and solid-ceiling sets and platforms. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in all permanent sound stages and in all interior solid-ceiling sets over 6000 square feet (55.7 square meters) in the area and under platforms over 600 square feet (55.7 square meters) in area which exceeds 3 feet (914mm) in height.

"1003.2.3.1 General. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed within any Group A occupancy located above the first floor.

"1003.2.3.2 Stairs. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in enclosed usable space below or over a stairway in Group A, Division 1, 2, 2.1, 3, and 4 Occupancies.

"1003.2.3.3 Multitheater complexes. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in every building containing a multitheater complex.

"1003.2.3.4 Amusement buildings. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in all amusement buildings. The main water-flow switch shall be electrically supervised. The sprinkler main cutoff valve shall be supervised. When the amusement building is temporary, the sprinkler water-supply system may be of an approved temporary type.

"An automatic sprinkler system need not be provided when the floor area of a temporary amusement building is less than 1000 square feet (92.9 square meters) and the exit travel distance from any point is less than 50 feet (15240 mm).

"1003.2.3.5 Stages. All stages shall be sprinklered. Such sprinklers shall be provided throughout the stage and in dressing rooms, workshops, storerooms and other accessory spaces contiguous to such stages.

"1. Under stage areas less than 4 feet (1219 mm) in clear height used exclusively for chair or table storage and lined on the inside with 5/8-inch (16 mm) Type X gypsum wallboard or approved equal.

"1003.2.3.6 Smoke-protected assembly seating. All areas enclosed with walls and ceilings in buildings or structures containing smoke-protected assembly seating shall be protected with an approved automatic sprinkler system.

"EXCEPTION: Press boxes and storage facilities less than 1,000 square feet (92.9 meters) in area and in conjunction with outdoor seating facilities where all means of egress in the seating area are essentially open to the outside.

"1003.2.4.1 Group E, Division 1 Occupancies. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout all buildings containing a Group E, Division 1 Occupancy.

"EXCEPTION: For buildings 5,000 square feet (464.5 square meters) or less and when each room used for instruction has at least one exit door directly to the exterior at ground level and when rooms used for assembly purposes have at least one half of the required exit directly to the exterior ground level, a sprinkler system need not be provided.

"1003.2.4.2Basements. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in basements classified as Group E Occupancies.

"1003.2.4.3Stairs. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in enclosed usable spade below or over a stairway in Group E Occupancies.

"1003.2.5.1Woodworking occupancies. An automatic fire sprinkler system shall be installed in Group F woodworking occupancies over 2,500 square feet (232.3 square meters) in area that use equipment, machinery or appliances which generate finely divided combustible waste or which use finely divided combustible materials.

"1003.2.6.1 General. An automatic fire sprinkler system shall be installed in Group H, Divisions 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7 Occupancies.

"1003.2.6.2 Group H, Division 4 Occupancies. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in Group H, Division 4 Occupancies having a floor area of more than 3,000 square feet (279 square meters).

"1003.2.6.3 Group H, Division 5 Occupancies. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in Group H, Division 5 Occupancies having a floor area of more than 8,000 square feet (743 square meters) or more than one story in height.

"1003.2.6.4 Group H, Division 6 Occupancies. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout buildings containing Group H, Division 6 Occupancies. The design of the sprinkler system shall be not less than the following hazard classifications:

LOCATION	OCCUPANCY HAZARD
	CLASSIFICATION
Fabrication areas	Ordinary Hazard Group 2
Service corridors	Ordinary Hazard Group 2
Storage rooms without	Ordinary Hazard Group 2
Dispensing
Storage rooms with	Extra Hazard Group 2
Dispensing
Exit corridors	Ordinary Hazard Group 2*

*When the design area of the sprinkler system consists of a corridor protected by one row of sprinklers, the maximum number of sprinklers that needs to be calculated is 13.

"1003.2.6.5 Group H, Division 8. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout buildings housing Group H, Division 8 Occupancies. Sprinkler system design for research laboratories and similar areas of a Division 8 Occupancy shall not be less than that required for Ordinary Hazard Group 2 with a design area of not less than 3,000 square feet (279 square meters).

"In mixed occupancies, portions of floors or buildings not classified as Group H, Division 8 Occupancies shall be provided with sprinkler protection designed of not less than that required for Ordinary Hazard Group 1 with a design area of not less than 3,000 square feet (279 square meters).

"1003.2.7 Group I Occupancies. An automatic sprinkler system shall be (installed in Group I Occupancies.

"EXCEPTION: In jails, prisons and reformatories, the piping system may be dry, provided a manually operated valve is installed at a continuously monitored location. Opening of the valve will cause the piping system to be charged. Sprinkler heads in such systems shall be equipped with fusible elements or the system shall be designed as required for deluge systems. (See U.B.C. Standard 9-1).

"1003.2.7.1 Group I Occupancies. In basements of Group I Occupancies regardless of the floor area or number of openings giving access.

"1003.2.8.1 Group R, Division 1 Occupancies. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in Group R, Division 1 Occupancies. The design and installation shall be in accordance with NFPA Standard 13. Listed residential sprinklers shall be used.

"1003.2.8.2 Group R, Division 2 Occupancies. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in Group R, Division 2 Occupancies.

"EXCEPTIONS: 1. Group R, Divisions 2.1.1 and 2.2.1 Occupancies not housing bedridden clients and not exceeding two stories in height or not housing bedridden clients and not housing nonambulatory clients above the first story.

"1003.2.8.3.1" New Group R, Division 3 Occupancies. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in all new Group R, Division 3 Occupancies.

"1003.2.8.3.2" Existing Group R, Division 3 Occupancies. In existing Group R-3 occupancies, an automatic sprinkler system shall be required to be installed when a addition is made to the Group R portion of the structure in excess of 50 percent of the total existing Group R occupancy.

"EXCEPTION: When the floor area of the Group R portion of the existing structure in less than 1000 square feet, an addition of up to 500 square feet will be permitted without the provision of an automatic sprinkler system.

"1003.8.3.3" Design Requirements. Automatic sprinkler system installed within Group R-3 occupancies shall be in accordance with NFPA Standard 13D. Five gallons per minute shall be added to the sprinkler system demand at the point of connection to the domestic water piping. ,

"1003.2.8.4 Special provisions. Only approved pipe listed for fire sprinkler applications, and installed according to its listing, shall be used for automatic sprinkler systems. Residential fast response sprinkler heads shall be installed in habitable spaces of Group R, Division 1, 2, and 3 Occupancies.

"1003.2.9.1 Special requirements. For special requirements of flammable and combustible liquids, see Article 79. For special requirements of high piled combustible storage, see Article 81. For special requirements of aerosol products, see Article 88.

"1003.2.10 Group U Occupancies. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in private garages and carports of Group U, Division 1 Occupancies having a floor area of more than 5,000 square feet (464.5 square meters) or more than one story in height.

"1003.3.1 Where required. All valves controlling the water supply for automatic sprinkler systems and water-flow switches on all sprinkler systems shall be electrically monitored where the number of sprinklers are:

"Valve monitoring and water-flow alarm and trouble signals shall be distinctly different and shall be automatically transmitted to an approved central station, remote station or proprietary monitoring station as defined by NFPA 72 as amended in Article 91 or, when approved by the chief, shall sound an audible signal at a constantly attended location.

"Underground key or hub valves in roadway boxes provided by the municipality or public utility need not be monitored.

"1003.3.2 Alarms. An approved audible sprinkler flow alarm shall be provided on the exterior of the building in an approved location. An approved audible remote fire alarm annunciator panel shall be provided in the interior of the building in a normally occupied location. Actuation of the alarm shall be as set forth in nationally recognized standards.

"1003.4 Permissible Sprinkler Omissions. Subject to the approval of the chief, sprinklers may be omitted in rooms or areas as follows:

"1. Sprinklers shall not be installed when the application of water or flame and water to the contents may constitute a serious life or fire hazard, as in the manufacture or storage of quantities of aluminum powder, calcium carbide, calcium phosphide, metallic sodium and potassium, quick-lime, magnesium powder and sodium peroxide.

"2. Communication equipment areas under the exclusive control of a public communication utility agency, provided:

"2.1 The equipment areas are separated from the remainder of the building by one-hour fire-resistive occupancy separation; and

"2.3 An approved automatic smoke-detection system is installed in such areas and is supervised by an approved central, proprietary or remote station service or a local alarm which will give an audible signal at a constantly attended location; and

"2.4 Other approved fire-protection equipment such as portable fire extinguishers or Class II standpipes are installed in such areas.

"3. Other approved automatic fire-extinguishing systems may be installed to protect special hazards or occupancies in lieu of automatic sprinklers." (Ord. 2702-02 § 2 (part)).

SECTION 2. EXEMPTION FROM CEQA. The City Council finds, pursuant to Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Section 15061(b)(3), that this ordinance is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in that it is not a Project which has the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. The Council therefore directs that a Notice of Exemption be filed with the Santa Clara County Clerk in accordance with Section 14 of the Sunnyvale Guidelines for the implementation of CEQA adopted by Resolution No. 193-86.

SECTION 3. EFFECTIVE DATE. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect thirty (30) days from and after the date of its adoption.

SECTION 4. POSTING AND PUBLICATION. The City Clerk is directed to cause copies of this ordinance to be posted in three (3) prominent places in the City of Sunnyvale and to cause publication once in The Sun, the official newspaper of the City of Sunnyvale, of a notice setting forth the date of adoption, the title of this ordinance, and a list of places where copies of this ordinance are posted, within fifteen (15) days after adoption of this ordinance.

Introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council held on ______________________, 2004, and adopted as an ordinance of the City of Sunnyvale at a regular meeting of the City Council held on _____________________, 2004, by the following vote:

ATTEST:	APPROVED:



_____________________________	____________________________
City Clerk	Mayor