RESOLUTION NO. ______-04

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SUNNYVALE FINDING AND DETERMINING THE NEED FOR MODIFICATIONS TO THE 2001 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE

          WHEREAS, the City of Sunnyvale has adopted the 2001 California Fire Code  into Sunnyvale Municipal Code Chapter 16.52 with numerous changes and modifications;

          WHEREAS, the City of Sunnyvale wants to further amend Sunnyvale Municipal Code Chapter 16.52 regarding fire sprinkler requirements;

          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SUNNYVALE that it finds and determines there is a need to adopt the changes or modifications because of local climatic, topographic, geological and related geographic conditions.

Findings

1.       Climatic

a.       Precipitation.  Precipitation ranges from 4.83 to 30.30 inches per year with an average of approximately 13.86 inches per year.  Approximately 90% falls during the months of November through April and 10% from May through October.  This area experienced a major drought in 1977-78 and a moderate drought the next five years; it is possible that more droughts will occur in the future.  The local climate is characterized by markedly delineated rainy and dry seasons, which tend to maximize the expansive characteristics of soil.

b.       Temperatures.  Temperatures have been recorded as high as 108° F.  Average summer highs are in the 78°-82° F. range.     

c.       Winds.  Prevailing winds are from the Northwest or Southeast.  However, winds are experienced from virtually every direction at one time or another.  Velocities are generally in the 5-mph to 15-mph range, gusting to 7.4 mph to 30 mph, particularly during the summer months.  Extreme winds, up to 60 mph, have been known to occur.

d.       Summary.  These local climatic conditions affect the acceleration, intensity and size of fire in the community.  Times of little or no rainfall, of low humidity and high temperatures create extremely hazardous conditions, particularly as they relate to wood shake and shingle roof fires and conflagrations.  The winds experienced in this area can have a tremendous impact upon structure fires of buildings in close proximity to one another commonly found in Sunnyvale.  During wood shake and
shingle roof fires, or exposure fires, winds can carry sparks and burning brands to other structures, thus spreading the fire and causing conflagrations.  In building fires, winds can literally force fires back into the building and can create a blowtorch effect, in addition to preventing "natural" ventilation and cross-ventilation efforts.

2.       Geological, Geographic and Topographic

a.       Geographic Location.  Sunnyvale is located in the Santa Clara Valley.  It has taken its place as the second largest city in the heart of the "Silicon Valley," the center for an expanding and changing technology industry.

b.       Seismic and Fire Hazards.  Gypsum wallboard and exterior portland cement plaster have performed poorly during recent California seismic events.  The shear values for gypsum wallboard and portland cement stucco contained in the code are based on mono-directional testing.  It is appropriate to limit the use of these products until cyclic loading testing are performed and evaluated.  Fire following an earthquake has the potential of causing greater loss of life and damage than the earthquake itself.  70% of all dwellings in Sunnyvale have wood shingle roofs.

          The majority of the City's industrial complexes are located in the highest seismic risk zones.  The highest seismic risk zone also contains the largest concentration of hazardous materials.  Hazardous materials, particularly toxic gases, could pose the greatest threat to the largest number, should a significant seismic event occur.  Public safety resources would have to be prioritized to mitigate the greatest threat, and may likely be unavailable for smaller single dwelling or structure fires.

Other variables may tend to intensify the situation:

(1)      The extend of damage to the water system;

(2)      The extent of isolation due to bridge and/or freeway overpass collapse;

(3)      The extent of roadway damage and/or amount of debris blocking the roadways;

(4)      Climatic conditions (hot, dry weather with high winds);

(5)      Time of day will influence the amount of traffic on roadways and could intensify the risk to life during normal business hours;

(6)      The availability of timely mutual aid or military assistance;

(7)      The large portion of dwellings with wood shingle roof coverings could result in conflagrations.

c.       Size and Population.  The City has an area over 23 square miles in size and a population estimated to be 134,150.  It is estimated that by January 2005 the population will be 137,000.

d.       Public Safety Department.  Sunnyvale utilizes a public safety (joint police/fire) department with personnel who function as both fire suppression and police officers, resulting in fewer personnel than otherwise would be required for a city of its size.  A premium is therefore placed on built-in physical techniques and devices as crime preventative measures.  It is therefore also imperative that fire detection and suppression occur as quickly as possible to minimize loss of property and life.  For these reasons the most stringent provisions are required concerning fire detection, alarm and suppression systems.

e.       Roads and Streets.  The number of vehicle miles driven in the City is steadily increasing and considerable efforts in traffic and roadway improvements are being made to ease the crush of commuters to and through the City to their homes and places of work.  Because of the City's high concentration of jobs, much of the peak traffic (about 75%) is made by nonresidents travelling to or from Sunnyvale.  The impact of planned developments and traffic flow will continue to have an effect on the Department of Public Safety and delivery of fire services.

f.        Water/Sewer.  Some parts of the Silicon Valley have hard water, which is corrosive to ferrous pipe.  The groundwater table is unusually high in many places.  Expansive soils create unstable conditions, which increase the potential of breaks in sewer laterals.  To maintain health and sanitary services, it is necessary to gain access, to periodically maintain public sanitary laterals.

          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Clerk is hereby directed to cause a copy of this resolution, together with the ordinances making the changes and modifications to the enumerated uniform codes, to be filed with the State Department of Housing and Community Development.

          Adopted by the City Council at a regular meeting held on ____________, 2004,  by the following vote:

(SEAL)