RES-11186 Amendments to 2019 CA Bldg, Residential & Electrical CodesRESOLUTION N0. 11186
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF ORANGE, CALIFORNIA, SETTING
FORTH FINDINGS FOR REQUIRED AMENDMENTS
TO THE 2019 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE, THE
2019 CALIFOI2NIA RESIDENTIAL CODE, AND THE
2019 CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE RELATIVE
TO LOCAL CLIMATIC AND GEOGRAPHIC
CONDITIONS.
WHEREAS, Health and Safety Code Section 17958 provides that the City of Orange
City") shall adopt Ordinances and regulations imposing the same or modified or changed
requirements as are contained in the regulations adopted by the State pursuant to Health and
Safety Code Section 17922; and
WHEREAS, the State of California is mandated by Health and Safety Code Section
17922 to impose the same requirements as are contained in the most recent edition of the
California Building Code, the California Residential Code, and the California Electrical Code
hereinafter referred to collectively as "Codes"); and
WHEREAS, Health and Safety Code Section 17958.5(a) permits the City to make
modifications or changes to the Codes, which are reasonably necessary because of local climatic,
geographic or topographic conditions; and
WHEREAS, Health and Safety Code Section 17958.7 requires that the City Council,
before making any modifications or changes to the Codes, shall make an express finding that
such changes or modifications are reasonably necessary because of local climatic, geographic or
topographic conditions; and
WHEREAS, the Community Development Deparhnent have recommended that changes
and modifications be made to the Codes and have advised that certain said changes and
modifications to the California Building Code, 2019 Edition, the California Residential Code,
2019 Edition, and the California Electrical Code, 2019 Edition, are reasonably necessary due to
local conditions in the City and have further advised that the remainder of said changes and
modifications are of an administrative or procedural nature, or concern themselves with subjects
not covered by the Codes or are reasonably necessary to safeguard life and property within the
City.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Orange
that amendments related to life and fire safety contained in Table 1505.1, Sections 1505.1.3,
1807.1.6, 3109.2 of the 2019 Edition of the California Building Code, and Table R301.2(1),
Sections R902.1, R902.1.3, R902.2, and Appendix V of the 2019 Edition of the California
Residential Code, and Articles 310.106(B), 310.121, 690.13, 690.13 of the 2019 Edition of the
California Electrical Code as recommended by the Community Development Department are
hereby found to be reasonably necessary due to the following local conditions:
Section 1:
A. C1imaHc Conditions
1. Hot, dry Santa Ana winds are common to all areas within the City of Orange and Orange
County in general. These winds, which can cause small fires that spread quickly, are a
contributing factor to the high fire danger in the area, and create the need for an increased
level of fire protection. This added protection will supplement normal fire department
response available and provide immediate protection for life and safety of multiple
occupancy occupants during fire occurrences.
2. Orange County and the City of Orange are in a semi-arid Mediterranean type climate,
which predisposes all fuels, including wood shingles, to rapid ignition and spread of fire.
Therefore, there exists a need for additional fire protection measures.
3. The warm, dry climate is conducive to swimming pools, which creates a higher
probability of child drownings where pools are unprotected.
B. Geographic Conditions
1. Orange County and the City of Orange are in a high seismically active area. There are
earthquake faults that run along both the northeastern and southwestern boundaries of
Orange County. The Newport-Inglewood Fault Zone (NIFZ) which runs through Orange
County was the source of the destractive 1933 Long Beach earthquake (6.3 magnitude,
hypocenter off Newport Beach coast), which took 120 lives, with areas damaged from
Laguna Beach to Marina del Rey and inland to Whittier, and poses one of the greatest
hazards to lives and property in the nation. Regional planning for reoccurrence is
recommended by the State of California, Department of Conservation. There was also an
earthquake in December 1989, with the epicenter located near the City of Irvine. The
fault on which this qualce occurred was unknown prior to this activity. The October 17,
1989, Santa Cruz earthqualce resulted in only one major San Francisco fire in the Marina
district, but when combined with the 34 other fires and over 500 responses, the
department was taxed to its full capabilities. The Marina fire was difficult to contain
because mains supplying water to the district burst during the earthquake. If more fires
had been ignited by the earthquake, it would have been difficult for the fire department to
contain them. Experts predict a major earthquake in our area within the next 50 years.
This situation creates the need for both additional fire protection measures and automatic
on-site fire protection for building occupants since a multitude of fires may result from
breakage of gas and electric lines as a result of an earthquake. As noted by "Planning
Scenario on a Major Earthquake on the Newport-Inglewood Fault Zone, 1988, State
Department of Conservation," page 59, "unfortunately, barely meeting the minimum
earthquake standards of building codes places a building on the verge of being legally
unsafe."
Resolution No. 11186 2
2. Traffic and circulation congestion presently existing in the City of Orange often places
fire department response time to fire occurrences at risk. This condition will be
exacerbated by any major disaster, including any earthqualce wherein damage to the
highway system will occur. This condition makes the need for additional on-site
protection for property occupants necessary.
3. Untreated wood roofs cause or contribute to serious fire hazard and to the rapid spread of
fires when such fires are accompanied by high winds. Pieces of burning wooden roofs
become flying brands and are carried by the wind to other locations and thereby spread
fire quickly. Past Grand Jury Report fmdings support this concern.
4. Code Section Findings in Section 1
Chap 1, Div II Administrative
Table 1505.1 CBC A-1,2, B-1,2,3
1505.1.3 CBC A-1,2, B-1,2,3
1807.1.6 CBC B-1
3109.2 CBC A-3,B-2
Table R301.2(1) CRC Administrative
R902.1 CRC A-1,2, B-1,2,3
R902.1.3 CRC A-1,2, B-1,2,3
R902.2 CRC A-1,2, 8-1,2,3
Appendix V CRC A-3,B-2
310.106(B) CEC A-1, B-1,2
310.121 CEC A-1, B-1,2
690.13 CEC Administrative
The aforementioned amendments have been incorporated in detail in Ordinance 10-19.
Section 2:
The Community Development Department shall file copies of Resolution 11186 and
Ordinance 10-19 with the California Building Standards Commission and Department of
Housing and Community Development as required by Health and Safety Code Section 17958.7.
ADOPTED this 22nd day of October 2019.
Mark A. Murphy, Mayor, C' of range
ATTEST:
Pamela Coleman, City Clerk, City of Orange
Resolution No. 11186 3
I, PAMELA COLEMAN, City Clerk of the City of Orange, California, do hereby certify
that the foregoing Resolution was duly and regularly adopted by the City Council of the City of
Orange at an adjourned regular meeting thereof held on the 22nd day of October 2019, by the
following vote:
AYES:COUNCILMEMBERS: Alvarez, Murphy,Nichols, Monaco
NOES:COiJNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
I (.t 1"Y i C.9 (P.'YL C-r- .
Pamela Coleman, City Clerk, City of Orange
Resolution No. 11186 4