Ordinance 2968CITY OF ALAMEDA ORDINANCE NO. 2968
New Series
AMENDING THE ALAMEDA MUNICIPAL CODE BY AMENDING
SUBSECTION 13-2(e) (MODIFICATIONS , AMENDMENTS AND
DELETIONS TO THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE) OF
SECTION 13-2 (ALAMEDA BUILDING CODE) OF CHAPTER XIII
(BUILDING AND HOUSING), TO INCORPORATESPECIFIC
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE INSTALLATION OFFIRE
EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS
WHEREAS , given that Alameda is an island that could render it isolated in the
event of a disaster , the installation of fire sprinklers in buildings is one of the City
long term fire protection strategies to reduce the loss of life and property due to
unwanted fires; and
WHEREAS , after reviewing several scientific studies , the City has determined
that the installation of fire sprinklers in buildings often reducesthe loss of life and
property when fires do occur.
NOW , THEREFORE , BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of
Alameda that:
Section 1. The Alameda Municipal Code is hereby amended by amending
Subsection 13-2(e) (Modifications , Amendments and Deletions to the California
Building Code):
13-2(e). Section 904.1 of the California Building Code , 2001 Edition
is amended to read as follows:
Section 904.1 General. Fire extinguishing systems required in this Code
shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of this Chapter. Fire
hose threads used in connection with fire-extinguishing systems shall be
National Standard hose threads or as approved by the Fire Department.
buildings used for high-pile combustible storage , fire protection shall be in
accordance .with Fire Department findings. The . location .of all Fire
Department hose connectibns and. the .main controlvalve (i.e. Post
IndicatorValve) shall be approved. by the Fire Chief.
All automatic sprinkler systems , other than those installed in detached
single and two-family dwellings defined as Group R Division 3 occupancies
and Group U occupancies in this Code , shall be provided with supervision
of all control valves and flow alarm signal devices. Valve supervision and
flow alarm signals shall be transmitted to an approved Underwriters
Laboratory listed Central Station.
Installation , inspection , and maintenance of the fire alarm system required
by this Section shall be in conformance with Underwriters Laboratory and
the National Fire Protection Association Standards established in the
National Fire Alarm Code , NFPA-, 1996 Edition , including amendments
thereto , as may be made from time to time.
Section 904.2. Standards. Fire-extinguishing systems shall comply with
California Building Code . Standards Number 901 , 902 and applicable
National Fire Code Standards for type of system being installed. The
minimum hazard classification shall be designed to meet "Ordinary Hazard
Group 2.
EXCEPTIONS:
(1) Automatic sprinkler systems may be connected to the domestic
water supply main when approved by the Fire Chief , provided the domestic
water supply is of adequate pressure , capacity, and sizing forthe combined
domestic and sprinkler requirements. In such cases , the sprinkler system
connection shall be made between the public water main .or meter and the
building shutoff valve. There shall not be any intervening valves or
connections. The Fire Department connection may be omitted when
approved by the Fire Chief.
Section 904.Automatic Fire-extinguishing. Systems
Section 904.Where required . An automatic fire-extinguishing
system shall be installed in the occupancies and locations as set forth in
this section.
Section 904.Occupancies requiring automatic sprinkler
systems; exceptions. An approved automatic sprinkler system shall be
installed in all newly constructed occupancies regardless of occupancy
group type or buildings JToved into or relocated within the City and shall
comply with NFPA Stanpard.13 and 13-, and the following:
Bathrooms , regardless of.size , and spaqes under stairs. used for the
storageof combustible.materials.(2) Whenan existing building is added to
repaired or remodeled , if the costofaddition , repair or remodeling, is over
25% of the current value of the building. The value shall be based on the
International Code Council Building Valuation Data. Area separation walls
do not exempt this Jequirementfor an automatic sprinkler system.
EXCEPTIONS:
Detached Group U Occupancies (utility) less than 300 square feet.
An automatic sprinkler system need not be provided when the floor area of
a temporary building as defined in the California Building Code is less than
000 square feet and me exit travel distance from any point is less than 50
feet.
An automatic sprinkler system need not be provided when the floor area of
a Group B (Business), Group F (Factory), and Group S (Storage)
Occupancy is less than 300 square feet , as determined by the Fire Chief.
Existing Group R , Division 3 and Group R , Division 1 occupancies are
excluded from the automatic sprinkler requirements of section 904.2(2).
For newly constructed Group R , Division 3 occupancies , including but not
limited to one and two-family dwellings and mobile homes , an automatic
fire-extinguishing system shall be installed that complies with NFPA
Standard 13-D and the following:
All fire extinguishing systems installed in accordance with NFPA Standard
13-D shall be tested for leakage by undergoing a hydrostatic test made at
200 psi for a two-hour duration or at 50 psi above static pressure in access
of 150 psi for two-hour duration.
(2)Each water system supplying both domestic and fire protection
systems shall have a single indication-type control valve , arranged to
shut-off both the domestic and sprinkler systems and a separate
shut-off valve for the domestic system only. The location of the
control valve shall be approved by the Fire Chief. A separate shut-
off valve is not required for the domestic water supply in multi-
purpose piping systems.
(3)Local water flow alarms on residential type sprinkler systems
(Standard 13-D) shall be powered from the kitchen refrigerator
circuit.
Attached garages , bathrooms , attc spaces regardless of size , and
spaces under stairs used for the storage of combustible materials.
In the event that another section of the Alameda Building Code is more restrictive
then that section will apply.
Section 2.Severability Clause. It is the declared intent of the City Council
of Alameda that if any section , subsection , sentence , clause , phrase , or provision
of this ordinance is held invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent
jurisdiction , such invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not be so construed as to
render invalid or unconstitutional the remaining provisions of this ordinance.
Section 3.This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after the
expiration of thirty (30) days from the date of . ma p sage.
Attest:/1 r
Lara Weisiger , City ClerK"
City of Alameda
******
, the undersigned, hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance was duly and
regularly adopted and passed by the Council of the City of Alameda in a regular
meeting assembled on the day of August , 2007 by the following vote to wit:
AYES:Councilmembers deHaan , Matarrese , Tam and Mayor
Johnson - 4.
NOES:None.
ABSENT:Council member Gilmore - 1.
ABSTENTIONS:None.
IN WITNESS , WHEREOF , I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of
said City this 8 day of August , 2007.
Lara Weisiger , City
City of Alameda