HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrd 18081
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ORDINANCE NO. 1808
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF 15URLINGAME AFFIRMING
ORDINANCE NO, 1800 TO CLARIFY PROVISION
REGARDING INSTALLATION OF SPRINKLERS
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURLINGAME DOES ORDAIN AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 1. On March 5, 2007, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1800, which
amended the language in Section 17.04.030 to explicitly incorporate the administrative interpretation
that a sprinkler retrofit or installation requirement is required when a portion of an entire building is
altered, rather than a "premises," which could pose an unreasonable burden on a tenant or owner.
However, the State Building Standards Commission refused to accept Ordinance No. 1800 for filing
because it only contained findings reflecting the one word change, rather than the normal findings for
amendments to the entire Uniform Fire Code. Rather than contest the State's interpretation, the
ordinance is being returned for affirmation and to make the extensive findings requiring local action
to protect the health and safety of its citizens. The City 47'
Burlingame will continue to interpret the
language to so that the retrofit requirement is triggered by alterations as a whole to a building rather
than a space in a building.
Section 2. The City of Burlingame is located between the Santa Cruz Mountains foothills
and San Francisco Bay, with a number of substantial creeks flowing through highly developed
residential and industrial areas. It is surrounded by large areas of open space maintained in natural
condition, as well as having a significant natural canyon in the center of the residential area. The
City normally receives no measurable precipitation between May and October, and it can often
extend into late October or early November. During this period, average temperatures average
between 70° F and 90° F, and strong winds come down the foothills. These conditions eliminate
most of the moisture in the natural vegetation and heavily wooded hillsides. The area also suffers
periodic droughts that extend the dry periods to other months of the year. In addition, many wood
roofs over wood construction predominate the residential areas. The City is directly east of the San
Andreas Fault, and much of the highly developed part of the City is located along the front of the
May 21, 2007
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Bay, some on fill. The foothill areas have a variety of soil formations with steep canyons and heavy
precipitation. Fires in the community could quickly spread because of the extensive, natural
vegetation throughout the City. The City has a number of highly developed commercial areas with
older buildings, and an industrial area that is filled with mixed uses utilizing various materials that
could be highly hazardous. The Burlingame Avenue area has already experienced a number of
devastating fires that have damages valuable buildings, endangered lives, and impaired the economic
well-being of entire blocks. The other commercial areas in the City are just as vulnerable. In
addition, heavily traveled approach and departure routes for San Francisco International Airport are
immediately adjacent or over the City. Much of the residential areas that are immediately adjacent to
woodland and canyon are served by narrow one- or two-lane roads with confused access caused by
the steepness of the terrain. Access by fire suppression equipment is extremely limited by both
topography and improved access. It is only through strong building standards and effective fire
prevention and containment programs that citizens will receive the protection they deserve, and that
citizens will be able to obtain reasonably priced insurance for their homes and businesses. In seeking
to attain these goals, the fire prevention standards in Title 17 have been adopted, and this ordinance
is to affirm an administrative interpretation of when sprinkler installation is required when a building
I is altered.
Section 3. Subsections 1003.2.1.2(6) and (7) of the Uniform Fire Code as contained in
Section 17.04.030 of the Municipal Code is amended to read as follows:
6. When a building is partially retrofitted with an approved automatic sprinkler fire
extinguishing system pursuant to this section, the building shall complete the fire extinguishing
system retrofit throughout the unprotected building interior areas within six (6) years from
completing the initial part
ial retrofit.
7. The size or cost of additions and alterations used in calculating the size or replacement
cost value formula shall not be cumulative with regard to individual additions or alterations in a
building unless either of the following two circumstances apply:
May 21, 2007
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(a) Where more than one (1) addition or alteration for which building permits are required
are made within a two (2) year period. In such circumstances, the sum of the size or costs of these
additions or alterations during this two (2) year period shall be aggregated for the purpose of
calculating the size or replacement cost value formula; or
(b) Where more than one (1) addition or alteration for which building permits have been
issued have not yet received final Building Department approval. In such circumstances, the sum of
these issued but not yet finalized building additions' or alterations' sizes or construction costs shall be
aggregated for the purpose of calculation of the size or replacement cost value formula.
EXCEPTIONS: The cost of additions and alterations used in calculating the replacement
cost value formula shall be exclusive of the cost to design and install an automatic fire sprinkler
extinguishing system pursuant to this section; building roof repair/replacement; building heating
and/or cooling unit repair/replacement; and any other federal, state and local construction code
upgrade requirements including but not limited to the American Disability Act architectural barrier
removal requirements, Title 24 handicap compliance requirements, seismic retrofit requirements,
asbestos and other hazardous material abatement.
Section 4. This ordinance shall be published as required by law.
Mayorr'
I, DORIS MORTENSEN, City Clerk of the City of Burlingame, do hereby certify that the
foregoing ordinance was introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council held on the 7"' day of
May, 2007, and adopted thereafter at a regular meeting of the City Council held on the 215` day of
May, 2007, by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: BAYLOCK, COHEN, KEIGHRAN, NAGEL, O'MAHONY
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
May 21, 2007
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