The Uniform Fire Code, in particular, Part III, Article 10, Division III, provides for certain standards for automatic fire extinguishing systems. The purpose of this chapter is to provide regulations establishing minimum standards for automatic fire extinguishing systems where such standards are not specifically covered by the Uniform Fire Code. Where specific standards are provided by the Uniform Fire Code and provide a greater degree of fire protection than the provisions of this chapter, those standards shall apply. In those cases where the Uniform Fire Code does not provide specific standards, the terms of this chapter shall apply. The intent of this chapter is to apply those fire protection standards which will provide the residents and property owners of the city the greatest degree of fire protection which is reasonable under the circumstances. All structures are subject to the conditions of this chapter.
(Ord. 140 § 1, 1990.)
Definitions contained in the Uniform Fire Code and the Uniform Building Code shall apply to this chapter unless specifically amended. For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions are made:
"Buildings" and "structures,"
for the purpose of this chapter, may be one and the same.
"Dwelling"
is a building or portion thereof which contains not more than two dwelling units. "Multi-residential" is more than two dwelling units.
"New construction"
is a building erected for which a legal building permit is to be issued, and which is intended for supporting or sheltering any use or occupancy.
"Occupancy"
is the purpose for which a building, or any part of thereof, is intended to be used.
"Structures"
are composed of buildings joined together in some definite manner, regardless of property lines. Buildings shall be deemed joined if they are required to have fire resistive exterior wall or walls as per Table 5A or separations as per Table 5C of the prevailing Uniform Building Code.
(Ord. 140 § 2, 1990.)
(1) 
All new nonresidential structures, 35 or more feet in height and/or 5,000 square feet or more in floor area shall have an automatic fire extinguishing system installed.
(2) 
All new multi-residential/dwelling structures, 35 or more feet in height and/or 8,000 square feet or more of floor area shall have an automatic sprinkler system installed.
(3) 
Buildings in existence prior to the adoption of the ordinance codified in this section, meeting the size and shape requirements of subsections (1) or (2) of this section shall be subject to the requirements for automatic fire extinguishing systems when the following occurs:
(a) 
Change of use as per Table 5A of the Uniform Building Code.
(b) 
Any addition to square footage of a building to meet the size and/or shape of subsection (1) and/or (2) of this section.
(4) 
As specified in prevailing building and fire codes, all buildings which are severe or high hazard occupancies shall have automatic sprinkler systems installed regardless of size.
(5) 
Waiver of automatic extinguishing system permit fees shall be granted.
(6) 
"Exemptions" means when a state, federal or local agency requires an addition to comply with new codes.
(Ord. 140 § 3, 1990.)
Every new residential building less than 35 feet in height and/or less than 5,000 square feet on any single story floor area may install an engineered automatic sprinkler system using PVC or CPVC piping as specified by N.F.P.A. 13 D and California State Fire Marshal suggested standards for design, installation and maintenance of automatic fire sprinkler systems for one- and two-family dwellings.
Use of PVC or CPVC piping for multi-residential automatic sprinkler systems shall include in the design of this system automatic sprinklers within all attic areas if any portion of the attic measures more than 24 inches from ceiling to roof sheathing.
Use of PVC or CPVC piping for multi-residential automatic sprinkler systems shall include U-L approved "rapid or quick acting" sprinklers.
(Ord. 140 § 4, 1990.)
(1) 
"Fire alarm system" means all devices, controls and circuits, together with the energy necessary to sound alarm, electrically supervise the system there required, and activate the alarm bells, trouble bells or trouble signals.
(2) 
Every new multifamily complex, apartment house, condominium complex, motel, hotel and other places of lodging accommodating three or more families, but less than 8,000 square feet shall have installed an approved, automatically operated fire alarm system designed to warn the occupants simultaneously. The fire chief may, in addition, require that this system be monitored in the manager's quarters. The fire chief may also require the installation of a manually operated system.
(Ord. 140 § 5, 1990.)
Owners of buildings or structures with a square footage of less than 10,000 square feet shall have the right of appeal to the city council, within 10 days of the fire chief's or building official's notification to them of automatic fire extinguishing system requirements, to be relieved from the requirement of an automatic fire extinguishing system in the proposed building. The appellant must prove that the structure will be as fire safe as if built to minimum prevailing building and fire code standards with an automatic fire extinguishing system installed. Items to be considered by council in determining the validity of this proof are:
(1) 
Type of fire resistive construction.
(2) 
Location of building on property and consideration of fire department access on all sides.
(3) 
Availability and proximity of fire suppression facilities to building.
(4) 
Existing devices now available, and/or new technology or technical devices.
(Ord. 140 § 6, 1990.)
Buildings four or more stories in height and/or 10,000 or more square feet shall install hook-up hardware for a pumper truck to pressurize the sprinkler system.
(Ord. 140 § 7, 1990.)