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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFD 2025-026 - Resolution RESOLUTION NO. FD 2025-026 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE RANCHO CUCAMONGA FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT, RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA, SETTING FOR THE FINDINGS THAT ALLOW THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO MAKE AMENDMENTS AND OTHER CHANGES TO THE 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE BY APPROVAL OF AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING SAID FIRE CODE WHEREAS, the Rancho Cucamonga Fire Protection District ("District") is a public agency located in the County of San Bernardino, State of California; and WHEREAS, The Health and Safety Code Section 17958 provides that the District shall adopt ordinances and regulations imposing the same, modified, or changed requirements as are contained in the regulations adopted by the State of California (herein after "State") pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 17922; and WHEREAS, The State 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 Fire Code; and WHEREAS, Health and Safety Code Section 17958.5(a) permits the District to make changes or modifications to the California Fire Code which are reasonably necessary because of local geologic, topographic, or climatic conditions; and WHEREAS, Health and Safety Code Section 17958.7 requires that the Board, before making any changes or modifications to the California Fire Code, shall make an express finding that such changes or modifications are reasonably necessary due to local geologic, topographic, or climatic conditions; and WHEREAS, The Board has determined that local geologic, topographic, and climatic conditions do exist that make changes and modifications to the California Fire Code reasonably necessary and that those conditions are: 1. Geologic a. The District has within its boundaries active seismic hazards along five known earthquake faults. Seismic activity events within the District occur throughout the year and a fire potential exists with these events. Existing structures and planned new development are at serious risk from an earthquake. This risk includes fire, collapse, and the disruption of utility services, including water main breaks and lost or diminished water supply for firefighting purposes along with the loss of natural gas and electricity services that supply power to essential systems. Areas can become isolated and/or be subject to delayed responses as a result of bridge, overpass, and road damage and debris. b. Due to its location along the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, the District is subjected to flooding, flash flooding, and rapid runoff conditions during rain episodes. Some of the major arterial streets in the District are designed to function as part of the flood control system and are at times impassable as a result of high, swift-moving running water. Other streets are often damaged and/or clogged with debris during flooding episodes creating delayed responses by emergency apparatus. Roads are often washed out or obstructed by landslides, especially in the Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area. c. The District's jurisdiction includes a significant amount of designated Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area comprised of both State and Local Responsibility Areas. The native vegetation in these areas of the south aspect of the San Gabriel Mountains is capable of and has in the past produced wildfire conflagrations that threaten large numbers of homes and businesses Resolution No. FD 2025-026 - Page 1 of 10 and have in the past destroyed homes and other buildings. Wildfires threaten the continuity of electricity services since calculated flame lengths are capable of damaging above ground transmission lines that are installed across the Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area. Loss of electricity can affect public and private water supply systems if pumps do not have the power necessary to maintain minimum pressures in the systems. Loss of electricity can also affect the ability of essential systems to operate as designed. Evacuations cause streets to reach capacity, which slows response times. 2. Topographic a. The District is situated on the alluvial fan of the San Gabriel Mountains, an inclined plane that increases from approximately 1,200 feet in elevation on the south side of the District to approximately 3,000 feet in elevation on the north side of the District. This elevation change occurs across approximately seven miles creating several roads with steep slopes that slow fire apparatus and produce extended response times. Some slopes within the District exceed 30%. The slopes, with a south facing aspect and native vegetation consisting chaparral and various types of sage scrub, contribute to fast moving wildfires with extreme flame lengths, especially during Santa Ana wind events. b. The District contains two freeways and several main arterial streets that connect several of the foothill cities. Traffic conditions on any given day, absent geological or climatological complications, are sufficient to cause delayed responses by fire apparatus. The District also has several at-grade railroad crossings that are used daily by commuter and freight trains. Train traffic across these grades causes extended response times or the need to dispatch additional units that can respond from the opposite of the train crossing. c. The elevation change within the District and the rapid rise of the San Gabriel Mountains adjacent to the District are topographical conditions that naturally create flooding throughout the District and region. A comprehensive flood management system has been constructed but flooding, including flash flooding, still occurs during significant rainfall and snow melt conditions. Flooding can damage the electrical distribution system and leave roads heavily damaged or impassable. The flood management system in the District relies on many mid- block and intersection at-grade drainage channels that create dips in roads that require fire apparatus to slow their response in order to prevent damage to the vehicles. Other rises and troughs designed to direct and carry flood waters during rain episodes that are built into major arterial streets create elevation changes dramatic enough to produce fire apparatus damage if they are not traversed at significantly reduced speeds. Reduced speeds along these main thoroughfares create extended response times. 3. Climatic a. The District is bounded on the east and the west by canyons that channel seasonal high- pressure air masses from the desert to the ocean creating Santa Ana winds. Santa Ana winds in the District have a history of sustained velocities of 40-60 miles per hour with gusts in excess of 80 miles per hour. The winds create damage that includes downed power lines, downed utility poles, fallen trees, and blowing dust and debris. These hazards create extended response times. The wind can cause damage to the public electric utility resulting in the possibility of fire alarms, fire pumps, other fire and life safety protection equipment, and traffic signals being rendered ineffective or completely out of service. b. The summer and early fall months often see periods of high temperatures and low humidity that quickly dry out the native chaparral and other foothill vegetation as well as the historic windrows planted when the area was a mostly agricultural area. The combination of high temperatures, low humidity, and Santa Ana winds create critical fire weather conditions capable of producing catastrophic wildland fires and wildland-urban interface conflagrations. The District has experienced a number large area wildland during the course of its existence. Such fires quickly deplete the District's resources and the resources of neighboring Resolution No. FD 2025-026 - Page 2 of 10 jurisdictions as these fire events are generally large regional events that span several cities and many miles. Critical fire weather conditions can result in a public safety power shutoff (PSPS). Actual wildfire events can result in evacuations that fill streets to capacity, which delays emergency response. c. The rapid rise of the San Gabriel Mountains has the potential to and historically has generated thunderstorm and significant rainfall events that quickly result in both localized and regional flooding, including flash flooding. Flooding has resulted in roads and bridges being washed out or otherwise made impassable. Flooding has been substantial enough to result in major debris flows that include whole trees and boulders which block entire streets and knock down poles and towers that support power lines. These conditions cause damage to utility systems and can significantly impede or delay emergency response. NOW, THEREFORE, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE RANCHO CUCAMONGA FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT HEREBY FINDS AND RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS: 1. The facts set forth in this Resolution are true and correct. 2. Changes, modifications, amendments, additions, deletions, and exceptions to the California Fire Code are reasonably necessary in the District. 3. The reasonably necessary changes, modifications, amendments, additions, deletions, and exceptions to specific sections of the California Fire Code are listed along with the applicable findings in a matrix appended to this resolution, marked as Exhibit A, and incorporated by reference herein. 4. The aforementioned changes, modifications, amendments, additions, deletions, and exceptions have been incorporated in detail in Ordinance No. FD-060. 5. Copies of this Resolution and Ordinance No. FD-060 shall be filed with the California Building Standards Commission as required by Health and Safety Code Section 17958.7. Resolution No. FD 2025-026 - Page 3 of 10 PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 15'h day of October, 2025. . ennis Mic ael, reside t ATTEST: im e y, ecretary I, Kim Sevy, Secretary of the Rancho Cucamonga Fire Protection District, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly passed, approved, and adopted by the Board of Directors of the Rancho Cucamonga Fire Protection District, at a Regular Meeting of said Board held on the 15'h day of October, 2025. AYES: Hutchison, Kennedy, Michael, Scott NOES: None ABSENT: Stickler ABSTAINED: None Executed this 16'h day of October, 2025, at Rancho Cucamonga, California. frecreta ry Resolution No. FD 2025-026 - Page 4 of 10 RESOLUTION NO. FD 2025-026 Exhibit A Rancho Cucamonga Fire Protection District Findings of Fact Matrix for 2025 Fire Code Adoption Chapter Applicable Finding(s) Note 2 Not a construction provision;finding not required Adds a reference to Standard for Definitions, which is where any necessary or modified definitions will be listed. 80 la, 1b, 1c, 2a, 2b, 2c, 3a, 3b, 3c Adds Fire District Standards to the list of referenced standards. Some of the Fire District standards contain construction provisions as noted below. Section Applicable Finding(s) Note 101 Not a construction provision;finding not required Supplies the required title of the code. 102 Not a construction provision;finding not required Section 102.13 added in order for the ordinance to be certified by Cal Fire as applicable in the State Responsibility Areas of the Fire District. 103 Not a construction provision;finding not required Some provisions conflict with District organizational structure; necessary provisions added to Sec. 104. 104 Not a construction provision;finding not required Provides clarifying language and provides additional powers and authorities to the Fire District. 105 Not a construction provision;finding not required Provides clarity and provisions for non- payment. Also references Fire District Standard for Permits for Regulated Operations and Fire District Standard for Permits for Construction and Installations which establish required permits replacing the corresponding lists in the California Fire Code. 106 Not a construction provision; finding not required Adds Fire District policies and procedures. 108 Not a construction provision; finding not required Adds Fire District policies and procedures. 112 Not a construction provision; finding not required Deletes model code language for appeals and establishes Fire District Standard for Appeals. 113 Not a construction provision; finding not required Provides clarifying language and provides additional authority and policies. 114 Not a construction provision; finding not required Provides clarifying language, deletes model code language, and establishes Fire District Standard for Stop Work Orders. 115 Not a construction provision; finding not required Provides clarifying language, deletes model code language, and establishes Fire District Standard for Unsafe Structures, Equipment, and Operations. 116 Not a construction provision;finding not required Authorizes the chief to restrict access to private and public lands. Provides polices and establishes penalties. Resolution No. FD 2025-026 - Page 5 of 10 Section Applicable Finding(s) Note 304 Not a construction provision;finding not required Adds additional detail regarding vegetation. 305 Not a construction provision;finding not required Adds a provision for the health and safety of people. 307 Not a construction provision;finding not required Replaces model code requirements with Fire District Standard Open Burning. 308 Not a construction provision;finding not required Replaces model code requirements with Fire District Standard Open Flames. 309 Not a construction provision;finding not required Adds additional regulated equipment. 310 Not a construction provision;finding not required Adds a reference to the Municipal Code. 314 Not a construction provision;finding not required Adds a reference to Appendix N. Standardizes permit language and adds some safety provisions. 315 Not a construction provision;finding not required Adds clarifying language.Adds a provision for the storage of pallets indoors and the storage of commodities that expand with the absorption of water, a topic on which the code is silent. 316 Not a construction provision;finding not required Provides for additional safe uses and • operations within power line easements and rights of way. 317 State construction codes not amended;finding not Adds provisions for occupied roof to the required section, which includes safety, construction, and installation requirements not included in the codes. 325 Not a construction provision;finding not required Establishes weed and fire hazard abatement authority. 401 Not a construction provision;finding not required Adds a section that creates a reference to Fire District Standards and Appendix N for indoor and outdoor special events. 402 Not a construction provision;finding not required Adds a reference to Standard for Definitions which is where any necessary or modified definitions will be listed. 403 Not a construction provision;finding not required Adds several safety provisions and requirements. 404 Not a construction provision;finding not required Broadens the scope of safety plans by not limiting them to fire safety plans. 405 Not a construction provision;finding not required Provides clarification on how an emergency drill is performed. 503 la, lb, 2a, 3a, 3c Makes permanent certain discretionary changes to the design of fire apparatus ___ _ access roads. 504 Not a construction provision;finding not required Adds a roof access requirement that facilitates safe access to and egress from roofs. 505 Not a construction provision;finding not required Adds a reference to Standard for Building Signage that have specific requirements for address number dimensions intended to make addresses more visible from extended distances. Also adds a requirement to provide addressing for _ construction sites. 506 Not a construction provision; finding not required References Standard for Key Boxes and provides clarifying language. Resolution No. FD 2025-026 - Page 6 of 10 Section Applicable Finding(s) Note 507 1 a, 1c, 3a, 3b Creates a reference to Appendix B and Standard for Fire Protection Water Supply Systems, both of which provide specific detail with regard to the design, installation, and maintenance of fire protection water supplies. 509 la, 1 b, 2b, 3a, 3c Requires the construction of a room or enclosure with exterior access, similar to a fire command center required by Section 508, for fire sprinkler and fire alarm systems in multi-tenant buildings to ensure timely emergency responder access to system controls. 511 Not a construction provision;finding not required Creates a requirement for site plans and references Standard for Site Plan Content. 606 Not a construction provision;finding not required Changes the section heading to be more descriptive. Brings all provisions regarding commercial cooking operations into a single point of reference within the code. References Standard for Commercial Cooking Operations. 608 1 a, 1 b, 2b, 3a, 3c Requires manually operated control valves to be installed in an easily accessible location to ensure timely emergency responder access to system controls. 610 Not a construction provision;finding not required Adds a requirement for a report on the maintenance of clothes dryer exhaust systems. 807 Not a construction provision;finding not required Creates a reference to Fire District Standard for School and Classroom Decorations. Deletes and moves model code language to Fire District Standard for School and Classroom Decorations to provide clarity in context and avoid confusion. 901 Not a construction provision;finding not required Creates a reference to Standard for Non- Required Systems for partial systems. Creates a references to Standard Systems Out of Service to authorize the use of a fire watch for systems out of service. Enhances the scope of removing and tampering with equipment. 903 la, lb, 1c, 2a, 2b, 2c, 3a, 3b, 3c Adds references to various Standards. Adjusts the square footage and other requirements for fire sprinkler systems. 904 la, 1 b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3c References Standards and other source material needed to ensure correct installation. Adds a requirement for alternative automatic fire-extinguishing systems to be monitored by fire sprinkler monitoring systems. Section Applicable Finding(s) Note Resolution No. FD 2025-026 - Page 7 of 10 905 la, 2a, 2b, 2c, 3a, 3c Adds a reference to Standard for Fire Protection Water Supply Systems which has specific design and installation requirements for standpipe systems to ensure ready access to and timely use of standpipes. 906 Not a construction provision;finding not required Adds a clarifying condition that requires fire extinguishers at various events. Provides an option and criteria to reduce the number of extinguishers in warehouse storage areas. 907 la, 1 b, 2a, 2b, 2c, 3a, 3b, 3c Allows for alarm signal verification. Creates certain design and installation requirements for fire alarm systems. Creates a reference to Standard for Fire Alarm and Monitoring Systems to provide greater reliability of fire alarm systems. 912 la, 2a, 2b, 2c, 3a, 3c References Standard for Fire Protection Water Supply Systems which includes specific design and installation requirements for fire department connections to ensure ready access to and timely use of fire department connections. 913 la, lc, 3a, 3b, 3c Creates a requirement for alternate source of power due to the high probability of utility service interruption. 1003 Not a construction provision;finding not required Clarifies application of provisions from other codes; does not alter construction provisions. 1013 Not a construction provision;finding not required Clarifies application of provisions for exit signs in warehouses. 1101 Not a construction provision;finding not required Clarifies the codes and code provisions applicable to existing buildings with regard to construction,fire protection, and life safety. 1203 1a, 2c, 3a Creates a requirement for alternate sources of power and fuel due to the high probability of utility service interruption. 1204 Not a construction provision;finding not required Provides the fire code official with additional authority regarding fire extinguishers and fire safety. 1205 Not a construction provision;finding not required Adds non-construction roof top design requirements to accommodate Fire District roof access provisions. Increases vegetation control requirements. • 1207 Not a construction provision; finding not required Increases vegetation control requirements. Gives the fire code official discretion over the method(s)of preventing, detecting, and minimizing thermal runaway. • 2301 la, 3a Includes residential fueling operations as a regulated operation. 2601 Not a construction provision;finding not required Adds relevant references from other applicable State codes to provide clarity and consistency. Section Applicable Finding(s) Note Resolution No. FD 2025-026 - Page 8 of 10 2804 la, 1b, 1c, 2b, 2c, 3a, 3c Requires enhanced water supply for lumber yards and similar facilities. 3101 Not a construction provision;finding not required References Fire District Standards which provide additional safety requirements. 3103 Not a construction provision;finding not required Defines the term "temporary period." Provides additional safety requirements. 3105 Not a construction provision;finding not required Defines the term "temporary." 3107 Not a construction provision;finding not required References Chapter 4 and various Standards to provide additional safety. 3201 Not a construction provision;finding not required References Standard for High Piled Combustible Storage which contains detailed information about high-piled combustible storage analyses and process along with clarifying language. Makes permanent the discretionary language related to high hazard commodities. 3205 Not a construction provision;finding not required Adds a requirement to designate both the height and area of high-piled combustible storage areas. Does not affect construction standards. 3206 1 b, 3c Adds a requirement for door identification markings to enhance safety. Creates a requirements for an all-weather surface between access doors to ensure firefighter access to doors. 3208 Not a construction provision;finding not required Makes permanent the discretionary provision to equip flue spaces with protection. Adds a requirement to identify flue spaces. 3301 Not a construction provision;finding not required Expands the scope of the chapter and references Standard for Fire Prevention and Site Safety During Construction to enhance safety during construction and demolition. Provides clarification on issuance of construction permits 3303 Not a construction provision;finding not required Provides additional safety requirements during construction. 3305 Not a construction provision;finding not required Increases fire safety provisions. Adds precautions against damages and injury. 3307 la, lb, 2a, 3a, 3c Makes permanent certain discretionary changes to the design of fire apparatus access roads. Creates a reference to Appendix B and Standard for Fire Protection Water Supply Systems, both of which provide specific detail with regard to the design, installation, and maintenance of fire protection water supplies. 3501 Not a construction provision;finding not required References Standard for Hot Work and provides clarifying language. 4003 Not a construction provision;finding not required Makes smoking prohibitions consistent with the Municipal Code. 4004 Not a construction provision;finding not required Increases safety for empty containers. 4103 Not a construction provision;finding not required Provide clarifying language and references Standard for Open Flames Section Applicable Finding(s) Note 4807 Not a construction provision;finding not required Removes conflicting language. Resolution No. FD 2025-026 - Page 9 of 10 4811 Not a construction provision;finding not required Provides clarifying language. 5001 Not a construction provision;finding not required Provides clarifying language regarding permits. 5004 Not a construction provision; finding not required Adds a more restrictive requirements regarding outdoor storage. 5005 Not a construction provision;finding not required Adds a more restrictive requirements regarding outdoor storage. 5601 _ Not a construction provision; Finding not required Provides clarifying language. 5608 Not a construction provision; finding not required References Standard for Fireworks and Special Effects. Provides a requirement for and clarifying language regarding electrically firing fireworks displays. 5611 Not a construction provision; finding not required References Fire District Standard for Model Rockets regarding model rockets. 5612 Not a construction provision; finding not required Prohibits experimental high power rockets. 5613 Not a construction provision; finding not required Prohibits emergency signaling devices. 5704 Not a construction provision; finding not required References Standard for Hazardous Materials Tank Removal and Abandonment which establishes the procedures for repairs, alterations, abandonment, removal, and disposal of tanks. Modifies the amount of idle pallet storage. 5706 Not a construction provision; finding not required Clarifies storage limitations. 5806 Not a construction provision; finding not required Clarifies storage limitations. 6104 Not a construction provision; finding not required Provides clarifying language. Establishes limits as allowed by the code. 6107 la, 1 b, 2a, 2c, 3a, 3b, 3c Requires certain orientation of tank installations and stored tanks. 6109 Not a construction provision; finding not required Provides additional protection for LP-gas containers against vehicle impact. App. A Not a construction provision; finding not required Moves the procedures for appeals to Fire District Standard for Appeals. App. B la, 1c, 2a, 3a, 3b Increases minimum fire flow requirements. Resolution No. FD 2025-026 - Page 10 of 10