Carpinteria Municipal Code Ch. 8.24 Fire Prevention

Footnotes:

--- (6) ---

For statutory provisions on fire protection generally, see Health and Saf. Code § 13000 et seq.; for provisions on fireworks, see Health and Saf. Code § 12500 et seq.; for provisions on high explosives, see Health and Saf. Code § 12000 et seq.

The city is embraced and included within the Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District, state of California.

(Prior code § 3300)

The discharge, firing or use of all firecrackers, rockets, torpedoes, roman candles, or other display within the city is prohibited; provided, however, that the city council may at any time order or permit the public display of fireworks by properly qualified individuals under the direct supervision of experts in the handling of fireworks. Provided, also, that such display shall be of such a character and so located, discharged or fired as, in the opinion of the city manager, shall not be hazardous to the surrounding property or dangerous to any person. The sale of fireworks within the city is prohibited.

(Prior code § 3301)

No persons shall permit the storage of or keep for sale within the city limits, any gunpowder, giant powder or blasting powder in larger quantities than fifty pounds. Caps of the type used for detonating explosives shall not be brought into the city or stored anywhere therein without prior approval of fire district authorities. All powder must be kept in copper cases within six feet and at the right-hand side of the front entrance to the building where the same is kept. Provided, however, that this chapter shall not apply to loaded cartridges or shells or powder in shells.

(Prior code § 3302)

A. Notwithstanding other provisions of this code of the city of Carpinteria, approved automatic fire sprinkler systems shall be installed and maintained in all buildings hereafter constructed or placed upon real property including buildings or structures as defined in the current California Building Code that require a permit from the building division.

B. The type of fire sprinkler system required for each proposed use shall be set forth in the guidelines adopted by resolution of the city council, as modified from time to time.

C. Plans for the installation of all required automatic fire sprinkler systems shall be submitted to the building department to be approved prior to system installation.

D. The term "automatic fire sprinkler system," as used herein, refers to, and shall mean, an integrated system of underground and overhead piping including a water supply of approved type such as a gravity tank, fire pump, reservoir or pressure tank or a connection, by underground piping, to a public water main or domestic water meter which system complies in all respects with the standards adopted for such systems as set forth in the guidelines adopted by resolution of the city council, as modified from time to time.

E. When the use of a building changes to a more hazardous occupancy, as described in the Uniform Building Code Standard 38-1, previously installed automatic fire sprinkler systems must be redesigned and changed to meet the standards of the new occupancy as determined by the building official.

F. No person shall remove, tamper with, disturb or shut down any fire sprinkler system that is required to be installed and maintained under the provisions of this chapter, unless approved by the fire department. In addition, all maintenance, servicing and repairs that require a fire sprinkler system to be placed out of service will be conducted only after the approval of the fire department.

G. All fire sprinkler alarm systems, including both local alarms and those alarms required to be terminated at an Underwriters' Laboratories approved central station will be maintained in an operational condition by the owners or his agent at all times.

H. It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to erect, construct, alter, convert or move any building or structure in the city, or cause the same to be done, contrary to or in violation of any of the provisions of this section. Civil and criminal actions and penalties for violation of this section are provided for in Chapter 1.08 entitled "Penalties."

(Ord. 411 § 1, 1987; Ord. 387 § 2, 1986: Ord. 302 § 1, 1981)

(Ord. No. 651, § 2, 3-14-2011)

Every existing single-family and multiple-family dwelling occupancy, including mobile homes, apartment houses, condominiums, townhouses, co-ops, lodging houses, hotels and motels, shall have installed and maintained therein, California State Fire Marshal listed detector(s) of the products of combustion other than heat only, commonly known as "smoke detectors" that are powered by battery or house current.

A. In dwelling units, detectors shall be mounted on the ceiling or wall at a point centrally located in the corridor or area giving access to rooms used for sleeping purposes and on each additional story of the family living unit. When the detector is mounted on a wall, it shall be no less than four inches, nor more than twelve inches from the ceiling to the top of the detector.

B. All smoke detectors shall be installed, maintained and tested in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and the applicable sections of the Uniform Building Code. The owner of each affected dwelling unit shall be responsible for installation, repair, maintenance and testing of all smoke detectors required by this section, except that all long-term (twenty consecutive days or more) renters, lessees or other non-owner occupants shall be responsible for testing of said smoke detector(s). In the event of test failure, the occupant shall be responsible for battery replacement. Additionally, the owner of each affected rental dwelling unit shall be responsible for testing the smoke detector(s) within that unit upon a change of tenancy.

C. All single-family and multiple-family dwelling unit occupancies shall be made to conform within one hundred twenty days after the date of adoption of the ordinance codified in this section or prior to any sale or transfer of title of said structure, whichever date occurs first.

D. Newly constructed single-family and multiple-family dwellings, mobile homes, apartment houses, condominiums, townhouses, co-ops, lodging houses, hotels and motels shall comply with the current Uniform Building Code for the installation and maintenance of smoke detectors.

E. All structures hereafter constructed which are required to install and maintain smoke detectors by the Uniform Building Code which structures contain fifteen or more living units or thirty feet or more in height shall have installed, at the central desk or entry, a panel that notifies and displays the location of the smoke detector giving the alarm.

(Ord. 387 § 3, 1986: Ord. 302 § 2, 1981)

All newly constructed buildings or structures will be constructed and maintained with noncombustible roofing or fire-retardant roof covering as defined in the Uniform Building Code currently valid and adopted within the city. This section also applies to exterior wall coverings where wood shingles or shakes are used.

(Ord. 387 § 4, 1986: Ord. 302 § 3, 1981)

Permanent exterior access to the roof shall be provided for buildings where the roof edges, mansard, or parapet is over eighteen feet above grade level and access ladders will commence at the eighteen foot level and terminate at the roof. This access must be located where the fire department can utilize their ladders and, therefor, shall meet their approval. Ladders shall comply with General Industry Safety Order, Title 8, Section 432.77, Article 4.

(Ord. 387 § 5, 1986: Ord. 302 § 4, 1981)

A. Any person, firm or corporation, including the Carpinteria-Summerland fire district, or any department or division of the city of Carpinteria that opposes the application of a standard described in this chapter to a given project or area or that seeks an exception from the requirements of this chapter, may file an appeal to the "local appeals board" as described in Section 15.08.180.

(Ord. 387 § 6, 1986: Ord. 302 § 5, 1981)