El Centro Municipal Code Art. III Fire Prevention Code

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. No. 95-15, §§ 1, 2, adopted January 17, 1996, amended the Code by repealing Art. III, §§ 10-41—10-52, and adding a new Art. III, §§ 10-41—10-52. Former Art. III pertained to similar subject matter and derived from Ord. No. 87-5, Ord. No. 90-3, and Ord. No. 93-5.

Cross reference— Building code, § 7-36 et seq.; plumbing code, § 7-43 et seq.; housing code, § 7-50 et seq.; mechanical code, § 7-56 et seq.; electrical code, § 9-14 et seq.

There is hereby adopted by the city, for the purpose of prescribing regulations governing conditions hazardous to life and property from fire, hazardous materials or explosion, that certain code known as the California Fire Code, 2025 edition, including appendix chapter 4, and also including appendices A, B, BB, C, CC, D, E, F, G, H, I, J and K, known as the California Code of Regulations, title 24, part 9, which is based on the International Fire Code, 2024 edition, copyrighted by the International Code Council, one (1) copy of which has been and is now filed in the office of the city clerk and the same are hereby adopted and incorporated as fully as if set out at length herein, and from the date on which this section shall take effect, the provision thereof shall be controlling within the limits of the city.

The California Fire Code is amended and changed in the following respects:

(1) Sec. 101.4, Severability, is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following: If any provision, clause, sentence or paragraph of this ordinance or the application thereof to any person or circumstances shall be held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the other provisions of this ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end, the provisions of this ordinance are hereby declared to be severable.

(2) Sec. 102.5, Application of Residential Code is amended as follows: Where structures are designed and constructed in accordance with the California Residential Code, the provisions of this code shall apply as follows:

1. Construction and design provisions of this code pertaining to the exterior of the structure shall apply including, but not limited to, premises identification, fire apparatus access and water supplies. Where interior or exterior systems or devices are installed, construction permits required by Section 105.6 of this code shall apply.

2. Administrative, operational and maintenance provisions of this code shall apply.

3. Automatic fire sprinkler system requirements of this code shall apply to detached accessory buildings 3,600 square feet or greater in accordance with Section 903.2. The provisions contained in Section 903.2.18 of the California Fire Code or Section R309.6 of the California Residential Code may be used for the design of the automatic fire sprinkler system for detached private garages.

(3) Sec. 104.1.1, Authority of the Fire Chief and Fire Department is added to Section 104.1 to read as follows:

1. The Fire Chief is authorized and directed to enforce all applicable State fire laws and provisions of this ordinance and to perform such duties as directed by the City Council.

2. The Fire Chief is authorized to administer, interpret and enforce this ordinance. Under the Fire Chief's direction, the City's Fire Department is authorized to enforce ordinances of The City pertaining to the following:

2.1.

The prevention of fires.

2.2.

The suppression or extinguishment of dangerous or hazardous fires.

2.3.

The storage, use and handling of hazardous materials.

2.4.

The installation and maintenance of automatic, manual and other private fire alarm systems and fire extinguishing equipment.

2.5.

The maintenance and regulation of fire escapes.

2.6.

The maintenance of fire protection and the elimination of fire hazards on land, in buildings, structures and other property, including those under construction.

2.7.

The maintenance of means of egress.

2.8.

The investigation of the cause, origin and circumstances of fire and unauthorized releases of hazardous materials.

3. The following persons are hereby authorized to interpret and enforce the provisions of this ordinance and to make arrests and issue citations as authorized by law:

3.1.

The Unit Chief, Peace Officers and Public Officers of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

3.2.

The Fire Chief, Peace Officers and Public Officers of the City Fire Department.

3.3.

The City Sheriff and any deputy sheriff.

3.4.

The Police Chief and any police officer or any city served by the City Fire Department.

3.5.

Officers of the California Highway Patrol.

3.6.

Code Officers of the City Code Enforcement Division.

3.7.

Peace Officers of the California Department of Parks and Recreation.

3.8.

The law enforcement officer of the Federal Bureau of Land Management.

(4) Sec. 104.8, Liability is deleted in their entirety and replaced with the following:

Any liability against The City or any officer or employee for damages resulting from the discharge of their duties shall be as provided by law.

(5) Sec. 104.10, Fire Investigations, is hereby added to read:

The fire department shall investigate promptly the cause, origin, and circumstances of each and every fire occurring in the jurisdiction involving loss of life or injury to a person(s) or destruction or damage to property and, if it appears that such fire is of suspicious origin, it shall then take immediate charge of all physical evidence relating to the cause of the fire and shall pursue the investigation to its conclusion.

Under the direction of the fire chief, the fire department shall develop a comprehensive investigation program. This program shall include, but not be limited to, investigative procedures, training standards and investigators' safety.

(6) Sec. 104.12, Authority of the Fire Chief to Close Hazardous Fire Areas, is a new section added to Section 104 to read as follows:

Except upon National Forest Land, the Fire Chief is authorized to determine and announce the closure of any hazardous fire area or portion thereof. Any closure by the Fire Chief for a period of more than fifteen (15) calendar days must be approved by the City Council within fifteen (15) calendar days of the Fire Chief's original order of closure. Upon such closure, no person shall go in or be upon any hazardous fire area, except upon the public roadways and inhabited areas. During such closure, the Fire Chief shall erect and maintain at all entrances to the closed area sufficient signs giving notice of closure. This section shall not prohibit residents or owners of private property within any closed area, or their invitees, from going in or being upon their lands. This section shall not apply to any entry, in the course of duty, by a peace officer, duly authorized public officer or fire department personnel. For the purpose of this section, "hazardous fire area" shall mean public or private land that is covered with grass, grain, brush or forest and situated in a location that makes suppression difficult resulting in great damage. Such areas are designated on Hazardous Fire Area maps filed with the office of the Fire Chief.

(7) Sec. 105.1, General, is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph:

For each permit mandated by State law which is issued pursuant to Section 105, there shall be a fee assessed for the services rendered by the fire code official. The fee required shall be in accordance with the schedule established by resolution of the City Council. No new fee established or increase in existing fee shall become effective unless imposed pursuant to Chapter 13 (commencing with Section 54990) of Part I of Division 2 of Title 5 of the California Government Code.

(8) Sec. 105.1.2, New Construction, is hereby amended by adding a paragraph to read:

3. New Construction: Before undertaking any construction or development, applicants shall submit building plans and/or specifications to the fire code official for retention and review for compliance, with this article and other applicable regulations, whenever any land is developed and/or building is constructed or improved which would require:

1. Provision of water supply for fire protection;

2. Provision of access for fire apparatus;

3. Any occupancy for the storage, handling, or use of any hazardous substance, material, process or device;

4. Occupancies for which a fire department has responsibility for enforcement of laws or ordinances for fire safety and preservation of property or lives; and/or

5. Provisions to control the spread of fire.

(9) Sec.106, Inspection is added to read as follows:

Section 106.5, Inspection is added to read: The fire code official shall develop a comprehensive self-inspection program. This program will be administered annually and is designed for low risk occupancies.

(10) Sec. 108.2, Schedule of Permit Fees is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

Fees for service and permits shall be as established by Resolution of the City Council.

(11) Sec. 108.7, Cost Recovery, is added to Section 107 to read as follows:

Fire suppression, investigation, rescue or emergency medical costs are recoverable in accordance with Health and Safety Code Section 13009 and 13009.1, as may be amended from time to time. Additionally, any person who negligently, intentionally or in violation of law causes an emergency response, including, but not limited to, a traffic accident, spill of toxic or flammable fluids or chemicals is liable for the costs of securing such emergency, including those costs pursuant to Government Code Section 53150, et seq., as may be amended from time to time. Any expense incurred by the City Fire Department for securing such emergency shall constitute a debt of such person and shall be collectable by the City in the same manner as in the case of an obligation under contract, express or implied.

(12) Sec. 111.1, Board of Appeals Established is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following: The Board of Appears shall be the City Manager. If he or she determines an outside board is needed, he or she shall designate an outside hearing officer to hear the appeal. The Fire Chief shall be notified of any appeal and the Fire

Chief or designee shall be in attendance at the appeal hearing. Depending on the subject of the appeal, specialized expertise may be solicited, at the expense of the application, for the purpose of providing input to the Appeals Board.

(13) Sec. 113.4, Violation Penalties is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation or association of persons to violate any provision of this ordinance. Punishment and penalties for violations shall be in accordance with the City Code and Health and Safety Code Sections 17995 through 17995.5.

(14) Sec. 202, Definition of Fire Chief is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

FIRE CHIEF. The Fire Chief of the City or the Fire Chief's designee.

(15) Sec. 503.2.1, Dimensions is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

Fire apparatus access roads shall have an unobstructed width of not less than 24 feet (7315 mm), exclusive of shoulders, except for approved security gates in accordance with Section 503.6, and an unobstructed vertical clearance of not less than 13 feet 6 inches (4115 mm). For additional requirements or alternatives see the City Fire Department Standards and Policies, as may be amended from time to time.

(16) Sec. 503.2.2, Authority, is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

The fire code official shall be the only authority authorized to designate fire apparatus access roads and fire lanes and to modify the minimum fire lane access widths for fire or rescue operations.

(17) Sec. 503.6.1, Automatic Opener, is added to Section 503.6 to read as follows:

New motorized gates shall be provided with means to be automatically opened remotely by emergency vehicle in accordance with the City Fire Department standards and Policies, as may be amended from time to time with the exception of gates serving individual one- and two-family dwelling parcels.

(18) Sec. 503.7, Loading Areas and Passenger Drop-Off Areas, is added to Section 503 to read as follows:

On private properties, where fire apparatus access roads are utilized for loading or unloading or utilized for passenger drop-off or pick-up, an additional eight (8) feet of width shall be added to the minimum required width for the fire apparatus access road.

(19) Sec. 505.1, Address Identification, is hereby amended by adding the following sentence:

Commercial property with rear access shall post numerical street address at the rear access consistent with those requirements for the front of the property.

(20) Sec. 507.5.7, Fire Hydrant Size and Outlets, is added to Section 507 to read as follows:

As determined by the fire code official, fire hydrant sizes and outlets shall be based on the following:

1. Residential Standard—one (1) four (4) inch outlet and one (1) two and half (2 ½) inch outlet.

2. Super Hydrant Standard—one (1) four (4) inch outlet and two (2) two and one half (2 ½) inch outlet.

3. Super Hydrant Enhanced—two (2) four (4) inch outlet and one (1) two and one half (2 ½) inch outlet.

4. Jones Hydrant or equivalent

(21) Sec. 507.5.8, Fire Hydrant Street Marker, is added to Section 507 to read as follows:

Fire hydrant locations shall be visually indicated in accordance with City Fire Department policy. Any hydrant marker damaged or removed during the course of street construction or repair shall be immediately replaced by the contractor, developer or person responsible for removal or damage.

(22) Sec. 508.1, Fire Command Center-General, is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

Where required by other sections of this code and in all buildings classified as high- rise buildings by the California Building Code, in buildings greater than 300,000 square feet in area and in Group I-2 occupancies having occupied floors located more than 75 feet above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access, a fire command center for fire department operations shall be provided and comply with Sections 508.1.1 through 508.1.8.

(23) Sec. 508.1.1, Location and Access, is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

The fire command center shall be located adjacent to the main lobby and shall be accessible from fire department vehicular access or as approved by the fire code official. The room shall have direct access from the building exterior at the lowest level of fire department access.

(24) Sec. 508.1.3, Exception, is amended to add the following:

A fire command center solely required because a building is greater than 300,000 square feet in area shall be a minimum of 96 square feet (9m 2 ) with a minimum dimension of 8 feet (2438 mm).

(25) Sec. 508.1.6, Exception, is amended to add the following:

A fire command center solely required because a building is greater than 300,000 square feet in area shall comply with NFPA 72 and contain the features set forth in Section 508.1.6 subsections 5, 8, 10, 12, 13 and 14. The features set forth in Section 508.1.6 subsections 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 shall be required when such building contains systems or functions related to these features.

(26) Sec. 509.2.1, Minimum Clearances, is amended to read as follows:

A 3-foot (914 mm) clear space shall be maintained around the circumference of exterior fire protection system control valves, or any other exterior fire protection system component that may require immediate access, except as otherwise required or approved.

(27) Sec. 608.11.1.2, Mechanical Refrigeration—Manual Operation, is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

When required by the fire code official automatic crossover valves shall be capable of manual operation. The manual vales shall be located in an approved location immediately outside of the machinery room in a secure metal box or equivalent and marked as Emergency Controls.

(28) Sec. 903.2, Automatic Sprinkler Systems—Where Required, is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

In all new buildings and structures which are 3,600 square feet or greater, an approved automatic sprinkler system shall be provided regardless or occupancy classification. Where the Sections 903.2.1—903.2.21 of the California Fire Code require more restrictive requirements than those listed below, the more restrictive requirements shall take precedence.

Exception: Unless required elsewhere in this code or the California Building Code, automatic fire sprinkler systems shall not be required for the following:

1. Detached Group U occupancies used for agricultural or livestock purposes, less than 5,500 square feet, and having setback distances of 50 feet or more from the property line and other buildings.

2. Detached non-combustible equestrian arena shade canopies that are open on all sides and used for riding only—no commercial, assembly or storage uses.

3. Detached fabric or non-combustible shade structures that are open on all sides and used to shade playground equipment, temporary storage or vehicle and dining areas with no cooking.

4. Detached Group U occupancy greenhouse less than 5,500 square feet.

5. Where determined by the Fire Chief that no major life safety hazard exists, and the fuel load does not pose a significant threat to firefighter safety or to other structures or property, automatic fire sprinklers may be exempted.

One- and two-family dwellings shall have an automatic fire sprinkler system regardless of square footage in accordance with the California Residential Code. Fire sprinkler systems shall be installed in mobile homes, manufactured homes and multifamily manufactured homes with two dwelling units in accordance with Title 25 of the California Code of Regulations.

(29) Sec. 903.2 is amended as follows: The following exceptions in the California Fire Code shall not be allowed:

a. Exception in Section 903.2.3

b. Exception in Section 903.2.11.3

(30) Sec. 903.3.5.3, Hydraulically Calculated Systems, is added to Section 903.3.5 to read as follows:

The design of hydraulically calculated fire sprinkler systems shall not exceed 90% of the water supply capacity.

(31) Sec. 3204.2.1, Minimum Requirements for Client Leased or Occupant Owned Warehouses, is added to Section 3204.2 to read as follows:

Designs of an automatic sprinkler system for client leased or occupant owned buildings containing high pile storage shall be based on the requirements of NFPA

13. The responsible fire protection engineer shall perform a survey of the building to determine commodity classification, storage configuration, building height and other information related to the development of an appropriate sprinkler system design. The fire protection engineer shall also make reasonable efforts to meet with the building owner or operator to understand seasonal or customer related fluctuations to the stored commodities, storage height, and configuration. The sprinkler design shall be based on the most demanding requirements determined through the onsite survey and discussions with the building owner or operator. The technical report shall describe the basis for determining the commodity and sprinkler design selection, how the commodities will be isolated or separated, and include referenced design document(s), including NFPA 13 or the current applicable factory mutual data sheets. If a specific fire test is used as the basis of design, a copy of the fire test report shall be provided at the time of plan review.

(32) Sec. 5704.2.13.1.3, Out of Service For One Year, is hereby amended by adding a paragraph to read:

Any underground tank which has been abandoned for a period of one year shall be either removed from the ground and the hole properly filled or such tank may be tested and placed back in service, provided such tank is certified serviceable.

(33) The Appendices to the California Fire Code are adopted as follows:

(a) Appendix B, Table B105.2 of the California Fire Code is amended as follows:

Table B105.2 REQUIRED FIRE-FLOW FOR BUILDINGS OTHER THAN ONE- AND TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGS, GROUP R-3 AND R-4 BUILDINGS AND TOWNHOUSES

(b) Appendix C, Table B105.2 of the California Fire Code is amended as follows:

Sec. C103.1, Hydrant Spacing, Fire apparatus access roads and public streets providing required access to buildings in accordance with Section 503 of the International Fire Code shall be provided with one or more fire hydrants, as determined by Section C102.1. Where more than one fire hydrant is required, the distance between required fire hydrants shall be in accordance with Sections C103.2 and C103.3. Fire hydrants shall be provided at street intersections.

(Ord. No. 25-10, § 3, 12-2-25)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 25-10, § 3, adopted Dec. 2, 2025, repealed the former § 10-41, and enacted a new § 10-41 as set out herein. The former § 10-41 pertained to adoption of california fire code, 2022 edition; adopted by reference with amendments, and additions and derived from Ord. No. 95-15, § 2; Ord. No. 08-12, § 1; Ord. No. 11-14, § 1, adopted Nov. 11, 2011; Ord. No. 14-11, § 1, adopted June 17, 2014; Ord. No. 19-01, § 2, adopted March 5, 2019; and Ord. No. 23-03, § 2A, adopted July 18, 2023.

(a) The California Fire Code, as adopted and amended, shall be enforced by the bureau of fire prevention in the fire department or by any other department or by any civilian employee so designated by the city manager as fire code official of the city which is hereby established and which shall be operated under the supervision of the chief of the fire department or the city manager.

(b) The fire code official who is in charge of fire prevention shall be appointed on the basis of examination to determine his or her qualifications.

(c) The fire code official shall recommend to the city manager the employment of technical inspectors, who, when such authorization is made, shall be selected through an examination to determine their fitness for the position. The examination shall be open to members and nonmembers of the fire department, and appointments made after examination shall be for an indefinite term with removal only for cause.

(Ord. No. 95-15, § 2; Ord. No. 13-09, § 2, 4-2-13)

(a) Wherever the word "jurisdiction" is used in the California Fire Code, it shall mean the City of El Centro.

(b) Whenever the words "chief of the bureau of fire prevention" are used in the California Fire Code, they shall mean the employee appointed and designated by the city manager as the fire code official and who is responsible for fire prevention.

(Ord. No. 95-15, § 2; Ord. No. 13-09, § 3, 4-2-13)

The limits referred to in Section 3404.2.9.6.1 and 3406.2.4.4 of the California Fire Code, in which the storage of flammable or combustible liquids is restricted, are hereby established as follows:

(1) The storage of flammable or combustible liquids in outside aboveground tanks is prohibited within the city limits, except manufacturing zones, as defined in the city zoning ordinance, provided such tanks conform to the California Fire Code for installation and maintenance.

(2) The storage of waste oil for the purpose of recycling in outside aboveground tanks is prohibited in all zones, except for the CH, CG and CT zones, as defined in the city zoning ordinance, provided such tanks conform to the California Fire Code for installation and maintenance.

(Ord. No. 95-15, § 2; Ord. No. 13-09, § 4, 4-2-13)

The limits referred to in Section 3804.2 of the California Fire Code, in which storage of liquefied petroleum gas is restricted, are hereby established as follows:

All zones as defined in the city zoning ordinance, except storage of liquid petroleum gas container of less than 125-gallon water capacity may be installed and maintained in the CT and MG zones. Quantities in excess of 125-gallon water capacity are prohibited in all zones, except the MG zone, provided that any bulk storage of liquefied petroleum gas for which a permit is required shall be on property which shall front on a public street not less than sixty (60) feet in width, and a second side shall abut on a street, alleyway, road, highway or railroad right-of-way not less than twenty (20) feet in width.

(Ord. No. 95-15, § 2; Ord. No. 13-09, § 5, 4-2-13)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 13-09, § 6, adopted April 2, 2013, amended the Code by repealing former § 10-46 in its entirety. Former § 10-46 pertained to establishment of districts in which the storage of explosives and blasting agents is prohibited, and derived from Ord. No. 95-15, § 2.

The limits referred to in Section 2208.1 of the California Fire Code in which the storage of compressed natural gas storage is prohibited, are hereby established as follows:

The storage and use of compressed natural gas is prohibited in all zones except manufacturing. In the interest of public safety each application will be material-specific and approved on a conditional use basis.

(Ord. No. 95-15, § 2; Ord. No. 13-09, § 7, 4-2-13)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 19-01, § 2, adopted March 5, 2019, repealed § 10-41, which pertained to amendments to the California Fire Code, and derived from Ord. No. 95-15, § 2; Ord. No. 13-09, § 8, 4-2-13.

Whenever the fire code official disapproves an application or refuses to grant a permit applied for, or when it is claimed that the provisions of the California Fire Code do not apply or that the true intent and meaning of the California Fire Code have been misconstrued or wrongly interpreted, the applicant may appeal from the decision of the fire code official to the Building Appeals Board within thirty (30) days from the date of the decision appealed.

(Ord. No. 95-15, § 2; Ord. No. 13-09, § 9, 4-2-13)

The city manager, fire chief and fire code official shall act as a committee to determine and specify, after giving affected persons an opportunity to be heard, any new materials, processes or occupancies for which permits are required in addition to those now enumerated in the California Fire Code. The fire code official shall post such list in a conspicuous place at the location designated by the city manager and/or the fire code official and distribute copies thereof to interested persons.

(Ord. No. 95-15, § 2; Ord. No. 13-09, § 10, 4-2-13)

(a) Any person who violated any of the provisions of the California Fire Code, as adopted and amended, or fails to comply therewith, or who violates or fails to comply with any order made thereunder, or who builds in violation of any detailed statement of specifications or plans submitted and approved thereunder, or any certificate or permit issued thereunder, and from which no appeal has been taken or who fails to comply with such an order as affirmed or modified by the building appeals board or by a court of competent jurisdiction, within the required time, shall severally for each and every such violation and non-compliance, respectively, be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or by imprisonment for not more than six (6) months or by both such fine and imprisonment. The imposition of one (1) penalty for any violation shall not excuse the violation or permit it to continue; and all such persons shall be required to correct or remedy such violations or defects within a reasonable time; and when not otherwise specified, each day that prohibited conditions are maintained shall constitute a separate offense.

(b) The application of the above penalty shall not be held to prevent the enforced removal of prohibited conditions.

(Ord. No. 95-15, § 2; Ord. No. 13-09, § 11, 4-2-13)

The city council hereby declares that should any section, paragraph, sentence or word of this article or of the California Fire Code or standards hereby adopted, as amended herein, be declared for any reason to be invalid, it is the intent of the city council that it would have passed all other portions of this article independent of the elimination herefrom of any such portion as may be declared invalid.

(Ord. No. 95-15, § 2; Ord. No. 13-09, § 12, 4-2-13)