Gilroy Municipal Code Art. IV Building Security

(a) The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all activities for which a building permit is required by the ordinances of this city. The requirements of this chapter shall apply to existing buildings to the same extent as the requirements of the Uniform Building Code apply to existing buildings.

(b) Existing multiple-family dwelling units which, on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this article, are rented or leased, but thereafter are converted to privately owned family units, including condominiums, shall comply with the special residential building provisions of this chapter.

(c) Any existing structure which converts from its original occupancy group as designated in the Uniform Building Code shall comply with the provisions of this chapter.

(d) Any building which requires special type releasing, latching, or locking devices under the provisions of the Uniform Building Code or Title 19 of the California Administrative Code shall be exempt from the provisions of this article relating to locking devices of interior and/or exterior doors.

(Ord. No. 85-17, § 1, 10-21-1985)

Except as otherwise defined in this article, all terms used herein, which are defined by applicable state law, together with any amendments thereto, are used in this article as so defined, unless from the context hereof it clearly appears that a different meaning is intended.

(a)

“Approved”

means certified as meeting the requirements of this chapter by the enforcing authority or its authorized agents, or by other officials designated by law to give approval on a particular matter dealt with by the provisions of this chapter with regard to a given material, mode of construction, piece of equipment or device.

(b)

“Auxiliary locking device”

means a secondary locking system added to the primary locking system to provide additional security.

(c)

“Bolt”

is a metal bar which, when actuated, is projected (or thrown) either horizontally or vertically into a retaining member, such as a strike plate, to prevent a door or window from moving or opening.

(d)

“Bolt projection” or “bolt throw”

is the distance from the edge of the door, at the bolt center line, to the farthest point on the bolt in the projected position.

(e)

“Burglary resistant glazing”

means those materials as defined in U.L. Bulletin 972.

(f)

“Commercial building”

is a building, or portion thereof, used for a purpose other than a residential dwelling.

(g)

“Component,”

as distinguished from a “part,” is a subassembly which combines with other components to make up a total door or window assembly. For example, the primary components of a door assembly include: door, lock, hinges, jamb/wall, jamb/strike and wall.

(h)

“Cylinder”

is the subassembly of a lock containing the cylinder core, tumbler mechanism and the keyway. A double-cylinder lock is one which has a key-actuated cylinder on both the exterior and interior of the door.

(i)

“Cylinder core” or “cylinder plug”

is the central part of a cylinder containing the keyway, which is rotated by the key to operate the lock mechanism.

(j)

“Cylinder guard”

is a tapered or flush metal ring or plate surrounding the otherwise exposed portion of a cylinder lock to resist cutting, drilling, prying, pulling, or wrenching with common tools.

(k)

“Deadbolt”

is a lock bolt which does not have a spring action as opposed to a latch bolt, which does. The bolt must be actuated by a key or a key and a knob or thumb turn and when projected becomes locked against return by end pressure.

(l)

“Dead latch” or “deadlocking latch bolt”

is a spring-actuated latch bolt having a beveled end and incorporating a plunger which, when depressed, automatically locks the projected latch bolt against return by end pressure.

(m)

“Door assembly”

is a unit composed of a group of parts or components which make up a closure for an opening to control passageway through a wall. For the purposes of this chapter, a door assembly consists of the following parts: door; hinges; locking device or devices; operation contacts (such as handles, knobs, push plates); miscellaneous hardware and closures; the frame, including the head, threshold and jambs plus the anchorage devices to the surrounding wall and a portion of the surrounding wall extending thirty-six (36) inches from each side of the jambs and six-teen (16) inches above the head.

(n)

“Door stop”

is that projection along the top and sides of a door jamb which checks the door’s swinging action.

(o)

“Double cylinder deadbolt”

is a deadbolt lock which can be activated only by a key on both the interior and the exterior.

(p)

“Dwelling”

is a building or portion thereof designed exclusively for residential occupancy, including single-family and multiple-family dwellings.

(q)

“Enforcing authority”

means the chief of police or his authorized representative.

(r)

“Flushbolt”

is a manual, key-or turn-operated metal bolt normally used on inactive door(s) and is attached to the top and bottom of the door and engages in the head and threshold of the frame.

(s)

“Fully tempered glass”

means those materials meeting or exceeding ANSI standard Z 97.1—Safety Glazing.

(t)

“Jamb”

means the vertical members of a door frame to which the door is secured.

(u)

“Jamb/wall”

is that component of a door assembly to which a door is attached and secured; the wall and jamb used together are considered a unit.

(v)

“Key-in-knob”

is a lock set having the key cylinder and other lock mechanisms contained in the knob.

(w)

“Latch” or “latch bolt”

is a beveled, spring-actuated bolt which may or may not have a dead-locking device.

(x)

“Lock” or “lock set”

is a keyed device (complete with cylinder, latch or deadbolt mechanism, and trim such as knobs, levers, thumb turns, escutcheons, etc.) for securing a door in a closed position against forced entry. For the purposes of this chapter, a lock does not include the strike plate.

(y)

“Locking device”

is a part of a window assembly which is intended to prevent movement of the movable sash, which may be the sash lock or sash operator.

(z)

“Multiple-family dwelling”

is a building or portion thereof designed for occupancy by two (2) or more families living independently of each other, including hotels, motels, apartments, duplexes and townhomes.

(aa)

“Part,”

as distinguished from “component,” is a unit (or subassembly) which combines with other units to make up a component.

(bb)

“Primary locking device”

means the single locking system on a door or window unit whose primary function is to prevent unauthorized intrusion.

(cc)

“Single-family dwelling”

is a building designed exclusively for occupancy by one family.

(dd)

“Rail”

is the horizontal member of a window or door. A meeting rail is one which mates with a rail of another sash or a framing member of the door or window frame when the sash is in the closed position.

(ee)

“Sash”

is an assembly of stiles, rails, and sometimes mullions assembled into a single frame which supports the glazing material. A fixed sash is one which is not intended to be opened. A movable sash is intended to be opened.

(ff)

“Sill”

is the lowest horizontal member of a window frame.

(gg)

“Single-cylinder deadbolt”

is a deadbolt lock which is activated from the outside by a key and from the inside by a knob, thumb-turn, lever, or similar mechanism.

(hh)

“Solid core door”

is a door composed of solid wood or composed of compressed wood equal in strength to solid wood construction.

(ii)

“Stile”

is a vertical framing member of a window or door.

(jj)

“Strike”

is a metal plate attached to or mortised into a door or door jamb to receive and to hold a projected latch bolt and/or deadbolt in order to secure the door to the jamb.

(kk)

“Swinging door”

is a door hinged at the stile or at head and threshold.

(ll)

“U.L. listed”

means tested and listed by Underwriters’ Laboratory, Inc.

(mm)

“Window assembly”

is a unit which includes a window and the anchorage between the window and the wall.

(nn)

“Window frame”

is that part of a window which surrounds and supports the sashes and is attached to the surrounding wall. The members include side jambs (vertical), head jamb (upper, horizontal), sill and mullions.

(Ord. No. 85-17, § 1, 10-21-1985)

The city administrator, or authorized representatives, are hereby empowered and directed to administer and enforce the provisions of this article. Plans and specifications for any proposed construction must, however, be approved by the chief building inspector or authorized representatives, in accordance with the provisions of this article. No building permit is to be finally approved unless the applicant has satisfied the enforcing authority that all provisions of this article have been met.

(Ord. No. 85-17, § 1, 10-21-1985)

It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, move, improve, convert, or equip, use, occupy or maintain any building or structure in the city, or cause same to be done, contrary to or in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter.

Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punishable for each offense, by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00), or by confinement in jail for not more than six (6) months, or by both fine and confinement in jail.

(Ord. No. 85-17, § 1, 10-21-1985)

This article shall be deemed supplemental to any local, state or federal laws, regulations or codes dealing with life safety factors.

If any subsection, subdivision, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this chapter, or the application thereof to any person, is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion of the chapter or its application to other persons.

(Ord. No. 85-17, § 1, 10-21-1985)

The provisions of this article are not intended to prevent the use of any material or method of construction not specifically prescribed by this chapter provided any such alternate has been approved by the enforcing authority, nor is it the intention of this article to exclude any sound method of structural design or analysis not specifically provided for in this chapter. Materials, methods of construction, or structural design limitations provided for in this article are to be used unless an exception is granted by the enforcing authority.

The enforcing authority may approve any such alternate provided they find the proposed design, material, and method of work to be for the purpose intended, at least equivalent to that prescribed in this chapter in quality, strength, effectiveness, burglary resistance, durability and safety.

(Ord. No. 85-17, § 1, 10-21-1985)

In case of any dispute regarding the suitability of alternate materials and/or methods of construction, the decision of the enforcing authority may be appealed to the building department board of appeals. The chief of police, or designee, will provide testimony, either orally or in writing, or both, in the form of a recommendation to the board of appeals. All board of appeal procedures will be followed as in any other building-related appeal.

(Ord. No. 85-17, § 1, 10-21-1985)

Upon occupancy by the owner or proprietor, each single unit in the same residential project or commercial building development, constructed under the same development plan, shall have locks using combinations which are interchange free from locks used in all other separate dwellings, proprietorships or similar distinct occupancies within such residential project or commercial building development.

(Ord. No. 85-17, § 1, 10-21-1985)

Except for vehicular access doors, all exterior swinging doors of any residential building and attached garages, including the door leading from the garage area into the dwelling unit shall be equipped as follows:

(a) Door jambs shall be installed with solid backing in such a manner that no voids exist between the strike side of the jamb and the frame opening for a vertical distance of six (6) inches each side of the strike.

(b) In wood framing, horizontal blocking shall be placed between studs at door lock height for three (3) stud spaces each side of the door openings.

(c) Door stops on wooden jambs for in-swinging doors shall be of one piece construction with the jamb. Jambs for all doors shall be constructed or protected so as to prevent violation of the strike.

(d) The strike plate for deadbolts on all wood framed doors shall be constructed of minimum six-teen (16) U.S. gauge steel, bronze, or brass and secured to the jamb by a minimum of two (2) screws, which must penetrate at least two (2) inches into solid backing beyond the surface to which the strike is attached.

(e) Hinges for out-swinging doors shall be equipped with non-removable hinge pins or a mechanical interlock to preclude removal of the door from the exterior by removing the hinge pins.

(Ord. No. 85-17, § 1, 10-21-1985)

The following requirements must be met for windows and sliding glass doors:

(a) Except as otherwise provided by this chapter, all operable exterior windows and sliding glass doors shall comply with the tests set forth herein.

(b) Louvered windows shall not be used when portion of the window is less than twelve (12) feet vertically or six (6) feet horizontally from an accessible surface or any adjoining roof, balcony, landing, stair tread, platform, or similar structure.

(Ord. No. 85-17, § 1, 10-21-1985)

All garage doors shall conform to the following standards:

(a) Wood doors shall have panels a minimum of five-sixteenths inch in thickness with the locking hardware being attached to the support framing.

(b) Aluminum doors shall be a minimum thickness of 0.0215 inch and riveted together a minimum of eighteen (18) inches on center along the outside seams. There shall be a full width horizontal beam attached to the main door structure which shall meet the pilot, or pedestrian access, door framing within three (3) inches of the strike area of the pilot or pedestrian access door.

(c) Fiberglass doors shall have panels a minimum density of six (6) ounces per square foot from the bottom of the door to a height of seven (7) feet. Panels above seven (7) feet and panels in residential structures shall have a density not less than five (5) ounces per square foot.

(d) Doors utilizing a cylinder lock shall have a minimum five (5) pin tumbler operation with the locking bar or bolt extending into the receiving guide a minimum of one inch.

(e) Doors that exceed sixteen (16) feet in width, but do not exceed nineteen (19) feet in width, shall have the following options as to locking devices:

(1) Two (2) lock receiving points, or one garage door type slide bolt may be used if mounted no higher than twenty-six (26) inches from the bottom of the door;

(2) A single bolt may be used if placed in the center of the door with the locking point located either at the floor or door frame header;

(3) Torsion spring counter balance type hardware may be used if such hardware substantially complies with the requirements of this article.

(f) Except in a residential building, doors secured by electrical operation shall have a keyed switch to open the door when in a closed position, or shall have a signal device to open said door.

(g) Doors with slide bolt assemblies shall have frames a minimum of 0.120 inch in thickness, with a minimum bolt diameter of one-half inch and protrude at least one and one-half inches into the receiving guide. A bolt diameter of three-eighths inch may be used in a residential building. The slide bolt shall be attached to the door with nonremovable bolts from the outside. Rivets shall not be used to attach slide bolt assemblies.

(h) Except in a residential building, padlock(s) used with exterior mounted slide bolt(s) shall have a hardened steel shackle locking both at heel and toe and a minimum five (5) pin tumbler operation with nonremovable key when in an unlocked position. Padlock(s) used with interior mounted slide bolt(s) shall have a hardened steel shackle with a minimum four (4) pin tumbler operation.

(Ord. No. 85-17, § 1, 10-21-1985)

(a) Except for vehicular access doors, all exterior swinging doors of any residential building and attached garages, including the door leading from the garage area into the dwelling unit shall be equipped as follows:

(1) All wood doors shall be of solid core construction with a minimum thickness of one and three-quarters inches, or with panels not less than nine-sixteenths inch thick.

(2) A single or double door shall be equipped with a single cylinder deadbolt lock. The bolt shall have a minimum projection of one inch and be constructed so as to repel cutting tool attack. The deadbolt shall have an embedment of at least three-fourths inch into the strike receiving the projected bolt. The cylinder shall have a cylinder guard, a minimum of five (5) pin tumblers, and shall be connected to the inner portion of the lock by connecting screws of at least one-fourth inch in diameter. A dual locking mechanism constructed so that both deadbolt and latch can be retracted by a single action of the inside door knob, or lever, may be substituted provided it meets all other specifications for locking devices.

(3) The inactive leaf of double door(s) shall be equipped with metal flush bolts having a minimum embedment of five-eights inch into the head and threshold of the door frame.

(4) Glazing in exterior doors or within twelve (12) inches of any locking mechanism shall be of fully tempered glass or rated burglary-resistant glazing.

(5) Except where clear vision panels are installed, all front exterior doors shall be equipped with a wide angle (180 degree) door viewer, not to be mounted more than fifty-eight (58) inches from the bottom of the door.

(b) Street numbers and other identifying data shall be displayed as follows:

(1) All residential dwellings shall display a street number in a prominent location on the street side of the residence in such a position that the number is easily visible to approaching emergency vehicles. The numerals shall be no less than four (4) inches in height and shall be of a contrasting color to the background to which they are attached. The numerals and a light source shall be contained within a single weather-resistant fixture providing illumination of the numerals during all hours of darkness.

(2) There shall be positioned at each entrance of a multiple-family dwelling complex an illuminated diagrammatic representation of the complex which shows the location of the viewer and the unit designations within the complex. In addition, each individual unit within the complex shall display a prominent identification number, not less than four (4) inches in height, which is easily visible to approaching vehicular and/or pedestrian traffic.

(c) Lighting in multiple-family dwellings shall be as follows:

(1) Aisles, passageways, and recesses related to and within the building complex shall be illuminated with an intensity of at least twenty-five one hundredths (.25) foot candles at the ground level during the hours of darkness. Lighting devices shall be protected by weather-and vandalism-resistant covers.

(2) Open parking lots and carports shall be provided with a maintained minimum of one foot candle of light on the parking surface during the hours of darkness. Lighting devices shall be protected by weather-and vandalism-resistant covers.

(Ord. No. 85-17, § 1, 10-21-1985)

(a) Swinging exterior glass doors, wood or metal doors with glass panels, solid wood or metal doors shall be constructed or protected as follows:

(1) Wood doors shall be of solid core construction with a minimum thickness of one and three-fourths inches. Wood panel doors with panels less than one inch thick shall be covered on the inside with a minimum sixteen (16) U.S. gauge sheet steel, or its equivalent, which is to be attached with screws on minimum six (6) inch centers. Hollow steel doors shall be of a minimum sixteen (16) U.S. gauge and have sufficient reinforcement to maintain the designated thickness of the door when any locking device is installed; such reinforcement being able to restrict collapsing of the door around any locking device.

(2) Except when double cylinder deadbolts are utilized, any glazing in exterior doors or within forty-eight (48) inches of any door-locking mechanism shall be constructed or protected as follows:

a. Fully tempered glass or rated burglary resistant glazing; or

b. Iron or steel grills of at least one-eighth inch material with a minimum two (2) inch mesh secured on the inside of the glazing may be utilized; or

c. The glazing shall be covered with iron bars of at least one-half inch round or one inch by one-fourth inch flat steel material, spaced not more than five (5) inches apart, secured on the inside of the glazing.

d. Items b and c above shall not interfere with the operation of opening windows if such windows are required to be openable by the Uniform Building Code.

(b) All swinging exterior wood and steel doors shall be equipped as follows:

(1) A single or double door shall be equipped with a double-cylinder deadbolt. The bolt shall have a minimum projection of one inch and be constructed so as to repel cutting tool attack. The dead-bolt shall have an embedment of at least three-fourths inch into the strike-receiving projected bolt. The cylinder shall have a cylinder guard minimum of five (5) pin tumblers, and shall be connected to the inner portion of the lock by connecting screws of at least one-fourth inch in diameter. The provisions of the preceding paragraph do not apply where:

a. Panic hardware is required; or

b. An equivalent device is approved by the enforcing authority.

(2) Double doors shall be equipped as follows:

a. The inactive leaf of double door(s) shall be equipped with metal flush bolts having a minimum embedment of five-eighths inch into the head and threshold of the door frame.

b. Double doors shall have an astragal constructed of steel a minimum of 0.125 inch thick which will cover the opening between the doors. The astragal shall be a minimum of two (2) inches wide, and extend a minimum of one inch beyond the edge of the door to which it is attached. The astragal shall be attached to the outside of the active door by means of welding or with nonremovable bolts spaced apart on not more than ten (10) inch centers. (The door to which such an astragal is attached must be determined by the fire-safety codes adopted by the enforcing authority.)

(c) Aluminum frame swinging doors shall be equipped as follows:

(1) The jamb on all aluminum frame swinging doors shall be so constructed or protected to withstand one thousand six hundred (1,600) pounds of pressure in both a vertical distance of three (3) inches and a horizontal distance of one inch each side of the strike, so as to prevent violation of the strike.

(2) A single or double door shall be equipped with a double-cylinder deadbolt with a bolt projection exceeding one inch, or a hook-shaped bolt that engages the strike sufficiently to prevent spreading. The deadbolt lock shall have a minimum of five (5) pin tumblers and a cylinder guard.

(d) Panic hardware, whenever required by the Uniform Building Code or Title 19, California Administrative Code, shall be installed as follows:

(1) Panic hardware shall contain a minimum of two (2) locking points on each door; or

(2) On single doors, panic hardware may have one locking point which is not to be located at either the top or bottom rails of the door frame. The door shall have an astragal constructed of steel 0.125 inch thick which shall be attached with nonremovable bolts to the outside of the door. The astragal shall extend a minimum of six (6) inches vertically above and below the latch of the panic hardware. The astragal shall be a minimum of two (2) inches wide and extend a minimum of one inch beyond the edge of the door to which it is attached.

(3) Double doors containing panic hardware shall have an astragal attached to the doors at their meeting point which will close the opening between them, but not interfere with the operation of either door.

(e) Horizontal sliding doors shall be equipped with a metal guide track at top and bottom and a cylinder lock and/or padlock with a hardened steel shackle which locks at both heel and toe, and a minimum five (5) pin tumbler operation with nonremovable key when in an unlocked position. The bottom track shall be so designed that the door cannot be lifted from the track when the door is in a locked position.

(f) In office buildings (multiple occupancy), all entrance doors to individual office suites shall meet the construction and locking requirements for exterior doors.

(g) Windows shall be deemed accessible if less than twelve (12) feet above ground. Accessible windows and all exterior transoms having a pane exceeding ninety-six (96) square inches in an area with the smallest dimension exceeding six (6) inches and not visible from a public or private vehicular accessway shall be protected in the following manner:

(1) Fully tempered glass or burglary-resistant glazing; or

(2) The following window barriers may be used but shall be secured with nonremovable bolts:

a. Inside or outside iron bars of at least one-half inch round or one inch by one-quarter inch flat steel material, spaced not more than five (5) inches apart and securely fastened; or

b. Inside or outside iron or steel grills of at least one-eighth inch material with not more than a two (2) inch mesh and securely fastened.

(3) If a side or rear window is of the type that can be opened, it shall, where applicable, be secured on the inside with either a slide bar, bolt, crossbar, auxiliary locking device, and/or padlock with hardened steel shackle, a minimum four (4) pin tumbler operation.

(4) The protective bars or grills shall not interfere with the operation of opening windows if such windows are required to be openable by the Uniform Building Code.

(h) Roof openings shall be equipped as follows:

(1) All skylights on the roof of any building or premises used for business purposes shall be provided with:

a. Rated burglary-resistant glazing; or

b. Iron bars of at least one-half inch round or one inch by one-fourth inch flat steel material under the skylight and securely fastened; or

c. A steel grill of at least one-eighth inch material with a maximum two (2) inch mesh under the skylight and securely fastened.

(2) All hatchway openings on the roof of any buildings or premises used for business purposes shall be secured as follows:

a. If the hatchway is of wooden material, it shall be covered on the inside with at least sixteen (16) U.S. gauge sheet metal, or its equivalent, attached with screws.

b. The hatchway shall be secured from the inside with a slide bar or slide bolts.

c. Outside hinges on all hatchway openings shall be provided with nonremovable pins when using pin-type hinges.

(3) All air duct or air vent openings exceeding ninety-six (96) square inches on the roof or exterior walls of any building or premises used for business purposes shall be secured by covering the same with either of the following:

a. Iron bars of at least one-half inch round or one inch by one-fourth inch flat steel material spaced no more than five (5) inches apart and securely fastened; or

b. Iron or steel grills of at least one-eighth inch material with a maximum two inch mesh and securely fastened.

c. If the barrier is on the outside, it shall be secured with bolts which are nonremovable from the exterior.

d. The above (a and b) must not interfere with venting requirement creating a potentially hazardous condition to health and safety or conflict with the provisions of the Uniform Building Code or Title 19, California Administrative Code.

(i) Permanently affixed ladders leading to roofs shall be fully enclosed with sheet metal to a height of ten (10) feet. This covering shall be locked against the ladder with a case hardened hasp, secured with nonremovable screws or bolts. Hinges on the cover will be provided with nonremovable pins when using pin-type hinges. If a padlock is used, it shall have a hardened steel shackle, locking at both heel and toe, and a minimum five (5) pin tumbler operation with nonremovable key when in an unlocked position.

(j) The following standards shall apply to lighting, address identification and parking areas:

(1) The address number of every commercial building shall be illuminated during the hours of darkness so that it shall be easily visible from the street. The numerals in these numbers shall be no less than six (6) inches in height and be of a color contrasting to the background. In addition, any business which affords vehicular access to the rear through any driveway, alleyway or parking lot shall also display the same numbers on the rear of the building.

(2) All exterior commercial doors, during the hours of darkness, shall be illuminated with a minimum of one foot candle of light. All exterior bulbs shall be protected by weather-and vandalism-resistant cover(s).

(3) Open parking lots, and access thereto, providing more than ten (10) parking spaces and for use by the general public, shall be provided with a maintained minimum of one foot-candle of light on the parking surface from dusk until the termination of business every operating day.

(k) Elevators shall be equipped as follows:

(1) Passenger elevators, the interiors of which are not completely visible when the car door(s) is open, shall have mirrors so placed as to make visible the whole of the elevator interior to prospective passengers outside the elevator; mirrors shall be framed and mounted to minimize the possibility of their accidentally falling or shattering.

(2) Elevator emergency stop button shall be so installed and connected as to activate the elevator alarm.

(Ord. No. 85-17, § 1, 10-21-1985)

(a) It shall be the responsibility of the owner of record, or owner with right of sole possession, or owner, or his designated agent, of a building or structure falling within the provisions of this chapter to provide the enforcing authority with a written specification performance test report indicating that the materials utilized meet the minimum requirements.

(b) Whenever there is insufficient evidence of compliance with the provisions of this chapter or evidence that any material or any construction does not conform to the requirements of this chapter, or in order to substantiate claims for alternate materials or methods of construction, the enforcing authority may require tests as proof of compliance to be made at the expense of the owner or his agent by any agency which is approved by the enforcing authority.

(c) Test requirements are on file with the chief building official.

(Ord. No. 85-17, § 1, 10-21-1985)

Except as otherwise provided, no person shall erect, construct, change the use of or provide an addition of more than twenty (20) percent to any building or structure with over ten thousand (10,000) square feet, which fails to support adequate radio coverage for the city’s public safety communication systems, which shall include but not be limited to voice and data communications for police and fire division personnel.

For purposes of this section, adequate radio coverage shall include all of the following:

(1) A minimum signal strength of 95 dBm available in ninety percent (90%) of the area of each floor of the building when transmitted from the closest city public safety communications system site;

(2) A minimum signal strength of 95 dBm received at the closest city public safety communications system site when transmitted from ninety (90) percent of the area of each floor of the building;

(3) The frequency range which must be supported shall be 150—174MHz (voice) and unknown MHz (data); and

(4) A ninety (90) percent reliability factor.

(Emerg. Ord. No. 2002-18, § I, 9-16-2002; Ord. No. 2002-19, § I, 10-7-2002)

Buildings and structures which cannot support the required level of radio coverage shall be equipped with any of the following in order to achieve adequate coverage:

(1) A radiating cable system; or

(2) An internal multiple antenna system with FCC type accepted bi-directional amplifiers as needed.

(3) If any part of the installed system or systems contains an electrically powered component, the system shall be capable of operating on an independent battery and/or generator system for a period of at least twelve (12) hours without an external power input. The battery system shall automatically charge in the presence of an external power input.

(Emerg. Ord. No. 2002-18, § I, 9-16-2002; Ord. No. 2002-19, § I, 10-7-2002)

(a) When an in-building radio system is required, and upon completion of installation, it have the radio system tested will be the owner’s responsibility to ensure that two-way coverage on each floor of the building is a minimum of ninety (90) percent. Each floor of the building shall be divided into a grid of approximately twenty (20) equal areas. A maximum of two (2) of the areas will be allowed to fail the test.

(b) In the event that three (3) of the areas fail the test, in order to be more statistically accurate, the floor may be divided into forty (40) equal areas. A maximum of four (4) areas will be allowed to fail the test. After the forty (40) area test, if the system continues to fail, it will be the building owner’s responsibility to have the system altered to meet the ninety (90) percent coverage requirement.

(c) The voice test shall be conducted using a Motorola MT2000, or equivalent portable radio, talking through the city public safety communication system.

(d) The data system test shall be conducted using a laptop computer communicating with the computer aided dispatch system. A spot approximately in the center of the grid area will be selected for the test, then the radio will be keyed to verify two-way communications to and from the outside of the building through the city public safety communications system. Once the spot has been selected prospecting for a better spot in the grid area will not be permitted.

(e) The gain values of all amplifiers shall be measured and the test measurement results shall be kept on file with the building owner so that the measurements can be verified each year during the annual tests. In the event that the measurement results become lost, the building owner will be required to rerun the acceptance test to reestablish the gain values. Copies of all tests shall be forwarded to the attention of the 911 communications supervisor of the city.

(Emerg. Ord. No. 2002-18, § I, 9-16-2002; Ord. No. 2002-19, § I, 10-7-2002)

When an in-building radio system is required, it building owner’s responsibility to have all active components of the system (such as amplifiers, power supplies and backup batteries) tested a minimum of once every twelve (12) months. Amplifiers shall be tested to ensure that the gain is the same as it was upon initial installation and acceptance. Backup batteries and power supplies shall be tested under the load for a period of one (1) hour to verify that they will properly operate during an actual power outage. If within the one (1) hour test period, and in the opinion of the testing technician, the battery exhibits symptoms of failure the test shall be extended for additional one (1) hour periods until the integrity of the battery can be determined. All other active components shall be checked to determine that they are operating within the manufacturer’s specifications for the intended purpose.

(Emerg. Ord. No. 2002-18, § I, 9-16-2002; Ord. No. 2002-19, § I, 10-7-2002)

In addition to the annual test, it shall be the building owner’s responsibility to perform a radio coverage test a minimum of once every five (5) years to ensure the radio system continues to meet the requirements of the original acceptance test. Copies of the five-year tests shall be forwarded to the 911 communications supervisor of the city.

(Emerg. Ord. No. 2002-18, § I, 9-16-2002; Ord. No. 2002-19, § I, 10-7-2002)

(a) Personnel conducting radio system tests shall be qualified to perform the work. All tests shall be documented and signed by a person in possession of a current FCC license, a current technician certification issued by the Associated Public Safety Communications Officials International (APCO), or the Personal Communications Industry Association (PCIA).

(b) All test records shall be retained on the inspected premises by the building owner and shall be subject to inspection by public safety and building, life and environmental safety personnel upon request.

(Emerg. Ord. No. 2002-18, § I, 9-16-2002; Ord. No. 2002-19, § I, 10-7-2002)

Public safety personnel shall have the right to enter onto the property to inspect and to conduct field-testing at all reasonable times to be certain that the required level of radio coverage is present.

(Emerg. Ord. No. 2002-18, § I, 9-16-2002; Ord. No. 2002-19, § I, 10-7-2002)

Sections 6.27 through 6.33 shall not apply to buildings less than ten thousand (10,000) square feet or to any R-3 occupancy.

(Emerg. Ord. No. 2002-18, § I, 9-16-2002; Ord. No. 2002-19, § I, 10-7-2002)