La Mesa Municipal Code Ch. 14.07 Security

A. Purpose of Chapter. This chapter establishes mini-mum security standards for buildings to deter unlawful entry.

B. Scope of Chapter. The provisions of this chapter shall be applicable to: (1) the conversion of existing buildings for residential condominiums, and (2) new buildings and additions to existing buildings for which building permit applications are on file with the Department of Building Inspection and Housing subsequent to the effective date hereof.

C. Adoption of La Mesa Building Security Ordinance. There is hereby adopted by the city of La Mesa for the purpose of prescribing minimum standards to safeguard public welfare and property by regulating and controlling the design, construction, quality of materials, of all buildings and structures within the city and certain equipment specifically related herein that certain ordinance known as the La Mesa Building Security Ordinance.

The following words when used in this chapter shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section:

A. Definitions.

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

"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, when subjected to end pressure.

"Class TL-15 Safe." Burglary classification TL-15 signifies a combination locked steel chest or safe designed to offer a limited degree of protection against expert bur-glary by common hand tools.

Safes shall weigh at least seven hundred fifty (750) pounds or shall be equipped with suitable anchors and instructions for anchoring in larger safes, in concrete blocks or to the premises in which located. When practicable, the safe shall be encased at the factory and shipped as a complete unit.

All safes of this class shall be equipped with a relocking device. They are constructed of open hearth steel, either cast or welded plates, combined with special materials to resist carbide drills.

"Component," as distinguished from a part, is a sub-assembly which combines with other components to make up a total door assembly. The prime components of a door assembly include: door, lock hinges, jamb/wall, jamb/strike and wall.

"Cylinder" is the cylindrical sub-assembly 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.

"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.

"Cylinder Guard." Free-turning solid metal collar which surrounds the exposed portion of the lock within a minimum taper of eleven (11) degrees.

"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 and/or a knob or thumb turn and when projected becomes locked against return by end pressure.

"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.

"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 Ordinance, 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 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 sixteen (16) inches above the head.

"Double Cylinder Deadbolt." A deadbolt which is key-operable from both the exterior and interior side of the door.

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

"Jamb/strike" is that component of a door assembly which receives and holds secure the extended lock bolt; the strike and jamb used together are considered a unit.

"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.

"Key-in-knob" is a lockset having the key cylinder and other lock mechanisms such as a push or turn button contained in the knobs.

"Latch" (or "latch bolt") is a beveled, spring-actuated bolt which may or may not have a deadlocking device.

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

"Padlock." A locking device with a hardened steel shackle, locking heel and toe, with minimum five (5) pin tumbler operation with non-removable key when in an unlocked position.

"Part," as distinguished from component, is a unit (or sub-assembly) which combines with other units to make up a component.

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.

SWINGING DOOR is a stile (side) hinged door.

This chapter shall be administered by the Director of Building Inspection and Housing who may delegate this authority to any assistant.

DETACHED DWELLING SECURITY

MINIMUM STANDARDS

A. Exterior doors and doors leading from garage areas into single-family dwellings shall be of solid core as per the specifications set forth in the Uniform Building Code, 1976 Edition.

B. Exterior doors and doors leading from garage areas into private family dwellings shall have deadbolts in addition to deadlocking latches. The locks shall be so constructed that both deadbolt and deadlocking latch can be retracted by a single action of the inside door knob. Alternate devices equally able to resist illegal entry may be substituted subject to prior approval of the Building Official.

C. Exterior doors swinging out shall have non-removable hinge pins.

D. In-swinging exterior doors shall have rabbited jambs.

E. Jambs for all doors shall be so constructed or protected so as to prevent violation of the function of the strike.

F. Vision panels in exterior doors or within reach of the inside activating device must be of burglary resistant material or equivalent as approved by the Building Official.

G. Openings for delivery of mail will be allowed and those openings shall be no larger than twenty-four (24) square inches. These openings located within three (3) feet of any locking device shall be so constructed to prohibit access to the interior door knob.

H. On pairs of doors, the active leaf shall be secured with the type lock required for single doors in Paragraph B above. The inactive leaf shall be equipped with lever flush extension bolts protected by hardened material with a throw of three-quarters (¾) inch at head and foot. Multiple point locks, cylinder activated from the active leaf and satisfying these regulations above may be used in lieu of flush bolts.

A. All single sliding patio doors shall have the movable section of the door sliding on the inside or outside of the fixed portion of the door.

B. Dead locks shall be provided on all single sliding patio doors. The lock shall be operable from the outside by a key utilizing a bored lock cylinder of pin tumbler construction. Mounting screws for the lock case shall be inaccessible from the outside. Lock bolts shall be of hardened steel or have hardened steel inserts and shall be capable of withstanding a force of eight hundred (800) pounds applied in any direction. The lock bolt shall engage the strike sufficiently to prevent its being disengaged by any possible movement of the door within the space or clearances provided for installation and operation. The strike area shall be reinforced to maintain effectiveness of bolt strength.

C. Double sliding patio doors must be locked at the meeting rail and meet the locking requirements of Paragraph B above.

D. All sliding glass doors shall be constructed and installed so that the sliding portion cannot be lifted from the frame from the exterior side when the door is in the locked position.

A. Metal or wooden overhead, or accordion-type doors not operated by electric power shall be secured with a cylinder lock, padlock, metal slide bar, slidebolt or equivalent device. These devices shall be secured with fasteners that are not removable from the exterior side of the door.

B. Electrically-operated doors. All electrically-operated doors shall have the actuating devices installed only on the interior of a building, or such devices shall be key-operated and protected by one-eighth (⅛) inch minimum steel plate.

C. Overhead garage doors shall not have bottom vents except those doors having double louvered or shielded vents or approved alternate devices to protect the locking mechanisms.

A. A window, skylight, or other light forming a part of the enclosure of a dwelling unit shall be constructed, installed, and secured as set forth in following Paragraph B, when such window, skylight or light is not more than twelve (12) feet above the ground of a street, highway, yard, court, passageway, corridor, balcony, patio, breezeway or any portion of the building which is available for use by the public or other tenants, or similar area. A window enclosing a private garage with an interior opening leading directly to a dwelling unit shall also comply with said Paragraph B above.

B. Window protection.

1. Windows shall be so constructed that when the window is locked it cannot be lifted from the frame.

2. Window locking devices shall be capable of withstanding force of three hundred (300) pounds applied in any direction.

3. Louvered windows shall not be used.

All underfloor access doors and similar openings shall be constructed, installed, and secured as follows:

A. Solid underfloor access doors. Wooden doors less than one and three-eighths (1 ⅜) inch solid core shall be covered on the inside with sixteen (16) gauge sheet metal attached around the perimeter of the door with No. 6 gauge, three-fifths (⅗) inch long screws spaced not less than six (6) inches on center.

B. Ventilating underfloor access doors. Ventilating doors shall be constructed of at least one-eighth (⅛) inch steel of two (2) inch mesh secured in a one-eighth (⅛) inch minimum steel frame.

C. Hinges. All exterior hinges on underfloor access doors and similar openings shall be provided with non-removable hinge pins and the hinges shall be secured with non-removable screws.

D. Locking device. All underfloor access doors and similar openings shall be provided with a padlock or other approved locking device.

All other exterior openings when exceeding ninety-six (96) square inches in area and a least dimension exceeding eight (8) inches and when located less than eight (8) feet above the adjacent walking surface shall be protected in the following manner:

A. Bars of at least one-half (½) inch round or one (1) inch by one-quarter (¼) inch steel spaced apart not more than five (5) inches, or

B. Steel grills of at least one-eighth (⅛) inch material of two (2) inch mesh, and

C. The barrier shall be fastened such that it shall not be removable from the exterior side.

HOTEL, MOTEL, AND APARTMENT HOUSES INCLUDING RESIDENTIAL CONDOMINIUM SECURITY MINIMUM STANDARDS

A. Exterior doors and doors leading from garage areas into multiple dwelling buildings and doors leading into stairwells below the sixth (6th) floor level shall have self-locking (dead latch) devices, allowing egress to the exterior of the building or into the garage area, or stairwell, but requiring a key be used to gain access to the interior of the building from the outside or garage area or into the hallways from the stairwell.

B. Exterior doors and doors leading from the garage areas into multiple dwelling buildings and doors leading into stairwells shall be equipped with self-closing devices, if not already required by other regulations, ordinance or code.

C. A key box shall be provided; type and location shall be approved by the Fire Marshal of the City of La Mesa.

D. On pairs of doors, the active leaf shall be secured with the type lock required for single doors. The inactive leaf shall be equipped with lever flush extension bolts protected with a minimum throw of three-quarters (¾) inch at head and foot. Multiple point locks, cylinder activated from the active leaf and satisfying these regulations above may be used in lieu of flush bolts.

Whenever parking facilities are provided, either under or within the confines of the perimeter walls of any multiple dwelling, such facility shall be fully enclosed and provided with a locking device.

A. Metal or wooden overhead, or accordion-type doors not operated by electric power shall be secured with a cylinder lock, padlock, metal slide bar, slidebolt or equivalent device. These devices shall be secured with fasteners that are not removable from the exterior side of the door.

B. Electrically-operated doors. All electrically-operated doors shall have the actuating devices installed only on the interior of a building, or such devices shall be key-operated and protected by one-eighth (⅛) inch minimum steel plate.

C. Overhead garage doors shall not have bottom vents except those doors having double louvered or shielded vents or approved alternate devices to protect the locking mechanisms.

A. All wood doors shall be solid core with minimum thickness of one and three-quarters (1 ¾) inch as per the standards set forth in the Uniform Building Code, 1976 Edition.

B. All entrance doors to individual units shall have deadbolts in addition to deadlocking latches. The locks shall be so constructed that both deadbolt and deadlocking latch can be retracted by a single action of the inside door knob. Alternate devices equally able to resist illegal entry may be substituted subject to prior approval of the Building Official.

C. An interviewer or peep hole shall be installed in each door at a height of fifty-four (54) to sixty (60) inches above the finished floor with a minimum viewing angle of one hundred eighty (180) degrees. The lens must be constructed of glass or heat-resistant material.

D. Doors swinging out shall have non-removable hinge pins or hinges with studs.

E. Doors swinging in shall have rabbited jambs.

F. Jambs for all doors shall be so constructed or protected so as to prevent violation of the function of the strike.

G. Door closers will be provided on each individual entrance door.

A. All single sliding patio doors shall have the moveable section of the door slide on the inside or outside of the fixed portion of the door.

B. Dead locks shall be provided on all single sliding patio doors. The lock shall be operable from the outside by a key utilizing a bored lock cylinder of pin tumbler construction. Mounting screws for the lock case shall be inaccessible from the outside. Lock bolts shall be of hardened material or have hardened steel inserts and shall be capable of withstanding a force of eight hundred (800) pounds, applied in any direction. The lock bolts shall engage the strike sufficiently to prevent its being disengaged by any possible movement of the door within the space or clearances provided for installation and operation. The strike area shall be reinforced to maintain effectiveness of bolt strength.

C. Double sliding patio doors must be locked at the meeting rail and meet the locking requirements of Paragraph B above.

D. All sliding glass doors shall be constructed and installed so that the sliding portion cannot be lifted from the frame from the exterior side when the door is in the locked position.

A. A window, skylight, or other light forming a part of the enclosure of a dwelling unit shall be constructed, installed, and secured as set forth in Paragraph B below, when such window, skylight or light is not more than twelve (12) feet above the ground of a street, highway, yard, court, passageway, corridor, balcony, patio, breezeway, or any portion of the building which is available for use by the public or other tenants, or similar area. A window enclosing a private garage with an interior opening leading directly to a dwelling unit shall also comply with said Paragraph B.

B. Window protection.

1. Windows shall be so constructed that when the window is locked it cannot be lifted from the frame.

2. Window locking devices shall be capable of withstanding a force of three hundred (300) pounds applied in any direction.

3. Louvered windows shall not be used.

All open parking lots (including lots having carports) providing more than five (5) parking spaces shall be provided with adequate illumination to make clearly visible the presence of any person on or about the parking surface during hours of darkness.

All underfloor access doors and similar openings shall be constructed, installed and secured as follows:

A. Solid underfloor access doors. Wooden doors less than one and three-eighths (1 ⅜) inch solid core shall be covered on the inside with sixteen (16) gauge sheet metal attached around the perimeter of the door with No. 6 gauge three-fifths (⅗) inch long screws spaced not less than six (6) inches on center.

B. Ventilating underfloor access doors. Ventilating doors shall be constructed of at least one-eighth (⅛) inch steel of two (2) inch mesh secured in a one-eighth (⅛) inch minimum steel frame.

C. Hinges. All exterior hinges on underfloor access doors and similar openings shall be provided with non-removable hinge pins and the hinges shall be secured with non-removable screws.

D. Locking device. All underfloor access doors and similar openings shall be provided with a padlock or other approved locking device.

All other exterior openings when exceeding ninety-six (96) square inches in area and a least dimension exceeding eight (8) inches and when located less than eight (8) feet above the adjacent walking surface shall be protected in the following manner:

A. Bars of at least one-half (½) inch round or one (1) inch by one-quarter (¼) inch steel spaced apart not more than five (5) inches, or

B. Steel grills of at least one-eighth (⅛) inch material of two (2) inch mesh, and

C. The barrier shall be fastened such that it shall not be removable from the exterior side.

NON-RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS SECURITY MINIMUM STANDARDS

A. All exterior doors shall be secured as follows:

1. A single door shall be secured with either a double cylinder deadbolt without a turnpiece, or a deadbolt which is key-operable from both the exterior and interior sides of the door. A hook or expanding bolt may have a throw of three-quarters (¾) inch. Any deadbolt must contain hardened material to repel any attempts at cutting through the bolt.

2. On pairs of doors, the active leaf shall be secured with the type of lock required for single doors in Paragraph 1 above. The inactive leaf shall be equipped with lever flush extension bolts protected by hardened material with a minimum throw of three-quarters (¾) inch at head and foot. Multiple point locks, cylinder activated from the active leaf and satisfying the requirements hereof, may be used in lieu of flush bolts.

3. Any single or pair of doors requiring locking at the bottom or top rail shall have locks with a minimum one (1) inch throw bolt at both the top and bottom rails.

4. Exterior sliding commercial entrances shall be secured as in Paragraphs 1 and 2 above with special attention given to safety regulations.

5. Rolling overhead doors, solid overhead swinging, sliding or accordion garage-type doors shall be secured with a cylinder lock and/or padlock on the inside, when not otherwise controlled or locked by electric power operation.

6. Cylinders shall be so designated or protected so they cannot be gripped by pliers or other wrenching devices.

7. Metal accordion grate or grill-type doors shall be equipped with metal guide track at top and bottom, and a cylinder lock and/or padlock. The bottom track shall be so designed that the door cannot be lifted from the track when the door is in a locked position.

8. Outside hinges on all exterior doors shall be provided with non-removable pins when using pin-type hinges.

9. Doors with glass panels adjacent to the door frame shall be secured as follows:

(a) Rated burglary-resistant glass or glass-like material, or

(b) The glass shall be covered with iron bars of at least one-half (½) inch round or one and one-quarter (1 ¼) inch by seven-eighths (⅞) inch flat steel material, spaced not more than five (5) inches apart, secured on the inside of the glazing, or

(c) Iron or steel grills of at least one-eighth (⅛) inch material of two (2) inch mesh secured on the inside of the glazing.

10. Doors swinging in shall have rabbited jambs.

11. Jambs for all doors shall be so constructed or protected so as to prevent violation of the function of the strike.

12. All exterior doors shall be adequately illuminated at all hours to make clearly visible the presence of any person on or about the premises.

13. Wood doors not of solid core construction, or with panels therein less than one and three-eighths (1 ⅜) inch thick, shall be covered on the inside with at least sixteen (16) gauge sheet steel or its equivalent attached with No. 6 gauge three-quarters (¾) inch long screws spaced not less than six (6) inches on center.

B. Anything to the contrary notwithstanding, Paragraph A requirements set forth above shall not apply to assembly buildings required by State law to have panic hardware. However, said hardware shall be approved by the Building Official of the City of La Mesa.

A. Accessible rear and side windows not viewable from the street shall consist of rated burglary resistant glass or glass-like material.

EXCEPTION: Window openings required by building code for access by Fire Department shall be protected by a material approved by the Fire Department. Protection of these window openings should be by a glass (i.e. tempered glass) which may be broken without unnecessary delay and use of specialized equipment.

B. If the accessible side or rear window is of the openable type, it shall be secured on the inside with a locking device capable of withstanding a force of three hundred pounds applied in any direction.

C. Louvered windows shall not be used.

D. Outside hinges on all accessible side and rear glass windows shall be provided with non-removable pins. If the hinge screws are accessible, the screws shall be of the non-removable type.

All exterior transoms and awning windows exceeding sixty square inches on the side and rear of any building shall be protected by one of the following:

A. Rated burglary-resistant glass or glass-like material, or

B. Outside iron bars of at least one-half inch round or one and one-quarter inch by seven-eighths inch flat steel material, spaced no more than two inch mesh.

C. Outside iron steel grills of at least one-eighth inch material but not more than two inch mesh.

D. The window barrier shall be secured with galvanized rounded head flush bolts of at least three-eighths inch on the outside.

A. All glass skylights on the roof of any building shall be provided with:

1. Rated burglary-resistant glass or glass-like material, or

2. Iron bars of at least one-half inch flat steel material spaced no more than five inches apart under the skylight and securely fastened, or

3. A steel grill of at least one-eighth inch material of two inch mesh under the skylight and securely fastened.

B. All hatchway openings on the roof of any building shall be secured as follows:

1. If the hatchway is of wooden material, it shall be covered on the inside with at least sixteen gauge sheet steel or its equivalent attached with screws.

2. The hatchway shall be secured from the inside with a slide bar or slide bolts. The use of crossbar or padlock must be approved by the fire marshal.

3. Outside hinges on all hatchway openings shall be provided with non-removable pins when using pin-type hinges.

C. All air duct or air vent openings exceeding eight inches by twelve inches on the roof or exterior walls of any building shall be secured by covering the same with either of the following:

1. Iron bars of at least one-half inch round or one and one-quarter inch by seven-eighths inch flat steel material, spaced no more than five inches apart and securely fastened, or

2. A steel grill of at least one-eighth inch material of two inch mesh and securely fastened.

3. If the barrier is on the outside, it shall be secured with galvanized rounded head flush bolts of at least three-eighths inch on the outside.

D. Ladders. Any ladder excluding fire escapes, located on the exterior of any building which could provide access to the roof shall be not less than ten feet from any accessible area.

A. Office building (multiple-occupancy): All entrance doors to individual office suites shall have a deadbolt lock with a minimum one inch throw bolt which can be opened from the inside.

B. The premises, while closed for business after dark, must be sufficiently lighted to make clearly visible the presence of any person on or about the premises.

The board of appeals established under Section 204 of the Uniform Building Code, 1976 Edition, shall act as the board of appeals for the Building Security Ordinance.