Laguna Hills Municipal Code Ch. 28 Lumber Yards

Section 2801.2, Permit, is hereby revised to read as follows:

2801.2 Permit. Permits shall be required as set forth in Section 105.5 and 105.5.31.

Section 2808.2, Storage site, is hereby revised to read as follows:

2808.2 Storage site. Storage sites shall be level and on solid ground, elevated soil lifts or other all-weather surface. Sites shall be thoroughly cleaned, and approval obtained from the fire code official before transferring products to the site.

Section 2808.3, Size of piles, is hereby revised to read as follows:

2808.3 Size of piles. Piles shall not exceed 15 feet in height, 50 feet in width and 100 feet in length.
Exception: The fire code official is authorized to allow the pile size to be increased where a fire protection plan is provided for approval that includes, but is not limited to, the following:
1. Storage yard areas and materials-handling equipment selection, design and arrangement shall be based upon sound fire prevention and protection principles.
2. Factors that lead to spontaneous heating shall be identified in the plan, and control of the various factors shall be identified and implemented, including provisions for monitoring the internal condition of the pile.
3. The plan shall include means for early fire detection and reporting to the public fire department; and facilities needed by the fire department for fire extinguishment including a water supply and fire hydrants.
4. Fire apparatus access roads around the piles and access roads to the top of the piles shall be established, identified, and maintained.
5. Regular yard inspections by trained personnel shall be included as part of an effective fire prevention maintenance program.
Additional fire protection called for in the plan shall be provided and shall be installed in accordance with this code. The increase of the pile size shall be based upon the capabilities of the installed fire protection system and features.

Section 2808.4, Pile Separation, is hereby revised to read as follows:

2808.4 Pile separation. Piles shall be separated from adjacent piles by a minimum distance of 20 feet. Additionally, piles shall have a minimum separation of 100 feet from combustible vegetation.

Section 2808.7, Pile fire protection, is hereby revised to read as follows:

2808.7 Pile fire protection. Automatic sprinkler protection shall be provided in conveyor tunnels and combustible enclosures that pass under a pile. Combustible conveyor systems and enclosed conveyor systems shall be equipped with an approved automatic sprinkler system. Oscillating sprinklers with a sufficient projectile reach are required to maintain a 40% to 60% moisture content and wet down burning/smoldering areas.

Section 2808.9, Material-handling equipment, is hereby revised to read as follows:

2808.9 Material-handling equipment. All material-handling equipment operated by an internal combustion engine shall be provided and maintained with an approved spark arrester. Approved material-handling equipment shall be available for moving wood chips, hogged material, wood fines and raw product during fire-fighting operations.

Section 2808.11, Temperature control, is hereby added to read as follows:

2808.11 Temperature control. The temperature shall be monitored and maintained as specified in Sections 2808.11.1 and 2808.11.2.

Section 2808.11.1, Pile temperature control, is hereby added to read as follows:

2808.11.1 Pile temperature control. Piles shall be rotated when internal temperature readings are in excess of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Section 2808.11.2, New material temperature control, is hereby added to read as follows:

2808.11.2 New material temperature control. New loads delivered to the facility shall be inspected and tested at the facility entry prior to taking delivery. Material with temperature exceeding 165 degrees Fahrenheit shall not be accepted on the site. New loads shall comply with the requirements of this chapter and be monitored to verify that the temperature remains stable.

Section 2808.12, Water availability, is hereby added to read as follows:

2808.12 Water Availability. Facilities with over 2500 cubic feet shall provide a water supply. The minimum fire flow shall be no less than 500 GPM @ 20 psi for a minimum of 1 hour duration for pile heights up to 6 feet and 2-hour duration for pile heights over 6 feet. If there is no water purveyor, an alternate water supply with storage tank(s) shall be provided for fire suppression. The water supply tank(s) shall provide a minimum capacity of 2500 gallons per pile (maximum 30,000 gallons) for piles not exceeding 6 feet in height and 5000 gallons per pile (maximum 60,000) for piles exceeding 6 feet in height. Water tank(s) shall not be used for any other purpose unless the required fire flow is left in reserve within the tank at all times. An approved method shall be provided to maintain the required amount of water within the tank(s).

Section 2808.13, Tipping areas, is hereby added to read as follows:

2808.13 Tipping areas shall comply with the following:
1. Tipping areas shall not exceed a maximum area of 50 feet by 50 feet.
2. Material within a tipping area shall not exceed 5 feet in height at any time.
3. Tipping areas shall be separated from all piles by a 20-foot-wide fire access lane.
4. A fire hydrant or approved fire water supply outlet shall be located within 150 feet of all points along the perimeter of the tipping area.
5. All material within a tipping area shall be processed within 5 days of receipt.
Section 2808.14, Emergency Contact, is hereby added to read as follows:
2808.14 Emergency Contact. The contact information of a responsible person or persons shall be provided to the Fire Department and shall be posted at the entrance to the facility for responding units. The responsible party should be available to respond to the business in emergency situation.

Section 2808.15, Maximum Grid of Piles and Rows, is hereby added to read as follows:

2808.15 Maximum Grid of Piles and Rows. Rows of Piles shall not exceed 500 feet by 500 feet. Grids shall be separated by a minimum 50 foot clear space used for no other purpose.

2808.16, Push-out/Clear area, is hereby added as follows:

2808.16 Push-out/Clear Area. Piles exceeding 20 cubic yards shall be provided with push-out areas. Push-out areas shall be maintained clear at all times to allow for the largest pile to be spread out to a depth of 2 feet in height. Push-out areas shall be located within 250 feet of all edges of any pile and shall be located a minimum of 20 feet from any building.