Moraga Municipal Code Ch. 7.08 Automatic Sprinkler and Fire or Smoke Detection Installations

This chapter describes requirements for the installation of means for automatic detection or extinguishment of fire within buildings or parts of buildings within the town. The requirements are related to conditions of: (1) size; (2) type of construction; (3) use; and (4) unavailability of suitable fire protection equipment. These conditions constitute a degree of fire hazard to life or property in excess of the present and projected public fire protection facilities to immediately detect, contain or extinguish a fire or adequately evacuate occupants from a fire involving such buildings.

(Prior code § 4-501)

In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

"Approved" means that, as required by this chapter, all components comprising the system have been tested by a recognized testing agency and installed to National Fire Protection Association recognized standards.

"Approved household fire warning system" means any smoke detector currently listed by the State Fire Marshal as approved and acceptable for installation in the state of California.

"Chief" means the administrator of the Moraga fire protection district or the authorized representative.

"District" is the Moraga fire protection district.

"Fire company" means the combination of personnel, vehicles and other equipment necessary to extinguish a fire as determined by the chief.

"Life hazard" refers to a building occupied or used: (a) as a place of residence by more than two family units; (b) as a place of public assemblage for any purpose; or (c) for purposes of marketing goods and services for public consumption.

"Property hazard" refers to a building used as a place for: (a) the manufacturing of durable or nondurable goods; or (b) storage of combustible materials.

"Qualified designer" or "qualified installer" means a representative of a company regularly engaged in the business of designing and of installing extinguishing or detection systems and which is licensed by the state of California to engage in such a business.

(Prior code § 4-502)

The duty to enforce and implement this chapter is conferred upon the district.

(Prior code § 4-503)

This chapter does not abrogate an ordinance, rule or regulation in force for automatic sprinkler or fire detection installations which is more stringent.

(Prior code § 4-504)

A. Single and Two-Family Occupancy. Every building completed after 1982, for single-family or two-family occupancy shall have installed an approved household fire warning system.

B. Multiple Family Occupancy. Every building constructed for multifamily residential occupancy shall have installed an approved household fire warning system. The installation shall be in accordance with National Fire Protection Association Pamphlet 74. The system shall be connected to the fire alarm headquarters of the district as outlined in "Rules and Regulations - Private Fire Alarm Connections" and the installation of the system must have the prior approval of the chief. Supervision of fire alarms may be on site in apartment complexes with fifteen (15) or less living units if approved by the fire chief.

(Prior code § 4-505)

A. Every building constructed for nonresidential occupancy having less than ten thousand (10,000) square feet in area shall have installed a fire warning system with a remote station signaling system in accordance with National Fire Protection Association Pamphlet 72C. The system shall be connected to the fire alarm headquarters of the district as outlined in "Rules and Regulations -Private Fire Alarm Connections" and the installation must have prior approval of the chief.

B. A fire warning system and its components shall not be used for any other purpose.

C. The chief may require a fire warning system to be installed in addition to an existing fire protection system when, because of past fire loss experience or because of potential loss by fire or the products of fire, the chief determined that additional protection is needed.

D. A fire sprinkler system may be provided instead of the warning system.

E. When, in the opinion of the chief and approval of the design review board, the construction, contents or processes of a particular structure meet the intent and purpose of this section without installation of a fire alarm system, the system may be omitted.

(Prior code § 4-506)

A. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout every building of ten thousand (10,000) or more square feet in total area. In each building of less than ten thousand (10,000) square feet in area, the chief may impose the requirement for an automatic sprinkler system when, in his or her opinion, the design or construction of the building or the intended use of the building, or the complex of which it is a part, is of such a nature as to require the imposition of this requirement in order to comply with the intent of this chapter and with reasonable fire safety.

B. The automatic sprinkler system may be omitted when, in the opinion of the chief and the design review board, the construction, contents or processes of a particular structure will meet the intent and purpose of this section without the installation of an automatic sprinkler system. The building or part of building for which the automatic sprinkler system requirement is omitted shall be equipped with a fire protection system designed and installed in conformance with the requirements of the district and shall comply with Section 7.08.060.

C. Installation, inspection and maintenance of any automatic sprinkler system shall meet the standards of the National Fire Protection Association Pamphlet No. 13, the Uniform Building Code Standards Nos. 38-1 and 2, and the town of Moraga specifications.

D. The alarm from the sprinkler system may be transmitted to fire alarm headquarters of the district in conformance with "Rules and Regulations - Private Fire Alarm Systems Connection" of the district.

(Prior code § 4-507)

A. A person who desires to install and maintain a fire warning system shall submit to the district complete information regarding the installation and maintenance together with the plans and specifications of the building or building addition.

B. No person shall construct a building or an addition to an existing building until the district approves the plans and specifications.

C. No person shall use or occupy a building in which an approved supervised automatic sprinkler system or approved fire warning system is installed until the district accepts the system.

(Prior code § 4-508)

The requirements in this chapter do not require the installation of a system where its application might cause or increase the fire or life hazard, nor do they prohibit the substitution of other approved fire protective equipment designed for the control of a specific hazard. The district must approve each substitution to the requirements of this chapter.

(Prior code § 4-509)

A. A nonresidential building existing on July 2, 1982, which does not conform to this chapter shall conform when either: (1) a building permit is issued that will add twenty-five (25) percent in value based on the current assessor's roll to the building; or (2) five hundred (500) square feet or more of floor area is added to the building.

B. A residential building existing on July 2, 1982, which does not conform to this chapter shall conform when either: (1) alterations, repairs or additions requiring a permit and having a valuation in excess of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) occur; or (2) the residence is sold or rented.

(Prior code § 4-510)

Every system installed in a building constructed for a nonresidential occupancy shall be inspected at least once each year by the district. The owner and the occupant are each separately responsible for maintenance of the system in proper operating condition. The repair to or modification of a system shall be performed only by a person regularly engaged in the business and licensed by the state of California to perform repairs or modifications.

The owner and the occupant shall notify the district immediately at any time the system becomes inoperable, regardless of the reason or duration.

(Prior code § 4-511)