Chapter 15.12 — SECURITY AND SAFETY STANDARDS

The city declares the provisions contained in this chapter both desirable and necessary for the safety and protection of human life and property.

The provisions of this chapter shall be applied at such times as building permits are issued for new building construction or any structural addition to an existing building. The existing structure shall meet the provisions of this code when additions thereto are constructed.

For the purpose of this chapter, the definitions given in this section shall govern the meanings of the following words and phrases:

• A. Building Official means the building official of the city.

• B. Building permit means approval to commence construction issued by the building official upon determination that all plans and specifications for a proposed building or structure conform to the city's codes and standards.

• C. Locks include the following:

  1. Cylinder spring dead latchset means a latching device and strike plate that is positively held in deadlatch position when the door is closed by means of an added integral slide trigger mechanism. The complete set shall consist of pin tumbler cylinder key operation from the exterior and a knob, thumb turn, or lever handle from the interior.

  2. Dead-latching lockset means a lock similar to the cylinder spring dead latchset, except the lockset shall consist of a knob on both sides and shall be locked or unlocked by a pin tumbler cylinder key from exterior and a turn button from interior.

  3. Panic-free lockset, means a high security lockset with a one-inch throw deadbolt and a cylinder guard. The deadbolt is retracted simultaneously by single action of the interior knob for panic escapement.

  4. Double cylinder deadlock means a bolt with one inch throw which has no automatic spring action and which is operated by a pin tumbler cylinder key from either side of the door. The bolt must be steel or contain steel embodiments.

  5. Single cylinder deadlock means a bolt similar to the double cylinder deadlock, but actuated by a pin tumbler cylinder key from the outside and a thumbturn on the inside and is positively held fast when in the projected position.

• D. Lock components include the following:

  1. Cylinder guard means a hardened free-turning steel ring surrounding the exposed portion of the lock cylinder and is so fastened as to protect the cylinder from

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City of Norco, CA § 15.12.030

NORCO CODE

§ 15.12.070

wrenching, prying, cutting, or pulling by attack tools.

2. Insert means a hardened steel pin contained in the bolt and located to prevent bolt cutting with common tools.

3. Security strike means a heavy gauge steel strike with four off center screws one and one-half inches long permitting full penetration into the rough buck. Approximate dimensions: three and five-eighths inches by one and one-fourth inches.

Materials, methods of construction or structural design limitations provided for in this chapter are to be used unless an exception is granted.

All construction plans and drawings for structures and additions thereto submitted to the city for a building permit shall note the requirements of this chapter and incorporate the provisions into the plans and drawings. After the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, the building official shall not issue a building permit to any person, firm or corporation that proposes to erect, construct or enlarge any building or structure, or cause the same to be done, without providing verification that the building or addition conforms to the regulations set forth in this chapter.

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

• B. Overhead garage doors shall be equipped with slide bolts, which shall be capable of utilizing padlocks with minimum nine thirty-seconds (9/32) inch shackle.

• C. Where sliding or accordion doors are utilized, they shall be equipped with guide tracks, which shall be designed so that the door cannot be removed from the track when in the closed and locked position.

• D. Sliding glass windows and doors shall be equipped with a pin-joined locking mechanism containing a heavy-duty bolt, which locks the door securely to adjacent stationary window.

• E. Windows and sliding glass doors may have iron grill work for protection if the grillwork can be opened easily from the inside without the use of any tool or key.

The following special provisions shall apply to residential buildings in the city in addition to the general security standards contained in Section 15.48.060:

• A. Doors shall comply to the following regulations:

  1. All exterior swinging doors shall be of solid bore construction with a minimum thickness of one and three-fourths inches, or with panels, not less than nine-sixteenths inch thick.

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City of Norco, CA

BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION

§ 15.12.070

§ 15.12.070

2. Any swinging door leading from a garage into a residence, shall be of solid core construction with a minimum thickness of one and three eighths inches.

3. All swinging exterior doors and doors leading from garage areas into dwellings shall be equipped with a one-inch deadbolt locking mechanism. The deadbolt shall have a minimum bolt throw of one-inch and shall be equipped with a steel insert and a free turning cylinder guard.

EXCEPTION: Exterior swinging doors leading into garages have a minimum requirement to be equipped with a dead latch locking mechanism.

4. Main entrance door shall be operable from the inside without the use of a key or any special knowledge or effort.

5. All entry doors on upper floors to apartments not containing alternate emergency escape routes shall use panic-free double locksets.

6. When entry doors are doubles, one leaf shall be held in position by hand bolts at top and bottom with a minimum penetration into floor and jamb of one inch.

7. Hinges that are exposed to the exterior 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.

8. All front exterior doors shall be equipped with a wide-angle one hundred eighty degree door viewer, except where occupant has clear vision of the area immediately outside the door without opening the door.

9. Trimmers on exterior doors shall be four inches by four inches trimmer, well nailed to the king stud and accurately set to receive the finish doorjamb. This requirement shall apply only to new construction.

10. Exterior doors with glazing within forty inches of any locking mechanism shall be protected by rated burglary resistant glazing or a double cylinder deadbolt lock.

• B.

• Address markings shall comply to the following regulations:

1. All residential structures shall display a street number in a prominent position so that it shall be easily visible from the street. The numerals in these numbers shall be no less than four inches in height, of a color contrasting to the background and located so they may be clearly seen and read.

2. In multiple-family dwelling complexes, each residential building shall display a street number in a prominent position. It shall be lighted (equipped with a photo sensitive automatic lighting device) and be easily visible from a street, driveway or pedestrian walkway. Said identification shall be no less than six inches in height and of a color contrasting to the background. The entrance of each dwelling unit shall have a unit identifying number, letter or combination thereof, displayed or adjacent to the dwelling unit door and be no less than three inches in height and of a contrasting color to the background.

3. Maps of the complex shall be furnished to the police and fire departments upon completion of construction. The maps shall include building identification and unit

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City of Norco, CA § 15.12.070

NORCO CODE

§ 15.12.080

identification.

• C. Lighting shall conform to the following regulations:

  1. Provisions for lighting must meet design review standards before approval.

  2. All exterior doorway entrances shall be equipped with photo sensitive automatic lighting devices capable of providing at least one foot-candle of light at ground level during hours of darkness.

  3. Aisles, passageways, mailbox locations, patio and balconies, recreation buildings, laundry rooms, within multiple-family dwelling complexes shall be equipped with security lighting devices such as photo sensitive or automatic lighting devices capable of providing at least.25 foot-candles of light at ground level during hours of darkness.

  4. Open parking lots and carports of multiple-family dwelling complexes shall be equipped with photo sensitive or automatic lighting devices capable of providing at least one foot-candle of lighting on the parking surface during hours of darkness.

  5. All lighting devices shall be protected by vandal-resistant covers.

The following special provisions shall apply to all commercial/industrial buildings and additions thereto constructed in the city in addition to the general security standards contained in Section 15.48.060.

• A. Door security shall meet the following specifications:

  1. All exterior swinging doors shall be equipped with a one-inch deadbolt locking mechanism. The deadbolt shall have a minimum bolt throw of one inch and shall be equipped with a steel insert and a free turning cylinder guard.

  2. Swinging exterior glass doors, wood or metal doors with glass panels, solid wood or metal doors shall be constructed or protected as follows:

     • a. Wood doors shall be solid core construction with a minimum thickness of one and three-fourths inches.

     • b. Hollow metal doors shall be constructed of a minimum equivalent to sixteen U.S. gauge steel and have sufficient reinforcement to maintain the designed thickness of the door when any locking device is installed; such reinforcement being able to restrict collapsing of the door around the locking device.

  3. Except when double cylinder deadbolts are utilized, any glazing utilized within forty 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 or at least one-eighth inch metal with a maximum two-inch mesh secured on and easily removable from the inside of the glazing may be utilized; or

     • c. The glazing shall be covered with iron or steel bars of at least one-half inch

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City of Norco, CA

BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION

§ 15.12.080

§ 15.12.080

round or one inch by one-fourth inch flat metal, spaced not more than five inches apart and secured on and easily removable from the inside of the glazing;

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

4. 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.

5. The jamb on all aluminum frame-swinging doors shall be so constructed or protected to withstand sixteen hundred pounds of pressure in both a vertical distance of three inches and a horizontal distance of one inch each side of the strike, to prevent violation of the strike.

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

• B.

• Windows shall meet the following specifications:

1. Windows shall be deemed accessible if less than twelve feet above ground or adjacent to any pedestrian walkway.

2. Accessible windows having a pane or opening exceeding ninety-six square inches, with the smallest dimension exceeding six inches, and not visible from a public or private thoroughfare shall be protected in the following manner:

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

  • b. Window barriers may be used but shall be secured with bolts which are nonremovable from the exterior while remaining removable from the interior:

    • i. Interior or exterior steel or iron bars of at least one-half inch round or one inch by one-quarter inch flat metal spaced not more than five inches apart and security fastened; or

    • ii. Interior or exterior iron or steel grills of at least one-eighth inch metal with not more than a two-inch mesh and securely fastened.

  • c. 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.

3. 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 hinge pins.

4. All hatchway openings on the roof of any building 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 U.S. gauge sheet steel, or its equivalent, attached with screws.

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

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City of Norco, CA

NORCO CODE

§ 15.12.080

§ 15.12.100

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

5. All air dust or air vent openings exceeding ninety-six square inches on the roof or exterior walls of any commercial building shall be secured by covering same with either of the following:

   • a. Iron or steel bars of at least one-half inch round or one inch by one-fourth inch flat metal spaced not more than five inches apart and securely fastened; or

   • b. Iron or steel grills of at least one-eighth inch 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 must not interfere with venting requirements, 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.

• C. Permanently affixed exterior ladders leading to roofs shall be fully enclosed with sheet metal to a height of ten feet. This covering shall be locked against the ladder with a case hardened clasp secured with non-removable screws or bolts. Hinges on the cover will be provided with non-removable 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-pin tumbler operation with non-removable key when in an unlocked position.

• D. Lighting and Address Markings shall conform to the following specifications:

1. The address number of every commercial building shall be located and displayed so that it is easily visible from the street. The numerals in these numbers shall be twelve 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 which shall be six inches in height.

   2. The address number of every residential dwelling shall be located and displayed so that it is easily visible from the street. The numerals in these numbers shall be 4 inches in height and be of a color contrasting to the background.

   3. All exterior doors to buildings shall be equipped with a lighting device capable of providing a minimum of one foot-candle of light. All exterior bulbs shall be protected by weather and vandalism resistant covers.

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

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

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City of Norco, CA

BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION

§ 15.12.100

§ 15.12.120

chapter, or in order to substantiate claims for alternate materials or methods of construction as allowed by Section 15.07.090, the Building Official may require tests as proof of compliance to be made at the expense of the owner or his agent by an approved agency. All tests will be made as set forth in the California Building Code Standard No. 41-1.

The Building Official or his authorized representatives are empowered and directed to administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter relating to physical security requirements for buildings in the City.

Any building or addition thereof constructed subsequent to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, which does not comply with the provisions of this chapter.

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City of Norco, CA