Oceanside Municipal Code Art. II Building Code

Footnotes:

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Note— See the editor's note at Art. I.

(a) The Building Code hereinafter referred to is the 2025 California Building Code including Appendix G, flood resistant construction, published by order of the California legislature. One (1) copy of the Building Code shall be kept on file in the office of the city clerk.

(b) All the provisions of said Building Code including such provisions as are hereinafter added, deleted or amended, are hereby adopted by reference and shall constitute the Building Code of the City of Oceanside, establishing rules and regulation covering the subjects and matters therein referred to.

(Ord. No. 08-OR0370-1, § 1, 6-11-08; Ord. No. 12-OR0522-1, § 1, 8-1-2012; Ord. No. 13-OR0752-1, § 1, 12-4-2013; Ord. No. 16-OR0848-1, § 1, 12-21-2016; Ord. No. 19-OR0757-1, § 1, 12-18-2019; Ord. No. 22-OR0685-1, § 1, 10-5-2022; Ord. No. 25-OR0637-1, § 1, 11-19-2025)

The 2025 California Building Code is hereby modified in the following respects:

(a) Chapter 2, Section 202, Definitions is hereby amended by the addition of the following definition:

Section 202 Mid-Rise Structure.

Any new building at or above four stories tall above the lowest point of fire department access, while being 75 feet, or less, in height measured to the finished floor of the highest occupied floor level.

(b) Chapter 4, Special Detailed Requirements Based on Use and Occupancy. Chapter 4, Sections 450-450.4.2 are hereby added to read as follows:

Section 450.1. Applicability.

The provisions of Sections 450-450.4.2 shall apply to all mid-rise structures that are newly constructed and to any existing mid-rise structures that undergo substantial renovation requiring vacating the structure.

Exception: Vehicle parking garages, towers, steeples and other similar occupancies that are not used for continuous human occupancy.

Section 450.2. Automatic Sprinkler System.

Automatic Sprinkler System. Mid-Rise Structures shall be provided with an automatic fire sprinkler system that is designed and installed in conformance with the adopted edition of NFPA 13 and in accordance with the following:

(1) Shutoff valves and a water-flow alarm device shall be provided for each floor. Each shutoff valve and flow device shall be electronically supervised.

(2) A Class I standpipe system must be provided. This Class l standpipe system shall be interconnected with the fire sprinkler system. The standpipe system shall have two and one-half inch (2 ½") hose valves located at every floor level in every stair enclosure that penetrates the roof. The standpipe system shall be designed, installed and tested in accordance with the adopted edition of NFPA 14.

Section 450.3. Smoke Detection.

A smoke detection system shall be provided. Smoke detectors shall be connected to the automatic fire alarm system required in section 450.4. The smoke detection system shall be designed and installed per the adopted edition of NFPA 72. The actuation of any smoke detector shall initiate operation of the emergency voice alarm signaling system and shall initiate shutdown of air handling systems. Smoke detectors shall be located as required in Chapter 9 of the California Building Code and as follows:

1. In each mechanical, electrical, telephone, or similar room.

2. In each elevator machine room and in elevator lobbies.

3. In the main return air and exhaust air plenums of each air-conditioning system having a capacity greater than 2,000 cubic feet per minute. Such devices shall be located in a serviceable area downstream of the last duct inlet.

4. At each connection to a vertical duct or riser serving two or more stories from a return air duct or plenum of an air-conditioning system. In Group R-l and R-2 occupancies, a smoke detector is allowed to be used in each return air riser carrying not more than 5,000 cubic feet per minute and serving not more than 10 air-inlet openings.

5. In all interior corridors that provide means of egress.

Section 450.4. Fire Alarm System.

An approved and listed, automatic and manual, fully addressable and electronically supervised fire alarm system shall be provided in conformance with the adopted edition of the California Building and Fire Codes.

Section 450.41. Emergency Voice/Alarm Communications System.

Emergency voice/alarm communication systems required shall be designed and installed in accordance with NFPA 72 and in conformance with requirements contained in California Building Code section 907.5.2.2. and 11B-215.

Section 450.4.2. Locking of Stairway Doors.

All stairway doors that are locked to prohibit access from the interior access from the interior of the stairway must have the capability of being unlocked simultaneously, without unlatching, upon a signal from the main fire panel area. Upon failure of normal electrical service, or activation of any fire alarm, the locking mechanism must automatically retract to the unlocked position.

(c) Chapter 9 Fire Protection Systems is hereby amended by adding to the Building Code portion of the California Building Standards Code as follows:

Section 903.1.2. Access.

Automatic fire sprinkler systems meeting National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 13 shall not be obstructed in any manner. if a system riser is to be concealed by means of a wall, soffit, column, or other building construction:

1. There must be eighteen-inch (18") clearance to each side and to the front of the system riser;

2. Access shall be provided by means of a door with minimum dimensions of thirty (30) inches wide by eighty (80) inches high;

3. The system riser shall be provided with a means of access to the room directly from the exterior of the building; and

4. Durable signage shall be provided on the exterior side of the access door to identify the fire sprinkler riser and alarm room. Fire alarm control panels shall be located in the same room, and share the same access, as the fire sprinkler riser room or as required by the Fire Code Official.

Section 903.1.3. Smoke Control Systems.

Mechanical smoke control systems, such as those in high-rise buildings, buildings containing atria, covered mall buildings and mechanical ventilation systems utilized in smoke-proof enclosures and for smoke removal systems utilized in high-piled combustible storage occupancies, shall be maintained in an operable condition at all times. Unless otherwise required by the Fire Code Official, quarterly tests of such systems shall be conducted by approved persons. A written record and current approved plans shall be maintained and shall be made available to the inspection authority,

Section 912.2.3. Fire Department Connections.

Fire Department Connections (FDC's) shall be located within forty (40) feet of a fire hydrant, and no closer than forty (40) feet from the buildings they supply other locations as approved by the Fire Code Official. The FDC(s) shall also be located on the same side of the access road or driveway as the building it serves and marked with the address and/or area supplied by the FDC.

Section 903.4.2.1. Alarm Locations.

Duct or area detectors used for plenum detection, when located in areas which are not readily visible. Shall have a remote visual indicator installed in the ceiling visible from the floor area and adjacent to the detector. Detectors which are not readily accessible from the floor shall have a remote test switch. Locations for both remote visual indicators and remote test switches shall be approved by the Fire Department. Activation of a duct detector shall enunciate a supervisory signal only to the buildings fire alarm system.

Section 903.4.2.2. Duct Detectors. Duct detectors shall be shown on fire alarm plans, and devices shall be tested by the Fire Department.

Section 903.4.2.4. Signage.

Any company providing monitoring for any electronic monitoring system, fire suppression, or detection system shall post an approved visible sign at all control valves, control panels and monitoring panels. The sign shall state the name of the monitoring company, the 24-hour phone number of the central station, and instructions to call the central station before doing any work or testing on any system being monitored.

Section 903.4.2.5 Exterior Audible Devices in R-3 Occupancies.

One approved audible device, located on the street address side of the building in an approved location, shall be connected to each new R-3 Occupancy automatic sprinkler system.

(d) Section 1505.1, General Title 24, Part 2 is revised as follows: Roof assemblies shall be divided into two classes based on their ability to resist fire exposure:

1. Class A—Roof Assemblies provide the highest level of fire resistance, effective against severe fire test exposures. These assemblies are effective against flame spread, afford a high degree of protection to the roof deck, and do not slip from position.

2. Class B—Roof assemblies provide moderate fire resistance, effective against moderate fire test exposures. These assemblies offer acceptable protection against flame spread and reduce the likelihood of fire penetration.

Class A and Class B assemblies shall be tested in accordance with ASTM E 108 or UL 790. In addition, fire-retardant-treated wood roof coverings shall be tested in accordance with ASTM D 2898. The minimum class of roof coverings installed on buildings is Class B, and shall comply with Table 1505.1, based on the type of construction of the building.

Exception: Skylights and sloped glazing that comply with Chapter 24 or Section 2610.

TABLE 1505.1 MINIMUM ROOF COVERINGS CLASSIFICATION FOR TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION

(e) Section 1505.1.2. Roof Coverings within the Wildland Urban Interface Fire Area is revised as follows: The entire roof covering of every existing structure where more than fifty (50) percent of the total roof area is replaced within any one (l) year period, the entire roof covering of every new structure, and any roof covering applied in the alteration, repair or replacement of the roof of every existing structure, shall be a Class A roof covering. The Wildland Urban Interface Zone shall be as established and mapped by the Oceanside Fire Department.

(f) Section 1505.1.3, Roof coverings within all other areas is revised as follows: The entire roof covering of every existing structure where more than fifty (50) percent of the total roof area is replaced within any one (l) year period, the entire roof covering of every new structure, and any roof covering applied in the alteration, repair or replacement of the roof of every structure, shall be a fire-retardant roof covering that is at least Class B.

(g) Section 1505.5 Non-Classified Roofing is deleted in its entirety.

(Ord. No. 08-OR0370-1, § 1, 6-11-08; Ord. No. 12-OR0522-1, § 1, 8-1-2012; Ord. No. 13-OR0752-1, § 1, 12-4-2013; Ord. No. 16-OR0848-1, § 1, 12-21-2016; Ord. No. 19-OR0757-1, § 1, 12-18-2019; Ord. No. 22-OR0685-1, § 1, 10-5-2022; Ord. No. 25-OR0637-1, § 1, 11-19-2025)