Chapter 4 — CHANGES OR MODIFICATIONS

Sections:

4-1030 - LOCAL CLIMATIC, GEOGRAPHIC, AND TOPOGRAPHICAL CONDITIONS.

In accordance with Health and Safety Code Section 17958.5, the adoption of amendments more restrictive than the requirements contained in the provisions published in the California Building Standard Code, are needed because of local conditions, as specified below:

(a)

Climatic

(1)

Conditions. Precipitation averages eighteen (18) inches per year, and can reach as high as thirty-five (35) inches per year. Virtually all of the rain occurs during the months of October through April. The remaining months receive little or no rain. Temperatures during the summer months can reach as high as one hundred ten (110) and San Joaquin County averages nineteen (19) days over one hundred (100) each year. Relative humidity during these summer months is very low. San Joaquin County also averages thirty-four (34) days of dense fog per year, and has had as many as sixty-four (64) foggy days.

(2)

Impacts. The generally dry, hot summer months create extreme fire conditions. Adding to this situation is the dryness and extreme combustibility of roadside right of ways and private property. The cyclical uncertainty of weather events can cause rapid melting of the snow pack which causes flood potential in areas surrounding the San Joaquin County Delta areas. The foggy conditions can inhibit the dispatch and timeliness of emergency equipment reaching the site of a fire. During foggy periods it is common place for visibility to be near zero, which results in emergency equipment having to decrease their speed to less than twenty-five (25) miles per hour.

(b)

Geographic

(1)

Conditions. The County of San Joaquin is subject to ground tremors from seismic events as the County is in seismic Zone 3. The County of San Joaquin also has different soil conditions which make fire access road construction vary throughout the various regions of the County.

(2)

Impacts. The geologic conditions in San Joaquin County have the potential of restricting access to structures, especially in remote or isolated areas. A moderate earthquake or extended periods or rain can impact local access roads.

(c)

Topographic

(1)

Conditions. The County of San Joaquin consists mainly of the San Joaquin Valley floor. The valley floor is typically a flat land area bisected by intermittent and year round stream and river systems. Much of the valley floor is irrigated agriculture. Low land areas protected by a complex and extensive levee system characterize the Delta area.

(2)

Impacts. The valley floor is frequently subject to both general and localized flooding. Because the area is so flat and low, it is not unusual for local drainage systems to be inadequate during heavy rain periods. This condition can isolate areas where roads are flooded and thereby block access.

While it is clearly understood that the adoption of such amendments may not prevent the incidence of fire, the implementation of these various amendments to the code attempt to reduce the severity and potential loss of life, property and protection of the environment.

(Ord. 4343 § 1 (part), 2007)

4-1031—4-1039 - Reserved.