San Jose Municipal Code Part 2 Definitions

The definitions contained in this part shall govern the interpretation of this chapter. Where terms are not specifically defined in this chapter, the definitions contained in Chapters 17.04, 17.12 and Title 24 of this Code shall control.

(Ord. 27025.)

"Building height" for the purpose of this Chapter 17.82 only, shall mean the vertical distance above a reference datum, measured to the highest point of the coping of a flat roof, or to the deck line of a mansard roof, or to the average height of the highest gable of a pitched or hipped roof. The reference datum shall be selected by either of the following, whichever yields the greatest height of building: (1) The elevation of the highest natural ground surface within a five-foot horizontal distance of the exterior wall of the building when the highest such natural ground surface is not more than ten feet above the lowest grade; or (2) An elevation ten feet higher than the lowest grade when the natural ground surface described in (1) is more than ten feet above the lowest grade.

(Ord. 27025.)

"Construction fire protection plan" means a document which specifies measures and practices to be incorporated into the construction process to minimize the potential for the occurrence and spread of fires, and to facilitate firefighting efforts during building construction.

(Ord. 27025.)

"Exposed wood framing" means the area of a large or major wood frame building project that is enclosed, in whole or in part, by wood stud framing and decking of the floor or roof above. Attics not designated for occupancy, balconies open to the sky and other similar open space are not included in this square footage calculation. For the purpose of measuring total square footage of wood framing, any adjacent ongoing wood frame construction is considered to be within the project when adjacent structures are separated by less than sixty feet of open air.

(Ord. 27025.)

"Fire safety officer" means an individual employed on a construction job site whose job function is to minimize the potential for the occurrence and spread of fires in accordance with the requirements of this Chapter 17.82 and the approved construction fire protection plan. The duties of a fire safety officer shall be in addition to, and do not supercede, the duties of any contractor or individual engaging in activities which have the potential to cause the occurrence or spread of fire, including but not limited to the duties specified in Chapter 33 of the 2016 California Fire Code, as adopted in Chapter 17.12 of this Code, or such other fire safety code as may be adopted by the city from time to time.

(Ords. 27025, 29808.)

"Hot work" means construction activities including, but not limited to, cutting, welding, use of open torch, brazing, and glass blowing, which are regulated by Chapter 33 of the 2016 California Fire Code, as adopted in Chapter 17.12 of this San José Municipal Code, or by any similar fire safety code or provision as may be adopted by the city from time to time.

(Ords. 27025, 29808.)

"Large wood frame building project" means a building project utilizing exposed wood framing in the construction of fifteen or more attached dwelling units, or construction exceeding a total of fifty thousand square feet.

(Ord. 27025.)

"Major wood frame building project" is large wood frame building project which will either:

A. Exceed three hundred fifty thousand square feet; or

B. Exceed two hundred thousand square feet if the project exceeds fifty feet in height as defined in Section 17.82.210.

(Ord. 27025.)

"Maximum allowable exposed wood framing limit" means:

A. Three hundred fifty thousand square feet; or

B. Two hundred thousand square feet for a large wood frame building project which exceeds fifty feet in height as defined in Section 17.82.210.

(Ord. 27025.)

"Mitigating fire protection barrier" means at least one layer of 5/8-inch gypsum board or other fire resistive blocking located at the end of a fire resistive area or separation wall or party wall, and installed such that the mitigating fire protection barrier(s) and fire resistive wall(s) enclose area(s) of not less than ten thousand square feet and not more than fifty thousand square feet.

(Ord. 27025.)