Resolution - 2022-111RESOLUTION NO. 2022-111
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, MAKING FINDINGS
REGARDING THE NEED FOR MODIFICATIONS TO
PROVISIONS OF THE 2022 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE DUE TO
LOCAL CLIMATIC, GEOLOGICAL OR TOPOGRAPHICAL
CONDITIONS
WHEREAS, California Health and Safety Code Section 18938 makes certain provisions
published in the California Building Standards Code pursuant to California Health and Safety
Code Section 17922 applicable to all occupancies throughout the State and effective 180 days
after publication by the California Building Standards Commission ("Commission"), or at a later
date established by the Commission; and
WHEREAS, California Health and Safety Code Section 17958 permits cities to amend the
requirements of the California Building Standards Code, which includes the California Fire Code,
in accordance with California Health and Safety Code Sections 17958.5 and 17958.7; and
WHEREAS, Section 13143.5 of the California Health and Safety Code permits the City,
by ordinance, to make changes or modifications to the California Fire Code that are more stringent
than the requirements published in the California Fire Code, relating to fire and panic safety; and
WHEREAS, California Health and Safety Code Section 17958.5 permits cities in adopting
provisions of the California Fire Code to make such modifications in such provisions as a city
determines, pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Section 17958.7, are reasonably
necessary because of local climatic, geological, or topographical conditions; and
WHEREAS, California Health and Safety Code Section 17958.7 requires that a city,
before making modifications pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Section 17958.5,
make an express finding that such modifications are reasonably necessary because of local
climatic, geological, or topographical conditions; and
WHEREAS, under California Health and Safety Code Section 17958.7, modifications
pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Section 17958.5 may not become effective until
the required findings and the modifications have been filed with the California Building Standards
Commission; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of West Covina ("City Council") intends to adopt
an ordinance adopting by reference certain provisions of the 2022 California Fire Code and
making modifications to certain of those provisions pursuant to California Health and Safety Code
Section 17958.5 ("Fire Code Adoption Ordinance"); and
WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed the attached Exhibit A, which sets forth the
reasons for the proposed modifications to the 2022 California Fire Code contained in the Fire
Code Adoption Ordinance.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA,
CALIFORNIA DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City Council finds and declares that the changes to the provisions of
the 2022 California Fire Code set forth in the Fire Code Adoption Ordinance are reasonably
necessary because of the local climatic, geological, or topographical conditions set forth in Exhibit
A in accordance with California Health and Safety Code Section 17958.7.
SECTION 2. The City Clerk shall file a copy of this Resolution, including Exhibit A, shall
with the California Building Standards Commission in accordance with California Health and
Safety Code Section 17958.7.
SECTION 3. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this resolution and shall enter
the same in the book of original resolutions and it shall become effective immediately.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 1 st day of November, 2022.
APPROVED AS TO FORM
4)1—�
Thomas P. Dua
City Attorney
Dario Castellanos
Mayor
ATTEST
� U
Lisa Sherr k
Assistant City Clerk
I, LISA SHERRICK, Assistant City Clerk of the City of West Covina, California, do hereby
certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 2022-111 was duly adopted by the City Council of the
City of West Covina, California, at a regular meeting thereof held on the 1st day of November,
2022, by the following vote of the City Council:
AYES: Castellanos, Diaz, Lopez-Viado, Tabatabai, Wu
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Lisa Sty rrick
Assists t City Clerk
EXHIBIT A
FINDINGS REGARDING THE NEED FOR AMENDMENTS TO PROVISIONS IN THE 2022
CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE DUE TO LOCAL CLIMATIC, GEOLOGICAL OR
TOPOGRAPHICAL CONDITIONS
The City of West Covina makes the following findings regarding the need to amend the 2022
California Fire Code:
Finding No. 1 — Climatic Conditions: The City of West Covina experiences low humidity, high
winds, and warm temperatures throughout the year creating conditions which are particularly
conducive to the ignition and spread of grass, brush, and structure fires.
Finding No. 2 — Topographical Conditions: The hillside areas in the City along with long, narrow
roadways significantly impact the ability of emergency responders to extinguish or control wildland
or structure fires.
Finding No. 3 — Geographic Conditions: The City of West Covina is situated adjacent to active
earthquake faults capable of producing substantial seismic events. Should a significant seismic
event occur, uncontrolled hazardous materials releases and fires could pose the greatest threat
to the largest number of people. Since the City is divided by a freeway and highway, a major
earthquake would significantly impact the ability of fire crews to respond to emergencies should
one or more roadways be blocked or damaged due to bridge collapse or debris from falling
structures. Additionally, fire suppression capabilities will be severely limited should the water
system be extensively damaged during the seismic event.
Therefore, in order to minimize the risks to persons and property due to potential response delays
and compromised fire suppression capabilities, mitigation measures are necessary such as but
not limited to, automatic fire suppression systems, controls for hazardous materials, safety
provisions in buildings for firefighters and additional fire hydrants.
The table below sets forth the City of West Covina's amendments to the 2022 California Fire Code
and states which of the findings above make each amendment reasonably necessary.
Sections of the 2022 Fire Code
Added, Amended
or Deleted?
Findings
101.1 Title
Amended
Administrative
104.11 Fire Investigations)
Added
1, 2, 3
105.5 (Required Operational Permits
Amended
1, 2, 3
105.5.55 Christmas Tree Sales Lots
Added
1, 2, 3
105.5.55.1 Permits — Christmas Tree Sales Lots
Added
1, 2, 3
105.5.55.2 Fire Protection
Added
1, 2, 3
105.5.55.3 Tents or Canopies on Christmas Tree Lots
Added
1, 2, 3
105.5.55.4 (Display)
Added
1, 2, 3
105.5.55.5 Lot Closure
Added
A2,3
111.1 Board of Appeals Established
Amended
Administrative
Appendix A - A101.3(Membership of Board
Amended
Administrative
112.4 Violation Penalties
Amended
Administrative
304.1.2 (Vegetation)
Amended
1, 2, 3
304.1.2.1 (High Fire Hazard Designation)
Added
1, 2, 3
503.3 (Markings or Postings of Fire Apparatus Access
Roads
Amended
1, 2, 3
503.4 (Obstruction or Blocking of Fire Apparatus Access
Roads
Amended
503.5.1(Security Gates and Building Security Access
Amended
503.E(Security Gates and Building Security Access
Amended
1, 2, 3
505.1 Address Numbers
Amended
1, 2, 3
507.3 Fire Flow
Amended
1, 2, 3
Appendix B Fire Flow
Amended
1, 2, 3
901.4 Installation
Amended
1, 2, 3
901.4.1(Group R Occupancies)
Amended
1, 2, 3
901.4.2(Group R Occupancies - Si na a and Valves
Amended
1, 2, 3
901.6.1 Standards
Amended
1, 2, 3
903.2 Fire Sprinkler Systems - Where Required)
Amended
1, 2, 3
903.2.3(Group E
Amended
1, 2, 3
903.2.11 (Specific Buildings and Hazards
Amended
1, 2, 3
903.3.5.3 (Hydraulically Calculated Systems)
Added
1, 2, 3
903.4.2.1 Alarm Devices
Added
1, 2, 3
5601.1.3 Fireworks
Amended
1, 2, 3
5608.2 Permit Required)
Added
1, 2, 3
5609.2 Sale and Retail Display)
Added
1, 2, 3
6104.2 Maximum Capacity within Established Limits
Amended
1, 2, 3
Chapter 80 Referenced Standards
Amended
1, 2, 3