19. Building Code, etc. updates staff report
City of Cupertino
10300 Torre Avenue
Cupertino,CA 95014
(408) 777-3228
Fax (408) 777-3333
CUPERTINO
Community Development Department
Summary
Agenda Item No, 19- :11 Agenda Date: Nov. 20, 2007
SUBJECT:
Adoption of new Building, Mechanical, Plumbing, Electrical and Fire Codes as mandated
by the State of California.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council:
. Adopt the 2007 California Building Code Volumes 1 and 2 with 5 local
amendments.
. Adopt the 2007 Reference Standards.
. Adopt the 2007 California Mechanical Code.
. 'Adopt the 2007 California Plumbing Code.
. Adopt the 2007 California National Electrical Code. .
. Adopt the 2007 California Fire Code as well as repeal the existing Fire Ordinance
(Chapter 16.40) and replace with updated amendments.
. Adopt the 1997 Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings.
BACKGROUND:
The Building Standards Commission of the State of California mandates the building
related codes to be used by local jurisdictions, These codes are updated every three years.
Building Officials representing Cities in the Bay Area developed standardized codes,
interpretations and minimized local amendments to maintain consistency from one
jurisdiction to another.
DISCUSSION:
The Building Standards Commission chose the 2006 International Codes for this code
cycle, With the addition of the California amendments, the code will be the 2007
California Building Code. The Building Officials in our area have found it necessary to
make three structural amendments to the Building Code. These structural amendments
are needed because the Building Code is deficient in some structural areas, particularly
related to seismic loading, Structural concerns are great since the San Francisco Bay area
is densely populated and located in an area where earthquakes occur. The lack of
adequate design and detailing can be a contributing factor to structural damage and may
reduce the protection of building occupants as evidenced in the 1989 Lorna Prieta
earthquake. '
19.1
Adoption of new Building, Mechanical, Plumbing, Electrical and Fire Codes as mandated
by the State of California.
November 20, 2007
Page 2
, The following sections are recommended to be adopted as is:
2007 California Reference Standards
2007 California Mechanical Code
2007 California Plumbing Code
2007 California Electrical Code
1997 Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings
In staffs opinion the 2007 California Fire Code does not adequately address safety needs
for hazardous waste, storage of gases, amounts of gas/chemicals, identification signage,
cylinder leak: testing, secondary containment, hazardous fire area and standard
administration, For this reason staff recommends repealing the existing Fire Ordinance
and replacing it with the atta9hed updated fire ordinance.
Prepared by: Greg Casteel, Building Official
Approved by:
~
Steve Piasecki
Director of Community Development
David W. Knapp
City Mimager
Enclosures:
Building, Reference Standards, Mechanical, Plumbing, Electrical and Fire Code
Ordinances
19.2