2007-083 - Seting Forth Findings with Respect to Local Conditions

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Code, 2007 Edition are reasonably necessary due to local conditions in the City of Santa Ana. Section 3. Amendments to Sections 314.3, 314.7, 609.3.1, 610.8, 718.1, and Tables 3-2 and 6-6 of the 2007 Edition of the California Plumbing Code as recommended by the Planning and Building Agency are hereby found to be reasonably necessary due to the following local conditions: A. The topography of the City of Santa Ana is near sea level. This is problematic for long distance drainage as proper drainage requires a minimum of a one percent (1%) downhill grade. Amendments to the California Plumbing Code are necessary to provide soil compaction guidelines so that installation of the drain line is well supported and prevents the failure or sagging of the drain lines due to the short range of elevation between the topographical surface of the City and the topographic surface level and location of the sewage treatment plant that the drains must reach. As a result, a certification by a registered soils engineer is necessary because there must be specific guidelines for compaction or there is a potential risk of the system's failure to drain properly. B. The City of Santa Ana is in close proximity to major active fault systems in Southern California. This area has been designated as the highest seismic risk zone in the hierarchy that rates the potential risk for seismic activity by geographical areas. As a result, amendments to the Plumbing Code are necessary because of the significant potential for damage due to seismic activity. Cast iron is deemed unsafe in light of the seismic zone because of its weight and flexibility. In addition, plastic and other nonmetallic types of piping are susceptible to fracture, joint weakening and potential failure during seismic activity. Therefore, amendments to the Plumbing Code have been made so that all suspended piping is to be braced to prevent movement or pipe failure. C. The City of Santa Ana soil is of a caustic chemical composition such that pipes subject to contact with the soil are susceptible to corrosion potentially causing damage or failure. In addition, nonmetallic piping, and particularly plastic or other materials may leach caustic chemicals into the water supply. In addition, throughout the City of Santa Ana varied soil conditions exist, resulting in acidic soil conditions. Therefore, amendments to the Plumbing Code are necessary to provide additional safeguards against corrosion of the piping materials that are necessary to maintain a properly functioning plumbing system. D. The City of Santa Ana is located in an area of low rainfall, seasonal hot, dry winds, and hot, dry summer climatic conditions. These conditions cause multiple water sources to be accessed concurrently by the same user. Amendments to the Plumbing Code are necessary to assure and adequate water supply for common domestic water demands, including landscape irrigation needs. E. The City of Santa Ana has an excessively flat-graded drain system. The City's sewer system in many areas is relatively shallow. This has precluded the design and installation of drainage systems within the code recommended grades. Resolution No. 2007-083 Page 2 of 5