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

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Additionally, many areas of Santa Ana have a high water table which results in an unstable soil condition. Pipe settlement due to uncompacted soil may result in a drainage system which is flat or reverse graded, causing stoppages or complete blockage of the drainage system. Amendments to the Plumbing Code are necessary to prevent stoppages or complete blockage of the drainage system. Section 4. Amendments to Section 602.1 of the 2007 Edition of the California Mechanical Code as recommended by the Planning and Building Agency are hereby found to be reasonably necessary because of corrosion related to the high seasonal humidity in this coastal area and the City of Santa Ana which prevents moisture collecting in flexible ducting of evaporative cooling systems from draining and evaporating. Said conditions contribute to the deterioration of the ductwork thereby endangering a person's health and the environment. Amendments to the California Mechanical code are necessary to prevent said deterioration. Section 5. Amendments to Sections 110-5 and 336-5 of the 2007 Edition of the California Electrical Code as recommended by the Planning and Building Agency are hereby found to be reasonably necessary because 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 such, there is a likelihood that certain conductors will have a propensity to work loose from their connection potentially precipitating a fire during seismic activity. Moreover, certain cables do not provide the degree of protections that is needed in the event of an earthquake. Amendments to the California Electrical Code are necessary to address the risk of fire due to such causes and to assure that adequate protection is provided in the workplace and in other places of public gathering. Section 6. Amendments to Sections 202,508,903,907,907.2.12, and 907.9.3 the 2007 Edition of the California Fire Code as recommended by the Fire Department are hereby found to be reasonably necessary due to the following local conditions: A. The City of Santa Ana exhibits the climatic and geographic conditions of high winds and low humidity. This combination of conditions creates an environment that is conducive to rapidly spreading fire. Control of such fire requires rapid response. Obstacles generated by a strong wind, such as fallen trees, street lights and utility poles, and the requirement to climb 75 feet vertically up flights of stairs will greatly impact the response time to reach an incident scene. B. The City of Santa Ana is located in an area that has been designated as the highest seismic risk zone in the hierarchy that rates the potential risk for seismic activity by geographical areas. The viability of the public water system would be questionable after a large earthquake leaving tall buildings vulnerable to uncontrolled fires and the inability to pump sufficient quantities of water to upper floors. Amendments to the California Fire Code are necessary to address these obstacles. C. The City of Santa Ana is a city with a high-density population. A high- density population coupled with high winds and low humidity may be conducive to the Resolution No. 2007-083 Page 3 of 5