Your building permit application may be reviewed by your local fire
agency to be sure that it meets the Uniform Fire Code and Uniform Building
Code requirements as adopted by that agency. Listed below are some of the
major Uniform Fire Code requirements which may affect your project. It is
highly recommended that you contact your local fire agency and ask them to
preview your plans prior to submittal to the Planning Department..
YOUR LOCAL FIRE AGENCY URGES YOU TO CONTACT THEM ABOUT THESE REQUIREMENTS BEFORE APPLYING FOR A BUILDING PERMIT
| (831) 685-6690 |
Aptos/LaSelva Beach Fire Protection District |
| (831) 726-3130 |
Aromas Tri-County Fire Protection Disctrict |
| (831) 338-7222 |
Boulder Creek Fire Protection District |
| (831) 336-5495 |
Ben Lomond Fire Protection District |
| (831) 423-8856 |
Branciforte Fire Protection District |
| (831) 479-6842 |
Central Fire Protection District |
| (831) 335-4422 |
Felton Fire Protection District |
| (831) 722 0125 |
Pajaro Valley Fire Protection District |
| (831) 438-0211 |
Scotts Valley Fire Protection District |
| (831) 335-5100 |
Zayante Fire Protection District |
| (831) 335-6748 |
County Fire |
NEW OR RECONSTRUCTED SINGLE FAMILY DWELLINGS
Please see the definition of "REMODEL" below to determine when an extensive remodel is considered a reconstruction.
- FIRE SPRINKLERS- An automatic sprinkler system approved by your local fire agency must be installed in all new and replacement single family dwellings.
- REQUIRED ACCESS- A fire access road is required when any portion of the building is more than 150 feet from the public road, as measured along an approved access route from the public road to the building.
- WATER STORAGE- An approved water supply capable of supplying the required water flow for fire protection must be provided. This may be accomplished by various means such as water tanks, reservoirs, or hydrants, but must be approved by the Fire Agency in any case. Contact your local Fire Agency for details. When a portion of the building is more than 150 feet from a water supply on a public street, an approved hydrant is required on the site
The following Uniform Building Code requirements apply to all new or reconstructed single family dwellings, and are verified by the building Inspector.
- SMOKE DETECTORS- Smoke detectors are required in each sleeping room and in hallways. A smoke detector is required at each story, including basements, and may be required at certain other locations as specified in the Building Code. Smoke detectors are required to be supplied with power by the permanent wiring and to have a battery backup. Smoke detectors must be interconnected unless tests demonstrate that the alarm from any detector is audible in all sleeping areas.
- HOUSE NUMBERS- House numbers a minimum of 4 inches in height with a contrasting background showing the address must be placed in such a position as to be plainly visible from the street adjoining the property.
- SPARK ARRESTORS- Spark arrestors are required on all chimneys. Spark arrestors must have openings 1/2 inches in diameter.
- ROOFS- Roofs must have a minimum Class B Fire Resistive rating, and Class B is required in some areas of the County.
ROOM ADDITIONS AND ACCESSORY STRUCTURES
The fire agency will review your application for projects greater than 500 square feet. Other projects will be reviewed by the Building section of the Planning Department. As a general rule, the requirements are the same for these projects as for new buildings. A sprinkler system is not required in room additions unless the existing building is equipped with a sprinkler system. However, the requirements are site specific and subject to modification by the fire agency. For this reason it is extremely important that you contact your local fire agency about these requirements BEFORE you apply for a building permit.
- Smoke detectors are required in the new construction as outlined above. In addition, smoke detectors must be installed in the existing portion of the building in the locations specified above, EXCEPT that they may be battery operated and need not be interconnected.
- House numbers showing the address must be placed in such a position as to be plainly visible from the street adjoining the property.
- Spark arresters are required on all new chimneys. Spark arresters must have openings ½ inch in diameter.
REMODELS WITH NO INCREASE IN SQUARE FOOTAGE
There are no fire agency requirements for remodels with no increase in square footage, and your plans will not be sent to the local fire agency for review.
A clear definition which distinguished between an extensive remodel and a reconstruction is necessary. The following definition establishes the maximum amount of work which can be performed on a structure and still be considered a remodel.
For the purpose of determining when the local fire agency will review plans, the following definition of "REMODEL" will apply:
A project is a remodel when both of the following are true:
- The project results in no increase in the habitable or non-habitable floor area of the structure.
- No more than 75% of the total length of the exterior walls are altered in any way.
For the purpose of this determination, "ALTERED" is defined as follows:
- Changes to the supporting members of the wall including, but not limited to:
- Replacement of all or part of a member, furring of a member, cutting or drilling of members beyond that allowed by the building code for the installation of plumbing, electrical or mechanical systems, moving the members of a wall by jacking them up, storing them on site, or otherwise changing their position in space.
- Supporting members of the wall include, but are not limited to, studs, plates, headers, trimmers, and associated blocking
-
The following are NOT considered an alteration:
- Replacement or alteration of the interior wall coverings, exterior wall coverings, plumbing systems, mechanical systems or electrical systems, and drilling or cutting of members as allowed by the building code for the installation of plumbing, electrical or mechanical systems.
- The installation of shear plywood.
- Foundation repair or replacement (provided the walls are not moved more than four feet vertically)
-
When a single stud is altered, for instance to install hold downs, three feet of wall will be considered altered.
-
When a continuous series of studs is altered within a wall, the distance from the inside surface of the unchanged studs on either end of the altered section, rounded up to the nearest foot, will be considered altered.
-
When portions of walls are altered and other portions are left unaltered, no portion of the wall less than 4 feet in length will be counted as unaltered.
-
If walls are constructed above existing walls, for instance to construct a second story addition, the lower walls will be considered unaltered to the extent that they are not altered as described above.
-
When the first story walls are raised up (for instance to perform a foundation replacement/repair or to add space beneath the structure), the walls which have been raised will be considered unaltered to the extent that they are not altered as described above.
If the project is not a remodel, it is either a room addition or a reconstruction. In either case, it will be reviewed as described above. If the project is a remodel, your plans will not be reviewed by the local fire agency.
However, the following building code requirements apply to all remodels:
- Smoke detectors are required in the remodeled portion as outlined above. In addition, smoke detectors must be installed in the existing portion of the building in the locations specified above, EXCEPT that they may be battery operated and need not be interconnected.
- House numbers showing the address a minimum of 4 inches in height with a contrasting background shall be provided in such a position as to be plainly visible from the street adjoining the property.
- Spark arresters are required on all new chimneys. Spark arresters must have openings ½ inch in diameter.
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brochure updated 4/9/08 |
