HomeMy Public PortalAboutOrdinance 546-1Co k OT -.D MANCE NO. 546
AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE
PROVIDING FOR FIRE PROTECTION REGULATIONS
The Board of Supervisors of the County of Riverside, State
of California, do ordain as follows:
DIVISION 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 101. This ordinance shall be known and may be
cited as the Riverside County Fire Ordinance. The provisions
hereof shall apply to all of the unincorporated area of the
County of Riverside.
Section 102. This ordinance shall be construed and ap-
plied to promote its basic purposes and policies which are:
a. To safeguard to a reasonable degree life and pro-
perty from the hazards of fire and explosion aris-
ing from the storage, handling and use of hazardous
substances, materials and devices.
b. To safeguard to a reasonable degree life and pro-
perty from hazardous conditions arising from the
division of land and the use or occupancy of build-
ings or premises.
Section 103. This ordinance shall not be construed to
hold the County of Riverside or any of its officers or em-
ployees responsible for any damage to persons or property by
reason of the inspection or reinspection authorized herein or
by reason of the approval or disapproval of any equipment or
process authorized herein, or for any action in connection
with the control or extinguishment of any fire or in connect-
ion with any other official duties.
Section 104. In this ordinance unless the context other-
wise requires, the following words shall have the following
meanings:
a. BUILDING, for purposes of Division VIII of this Ord-
inance, shall not be construed to mean any structure
constructed as a garage, barn, hayshed, granary,
livestock shed, implement shed, or shelter for birds
or animals, provided however, that any such struc-
ture 75 feet or less from the boundary of the parcel
of property on which it is located shall be consid-
ered a building for purposes of Division VIII.
b. BUILDING DIRECTOR shall mean the Building Director
of the County of Riverside or his authorized repre-
sentative.
c. COMBUSTIBLE WASTE MATERIAL shall mean all rubbish
and refuse that will ignite through contact with
flames of ordinary temperatures, including but not
limited to magazines, books, trimmings from lawns,
trees, gardens, pasteboard boxes, rags, paper,
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straw, sawdnst, packing material, shavings and
boxes.
d. COUNTY FIRE WARDEN shall mean the Fire Warden of the
County of Riverside or his authorized representative.
e. EXTRA. HAZARDOUS OCCUPANCIES shall mean, but shall not
be limited to, those occupancies defined in Section
38.104(c) of the Uniform Building Code Standards,
1973 Edition.
f. FIRE APPLIANCE shall mean a fire extinguisher or any
other apparatus or equipment provided or installed
for use in the event of an emergency.
g. FIRE-RESISTIVE(TYPES 1 AND II)CONSTRUCTION shall
mean those types of construction defined in Chapters
18 and 19 of the 1973 Edition of the Uniform Build-
ing Code.
h. FIREWORKS shall mean any device containing chemical
elements and chemical compounds capable of burning
independently of the oxygen of the atmosphere and
producing audible, visual, mechanical, or thermal
effects which are useful as pyrotechnic devices or
for entertainment. The term "fireworks" includes,
but is not limited to, devices designated by the
manufacturer as fireworks, torpedoes, skyrockets,
roman candles, rockets, Daygo bombs, sparklers,
party poppers, paper caps, chasers, fountains,
smoke sparks, aerial bombs and fireworks kits.
i. FLAMMRBLE MATERIAL shall mean any material that will
readily ignite from common sources of heat.
j. LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS (LP GAS) shall mean any
material which is composed predominately of the fol-
lowing hydrocarbons, or mixtures of them: propane,
propylene, butane (normal butance or isobutane) and
butylenes.
k. LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS EQUIPMENT shall mean all con-
tainers, apparatus, piping (not including utility
distribution piping system), and equipment pertinent
to the storage and handling of liquefied petroleum
gas; provided, however, that gas consuming appli-
ances shall not be considered as being. liquefied
petroleum gas equipment.
1. MODEL ROCKET shall mean any toy or educational de-
vice which weighs not more than 500 grams, includ-
ing the engine and any payload, that is propelled by
model rocket engines.
m. MODEL ROCKET ENGINE shall mean a commercially manu-
factured, nonreusable rocket propulsion device which
is constructed of a nonmetallic casing and solid pro-
pellant, wherein all of the ingredients are self-con-
tained so as not to require mixing or handling by
the user and which have design and construction char-
acteristics determined by the State Fire Marshal to
provide a reasonable degree of safety to the user.
n. NON-COMBUSTIBLE (TYPE IV) CONSTRUCTION shall mean
those types of construction defined in Chapter 21 of
the 1973 Edition of the Uniform Building Code.
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o. ORDINARY (TYPE III) CONSTRUCTION shall mean those
types of construction defined in Chapter 20 of the
1973 Edition of the Uniform Building Code.
PERSON shall mean any person, firm, corporation or
association.
PLACES OF ASSEMBLY shall mean the gathering toget-
her of 50 or more persons for such purposes as de-
liberation, education, instruction, worship, enter-
tainment, amusement or awaiting transportation or
of 100 or more persons in drinking or dining estab-
lishments.
r. ROAD COMMISSIONER shall mean the Road Commissioner
of Riverside County or his authorized representa-
tive.
s. WOODFRAME (TYPE V) CONSTRUCTION shall mean those
types of construction defined in Chapter 22 of the
1973 Edition of the Uniform Building Code.
t. FIRE HAZARD shall mean any condition, arrangement,
act or omission which increases, or may cause an in-
crease of the hazard or menace of fire to a greater
degree than that customarily recognized as normal
by persons in the public service regularly engaged
in preventing, suppressing or extinguishing fire;
or which may obstruct, delay, hinder or interfere
with the operations of the Fire Department or the
egress of occupants in the event of fire.
4 -
DIVISION II
ADMINISTRATION
Section 201. There is hereby established in the County
of Riverside a "Department of Fire Protection" which shall
be under the jurisdiction of the County Fire Warden.
Section 202. The County Fire Warden shall be appointed
by the Board of Supervisors.
Section 203. The County Fire Warden is authorized and
directed to enforce all applicable State fire laws and the
provisions of this ordinance, and he shall perform such re-
lated duties as may be fixed by the Board of Supervisors, and
for such purposes he shall have the power of a peace officer.
Section 204. All interpretations of the provisions of
this ordinance shall be made by the County Fire Warden.
Section 205.
a. There is hereby created a Fire Protection Review
Board to act in an advisory capacity to the County
Fire Warden. The purpose of this Board shall be to
review interpretations made by the County Fire War-
den pursuant to the immediately preceding section.
The Board shall meet at least once in each calendar
year, but other meetings may be called by the
Chairman.
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b. The Board shall be appointed by the Board of Super-
visors and shall consist of five members who are
qualified by experience and training to pass upon
matters dealing with fire protection. The member-
ship shall include one architect recommended by the
Riverside Chapter of the American Institute of
Architects, one civil engineer recommended by the
Civil Engineers and Land Surveyors Association of
Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, one hydrau-
lic engineer recommended by the Riverside County
Water Association, one Fire Officer from the County
of Riverside recommended by the Riverside County
Fire Chiefs' Association, and one representative of
the general public. The members shall be appointed
for a three year term; however, the initial Board
shall be appointed as follows: One member shall be
appointed for one year, two members shall be ap
pointed for two years, and two members shall be ap-
pointed for three years. A Chairman of the Board
shall be elected annually by the members thereof.
No member of the Board shall be an employee of the
County of Riverside.
c. Any person desiring a review of an interpretation
of this ordinance by the County Fire Warden may
file a request with the Fire Protection Review
Board for a hearing, upon the form provided by the
Board, within 15 days after the date of said inter-
pretation. The effect of the interpretation to be
reviewed is suspended until the termination of the
hearing.
d. The Chairman shall fix the time and place of the
hearing which shall be at a meeting of the Board
held not less than 10 nor more than thirty days
after the date of filing of the request for hear-
ing. The Board shall give written notice of the
time and place of the hearing to the initiating
party and the County Fire Warden. Witnesses may
be sworn and examined and evidence produced only by
those interested parties who appear in person. The
Board shall keep a record of the proceedings of each
hearing.
e. The Board shall make written findings and conclu-
sions and forward its recommendation to the County
Fire Warden and the applicant within five days after
the close of the hearing. The affirmative vote of
not less than three members shall constitute the
recommendation of the Board.
f. The County Fire Warden shall decide within 10 days
of notification of the decision of the Board whether
to accept or reject its recommendation and shall im-
mediately notify the applicant of his decision.
g. Upon being notified of the decision of the County
Fire Warden, the applicant may appeal the interpre-
tation the County Fire Warden has given to the pro-
vision of this ordinance which is in dispute or the
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recommended interpretation of said provision by the
Fire Protection Review Board or both. Any such ap-
peal shall be made directly to the Board of Super-
visors and must be filed within 25 calendar days
after the date of the hearing before the Fire Pro-
tection Review Board and must be in writing on the
forms provided by the County Fire Warden. Upon
receipt of a completed appeal, the Clerk of the
Board shall set the matter for hearing before the
Board of Supervisors not less than 5 days nor more
than 30 days thereafter and shall give written not-
ice of the hearing to the appellant and the County
Fire Warden. The Board of Supervisors shall render
its decision within 30 days following the close of
the hearing on the appeal.
Section 206. The County Fire Warden shall make such in-
spections of buildings, premises, land uses and appliances,
as may be necessary, for the purpose of ascertaining and
causing to be corrected any conditions which would tend to
cause fire or contribute to its spread, or which may be a
violation of the provisions of this ordinance or any state
law or regulation involving fire safety.
Section 207. The County Fire Warden shall investigate
the origin, cause and circumstances of every fire occurring
within the unincorporated area of the County of Riverside
which involves loss of life or injury to person or property.
If, after such investigation, it appears that the fire is of
suspicious origin, the County Fire Warden shall take immedi-
ate.charge of all physical evidence relating to the cause of
the fire and shall pursue the investigation to its conclusion.
Section 208.
a. Whenever the County Fire Warden shall find this or-
dinance being violated, he shall issue such written
orders as are necessary for its enforcement. A
written order requiring compliance shall include a
time limit for compliance, taking into account the
hazard and danger created by the violation.
b. Notwithstanding the above, whenever the County Fire
Warden finds the use of any building, structure or
premises to be so defective or otherwise unsafe that
it constitutes an immediate and substantial fire haz-
ard to life and property, he shall issue such written
notices to alter said use as may be necessary. Un-
til all conditions of such written notices have been
met, the building, structure or premises which has
caused the fire hazard shall not be used or be per-
mitted to be used.
c. All orders issued pursuant to this section may be
served by personal delivery of a copy of the order
to the owner of the property. Service of the order
is deemed complete at the time of such delivery. If
a copy of the order cannot with reasonable diligence
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be personally delivered to the person to be served,
the order may be served by leaving a copy of the or-
der at the owner's dwelling house, usual place of
abode, or usual place of business with a competent
member of the household or a person apparently in
charge of his office or place of business, at least
18 years of age, who shall be informed of the con-
tent thereof, or if no such person is found on the
premises, by affixing a copy of the order in a con-
spicuous place on the door to the entrance of said
premises, and thereafter mailing a copy, by certi-
fied mail, of the order that was left, to the per-
son sought to be served. Service of the order shall
be deemed complete on the 10th day after such mail-
ing. Any order issued and served pursuant to this
section shall be complied with by the owner or the
person having control of the property.
Section 209. The County Fire Warden shall keep a record
of all fires occurring within the unincorporated area of the
County. This record shall contain a description of the ex-
tent of each fire, the damage caused thereby and the cause
of each fire, if determinable, together with such other facts
as are necessary. All such records shall be kept for a per-
iod of not less than three years.
Section 210. Those individuals charged with primary re-
sponsibility for fire protection in the Cleveland and San
Bernardino National Forests or their authorized representa-
tive, may, but are not required to, enforce the provisions of
this ordinance and perform those duties which, but for this
section, would be performed by the County Fire Warden.
Section 211. No person, firm,corporation or association
shall permit any fire hazard to exist in premises or in an
area under their control, or fail to take immediate action
to abate a fire hazard when requested to do so by the County
Fire Warden.
DIVISION III
FIRE ZONES
Section 301. All of the unincorporated area of the County
of Riverside is placed in Fire Zone 3. Any building or struc-
ture complying with the requirements of the 1973 edition of
the Uniform Building Code and with this ordinance may be
erected, constructed, moved within or into Fire Zone No. 3.
DIVISION IV
GENERAL PRECAUTIONS AGAINST FIRE
Section 401.
a. No person shall light a fire or use fire for the
clearing of land, or burn brush, slash, fallen tim-
ber, grass or other flammable material, without
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first having obtained a written permit from the
County Fire Warden. The permittee shall abide by
all conditions of the permit and any violation
thereof shall be grounds for revocation.
b. No person shall, within any grass, brush or other
area covered with flammable material, except as
hereafter provided, make, kindle, light, build or
use any campfire, bonfire or other out-of-door fire,
or burn flammable materials in any incinerator or
other type of burning receptacle, without first ob-
taining a written permit from the County Fire War-
den.
c. The County Fire Warden may designate places on pri-
vate property at the request of the owner, where
campfires may be built. The owner shall cause to
be placed proper signs or posters approved by the
County Fire Warden which clearly state the place
where campfires may be built without a special per-
mit. All such signs shall clearly indicate that all
fires must be thoroughly extinguished and covered
with mineral soil before they can be left unattend-
ed.
d. All outdoor open fires shall be constantly attend-
ed by a competent person until such fire is ex-
tinguished.
e. The County Fire Warden may prohibit any or all out-
door fires when atmospheric conditions or local
circumstances make such fires hazardous.
Section 402.
a. Where conditions in or around warehouses, stores,
industrial plants, institutions, schools, or other
places of assembly are such as to make smoking a
hazard, and in open spaces where combustible ma-
terials are stored or handled, the County Fire War-
den may order the owner or occupant, in writing to
post "NO SMOKING" signs in each building, structure,
room or place in which smoking shall be prohibited.
Such signs shall be conspicuously and suitably lo-
cated. The County Fire Warden may designate speci-
fic areas at such locations in which smoking will be
permitted.
b. No person, within the boundaries of any hazardous
fire area in the unincorporated area of the County
of Riverside shall, between the first day of May and
last day of January of each year, smoke a cigar,
cigarette, tobacco, or any other similar substance,
except at designated campgrounds, designated smoking
areas and occupied places of habitation. Smoking in
such designated campgrounds, areas and places of
habitation, shall be permitted only in those portions
thereof which are protected by a firebreak and which
are cleared of all flammable materials and vegetation.
The Fire Warden may, during periods of high fire
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danger, designate areas within the County of River-
side outside the hazardous fire areas where smoking
will be prohibited. The Fire Warden shall post
"NO SMOKING" signs at all roads and trails entering
such areas of fire danger and intermittently along
roads and trails traversing said area.
Section 403. Any chimney upon any cabin, house, hotel,
house trailer, or other building or improvement located in
any timber, grass, brush, or grain covered area shall have
across the opening thereof a galvanized or copper screen
spark arrester of a mesh not larger than one-half of an
inch.
Section 404. No person shall transport, possess, fire or
discharge any bullets or ammunition of any kind containing
thermit, magnesium, or aluminum components.
Section 405. Every person, owning, leasing or otherwise
controlling improved real property, and every person, owning,
leasing or otherwise controlling real property adjacent to
improved real property, shall maintain an effective fire
break for the protection of improvements by removing all
hazardous flammable materials or growth from the ground
around each improvement for a distance of not less than 30
feet from its exterior circumference. The County Fire War-
den may require a distance of up to 100 feet to be cleared
if he determines that the greater distance is necessary to
protect improvements. Where the distance from the improve-
ments to the property line of the parcel upon which the im-
provement is located is less than the distance required to
be cleared, the adjacent owner or lessee shall clear an area
on his property sufficient to provide the required fire
break.
Section 406. Clearance of Brush and Vegetative Growth
from. Electrical Transmission Lines and Railroad Right -of -
Ways
a. Every person, owning, controlling,operating or
maintaining any electrical transmission line on any
land covered with flammable vegetation shall
maintain around any pole supporting a switch, fuse,
transformer, lightning arrester, or line junction,
if bolted connectors are used, an effective fire
break, consisting of a clearing of not less than
10 feet in each direction from the outer circum-
ference of such pole. This section shall not ap-
ply to lines used exclusively as telephone, tele-
graph or telegraph messenger call, fire or alarm
lines, or other lines classed as communication cir-
cuits by the California Public Utilities Commission.
b. Every person, owning, controlling, operating or
maintaining any electrical transmission line in any
hazardous fire area shall maintain the following
clearances in all directions between vegetation and
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conductors carrying electrical current:
1. For lines operating at 2400 volts and less
than 72,000 volts, 4 feet.
2. For lines operating at 72,000 volts and less
than 110,000 volts, 6 feet.
3. For lines operating at 110,000 volts and over,
10 feet
Trees that are dead, decadent, rotten, weak-
ened by catfaces, decay or disease, and trees
that are forked or leaning toward the lines,
which may contact the line from the side or
may fall on the line, shall be cut or trimmed
so as to remove the hazard.
c. No clearance is required under this section when
self-supporting aerial cable is used except that
forked trees and growth that may fall across the ca-
ble and break it shall be removed.
d. Every person owning, controlling, operating or
maintaining any railroad within the County of River-
side shall clear and maintain free of flammable
vegetation those portions of the land adjoining
its roadbeds the County Fire Warden requests be
cleared and maintained; provided, however, that in
no case shall the County Fire Warden require that
land be cleared pursuant to this subsection that is
beyond any railroad right of way line.
e. Nothing contained in this section shall be con-
strued to require any person to maintain any clear-
ing on land where such person does not have the le-
gal right to maintain such clearing.
Section 407. No person shall throw down or drop any
lighted match, cigar, cigarette or other burning substance,
in combustible material or in close proximity thereto.
Section 408. No person shall deposit hot ashes, cinders,
smoldering coals, or greasy or oily substances subject to
spontaneous ignition, into any non-metal uncovered receptacle,
or place the same within 10 feet of any combustible materials.
Such receptacles, unless resting on a noncombustible floor or
on the ground outside the buildings, shall be placed on non-
combustible stands and in every case shall be kept at least
2 feet away from any combustible wall, partition, or ex-
terior window opening.
Section 409. Every outdoor fireplace or permanent bar-
beque or grill shall be maintained in good repair and in a
safe condition at all times. Any such appliance which does
not have a door or spark arrester screens covering each of
its openings shall not be used until approved by the County
Fire Warden.
Section 410.
a. No person shall transport, or permit to be trans-
ported over any highway, road or street, any asphalt
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546-10
kettle beneath which is maintained any open fire,
heated coals, or ashes.
b. Asphalt kettles shall not be used inside of, or on
the roof of, any building. There shall be one or
more approved fire extinguishers with a total ex-
tinguishing capacity equal to a 20 BC classification
extinguisher within 30 feet of each asphalt kettle
during the period such kettle is in use, and one ad-
ditional 20 BC classification fire extinguisher on
the roof being covered.
Section 411. Every outside window, in a building used for
manufacturing purposes or for storage, which opens directly
on any hoistway or other vertical means of communication be-
tween two or more floors in such buildings, shall be plainly
marked with the word "SHAFTWAY" in red letters at least 6
inches high on a white background, which warning sign shall
be so placed as to be easily discernible from the outside of
the building. Every door or window opening on such shaftway
from the interior of the building, unless the construction
of the partition surrounding the shaftway is of such dis-
tinctive nature as to make its purpose evident at a glance,
shall be similarly marked with the warning word "SHAFTWAY"
so placed as to be easily visible to anyone approaching the
shaftway from the interior of the building.
Section 412. Any person using a torch or other flame -
producing device for removing paint from any building or
structure shall provide one approved fire extinguisher or
water hose equipped with a suitable nozzle, sufficient in
length to reach all portions of the building and connected
to the water supply on the premises where such burning is
done.
Section 413. No person shall maintain any torch or lan-
tern utilizing an open flame along any excavation, road, or
any place where the dislodgement of the torch or lantern may
permit it to roll, fall or slide on to any forest or brush
covered land, or any other land containing flammable material.
Section 414. No person shall use any open flame device
for lighting or decoration on the exterior of any boat or on
any slip or wharf or for maintenance or repair on any slip or
wharf without first obtaining a permit from the County Fire
Warden.
Section 415. Upon vacating or abandoning any premises,
the occupant thereof shall remove hazardous material or
waste matter which has accumulated thereon.
Section 416. Every person owning, or in control of, any
vacant building shall remove therefrom all accumulations of
combustible waste or rubbish and shall secure all doors and
windows.
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Section 417. Every building or portion of a building
shall be maintained in a neat orderly manner, free from any
condition that would create a fire or life hazard or a con-
dition which would add to or contribute to the rapid spread
of fire.
Section 418.
a. The County Fire Warden is hereby given the author-
ity to require areas to be cleared of obstructions
and maintained as FIRE LANES at any location where
he has determined that the circumstances are such
that without such FIRE LANES the entry by and use
of fire apparatus for fire suppression or rescue
purposes would be obstructed or otherwise rendered
unduly difficult.
b. Appropriate signs of a type specified by the County
Fire Warden which contain the phrase "FIRE LANE"
shall be placed by the owner of the land in those
locations approved by the County Fire Warden.
c. No person shall stop or park a vehicle within, or
otherwise obstruct, any area designated as a FIRE
LANE by the County Fire Warden.
DIVISION V
FIREWORKS
Section 501. No person shall have in his possession, or
keep, store, use, shoot, discharge, set off, ignite, manu-
facture, sell, give or transport any fireworks, except for
use as agricultural and wildlife fireworks or for use in a
public display of fireworks pursuant to a permit obtained
under the provisions of Sections 12640-12654 of the Cali-
fornia Health and Safety Code; provided, however, that this
section shall not be construed to prohibit the firing of
model rockets if prior to firing any such model rocket from
any site the firer first secures the written or verbal
authorization to do so from the County Fire Warden and other-
wise complies with Article 14 of Title 19 of the California
Administrative Code.
DIVISION VI
HAZARDOUS FIRE AREA
Section 601. The hazardous fire areas within the County
of Riverside are those portions of the unincorporated area
so designated on the maps entitled "Hazardous Fire Areas of
Riverside County" on file in the office of the Clerk of this
Board and in the office of the County Fire Warden of River -
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546-12
side County. The hazardous fire areas shall be reviewed from
time to time to determine whether any changes in classifi-
cation are appropriate.
Section 602. The County Fire Warden is hereby given the
authority to officially determine and publicly announce the
closure of any hazardous fire area or portion thereof. How-
ever, any closure by the County Fire Warden for a period of
more than 15 days must be approved by the Board of Super-
visors within 15 days of the County Fire Warden's original
order of closure. No person shall go in, or be upon, any
hazardous fire, except upon the public roadways and in-
habited areas therein during such time as the area is closed
to entry. This section shall not prohibit residents or own-
ers of private property within any closed area, or their in-
vitees, from going in or being upon their lands. This sec-
tion does not apply to any entry, in the course of duty by a
peace officer or any other duly authorized public officer,
member of any Fire Department, or member of the U.S. Forest
Service or California Division of Forestry nor does this
section apply to National Forest Land in any respect. Dur-
ing periods of closure, the County Fire Warden shall erect
and maintain at all entrances to the closed areas sufficient
signs giving adequate notice of the closure.
Section 603. The County Fire Warden is hereby given the
authority to require areas to be cleared and maintained as
FIRE SAFETY ZONES by the owner of the land to be cleared in
any hazardous fire area where structures of any type exist.
All cleared FIRE SAFETY ZONES shall be at least 200 feet
square but in no case shall exceed 3 acres for every 50
acres of total land area. Metal signs of a size specified
by the County Fire Warden which designate FIRE SAFETY ZONE
shall be placed by the owner of the land in a location ap-
proved by the County Fire Warden.
Section 604. No person shall use any lighted or smold-
ering material in connection with smoking bees in or upon
any hazardous fire area without first obtaining a permit
from the County Fire Warden.
Section 605.
a. No person shall operate or use any device, machine
or process, such as a welding torch, tar pot, or
decorative torch, liable to start or cause fire, in
or upon any hazardous fire area, without first hav-
ing obtained a written permit from the County Fire
Warden, which may be issued on an annual basis.
However, no permit will be required if such use is
within inhabited premises or designated campfires
and such uses are a minimum of 30 feet from any
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grass, grain, brush or forest covered areas.
b. No person shall operate or use any flame employing
device such as a lantern or kerosene road flare
as a signal or marker in or upon any hazardous fire
area. However, this subsection shall not apply to
or restrict the proper use of fuses at the scenes
of emergencies or as required by standard railroad
operating procedures.
Section 606. Any person owning, leasing, controlling,
operating or maintaining any building or structure within a
hazardous fire area shall at all times:
a. Remove that portion of any tree which extends with-
in 10 feet of the outlet of any chimney;
b. Maintain any tree adjacent to or overhanging any
building free of deadwood; and
c. Maintain the roof of any structure free of hazard-
ous-. accumulations of leaves, needles or other dead
vegetative growth.
Section 607. No person shall deposit any solid waste or
rubbish in or upon any hazardous fire area other than in es-
tablished County Disposal sites.
Section 608. No person shall deposit any ashes or coals
in or upon any hazardous fire area except in the hearth of
an established fire pit, camp stove, or fireplace, or in a
non-combustible container with a tight -fitting lid which is
kept or maintained in a safe location not less than 10 feet
from any combustible vegetation or structure. However, if
ashes or coals are buried and covered with one foot of min-
eral earth, they may be deposited within 25 feet of com-
bustible vegetation or structures.
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DIVISION VII
FIRE PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS FOR
LAND DIVIS IONS IN ZONES WHICH ALLOW
MULTI -FAMILY RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL,
AND INDUSTRIAL USES
Section 701. No division of land in any zone that al-
lows multi -family residential, commercial or industrial
uses shall be approved, pursuant to the provisions of Ord-
inance No. 460, unless the Land Division Committee makes a
finding that the land division currently has the following
fire protection or unless the approved tentative subdivi-
sion or parcel map requires the installation of the fol-
lowing fire protection facilities:
a. Land divisions in zones which allow multi -family
residential uses, land divisions in zones which
allow commercial buildings where the lots created
areone acre gross in size or less, and land
divisions in zones which allow light manufacturing
uses, shall provide the following:
1. The water mains shall be capable of providing
a potential fire flow of 2500 gpm and the ac-
tual fire flow available from any one hydrant
connected to any given water main shall be
1500, gpm for 2 hours duration at 20 psi resi-
dual operating pressure.
2. Approved fire hydrants shall be located at
each street intersection, if possible, but in
no event shall there be an interval of more
than 400 feet between hydrants.
b. Land divisions in zones which allow commercial
buildings where the lots created are larger than
one acre gross and land divisions in zones which al-
low medium industrial uses shall provide the fol-
lowing:
1. The water mains shall be capable of providing
a potential fire flow of 4000 gpm and the ac-
tual fire flow available from any two adja-
cent hydrants connected to any given water
main shall be 2000 gpm for 2 hours duration
at 20 psi residual operating pressure.
2. Approved fire hydrants shall be located at
each street intersection, if possible, but in
no event shall there be an interval of more
than 300 feet between hydrants.
c. Land divisions in zones which allow heavy indus-
trial uses shall provide the following:
1. The water mains shall be capable of providing
a potential fire flow of 5000 gpm and the ac-
tual fire flow available from any two adjacent
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546-14
hydrants connected to any given water main
shall be 2500 gpm for 2 hours duration at 20
psi residual operating pressure.
2. Approved fire hydrants shall be located at
each street intersection, if possible, but in
no event shall there be an interval of more
than 300 feet between hydrants.
Section 702. No division of land in zones which allow
multi -family residential, commercial or industrial uses shall
be approved pursuant to the provisions of Ordinance No. 460
unless the Land Division Committee makes a finding that the
proposed land division complies with the requirements of this
section. For purposes of this section, roadway shall mean
any highway or private street improved or designed or ordin-
arily used for vehicle traffic.
a. No dead-end or cul-de-sac road shall exceed 1,000
feet in length.
b. In any hazardous fire area of Riverside County, no
dead-end or cul-de-sac road shall exceed 600 feet
in length.
c. All dead-end roads shall be appropriately marked.
d. Metal signs of a size approved by the County Fire
Warden with the designation FIRE ESCAPE ROUTES
shall be placed in all locations specified by the
County Fire Warden.
e. When only one means of access exists to the land to
be divided and the County Fire Warden has requested
an alternate means of access, an alternate means of
access shall be provided by the land divider.
Section 703.
a. Upon the written request of the applicant, the ap-
proving body, in granting approval of a tentative
subdivision map or tentative parcel map which is
subject to the requirements of Section 701 may re-
duce the fire protection requirements of Section
701 if it determines that:
1. The water necessary to produce the fire flow
required by Section 701 is not available, and
2. The County Fire Warden or Chief of the local
Fire Protection District has not objected to
the request for the reduction, and
3. The granting of the reduction will nct be
detrimental to the public health, safety or
welfare or be injurious to other property in
the vicinity.
b. Application for the reduction shall be made in
writing stating the amount of reduction requested,
the reasons and justification for the requested re-
duction, and shall be filed with the tentative map.
Section 704. The fire protection requirements for all
land divisions in zones that do not allow multi -family resi-
dential, commercial or industrial uses shall be as provided
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546-15
in Ordinance No. 460.
DIVISION VIII
FIRE PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS FOR
BUILDINGSr REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OF
FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS AND
APPLIANCES
Section 801. The County Fire Warden shall designate the
type and number of fire appliances to be installed and main-
tained in and upon all buildings and premises in the unincor-
porated area of the County of Riverside in accordance with
the provisions of this ordinance.
Section 802. In extra hazardous occupancies or in occu-
pancies where access for fire apparatus is unduly difficult
additional safeguards may be required consisting of addi-
tional fire appliance units, more than one type of appli-
ance, or special systems suitable for the protection of the
hazard involved. These appliances and systems may con-
sist of, but shall not be limited to, automatic fire alarm
systems, automatic sprinkler or water spray systems, stand-
pipe and hose, fixed or portable fire extinguishers, suita-
ble asbestos blankets, breathing apparatus, manual or auto-
matic covers, or carbon dioxide, foam or other special fire -
extinguishing systems.
Section 803.
a. No building shall be constructed and no building
permit shall be issued by the Building Director
therefor, until the County Fire Warden certifies
that the fire flows required by Section 804 are
presently existing or certifies that the plans for
the proposed construction ensure that prior to com-
pletion of construction of the building the fire
flows required by Section 804 will be available for
fire protection purposes. Notwithstanding the above,
no combustible construction materials shall be
placed upon any construction site until the fire
protection requirements are operative; provided, how-
ever, that this requirement is waived if an alterna-
tive means of providing adequate fire protection is
proposed which will remain in effect until the fire
protection requirements are operative and which is
acceptable to the County Fire Warden.
b. Fire hydrants required to be installed before any
construction of any building can commence shall be
installed in accordance with a water system plan ap-
proved by the County Fire Warden. A11 hydrants
shall be located at street intersections, if possible,
and in no event shall any fire hydrant be installed
so that a portion of any building is more than 250
feet or less than 25 feet from a hydrant.
c. The above requirements shall not apply to the con-
struction of one family residences.
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546-16
Section 804.
a. The fire flow required before any building may be
constructed within the unincorporated area of the
County of Riverside shall be set by the County Fire
Warden. Each fire hydrant currently existing or re-
quired to be installed on the parcel of land to be
developed shall be capable of providing the fire
flow set by the County Fire Warden pursuant to this
section. In setting the requirements for fire flow,
the County Fire Warden shall use as a guide the
standards published by the Insurance Services Of-
fice in the 1972 edition of their pamphlet entitled
"Guide for Determination of Required Fire Flow,"
provided, however, that in no case shall the County
Fire Warden require a fire flow in excess of that
required by the "Guide for Determination of Re-
quired Fire Flow".
b. All required fire flows may be provided by any com-
bination of on-site or off-site facilities.
c. The fire flow requirements of this section shall not
apply to the construction of one family residences.
Section 805. No building constructed within the unincor-
porated area of the County of Riverside shall be occupied or
used until the fire flows required by Section 804 are oper-
ative.
Section -806. No conditional use or public use permit
which allows any structure to be used for purposes of habi-
tation shall be granted without first establishing fire pro-
tection requirements as a condition of the permit; provided,
however, the minimum fire protection requirements so estab-
lished shall not be less than 500 gallons per minute for two
hours duration at 20 psi residual operating pressure at any
given hydrant.
Section 807.
a. Upon the written request of the applicant, the
County Fire Warden may reduce the fire flows re-
quired by Sections 804, 806 and 813 if he deter-
mines that:
1. Water necessary to produce the fire flow re-
quired by Section 804 is not available, and
2. Adequate alternate means of providing fire
protection is available, and
3. The construction of the building is such that
a reduction of the fire flows required by Sec-
tion 804 can be reasonably justified, and
4. The granting of the reduction will not be
detrimental to the public health, safety or
welfare or be injurious to the property in the
vicinity.
b. The reasons for any such reduction shall be reduced
to writing and a copy given to the applicant. In
addition, one copy shall be sent to the Land Use
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546--17
Division of the Riverside County Department of
Building and Safety and one copy shall be sent to
the Planning Department of Riverside County.
Section 808. Every person constructing or relocating a
building or portion of a building shall comply with the re-
quirements of Division VISI of this ordinance.
Section 809. All sprinkler systems, fire hydrant systems,
standpipe systems, fire alarm systems, portable fire ex-
tinguishers and other fire protective or extinguishing sys-
tems or appliances shall be maintained in an operative con-
dition at all times and shall be replaced or repaired when
defective.
Section 810. The Life Safety Support System required by
Riverside County Ordinance No. 457 for all buildings more
than two stories in height or more than 55 feet in height,
shall be maintained in an operable condition at all times.
Monthly tests of the ventilation system for the stairways
and smoke towers, detection systems, fire pumps, fire alarm,
communication systems and standby power and light equipment
shall be conducted under the direction of the building owner
or his authorized representative. A written record shall be
maintained and be made available to the County Fire warden.
Section 811. No person shall sell or trade any form,
type or kind of fire extinguisher which is not approved, or
which is not in proper working order, or the contents of
which do not meet ,the requirements of this ordinance or stag
law; provided, however, this shall not apply to the sale or
trade of fire extinguishers to any person or firm engaged in
the business of selling or handling of such extinguishers or
the sale or exchange of obsolete or damaged equipment for
junk.
Section 812. No person shall operate any lot, parcel of
land or premises where three or more vehicles are stored,
kept or parked for the public in the open air, whether a
charge be made for such parking or not, and where an attend-
ant is on duty, without first keeping a fire extinguisher,
approved by the County Fire warden, on hand at all times.
Section 813. No Conditional Use Permit which allows
recreational vehicle storage or sales lots or mobilehomes
sales lots, shall be granted without first requiring as a
condition of that permit approved fire hydrants providing
minimum fire flow of 500 gpm for a 2 hour duration at 20 psi
residual operating pressure; one fire hydrant to be located
within 50 feet of the entry gate to the storage lot. An ad-
ditional approved fire hydrant shall be placed within the
in a location that ensures that no recreational vehicle or
mobilehome can be stored more than 250' from, or within 25
feet of, a fire hydrant measured along approved vehicular
travelways.
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546-18
DIVISION IX
FIRE HYDRANTS STANDARDS
Section 901. Fire hydrants shall be set so that the cen-
ter line of the riser or barrel complies with the following:
a. When curbs are proposed, hydrants shall be located
not less than 18 inches nor more than 24 inches in
back of the curb face.
b. When curbs with sidewalks adjacent are existing or
proposed, hydrants shall be located 18 inches be-
hind the sidewalk, but not less than 8 inches within
the road right-of-way.
c. When curbs with sidewalks adjacent to the property
line are existing or proposed, hydrants shall be lo-
cated not less than 18 inches nor more than 24
inches in back of the curb face.
d. When no curbs or sidewalks are existing or proposed,
hydrants shall be placed in such locations as are
approved by the Road Commissioner and the County
Fire Warden.
e. Single outlet hydrants shall be installed with the
outlet facing the curb and at right angles to the
curb.
f. Double outlet hydrants shall be installed with the
outlets facing the curb and at 45° to the curb line.
g. In all cases where Fire Department connections are
required, a fire hydrant as approved by the County
Fire Warden shall be installed within 50 feet of
the Fire Department connection.
Section 902. The exterior surfaces of all fire hydrant
riser barrels, heads and guard posts which extend above
ground shall be painted chrome yellow. The tops and nozzles
caps of all fire hydrants shall be painted as follows:
a. Green for hydrants with a flow capacity of 1000 gpm
or more at 20 psi residual pressure.
b. Orange for hydrants with a flow capacity of 500 gpm
to 999 gpm at 20 psi residual pressure.
c. Red for hydrants with a flow capacity of less than
500 gpm at 20 psi residual pressure.
Section 903.
a. Dry barrel fire hydrants. All fire hydrants of the
dry type shall conform to American Water Works Asso-
ciation, Standard C-502, and shall be designated
for a minimum working pressure of 150 psi.
b. Wet barrel fire hydrants. All fire hydrants of the
wet type shall conform to American Water Works Asso-
ciation, Standard C-503, and shall be designated for
a minimum working pressure of 150 psi.
Section 904. All fire hydrant outlets shall have National
Standard Hose threads complete with bronze or plastic cap
with chain attached.
10-27-76
546-19
Section 905. All fire hydrant heads with a single 2h inch
outlet shall be of the angle fire plug valve type, with screw
or union bonnet and shall have a minimum 4" screwed or
flanged inlet. All fire hydrant heads with two 2h inch by
one 4 -inch outlet, one 2h inch by one 4 -inch outlet or two
215 inch outlets, shall have a minimum 6 inch screwed or
flanged inlet. Fire hydrants cast in two parts shall have
an "O" ring gasket that provides a positive seal at the
joint of the stool and hydrant head.
Section 906. Permanent guard posts shall be installed
where necessary to protect exposed fire hydrants as deter-
mined by the County Fire Warden and approved by the Road
Commissioner. When curbs are installed they shall be pain-
ted red 15 feet in either direction from the fire hydrant.
Section 907. Fire hydrants shall be designated as super,
standard, intermediate or wharfhead as follows:
a. All super fire hydrants shall have two 21 inch out-
lets and one 4 inch outlet. The dry barrel hydrant
shall have a minimum 5 inch valve opening.
b. All standard fire hydrants shall have one 21 inch
outlet and one 4 inch outlet. The dry barrel hy-
drant shall have a minimum 5 inch valve opening.
c. A11 intermediate fire hydrants shall have two 21
inch outlets. The dry barrel hydrant shall have a
minimum 4 inch valve opening.
d. All wharfhead fire hydrants shall have one 2h inch
outlet. Both wet and dry barrel types shall have a
minimum 3 inch valve opening.
Section 908. Each fire hydrant shall stand plumb, set to
the established grade, with the center use of the lowest out-
let not less than 18 inches above the ground.
Section 909. No water purveyor shall modify or replace or
cause to be modified or replaced any water main the result of
which will be to reduce the maximum potential fire flow
through said water main.
Section 910. No water purveyor shall modify or replace
or cause to be modified or replaced any water main the re-
sult of which will be to reduce the total number of fire hy-
drants attached to said water main or which will change the
location of any existing fire hydrant without first obtaining
approval from the County Fire Warden.
DIVISION X
FIRE PROTECTION FOR MOBILEHOME PARKS
Section 1001. The minimum fire protection facilities for
mobilehome parks are hereby established as follows:
a. Approved fire hydrants shall be installed so that no
portion of any building or recreational vehicle stor-
age area is more than 250 feet or less than 25 feet
10-27-76
546-20
from said hydrants.
b. Approved fire hydrants must be installed throughout
the remainder of the park.
c. All fire hydrants shall be installed on water mains
not less than 6 inches in diameter. A minimum fire
flow of 500 gpm shall be provided to the fire hy-
drants for a 2 hour duration in addition to the
domestic needs. The computation shall be based up-
on a minimum of 20 psi residual operating pressure
in the street main from which the flow is measured
at the time of measurement. Hydrants shall be lo-
cated at alternate street intersections but in no
event shall the distance between hydrants exceed
500 feet, and no trailer shall be further than 250
feet from a hydrant, measured along street center-
lines.
Section 1002.
a. Upon the written request of the applicant, the
County Fire Warden may reduce or eliminate the fire
flows required by the immediately preceding section
if he determines that:
1. The water. necessary to produce the fire flow
required by Section 1001 is not available,
and
2. Adequate alternate means of providing fire
protection is available, and
-3. The granting of the reduction will not be
detrimental to the public health, safety or
welfare or be injurious to other property in
the vicinity.
b. As a condition of reducing the fire flows required
by Section 1001, the County Fire Warden shall re-
quire that other private fire fighting facilities
be provided which will provide adequate fire pro-
tection in the event of a fire.
Section 1003. The on-site water system plans shall be
signed by a registered civil engineer and may be signed by
the water company with the following certification: •I
certify that the design of the water system in this mobile -
home park is in accordance with the requirements prescribed
by the Department of Fire Protection."
Section 1004. Prior to the application for a building
permit the developer shall furnish the original and five
copies of the water system plan to the Department of Fire
Protection for review. No building permit shall be issued
until the water system plan has been approved by the County
Fire Warden. Upon approval, the original and two copies
shall be sent to the Land Use Division of the Riverside
County Department of Building and Safety and one copy shall
be sent to the Division of Environmental Health of the River-
side County Health Department.
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546-21
DIVISION XI
FIRE PROTECTION FOR RECREATIONAL
TRAILER PARKS, TRAVEL TRAILER PARKS,
INCIDENTAL CAMPING AREAS AND TENT
CAMP AREAS
Section 1101. The minimum fire protection facilities for
recreational trailer parks, travel trailer parks, incidental
camping areas and tent camp areas covered by the Mobilehome
Parks Act of the California Health and Safety Code (com-
mencing with Section 18200) are hereby established as fol-
lows:
a. An approved minimum 4 inch looped water main to all
lots shall be installed.
b. Approved fire hydrants shall be located not more
than 250 feet and not less than 25 feet from each
camping site as measured along roadways or other
vehicle travelways.
c. The water system shall be capable of providing at
least 250 gpm for one hour duration with a minimum
fire flow of 20 psi residual operating pressure from
the supply main to all fire outlets.
d. Approved fire hydrants with flows determined in ac-
cordance with Section 804, shall be installed with-
in 250 feet of all buildings and any recreational
vehicle storage area.
Section -1102.
a. Upon the written request of the applicant, the
County Fire Warden may reduce or eliminate the fire
flows required by the immediately preceding section
if he determines that:
1. The water necessary to produce the fire flow
required by Section 1101 is not available, and
2. Adequate alternate means of providing fire
protection is available, and
3. The granting of the reduction will not be det-
rimental to the public health, safety or wel-
fare or be injurious to other property in the
vicinity.
b. As a condition of reducing the fire flows required
by Section 1101, the County Fire Warden shall re-
quire that other private fire fighting facilities
be provided which will provide adequate fire pro-
tection in the event of a fire.
Section 1103. The on-site water system plans shall be
signed by a registered civil engineer and may be signed by
the water company with the following certification: "I
certify that the design of the water system in this Rec-
reational Trailer Park/Travel Trailer Park/Incidental Camp-
ing Area/Tent Camp Area is in accordance with the require-
ments prescribed by the Department of Fire Protection."
Section 1104. Prior to the application for a building
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546-22
permit the developer shall furnish the original and five
copies of the water system plan to the Department of Fire
Protection for review. No building permit shall be issued
until the water system plan has been approved by the County
Fire Warden. Upon approval, the original and two copies
shall be sent to the Land Use Division of the Riverside
County Department of Building and Safety and one copy shall
be sent to the Division of Environmental Health of the
Riverside County Health Department.
Section 1105. Campfires will be allowed only in stoves
and fire rings which must be in a location approved by the
County Fire Warden.
Section 1106. If a recreational trailer park, travel
trailer park, incidental camping area or tent camp area is
located in a hazardous fire area, the following fire protec-
tion facilities shall also be required:
a. All roads shall be no less than 24 feet wide.
b. No dead-end road shall exceed 600 feet in length.
c. All dead-end roads shall be terminated by a turn
around not less than 90 feet in diameter.
Section 1107. This division shall not apply in any re-
spect to National Forest Lands.
DIVISION XII
LIQUIFIED PETROLEUM GASES
Section 1201. •No person shall install or maintain any
LP Gas container in excess of 2000 gallons water capacity,
nor a series of interconnected containers whose aggregate
volume exceeds 2000 gallons water capacity, without first
having obtained a permit from the County Fire Warden. In-
stallers shall maintain a record of all installations for
which a permit is not required (but not including instal-
lations of gas burning appliances and replacing of portable
cylinders) and have it available for inspection by the
County Fire Warden.
Section 1202. All storage tanks shall be stored paral-
lel to each other. The requirements for liquified petroleum
gas storage tanks with a capacity of 2,000 gallons or more
shall be as follows:
a. All lines of h" or more used for unloading of
liquefied petroleum gases from storage tanks shall
be equipped with either an internal valve with ex-
cess flow features and a primary valve or an excess
flow valve and a primary valve. Each of the above
systems shall be capable of being closed remotely
and with such control mechanisms, fitted with a
fusible section having a melting point of 200
degrees F. to 250 degrees F. which will cause the
valve to close automatically in case of fire.
b. All liquid lines of h" or more used for loading
10-27-76
546-23
of LPG into bulk storage tanks shall be equipped
with a backcheck valve and a primary valve.
c. Remote control mechanisms for closing primary
valves shall be clearly marked in 4" letters on a
contrasting background, EMERGENCY SHUT-OFF. Con-
densed -type letters or extended -type letters shall
be used in this sign.
d. One super fire hydrant shall be installed in a lo-
cation approved by the County Fire Warden. Hydrant
shall provide a minimum fire flow of 1,000 gpm at
20 psi residual operating pressure. Hydrant shall
be installed and operating prior to the introduc-
tion of any gas into the tank.
Section 1203.
a. Within the limits established by law restricting
the storage of liquified petroleum gas for the pro-
tection of heavily populated or congested commer-
cial areas, the aggregate capacity of any one in-
stallation shall not exceed 2000 gallons water
capacity; provided, however, the capacity limit may
be modified by the County Fire Warden, after con-
sideration of special features such as topographical
conditions, nature of occupancy and proximity to
buildings, capacity of proposed tanks, degree of
private fire protection to be provided, and facili-
ties of the local fire department.
b. Multiple container installations with a total stor-
age water capacity of more than 180,000 gallons
shall be.subdivided into groups, with a minimum
separation between groups of at least 50 feet, un-
less the tanks are:
1. Mounded in an approved manner, or
2. Protected with approved insulation in areas
that may be subject to impingement of ignited
gas from pipelines or other leakage, or
3. Protected by fire walls of approved con-
struction, or
4. Protected by an approved system for appli-
cation of water, or
5. Protected by other approved means.
Where one of these forms of protection is provided,
the separation between container groups shall be at
least 25 feet.
c. Containers shall be located with respect to buildings
or adjoining property lines and may be built in ac-
cordance with the following table, provided, how-
ever, that upon approval of the County Fire Warden,
containers of 2000 gallons or less may be located a
lesser distance from buildings of not less than one
hour construction, provided the above distances ap-
plied to openings in buildings are maintained, and
the relief valves will not discharge in the direction
of a means of egress or against the building.
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546-24
Container Capacity
Less than 125 Gallons
125 to less than 500 Gallons
500 to less than 2000 Gallons
2000 Gallons or more
Minimum Distance
5 feet
10 feet
25 feet
50 feet
Section 1204.
a. The parking and garaging of tank vehicles used for
the transportation of liquified petroleum gases
shall be in accordance with the following:
1. No person shall leave a tank vehicle un-
attended on any highway, street, or alley,
except that this shall not prevent:
(a) The necessary absence of the driver
in connection with loading or unload-
ing the vehicle.
(b) Stops for meals during the day or night,
if the street is well lighted at the
point of parking.
(c) When, in case of accident or other
emergency, the operator must leave to
obtain assistance.
2. No person shall park a tank vehicle at any one
point for longer than one hour except:
(a) Off of a street, highway or alley;
(b) Inside a bulk plant and 25 feet from
the property line or within a building
approved for such use; or
(c) At other approved locations not less
than 50 feet from any building except
those approved for the storage or
servicing of such vehicle.
(d) When, in case of breakdown or other
emergency, the operator must leave the
vehicle to take necessary action to cor-
rect the emergency.
3. Tank vehicles shall not be parked or garaged
in any building other than those specifically
approved for such use by the County Fire War-
den.
b. During the unloading or transfer of liquified petro-
leum gas, the tank shall be located or parked clear
of a public thoroughfare, unless:
1. The failure to transfer would create a hazard.
2. It is impossible due to topography.
c. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section,
during the unloading or transfer of liquified petro-
leum gas, the tank truck shall be parked with the
transfer point not less than 50 feet from the prop-
erty line where the container to which the tank
vehicle is connected has a capacity of over 2000
gallons.
d. During loading or unloading operations of liquified
petroleum gas, the tank truck shall be parked paral-
lel to the storage tank.
10-27-76
546-25
e. All tank truck vehicles, when parked in bulk plants,
shall be parallel to storage tanks, and each other,
with the closest vehicle parked a minimum distance
of 25 feet from any bulk storage tank and a minimum
of 10 feet between vehicles.
Section 1205.
a. No person shall fill or maintain a liquified petro-
leum gas container with liquified petroleum gas in
excess of the fixed gauge installed by the manu-
facturer or the weight stamped on the tank.
b. Liquified petroleum gas shall not be used for the
purpose of operating any device or equipment unless
such equipment or device is approved for use with
liquified petroleum gas.
Section 1206.
a. No person shall tamper with or make ineffective the
safety devices of any liquified petroleum gas con-
tainer.
b. In any area subject to freezing weather all LP Gas
regulator breathing openings shall be adequately
protected against stoppage by frozen moisture.
Section 1207.
a. No person shall smoke within 25 feet of any LP Gas
container of 1200 gallons capacity or less, nor
within 50 feet of any such container having a capa-
city of more than 1200 gallons.
b. No person shall install or maintain any open flame
device outside of buildings within 25 feet of any
LP Gas container having capacity of 1200 gallons or
less, nor within 50 feet of any such container hav-
ing a capacity of over 1200 gallons.
c. No person shall install or maintain any LP Gas con-
tainer with capacity of 1200 gallons or less within
25 feet of any open flame device, or any such con-
tainer with a capacity in excess of 1200 gallons
within 50 feet of any open flame device.
d. All weeds, brush, trash or other combustible ma-
terial shall be cleared a minimum of 10 feet away
from all LP Gas tanks or containers.
Section 1208.
a. Whenever the use of liquified petroleum gas equip-
ment has been discontinued, it shall be abandoned
in an approved manner within a period of 30 days.
b. The following alternative abandonment procedures
are satisfactory:
1. Removal of all liquified petroleum equipment.
2. Burn off of contents of container.
3. Venting contents of container to atmosphere
when discharge of gas can be held to a safe
point of discharge.
4. All service openings shall be capped or plug -
10 -27-76
546-26
ged after the contents have been removed from
the container.
Section 1209. Containers and first stage regulation
equipment shall be located outside of buildings except for
buildings especially provided for this purpose; provided how-
ever, containers and regulating equipment may be used indoors
under the following conditions:
a. If temporarily used for demonstration purposes and
the container has a maximum water capacity of 12
gallons.
b. If used with a completely self-contained gas hand
torch or similar equipment, and the container has
a maximum water capacity of 21/2 gallons.
c. In industrial applications where oxygen is not re-
quired.
d. In use as a motor fuel.
e. In storage awaiting resale.
Section 1210. Fences installed around storage tanks of
2000 gallons capacity or larger must be approved by the
County Fire Warden to insure adequate emergency vehicles
access.
DIVISION XIII
COMBUSTIBLE AND FLAMMABLE MATERIALS
Section 1301. Accumulations of combustible or flam-
mable waste, including but not limited to wastepaper, hay,
grass, straw, vines, weeds, waste petroleum products, and
rubbish or litter of any kind, shall not be permitted to re-
main upon any roof or in any court, yard, vacant lot, or open
space. All combustible rubbish, waste petroleum products,
oily rags or waste material when kept within a building,
shall be securely stored in metal or metal -lined receptacles
equipped with tight fitting covers or in rooms or vaults con-
structed of noncombustible materials.
Section 1302. No person making, using, storing or having
in charge, or under his control, any shavings, excelsior,
rubbish, sacks, bags, litter, hay, straw or combustible
waste materials shall fail or neglect at the close of each
day to cause all such material which is not compactly baled
and stacked in an orderly manner to be removed from the
building or stored in suitable vaults or in metal or metal -
lined covered receptacles or bins. The County Fire Warden
shall require suitable baling presses to be installed in
stores, apartment buildings, factories and similar places
where accumulations of paper and waste materials are not re-
moved at least every second day.
Section 1303.
a. No person shall store in excess of 2500 cubic feet
gross volume of combustible empty packing cases,
boxes, barrels or similar containers, or rubber or
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cork, or other similarly combustible material with-
out a permit from the County Fire Warden.
b. Storage in buildings shall be orderly, shall be more
than 2 feet from the ceiling, and shall be so lo-
cated as not to endanger exit from the building.
Outdoor storage shall not exceed 20 feet in height,
shall be so located as not to constitute a hazard
to adjacent buildings or property, and shall be com-
pact and orderly. Such storage is prohibited with-
in 3 feet of any property line and shall not exceed
6 feet in height when within 10 feet of such property
line, except where no hazard or menace of fire to
adjoining property is created thereby.
c. Where the storage or accumulation of combustible
waste matter used in stores, apartment buildings,
factories or other similar places is a hazard or
menace of fire, such materials shall be removed at
least every second day.
Section 1304. Cotton batting, either natural, artificial
or manufactured, straw, dry lines, leaves, trees or other
highly flammable materials shall not be used for decorative
purposes in show windows or other parts of commercial, in-
dustrial or institutional occupancies unless flameproofed;
provided, however, that nothing in this section shall be
held to prohibit the display of saleable goods. Electric
light bulbs in such occupancies shall not be decorated with
paper or other combustible materials unless such materials
shall first have been rendered flameproof.
Section 1305.
a. No person shall take an open flame or light into
any building, barn, vessel, boat or any other place
where highly flammable, combustible or explosive
material is kept, unless such light or flame shall
be well secured in a glass globe wire mesh cage or
similar approved device.
b. No heating or lighting apparatus or equipment capa-
ble of igniting flammable materials of the types
stored or handled shall be used in the storage area
of any warehouse storing rags, excelsior, hair or
other highly flammable or combustible material; nor
in the work area of any shop or factory used for the
manufacture, repair or renovating of mattresses or
bedding; nor in the work areas of any establishment
used for the upholstering of furniture.
DIVISION XIV
FIRE PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS
RELATING TO STORAGE OF FLAMMABLE
LIQUIDS USED AS MOTOR FUEL
Section 1401.
a. Apparatus dispensing flammable liquids into the
fuel tanks of motor vehicles or floating craft
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shall not be located on a bulk plant unless separ-
ated from the area in which bulk operations are con-
ducted by a fence at least 6 feet in height.
b. Flammable liquids shall be transferred from under-
ground tanks by means of fixed pumps so designed
and equipped as to allow control of the flow and to
prevent leakage or accidental discharge. Dispens-
ing devices for flammable liquids shall be of ap-
proved types. Flammable liquids shall not be dis-
pensed by pressure or gravity from drums, barrels,
and similar containers. Gear pumps or similar posi-
tive displacement devices taking suction through
the top of the container, shall be used.
c. The installation and use of coin-operated dis-
pensing devices for flammable liquids is prohibited.
The dispensing of flammable liquids into the fuel
tank of a vehicle or into a container shall at all
times be under the control of a competent person.
The use of any device which permits the dispensing
of flammable liquids when the hand of the operator
of the discharging nozzle is removed from the noz-
zle control lever is forbidden, except that in lieu
of being held open by hand, an approved automatic
nozzle may be used for dispensing flammable liquid
into the fuel tank of a vehicle. Such a nozzle
shall have a latch -open device as an integral part
of the assembly and shall shut off the liquid re-
liably and positively when the gasoline tank is
filled, when it falls from the filling neck of an
automobile tank, when it is subject to rough usage
such as dropping or lack of proper lubrications, or
when an automobile is driven away while the nozzle
is still in the tank. A competent attendant shall
be in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle being
filled by such an approved nozzle.
d. Dispensing devices at automotive service stations
shall be so located that all parts of the vehicle
being served will be on private property and shall
be set level and solid on a concrete base which pro-
jects a minimum of six inches on all sides beyond
the dispenser housing. When a dispenser is con-
nected to more than one storage tank, a manifold
shall be provided with valves so that only one tank
may be drawn from at any one time.
e. Dispensing of flammable liquids at a Marine Service
Station shall at all times be under control of a
competent person. Such dispensing into the fuel
tanks of floating craft shall be only by means of
hose equipped with a self-closing nozzle and valve
which must be held open manually while making the
delivery.
f. No sale or purchase of any flammable or combustible
liquids shall be made in containers unless such con-
tainers are clearly marked with the name of the pro-
duct contained therein.
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Section 1402.
a. Any pump motor circuit shall be energized by a
switch located on each dispenser connected to it
which shall be manually operated by removal or re-
placement of the nozzle in it bracket.
b. A clearly labelled manually operated pump master
switch shall be provided in an approved location,
within 75 feet of, but not nearer than 15 feet to,
any dispenser. Where such master switch is not
visible from all dispensers, the location thereof
shall be indicated by approved signs.
c. In lieu of a manually operated pump master switch,
an approved automatic device which will stop the
flow in the event of damage to the dispenser may be
provided.
d. The master switch or all individual pump circuit
switches shall be set in the off position before
closing the service station for business at any
time.
e. All electric wiring connected to dispensers and
pressure delivery system pumps shall be enclosed in
rigid galvanized conduit with threaded connections.
Seals shall be provided at the dispenser and at
pits in pressure delivery systems and all equipment
in such pits shall be nonsparking or vapor -proof.
Section 1403.
a. Tanks which are to be taken out of service tempor-
arily but which are intended to be returned to ser-
vice shall be rendered safe by gas -freeing or by
following the procedure outlined below:
1. All flammable liquid shall be removed that
can be pumped out with the service pump.
2. The tank shall be flooded with water which
contains a rust inhibitor.
3. The fill line and pump suction shall be cap-
ped and secured against tampering.
4. The vent line shall be left open.
b. Tanks which are to be abandoned shall be removed.
Section 1404. No person shall store flammable liquids in
any underground Class 1 flammable liquid tank if during the
course of filling such tank, flammable liquids may be spilled
until such preventive measures as are necessary are taken to
keep such flammable liquids from flowing into or near any
building, sewer or drain. Such preventive measures must be
approved by the County Fire Warden and shall be completed
prior to filling any such tank. Such preventive measures
may take the form of grading driveways, raising doorsills,
constructing isolation walls or dikes, or other equally ef-
fective means, provided, however, that in no case shall
crankcase drainings and flammable liquids be dumped into
sewers or drains. There shall be no entrance within a pro-
tective dike to any sewer or storm drain or combined storm
and sanitary sewer.
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Section 1405.
a. All Marine Aircraft and Automotive Service Stations
shall be maintained in a neat and orderly manner and
no accumulations of combustible or flammable trash
or rubbish shall be permitted. Covered metal con-
tainers shall be provided for the temporary storage
of such trash or rubbish.
b. There shall be no smoking on the ramps of Aircraft
Service Stations or on the driveways of Automotive
Service Stations in the areas used for fueling air-
craft or motor vehicles, dispensing flammable anti-
freeze or the receipt of products by tank truck, or
in those portions of the building used for servicing
automobiles, tractors or internal combustion engines.
Conspicuous signs prohibiting smoking shall be posted
within sight of the customer being served. Letters
on such signs shall be not less than 4 inches high.
The motors of all vehicles being fueled shall be
shut off during the fueling operation.
c. Smoking and open flames are prohibited within haz-
ardous areas at Marine Service Stations and signs
indicating this prohibition shall be posted con-
spicuously about the premises. Letters on such
signs shall be not less than 4 inches high.
d. There shall be prominently displayed at the face of
such wharf, pier or float at Marine Service Stations,
at such an elevation as to be clearly visible from
the decks of Marine craft being fueled, a sign not
less than 14 inches by 20 inches which shall bear
the following or equivalent wording: "Warning -
law requires that open fires and open lights be ex-
tinguished and electrical equipment be shut off
while fueling is in progress."
Section 1406.
a. At Automotive Service Stations, suitable portable
fire extinguishers of not less than 6 B -C rating
shall be available within 50 feet of any dispenser.
Where a sales room is present, required extinguish-
ers shall be mounted on the latch side of the door
leading to the dispensers in any one bay which are
within 50 feet of said sales room. Where more than
one bay is attached to a single sales room, an ad-
ditional extinguisher of like rating shall be pro-
vided for each bay. Where dispensers are more than
50 feet from a sales room, or where no sales room is
present, extinguishers may be mounted on posts or on
dispensers.
b. At Marine Service Stations, suitable portable fire
extinguishers of not less than 20 B -C rating shall
be available within 50 feet of any dispenser. Where
dispensers are located on floats, one such extin-
guisher shall be located on each float and an addi-
tional extinguisher of like capacity shall be lo-
cated at the head of the gangway or ramp leading to
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such float.
Section 1407.
a. No person shall store any flammable liquid in ex-
cess of one gallon in any building used for human
habitation, including any attached garage or other
attached structure. Any such storage shall be in a
liquid -tight metal container, or other container
not subject to breaking, and shall be securely cap-
ped.
b. Not more than 10 gallons of flammable liquid shall
be stored in any detached garage or other building
accessory to a building used for human habitation,
provided said detached building is not less than
25 feet from any other building used for human
habitation. Such storage shall be in a liquid -
tight metal container or containers securely cap-
ped.
c. Not more than 25 gallons of flammable liquids shall
be stored in any other building or at any place
within 25 feet of any building used for human habita-
tion. Such storage shall be in a metal container or
containers which are liquid -tight and securely cap-
ped.
d. The provisions of this section shall not apply to:
1. The storage of flammable liquids in a fuel
tank of a motor vehicle, aircraft, motorboat,
mobile power plant or mobile heating plant.
2. The storage of paints, oils, varnishes or
similar flammable mixtures in covered con-
tainers, which are used for maintenance,
painting or similar purposes.
3. The storage of fuel oil for use in oil burn-
ing equipment or the storage in underground
tanks equipped with dispensing equipment in-
tended for the dispensing of flammable liquids
for the use of the owner outside of any build-
ing.
Section 1408. For purposes of this division only flam-
mable liquids shall mean any liquid having a flashpoint be-
low 140°F and combustible liquids shall mean any liquid hav-
ing a flash point at or above 140°F.
Section 1409. No person shall install, keep or maintain
any above ground tank for the purpose of storing flammable
liquids, except at approved bulk plants. All flammable
liquid storage tanks not located at approved bulk plants
shall be installed underground in locations approved by the
County Fire Warden and the Director of Building and Safety.
Notwithstanding the above, flammable liquids may be stored
in above ground tanks in remote agricultural areas and at
temporary construction projects if said flammable liquids
are to be used only as motor fuel for actual farming or con-
struction operations so long as, in each case, there is no
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th::eat of fire which may endanger life safety or threaten
nearby buildings, and provided that approval has been ob-
tained from the County Fire Warden prior to the installa-
tion of any such above ground tank.
Section 1410.
a. Tank vehicles shall not be operated unless they are
in proper repair, devoid of accumulations of grease,
oil or other flammables and free of leaks.
b. The driver, operator or attendant of any tank vehi-
cle shall not leave the vehicle while it is being
filled or discharged, shall remain within 15 feet of
the manual shutoff valve- and shall keep the delivery
hose and discharge nozzle in his full view at all
times.
c. Motors of tank vehicles or tractors shall be shut
down during making or breaking hose connections.
If loading or unloading is done without the use of
a power pump, the tank vehicles or tractor motor
shall be shut down throughout such operations.
d. The cargo tank shall be bonded to the fill pipe
when loading. The bond -wire connection shall be
made prior to opening the dome covers. It shall be
maintained in place during the entire filling oper-
ation and the dome covers shall be securely closed
before the bond -wire is disconnected from the cargo
tank.
e. Na cargo tank or compartment thereof used for the
transportation of any flammable or combustible
liquid shall be loaded liquid full. The vacant
space (outage) in a cargo tank or compartment there-
of used in the transportation of flammable or com-
bustible liquids shall be not less than 1 per cent;
sufficient space (outage) shall be left vacant in
every case to prevent leakage from or distortion of
such tank or compartment by expansion of the con-
tents due to rise in temperature or increase in ele-
vation in transit.
f. The driver, operator or attendant of any tank vehi-
cle shall before making delivery to any tank, deter-
mine the unfilled capacity of such tank by a suit-
able guaging device. To prevent overfilling he shall
not deliver in excess of that amount.
g. During loading, hatch covers shall be secured on all
but the receiving compartments.
h. Simultaneous delivery to underground tanks from two
or more discharge hoses shall be made only when each
discharge hose is connected to the underground tank
by means of a liquid tight connection to preclude
the possibility of spillage from an accidental over-
fill. If the tank vehicle is not equipped with the
aforementioned liquid tight connections delivery
shall be limited to one discharge hose at a time.
i. Dome covers shall be closed and latched while the
tank vehicle is in transit.
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j. No material shall be loaded into or transported in
a tank vehicle at a temperature above its ignition
temperature unless properly safeguarded in an ap-
proved manner.
k. Flammable or combustible liquids with a vapor pres-
sure of 40 psi absolute or less at 100°F., shall be
loaded into cargo tanks designed and constructed in
accordance with NFPA Pamphlet No. 385.
1. The cargo tanks shall be bonded to the fill stem or
some part of the rack structure, electrically inter-
connected with the fill -stem piping, except tank
vehicles handling asphalt, tank vehicles loading any
flammable or combustible liquids through bottom con-
nections and tank vehicles used exclusively for trans-
porting Class III liquids when loaded at locations
where no Class I and Class II liquids are handled.
m. No external bond -wire connection, or bond -wire in-
tegral with a hose are needed for the unloading of
flammable liquids into underground tanks.
n. All shutoff valves from all tank vehicles used to
discharge flammable liquids shall be perpetually
maintained in good operating condition.
Section 1411. Smoking by tank vehicle drivers, helpers,
repairmen or other personnel is prohibited while they are
making deliveries, filling or making repairs to tank vehicles.
Section 1412.
a. No person shall leave a tank vehicle unattended on
any street, highway, avenue or alley except for:
1. The necessary absence of the driver in con-
nection with loading or unloading the vehicle,
so long as the actual discharge of liquids
from the vehicle shall not occur during any
such absence, or
2. Stops for meals during the day or night, if
the street is well lighted at the point of
parking, or
3. When, in case of accident or other emergency,
the operator must leave to obtain assistance.
b. No person shall park a tank vehicle at any one
point for longer than one hour except:
1. During the actual discharge of liquids inside
a bulk plant so long as the actual discharge
occurs not less than 25 feet from all sur-
rounding property lines; or
2. Within a building approved for such use; or
3. At any other approved location not less than
50 feet from the nearest existing building
which is not used for the storage or servicing
of tank vehicles; or
4. When in case of breakdown or other emergency,
the operator must leave the vehicle to take
necessary action to correct the emergency.
c. Tank vehicles shall not be parked or garaged in any
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buildings other than those specifically approved for
such use by the County Fire Warden.
DIVISION XV
CONTROL OF OPERATIONS AT THE SCENE OF
A FIRE OR OTHER EMERGENCY
Section 1501. The County Fire Warden shall have the duty
and authority to direct such operations as may be necessary
to extinguish or control any fire, perform any rescue oper-
ation, investigate the existence of suspected or reported gas
leaks or other hazardous conditions, and to take such action
as is necessary in the reasonable performance of his duty.
Provided however, that this section shall not apply within
the boundaries of any National Forest Area. In the exercise
of such power, the County Fire Warden may prohibit any person
or vehicle, from approaching the scene and may remove or
cause to be removed from the scene any vehicle impeding or in-
terfering with the operations of the Fire Department and any
person not actually and usefully employed in the extinguish-
ing of such fire or in the preservation of property in the
vicinity thereof.
Section 1502. No person shall obstruct the operations of
the Fire Department in connection with extinguishing any fire,
or other emergency, or disobey any lawful command of any of-
ficer of the Fire Department who may be in charge.
Section 1503. The County Fire Warden or other officer of
the Fire Department in charge at the scene of any emergency
shall have the authority to place ropes, guards, barricades
or other obstructions across any street, alley place or pri-
vate property in the vicinity of such operations so as to
prevent accident or interference with the actions of the Fire
Department.
DIVISION XVI
CERTAIN ACTIVITIES PROHIBITED
Section 1601. No person shall molest, tamper with, damage
or otherwise disturb any apparatus, equipment or appurtenance
belonging to, or under the supervision and control of the Fire
Department.
Section 1602. No person shall remove, tamper with, or
otherwise disturb any fire appliance, except for the purpose
of extinguishing fire, training purposes, recharging, or mak-
ing necessary repairs, or when permitted by the County Fire
Warden.
Section 1603. No person, except a person authorized by
the County Fire Warden or a public officer acting within the
scope of his public duties, shall remove, unlock, destroy,
or tamper with any lock, gate, door, barricade, chain, en-
closure, sign, tag or seal which has been lawfully installed
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by the Fire Department.
Section 1604.
a. The County Fire Warden may install and lock one or
more gates, cables or other barricades to prevent
the use by unauthorized persons of any road, that
is not a public road, over which the Fire Depart-
ment has the right to pass, whether by easement,
license, public ownership, or otherwise, for pur-
poses relating to fire prevention or control.
b. No person, except a public officer acting within
the scope of his public duties, shall trespass
upon any road or trail which has been closed in ac-
cordance with this section, without first obtaining
the permission of the County Fire Warden; nor shall
any person park any vehicle so as to obstruct the
entrance to such road or trail.
Section 1605. No person shall place or keep any post,
fence, growth, trash or other material or thing near any fire
hydrant that would prevent such hydrant from being immedi-
ately discernible, nor in any other manner deter or hinder
the Fire Department from gaining immediate access to a fire
hydrant.
Section 1606. No person shall use, operate or tamper with
any hydrant or other valve installed on any water system in-
tended for fire suppression purposes unless such person first
secures permission from the water purveyor owning, control-
ling or supplying.the system or is an employee of the water
purveyor.
Section 1607.
a. No person, except public officers acting within the
scope of their duties, shall travel upon, or drive
or park any motorcycle, motor scooter, or other
motor vehicle upon any fire road or firebreak be-
yond the point where travel is restricted by a
cable, gate, or sign, without the permission of the
property owner or owners involved. No person shall
park any vehicle so as to obstruct the entrance to
any fire road or firebreak.
b. No person shall install or maintain a radio or tele-
vision aerial, or guy wires or communication or
electrical wires thereto, or any other obstruction
on any fire road or firebreak, which is less than
16 feet above such fire road or firebreak.
Section 1608. No person shall install, place, keep or
maintain any bars, grates or other obstructions across the
opening of any window of any sleeping room of any building
which may deter or hinder an occupant from using the window
as a means of escape from a fire originating within the
building.
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DIVISION XVII
SEVERABILITY
Section 1701. If any section, subsection, paragraph,
sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance is for any
reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional, such in-
validity or unconstitutionality shall not affect the va-
lidity or constitutionality of the remaining portions of
this ordinance, it being expressly declared that this
ordinance and each section, subsection, paragraph, sen-
tence, clause and phrase thereof would have been adopted,
irrespective of the fact that one or more other section,
subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase be de-
clared invalid or unconstitutional.
DIVISION XVIII
PENALTY FOR VIOLATION
Section 1801. Any person violating any of the provisions
of this ordinance shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon
conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not more
than $500 or by imprisonment in the County Jail for a period
not exceeding six months or by both such fine and imprison-
ment.
DIVISION XIX
REPEALS
Section 1901. Ordinance Numbers 311, 312, 363 and 491
are repealed, provided, however, this ordinance shall be con-
strued as a continuation of Ordinance No. 311 and 363, ex-
cept as to provisions of this ordinance which are inconsis-
tent therewith.
DIVISION XX
PROSPECTIVE APPLICATION
Section 2001. The provisions of this ordinance shall not
be construed to apply retroactively.
Effective: June 5, 1975
Amended: 546.1 - 546.2
11-3-77