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Key to Justifications for Amendments to Title 24 of the California Code of <br /> Regulations: <br /> c This amendment is justified on the basis of a local climatic condition Local <br /> climatic conditions include a low amount of average yearly rainfall, which tend <br /> to be concentrated from October through April From May through September, <br /> a dry period occurs where daily temperatures remain high, and there is little <br /> measurable precipitation In addition, the local climate frequently includes high <br /> winds which sweep down through the valley These seasonal climatic <br /> conditions during the late summer and fall period create severe fire hazards to <br /> the public health and welfare in the City The California Division of Forestry & <br /> Fire Protection has classified areas within and adjacent to the City as Very <br /> High Fire Severity Zones The aforementioned conditions combined with the <br /> geological characteristics of the hills within the City create hazardous <br /> conditions for which departure from the California Building Standards is <br /> required <br /> This amendment is justified on the basis of a local geologic condition The City <br /> is subject to earthquake hazards caused a number of earthquake faults that <br /> are located either within or in close proximity to the City Those with the most <br /> direct and potentially destructive impact are the San Andreas, Calaveras, <br /> Hayward, Greenville and Concord-Green Valley Faults The U S Geological <br /> Survey (USGS) has identified a 72% probability of at least one earthquake of <br /> magnitude 6 7 or greater occurring in the region before 2043 Recent <br /> earthquake damage studies, including the 1994 Northridge earthquake, have <br /> indicated the lack of adequate design and detailing as a contributing factor to <br /> damages that reduced the protection of the life-safety of building occupants <br /> Because the City is within a seismic area which includes earthquake faults <br /> within and through the jurisdictional limits of the City, the modifications and <br /> changes cited herein are designed to better limit property damage as a result <br /> of seismic activity and to establish criteria for repair of damaged property <br /> following a local emergency <br /> t This amendment is justified on the basis of a local topographic condition Local <br /> topographical conditions include hills on the western border and flat area on <br /> the eastern border The narrow and winding access along with steeply sloped <br /> streets in the hills makes timely response by fire suppression vehicles difficult <br /> Interstate 680 divides the City into two sections, and circulation between areas <br /> of the City rely on both freeway overpasses and underpasses In addition, <br /> local traffic must also pass over railroad tracks, creeks, and bridges (to cross <br /> arroyos) Water lines which come from tanks on the hills of the City must also <br /> cross the interstate to feed the automatic fire sprinkler systems installed in <br /> buildings throughout the City During peak a m and p m traffic periods, the <br /> City experiences heavy traffic congestion at key intersections, and near many <br /> freeway on-ramp and off-ramps In the event of an accident or emergency at <br /> one of these key intersections, bridges, or other circulation corridors, sections <br /> of the City could become isolated and response times increased beyond ideal <br /> levels Combined with both the climatic and geologic hazards, these <br /> topographical conditions require modifications from the State Building <br /> Standards to mitigate these conditions <br />