SR 06:205 - Laserfiche WebLink

ATTACHMENT 1 Residential Sprinklers for New Construction Ms. Decker deferred the staff report to Eric Carlson, Fire Marshall, and William Cody, Fire Chief, as the memo was a result of their participation in the discussion in terms of regulations that are currently enforced in the City of Livermore and how that varies with what the City of Pleasanton has adopted. Mr. Carlson stated that he would be available to answer questions and noted that reliability costs were a major element in the development of residential fire sprinklers. He described the program's background as utilized in Livermore and detailed the technical aspects of sprinkler water distribution and response to a structure fire with the sprinklers in place. In 25 of 26 activations in Livermore, the fire was nearly extinguished by the time the Fire Department responded to the home. He noted that the costs have risen slightly because of material issues, ranging from $1.00 to $1.50 per square foot. Large custom homes could cost up to $3.00 per square foot because of vaulted ceilings. He noted that a home with no sprinklers generally has 20..30 times the damage of a home with sprinklers. In response to an inquiry by Commissioner Blank regarding mortality in homes with and without sprinklers, Mr. Carlson confirmed that there had been no large life loss in any building (condominiums, hotels, and apartment buildings) in the United States that has had fire sprinklers. Commissioner Blank noted that he had witnessed a fire in a home without sprinklers and commented that the occupants were lucky to get out alive. In addition, the residents were out of their homes for a long time. In response to an inquiry by Commissioner Blank regarding whether a building outside the five-minute response time was required to have sprinklers, Mr. Carlson replied that this is a requirement in the Municipal Code. In response to an inquiry by Commissioner Pearce regarding whether the Fire Department would support a Code amendment requiring fire protection systems at all new residential construction in Pleasanton, Mr. Carlson confirmed it would absolutely support such an amendment. Commissioner Blank requested that staff correct the date on the memo, which read January 25, 2006. He noted that was the second time the Planning Commission considered the issue, after the initial consideration in October 2005. THE PUBLIC HEARlNG WAS OPENED. Greg Ketell, 3611 Cameron Avenue, believed the presentation was very informative and stated that he put a small addition onto his property. At the time, he had approached Zone 7 about installing sprinkler systems; Zone 7 stated they would replace the valve and all the plumbing up to the house at no charge because they would be able to bill him for the one-inch pipe. THE PUBLIC HEARlNG WAS CLOSED. EXCERPTS: PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES, June 28, 2006 Page lof2