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decision was made many years ago to control the size of the fire fighting force by enacting sprinkler ordinances more restrictive than the Uniform Building Code which is adopted by all the westem states and the cormtry. Issues considered were the size of a fire that could occur in various sized building and it was calculated how many gallons of water per minute it would take for fire hoses to put that size fire out. Gallons per minute equals numbers of fire fighters. This community selected 8000 square feet of total building area as the limit. Beyond that threshold, the on duty fire fighting force would seriously be taxed and there would be an exposure and a threat to properties nearby. The commtmity made the decision that that much volume under the roof should be fire sprinklered. Administratively, with an 8000 square foot ordinance in a city in California that rarely builds a basement, the reality is staff does not usually see 7900 square feet buildings above grade with a basement. Also within the Uniform Building Code is the provision that basements exceeding 1500 square feet should be sprinklered. That is there because fighting a fire in a basement is very dangerous. Even though the people get out above, there is concern about fire fighter safety. Imagine going down into a hot, smoke- filled oven and finding the seat of the fire. Too many firefighters in the last hundred years have been killed doing that. The Code has historically said if basements exceed a certain area and have storage they must be sprinklered. If fire department staff reviewed this building today as a complete submittal, sprinklers would be required for all useable areas. Mr. Churka said the flammability is restricted in the basement, but that refers to flammable liquids. He can still store a variety of ordinary combustibles that can still bum very hot and generate a lot of smoke. The Fire Chief has to consider this building over the next fifty years. Over that time new pipes or new wires may be installed in the first floor and it is undetermined how completely sealed the first floor/basement fire protection rating will be. Basement fires are dangerous and this is a large basement. If it is going to have storage in it, it should have been sprinklered. Mr. Churka felt if he cut the basement space in half, the building would not have to be sprinklered. Based on what the Fire Chief said, the building should have been sprinklered from the beginning and he should have been told that before it was already constructed. Ms. Michelotti believed he had been told that from the beginning. Ms. Acosta referred to the start date of the project. Staff was trying to be helpful to Mr. Churka and allowed the project to start with foundation only permits to allow the process to start. That extended the building period. Ms. Michelotti asked for confirmation from Mr. Churka that the 2220 square feet of basement first submitted on the plans was incorrect and there is actually 3500 square feet. Mr. Churka said the 3500 square feet was close but there is a difference between useable space versus non-useable space. Pleasanton City Council 15 04/04/00 Minutes