Loading...
The URL can be used to link to this page
Your browser does not support the video tag.
Home
My WebLink
About
Fire Hazard/Fire Protection Study - July 1974
s WAZZ a WIR WO m TUDY mg, �N 4"k h ie e - ---------��� H' - x. - �,, �wR m ------ -- :� a .. :.::.. . . :..:.:< .. ..: .:........' ''. % ..: 1, .. .. . ... . .:...':r 1... , ... ..... 1. .. .: c,. :,.t...:....., ...<. ...: .;.: .:....n�..:.... ...:. .... .. -:.: a... . .. ♦... .. . i, .i .:'::...,': ......... ... .. .a............,... ..... ., .........:. .. .. _ ... ..:. .:.... ....: ,.fin.-;•..i".+i:-:':..:::: :: .:.\.�: .. ... ... Y..::.`F% ,y .. ...4.. ...: ... ....... -.:.. J` � ., Y.•:::::.:. ..,. .. .. .. ... .:. i t;' .:. .:.- .. .. .. ..::3 ...:-..:.. . .e v, ..... �...:.. M. . .• : .. . ......a.n t,:••'•'::'..:i:: ..� :: .. , ....... ...:: L.".:. ... v ... . `.. .:i s. -.,..... .. V.C.. .�k .v ....... .. :. ... ...... .. , ..... :1... , f.......... .. ..,.. .. :<< ...:.........:. ..:.. ...... .: ,. .. .,.:u.=':. .. ... ...r:.... .. .S . .:.::...:.::.itc .:.,:'f�.., .:.....:.: ......v....... .. ... .. .... a: ......... ..: :..:.. . ,.E4..:.,x.;:. :. .::..: ,. ', ! .: x: .. ..... .. ... a .. , . it P .' . .. ., . F�:' :�:I.s': .. n'a;:b:.:c ., :tau 3::''. ,, .::.;.:..,ti-.,:,... ...........: w^'-. . L. .......... .:::.. ,.., :..: '. c: E %r. .3 . . L .:.: ... . . V. J . :.. :. . ... . yy :. . .. ^. .... i:.,.c a ... _ . ..::... ..... u..9 r:n r % .. .. 1 of ;— IMF .a ......:. . ....:..... ,:.ice '�ti.,: :.:: 1. . . 1. . . ... .. . . .. .. 7 a1. a.. . .. ... ''' 3 . .... �.. SK.ep9.9. ... . ........ ....._ _ . .. ....,. v:....:.: .. .. .. .. .. .. , .': ... .. .. ...... :: : i,:.. . .... ... ....... .................. <. ....vt .:.. .. r.. ......... ... ........... , .. a . . ... :,,r ... ..., r.. ... . ..<. : . .. ..: :. .. .. - .r :c,.:..... ... .. ..r. .. .: .. ... Y... ..te .. .... .. ..... :.. 4. ... .n.Y d ...., ... .. ... :. . :>..:.. .... 't2'S' . ,..... .., : .. .,.. .. ,,.. .... .. lr. . :: W. .. .. .. .: i�::.. i'f.•:::.7� .. ... 1. :' K. .. .. _ % .. t.. :.. . ......: :: :_R x, :�. .rs.. .. .. .. A .. A. Of .lr„ 'R"E" ...... x.. . '4. .... a�p . . a ... :.:...:. t > .. . xi.f t . ... ...... .... E. . .. . $. . ,.�.. Lfy ,,::...:. ,... . .. Y.-: Spy .... a w :•� ,:::....:..::-� .. .. cd .. .....$A .. .:..:... .. ... ...:: .. .. .. \ .. n. .. �.:`. E :. ..... . .. .. ......."..:. :,.,p. .. .. .. a x ..:... .. g. ... .h .. ... G ..: . .E. .. .. .. ., .:... .. . .. F:9 w P .. .....:... .,. .... g , .. .. ,..:. ... :.......:..........: y .. :.. ... uR. Y 5' .P .......:... .. .. .. .... ......... .....a..n-'.. .. �s E ..,,.: . . :,A .e,yY .:. ,yr. .:...:; ...i., ,.'., i . ,. - » , ".:.. 11 +......: ..w.: w.. .ry . 7. .a . .. .. .F .. :....-. ... : ' a. �yyf V WIRE qlAZARDI • GF7RE PROTECTION `c�TUDY MY.19H � WT � huntinpton beach fire department hMtingnon beach plvnig depmmwnr • . TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 Introduction 1 1.1 Intent and Purpose 1 1.2 Relative Fire Hazard 2 2. 0 Existing Fire Situation 3 2. 1 Residential Development 3 2. 2 High Value Areas 4 2. 3 Conflagration Potential 4 2.4 Other Fire Hazard Areas 7 3 .0 Fire Control Capabilities 11 3 .1 Fire Control Facilities 11 3. 2 Manpower 20 3 . 3 Water Supply for Fire Protection 20 3.4 Fire Prevention 23 • 3 . 5 Relationship with Other Safety 24 Service System 3. 6 Other Components 26 4 . 0 Future Needs 29 Aft OF • • • ¢'SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION 1. 0 INTRODUCTION Historically, many cities throughout the United States have neglected to identify fire hazard potentials and develop fire protection capabilities to effectively combat large loss fires. As a result, fire losses to property and lives and fire protection costs are excessive. Only through proper building and fire code adoption and enforcement, in conjunction with adequate personnel and equip- ment, can these losses be reduced. Nevertheless, some risks must be calculated into the Fire Protection Plan. Fires will occur despite all reasonable precautions because of human negligence, incendiary acts, and disasters. The realistic approach is to evaluate what there is to burn; apply reasonable code enforcement to prevent accidental or potential fires from occurring; provide educational programs to inform citizens on fire prevention; and develop methods and policies that give operational guidelines to other departments within the City that provide services in the area of fire protection. 1. 1 Intent and Purpose a It is the objective of this report to summarize the fire safety situation in Huntington Beach. Prepared in cooperation with the Fire Department, it forms part of the background information for the City' s combined Seismic-Safety Element. In conjunction with the Geotechnical Inputs report and the Flood Hazard Study, the Fire Hazard Fire Protection Study will supply the necessary data 1 • for an interdisciplinary team from Planning, Building and Safety , Public Works, Fire, and Civil Defense Departments to develop long- range and short-term plans and implementation programs designed to j minimize community risk, upgrade hazardous conditions , and insure proper future development. Toward that end, the following paragraphs identify existing and potential fire hazards , analyze fire protection capabilities , and evaluate the effectiveness of fire fighting forces to combat existing and potential fire problems. 1.2 Relative Fire Hazard in Huntington Beach There are many factors that affect the fire hazard situation; some of them are: adequate comprehensive codes; effective code enforce- ment; a complete and integrated communications system; in-depth training; standardization of methods; automatic aid from adjoining cities; rapid response times; and co-ordination of all activities by administration. The overall fire hazard to this City as compared to other communities in this area is moderate. Some concern is justified for a conflagration potential in residential areas due to a combination of factors: Santa Ana Winds , wood shingle roofs and close dwelling spacing (10 ' separation) . It • is an annual threat that must be considered when evaluating the fire problem and fire defense capability. In most other types of land use such as commercial, mercantile and industrial, the fire problem is light to moderate as compared to other cities because much of that type of use has not been fully developed. • a • • • 2 Aft. %ECTION Z • EXISTING GF7RE `SITUATION • 2. 0 EXISTING FIRE SITUATION The light to moderate fire hazard in the City is closely related to its land use and development patterns. Because the number of industrial complexes , high-rise buildings , and commercial centers are limited, the fire problem is generally confined to single- and multi-family dwellings. Because the frequency of fire and the opportunity for large-loss fires are less , however, this does not mean that fire hazard is minimized. It is significant to note that two percent of all fires create 90 percent of the fire loss; but by providing adequate fire protection systems , the amount of loss in those fires can be minimized. (Figure 2-1 tabulates the number of fires by quarter section in 1973. ) The following pages outline existing fire potentials throughout the City. • 2. 1 Residential Development Because of its extensiveness in the City, residential use constitutes a major consideration in determining fire potential. This is especially true in high-density multiple family areas which present fire hazards not found in other types of occupancies . There are common attics and separations that are routinely violated by occupants installing electrical, plumbing and other alterations that promote fire spread in hidden areas; mis-use of storage areas for flammables in quantities not safety protected; access to 3 occupancies limited due to deep setbacks; improper parking in alleys and roadways; security fences that inhibit movement of fire combat forces; and restricted traffic flow within the complex. A great amount of cooperation is involved in coordinating inter- department activities to insure Code compliance for all new developments. This cooperation is enabling the proper types of fire protection to be required during preliminary planning and actual construction. Additionally, all occupancies that change owners or new facilities developed are inspected to insure that �! adequate fire protection is provided for the type of use intended. 2. 2 High Value Areas High value areas such as the City' s principal business districts, illustrated in Figure 2-2, large single occupancies with minimum fire protection systems , and large complexes such as the McDonnell- Douglas facility and the Edison facility require massive and immediate fire control forces if fire loss is to be kept within acceptable limits. Shopping centers , bulk storage of flammable liquids, and multi-story buildings also demand special attention. In addition to individual loss to property owners , loss of these types of occupancies has a large financial impact on the community in terms of property taxes , sales revenue, employment, and convenience. To handle such special fire potentials , the City has adopted the Uniform Building Code, the Uniform Fire Code, the National Fire Codes, a Sprinkler Ordinance, and is currently developing a High-Rise Ordinance. 2. 3 Conflagrations Potential A conflagration is so termed when a fire becomes wide spread and crosses natural or prepared barriers , i.e. streets, fire walls , or prepared fire breaks. Fire in large complexes, although fire loss may be considerable, are not necessarily conflagrations unless the • fire extends beyond the perimeters of the complex. Potential conflagrations exist in the downtown area, fully developed residential quarter sections and in the principle business districts. These areas (indicated in Figure 2-3) are identified as conflagration potential due primarily to the structural condition of existing . occupancies prior to adequate Code enforcement, lack of on-site fire protection facilities , horizontal fire spread due to inadequate fire separations , concentration of structures , and Santa Ana wind conditions. 41 AtW& ol oloo oo o xxxxxxxx lo ,O-W 'o� ME NOR IOLFA ........ ............................................ AkFADM 77 .......... ................. .............................. ...................... HK j. ........... ................. SLAM ............................................. loam j.............- QMFIELD LEGEND ........................... ............ ........ ................. IMTOWN FORINCrAL BUSINESS DISTRICT 0; OVER 100,000 SO.FT TOTAL ARE AMMs FIRE STATION LOCATIONS ........ ................. .............. MANAPOLIS ATLANTA KAMLTON ......................... 6ANNING is 40 -571 Fig. 2-2 FIRE STATION LOCATIONS IN RELATION 70 PRINCIPAL BUSINESS DISTRICTS huntington beach planning department 90LSA .......... ........ .......... ...... .... HK 16 .............. SLAM r. UAW aus LEGEND "RFULD WOW ROOFS- ....... ................. is VMTOVM HORIZONTAL SPREAD PROBABILITY Ms INDIANAPOLIS f, ATLANTA HAWTON (0> BANNING Fig 2-3 CONFLAGRATION POTENTIAL DURING SANTA ANA WIND CONDITIONS huntington beach pidnning department 4 2. 4 Other Fire Hazard Areas Other areas and uses in the City that create unique fire potential are above ground bulk storage of flammable liquids, the fuel refinery located in the Bolsa Chica area, and gas or oil well blow-outs. Hazards are magnified when oil wells are located adjacent to dwellings and commercial areas. Facilities that house non-ambulatory or restrained people, i.e. hospitals, rest homes , and jails , compound the fire problem; and industrial + processes where toxic gases or radioactive materials are used complicate fire combat. High pressure natural gas and petroleum products transmission lines (Figure 2-4) , gases that burn without visible flame, explosives stored in homes illegally, and hazardous materials that can burst into flame spontaneously are all present in Huntington Beach, as well. Most significant hazards have been located, identified, and safeguards taken or pre-plans made (Figure 2-5) . Human carelessness or abuse of these hazards causes fires and life loss. r ACIMM a 7 a .... ....... .......... _.. F"i .................................. AWADDIN �. ;� .... . .. HIS. • -- ----------------------- VONVII: ............ ............. .... .. . .... ............ SLAM 041M ........... am LEGENDGARFIELD VM70".............. ..... ................ PETROLEUM NATURAL GAS A -pig. f - ------ 4 his 0 PETROLEUM TANKS ............ ri WMANAPOLIS 40 ATLA. 14, HAMLTON Ae ...... ...... BANNING Fig. 2-4 PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS TRANSMISSION LINES huntington beach planning department • oe fes... BOLVA .................. AWOM 243% 7 ...... ................. ............ ................ ....... ................ ---- ---------- -------- ............... ............................ ... .......... SLAVIR 5 7 ...... Video" .. ......... LEGEND 9UFRLD .. ... ................. AMTOWN HDUSTRW AREAS ............ ,mw ................:............ N 41' AnANTA MMUON ............. 'lower, FI&2-5 ESSENTIAL FACILITIES & COMPLEXES 100,000 SO. FT. OR MORE huntington beach planning department ESSENTIAL FACILITIES s AND COMPLEXES 100,000 SQUARE FEET OR MORE LEGEND 1. McDonnell-Douglas Space Center 2. Levitz Furniture 3. Huntington Center 4. Civic Center 5. Huntington Inter-Community Hospital 6. Huntington Valley Convalescent Hospital ` 7. Standard Oil Marketing. Facility 8. Pacifica Hospital 9. Garfield Convalescent Hospital 10. Burma Gas Plant 11. Burma Oil Lease 12. Huntington Beach Union High School ! 13. Gulf Oil Storage Facility 14. Edison Steam Generating Facility 15. Orange County Sewage Treatment Plant _ 16. Goldenwest Community College 17. Town and Country Shopping Center 18. Springdale/Edinger 19. Zody' s 20. Huntington Harbour 21. Mercury-Angels Complex 22. K Mart 23. Five Points 24. Magnolia/Adams 25. Brookhurst/Adams 26 . Atlanta/Beach 27. Old Downtown w 10 Adak `8ECTION 3 • `FIRE CONTROL CAPABILITIES • • • • • 3. 0 FIRE CONTROL CAPABILITIES The fire danger present in the City was the subject of Section 2 . This section addresses the community' s ability to deal with it. • The Huntington Beach Fire Department has the capability of combat- ing all normal fire potential, but it is not adequately manned for a conflagration condition or for large area fires. Most of this deficiency, however, is alleviated by "automatic aid" with the cities of Fountain Valley, Seal Beach, and Westminster. Like Huntington Beach, few cities can afford full fire combat forces necessary to meet all fire threats , and utilization of existing forces to meet 95 percent of all fire incidents in the city is considered optimum protection. The five percent of the fires that need additional equipment and combat forces can be controlled through automatic aid and mutual aid agreements with other agencies. 3. 1 Fire Control Facilities The location of the fire stations defines the basic fire protection coverage of any area within the City. Of prime importance to the adequacy of the fire protection coverage is response time which is • basically a function of the distance from the fire station to the incident location and the average speed of travel by fire apparatus . The distance from the fire station to the incident location cannot be straight line travel but must be the actual travel distance. This travel distance may be increased considerably by street patterns , natural barriers such as railroad tracks, freeways, street work, etc. • 11 • • The average speed is affected by the type of street facility over which the response is made and by the amount of traffic. Fire stations should be located so as to provide an average response time of five minutes or less in 90 percent of the incidents. • Each of the City' s seven fire stations (identified on Figure 3-1) are strategically located throughout the City. (At least one additional fire station will be required in the near future to meet anticipated development of the Bolsa Chica area.) Each fire station is responsible for a total land area of approximately four • square miles, $200 ,000 ,000 of burnable materials , and the life safety of the 25 ,000 residents living within the geographic area. Existing fire stations and assigned equipment are listed in Figure 3-2. The Fire Department has eight fire engines (see Figure 3-3) , two • ladder trucks (see Figure 3-4) , and a paramedic unit as first line apparatus. There are in reserve status one heavy rescue/ salvage unit, two mobile light plants , and one state-owned fire engine. Also available now for immediate response through auto- matic aid are seven additional fire engines, three ladder trucks , and a rescue/salvage unit. Through mutual aid agreements with • other cities in the county and the Orange County Fire Department, special firefighting equipment and additional manpower can be obtained. At full development, the City will have eight fire stations, nine fire engines, three ladder trucks , two paramedic units , two mobile light plants, and a state-owned engine. In reserve status there will be two fire engines and a rescue/salvage unit. Stations and equipment planned for complete expansion are itemized on Figure 3-5 . Figure 3-6 identifies response districts for proposed fire station location. Areas of responsibility include: (Refer to Figure 3-7) Station Service Area Bushard 3.25 sq. mi. . Magnolia 3 .25 sq. mi. Lake 4 .0 sq. mi . Gothard 3. 75 sq. mi. Murdy 3.25 sq. mi. Graham 4.0 sq. mi. Warner 3. 75 sq. mi. , Talbert 4 .0 sq. mi. Figure 3-7 identifies ladder truck response districts at full development. 1 12 1 90LIft . ............................................... mdoam .. . .................... ............ .................... HU ---------- ------------- .......... ----------- SLWU VAM ILLS rao. LEGEND --P OARVELD ................. ............... .................. IMTOVM BU BUSHARD • GO-GOTHARD AMOS HE HIRL LA-LAKE ....... ................. MA-MAGNOLIA Exwm • ATLANTA Mu-MURDY • TEMPORARY WA-WARNER A LINM CONSTRUCTION NAMLTON .......... WOO" • Fig. 3-1 CURRENT FIRE STATION LOCATIONS huntington beach planning department V I CURE 3 2 • EXISTING FIRE STATIONS AND EQUIPMENT ASSIGNED FIRE STATION ADDRESS EQUIPMENT ASSIGNED • Bushard 19711 Bushard Street Fire Engine 8205 Gothard 18311 Gothard Street Fire Engine 8201 Fire Engine 8209 • (Reserve) 8232 Rescue/Salvage Mobile Light Plant 8292 Heil 5891 Heil Street Fire Engine 8204 • Lake 708 Lake Street Fire Engine 820$ State Owned Engine OES-127 Ladder Truck 8222 • Mobile Light Plant $299 Magnolia 21441 Magnolia Street Fire Engine 8206 Murdy 16221 Gothard Street Fire Engine 8207 Ladder Truck 8221 • Paramedic Unit M-61 Warner Anderson and PCH Fire Engine 8202 • • • • 14 • EouA ooaooao aoo ea;d;o'o 'o'o'o' R a'"'0 oeo eoe •0o0•• ""°A0°" 'e'o o' 0,9W '0 o'o'a'a OW 'o'o'o' 'o'o'o'c!'o'0 0 '0 0'0 WNW • V • • 00j00060a004'4aIs a0 '000 • • a* , O'00a 090g0 , j.,0.0 '•u • • a 0 o;afo'0 0'0 0 0 000'q'o' 3'0 0'0 I�'V • otio'0o' ' • • '0000'0 000 • • '0'0 0 � • '0 0 0'0'0 0 0' 'o'a'o' 'o • -• • '0 0 0'0'0 0'0 '0 0'0 • • • • • '000i'000 'ooa • 'o o;e;0 e 0 0; 'v'e o; y�,�J' Q WA ��r 'oaio0a 'aoo � f SLAM � eb000 000 WAMET '000 'a08 � • am * s� . .•.:•:.::•.:•• .•r WA © VbARIrER •�:�' • • :titi•3 I; rrr2•'rI :�►zi�n�•.r TOEKTowN GO GOTHARD . . . . . 8. . . . i . . . . BU BUSHARD °ri-rinra��.. ••'. A :, .••'�:.• ::: ::::•:: . . . . 0xa MA MAGNOLIA . • . �� . •:■::■ ■ ■ . ATLANTA •.•., . . . . � . ■ . . . . ■ LA ' '� LAKE S • . '::■�.� ::■':::■ �•-\ * NAMLTON . . . Ei . _ . . .:. . . . .•. . . . . ■ . ■ ■ ■ f '�'� •: : . EANNMIO an a '. as :: w •:■ o `r \�i EXISTING R°' 3_3 ENGINE COMPANY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS huntington beach planning department • .. ►MIND, r!!!♦♦! ♦.t♦t►!WIN �!♦1�►!!!1♦�!!l111�►♦!!♦!!!! �!!!♦� !! ♦!!@S♦♦!r♦!!l►l►l►��♦!!!!!♦!r� >,aa,�t►��lw�i�+a�►l��i♦ili�ili♦i♦l�ililililili�sa!!rrr+r� � W • •...w�.w.w.t►t►!!..►A!!!♦!!�t►"l��t►t►s sl+a aaIMMIaaw�♦ ►!♦t►!♦1*1 ♦ ►♦♦�♦♦!♦!♦lei.• �►►♦.t+♦♦♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦tE♦♦!!!!! !♦♦♦!♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦� ►! ►!!!!♦�!!!!!!�►♦!!♦♦��1�♦i!i �i♦i♦i�►lili�i�i♦i!i! FIGURE 3-5 • FUTURE STATIONS AND EQUIPMENT ASSIGNED -- FOR COMPLETED EXPANSION STATION ADDRESS EQUIPMENT ASSIGNED Talbert Not Determined Fire Engine 8211 • Ladder Truck 8223 Bushard 19711 Bushard Street Fire Engine 8205 Graham Not Determined Fire Engine 8203 Paramedic Unit M-61 Gothard 18311 Gothard Street Fire Engine 8201 • Fire Engine 8209 (Reserve) Rescue/Salvage 8232 Mobile Light Plant 8292 ! (Reserve) Fire Engine 8202 Lake 708 Lake Street Fire Engine 8208 State Owned Engine OES-127 • Ladder Truck $222 Paramedic Unit M-63 Mobile Light Plant 8299 • Magnolia 21441 Magnolia Street Fire Engine 8210 Murdy 16221 Gothard Street Fire Engine 8207 (Reserve ) Fire Engine 8204 Ladder Truck 8221 Warner Warner and PCH Fire Engine 8206 • 17 � aoaao a'00000 a O a'o0a'o6 'o6a 04'OObOoO '000 •� OOadrJoo'a 'OOo aoaaoaooWOW aab ROMA oa o o�a;o o'o 'a'a'o IWAFADDIN a ooa a o'a 'ooa 000a aoaao ,oao 00 o'o� 'ooa '000 o c i o o o 'o'o a' a i• `io a'o 'a'o'o' s t • • • ! 000 os iooa '000 • • • • • t o o;a; o o.0:0, 'oo o oa o ' ' • • • • • • oa a a•o 00•.a a oa o; o a .o ; •. • • • • .•... o.a?oo.a.a � _ ... ... . N� • • •• • • • • a0a'a4aOoO aoa' • • • t • vaOOa000a '800 • • • • • • o o a O o a'a 'a'a'o SLAZIR •i•• 1 -Nl f� fr .l f ��~jf���. VAMOT r L4 LEGEND \ ' WA ® WARNERYmTowN \ •.• :�:,w•CS:)(y :• c•. . S.- � •�• ...... O O • .! t•!1e1,,ie ,-�a/�N •w••i•i '•��•••i :i.;�;.��;: • :�r�.;: ::::.;•; :::.;.;.•.� GR GRAHAM �. :;�..+: •%.;:� •"{;;�:.;�;� :=�i � ::�;:; •:�:: • : :: ;:: •:.;. MU ® MURDY \ ' .. ...: n•u!s 1 ` ••• •!__ �.+war::�;:�•.•'•;r:1:+': �:::•• •••J:t: :•::.•' . :•':W ''' • •• TA �3 �_ TALBERT �. �:� • .• . .. . . :�:�5 ::::�.: •:•:: ;:•:;:: •: • : •: GO GOTHARD .•: • ■ . . . . r . . . 8l1 t:: : BUSHARD LA . • f . • r ■ r • • ■ � • • • • • • • i • ■ ■ ATLANTA LALAKEhh . . ■ ■ .� . . . . ■ . MA sesame a © MAGNOUA : 0 ¢ NMtUON • • • • • • • ■ f:• • r r • • •:• • r r • • • • ' ■ ■i i• iri• i i • • i..s..a-. MrN■q �C�~� i•�i ifr • � ,: � r•i■ i • .f i Fig. 3-6 AMI ENGINE COMPANY RESPONSE • AREAS AT FULL DEVELOPMENT huntington beach planning department • t So Now o f `AM INIMOM } rti ti� l ti t1 C1.:yA 1 .� IL _ j � sty .��tl'>>.x�ihh�l��(.�jv�f.SL�` 1••ii, +'1 sF ' . �.. ��`� �,a t ti,�1'��•`�.`f.'ti''�'1i1�,��"t vY'�t t�'f�4j�'`�.• �1j`\ aeww• r', C OCLEINWIEST rm BEACH MINRAND •' i • ` r C ' 1 i�• •• 1 + P'� • • ••• �.•• ••••• .• • •.•: •• MAONOUA IOL • • '••••• • ••i• •••••• ••••N•• ••i• :i•Y \ • • • • •• • • • • • i • • • ••• • M• � f.........< •• Mooloam os. #... .. ,,.,,m a • 3. 2 Manpower Manning practices are normally based on a city' s financial capability rather than the fire hazard potential, and unfortu- • nately few communities can fully man apparatus at the recommended level. The average work week for firefighters in Huntington Beach is 56 hours. The manning level established for the Fire Department is Three Man Engine Companies , Three Man Ladder Truck Companies, Two • Man Paramedic Units and a Battalion Chief and Driver/Aide on each shift. This is the minimum number of personnel that is safe and fire-combat effective based on present fire potential. As the City grows , high rise buildings are built, and industrial areas develop, the fire problem will change. More stations and higher levels of manning will be necessary if the Fire Department is to maintain the • same level of service. When fighting large area fires , manpower must be provided through "automatic aid" and "mutual aid" agreements with other agencies. It takes four men to place a single 2h inch fire hose in service and provide 250 gallons of water per minute on a fire; and it is • not unusual for a large fire to require thousands of gallons of water per minute. Some manpower requirements for certain types of structures can be reduced, however, by proper utilization of fire protection systems such as sprinkler systems, standpipe systems , and smoke detection systems. 3. 3 Water Supply for Fire Protection The water required for fire protection use is supplied from two sources: eight water wells located within the City and the Colorado River water obtained through an agreement with the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) . The Feather River water from Northern California will also be used to augment the present MWD system. The City has three connections from MWD. One connection is located at the intersection of Newland and Edinger Streets with a capacity to deliver into the water system forty- seven hundred gallons per minute. The second Metropolitan Water District connection is located at the intersection of Springdale and Glenwood Streets with a capacity to deliver into the system nine thousand gallons per minute. The third Metropolitan Water District connection is located at the Santa Ana River and Adams Street with a capacity to deliver into the system seven thousand • gallons per minute. The City also has four water storage reservoirs presently in operation (see Figure 3-8) . The Peck Reservoir (16 ,000,000 gallons) , located at Springdale and Glenwood; the Overmeyer Reservoir (23,000 ,000 gallons) , located at Garfield and Huntington; 20 Adft emu ....... ................. ........... ............................ ......................... ............ ............ ...................... HIL VAUM ........ ...... ................................. .. . ...................... RAM VAMF ....... ........... ow MRAGE CAPACITY - - ---- PECK RESERVOIR-16,004000 GAL. —L..ji............................... .................. .................. MwTovM OVERMEYER RES8tVOIR-23,000A= RESERVOIR HILL-1,304000 GAL. AM PROPOSED RESERVOIR-20AMAM GAL. SAM JOAQUIN RESERVOIR ....... ................ ............. LEGEND (City Of Irvine) RESERVOIRS AnANTA FUTURE RESERVOIR HAMTON VATER WELLS ME III on ................ &ANNNO Fig.3-8 Af2tki WATER RESERVOIRS AND WELLS huntington beach planning department • and Reservoir Hill (1, 300 ,000 gallons) , located at Goldenwest and Clay (the San Joaauin Reservoir contains 130 ,000 ,000 gallons) . The combined total stored water within the four reservoirs is approximately 170, 300, 000 gallons. To augment this storage, the eight water wells located in the City provide 28, 800, 000 gallons per day into the water system. One additional water reservoir is being planned at Banning and Magnolia with a capacity of 3,000, 000 gallons . The average daily water consumption in the City is approximately 22 million gallons per day. The required amount of water for fire protection for a city comparable to Huntington Beach with a popula- tion of 150 ,000 is 10 ,000 gallons/minute for a duration of ten hours. This would result in a demand on the water system of an additional 6 ,000 ,000 gallons for the ten hoar period. The i present water supply system can generally handle the required demand for fire protection. The City also maintains an emergency connection with the City of Fountain Valley. The required fire flow is the rate of flow in gallons per minute needed for firefighting purposes to confine and control a major fire to a building or physical confines of the area. Greater fire flows may be required for structures or developments which present additional hazard potential; such as , building heights , exposures, minimum fire protection facilities, and hazardous process occupancies . Fire flow requirements throughout the City are a standard requirement by land use varying from 1,500 GPM in residential developments to a maximum required fire flow of 6 ,000 GPM in the high hazard and indus- trial areas. Residential developments require a minimum of 1,500 gallons per minute and one fire hydrant for each 160 ,000 square feet of net land area. Fire hydrants shall be spaced not more than 600 feet along public streets , or so that each dwelling is within 300 feet • of a fire hydrant. High density residential and commercial zones require a minimum of 3 ,000 gallons per minute and one fire hydrant for each 120,000 feet of net land area. Industrial developments and principal business districts require a minimum of 3 ,500 to 6,000 gallons per minute and one fire hydrant for each 80,000 square feet of net land area. All portions of commercial and • manufacturing buildings shall be within 300 feet of a public fire hydrant. All supplemental fire protection systems may include, but are not limited to, fire hydrants , automatic sprinkler systems, and other related systems and appliances as required for a development as may be deemed necessary to provide life and property protection shall be the responsibility of the fire department. The minimum required residual pressure of 20 PSI shall remain in the underground water system with the required GPM flowing. Water flow for fire protection requirements shall be supplied by the water system having a minimum inside diameter of six inches. 22 Aft 1 • Figure 3-9 identifies required fire flows for the City and Figure 3-10 indicates actual fire flows calculated in 1970. Areas where observed flows did not meet requirements are also noted. (This data was tabulated prior to completion of the Overmeyer Reservoir project which would eliminate some problems. Actual flows will be evaluated by 1975. ) 3. 4 Fire Prevention The Fire Prevention Bureau is responsible for code enforcement, fire investigation, public information, and the coordination of fire protection system needs with other agencies. The prevention of fires is based upon knowledge of what there is to burn, where it is located and what the sources and causes of ignition are. Prompt and thorough investigation of the cause of all fires is the cornerstone of any fire prevention program. Without accurate data relative to ignitions, all further fire prevention efforts are dubious. ! The Fire Prevention Bureau monitors the fire prevention and inspec- tion program performed in the field for existing occupancies, and provides expertise to the fire companies on code interpretation. All occupancies are inspected at least once a year and certain occupancies inspected up to four times a year by the fire compan- ies in their responsibility areas. • All new construction plans are evaluated to determine fire protec- tion needs. The fire protection specialists work closely with other City departments in helping the developer provide a fire resistive and adequately protected structure. Adequate code enforcement for existing occupancies along with evaluating the • future fire problem and recommending code changes are the primary responsibility of the Fire Prevention Bureau. The Fire Protection Specialists also inspect hazardous occupancies and occupancies with large life loss potential periodically, assist- ing the fire combat forces. All the Fire Prevention Bureau is on a maximum 15 minute delay for deploying as fire combat personnel if needed during their normal work day. The Fire Prevention Bureau also has the responsibility of providing • a comprehensive public information program to inform citizens of fire safety. Employees of hospitals and convalescent homes receive training in fire evacuation and containment. The Bureau is also involved in the Junior Fire Marshal program that is required by law and directed at fifth graders. This program encourages young- sters to practice fire safety. • 23 • Many citizen groups, civic and private organizations, and citizens with a desire to learn fire safety and first aid can receive this information through the Fire Prevention Bureau. When fire ignitions occur, the Bureau investigates the causes and recommends remedial action. An example of this was in the improper use of aluminum wire in this City by some developers. Recommenda- tions were made, eventually nationwide, that will help prevent many fires in the future. The Fire Prevention Bureau also has the responsibility for the follow-up on all incendiary or arson fires. • The Fire Prevention Bureau, assisted by the Police Department, has the responsibility for obtaining complaints relative to all fire crimes. Hazardous processes and materials are also evaluated with the inten- tion of either eliminating the problem or providing adequate fire t protection to prevent unacceptable life and property loss. The Fire Prevention Bureau through its efforts have contributed to keeping the fire problem within manageable limits and keeping the fire hazard potential to a moderate level. • 3. 5 Relationship with Other Safety Service Systems 3. 5. 1 Emergency Medical • The emergency medical services provided to all citizens of Huntington Beach are totally integrated into the fire protection system. All requests for emergency medical assistance are handled by the closest available fire company and fire paramedical unit. Fire units provide medical care at the Emergency Medical Technician I level and fire paramedics administer care at the Emergency Medical Technician II level. The quality of paramedic service is controlled by the Orange County Health Officer, and each incident is under the radio and telemetry supervision of the Base Station Hospitals doctor or Intensive Care Nurse. Transportation of injured or sick persons is handled by a selected ambulance company. Paramedics maintain control over all patients that have received drugs or intravenous injections. 3. 5. 2 Emergency Rescue • Rescue services are also totally integrated into the City's fire protection system. All trapped victims receive extracation services from the closest available engine, ladder and paramedical unit. Light rescue can be performed • by the engine company but all heavy rescues require the tools and equipment carried on the ladder truck. Paramedics 24 .......... . ................... ................... . ............. . ......... 1.0 lb .......... R �X-1 1K X ,t -,.:. � fit, . 4 ....V ........... -—---------- .... .... ............ ........................... 0 .......... ........ ... .............. .......... ............... 4s . mm x x V Fig. 3-9 HUNTINGTON BEACH CALIFORNIA E PLANNING DEPARTMENT REQUIRED FIRE FLOWS (Insurance Services Office) In Gallons Per Minute r # a � I ........ ....... ..........^.......... .................... „1 O ....... , ol . 0 'Q: .n,l: i,� ��+w,d ;,��a •�f � �� s § .''f� � 1 '" \ ♦ �qb v am 19 ; .: LEGEND Fig.3-10 HUNTINGTON BEACH C4LIFORNIA 0000 GALLONS PER MINUTE— • ` : PLANNING DEPARTMENT CALCULATED FIRE FLOWS• ;ry 1 MEET OR EXCEED STANDARD 3-18-70/Calculated (0000) GALLONS PER MINUTE- In Gallons Per Minute SUBSTANDARD are dispatched to attend to any medical needs. Heavy rescues in collapsed buildings may also require response of specialized equipment from the Public Works Department or private contractors. Procedures are established to secure the immediate response of this special equipment. 3. 5. 3 Police Services Many of the fires, medical aids or rescues require the coordinated support from the police service. Police personnel provide continuous fire watch service through- out the City, and reporting of incidents are handled through a totally integrated Police-Fire Command Control System. The police also perform traffic and crowd i functions at all emergency incidents. For all incidents involving a crime, the police immediately assume command of that portion of the emergency. Arson and incendiary fire cause investigations are handled by a Fire Department investigation team. 3. 5. 4 Civil Defense Major emergencies or disasters require the activation of the City' s Command and Control Center. All City emergen- cy resources are immediately placed under the command of the City Civil Defense Director. If any of the following type of emergencies or disasters occur, the Fire Chief or his assistants will be the incident officer and will be responsible for the operational planning: aircraft accidents; industrial accidents; catastrophic fires; and explosions . The public emergency warning system is controlled by the Fire Department. A warning siren is located at each fire station and activated by the Fire Operations Center. Provisions have been made at three fire stations for emergency feeding and care of disaster workers. 3. 5.5 Emergency Communications The Fire Operating Center (FOC) commands and controls the fire reporting and dispatch functions for the cities of Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Seal Beach and Westminster. This integrated communications system completely coordinates the emergency operations of the four city fire departments and provides the vehicle by which the four cities can functionally integrate their emergency operations. All of the cities ' emergency radio frequencies can be either monitored or controlled from the Command Control Center, the Police Operating Center or the Fire Operating Center. This feature is to provide Adft 25 redundancy during disasters. A component part of the Command and Control system is the computers located in the Police Department and the Data Processing Center. All fire incidents are processed through these computers. e The Fire Departmetn administers the address, emergency notification, hazardous conditions and medical sub-files. 3.5.6 Fire Combat Training • A "Joint Powers Training Center" located next to the Gothard Fire Station is a consolidated use facility for the cities of Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Seal Beach and Westminster. All types of fire combat training and simulation can be performed at the center. Provisions have been made to utilize the proposed City Cable TV •� system as a component part of the training system. 3. 5. 7 Fire Information System Again the four cities have integrated their fire information • management and documentation requirements into a single "Uniform Fire Information and Reporting System" (UFIRS) . By 1975, information will be available from the computer that will provide data for detailed analysis. The general objectives of the system are to: • a. improve the fire service capability to deal with the problem of loss of life and property by fire in individual occupancies; b. study the fire problem data base, to allow fire department officials to use the information needed to respond to the complexities of modern urban- metropolitan areas, and to allow urban areas to compare the use fire data from other urban areas to provide better correlation and validation of their operations; c. develop a data base to enable the City Administrator to make effective appraisals of fire problems; and d. provide accurate and meaningful fire data, to strengthen municipal fire prevention activities, and ' to form a base for development of building codes and standards at municipal, state and national levels. 3. 6 Other Components Though facilities, equipment, manpower, and water supply are the prime components of fire control capability, several other factors 26 a influence the effectiveness of fire protection. Financial constraints and cost-effective fire protection, for example, is a problem for all public agencies. By combining and sharing essential services i� among jurisdictions, total manpower and equipment requirement can be reduced. This, of course, is the motivation behind the City' s joint powers agreement with Seal Beach, Westminster, and Fountain Valley. Also, placement of stations irrespective of city boundaries and response capability should be evaluated as a means of generating quicker resonse times and minimizing duplication of equipment. A computerized management information system similar to the one now being developed can increase the ability of administration to under- stand the fire problem and improve the decision-making process with accurate and instantaneous data. i • • • ! 27 • %EC TION 4 • WUTURE qVEEDS A • 4.0 FUTURE NEEDS As previously indicated, the Fire Department has minimum equipment and personnel to meet normal fire situations . As additional growth and density become reality, the Department will experience increas- ing demands. Daily, new processes and materials are developed that require specialized skill and equipment to effectively control fires that may occur. In order to minimize life loss potential and fire loss factors , the following recommendations are offered by the Fire Department: 1. Master Plan A comprehensive community fire protection master plan should be developed for Huntington Beach. The plan should include a detailed design to achieve the objectives as stated in the City's "Policy Plan" . 1 The uses of the plan would be to: I a. articulate fire protection goals of the community. b. document current and planned community environment in which fire protection is to be provided. C. document current and planned fire services. 29 Orw I• d. identify needs for, and program allocation of, fire protection resources. e. identify and establish inter- and intra-agency policies and operational procedures and assign responsibilities . f. set and implement management policy. The plans need to include typical fire protection goals such as: *establish an adequate level of fire protection. *identify benefits . *establish methods for measuring risk and performance. *establish methods for community interaction in the planning. *determine resource levels required. , *establish a basis for inter-agency programming and budgeting. *assign fire protection responsibilities. *establish priorities for action. *establish a system for effective management. 2. Fire Information The "Uniform Fire Information and Reporting System" (UFIRS) needs to be continuously updated. Data on fire fatalities, injuries , property loss , economic impact, fire ignitions, fire spread factors , code violations contributing to ignition- or + ' loss , and the fire control factors ark' needed to grovide an information base for management decisions and community action. 3 . Pub ic"°Inforritation anct- Education The public can best eliminate causative and contributive fire hazards. Only through dissemination of information and education can the public understand the problem and set personal objectives to eliminate fire hazards. The Fire Department must improve it' s Public Information and Education Program before any measurable public effort on the elimination of fire ignition and fire hazard can be expected. F 30 1 4. Fire Detection a. All new and existing single family dwellings should be provided with an automatic smoke detection system (products of combustion) located adjacent to all bedrooms or, in two story dwellings , at the top of the stairway. b. All new multi-family residential buildings of two or more stories in height should be provided with an approved automatic fire detection system (products of combustion) in each hallway and at the top of each stairway. C. All new buildings built as a non-residential occupancy of 10,000 square feet of gross floor area or less, should be provided with an automatic fire detection system r (products of combustion) . 5. Fire Reporting a. Automatic fire detection systems installed (products of combustion) in multi-family housing occupancies and • commercial structures of 10 ,000 square feet should be connected directly to the Fire Department' s emergency reporting system. b. Sophisticated Public Safety Emergency Reporting System - A critical factor in any emergency is the time lag • between the reporting of the emergency and the dispatch- ing of the appropriate emergency agency. The time lapse caused by indecision, wrong numbers , or in looking up an emergency number can often be critical. To minimize this delay, it is necessary to employ mandatory operational standards applicable to a sophisticated 911 system of # emergency reporting. Inter-agency cooperation between governmental jurisdictions and telephone company central offices to insure an "immediate call routing" capability is necessary. The ability to hold the party calling on the line, to ring back the party, to selectively or automatically route calls , automatic number identifica- tion (ANI) and automatic location identification (ALI) are some of the requirements of a "Sophisticated 911 System" . C. The universal, nationwide emergency reporting number (911) should be incorporated into the City' s emergency 140 reporting system at the earliest possible date. 6 . Emergency Response The City' s command and control should continue to be improved and designed to speed the response of emergency fire services • Atftk 31 • to citizens in need. A strong additional purpose is to insure that emergency personnel and equipment are utilized in an optimum manner. 7. Fire Control a. Every new non-residential building of 10 ,000 square feet or more and all buildings more than one story in height should be provided with an automatic fire sprinkler system. When activated by fire, the alarm shall be transmitted automatically to the Fire Department Dis- patch Center. b. The Warner Fire Station should be relocated to Warner and Pacific Coast Highway at the earliest possible date. The existing Engine Company located at Anderson and Pacific Coast Highway will not be cost effective until this is done. Also, citizens in the Huntington Harbour area are not receiving an equivalent degree of protec- tion as the remainder of the community. The relocation will eliminate this problem. • C. As the Bolsa Chica is developed an imbalance of community fire protection will occur. Increased construction and population in that area will require an Engine Company to be located in a commercial area on Talbert near Bolsa Chica. An additional ladder company will also be needed at this location within five to ten years. d. The Heil Fire Station should be relocated to Graham and Edinger when the Talbert Fire Station is constructed. This move, coupled with automatic aid response of fire companies from the Westminster One Fire Station in Westminster will eliminate the need for any additional fire stations on Springdale at Glenwood. The Springdale site is presently owned by the City and could continue to be used as a small park-rest site. e. The Uniform Building Code and the Uniform Fire Code should be continually reviewed in concert with the Master Plan, with the intent to minimize the size of public fire protection forces. Built in fire protection systems have always been considered as the best approach to on-line or standby fire protection. f. As modern equipment becomes available, strong considera- tion should be given to improve the Fire Department cost benefit ratio. • 32 8. Fire Prevention a. Community oriented neighborhood action programs should be encouraged in problem areas to eliminate the causative and contributing fire hazards. A motivated creative group properly informed can accomplish much in the area of fire prevention. b. The fire prevention code should continually be enforced to reduce ignition and fire loading factors that cannot be eliminated through information and cooperative approaches. Summary The intent of these recommendations is to lower life and property loss potential and to transfer the major cost of fire protection to the individual developer and/or land owner rather than allocat- ing it to property tax funds for expensive municipal services. The main objective is to reduce the discovery time of fires, insure a reliable means of transmitting the alarm, and control all fires • before they exceed the fire control capabilities of the on duty fire defense force. Fire protection systems should be included in construction to minimize manpower and equipment required to prevent large losses . An active code enforcement program by both the Fire and Building • Departments should also be executed to insure that maximum precau- tions are taken to minimize the ignition and spread of fire. The City' s "Policy Plan" sets forth the following directions regard- ing fire protection: • 1. To maintain a fire prevention and protection system that considers private property insurance rates and emphasizes prevention. This should be done through education and regulation. 2. To provide systems and relief to residents and other juris- dictions in event of uncontrolled major disasters. 3. Safeguard the general economy and welfare of the community through fire protection, immediate and temporary medical assistance. This should be done by developing the most modern techniques of fire prevention, fire control and field 1 medical services. The goals of the Fire Department are designed to meet the criteria set forth in the City "Policy Plan" : • ANN 33 • 1. Protect life and property by preventing unfriendly fires from starting. 2. Prevent loss of life and property from uncontrolled hazards • such as panic, fire, explosions , physical entrapments , floods , dangerous chemicals and gases, and radioactive materials . 3. Safeguard the general economy and welfare of the community by preventing disastrous conflagrations from destroying economi- cally essential industries and businesses . • 4. Provide paramedical services as requested for the preservation of life. 5. Provide a trained and properly equipped personnel cadre for disasters. • • • • s • • 34 Adft BIBLIOGRAPHY A Policy Plan for Huntington Beach, prepared by the Huntington Beach Citizens Committee for Goals and Objectives, City of Huntington Beach. October, 1972. "Fire Protection Handbook" , National Fire Protection Association. Growth Policy Study, Huntington Beach Planning Department, October, 1973. Land Use Element: Phase I, Huntington Beach Planning Department, December, 1973. a "Modern Technology in the Fire Service" , Institute for Local Self- Government. "Municipal Fire Administration" , International City Managers Association. "Research on Equipment Technological Utilized by Local Government: Fire Suppression", Public Technology Incorporated. "System Standards and Planning Guidelines Manual" , State of California, Department of General Services, Communications Division. Uniform Building Code adopted with amendments by the City of Huntington Beach. Uniform Fire Code adopted with amendments by the City of Huntington Beach. a a a a Adft ow 140 ' PLANNING, b .eau:N 'b.1.iQG - - ;a::..:' :s<. x, XE�p s r gym•'i. .4..:.- ..w.::..y... i ! . .:........ u MIA q x m,tk Z tha .ii. :a.Q � ,^.t eti; ���.A ta��, n.• _ R N A M .Y4e!1ixA .. T•AS as3'�C+S�»i?`'RJ�� �i�'E.;..... '�i'Y.k.'tsl;f4�,�:'1Sd�Y:� .. ,:'�iA :§,� C'' :��, :j3�xd.'yay . :ALA A As .y:HM J 9�`�°i�7"aA W �eX : JAL NAME., S. .... .t�;:'G�...:e:d:'.:' ,+.y,:.♦ x SAVOYA. a.8,. A U a. -mnar $p++yy ... ... n 0 ...v..,<x.., . WE up . are.11P.If .. :...:. '.:. .,�5 7::.t<f$:$ae-+x Er ..J'Yffi ° a`.'N_,r' anniog Al. .c,npy , REX ::. .. .'..-: ... .. Y'•—.',�.�:F >?.a.o..�'Sii�:�c #,.Cn.�;•$:�:?f11p y , . . .....::.:.. , , s , , • x.. s: