DRAFT Conceptual Fire Protection Plan; West Hills 6-23-16
Signature Page
This Fire Protection Plan/Vegetation Management Plan (the Plan) is submitted in compliance with the County of Los Angeles Fire Department requirements. It complies with all applicable rules and regulations and all applicable requirements of the Fire Department of the County of Los Angeles.
Upon approval of this plan by the Fire Department , this plan will serve as the official Fire Protection related requirements for this development, including roads, fire flow, ignition resistant building construction, and fuel modification.
Prepared by:
______Date ______
James Hunt, Hunt Research Corporation
Submitted by:
______Date ______
(Applicant)
Approved by Los Angeles County Fire Department by:
______Date ______
Philip Cocker, FIRE Marshal
Table of Contents
Section Page #
1. Introduction 1
2. Project Description 2
3. Site Specific Setting 3
4. Fire Department Response 4
5. Vegetation Fire Risk Assessment 5
6. Recommended Vegetation Management (Fuel Modification) Zones 7
7. General Requirements for Vegetation Management 14
8. Undesirable Plants 16
9. Planting, Maintenance and Spacing Guidelines 17
10. Annual, Ongoing, Vegetation Management 19
11. Construction Phase Vegetation Management and Fire Safety 20
12. Infrastructure Recommendations 23
13. Ignition Resistant Structural Recommendations 29
14. Emergency Action Plan…………………………………………………………..
16. Summary 33
Appendix
A.aerial Site Plan
B. site fuel modification zone plan
C.LACOFD plant list
6-23-16Page ii
DRAFT Conceptual Fire Protection Plan; West Hills 6-23-16
1. Introduction
This is the Conceptual Fire Protection Plan for the “West Hills” development. This is TM 52652; a single family detached residential infill development consisting of 25 lots, at the West end of Kittridge Road, west of Randiwood, in the County of Los Angeles. This project, with the exception of potions of Knapp Ranch Park, is in an area mapped as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone in a Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) area per the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACOFD).
This plan provides recommendations with the objectives of reasonable fire safety and is required by County Fire Code Chapter 49 as a condition of approval of a modification to the Fire Department access requirement. This Fire Protection Plan responds fully to the Fire Department requirement. When this plan is approved by the LACOFD, it will be considered as encompassing all of the official requirements of the LACOFD for this project. In cases of practical difficulties in complying with the letter of this plan, the developer, contractor, architect, landscape architect, homeowner, HOA, etc., may submit alternative materials and methods for approval of the Fire Department, which the Fire Department shall have the discretion to accept or reject as may be necessary or appropriate.
This plan is in substantial compliance with the applicable requirements set forth in the following codes and ordinances.
· Chapter 49 of the 2013 Los Angeles County Fire Code.
· Chapter 7-A of the 2013 California Building Code.
2. Project Description
This is a residential developmentof 25 dwelling units on a gross 58.3 acre parcel. There will be 25 single family detached homes on varying sizes of lots.
3. Site Specific Setting
The setting is within a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone as determined by the LACOFD. area per the County Fire Department.
The maximum slope is______.
The site contains grass, Coastal Sage, various trees, and Chaparrals. Temperatures range from a maximum of about 94 degrees in July to a minimum of about 37 degrees f in the winter. Winds vary from _____in Summer to ______in a fall Santa Ana wind condition ( Dudek will provide data).
4. Fire Department Response
The LACOFD will serve the site from their Fire Station 68, at 24130 Calabasis Road, in Calabasis. The response driving time according to the Fire Station Captain contacted is 8 minutes. The distance is approximately 4 miles. This station is staffed by a 3 person Engine Company and a 2 person Paramedic Squad. The Aerial Ladder Truck Comes from Station 125 on Los Virgenes north of Highway 101. The total first alarm response to a vegetation fire at this development would be 7 Engine Companies, plus air attack, hand crews and a Battalion Chief. The total County response for a first alarm structure fire would be 4 Engines and one Ladder Truck plus a Battalion Chief. In addition, due to close proximity of the City of Los Angeles on the South and North sides, the Los Angeles City Fire Department would also probably respond to a Vegetation Fire depending where the call came in from. The closest LA City Fire Station is Station 105 at Fallbrook and Victory. The Station Captain interviewed stated the driving time is about 7-10 minutes depending on traffic .The LA City response to a vegetation fire is 5 engine companies and one Battalion Chief. Thus, the response to this development will be very robust. In addition, Ventura County Fire Department may also respond to a vegetation fire due to the proximity to the County line. The response to this location would result in Automatic Aid from the LA City Fire Department.
It was reported by the LA City Fire Station Captain interviewed that a fire occurred in Bell Canyon about 10 years ago. In addition, a fire apparently occurred in June 2015 on the Ahmanson Ranch In adjoining Ventura County. Flame lengths were reportedly 10-15 feet.
Fire service response to this site is very robust when considering the proposed construction safeguards, fire sprinklers, and Fuel Modification Zones. In addition, as this is going to be an upscale development, the type of residents are not high consumers of Fire Department services. The type of potential residents of this type of development take care of their property, homes, and health, and tend not to be the type that get involved in civil situations that result in the need for Fire and Police response. The estimated Emergency call volume, using an accepted per-capita annual call generation factor of .082 per person, is about 1 call per month based upon an estimated population of 160 persons (four per residence) in this development. This does not create a significant impact on the Fire Department.
5. Vegetation Fire Risk Assessment
THIS SECTION TO BE PROVIDED BY DUDEK.
Modeling was conducted by Dudek Company for this development.
INSERT DUDEK REPORT
The models demonstrate the need for fuel modification zones on the property to protect structures. The State requirement is 100 feet. LACOFD requires up to 200 feet. The Fuel Modification zones proposed for this development far exceed the State and County requirements.
6. Recommended Vegetation Management (Fuel Modification) Zones
A. Size and Location of Zones
Fuel Modification (vegetation management and reduction) Zones shall be provided around all structures. The purpose is to attempt to slow down or prevent any spread of fire through vegetation to the structure. In addition to direct flame contact, vegetation fires spread due to airborne burning embers from an offsite fire dropping into vegetation on a private lot and igniting it. Therefore, there shall be two Zones;: Zone 1 and 2.. The most intensive Zone is Zone 1; closest to the structure. Zone 2 is similar to Zone 1 yet allows for slightly taller vegetation and is a non-irrigated thinning zone.. Zone 2 is located furthest from the structure, .Portions are beyond private lots in the common area, and are therefore less stringent. Based upon the results of the modeling (which are estimates), fire history, topography, winds, and the opinions, experience, and recommendations of the consultant, the size of such zones shall be as follows. Fuel Modification Zones start at the structure. Basically,to be in compliance with LACOFD requirements, a minimum of 200 foot Fuel Modification Zones are recommended (starting at the structure) on the north, northwest, west and south perimeters of the development. In areas where there are creeks ( Riparian zones) which are regulated by the County and Resource Agencies, written permission is required to do any fuel modification in those areas.
1. .All internal lots and lots on east perimeter to have the required 100’ fuel modification zones, or to the property line if less and the entire lot shall be an irrigated fuel modification zone, if less than 100’.Fuel Modification will be done in any sensitive habitat areas only if allowed.This modification would consist of limbing and thinning of shrubs, trees, thinning by 50% of fuel volume, removal of down and dead fuels, and mowing of grasses.
2. Any interior landscaped slopes, any parks in the development, common areas, open space, and any areas between private lots, shall have the same Fuel Modification requirements as for the Zones indicated in this plan for private lots
3. Provide fuel modification in any aboveground utility or power line easement.
A private lot, if less than 100 feet wide or deep, is to be a wet, irrigated, zone (per requirements for Zone 1 in this plan).The basic concept of the Fuel Modification Zones is to have the private lot be irrigated fire resistive landscaping and a non -irrigated thinning zone, beyond private lot out to the edge of the zone where not constrained by any sensitive Habitat or other regulated areas. All perimeter Fuel Modification Zones, outside of private lots, in common areas, are to be staked with permanent, weather resistant, stakes to indicate the locations of the zones.
Refer to the Fuel Modification Zone map in Appendix of this plan.
B. General Requirements
At time of construction, and prior to introduction of combustible materials on a lot, the developer or builder shall clear all vegetation other than fire resistive vegetation, including weeds, in Zone 1 to approximately 6” or below (however, leave enough vegetation to allow for slope stability and erosion control). The developer or builder will also cut, prune or thin all flammable vegetation in Zone 2 where on the private lot. All cut vegetation and dead vegetation will be removed from the site. Zones will be maintained in this condition until the developer installs irrigation and fire resistive landscaping as approved by the Fire Department. Any landscaping must be in compliance with the guidelines in this plan. Assurances of compliance will be in accordance with Section 10, below. Individual homeowners will be responsible, and will be put on written notice in escrow to comply with this plan for proper Fuel Modification and Landscaping on an ongoing basis on their lots. Any manufactured slopes, or internal common areas and open spaces, shall comply with the criteria set forth in this plan, and shall not have any vegetation of the type listed as undesirable in this plan (see Section 8). The HOA shall also assure that all fuel modification on private lots is in accordance with the recommendations in this plan. An HOA shall assure proper vegetation maintenance is done on an ongoing basis, in compliance with this plan, in common areas, beyond private lots, manufactured slopes, open space, roadsides, and parks within the development.
An annual inspection of the property, for substantial compliance with this plan, shall be done by an approved Wildland Fire Protection consultant funded by the HOA, and a report submitted to the LACOFD.
C. Critical Habitat and Sensitive Areas
OA
Modification or removal of certain vegetation in any critical habitat, or otherwise environmentally sensitive areas, blue line areas, Riparian Zones, etc., may be subject to legal constraints of the County, Resource Agencies (Fish and Game, Federal Fish and Wildlife, U.S Army Corp of Engineers, etc.). Permission and a permit will be required in advance of Fuel Modification in such areas.
D. Offsite Fuel Modification
Written, legal, permission is required from offsite landowners in order to do any fuel modification outside of this tract. The Fire Department should enforce it’s annual and ongoing weed abatement and vegetation management requirements on all adjoining offsite parcels, to reduce the threats to this property.
E. Roadside Clearance
Vegetation, other than fire resistive vegetation, shall be cleared, and roadside vegetation managed in a fire safe condition per this plan, by the HOA on an annual and ongoing basis. Provide roadside fuel modification to 10 feet These zones may be part of the private lot landscaping if such landscaping is irrigated lawn or otherwise in compliance with this plan. The roadside vegetation along Randiwood and Welby Way where they abut the development shall be kept maintained by the Development’s HOA, or by the Governmental agency of jurisdiction if offsite.
F. Fuel Modification (Vegetation Management) Zone detailed recommendations:
The following prescription is recommended for the Fuel Modification Zones:
Note: Zone 1 shall begin at the structure and connect to Zone 2, so that zones are continuous out to total prescribed distance from structures.
Any Eucalyptus, and any conifers, and any down and dead fuels or dead fuel buildup in plants and trees, need to be removed from the property, including all Fuel Modification Zones, subject to any constraints by the County, Resource Agencies, environmental regulations, or U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Summary of Fuel Modification Zones:
1.) Zone 1: Defensible Space; Irrigated Wet Zone on all sides of structures on all Private Lots from structure:.
This space is an irrigated wet zone of low fuel volume, high leaf moisture, drought tolerant, fire resistive, low profile vegetation, Grasses and Ground cover to be low profile, less than approximately 6” inches (keep lawn mowed). Hardscape such as concrete and rock pavers encouraged. Only Non Combustible rock, dirt, concrete or pavers within 1 foot of structure. No plants located under vents. Remove all dead fuels from Zones. There shall be no vegetation or tree canopy within 10 foot of any chimney. No tree canopies within 8 feet of structures. Any single specimen of an approved tree must be properly located, spaced, limbed and pruned up to 1/3 the height or 6 feet from the ground whichever is less. New trees to be spaced 20 feet between mature canopies. Where on slopes over 20% spacing shall be 30 feet. Shrubs to be 18 inch maximum height within 10 feet of structure and 24 inches maximum elsewhere. There shall be no hedges which could create a path for fire to get to a structure. Note that there are no slopes in Zone 1.
A 36 inch wide path, with all-weather surface and clear to the sky, should be provided to allow firefighter foot access around entire exterior walls.