HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 03062007 - C.24 ' f •
TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS 's L Contra
FROM: Keith Freitas, Director of Airports 8` _ Costa C
�d 2
DATE: March 6, 2007 STA-at-K--- County
SUBJECT: Guidelines that Summarize the Occupancy Classifications and Fire Suppression Requirements for
Aircraft Hangar Construction at the Buchanan Field and Byron Airports.
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
I. Recommended Action:
ACCEPT the report by the County Building Inspection Department, the Contra Costa County and East
Contra Costa Fire Protection Districts, and the County Airports regarding administrative guidelines
summarizing the occupancy classifications and fire suppression requirements that apply to hangar
construction at Buchanan Field and Byron Airports.Pacheco and Byron Areas.(District III and District IV)
II. Financial Impact:
This action has no direct financial impact on the County General Fund.
Continued on Attachment: X SIGNATURE:
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
_RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
,✓APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE S
ACTION OF BO ON,6yQ,j pj;.&VrPROVED AS RECOMMENDED_OTHER
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action
taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on
VO OF SUPERVISORS ,� 0* the date shown.
UNANIMOUS(ABSENT //0"�'!�f
AYES: NOES:
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: ATTESTED:
JOHN CULLEN,Clerk of the Board of Supervisors and County
Administrator
Orig.Div: Airports By ,Deputy
Contact: Beth Lee p�
cc: County Administrator Office
Building Inspection Department
County Fire Protection District
East County Fire Protection District
County Counsel
Public Works Director
SUBJECT: Guidelines that Summarize the Occupancy Classifications and Fire Suppression Requirements for
. Aircraft Hangar Construction at the Buchanan Field and Byron Airports.
DATE: March 6, 2007
PAGE: 2
III. Background and Reasons for Recommendations:
On July 25, 2006, the Board of Supervisors directed the County Administrator's Office to work with the
Director of Airports to research and evaluate the most effective methods for streamlining County policies
and procedures to promote greater development at Buchanan Field and Byron Airports.
In September and October 2006 the CAO,County Airports,Building Inspection Department,and the County
Fire Protection District staff met to discuss streamlining opportunities for the permit and plan review
process of airport related development. It was determined that an aircraft hangar development guideline
would be prepared and submitted jointly by the Building Inspection Department,Fire Protection Districts
and Airports,to the Board of Supervisors for approval.
On November 14,2006, a report from the County Administrator was prepared and presented to the Board
relative to streamlining County policies and processes for airport development. At that Board meeting a
number of aviation development representatives submitted speaker cards to discuss their concerns with the
hangar construction and fire suppression requirements that were being applied to aviation development at
Buchanan Field and Byron Airports. This matter was referred to the Board's Airport Subcommittee.
On December 11, 2006, the Board's Airport Subcommittee convened a meeting to discuss the hangar
construction and fire suppression requirements for development at both County airports. The County
Building Inspection Department, County Fire Protection District and Airports Division staff reported on
current activities,processes and policies. Several aviation development representatives and members of the
public relayed their concerns about the fire suppression policies and construction standards that were being
applied. Their concerns focused on the cost of required improvements relative to financial feasibility of
aviation projects in general plus questioning if the standards applied were consistent with industry standards
and actions. The Airport Subcommittee referred this matter back to the County staff involved to meet within
30 days to discuss alternatives/solutions and than bring the information back to them for consideration.
On February 13,2007,the Airport Subcommittee reconvened to further discuss the hangar.construction and
fire suppression requirements. County staff had met several times before this meeting and was successful in
developing administrative guidelines that summarize the occupancy classifications and fire suppression
requirements for aircraft hangar construction that were acceptable to all parties (see attached document).
Several interested parties asked clarifying questions,raised additional issues for consideration and expressed
their appreciation for bringing a resolution to this issue. The Airport Subcommittee asked Airport staff to
schedule the guidelines before the Board for acceptance.
February 13, 2007
Guidelines for Construction of General Aviation Aircraft Hangars
Buchanan Field and Byron Airports have a significant amount of real property that can be
developed for aviation and aviation-related uses. The Contra Costa County Board of
Supervisors has adopted a position of encouraging business development and improvement
of these vital facilities and has requested County staff to streamline the overall development
process.
This document provides guidelines for the construction of aircraft hangars and establishes a
collaborative approach to streamlining County policies and processes to promote
development at both the Buchanan Field and Byron Airports. This document is not intended
as a substitute for the other applicable FAA Regulations and/or other applicable county, state
or federal codes or regulations relative to the Contra Costa County building and fire codes.
Nothing herein shall derogate from the power of the authority having jurisdiction to
determine compliance with the applicable codes or regulations for those activities or
installations within his/her jurisdiction or responsibility. This document is a joint effort of the
Contra Costa County Building Inspection Department, Contra Costa County Fire Protection
District, East Contra Costa County Fire Protection Fire District, and Contra Costa County
Airports Division to create construction and fire suppression guidelines to facilitate
development of the County's general aviation airports; Buchanan Field and Byron.
Aviation development guidelines respectfully submitted by:
Date:
Carlos Baltodano,
Director of Building Inspection Department
Date:
Keith Richter, Fire Chief (CCCFPD)
Date:
William Weisgerber, Interim Fire Chief(ECCFPD)
Date:
Keith Freitas, Director of Airports
Contra Costa County Buchanan Field and Byron Airports
Guidelines for Hangar Construction
Effective on February 13,2007
SUMMARY
Buchanan Field and Byron Airports
Guidelines for Hangar Construction
These guidelines are intended to summarize the occupancy classifications
applicable to hangar construction at Buchanan Field and Byron Airports. Aircraft
hangars must be constructed to comply with the requirements of the County
Building Code and the County Fire Code. Aircraft hangars must also comply with
all other applicable County codes.
These guidelines are not intended to be all-inclusive or a substitute for the
applicable County codes, and will not address all technical questions that may
arise when designing an aircraft hangar project. If any inconsistency exists
between these guidelines and applicable County codes, the provisions of the
applicable County code will prevail.
Plan drawings, structural calculations, job specification shall be submitted
to the proper authority (Building Inspection, Fire District), for review and approval
prior to construction and installation. Prior to commencing construction a building
permit shall be obtained. Approval from local Sanitary, Public Works, and other
agencies may be required. Plan drawings, calculations and documentation shall
be prepared, signed and stamped by a licensed California Professional
Engineer/Architect. Any changes, deviations and/or alternative methods from the
approved plans, shall be submitted in writing to the proper authority for review
and approval.
Group S; Division 5 (CBC)
Include hangars used for the storage of aircraft only and where work is limited to
exchange of parts and minor repairs (as defined in Exhibit 1) requiring no open
flame or welding.
Group S, Division 5 (S-5) Aircraft Hangars buildings shall be constructed in
accordance with the 2001 California Building Code (CBC) and Contra Costa
County Code.
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13 shall be used for the design and
installation of sprinkler systems equal to "extra hazard group 1 occupancy."
Contra Costa County Buchanan Field and Byron Airports 2
Guidelines for Hangar Construction(revised on February 15,2007)
Effective on February 13,2007
Storage (S-5) Hangars:
• In areas where aircraft are stored, floor surfaces shall be of
noncombustible, nonabsorbent waterproof materials.
• Curbs of walls or an approved water proof barrier separating hangar bays
shall be a minimum 6" in height as measured above floor grade to avoid
the spread of flammable liquid from one bay to another.
• Floor shall be graded 1/16" ft slope minimum and drain to prevent water or
fuel from remaining on the floor. Shall discharge to an approved
discharge area or public sewer.
Group H; Division 5 (CBC)
Aircraft repair hangars not classified as group S5.
Group H, Division 5 (H-5) Aircraft Hangars buildings shall be constructed in
accordance with the 2001 California Building Code (CBC) and Contra Costa
County Code.
NFPA 13 shall be used for determining the design and installation of sprinkler
systems equal to "extra hazard group 1 occupancy" and/or an approved foam fire
protection system as specified in NFPA 409.
Repair (H-5) Hangars:
• Electrical and heating equipment suitable for hazardous locations.
• Pits, tunnels and low-lying ducts shall utilize flammable vapor detection.
• Draft curtains shall be installed perpendicular to hangar doors creating
design areas not larger than 7,500 sq. ft. per area.
• Floors shall be liquid tight.
• Footing of walls or an approved water proof barrier separating hangar
bays shall be a minimum 6" in height as measured above floor grade to
avoid the spread of flammable liquid from one bay to another.
• Trench drain systems shall be designed and constructed to prevent build
up of flammable liquids over the drain inlet in the event of a fuel spill or
activation of the fire protection systems.
• Holding tanks and/or safe dispersal areas are required for the retention
and containment of flammable fuels, foam and/or fire sprinkler run off.
Containment systems shall be designed to hold the total aggregate
amount of the largest single aircraft fuel capacity and total fire suppression
flow equivalent to 30 minutes of flow.
Contra Costa County Buchanan Field and Byron Airports 3
Guidelines for Hangar Construction(revised on February 15,2007)
Effective on February 13,2007
Exhibit 1:
Minor Repairs
Minor maintenance means activities that do NOT emit fuel,hazardous fumes and/or
vapors into, or involve welding and/or other potential open flame sources in, the hangar.
Minor maintenance that may be performed in Group S, Division 5 (CBC) Hangars may
include, but are not limited to,the following items:
1. Removal, installation and repair of landing gear tires.
2. Replacing elastic shock absorber cords on landing gear.
3. Servicing landing gear shock struts by adding oil, air, or both.
4. Servicing landing gear wheel bearings, such as cleaning and greasing.
5. Replacing defective safety wiring or cotter keys.
6. Lubrication not requiring disassembly other than removal of non-structural items
such as cover plates, cowlings, and fairings.
7. Making simple fabric patches not requiring rib stitching or the removal of structural
parts or control surfaces.
8. Replenishing hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic reservoir.
9. Repairing upholstery and decorative furnishings of the cabin or cockpit when the
repairing does not require disassembly of any primary structure or operating system
or interfere with an operating system or affect primary structure of the aircraft.
10. Making small simple repairs to fairings, non-structural cover plates, cowlings, and
small patches and reinforcements not changing the contour so as to interfere with
proper airflow.
11. Replacing side windows where that work does not interfere with the structure of any
operating system such as controls, electrical equipment, etc.
12. Replacing safety belts.
13. Replacing seats or seat parts with replacement parts approved for the aircraft, not
involving disassembly of any primary structure or operating system.
14. Troubleshooting and repairing broken circuits in landing light wiring circuits.
15. Replacing bulbs, reflectors, and lenses of position and landing lights.
16. Replacing wheels and skis where no weight and balance computation is involved.
17. Replacing any cowling not requiring removal of the propeller or disconnection of
flight controls.
18. Replacing or cleaning spark plugs and setting of spark plug gap clearance.
19. Replacing any hose connection except hydraulic connections.
20. Replacing and servicing batteries.
21. Replacement or adjustment of non-structural fasteners incidental to operations.
22. The installation of anti-misfueling devices to reduce the diameter of fuel tank filler
openings provided the specific device has been made a part of the aircraft type
certificate data by the aircraft manufacturer, the manufacturer has provided
appropriately approved instructions acceptable to the Authority for the installation of
the specific device, and installation does not involve the disassembly of the existing
filler opening.
23. Wheels.
Contra Costa County Buchanan Field and Byron Airports 4
Guidelines for Hangar Construction(revised on February 15,2007)
Effective on February 13,2007
24. Parts of the control system such as control columns, pedals, shafts,brackets or
horns.
25. Remove or open all necessary inspection plates, access doors, fairing, and cowling.
26. Cleaning the aircraft or aircraft engine.
27. Inspection, repair and replacement of the fuselage and hull group: fabric and skin,
systems and components, and envelope, gas bags, ballast tanks, and related parts.
28. Inspection,repair and replacement of the cabin and cockpit group: seats and safety
belts,windows and windshields, instruments, flight and engine controls,batteries,
and all systems.
29. Inspection, repair and replacement of the engine and nacelle group: engine section,
studs and nuts, internal engine, engine mount, flexible vibration dampeners, engine
controls, lines,hoses, clamps, exhaust stacks, accessories, cowling and all systems.
30. Inspection, repair and replacement of the landing gear group: all units, shock
absorbing devices, linkages,trusses and members, retracting and locking
mechanism, hydraulic lines, electrical system, wheels,tires,brakes, and floats and
skis.
31. Inspection,repair and replacements of the wing and center sections assembly.
32. Inspection, repair and replacement of the complete empennage assembly.
33. Inspection, repair and replacement of the propeller group: propeller assembly, bolts,
anti-icing devices, and control mechanisms.
34. Inspection, repair and replacements of the radio group: radio and electronic
equipment, wiring and conduits, bonding and shielding, and antenna.
Contra Costa County Buchanan Field and Byron Airports 5
Guidelines for Hangar Construction(revised on February 15,2007)
Effective on February 13,2007