This chapter shall be known as "Voluntary Seismic Strengthening for Residential Buildings."
(Ord. 12812 § 1 (part), 2007)
This chapter is intended to promote public safety and welfare and safeguard life and limb, health, and property through a voluntary program for structurally strengthening the portions of wood framed residential buildings that are most vulnerable to earthquake damage. The prescriptive structural strengthening standards set forth herein will reduce the risk of seismically-induced damage by improving the structural resistance of these buildings.
This chapter is not intended to create or otherwise establish or designate any particular class or group of persons who will or should be especially protected or benefited by the terms set forth herein, and these standards are not intended to endorse, authorize, or approve any prior work accomplished without required permits, inspections, fees, or final approvals.
(Ord. 12812 § 1 (part), 2007)
A.
Prescriptive Design.
1.
This chapter establishes voluntary prescriptive design standards for the structural strengthening of underfloor enclosures to resist seismic loads without requiring plans or calculations prepared by a registered design professional or in accordance with the Oakland Building Construction Code. Sufficient documentation shall be submitted to accurately establish existing conditions. When the Building Official determines that existing conditions are beyond the scope of these prescriptive standards, an engineering analysis prepared by a registered design professional shall be submitted.
2.
Alternate details and methods equivalent to or exceeding the prescriptive design standards in this chapter are permitted when approved by the Building Official. Sufficient documentation shall be submitted to substantiate such equivalence.
B.
Non-Prescriptive Design.
1.
This chapter also allows voluntary non-prescriptive designs equivalent to or exceeding the prescriptive design standards in this chapter. Seismic strengthening calculations, plans, and specifications for associated permits shall be prepared by registered design professionals. Analysis and documentation with respect to lateral strength, deflection, and soil capacity shall be in accordance with the Oakland Building Construction Code and approved by the Building Official.
2.
Non-prescriptive designs for strengthening structural weaknesses set forth in Sections 15.30.200 (A)(1) through (A)(4) (inclusive) may incorporate the prescriptive design standards set forth in the Oakland Building Construction Code when approved by the Building Official.
(Ord. 12812 § 1 (part), 2007)
A.
Exclusions.
This chapter shall apply solely to existing, wood-framed, one- and two-story residential buildings classified either as a Group R, Division 3 occupancy or as a Group R, Division 3 occupancy with an attached Group U, Division 1 occupancy. The prescriptive design standards in this chapter shall not apply to buildings, or portions thereof, with any of the following structural elements or features:
1.
Lateral force resisting system using or containing poles or columns embedded in the ground;
2.
Cripple wall height exceeding four feet, as measured vertically at any point;
3.
Building exceeding two stories in height or exceeding three thousand (3,000) square feet of combined floor area for a two story building or exceeding two thousand (2,000) square feet of floor area for a one story building, as defined in the Oakland Building Construction Code;
4.
Building erected on a concrete slab-on-grade;
5.
Building erected on or into sloping ground with a surface gradient steeper than three units horizontally to one unit vertically, as measured at any point;
6.
Clay or concrete roof tiles with mortared edges;
7.
Building framing other than wood;
8.
Brick or stone veneer height exceeding four feet, as measured vertically at any point.
B.
Historic Buildings.
Residential buildings that have been qualified as historic shall be permitted to use alternate building regulations, as set forth in the State Historical Building Code, to preserve their original or restored architectural elements and features.
(Ord. 12812 § 1 (part), 2007)
Where any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or other part of the Oakland Building Construction Code recited in this chapter is amended subsequently, all provision of the original section not so specifically amended shall remain in full force and effect and all amended provisions shall be considered as added thereto.
(Ord. 12812 § 1 (part), 2007)