Division 2. General Building Regulations
Chapter 15.50
BUILDING SECURITY
Sections:
15.50.030 Application – Exceptions.
15.50.050 Alternate materials or methods.
15.50.060 Residential burglary security.
15.50.070 Commercial burglary security.
15.50.010 Definitions.
“Bolt” is a metal bar which, when actuated, is projected (or “thrown”) either horizontally or vertically into a retaining member, such as a strike plate, to prevent a door from moving or opening.
“Bolt projection” or “bolt throw” is the distance from the lock front surface to the farthest projected point on the bolt or latch at the center line when subjected to end pressure.
“Component,” as distinguished from a part, is a subassembly which combines with other components to make up a total door assembly. The prime components of a door assembly include: door, lock, hinges, jamb/wall, jamb/strike and wall.
“Cylinder” is the cylindrical subassembly of a lock containing the cylinder core, tumbler mechanism and the keyway. A double cylinder lock is one which has a key-actuated cylinder on both the exterior and interior of the door.
“Cylinder core” or “cylinder plug” is the central part of a cylinder containing the keyway, which is rotated by the key to operate the lock mechanism.
“Cylinder guard” is a tapered or flush metal ring plate or plate surrounding the otherwise exposed portion of a cylinder lock.
“Deadbolt” is a lock bolt which does not have a spring action. This bolt must be actuated by a key from the exterior and a knob or thumb turn from the interior and when projected becomes locked against return by end pressure.
“Deadlocking latch” is a spring-activated latch bolt having a beveled end and incorporating a plunger which, when depressed, automatically locks the projected latch bolt against return by end pressure.
“French door” is a doorway equipped with a glazed door hinged at the jambs. The glazing may consist of one or more glazed panels.
“Light panel” is any glazed opening, whether glazed with glass, plastic, metal, wood, or composition sheets or panels, or similar materials and shall include windows, skylights, view ports or view panels and similar openings.
“Strike” is a metal plate designed to receive and hold a projected bolt.
“Swinging door” is a stile (side) hinged door. (Ord. 2484 § 4, 9-24-02. 1990 Code § 7-2105.)
15.50.020 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish minimum standards of construction for resistance to unlawful entry. (Ord. 2484 § 4, 9-24-02. 1990 Code § 7-2110.)
15.50.030 Application – Exceptions.
(a) Except as provided in this section, the provisions of this chapter shall apply to all new construction.
(b) This chapter does not apply to the following:
(1) An opening in an exterior wall when all portions of such openings are more than eight feet vertically or eight feet horizontally from an accessible surface of any adjoining yard, court, passageway, public way, walk, breezeway, patio, planter, porch or similar area.
(2) An opening in an exterior wall when all portions of such openings are more than eight feet vertically or eight feet horizontally from the surface of any adjoining roof, balcony, landing, stair tread, platform or similar structure or when any portion of such surface is itself more than eight feet above an accessible surface.
(3) Any opening in a roof when all portions of such roof are more than 23 feet above an accessible surface.
(4) Openings where the smaller dimension is six inches or less; provided, that the closest edge of such openings is at least 36 inches from the locking device of the door or window assembly.
(5) Openings protected by required fire rated assemblies having a fire protection rating of not less than 45 minutes.
(6) French doors containing light panels glazed with safety glazing as per UBC Section 2406, when the following conditions exist:
(A) The door is not a required exit.
(B) The door is equipped with a double keyed lock.
(C) When used in bedrooms, an emergency window shall be provided, as required in CBC Section 310.4. (Ord. 2484 § 4, 9-24-02. 1990 Code § 7-2115.)
15.50.040 Obstructing exits.
(a) General. Security methods shall not create a hazard to life by obstructing any means of egress or any opening which is classified as an emergency exiting facility. Security provisions shall not supersede the safety requirements relative to latching or locking devices on exit doors which would be contrary to the applicable provisions of Fremont building code nor shall the provisions of this chapter be construed to waive any other provisions of this code.
(b) Emergency Egress or Rescue Windows. Bars, grilles, grates or similar devices may be installed in an emergency egress or rescue windows or doors required by Section 310.4 of the California Building Code, provided:
(1) Such devices are equipped with approved release mechanisms which are openable from the inside without the use of a key or special knowledge or effort; and
(2) The dwelling is equipped with smoke detectors installed in accordance with Section 310.9.1 of the California Building Code. (Ord. 2484 § 4, 9-24-02. 1990 Code § 7-2120.)
15.50.050 Alternate materials or methods.
(a) Site Security Systems. When approved by the building official, site security systems may be provided in lieu of the specific security provisions of this chapter.
(b) Alternative Materials or Methods. The provisions of this chapter are not intended to prevent the use of any material, device, hardware or method not specifically prescribed by this code when such alternate provides equivalent security and is approved by the building official.
(c) Testing. Tests required by this chapter shall be performed by an approved testing agency and the product shall bear an identification indicating that it conforms to the standards prescribed in this chapter. (Ord. 2484 § 4, 9-24-02. 1990 Code § 7-2125.)
15.50.060 Residential burglary security.
(a) Exterior Doors.
(1) Exterior doors on dwellings and garages and doors leading from garage areas into private residences and multiple dwelling residences shall comply with UBC Standard No. 10-5, Part 1; doors in pairs shall be tested in pairs.
(2) Exterior doors on dwellings and garages and doors leading from garage areas into private residences or multiple dwelling residences shall have a deadlocking latch device with a minimum throw of one-half inch and a deadbolt lock with a cylinder guard, a hardened steel insert and a minimum throw of one inch. This provision shall not apply to vehicular doors.
(3) All main and front entry doors shall be one and three-fourths inch in thickness, solid core. Other exterior doors on dwellings and garages shall be not less than one and three-eighths inch in thickness, solid core. Exterior doors one and three-fourths inch in thickness containing solid wood panels not less than nine-sixteenths inch in thickness are a satisfactory alternate to solid core doors specified in this section.
(4) Entry Vision. All main or front entry doors to dwelling units shall be arranged so that the occupant has a view of the area immediately outside the door without opening the door. Such view may be provided by a door viewer having a field of view not less than 180 degrees, through windows or through view ports.
(5) Hinges which are exposed to the exterior shall be equipped with nonremovable hinge pins or a mechanical interlock to preclude removal of the door from the exterior by removing the hinge pins.
(6) In-swinging exterior doors shall have rabbeted jambs.
(7) Strike Plate Installation. In wood frame construction, any open space between trimmers and wood door jambs shall be solid shimmed by a single piece extending not less than six inches above and below the strike plate. Strike plates shall be attached to wood with not less than two No. 8 by 2 inch screws. Strike plates, when attached to metal, shall be attached with not less than two No. 8 machine screws. All strike plates of doors in pairs shall be installed as tested.
(8) Jambs for all doors shall be constructed or protected so as to prevent violation of the function of the strike from the outside.
(9) Light panels in exterior doors or within 36 inches of the inside activating device shall be of laminated security glass which is a minimum one-fourth inch in thickness with a six-hundredths-inch vinyl interlayer or one-fourth-inch polycarbonate security sheets or their equivalent.
(10) Garage doors shall have an inside slide bolt lock or its equivalent located at the bottom of the garage door on the inside.
(b) Sliding Glass Doors.
(1) Sliding glass doors regulated by this code shall have a vertical hook bolt dead lock or shall comply with UBC Standard No. 10-5, Part II, or shall be labeled as “SECURITY TESTED” meeting the California Model Building Security Ordinance (CMBSO). Doors not so equipped or tested and labeled as complying with such standard shall be secured as follows:
(A) Nonconforming sliding glass doors shall have a secondary bolt lock mounted on the bottom of the door. The bolt lock shall be no less than one-fourth inch in thickness and shall have a minimum throw of two inches. The bolt for such secondary lock shall be made of hardened steel and shall be securely fastened to the frame or floor.
(B) Double sliding patio doors shall be capable of being locked at the meeting rail.
(2) Noncrushable anti-lift devices shall be securely fastened in the top track of the door frame within three inches of each side of the moveable pane when in the closed position.
(c) Window Security.
(1) Window assemblies which are designed to be openable and which are regulated by this chapter shall have a vertical hook bolt dead lock or shall comply with UBC Standard No. 10-6, or shall be labeled as “SECURITY TESTED” meeting the California Model Building Security Ordinance (CMBSO) unless such windows are protected by approved metal bars, screens or grilles. Louvered windows regulated by this chapter shall be protected by approved metal bars or grilles.
(2) Sliding glass windows not so equipped or tested and labeled as complying with such standard shall be secured as follows:
(A) If a vertical hookbolt deadlock is used, it shall be of hardened steel and shall have a minimum thickness of one-eighth inch. The strike used for the vertical hook deadlock shall be made of hardened steel. When the vertical hookbolt deadlock is in the closed position, it shall be at least 108 around the strike.
(B) If a secondary lock is used, along with a lock other than a vertical hookbolt deadlock, the secondary lock shall be mounted on the bottom of the window. The secondary lock shall be a bolt lock and shall be no less than one-eighth inch in thickness, and shall have a minimum throw of one-half inch.
(3) All sliding glass windows shall have the movable section of the window on the inside of the fixed portion of the window.
Noncrushable anti-lift devices shall be securely fastened in the top track of the window frame within three inches of each side of the moveable pane when in the closed position.
(d) Address, Location and Specifications.
(1) Residence numbers shall be located in a visible location near the garage door.
(2) If the garage does not face the street, or is not connected to the dwelling at the street front, the numbers shall be located on the portion of the residence closest to the street.
(3) All address numbers shall be internally lighted and shall be a minimum of four inches in height. The numbers shall be black in color, with the background being illuminated in white.
(4) Plans for multifamily dwelling projects shall include an addressing program approved by the building official.
(5) Address numbering shall be provided and maintained in a position which is plainly visible and legible from the street fronting the property. When properties do not front toward streets, addressing shall conform to the above requirements but front driveways and pedestrian ways.
(6) In addition, multiple unit dwellings shall also erect and maintain lighted directories at each pedestrian entrance displaying building and unit numbers. (Ord. 2484 § 4, 9-24-02. 1990 Code § 7-2130.)
15.50.070 Commercial burglary security.
(a) Exterior doors shall be secured as follows:
(1) All exterior exit doors in Group B and M occupancies shall comply with the hardware requirements of Section 1004.3 of the California Building Code. Locking deadbolts shall have a hardened steel insert and a minimum throw of one inch. A hook or expanding bolt may have a throw of three-fourths inch.
(2) Cylinders shall be so designed or protected so they cannot be gripped by pliers or other wrenching devices.
(3) Exterior sliding commercial entrances shall be secured as in subsections (a)(1) and (2) of this section, with special attention given to safety regulations.
(4) Rolling overhead doors, solid overhead swinging, sliding, or accordion garage-type doors shall be secured with a cylinder lock or padlock on the inside when not otherwise controlled or locked by electric power operation. If a padlock is used, it shall be of hardened steel five-eighths-inch shackle locking at heel and toe, with minimum five-pin tumbler operation with nonremovable key when in an unlocked position.
(5) Metal accordion grate or grille-type doors shall be equipped with metal guide track, at top and bottom, and a cylinder lock and/or padlock with a five-eighths-inch hardened steel shackle and a minimum five-pin tumbler operation which locks heel and toe and has a nonremovable key when in an unlocked position. The bottom track shall be so designed that the door cannot be lifted from the track when the door is in a locked position.
(6) Exterior doors with hinges which are exposed to the exterior shall be equipped with nonremovable hinge pins or a mechanical interlock to preclude removal of the door from the exterior by removing the hinge pins.
(7) Doors that swing in shall have rabbeted jambs.
(8) Strike Plate Installation. In wood frame construction, any open space between trimmers and wood door jambs shall be solid shimmed by a single piece extending not less than six inches above and below the strike plate. Strike plates shall be attached to wood with not less than two No. 8 by 2 inch screws. Strike plates, when attached to metal, shall be attached with not less than two No. 8 machine screws. All strike plates of doors in pairs shall be installed as tested.
(9) Jambs for all doors shall be constructed or protected so as to prevent violation of the function of the strike from the outside.
(10) All exterior doors, excluding front doors, shall have provisions for a minimum of 60 watt bulb over the outside of the door or equivalent lighting. If a bulb is used, it shall be protected with a vapor cover or cover of equal breaking resistant material.
(b) Glass Windows. Louvered windows shall be protected by approved metal bars or grilles.
(c) Accessible Transoms and Hatchway Openings.
(1) Exterior transoms exceeding eight inches by 12 inches on the side and rear of any building or premises used for business purposes shall be protected by one of the following:
(A) Laminated security glass which is a minimum of one-fourth inch in thickness with a six-hundredths-inch vinyl interlayer or one-fourth-inch polycarbonate security sheets or their equivalent.
(B) Iron bars of at least one-half inch round or one inch by one-fourth inch flat steel material securely fastened; or
(C) A steel grille of at least one-eighth-inch material of two-inch mesh securely fastened.
(2) All hatchway openings on the roof of any building or premises used for business purposes shall be secured as follows:
(A) If the hatchway is of wooden material, it shall be covered on the inside with at least 16 gauge sheet steel or its equivalent attached with screws.
(B) The hatchway shall be secured from the inside with a slide bar or slide bolts.
(C) Outside hinges on all hatchway openings shall be provided with nonremovable pins when using pin-type hinges.
(3) All air duct and air vent openings exceeding eight inches by 12 inches on the roof or exterior walls of any building or premises used for business purposes shall be secured by covering the same with either of the following:
(A) Iron bars of at least one-half inch round or one inch by one-fourth inch flat steel material, spaced no more than five inches apart and securely fastened, or
(B) A steel grille of at least one-eighth-inch material of two-inch mesh and securely fastened.
(C) If the barrier is on the outside, it shall be secured with round head flush bolts on the outside.
(d) Special Security Measures.
(1) Office Buildings (Multiple Occupancy). All individual office suites shall have solid core doors which have a minimum thickness of at least one and three-eighths inch and shall have a deadbolt lock which has a cylinder guard, a hardened steel insert, and a minimum throw of one inch.
(2) Electronic Computer Component Businesses. Businesses involved in the production, assembly, storage, sale, transfer or transport of electronic computer components shall install site security systems including alarms with cellular or alternate equivalent backup, which shall be operational even if phone line service is interrupted. Motion detector(s) shall be installed to specifically protect main telephone power sources, alarm power sources and main alarm equipment panel(s).
(e) Address, Location and Specifications.
(1) Building address numbers shall be in a visible location near the front entrance.
(2) All address numbers shall be a minimum of eight inches in height.
(3) Address numbering shall be provided and maintained in a position which is plainly visible and legible from the street fronting the property. When properties do not front toward streets, addressing shall conform to the above requirements but front driveways and pedestrian ways. (Ord. 2484 § 4, 9-24-02. 1990 Code § 7-2135.)