Outlawing of ‘Safe-and-Sane’ Fireworks Proposed for Orange County’s Fire Code

The Orange County Board of Supervisors is considering a new fire code that includes a requirement for sprinkler systems in new apartment buildings and a ban on so-called “safe-and-sane” fireworks in unincorporated areas.

The supervisors Tuesday voted to hold a public hearing on the matter Sept. 16.

The Orange County Fire Department is recommending the fireworks ban, partly because of the successful results reported by some cities that have passed such laws.

The Fire Department presented a report to the supervisors describing damage caused by fireworks in Orange County in the last several years and highlighting a 10-day period ending July 5. During the period, almost half of the fireworks-related calls were caused by so-called “safe-and-sane” fireworks that are approved by the state fire marshal’s office, the report said.

Countywide, property loss from fireworks-related fires during the period was $381,060, the report said.

Fire Capt. Patrick McIntosh said several cities have complained of having trouble enforcing their fireworks bans because the fireworks are legal in adjacent unincorporated areas.

So far, there are 12 Orange County cities that bar the fireworks, the report said.

“We would like to see a countywide ban,” McIntosh said. “It would be easier overall.”

The proposed fire code would also require that many new buildings be required to install a fire sprinkler system. The buildings would be those that have more than three units, that are more than two stories or that contain more than 6,000 square feet.

The Fire Department proposed the requirement because it would save lives and property. It also might save the county money in fire equipment and personnel, McIntosh said.

“If we have buildings that are sprinklered, the fire is going to be smaller, and it is going to require fewer fire engines and a lesser length of time to control,” McIntosh said. “There’s a potential if an area is building up that is completely sprinklered, we would have the ability to build the next fire station a little farther out because the demand is not as heavy.”

Developers have opposed the sprinkler requirement, however, partly because they have said it is too costly.

The Fire Department report said a sprinkler system in an apartment building would cost about $480 for each 800-square-foot unit and about $653 for each 1,200-square-foot unit.

The developers have also opposed the idea because they believe that a sprinkler system would not be effective enough. John Withers, director of government affairs for the Orange County Building and Industry Assn., said statistics show most fire fatalities are caused by smoke, not flames. Also, the most hazardous buildings are older and made of wood.

“The issue is how safe is safe and how much money do you want to spend to get there,” Withers said. “If you want to be completely safe, we could say you can’t build with wood.”