category IIA Flashcards
Is CEQA an agency? Are plans submitted for review to CEQA?
// CEQA is not an agency, it is an act
// plans are not submitted to CEQA for review
What does CEQA stand for? What is the mission and purpose of CEQA?
// CEQA stands for California Environmental Quality Act (1970)
// mission: require state and local agencies to identify significant environmental impacts of their actions and avoid or mitigate those impacts, if feasible
// purpose: inform governmental decision makers and the public of any potential significant effects of proposed activities on the environment and to provide opportunities to review and comment on draft documents
Who is the lead agency and and what they responsible for?
// the lead agency is typically the local planning department, but could also be a state agency, depending on the project
// the lead agency has primary responsibility to complete the environmental review process required by CEQA
// they are responsible for coordinating with the project applicant, the public, and other agencies during the review process
Who is the responsible agency and what role do they play in the CEQA review process?
// the responsible agency is the public agency or agencies with discretionary approval authority over a portion of a CEQA project and interfaces directly with the lead agency
// for example, the air quality management district can be a responsible agency and consult with the lead agency
What role does the commenting agency play during CEQA review?
// the commenting agency is a public agency with “jurisdiction by law” over a particular natural resource, but is neither a lead agency or a responsible agency (i.e., the air quality management district is the sole local agency in the district with the responsibility for comprehensive air pollution control, and therefore reviews and comments on the air quality analysis in environmental documents submitted to AQMD)
What is a trustee agency?
// a trustee agency is a state agency having jurisidiction by law over natural resources affected by a project which are held in trust for the people of the State of California
What are two types of exemptions from compliance with CEQA?
// statutory exemption: projects which the california legislature has decided are not subject to CEQA procedures and policies
// categorical exemption: projects which the secretary of the resources agency has determined do not usually have a significant effect on the environment
What happens if the project is determined to be exempt from CEQA?
// a notice of exemption may be filed by the state agency, who files with the office of planning and research, or the local agency, who files with the country clerk of each county in which the project will be located
If a project is not exempt from CEQA, what is the first step taken by the lead agency?
// the initial study is a preliminary analysis to determine whether an EIR or a negative declaration must be prepared or to identify the significant environmental effects to be analyzed in an EIR
What is the difference between a negative declaration and a mitigated negative declaration?
// negative declaration: no significant impacts were found on the environment in respect to the project and, as a result, the project may proceed as designed
// mitigated negative declaration: significant impacts were found, but the project can be revised/redesigned to avoid or mitigate those impacts and can move forward
What is an Environmental Impact Report (EIR)?
// an environmental impact report is a detailed report prepared by the lead agency describing and analyzing the significant environmental effects of a proposed project, identifying alternatives and discussing ways to reduce or avoid possible environmental damage
// the project may be slowed or halted until an EIR can be prepared, reviewed, and approved
What first step does the lead agency take when preparing an EIR?
// if the lead agency finds substantial evidence that a project may have a significant effect on the environment, an EIR must be prepared
// the first step is to send a notice of preparation (NOP) to the responsible agencies, and involved federal agencies to inform them of the planned EIR
// the purpose is to solicit guidance from those agencies as to the scope and content to be included in the EIR
What is a purpose of a Notice of Completion during the EIR process?
// a notice of completion (NOC) is a brief notice released by the lead agency as soon as it has completed a draft EIR for public review and comment
// this begins the public review record for the EIR
What are the minimum and maximum public and agency review periods for an EIR and when does this occur?
// the period for public and agency review is 30 days minimum and 60 days maximum
// if the draft EIR is sent to the state clearinghouse, the review period shall not be less than 45 days
// the review period occurs after the draft EIR has been completed and submitted for public review
Who is the state clearinghouse and what do they do?
// the state clearinghouse is a division of the governor’s office of planning and research and they coordinate the state-level review of environmental documents that are prepared pursuant to the CEQA
Define a Notice of Determination (NOD).
// a notice of determination (NOD) is a brief notice filed by the public agency after it approves or determines to carry out a project subject to the requirements of CEQA
// it is filed once a decision has been reached on the project, either approval of the final EIR or approval of the negative declaration by the lead agency
Name seven impacts a project can have on the environment.
// storm water runoff
// parking implications
// pollution from equipment
// damage to wildlife and plants
// increase in traffic, noise
// soil erosion
// modifications to wetlands
Describe the CEQA review process for a non exempt project.
// lead agency performs initial study
// decision to prepare EIR or negative declaration. for EIR: notice of preparation sent to responsible agency, draft of EIR prepared by lead agency
// public review period: 30-60 days for EIR, 20-30 days for negative declaration
// decision on project: file notice of determination with county clerk/office of planning & research
What is the Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act (ESBSSA) and where can it be found?
// the essential services buildings seismic safety act of 1986 determined that buildings providing essential services should be capable of providing those services after a disaster
// requirements include that such buildings shall be designed and constructed to minimize fire hazards and to resist the forces of earthquakes, gravity, and winds
// it is contained in the california health and safety code, section 16000 - 16022
What four nonstructural components are vital to the operation of essential services buildings?
// these nonstructural components shall be able to resist, insofar as practical, the forces generated by earthquakes, gravity, fire, and winds
// communication systems, main transformers, switching equipment, emergency backup systems
Name the six types of Essential Services Buildings.
// fire station
// police station
// california highway patrol station
// california operations center
// sheriff’s office
// emergency communication dispatch center
Who is the enforcement agency for essential services buildings?
// drawings and specifications must be submitted for review and approval to the enforcement agency, one of the following:
// local agency: county or local building & safety department if the facility is not owned by the state of California
// division of the state architect - state owned facilities and facilities leased by the state
What two types of buildings are exempt from the Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act?
// one story type V construction less than 2,000 sf
// type II N construction less than 2,000 sf
Who must prepare drawings for an essential services building?
// all drawings and specifications shall be prepared under the responsible charge of an architect, civil engineer, or structural engineer who shall sign all drawings and specifications for approval of the enforcement agency
// if the work does not involve architectural or structural conditions, drawings and specifications may be prepared by a registered professional engineer qualified in the type of engineering appropriate to the project
What qualifications must a building inspector have to be considered competent and adequate by the local enforcement agency?
// to be qualified, inspectors shall have an adequate level of expertise and experience in the subject matter for which they have responsibilities for inspection
// qualification shall include current certification by the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) or meet qualifications according to the International Building Code
What is considered “Periodic Review of Construction”?
// periodic review of construction means the knowledge which is obtained from periodic site visits of reasonable frequency for the purposes of general observation of the work and also which is obtained from the reporting of others as to the progress of the work, testing of materials, inspection and superintendence of what is performed between those periodic site visits
Who prepares reports for submittal to the enforcement agency during construction of an essential services building?
// the architect, general contractor, and qualified inspector hired by the owner all must prepare reports for submittal to the enforcement agency and also must review reports made by others
// these reports show that to each of their own personal knowledge, the work has been performed and materials installed in accordance with drawings and specifications
True or false - the architect must perform contract administration on an essential services building.
// true
// for essential services buildings, it is required that the architect perform contract administration
// this is generally included in basic services for other project types, but is required to be performed on an essential services building, hospital, or public school project
What role does the Division of the State Architect play during design and construction of an essential services building according to the Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act (ESBSSA)?
// the Division of the State Architect is responsible for the following:
// observe the implementation & administration of the ESBSSA
// provide advice and assistance to local jurisdictions regarding essential services buildings
// hear appeals relative to administration of ESBSSA
What is the difference between the California Code of Regulations and the California Buildings Standards Code?
// the California Code of Regulations contains all of the regulations adopted, amended, or repealed by the state agencies pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act
// it is divided into 28 titles
// the California Building Standards Code is contained within the California Code of Regulations as Title 24
What is the difference between the California Building Standards Code and the California Building Code?
// the California Building Standards Code contains all of California’s building codes and is responsible for adopting, approving, administering and implementing codes and standards
// the California Building Code is contained wihin the California Building Standards Code as Part 2
True or false: Title 24 refers to energy calculations submitted to local building departments.
// false
// it is a common misnomer to perceive Title 24 as compliance with the energy code
// title 24 refers to the entire California Building Standards Code
// the energy code is just one small part of title 24, namely part 6
How many parts are contained within the California Building Standards Code?
// there are 12 parts to the California Building Standards Code, with an addition of part 2.5 California Residential Building Code for 2010
// part 7 is no longer published
What are the key components of the California Building Code that the Building Department will review during plan check?
// occupancy type, construction type
// building or floor area, building height
// exits/egress
// building separation and shafts, fire protection and extinguishing systems
// accessibility requirements
// engineering requirements
What is the main purpose of the California Building Code (CBC)?
// the main purpose of the code is to establish the minimum requirements to safeguard the public health, safety, and general welfare
What are the 10 occupancy classifications contained in the CBC?
// A - assembly
// B - business
// E - educational
// F - factory industrial
// H - hazardous
// I - industrial
// M - mercantile
// R - residential
// S - storage
// U - utility & misc
Define the five different construction types.
// type I: steel, reinforced concrete, masonry construction, non-combustible structure required and fire-resistive
// type II: same as type I
// type III: same as I and II but can include wood except in the structural frame
// type IV: heavy timber
// type V: steel, reinforced concrete, masonry or wood construction
What are the five main concerns to determine at the beginning of a project?
// at the beginning of a project, it is important to determine the following:
// occupancy group
// type of construction
// location of building on the property
// allowable floor area
// height and number of stories
What is contained in Chapter 7A of the CBC and how is this inclusion different from model codes?
// chapter 7A of the CBC is included within Chapter 7 - Fire Resistance Rated Construction and refers to Materials and Construction Methods for Exterior Wildfire Exposure
// it applies to building materials, systems and/or assemblies used in exterior design of new buildings located within a wildland-urban interface fir area
// this chapter is unique to the CBC as it is not found in model codes
What chapter of the CBC address accessibility and what do the two separate parts apply to?
// chapter 11 of the CBC covers accessibility and is broken up into two parts:
// 11A: housing accessibility: applicable to multi-family buildings
// 11B: accessibility to public buildings - public accommodations, commercial buildings and publicly funded housing
What is the scope of Part 2.5: California Residential Building Code of the California Building Standards Code?
// part 2.5 - California Residential Building Code is based on the 2009 International Residential Building Code and applies to every detached one and two family dwellings, townhouses not more than three stories above grade plane in height with a separate means of egress, and accessory structures
What are the five areas of focus of Part 8 - California Historical Building Code?
// the purpose of the California Historical Building Code (CHBC) is to provide regulations for buildings or properties designated as qualified historical buildings or properties for the following areas:
// preservation
// restoration
// rehabilitation
// relocation
// reconstruction
How do accessibility requirements of the California Historical Building Code (CHBC) affect a historical building and which are most critical?
// the intent of the CHBC is to preserve the integrity of qualified historical buildings while providing access to and use by persons with disabilities
// the regular code (CBC chapter 11B) shall be applied to qualified historical buildings unless strict compliance will threaten or destroy the historical signficance of the building
// most critical are life safety issues include building structure, building access and public restrooms
How is a structural survey utilized in the restoration of a historical building?
// a structural survey will evaluate any deterioration or signs of distress as well as determine the details of structural framing and the system for resistance of gravity and lateral loads
// results of the survey shall be utilied for evaluating the structural capacity and for designing modifications to the structural sustem to reach compliance with the CHBC
What is the scope and purpose of Part 10: California Existing Building Code?
// part 10 - California Existing Building Code is meant to promote public safety and welfare by reducing the risk of death or injury that may result from the effects of earthquakes on existing unreinforced masonry bearing walls
// the scope of this part shall apply to all buildings having at least one unreinforced masonry bearing wall
What five areas does Part 11 - California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) encourage as sustainable construction practices?
// part 11 - California Green Building Standards Code encourages sustainable construction practices in the following categories:
// planning & design
// energy efficiency
// water efficiency and conservation
// material conservation and resource efficiency
// environmental quality
What is the scope of the CALGreen Code?
// the CALGreen code shall apply to the planning, design, operation, construction, use and occupancy of every newly constructed building or structure, unless otherwise indicated in this code, throughout the state of California
How is the California Building Standards Code (CBSC) different from model codes?
// the CBSC (specifically the CBC) is distinct from model codes in the following ways:
// more stringent seismic design requirements
// more stringent structural tests and special inspections
// chapter 7A wildfire exposure
// chapter 11A & 11B - accessibility requirements developed and maintained by DSA
// CBSC includes California Energy Code (part 6)
Name five state agencies that have amended a section of the model code and area included in the CBSC in brackets.
// SFM: Office of the State Fire Marshall
// HCD: Department of Housing and Community Development
// OSHPD: Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development
// DSA-AC: Division of State Architect - Access Compliance
// CA: Department of Consumer Affairs
What information is covered in the chapters regarding structural provisions of the CBC?
// chapter 16: general design criteria for structures
// chapter 17: testing & inspection of materials
// chapter 18: soils, site, grading, and foundations
// chapter 19: concrete
// chapter 20: aluminum
// chapter 21: masonry
// chapter 22: steel
// chapter 23: wood
Define Dead Load vs. Live Load.
// dead load: the weight of materials and construction incorporated into the building including walls, floors, roofs, ceilings, stairways, built-in partitions, finishes, cladding and equipment attached to the structure
// live loads: loads produced by use & occupancy of the building (furniture, people, etc.), not including wind, snow, rain, earthquake, flood or dead loads
What are three methods for resisting lateral forces in a structure?
// shear wall: reinforced concrete, reinforced masonry, steel, plywood over wood studs, resists lateral forces by developing shear in its own plane (parallel) and cantilevering from its base
// moment frame: steel or concrete, resists lateral forces by a bending action
// braced frame: steel, reinforced concrete or timber, resists lateral forces by the cross bracing
Describe four occupancy categories associated with Chapter 16 - Structural Design of the California Building Code.
// category I: low hazard to human life in the event of a failure (agricultural, temp, storage)
// category II: buildings not categorized by I, III, or IV
// category III: substantial hazard to human life in the event of a failure (schools, prisons, urgent care)
// category IV: essential facilities (hospitals, fire & police stations, water treatment plants). don’t confuse with essential services buildings
Name five occupancies/uses with Uniformly Distributed Live Loads as found on Table 1607.1.
// assembly areas, fixed seats, 60 psf
// corridors: 100 psf
// residential, R-3: 40 psf
// stadiums & arenas, bleachers: 100 psf
// handrails and guardrails: 50 lbs per linear foot
How are roof live loads determined? What are the provisions for landscape roofs?
// minimum roof live loads are based upon roof slopes
// landscape roofs shall use a uniform design live load of 20 psf in the landscaped area. the weight of the landscaping materials shall be considered as dead load and shall be computed on the basis of saturation of the soil
What factors must be taken into consideration for soil lateral loads?
// basement, foundation, and retaining walls shall be designed to resist lateral soil loads
// these elements must be designed to resist overturning, sliding, excessive foundation pressure and water uplift
According to the CBC, what is the definition of a non-structural element?
// non-structural elements are those elements that are not part of the structural system, either for resisting gravity loads or part of the seismic resisting system
// these elements must be seismically restrained to resist both horizontal forces and uplift (vertical movement)
Name four architectural non-structural components that must be properly secured.
// interior non-structural walls and partitions: full height must utilize slip track toisolate from structure, partial height must be braced to structure above
// suspended ceiling: must be attached to rigid subframe
// cabinets & equipment: must be properly secured
// signs & billboards: must be properly braced
Name five mechanical and electrical non-structural components that must be properly secured.
// boilers and furnaces: must be properly secured
// HVAC system: ducts properly braced
// piping system: pipes isolated and braced
// surface mounted lighting: properly secured
// suspended lighting: properly braced to structure above
