Title
Report regarding a resolution approving the South San Francisco Fire Department’s annual inspections performance pursuant to the California Health and Safety Code section 13146.4. (Ian Hardage, Fire Marshal)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that City Council adopt a resolution approving the South San Francisco Fire Department’s annual inspections performance pursuant to the California Health and Safety Code section 13146.4.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The California Health and Safety Code 13146.4 requires fire departments or districts that are providing fire protection services to annually inspect buildings that are being used as public or private schools, hotels, motels, lodging houses, and apartment houses. Additionally, fire departments are required to report to their City Council annually, demonstrating their compliance with the mandatory annual inspections and that they acknowledge receipt of the information by resolution.
The South San Francisco Fire Department maintains a comprehensive inspection program, working to ensure that all occupancies within the City be inspected for fire and life safety code compliance on an annual or biennial basis. The frequency of inspections is dependent upon the risks within a building. This allows staff to provide enhanced fire safety behaviors throughout the community through interactive, risk-based inspections and fire safety education to every business within the City.
While California state law requires only the reporting of public or private schools, hotels, motels, lodging houses, and apartment houses, the South San Francisco Fire Department has elected to include data on additional occupancies within the City that pose a risk. These occupancies include the following: places of assembly, gas stations, auto repair facilities, laboratories, care facilities, hospitals and fire protection systems. The report details occupancy types, number of occupancies, inspections conducted, and percentage completed.
With the continued effects of the COVID-19 pandemic 2021/2022 reporting period was again a challenging year for businesses, schools and our overall community. Some facilities were forced to close or go dormant, while others took the opportunity to renovate or adjust their business models. Overall, the Fire Prevention division did see a reduction in the number of existing non-mandated businesses and facilities we were able to inspect in the reporting period. However, our City continues to develop at a rapid pace placing a large demand on the fire prevention division to also conduct construction inspections. Despite these challenges, all mandated inspections were completed by the end of the 2021/2022 fiscal year.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no additional fiscal impact associated with adoption of this resolution. The resolution seeks to communicate and acknowledge compliance with inspections previously mandated by state law.
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC PLAN
This action supports priority area four regarding Public Safety.
CONCLUSION
California state law requires fire departments to review and report on annual state mandated occupancy inspections within their jurisdictions. This allows the City Council an opportunity to evaluate Fire Prevention performance. Adoption of the resolution ensures compliance with California Health and Safety Code Section 13146.4 and demonstrates the City’s commitment to improving public safety.