SAN FRANCISCO—According to the San Francisco Fire Department, new fire safety requirements will go into effect in the city of San Francisco on January 31 in an effort to inform and keep tenants safe.
Under the new fire safety regulations, building owners are required to install louder fire alarm systems and provide tenants with up-to-date information on fire safely and smoke alarms.
Building owners must also post fire safety related information in common areas of their buildings, conduct an annual fire alarm testing, and post the building manager’s contact information at the building’s entry.
In August 2016, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed new legislations aimed in promoting fire and life safety, reducing the risk of fire, and preventing property damage from fires.
SF Board of Supervisor David Campos introduced new the legislation and the fire safety codes were developed by an interagency fire task force. The task force was formed after two fires in San Francisco’s Mission District.
On January 28, 2015 a fire located at Mission and 22nd Street killed one man, displaced 60 residents, and 18 commercial tenants.
On March 11, 2015, a fire killed Mohamed Shaibi, 38, and his 13 year-old daughter Amal Shaibi and left others in critical condition on 24 Street and Treat Avenue.
According to reports, further investigations revealed both buildings where the fires occurred did not have enough sprinklers, some exits were blocked, and there was a lack of smoke detectors.
Landlords and building owners have until March 10, 2017 to comply with the new fire safety regulations. Non-compliance with the new regulations may lead to cited violations.
SFPD will hold a presentation discussing the fire safety requirements at 11 a.m. on January 4, 2017 at 1476 Valencia St. Community.
