Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Shared Spaces topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Fire department reports inspections at 800+ shared‑space sites; 15 priority violations remain
Summary
Deputy chief and the fire marshal said they have inspected more than 800 shared‑space/parklet sites, issued violations and brought priority hazards from roughly 50–60 down to about 15; the department emphasized three‑foot emergency gaps, height limits and the ability to vacate unsafe spaces.
Deputy Chief Brian Rubinstein and the Fire Marshal’s office told the Fire Commission that shared‑space installations created during the pandemic require active supervision and enforcement to protect emergency access.
Rubinstein outlined the city’s quicker permitting process introduced in June 2020 and said some installations that began as movable furniture became more permanent, prompting fire‑safety review. "We need to maintain emergency access," he said, citing a Fire Marshal guidance of three‑foot gaps every 20 feet and height guidance tied to truck clearance.
Fire Marshal DeCozio described an inspection program that has visited over 800 sites. Inspectors categorized violations into priority (those that significantly impede fire access) and standard buckets. "Of the roughly 50 to 60 priority violations, we're down to about 15 right now," DeCozio said, and he noted that the department can issue orders to vacate unsafe spaces where necessary.
DeCozio said inspectors are doing off‑hour visits to identify unpermitted heater use and extension cords; he reported that only about 90 heater permits were issued out of the 800+ inspected sites. He emphasized that the permitting agency is DPW and that the Fire Marshal’s office focuses on access and operational safety.
Commissioners asked about enforcement authority and whether the department can require removal of unsafe structures; DeCozio confirmed orders to vacate have been used in a small number of cases and that close coordination with DPW is required for permitting and long‑term compliance.
The commission welcomed the update and Vice President Catherine Feinstein requested a plain‑language glossary for report acronyms to help commissioners and the public read future materials.
