Fire commission backs ordinance to require tenant smoke-alarm notices, alarm-system compliance

The San Francisco Fire Commission on June 8 voted to support a Board of Supervisors ordinance (File 160422) that would require residential property owners to give tenants annual written notice of smoke-alarm requirements and to register periodic compliance statements for alarm testing and inspection.

Carolyn Goosen, legislative aide to Supervisor Campos, introduced the proposal and said it was the product of a fire task force convened after several fatal fires in District 9. "First it requires building owners to provide residential tenants with an annual written notice of smoke alarm requirements," Goosen said, adding that notices would be posted in English, Spanish and Chinese.

The ordinance would also require owners of residential buildings that already have fire alarm systems to file a statement of compliance with annual testing and inspections every two years and to post that form for public view. Building owners who undertake $50,000 or more in construction or by July 1, 2021 would be required to upgrade existing alarm systems to meet sleeping-area sound-level requirements; owners of buildings with six or more units would be required to install attic fire-blocking when performing $50,000 or more in work.

Commissioners focused on scope and funding. "We're focusing here on residential, right?" Vice President Ken Cleveland asked. Goosen and staff clarified the measure is aimed at residential occupancies and mixed-use buildings with residential portions. Commissioners pressed department and city-finance staff for details on the resources needed to implement new tracking and inspection duties.

Mark Corso, finance planning, told the commission that the Department of Building Inspection and the mayor's office had committed funding to help staff the program's early phase. Corso said the departments agreed to $1,100,000 per year for two years — "for a total of $2,200,000" — to support outreach and to fund analyst, inspector and IT positions to track certifications. He added that fees associated with processed permit activity are expected to supplement staffing in later years.

Chief Joanne Hayes White and Fire Marshal Dan DeCozio told commissioners the departments are coordinating training and staffing to meet the law’s phased timeline. The commission attached a clarification request that the ordinance's language be scrubbed to make explicit it applies to residential tenants and occupancies.

Commissioner Steven Nakajo made a motion to approve the commission's support, including direction that staff ensure adequate funding is identified and that the ordinance be clarified to reference residential occupancies; Vice President Cleveland seconded. The commission voted in favor by voice vote.

The commission’s action was a statement of support to the Board of Supervisors; no ordinance was adopted by the commission itself. Staff said they will return with clarified language before the ordinance advances in the legislative process.