Committee backs ordinance to adopt standardized post-disaster placards for building safety

The Rules Committee recommended that the Board adopt an ordinance amending the San Francisco Building Code by adding section 102.21 to require official post-disaster placards to be used following damage assessments. Vernon Takasuka, emergency program coordinator for the Department of Building Inspection, explained the proposal would formalize placards already in practice, standardize language across jurisdictions using ATC‑20 templates, and add the city logo, department contact information and multiple-language support.

Takasuka told the committee that the Applied Technology Council and other state emergency officials encouraged uniform adoption and that prior local advisory committees (Code Advisory Committee and Building Inspection review) had approved the proposed approach. He said the current placards had previously been recommendations and that the ordinance would make them official and enforceable.

Committee members asked technical questions about sign size, languages and symbols; Takasuka confirmed placard dimensions would be the same as the existing design but would add Spanish and Chinese and possibly universal hazard symbols. The committee accepted an amendment specifying that each placard include prescribed language (or equivalent) under the San Francisco Building Code and that the person responsible would be subject to applicable penalties set forth in the code.

Why it matters: Standardizing post-disaster placards aims to provide clear, enforceable guidance to building owners and occupants after earthquakes or other catastrophes so that safety assessments and occupancy decisions are uniformly communicated.

What’s next: The ordinance and the accepted amendment were moved forward with the committee's recommendation for full Board consideration.