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Home My WebLink About2021-10-14; Business Fire Safety Assessment Program Notification (District - All); Calderwood, MichaelTo the members of the: CITY COUNCIL Date10h4/,i CA ✓ CC ✓ CM _L_ ACM _y_ DCM (3) ✓ Oct. 14, 2021 Council Memorandum To: Honorable Mayor Hall a ers of the City Council From: Via: Michael Calderwood, Fire Scott Chadwick, City Mana er {city of Carlsbad · Memo ID #2021191 Re: Business Fire Safety Assess t Program Notification (District -All) The Fire Department has performed annual fire inspections of all apartment buildings, hotels and motels and school sites since 2018, in accordance with the state mandate found in California Health and Safety Code Section 13146. There are no state mandates requiring cities to annually inspect any other types of businesses or buildings, and cities that choose to conduct inspections of their business communities do so voluntarily, through local ordinances. The Carlsbad Fire Department has no plans to propose an annual fire inspection program for all businesses in the city. However, we do highly encourage all businesses to take the necessary steps to ensure that they are operated safely. A new city program will give business owners the information they need to take these precautions. The department has created a Business Fire Safety Assessment Program so that businesses can perform their own safety assessments, checking for the common hazards regulated by the Carlsbad Fire Code. Information about the new Business Fire Safety Assessment Program can be found on the city website under the Fire Prevention link on the Fire Department page. This program is designed to be self-administered by business owners or operators, with a checklist provided by the Fire Department so they can perform their own assessments. A copy of this checklist is attached to this memo and may be accessed by the public by clicking on the Business Owner Checklist link on the Fire Prevention page. In addition, the Fire Department produced a short video that walks business owners through what city fire inspectors look for when they conduct annual inspections. Businesses can still have a Carlsbad fire inspector conduct a fire safety assessment upon request. There is a fee for such an inspection, in accordance with the City of Carlsbad Fee Schedule, just as there are fees for inspections conducted through our state-mandated inspection program. Carlsbad Fire Prevention staff have contacted the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce and the Carlsbad Village Association to make them aware of the program and let them know the assessment checklist has been published for their use . We have also reassured them that this is a voluntary program and we are not proposing an annual business inspection program. Businesses with questions regarding this new program can contact the Fire Prevention Bureau for additional information. Fire Department Safety Center 2560 Orion Way I Carlsbad, CA 92010 I 760-931-2141 t Council Memo -Business Fire Safety Assessment Program Notification Oct. 13, 2021 Page 2 Attachment: Business Safety Checklist cc: Geoff Patnoe, Assistant City Manager Celia Brewer, City Attorney Randy Metz, Fire Marshal Business Safety Checklist { City of Carlsbad Fi r e Departm ent This list is intended to function as a self-assessment tool to help businesses maintain code- compliant, safe properties and to assist in identifying potential fire hazards. This is not an exhaustive list and not all items apply to all buildings. Property Access □ Fire lanes are clearly marked and free of obstructions □ Knox Box is present and functional, where required. Keys in Knox Box are updated and functional Exterior -Labeling · □ Street number and unit number is plainly visible and legible from street □ Any rooms containing mechanical, electrical, and fire protection equipment identified with appropriate signage Exterior - Fire Protection Systems □ 3-foot unobstructed clear space is maintained around hydrant(s), backflow(s), and FDC(s) □ FDC(s) are clearly visible and accessible, caps are in place □ Signage present on FDC, is legible, and indicates the address and area(s) served Exterior -Storage □ Open flame cooking devices not operated within 10 feet of combustible construction. Portable outdoor gas-fired heating appliances no less than 5 feet from building(s) or combustible material □ Storage of combustible rubbish creating a nuisance, hazard or extreme fire load has been removed Means of Egress □ Path of egress from all portions of a building the to the public way is continuous, free of obstructions or diminished width Exit Signs & Emergency Lighting □ Exit signs are illuminated at all times and visible □ Exit signage is provided with emergency back-up power Exit Doors □ Egress doors readily distinguishable and easily recognizable as doors and operable without a key, special knowledge or effort. Free of deadbolts or similar hardware. Fire-Rated Doors & Fire Door Assemblies □ Fire-rated doors close from the full-open position and latch automatically □ No obstructions, including door stops, are present that prevent doors from functioning as designed 1635 Faraday Ave I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 760-602-4665 I www.carlsbadfire.org Wall Penetrations D The fire-resistance-rated construction is free from penetrations Fire Extinguishers (_ Cicyof Carlsbad Fire Department D At minimum, a 2-A:10-BC extinguisher is present with maximum travel distance to extinguisher 75- feet, mounted in a conspicuous location along norm path of travel, not obstructed or obscured from view D Class K-rated fire extinguisher located in kitchen where cooking with vegetable or animal oils and fats D Extinguishers have the California State Fire Marshal tag attached showing annual certification within the past year. All safety pins and tamper seals are attached Interior Fire Protection Systems D Fire protection systems will have clear access, legible signage, gauges functional □ 5-year certification tag affixed to sprinkler riser and is current D Sprinkler heads are free from paint, corrosion, damage, obstruction, etc. D Automatic fire-extinguishing systems protecting commercial cooking systems are maintained and serviced at least every 6 months. Tag is current. □ Commercial cooking hood system is cleaned regularly and free of grease build-up Fire Alarm □ Fire detection and alarm systems are maintained and are in operable condition at all times □ Fire alarm has been serviced annually; certification sticker affixed to panel □ Manual pull stations, where present, are readily accessible and unobstructed Electrical & Mechanical D Storage, trash and other materials are removed so that 3-foot clearance in front of electrical equipment is provided D Relocatable power taps are directly connected to a permanently installed receptacle, free of damage D Extension cords are not permanent wiring, not extended through walls, ceilings, floors, etc., are in good condition without splices or damage Storage & General Hazard D Combustible storage not stored in boiler rooms, mechanical rooms, electrical equipment rooms, under-floor, under stairwell, or other concealed space D Flammable liquids (i.e. gasoline) stored in listed/approved safety can □ Propane not stored indoors. Outdoor storage is minimum of 5 feet from exit door and exit path ' D Compressed gas cylinders are secured to prevent them from falling or being knocked over □ Proper ventilation is provided for clothes dryers and absence of excessive lint Elevators D Has required signage directing to stairways and not to use elevator in fire emergency 1635 Faraday Ave I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 760-602-4665 I www.carlsbadfire.org