Action/Alerts

http://sf-fire.org/new-fire-safety-requirements-building-owners

In August 2016, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed new legislation aimed at promoting fire and life safety, reducing the risk of fires, and preventing property damage from fires. These laws, which have been incorporated into the San Francisco Fire Code, establish new requirements for the owners of residential buildings.
The new requirements include having building owners provide residential tenants with updated information on fire safety and smoke alarm requirements, post fire safety related information in common areas of their buildings, file and post a Statement of Compliance form for annual fire alarm testing, and post the building manager contact information at the building entry. The requirements and effective dates vary based on the total number of building residential units and when the legislation was approved. Non-compliance with these requirements may lead to violations, where in some cases, each day that a violation occurs will result an additional violation being issued.
The San Francisco Fire Department is here to assist building owners to become compliant with these new requirements.  Details of the requirements are provided below. Look for the "SFFD HELP" links, which are provided to help you find the necessary forms, examples of signs, sample letters, and other helpful code information to assist you with compliance.
 
FIRE SAFETY INFORMATION DISCLOSURE
Compliance Date = 3/10/2017
It is the purpose of this Section 409 to reduce the risk of fires and of damage from fires by requiring owners of buildings with three or more dwelling units to disclose fire safety information to new residents on or before they begin to live in the building and once a year thereafter, and to post fire safety information in a place that is accessible to all residents.

SMOKE ALARM INFORMATION DISCLOSURE
Compliance Date = 1/31/2017
 (a)   On or before January 31, 2017, and on or before January 31 of each year thereafter, owners of a dwelling unit intended for human occupancy in which one or more units is rented or leased shall provide each tenant with a written notice regarding smoke alarm requirements on a form provided by the Fire Department. The Fire Department shall develop the notice in consultation with the Department of Building Inspection and shall make the notice available on its website in English, Spanish, and Chinese.

FIRE ALARM MAINTENANCE, INSPECTION AND TESTING FORM
Compliance Dates = 1/31/2017 (9 or more units); 1/31/2018 (3-8 units)
 (a)   The building owner is responsible to maintain the fire and life safety systems in an operable condition at all times. The building owner must have the system(s) tested and inspected every year by service personnel who meet the qualification requirements of NFPA 72, as amended from time to time, for maintaining, inspecting, and testing of the systems.
 Filing Statement of Compliance. With regard to fire alarm systems in Apartment Houses, as defined in the Housing Code, the building owner shall file a Statement of Compliance with this annual testing and inspection requirement with the Fire Department, on a form provided by the Fire Department, in accordance with the following schedule:  (A) for buildings with nine or more units, on or before January 31, 2017, and thereafter on or before January 31 of each odd-numbered year, and   (B) for buildings with three to eight units, on or before January 31, 2018, and thereafter on or before January 31 of each even-numbered year.  The Fire Department shall consult with the Department of Building Inspection in developing the Statement of Compliance form. The Fire Department shall post all Statements of Compliance it receives on a City website maintained by the Fire Department no later than 60 days from January 31 each year.
 
FIRE ALARM SLEEPING AREA REQUIREMENTS
Compliance Date = 7/1/2021 or completion of  (>/=) $50,000 construction work  
For all buildings that are required to have a fire alarm system under this [Fire] Code, the Building Code, the Housing Code or any other law, the building owner shall upgrade the fire alarm system, if necessary, to comply with the sound level requirement for sleeping areas set forth in Section 18.4.5.1 of NFPA 72 (2013 edition), as amended from time to time, upon either (a) completion of work under a building permit with a cost of construction of $50,000 or more or (b) July 1, 2021, whichever occurs first.