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MANHATTAN BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT
FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU
400 15™ StreetManhattan Beach, CA 90266
Kevin Bass, Fire Marshal, kbass(2),manhattanbeach.eovTelephone(310)802-5205 May 18,2023
Mr. Bill Victor (Owner)
116 9th Street
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Subject: Unsafe Structure determination for 116 9th Street, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 Dear Mr. Victor:
The residence at the subject address experienced a fire event in July 2022 that caused significant damage your building. On Thursday May 11, 2023, I conducted an exterior inspection of the residence to determine its current status. During the inspection, I noted that the structure suffered damage to the roof, exterior walls, interior walls, and to the vegetation abutting the structure. The condition of the stmcture, with unprotected and degrading wood elements, along with the large amount of dry vegetation adjacent to the structure, presents a fire hazard to any potential ignition source. These ignition sources include arcs and sparks from the overhead power lines and a nearby transformer, temporary power from unregulated generators used by contractors and homeowners, cigarettes and other open flames from the passing general public, and hot particles from moving vehicles in close proximity to the structure.
Furthermore, the minimal separation to adjacent structures provides opportunities for a fire to spread beyond your property line (as evidenced during the fire in July 2022, when your neighbor at 222 9 Street was damaged during the same event).
Considering the condition of your structure, the ability to easily ignite another fire to your building and the abutting vegetation, and the danger to the surrounding residents, the general public, and responding emergency personnel, I have determined that the building is an Unsafe Structure. The following excerpts from the California Fire Code, 2022 edition, provides information regarding Unsafe Structures and the requirement for abatement of the identified hazard:
SECTION 114 UNSAFE STRUCTURES OR EQUIPMENT
[A] 114.1 General. If during the inspection of a premises, a structure, or any building system, in whole or in part, constitutes a clear and inimical threat to human life, safety or health, the fire code official shall issue such notice or orders to remove or remedy the conditions as shall be deemed necessary in accordance with this section, and shall refer the building to the building official for any repairs, alterations, remodeling, removing or demolition required.
Service with Intesrity
[A] 114.1.1 Unsafe conditions. Structures or existing equipment that are or hereafter become unsafe, insanitary or deficient because of inadequate means of egress, inadequate light and ventilation, or that constitute a fire hazard, are otherwise dangerous to human life or the public welfare, or involve illegal or improper occupancy or inadequate maintenance, shall be deemed an unsafe condition. Unsafe structures shall be taken down and removed or made safe, as the fire code official deems necessary and as provided for in this section. A vacant structure that is not secured against unauthorized entry shall be deemed unsafe.
[A] 114.1.2 Structural hazards. Where an apparent structural hazard is caused by the faulty installation, operation or malfunction of any of the items or devices governed by this code, the fire code official shall immediately notify the building code official in accordance with Section 114.1.
[A] 114.2 Evacuation. The fire code official or the fire department official in charge of an incident shall be authorized to order the immediate evacuation of any occupied structure deemed unsafe where such structure has hazardous conditions that pose an imminent danger to structure occupants. Persons so notified shall immediately leave the structure or premises and shall not enter or re-enter until authorized to do so by the fire code official or the fire department official in charge of the incident. [A] 114.6 Restoration or abatement. The structure or equipment determined to be unsafe by the fire code official is permitted to be restored to a safe condition. The owner, the owner's authorized agent, operator or occupant of a structure, premises or equipment deemed unsafe by the fire code official shall abate or cause to be abated or corrected such unsafe conditions either by repair, rehabilitation, demolition or other approved corrective action. To the extent that repairs, alterations or additions are made or a change of occupancy occurs during the restoration of the structure, such repairs, alterations, additions or change of occupancy shall comply with the requirements of Section 105.1.5 and the California Existing Building Code.
If you have any questions regarding the referenced sections of the California Fire Code or the determination of the fire hazard that your structure presents, please contact me to schedule a meeting to discuss this case.
Respectfully,
^ —^
Kevin Bass, Fire Marshal
Manhattan Beach Fire Department