Senate Bill 1205
Fire Protection Services
Inspection
Compliance Reporting
City Council Meeting
March 29, 2022
Paul Lowenthal
Division Chief Fire Marshal
1 BACKGROUND
On December 2, 2016, a fire broke out in a warehouse, known as Ghost Ship, that had been converted into an artist collective, including dwelling units, in the Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland, California. A total of 36 people were killed in the fire, and it became the deadliest in the history of the city. It was also the deadliest building fire in the United States since The Station nightclub fire in 2003, and the deadliest in California since the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. The tragedy at Ghost Ship brought national attention and put a spotlight on fire safety laws and inspection in California.
2 BACKGROUND
On September 27, 2018, SB 1205 became effective, and added a new section to the California Health and Safety Code which affects every fire department or fire district in the
State. Existing state law requires every fire department or district providing fire protection services to inspect every building used as a public or private school annually. This same annual inspection requirement is applicable to hotels, motels, lodging houses, and apartment houses.
3 DEFINED
Educational Group E Occupancies are generally those public and private schools, used by more than six persons at any one time for educational purposes through the 12th grade.
Residential Group R Occupancies, for the purpose of this resolution, are generally those occupancies containing sleeping units, and including hotels, motels, apartments (three units or more), etc. as well as other residential occupancies (including a number of residential care facilities). These residential care facilities have a number of different sub-classifications, and they may contain residents or clients that have a range of needs, including those related to custodial care, mobility impairments, cognitive disabilities, etc. The residents may also be non- ambulatory or bedridden.
4 GROUP E OCCUPANICES
During calendar year 2021, within the City of Santa Rosa, there were a total of 123 known Group E Occupancies, buildings, structures and/or facilities. The Fire Department completed the annual inspection of 123 facilities. This is a compliance rate of 100% for this reporting period.
5 GROUP R OCCUPANCIES
During calendar year 2021, within the City of Santa Rosa, there were a total of 996 known Group R Occupancies, buildings, structures and/or facilities. The Fire Department completed the annual inspection of 996 Group R facilities. This is a compliance rate of 100% for this reporting period.
6 As of the date of this presentation we have achieved 100% completion of mandated inspections.
QUESTIONS?
7