HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/21/2014 00 Misc Distributed at the MeetingDistributed at
Memorandum
January 21, 2014
To: Tony O'Rourke, City Manager
From: Mark Soptich, Deputy Chief
Subject: Fire and Life Safety Inspection Program Update
The fire department's fire and life safety program started with the hiring of its first
inspector on May 1, 2013 followed by the hiring of our second inspector on August 19'h,
2013.
Collectively, they completed 2,662 inspections in 2013. This total includes both initial
and compliance re- inspections. Compliance re- inspections were required for about 85%
of initial inspections. Even with the majority of occupancies requiring compliance re-
inspections, the vast majority of those had worked with our inspectors to mitigate
violations within two re- inspections.
The majority of violations found in 2013 include:
✓ Expired annual fire extinguisher testing.
• Expired annual confidence testing for fire. sprinkler and fire alarms systems.
• Improper use of extension cords.
• Exit and emergency lighting out of service.
✓ Proper posting of addresses.
There have been four occupancies with violations serious enough that additional time was
required to mitigate the violations or are still ongoing. Unfortunately, H &H Furniture
has been more problematic as the owner is less willing to work with the fire department
to mitigate their violations.
On November 5, 2013, an annual fire inspection was conducted at H &H Furniture
located at 213 West Yakima Ave. The violations found included items commonly found
during annual inspections and the use of a basement area as a showroom.
A letter dated September 23, 2002 was sent to Mark Peterson, owner of H &H Furniture,
from the codes division outlining the requirements to complete for continued use as a
showroom. The remaining violation is a 1 -hour separation between the basement and the
1" floor.
Two re- inspection dates were established; November 20 for the annual inspection
violations and January 31 for the use of the basement as a showroom.
The inspector returned on November 21, 26, and January 14 to conduct a re- inspection of
the annual fire inspection violations and was not permitted to do so by Mark Peterson the
owner.
According to county records, the basement is approximately 6,500 square feet. A
contractor's estimate to provide a 1 -hour separation between the basement and the 1 st
floor is about $1.00 per square foot.
Due to H &H Furniture's uncooperative nature, the City will now go and seek an
administrative warrant in order to conduct a detailed inspection.
Chestnut Manor is a 2 -story apartment complex that had multiple violations. The
property owner worked cooperatively with the fire department to bring the violations into
compliance.
Farias Custom Cars is an auto body shop that required an automatic suppression system
for its paint booth. The business owner, fire department, and codes division worked
collaboratively to bring the building into compliance.
We are currently working with Walnut Manor a 2 -story apartment complex that is
requiring additional time due to the number of violations. We are also working with the
codes division as some of the violations will require entering the individual units. We
have no reason at this time to believe that this inspection will have a positive outcome.
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In all, 2013 was a productive year as the inspection division, is working to complete all
required inspections and create an accurate database. Once completed, we will use the
data to better plan for the needs of the division.
Please contact me if you have any questions.