The August meeting will be held in Petaluma on August 27, 1999 at 0930 hours. Registration will begin at 0900 hours. Lunch will be an outdoor barbecue so plan on casual dress!

The July meeting was called to order by President Larry Monette at 0933 hours at the Oakland Masonic Center.

The pledge of allegiance was led by Past President and Daly City Fire Marshal Ed Saiz.

Sylvia Chaney-Williams was appointed Sergeant at Arms.

Battalion Chief Jerry Bufford Fire Marshal for the Oakland Fire Department welcomed the group to the City of Oakland and was happy to host the meeting. The honorable former California Governor and current Mayor of the City of Oakland Jerry Brown was introduced. Mayor Brown was glad to have us here and welcomed the members to the City. Mayor Brown stressed that he wants us to prevent fires as well as suppress them. Mayor Brown commended the organization for our frugality and in our efforts to keep costs down …this will be remembered.

We practice frugality in Fire Prevention according to Chief Bufford. He then introduced the City's new Fire Chief, Gerald Simon who has been with the department about 12 weeks. Chief Simon welcomed the group to Oakland. Chief Simon, former Chief of the City of Santa Clara Fire Department, stated that Oakland is the home of the famous Jack London Square, Lake Merritt, Jazz clubs as well as many activities and business ventures. Chief Simon went through Fire prevention and worked with President Monette. He very well understands that the best and most important part of the fire service industry is fire prevention. Chief Simon wished us well and asked that we take time to enjoy the sights and sounds of the City.

Chief Bufford made several announcements and noted the afternoon program guest speaker. Fire Marshal Bufford introduced Assistant Chief Don Parker and his staff, Inspector Gary Collins, most responsible for meeting Audry Fucles (who worked very hard to put the location and lunch together), Inspector Kim Catano who was also selling the raffle tickets for the day.

President Monette recognized visiting Fire Chief Doug Willliams, Rancho-Adobe Fire Protection District and Cal-Chief Liaison, and South San Francisco Fire Chief Russ Lee who was introduced by Fire Prevention Specialist Rocque Yballa.

President Monette announced that the new Uniform Fire Code Co-chair was Jim Monty from Manteca–Lathrop Fire Protection District. Many thanks to Tom Harvey San Francisco Fire Department for his time and dedication to the Committee!

Self-introductions were made. At this time Judge Advocate and immediate Past President Rick Rodewald Monterey Fire Marshal declared a quorum.

A Motion was made/s to approve the June 1999 minutes. A correction should indicate that "Santa Monica had the most aggressive retrofit sprinkler ordinance not the largest". Also Steve Hart said that he does not spell his name with an "e" at the end. Web and spell check tool master Fort Hartsfield and Past President corrected minutes ahead of schedule and are correct on the Web site. Minutes were approved as corrected. Thank you.

Exchange of ideas:
Rocce Yballa South San Francisco Fire Department and Fire Code Committee Co-chair stated that designers in the fire protection industry are suggesting South San Francisco may be doing things different than other departments in the south bay. Issue #1 laboratories and other B occupancies requiring two exits using hazardous materials in excess of 200 sq.ft. Some San Jose folks are not. Item #2 Smoke detectors to shut down fire dampers are required by Code except the claim is that So. SF Fire Dept. is the only jurisdiction requiring detectors in the duct. Looking for feed back please.

Scott McMillan San Jose Fire Department stated the 1997 Code addresses the smoke detector shut down.

Terri S. Leyton advised everyone that the deadline for submission of the Omega claims has ended (August 1). You may contact Central at omegarecall.com and can download forms. If the claims have deficiencies the claimant will be notified and have until Sept 10th to make and submit the necessary corrections.

Cliff Vaninan Fire Marshal City of Santa Rosa is recruiting for two fire inspectors. See these minutes.

Lew Schalit Ph.D. Lawrence Livermore Lab, Department of Energy Site injury and accident issued a safety alert report now on the internet in pdf format. See copy in these minutes.

Kent Miller Stockton Fire Dept. stated that the City of Stockton passed an Ordinance requiring that listed equipment used for flammable liquids and with other equipment including lining of underground fuel storage tanks require a new listing. Also, the Fourth Annual Fire Expo in Stockton will be taking place soon. He is looking for antique fire apparatus, and invited venders to participate. Demonstrations will include a Medivac and water rescue.

Steve Hart retired, and Past President will be sending out a survey on sprinkler ordinances. He will assure that those who respond to the survey update will get a copy of the summary report.

Chief Bill Greene-Davis Fire Dept. and Past President would like to know which jurisdictions have combined Fire and Building Departments? Please let Chief Greene know. City of Larkspur and So. San Francisco do have combined departments. City of Oakland will be having one stop permit shopping soon.

Fire Marshal Ed Saiz-Daly City Fire Dept. and Past President is beginning recruitment for Deputy Fire Marshal.

Assistant Fire Marshal Ray Johnson-Redding Fire Dept. is recruiting for Fire Marshal with testing around September 24th.

Scott McMillan-San Jose Fire Dept. has two openings for FPE. The 1997 code initiated positive pressure testing of fire doors. It requires an intumescent strip in the door.

Fort Hartsfield Past President and Web Master stated that job announcements are posted on the Web. It is important to note the final filing date for applications. Please contact Fort for details. The California Inspector Guides will be available in about a week. See announcement and new order form and phone # in these minutes.

Joe Garcia CDF/SFM commented on the use of cell phones and heard of an accident at a service station in Illinois which may be banning their use.

Robert Evans Stockton Fire Department and Fire Protection Devices Committee Co-chair said regarding Gayle Bates' statement about A17.1 1996 regarding information about controls on sprinkler systems. See Robert for more info.

Fire Marshal Rick Rodewald Monterey Fire Dept., Judge Advocate and Past President is looking at ordinances for "zero based" sprinkling. Email or send copy to Monterey Fire Department.

State Fire Marshal Report - In place of Jon Guhl was Joe Garcia. Fire Extinguisher regulations go out Tuesday to OAL and will require a 45day-review/comment period prior to the hearings being set. Acting State Fire Marshal Joan Jennings accepted a new position as Chief of the Occupational Safety and Health Program for CDF, effective end of July. Good luck and best wishes Chief Jennings! Chief Craig Anthony will be the acting State Fire Marshal until such time that one has been appointed by Governor Davis. Special effects regulations sent back to OAL. The OSFM will continue to serve to the degree that they can during this transition.

First Vice President Rick Terry commented on the Building Standards Commission Vote. Chief Terry stated that results at the July 14th meeting was to accept the recommendation of the 2000 code partner committee and go ahead with IAPMO publication and the IBC. The 2000 committee will be going ahead to correlate the two codes.

Legislative Report - Dan Najera CDF/SFM. Written report not available as of printing of minutes.
Audry assigned the break out rooms and information about lunch. Other announcements: Great raffle prizes. A's tickets; Giants Tickets; Gift Certificates, and Dinners at local restaurants and a Claremont Hotel and Spa package for two.
Executive Board and Committees met at 1020 hours.

Afternoon speaker was John Varanicar, P.E. - PG&E concerning Compressed Natural Gas stations. The VRA produces about 2 cubic feet per minute, the amount of gas actually inside the unit is approximately 2 cubic inches compressed. It requires a 220 volt service to the unit and requires a shunt switch. The unit monitors the pressure or pressure differential will turn the machine off if it indicates excessive pressure or sudden loss. If the compressor runs too long, the system will shut off. There is no CNG storage in the unit.

They compress the gas to 3,000 lbs. The device is not user serviceable. It is programmable logic controlled (PLC). The supplier must service the unit by removing the compressor module. It is a completely sealed unit pressure tested to 12,000 psi. The two penetrations are located in the supply end outlet connection. It is connected to between the car and unit by a high-pressure breakaway hose.

Unit cost is about $5,000 and the vehicle modifications are about $5,000. So the actual net present value of the change-over is not positive. The installation manufacturer provides installation specifications including venting of the device as well as its "appliance" classification/listing. It is intended to for outdoor use.

One unit was installed in Texas and with the vent line not properly installed, caused fire in a carport. Propane is not natural gas! They are not interchangeable. This is prevented by different fittings.

Many thanks to the Oakland Fire Department; Chief Bufford and his staff for hosting a great meeting! Raffle time! Meeting Adjourned 14:35 hours.
Respectfully submitted,
Forrest M. Craig, Secretary