Fire Safe Planning

The Urban Wildland Interface Building Standards (UWIBS) code development project is underway. The SFM is working in cooperation with state and local agencies, industry and other interested parties to develop exterior building standards for structures located in wildfire prone areas. The next workshop regarding the development of the UWIBS regulations will be held at the SFM headquarters on April 4, 2003. For more information about this project, please visit the SFM’s web site at www.osfm.fire.ca.gov/UWIBS.html.

Staff are currently working together with the statewide Fire Safe Council, the Office of Emergency Services and CDF Public Education to produce an update to the "Fire Safe Inside and Out" video program. This is a valuable public education tool that will be widely distributed and broadcasted to increase fire safety and awareness statewide.

Staff is coordinating these efforts with the Fire Alliance member agencies to develop integrated exhibits and materials for the upcoming Disaster Resistant California Conference in April 2003, which is sponsored by Office of Emergency Services (OES). The themes and materials developed from this effort will also be used for Wildfire Awareness Week in May 2003.

TITLE 19

• The SFM is working on a legislative proposal to move fire regulations from the California Integrated Waste Management Boards Title 14 to Title 19. Rodney Slaughter, the Title 19 Regulations Coordinator is concurrently developing a new tire fire training program, which will incorporate the new regulations with information regarding the scrap tire storage, fire prevention, fire suppression, and firefighter safety. The first presentation will be conducted at the Continuing Challenge Conference in September if you would like to participate.

TITLE 24

• The SFM has completed the proposed emergency regulations relating to Senate Bill (SB) 1896. The subject of this bill relates to Bedridden Clients in Residential Care Facilities caring for 6 or less clients. The "R-2 Bedridden" advisory committee held its last working session on February 24, 2003 which produced the final "Draft" regulations to be submitted to the SFM’s "Fire & Life Safety Building Standards Advisory Board" (FLSAB) for review. These regulations will bring about a consistent regulatory application on a statewide basis. Upon approval of the CBSC, the local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) will have clear enforceable regulations when granting the required fire clearance.
• The SFM has submitted these regulations to CBSC staff; thereby meaning these regulations will be presented to the Commission at their next regularly scheduled meeting.
• The SFM has completed the proposed emergency regulations relating to Senate Bill (SB) 1361. The subject of this bill relates to Adult Day Care Facilities that may want to install delayed egress devices and or secure perimeter fences at centers caring for persons for Alzheimer’s and other Dementias for less than 24 hours a day. These regulations will bring about a consistent regulatory application on a statewide basis. Upon approval by the CBSC, the local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) will have clear enforceable regulations when granting the required "non-ambulatory" fire clearance.
• The SFM has submitted these regulations to CBSC staff; thereby meaning these regulations will be presented to the Commission at their next regularly scheduled meeting.

The SFM is requesting an effective date of May 15, 2003

for the following rulemaking efforts:

• SB 1896 – Amendments to Title 24, Part 2, 2001 California Building Code and Part 9, California Fire Code
• SB 1361 – Amendments to Title 24, Part 2, 2001 California Building Code and Part 9, California Fire Code relating to the use of delayed egress devices and or secured perimeter fencing in Group E, Division 3 Occupancies used as adult day care facilities.

NEXT COMMISSION MEETING SCHEDULED FOR:

MAY 14, 2003 at 10:00 a.m.

DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS

400 R STREET, FIRST FLOOR HEARING ROOM

SACRAMENTO, CA 95814

(916) 263-0916

or

www.bsc.ca.gov

Anyone wishing to be placed on SFM’s mailing list to receive updates on proposed code provisions or draft copies of the rulemaking efforts mentioned above may e-mail the following information to Leslie.Haberek@fire.ca.gov.

• Name & Affiliation
• Mailing Address
• E-Mail Address
• Which code are you interested in being notified about or do you want to receive information on all proposed code development?
• Telephone Number
• Fax Number
• Do you need information in an "accessible" format?

Fire Engineering

The Fire Engineering Division is currently processing renewals for the following licensing programs: Fireworks, Flame Retardant, and the Building Materials Listings (BML) Program.

Fireworks

A Fireworks and Safe & Sane Advisory Committee meeting has been scheduled for April 29-30, 2003 in the Sacramento office. One of the items that will be discussed is the need to adopt regulations pertaining to NFPA 1126 (Standard for the Use of Pyrotechnics before a Proximate Audience). Contact Pat Sanchez at (916) 445-8415 or e-mail at Patricia.Sanchez@fire.ca.gov for more information.

The OSFM is developing a questionnaire that will be sent to all fire and police agencies throughout the State of California to determine the location and amount of seized illegal and dangerous fireworks. We are working in conjunction with other state agencies to develop a procedure for the proper disposal of these fireworks and assist us with this issue.

Due to current budget constraints, the SFM Advisory Committee meetings have been reduced to one meeting annually. We will continue to move ahead with any sub-committee issues that were previously identified.

If the Northern and/or Southern California FPO’s want to set up a Fireworks Public Display class, DSFM Tony Guevara is available to provide the instruction. This is normally an 8-hour class. For more information, please contact

Pat Sanchez at the above phone number or via e-mail.

Motion Picture

A Fire Safety Officer training class is scheduled for May 21-23 in San Luis Obispo. (Please see attached flyer).

Motion Picture/TV Entertainment

Fire Safety Officer Training

Presented By

Hosted By

Date: May 21-23, 2003 Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

Time: 0800-1700

Location: Camp San Luis, HWY 1, San Luis Obispo, NICI Building 918

Cost: $100.00

Course description:

• Educate and inform both public safety agencies and private sector interested regarding film production fire safety in California.
• Discuss and demonstrate the proper use, handling, storage, and transportation of special effects and how they are used within the industry.
• Provide a leadership role in educating local government agencies throughout the State, by standardizing regulatory safety requirements as they apply to the motion picture industry.
• Recognize that the motion picture and entertainment industry is a safe and vital form of commerce in California.

Registrations and Payment must be mailed or hand delivered. No Emails or Faxes will be accepted. Registration is on a first come first serve.

Registration Form

Name___________________________________________________________________

Agency_________________________________________________________________

Address_________________________________________________________________

City_________________________________State__________Zip__________________

Telephone____________________________Fax________________________________

Email___________________________________________________________________

Registration priority will be based on the date that payment is received. Make checks payable to Central Coast Fire Prevention Officers Association. Return registration form with payment to Brandlyn Gosselin – San Luis Obispo County Fire Department 635 North Santa Rosa St., San Luis Obispo, California, 93405

For more information: Brandlyn Gosselin (805) 543-4244 ext. 2219 or

Jim Tringham (805) 440-8224

Check #:_________ Amount:____________Date Received:_______________________

BML

The BML Program would like to inform the local FPO’s that they may access copies of all of the BML listings to assist them in the plan review of fire alarm systems and equipment. The website may be accessed at www.osfm.fire.ca.gov/bml.html.

CUPA Program

A draft strategic plan for the OSFM roles and responsibilities in the Unified Program is prepared for review and comment by Cal/EPA and the Cal CUPA Forum Board.

Proposed regulatory changes to Title 27 are being made to clarify OSFM and CUPA roles and responsibilities.

Pipeline Safety is assisting the CUPA program by providing a presentation on pipeline safety programs to the regional CUPA Forums to raise stakeholder awareness.

Three triennial CUPA evaluations for April will be completed.

Fire Extinguisher Program

Our office is currently in preparation for implementation of our new citation process. Effective immediately, investigators assigned to the Fire Engineering Division can issue citations. Training is being developed for SFM Deputies statewide. It is anticipated that all field deputies will receive the necessary training, and have the ability to cite by July 1, 2003.

Beginning in February the fire extinguisher program instituted a new program to ensure that all concerns maintain the required insurance coverage. Insurance information is entered into the program database as it is received. If a lapse in coverage occurs, the concern license is immediately suspended until proof of insurance is received. The effected concern license will be revoked if proof of insurance is not received.

The Automatic Extinguishing Systems Advisory Committee is working to bring amended maintenance requirements from NFPA 25 into Title 19. We will keep you posted on our progress.