Monthly Report
California State Fire Marshal
October 2002

Code Enforcement

Statutes and Regulations Course

The SFM Statutes and Regulations beta test class was given October 8th, 9th and 10th. The SFM received some very good comments and recommendations for improving the class. These recommendations will be incorporated into the course and will be part of the first "official" class given at the FPO workshop at Monterey in February 2003. Following the February class the SFM will attempt to conduct the class throughout the state on a quarterly basis. The actual means of delivery as well as the cost for the class is still being evaluated.

West Covina Office Relocation

The SFM West Covina office moved to Monrovia September 10th. Our new address is - 602 E. Huntington Drive, Suite A., Monrovia, CA 91016. The telephone number is (626) 305-1908. The fax # is (626) 305-5173.

Fire Engineering

Mike Richwine has been assigned as the new Division Chief of Fire Engineering effective October 3, 2002.

Film Safety Unit

There is a Fire Safety Officer training class scheduled for December 11-13, 2002 in Glendale. Contact Al Adams for more information at (310) 217-6927.

Fire Extinguisher Regulations (Six-Year Teardown) – The Final Statement of Reasons and the Final Text are posted on the SFM web site. The regulations package is in the hands of the Office of Administrative Law. There were no significant changes to the proposed regulations; therefore a further written comment period is not necessary.  Regulations are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2003.

High-Power Rocket Fees - The Final Statement of Reasons and Final Text are posted on the SFM web site. The regulations package has been submitted for final review to the Office of Administrative Law.  New fees will be in place 30-days after submittal to the Secretary of State.

• The SFM has established an advisory committee to assist in the development of regulations for wild land areas. The next meeting is scheduled for November 5, 2002. Visit the SFM web site for additional information on the progress of the committee.

• The SFM attended the October 17, 2002 meeting of the California Building Standards Commission’s (CBSC) Code Change Committee to discuss the process by which the state agencies will review the model codes for the 2004 Triennial Code Cycle.

The CBSC announced that on November 5, 2002 the Coordinating Council would meet to further discuss this process. At the November 20, 2002 meeting, each state agency will be expected to give a report to the CBSC as to the time needed to accomplish each agency’s code review and comparison.

The following state agencies are representatives to the Coordinating Council:

• State Fire Marshal
• Division of the State Architect
• Office of Statewide Health, Planning and Development
• Housing and Community Development
• California Energy Commission
• Department of Health Services
• Department of Industrial Relations

The State Fire Marshal is currently making appointments to the State Fire Marshal’s Fire and Life Safety Building Standards Advisory Board (see Title 19 CCR § 2.06). The purpose of this advisory board is to review any State Fire Marshal proposed adoption, amendment or repeal of a "building standard", and to offer recommendations on such actions to the State Fire Marshal. The membership will be as follows:

·Architect

·Mechanical Engineer

·Electrical Engineer

·Fire Protection Engineer

·Licensed Contractor

·CALBO Building Official

·Building Official from the County Building Officials Association of California

·Three Fire Officials from California Fire Chiefs Association

·Two Public Members

Recommendations or requests for appointment to this advisory board need to be addressed ASAP to John J. Tennant, State Fire Marshal.

 For additional information on this item check CBSC’s web site at www.bsc.ca.gov.

Anyone wishing to be placed on SFM’s mailing list to receive updates on proposed code provisions please e-mail the following information to leslie.Billington@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?