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Fire Prevention Personnel conduct progress inspections during the construction and remodeling phase of both new and existing buildings. We inspect fire sprinkler, fire alarm and fire protection systems, fire hydrants and associated piping, fire apparatus access, spray-booths, natural & lpg gas piping, exiting systems and other construction features to ensure compliance with current fire and life safety codes. Inspections are conducted from the beginning through completion of project to ensure all code requirements are met.
What the Fire Department Needs From You
Prior to opening a business in most cities and towns, you will need to supply the following to the Fire Department:
Certificate of Occupancy/Inspections
The city/town Fire and Building Departments inspect exit lighting, emergency lighting, fire extinguisher placement, exit aisles, and proper operating fire suppression and fire alarm equipment, if any; prior to issuing permits of occupancy.
Your place of business will be inspected 1, 2, or 4 times a year depending on the type of business. Codes used by the Fire Department are:
These facilities include convalescent homes, hospitals, pre-schools, same-day surgery centers, R.C.F.E. (residential care facilities for elderly) and L.F.D.C. (large family daycare-home child day care). The Department of Health Services or Community Care Licensing typically licenses these facilities. Fire Prevention personnel conduct fire & life safety inspection of these facilities annually and at request of the licensing entity. Persons interested in operating a business as listed above should contact the appropriate licensing bureau for information and approval. The licensing bureau will request the fire department to conduct an inspection for fire safety clearance.
The fire prevention bureau investigates complaints as related to locked or blocked exits, over-crowding, hazardous materials, weed abatement, illegal burning, improper use of recreational fires, use and sale of fireworks, party poppers and snap caps (illegal in San Diego County), illegal business operations, blocked fire lanes and other fire and life safety issues. Contact the Fire department if you have a concern regarding fire and life safety in the City of La Mesa.
According to NFPA 10 (which governs fire extinguishers) a 2A:20BC extinguisher must be within 75 feet of travel distance from any area (50 feet if there are flammable liquids present in the occupancy).
When you have your fire extinguishers serviced, or have a contractor work or test your fire alarm or fire sprinkler system, check for the following:
Do Not Allow Any Company To Exchange Your Extinguishers Or To Take Your Original And Leave You Without An Extinguisher On The Premises!
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call your local Fire Department, Fire Prevention Division.
Many Fire Departments and fire safety companies offer these other fire safety programs:
Review fire safety items with your employees.
Provide hands-on fire extinguisher training for your employees.
Review or help establish an evacuation plan for your business.
See how Firefighters live and work in the Fire Station. (Please phone ahead to make arrangements)
Provides American Red Cross CPR & First Aid training for your employees. Classes are scheduled once a month for a nominal fee.
Community Emergency Response Team Training on disaster recovery.
There are four general classifications of fires and extinguishing agents:
Class A
Class A fires are those that involve ordinary combustible materials such as wood, paper, cloth, rubber and plastics. The quenching and cooling effects of water or of solutions containing large amounts of water are the most effective means of extinguishing this type of fire.
Class B
Class B fires are those that occur in the vapor-air mixture over the surface of flammable liquids such as gasoline, oil, grease, paints and thinners. The limiting of air (oxygen) or the combustion inhibiting effect is the most effective measure against incipient fires of this class. Water must not be used on Class B fires because it tends to spread the fire.
Class C
Class C fires are those that occur in or near energized electrical equipment where non-conducting extinguishing agents must be used. Water must never be used on Class C fires.
Class D
Class D fires are those that involve combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium, zirconium and sodium. Water must never be used on class D fires. A Class D powdered extinguishing agent should be used.
Light(Low)Hazard Occupancy | Ordinary(Moderate)Hazard Occupancy | Extra(High)Hazard Occupancy | |
Minimum rated single extinguisher | 2-A | 2-A | 4-A* |
Maximum floor area per unit of A | 3,000 sq ft** | 1,500 sq ft. | 1,000 sq ft. |
Maximum floor area for extinguisher | 11,250 sq ft** | 11,250 sq ft** | 11,250 sq ft** |
Maximum travel distance to extinguisher | 75 ft. | 75 ft. | 75 ft. |
* Two 2 1/2 gallon (9.46 L) water type extinguishers can be used to fulfill the requirements of one 4-A rated extinguisher.
** See pamphlet 10, Portable Fire Extinguishers, National Fire Protection Association, 1981 Edition.
Type of Hazard (m 2 ) | Basic Minimum Extinguisher Rating | Maximum Travel Distance to Extinguishers (ft.) |
Light (Low) | ||
|
5B | 30 |
|
10B | 50 |
Ordinary (Moderate) | ||
|
10B | 30 |
|
20B | 50 |
Extra (High) | ||
|
40B | 30 |
|
80B | 50 |
Extinguishers with Class C rating shall be required where energized electrical equipment may be encountered which would require a non-conducting extinguishing medium. This will include fire either directly involving or surrounding electrical equipment. Since the fire itself is a Class A or Class B hazard, the extinguishers are sized and located on the basis of the anticipated Class A or B hazard.
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Interesting Reads:
THE PREPPER'S CANNING & PRESERVING BIBLE: [13 in 1] Your Path to Food Self-Sufficiency. Canning, Dehydrating, Fermenting, Pickling & More, Plus The Food Preservation Calendar for a Sustainable Pantry
The Backyard Homestead: Produce all the food you need on just a quarter acre! Paperback
The Citizens' Guide to Geologic Hazards: A Guide to Understanding Geologic Hazards Including Asbestos, Radon, Swelling Soils, Earthquakes, Volcanoes
The Uninhabitable Earth: Life After Warming
Book: The Sixth Extinction:
An Unnatural History Paperback