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Fire Department

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1. What are the significant changes to the 2016 Fire Code Amendments?

On January 1, 2017 the State of California will mandate that the 2016 California Fire Code go into effect. During the six-month period preceding this date, local jurisdictions have an opportunity to prepare amendments to the code that reflect local conditions.

The Sonoma County Fire Chiefs (the “Fire Chiefs”) directed a committee of fire and building officials to provide local amendments that could be adopted by the cities or fire districts within the County. A majority of fire officials representing Sonoma County cities participated on the committee. The Fire Chiefs saw a need for local amendments to provide County wide consistent regulations to the construction industry by alleviating obstacles for development. The Healdsburg Fire Marshal and Building Official further amended the code realizing the unique characteristics of Healdsburg’s older residential and downtown commercial buildings.

The State of California will mandate that the 2016 California Fire Code go into effect January 1, 2017. The City of Healdsburg prepared amendments and additions to the codes to reflect local conditions through the Health & Safety Code Sections 17958.5 and 17958.7. Staff has made recommended findings to add, delete and amend specific portions of the mandated code due to local climatic, geological and topographical conditions in order to mitigate the potential damage caused by earthquakes, flooding, erosion, and fires.

The local amendments provide regional consistency with regards to the administrative portions of the codes and fire sprinkler installations. The proposed fire code amendments have very few changes from the previous code adoption and the most significant change is the amendment of the following sections: (The amended code is shown in Italics.)

CHAPTER 2
DEFINITIONS

ALTERATION OF FLOOR AREA. For the purpose of this definition, the following criteria shall be considered in determining the percentage of “alteration of floor area.” The 50% referred to under “Substantial Remodel” applies to the entire building’s gross floor area in plan view. The entire room or space where the remodel is taking place will be considered in the calculation, either alone or in combination with any of the following:

1. Removing wall finishes and exposing framing of;
a. Interior wall (where finishes are removed from one side only the room or space to which the framing is exposed will be included in the calculation).
b. Perimeter exterior wall (one or both sides).
2. New wall construction, removing, or repositioning, either interior or perimeter exterior walls, the rooms or spaces on both sides of the wall will be included in the calculation.
3. Removal of the ceiling in any room or space to expose rafters trusses, beams, purlins, or floor joists. The floor joists must be within a floor/ceiling assembly.
4. Removal of the roof structure (only rooms or spaces that are directly below the removed roof structure will be included in the calculation).
5. In the non-residential portion of multi-tenant buildings, individual tenant space improvements in which the space is reduced to a “shell” condition, shall require that the future tenant improvement comply with these fire sprinkler requirements.
6. Other alterations considered substantial by the Fire Code Official (see DSA-AC definition of “Alteration” in the 2016 California Building Code).

Items 7, 8, and 9, are not to be included in the alteration of floor area calculation:

7. Partial removal of wall finishes necessary for repair due to flooding.
8. Removal of floor finishes which exposes floor framing and/or the removal of concrete slab, unless part of a floor/ceiling assembly.
9. Relocating plumbing fixtures in bathrooms and/or kitchen.

SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL. In all existing buildings or structures, any alteration of floor area that is greater than fifty percent (50%) of the existing gross floor area or meets the definition of a substantial improvement as defined by the California Building Code. (see ALTERATION OF FLOOR AREA).

CHAPTER 9
FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS

903.6.1 Substantial remodel. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all buildings that undergo a substantial remodel or substantial improvement.

Exceptions:
1. Detached Group U occupancies 1000 sq. ft. or less.
2. Agricultural buildings and private riding arenas as approved by the fire or building code official.
3. Detached pool houses up to 1000 sq. ft. in floor area within 50 feet of the pool and limited to a single bathroom.
4. Detached non-combustible motor vehicle fuel dispensing canopies classified as a Group M occupancy.
5. Detached Car Ports of non-combustible construction with no habitable space above.
6. Alterations or additions made solely for the purpose of complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or as contained in CBC exception # 4 of Section 11B-204.2.
7. Partial removal of wall or floor finishes necessary for repair due to flooding.
8. Whenever there are practical difficulties involved the Fire Code Official shall have the authority to grant modifications in individual cases provided the modifications do not lessen the health, life and fire safety requirements as permitted in Section 104.8.

The current regulation does not effectively address major remodels, providing appropriate fire and life safety improvements for conditions that exist in Healdsburg, and has not been consistent with other cities and jurisdictions within the County. The occupants of these major remodeled buildings benefit from upgraded plumbing, electrical, ADA compliance, new architectural design, but do not benefit from fire and life safety systems.

The Building Official and Fire Marshal have worked closely on these projects as not to be over burdensome while meeting the intent of the code. The One-Stop process has also been instrumental in helping applicants with early notifications of sprinkler requirements.

Two of the eight exceptions to this amendment include alterations or additions made to comply with the American with Disabilities Act, and alterations and repairs from flood damage. Finally whenever there are practical difficulties involved, the fire code official has the authority to grant modifications in individual cases provided the modifications do not lessen the health, life and fire safety requirements. The proposed fire code amendment is posted on the City website news with facts about sprinklers to provide education on the costs, insurance and benefits of sprinkler systems.

2. What is the Healdsburg Fire Departments mailing address?

City of Healdsburg Fire Department
601 Healdsburg Avenue
Healdsburg, CA 95448

3. How many fire stations are there in the City of Healdsburg?

The Healdsburg Fire Department operates out of 1 fire station and maintains minimum on-duty shift staffing of 2 persons and a goal of 3 persons utilizing the 40 hour Fire Engineer and Reserve Firefighters.

4. What is the Healdsburg Fire Departments response area?

We serve the City of Healdsburg and contractual fire protection to the areas of Fitch Mountain and the lower Dry Creek Valley. The Healdsburg Fire Department also responds to all neighboring agencies as part of a boundary less county wide mutual aid system.

5. Can I arrange for the Healdsburg Fire Department to provide fire and life safety education at my child's school?

Directly contact the Healdsburg Fire Department by phone 707-431-3360, email information request, or visit the fire station.

6. How do I arrange a tour of a fire station?

The Healdsburg Fire Department has only 1 station and is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If your group or organization would like to tour our facilities, please contact us at 707-431-3360, email information request, or visit the fire station. Tours can be conducted any time between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on any day. Healdsburg Fire Department personnel welcome visitors at any time during those hours for families who wish to bring their children to see the fire trucks. If you call to arrange a tour, please consider the fact that if we must respond to an emergency call, we may not be in the station at the arranged time.

7. Why is my carbon monoxide / smoke detector chirping?

If it is sounding normally, exit immediately and call 911. If it is chirping once every 30 seconds or so, it probably has a bad battery. We recommend replacing batteries twice a year.

8. How often should I change my smoke detector batteries?

The Healdsburg Fire Department recommends changing your smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector batteries twice a year, when you change your clock in the spring and fall.

9. Why do firefighters go to the grocery store together on a fire truck while on duty?

We are in a ready to respond mode 24-7, regardless of location. Our fire engine is both our office and our tool shop. We function as a crew and as such are together to handle emergencies. Each crew member has a role or a function on a particular type of incident, whether fire, EMS, special operations, etc. We do not have formal breaks or times that we are unable to respond to 911 calls. The fire engines are multi-purpose and carry a wide variety of equipment needed to respond to a wide variety of emergencies.

We are never far away from our engine or from each other. We are always ready to respond! We spend 48 hours together per shift. We do eat breakfast, lunch and dinner together, and we are responsible for buying our own food. When picking up groceries, we are still available for emergency calls.

10. I had a small fire in the house and I think I put it out; should I still call the Fire Department?

Yes, call 911. Even if you think you put a fire out, it can still be dangerous. We can also help with getting the smoke out of your house after you had a small fire. We have thermal imaging devices (to check for hot spots) and several large volume fans. Go ahead and call 911.

11. I cannot afford a smoke detector or a carbon monoxide detector. What should I do?

Call us at 707-431-3360. If you cannot afford a smoke detector, we can provide one to you at no charge. Many local businesses have made donations so that we can give out smoke detectors for free. We do not currently supply Carbon Monoxide detectors.

12. How can I report fire hazards?

Fire hazards, including hazards in the workplace, hazardous waste or any other problems that may be a fire hazard may be reported to the Healdsburg Fire Department. All information pertaining to complaints is handled in a confidential manner. Please contact us at 707-431-3360, email sadams@ci.healdsburg.ca.us, or visit the fire station.

13. Where can I direct comments about the service provided by the Healdsburg Fire Department personnel?

Questions, concerns or comments pertaining to the Healdsburg Fire Department personnel may be made by contacting us at 707-431-3360, via email, or visit the fire station.

14. What steps should I take for a child with fire-playing behavior?

Children who play with fire place themselves, their families and their neighborhoods at risk. The Healdsburg Fire Departments juvenile fire setter program provides free intervention services to reduce the chances of further fire-play behavior. For additional information, please call 707-431-3360.

15. Does the Healdsburg Fire Department offer CPR classes?

We offer CPR classes for the health care professional and the lay person on the 2nd Saturday of every month at 9 a.m. at a cost of $40 per person.

16. I have several old containers of unknown or hazardous household waste such as paint thinners, old gasoline, etc. Where can I get rid of these?

The City of Healdsburg conducts Household Hazardous Waste Collection periodically during the year. Please contact the City of Healdsburg at 707-431-3360 or Sonoma County Hazardous Waste Clean Up at 707-565-3375.

17. Are fireworks allowed in the City of Healdsburg?

No. The use, sale, distribution, or possessions of fireworks, including “Safe and Sane Fireworks,” are prohibited in Healdsburg at all times.

18. When do weed abatement inspections start?

Initial weed abatement inspections start in early April. This inspection builds a list of properties that are required to abate the hazards on their properties. A letter is sent out the first week in June requiring the hazards on the property to be abated. A second inspection is completed in early June. If the hazards on the property are not abated by the City Council public hearing occurring the 3rd week in June, forced abatement will occur. The property owner will be billed for the abatement and staff time.