Commission extends fire‑alarm upgrade deadline to 2023 amid COVID concerns
April 21, 2021 | San Francisco City, San Francisco County, California
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The Building Inspection Commission on April 21 voted unanimously to support an ordinance (Board of Supervisors File No. 210259) that would amend the San Francisco Fire Code and Existing Building Code to extend the deadline for upgrading existing fire‑alarm systems to produce 75 decibels at a sleeping occupant’s pillow from July 1, 2021 to July 1, 2023.
Rich Brown of the Fire Department outlined the code history and the sleeping‑area requirement that grew from recommendations after multiple fatal fires in 2015. Brown said owners and residents have been reluctant to allow workers into units during the COVID‑19 pandemic and that the extension was proposed after consultation with the Fire Department. "We agree with it due to the state of emergency, shelter in place," Brown said.
Public commenters expressed mixed views. Several tenants and homeowners said installations would be expensive, disruptive and potentially harmful to some seniors. One caller asked why the code mandates industry‑specific devices at the pillow when some buildings already reach high noise levels from hallway or exterior alarms. Others, including building professionals, praised the extension as necessary to allow safe scheduling and preparation.
Supervisor Mullen (representing the sponsoring office) told the commission there may be amendments at the Board level to raise the valuation trigger for upgrades (currently $50,000 construction valuation) to $99,000 and to align transfer‑trigger deadlines with the extended date; those amendments were not yet drafted. After public comment and commissioners’ discussion, the commission made a motion to approve the change; a roll‑call vote was unanimous.
What it means: If approved at the Board and signed by the mayor, building owners subject to the sleeping‑area decibel requirement would have until July 1, 2023 to comply. Questions about device options, costs and installation logistics will be addressed in future administrative guidance and outreach.
Rich Brown of the Fire Department outlined the code history and the sleeping‑area requirement that grew from recommendations after multiple fatal fires in 2015. Brown said owners and residents have been reluctant to allow workers into units during the COVID‑19 pandemic and that the extension was proposed after consultation with the Fire Department. "We agree with it due to the state of emergency, shelter in place," Brown said.
Public commenters expressed mixed views. Several tenants and homeowners said installations would be expensive, disruptive and potentially harmful to some seniors. One caller asked why the code mandates industry‑specific devices at the pillow when some buildings already reach high noise levels from hallway or exterior alarms. Others, including building professionals, praised the extension as necessary to allow safe scheduling and preparation.
Supervisor Mullen (representing the sponsoring office) told the commission there may be amendments at the Board level to raise the valuation trigger for upgrades (currently $50,000 construction valuation) to $99,000 and to align transfer‑trigger deadlines with the extended date; those amendments were not yet drafted. After public comment and commissioners’ discussion, the commission made a motion to approve the change; a roll‑call vote was unanimous.
What it means: If approved at the Board and signed by the mayor, building owners subject to the sleeping‑area decibel requirement would have until July 1, 2023 to comply. Questions about device options, costs and installation logistics will be addressed in future administrative guidance and outreach.
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