Inspections/Prevention

Fire Prevention

ANNUAL FIRE SAFETY INSPECTIONS

For existing commercial buildings, the Fire Prevention Division provides an annual inspection program that is delivered through both Prevention Division and fire station personnel. All Department personnel are part of the fire prevention team. Annual inspections are conducted to insure reasonable compliance with the general and specific fire safety regulations for each occupancy type as specified in the adopted Fire and Building Codes.

LAND DEVELOPMENT AND BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

The Fire Prevention Division provides a comprehensive fire and life safety oriented plan review for land development, new building construction, interior remodel projects and fire suppression/alarm systems. In addition to plan review services, periodic construction inspections are performed to ensure that completed projects conform to both state and local fire safety regulations.

Fire and Building Codes often require that land development and building construction projects meet local fire department standards for facilities such as fire extinguishing systems, fire alarm systems, fire access roadways, etc. The Santa Clara County Fire Department publishes many such Standards and Guidelines which are readily available to architects, engineers or the general public.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS REGULATION AND INSPECTION

The Hazardous Materials Section provides a comprehensive program of plan review and inspection for hazardous materials system installations, modifications, and closures. Hazardous Materials Specialists promote compliance with local Hazardous Materials Storage Ordinances as well as the regulations for hazardous materials found in the Uniform Fire Code and State Laws. Personnel assigned to the Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Team assist by performing inspections of facilities with permits to store and/or use hazardous materials.

PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAM

HILLSIDE FIRE SAFETY

Each year the Santa Clara County Fire Department strives to create a more fire-safe environment in the Hillside Hazardous Fire Areas. In order to accomplish this, however, it is necessary for each homeowner to do their part to help protect the community from the ravages of hillside fires. For hillside fire-safety regulations to be as effective as possible, all homes in the community need to conform to the recognized safety standards. Please remember that a fire a short distance away can spread into your area or vice versa through burning debris carried by air currents. Fire safety in the hillside areas is everyone's responsibility!

One of the most effective measures proven to increase the survivability of a structure from a hillside fire is the creation of defensible space. Simply stated, this entails removing the native brush, vegetation, and dry grass a distance of at least 30 feet (9m) away from a home or structure, which in essence helps to eliminate the "fuse" from the natural foliage to the building. It is also important to interrupt the "fuel ladder;" for example, removal of low tree limbs which helps to prevent a fire on the ground from climbing up into the canopy of the trees around the home. Note that ornamental shrubs and bushes are generally acceptable adjacent to the house and preferably should be a fire-retardant type. Also, if any native brush is removed it should be replaced with fire-retardant plantings if there is a possibility that erosion may occur.

The following is a list of preventative measures that will greatly reduce the risk of loss or damage to a home in the event of a hillside fire:

• All flammable vegetation should be cleared a minimum of 30 feet (9m) around structures. Ornamental shrubbery and trees should be cleared of dead leaves and branches.

• Roofs, eaves, and rain gutters should be cleared of pine needles, leaves, or other dead or dying wood.

• Tree limbs should be cut within 10 feet (3m) of chimneys and/or stovepipes. Dead limbs hanging over the house or garage should be trimmed.

• Chimney outlets or flues should be covered with a spark arresting 1/2" (12.5mm) mesh screen.

• The house address should be clearly visible for easy identification in an emergency.

• Trees 18 feet (5.5m) or taller should be limbed 6 feet (2m) up from the ground.

• Woodpiles should be stacked a minimum of 30 feet (9m) from buildings, fences, and other combustible materials.

• All vegetation and other flammable materials should be cleared from beneath decks. Elevated decks should be enclosed with fire resistive materials.

If you are uncertain if your property conforms to the standards listed above and would like a courtesy inspection, please call the Fire Prevention Division of the Santa Clara County Fire Department, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

A Hillside Fire Safety Homeowner Checklist is available in downloadable/printable format on the Forms page.

BRUSH ABATEMENT PROGRAM

The Santa Clara County Fire Department manages and implements a hazardous brush abatement program for hillside areas within it's jurisdictional boundaries. In January of each year, homeowners are reminded that they must remove native brush and vegetation from around their home to create defensible space. The brush abatement program entails inspections of hillside properties by fire crews beginning around the first week of April each year. If properties are found to not be in compliance with the regulations found in the Uniform Fire Code relative to vegetation clearance they are given notice of the violation. If compliance is still not achieved by approximately the end of June each year, a contractor is authorized to perform the necessary work. The costs associated with the abatement work is then placed on the property tax bill for that parcel.

For questions concerning the Brush Abatement Program, contact the Fire Prevention Division of the Santa Clara County Fire Department.

Also see Open Burn Information.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Throughout the year, the Fire Prevention Division provides plan review and inspection services for a variety of special events such as; carnivals, fairs and festivals, fireworks shoots, haunted houses, etc. For more information and permit applications for these subjects see Special Subjects in the Standards and Guidelines section and also the Permit Forms and Applications section.

Emergency Access Roadways

• Roadways, Turnarounds, Cul de Sacs

• Secondary Access Roadways

• Fire Lane Marking

• Bollards for Private Fire Hydrants

• One-Hr Property Line Wall (Condos)

• Corridor Construction (One-Hr)

• Fire Damper Details

• Forms for these topics are available in downloadable/printable format on the Forms page

• Driveways for up to Two Single-Family Dwellings

• Security Gates Residential

• Closure of Private Roadways, Driveways and Fire Apparatus Access Roadways

• Liquified Petroleum Gas Container Installations at Single Family Residences

• See also Hazardous Materials Regulation and Inspection

• Key Box Placement, Maintenance & Required Keys

• Large Family Day Care

• Outdoor Carnivals And Fairs

• Haunted Houses/Ghost Walks

• Model Rocket Guidelines

• Special Door Locking Devices

• Christmas Tree Lots

• Automatic Sprinklers

  Submittal Guidelines

  Underground Piping Installation Guidelines

  Installation of Fire Sprinkler Systems

  NFPA 13R Multifamily residential buildings

• Fire Alarms

  Submittal Guide

• Other

  Halon

• Tents, Canopies and Temporary Membrane Structures

• Residential Private Hydrants and Tanks for Single Family Dwellings (Spec. W-1)

• Commercial Private Hydrants, Water Supplies for other than Single Family Dwellings

• Bollards

• Identification of Valves and Hydrants. Marking of FDC, Post Indicator Valves, Fire Sprinkler Control Valves, Private Hydrants

PERMIT FORMS AND APPLICATIONS

All forms are available in downloadable/printable format on the Forms page