About the Bureau

The goal of the Bureau of Fire Protection and Life Safety is to provide a reasonable level of safety, by reducing the probability of injury and loss of life from the effects of fire and other emergencies or events.

There have been several notable fires that have occurred throughout history that gave way to further insight and knowledge for the field of fire technology and life safety. For example, The Great Chicago Fire in 1871 destroyed over 3.3 square miles, killed roughly 300 people, and burned the majority of the city of Chicago over the course of several days. This fire is significant because it established the need for Fire Prevention.

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire of 1911, New York, destroyed a clothing manufacturing factory, and killed over 150 people. In the midst of this horrific event, this was the beginning of work occupancy loads and highlighted the importance of protected stair wells in high-rise buildings.

The Cocoanut Grove Fire, Boston ,1942, is the deadliest night club fire in history that killed over 492 people. The origin of the fire was determined by a candle igniting the interior curtains on the club walls. Fire Retardant Protection became a requirement for decoration.

Our Lady of Angels Fire 1958, in Chicago, was an elementary school that had a basement fire, which led to egress corridors and stair wells being blocked by smoke, heat, and fire. This led to major improvement in school’s design in regard to fire safety.

The MGM Grand Fire occurred in 1980 in Las Vegas. A fire broke out in a restaurant and spread across the casino floor with no sprinklers. Due to the finishes, toxic fumes and smoke spread through the hotel tower. Out of the 85 people that perished, 75 perished from smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning.

The Station Nightclub Fire occurred in West Warwick, Rhode Island in 2003. Over 100 concert-goers perished in the club due to an indoor pyrotechnics prop igniting the interior walls of the venue. This tragic event made it illegal to use pyrotechnics indoors, promoted the use of better exit signage, and brought forth the demand for initial annual inspections on places of entertainment.

In more recent history, the Ghost Ship Warehouse Fire in Oakland, CA, 2016, killed 36 people due to the incorrect use of occupancy. At the time the fire broke out, the warehouse played host to a concert, and individuals were unable to escape because the building was not permitted for use of an event. This reiterated the importance of annual fire inspections.

The best way to protect life and property from fire is to prevent that fire from happening in the first place.

For special permit, please fill out application and submit request via email to wfpdplanreview@woodsidefire.org

 EVENT PERMIT APPLICATION

Special Permits Include:

Campfire Permit 

Event Permit (Block Party, Street Fair, Outdoor Event with 1000 people or more, Festival)

Tent Permit

Plan Reviews

Before any construction takes place, plans are submitted for review. Our Bureau completes Fire Life Safety Plan Reviews, which include but are not limited to; automatic fire sprinklers, fire alarm systems, hood and duct systems, ERRC and building plan reviews. We work closely with our building departments to ensure optimum public safety and satisfaction.

• Standards and Forms
• Plan Submittal
• 2024 Fee Schedule

Commercial Inspections

The Bureau of Fire Prevention and Life Safety is responsible for performing and provides the following:

• Construction inspections for fire code compliance and safety with new construction, remodels, additions, and some landscape renovations.
• Fire protection system inspections during the installation, finalizing and, in some instances, required maintenance or testing.
• Hazard inspections for potential hazardous or dangerous conditions reported by the public to the fire prevention division.
• Occupancy compliance inspections as required by CA State Law for specific types of commercial properties.
• Operational permit inspections as required by CA Fire Code and Local Ordinance in order to conduct an operation or a business for which a permit is required.

View the list of Operational Permits.

Residential Inspection

The Bureau of Fire Prevention and Life Safety is responsible for performing and provides the following for single/two family dwellings:

• Construction inspections for fire code compliance and safety with new construction, remodels, additions, and some landscape renovations.
• Fire protection system inspections during the installation, finalizing and, in some instances, required maintenance or testing.
• Defensible space inspections are routine annual inspection conducted in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) by all our fire officials.
• Home assessments can be requested for an individual review of the landscape and building materials of a home.
• Pre-sale inspections (Effective July 1st, 2021) for residential properties in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), prior to sale.

Specialized Inspections

The Bureau of Fire Prevention and Life Safety is responsible for performing inspections for issuance of Operational Permits or “Fire Permits”. Common required permits are listed below:

• Temporary membrane structure inspections for permitting the use and installation of a tent like structure.
• Firework display inspections are required to be permitted and conducted by fire officials.
• Special event inspections provide planning, oversight, and permitting of large scale public events.

Code Complaints

The Bureau of Fire Prevention and Life Safety investigates complaints for violations of fire code, building code, and property maintenance code. Violations may include unsafe buildings, vehicle, trash, weeds, debris storage or substandard living conditions.

Fire Investigations

Our primary role as Fire Investigators is to determine origin and cause for all types of fires (kitchen, garage, barbeque, vegetation, and arson fires). We are certified by the California State Fire Marshal as Investigators. We work closely with the Building Departments, PG&E, American Red Cross, and a myriad of other agencies. After the fire we write a comprehensive Fire Investigation Report and potentially testify in court.

Wildland Urban Interface (WUI)

Wildfires have always been a concern in wildland urban interface areas. The Bureau of Fire Protection and Life Safety is responsible for insuring the maintenance of vegetation and defensible space within these areas. We currently conduct spot inspections and enforcement in the wildland urban interface areas and oversee vegetation management programs at the beginning of every fire season.

Scheduling Inspections

To schedule an inspection, contact the Fire Prevention Division (650) 851-1594 or email info@woodsidefire.org.

Please be sure to specify the following information when requesting an inspection:

• Type of Inspection (i.e. Rough/Hydro, Final for Sprinkler or Building, Battery, Solar, Tent, etc.)
• The site contact for day of inspection and their cell phone number

Reminders!

• Be ready for inspection prior to inspector arrival to avoid failed inspection and reinspection fees.
  • All labels and signage installed.
  • Backing nuts on all hangars installed in TJI wood.
  • CPVC pipe insulated where required to protect pipe from wires or temperature.
• Fire approved plans and fire comment sheet is required to have on site at time of inspection. Failure can result in a failed inspection and reinspection fees.