AB-020 Local Equivalency for Exiting Through a Garage Area for Type V, Group R Buildings

 

NO. AB-020   :
DATE   :	September 18, 2002 (Updated 01/01/2017 for code references)
SUBJECT   :	Fire and Life Safety
TITLE   :	Local Equivalency for Exiting Through a Garage Area for Type V, Group R Buildings
PURPOSE   :	The purpose of this Administrative Bulletin is to provide standards and procedures for the application and case-by-case review of requests for a Local Equivalency to allow exiting from a rear yard through garages in Type V [wood frame], Group R Occupancies when such paths of exit travel do not strictly comply with the provisions of the 2016 San Francisco Building Code (SFBC). This bulletin permits the continuing application of code provisions of former editions of the SFBC regarding exiting through Group R garages. In conformance with current State law, requests for approval of this alternate path of exit travel will be considered on a case-by-case basis when reasonably equivalency is proposed.
REFERENCES   :	2016 San Francisco Building Code - Section 104A .2.7, Modifications. - Section 104A .2.8, Alternate materials, alternate design and methods of construction. - Chapter10, Means of Egress. DBI Administrative Bulletin AB-005, Procedures for Approval of Local Equivalencies
DISCUSSION   :	Project sponsors may request the application of this Local Equivalency allowing exiting through a garage without strict compliance with the provisions of SFBC Chapter 10 when it can be demonstrated on a case-by- case basis that there are practical difficulties in meeting the provisions of the SFBC, that the modification is in conformance with the intent and purpose of the SFBC, and that reasonable equivalency is provided in fire-protection and structural integrity.

 

Such proposed modification may be approved by the Department if it conforms with the below listed standard provisions. The Department of Building Inspection and other City departments may impose additional requirements, in addition to those listed below, in the approval of any request for a code modification or alternate based upon individual building and property conditions. The San Francisco Fire Department may also review such case-by-case requests.

If a project sponsor wishes to propose means of egress which differ from those listed below, proposals for the use of alternate materials, designs, or methods of construction may be submitted for review in the same manner as for this Local Equivalency. The Department of Building Inspection may require that additional substantiation be provided supporting any claims made for such proposals.

Procedure for Application of Local Equivalencies

Project sponsors wishing to apply local equivalencies must fill out and submit the Request for Approval of Local Equivalency Form. Fees to be paid and scheduling of review are as noted on that form. Following DBI review, each request will be approved, approved with conditions, disapproved, or placed on “Hold” pending submittal of additional information.

Further details of procedures for the review of local equivalencies and appeal of departmental determinations may be found in Administrative Bulletin AB-005, Procedures for Approval of Local Equivalencies.

Conditions of Local Equivalency

A required exit access from dwelling units in a Type V, Group R occupancy may be permitted to use a garage as part of the exit access on a case-by-case basis when all of the following provisions or other approved equivalent provisions are met and when the project sponsor provides documentation of the practical difficulties involved in carrying out the provisions of the regular code.

The standard provisions of Local Equivalency include:

1.   The entire garage area and any covered driveway area shall be provided with ordinary- temperature, quick-response fire sprinklers; and

2.   The building has only one street frontage, and such street frontage is not greater than 37- 1/2 feet; and

3.   The path of exit travel through the garage shall be marked by at least 2 inches wide stripes placed parallel at 24 inches on center in clearly contrasting colors. The marked path shall be at least 10 feet wide, except that portions may be 3 feet wide when used solely for exiting and when separated from any parking area or covered driveway by permanent noncombustible railings or building walls at least 3 feet high. Such railings or building walls shall extend the full length of the pathway on each side, and any railings shall be set in a concrete curb at least 12 inches high and 8 inches thick; and

4.   The path of exit travel through the garage shall be posted with a permanent, prominently displayed sign in block letters not less than 3 inches in height reading: “EXIT PATH. DO NOT OBSTRUCT”; and

5.   All doorways or openings in the path of exit travel shall be a minimum of three feet wide. Sliding and overhead doors shall not be permitted in buildings under the jurisdiction of the San Francisco Fire Department. In other buildings, sliding and overhead doors shall not be permitted when the occupant load served is greater than ten. Any door installed in the path of exit travel shall meet the requirements of SFBC Section 1008.1; and

6.   The path of exit travel shall be illuminated in accordance with SFBC Section 1006 ; and

7.   A permit application and related submittal documents shall detail all construction which is approved as a result of this request for local equivalency. No work to create a required exit which passes through a garage in a Type V, Group R Occupancy shall be done prior to approval and issuance of such permit application.

Originally Signed By:

Frank Y. Chiu, Director

October 3, 2002

Gary Massetani, Fire Marshal

October 9, 2002

Approved by the Building Inspection Commission on September 18, 2002

Attachment A:  Request for Approval of Local Equivalency

AB-023 Crane Site Safety Plan and Building Permits

 

NO. AB-023   :
DATE   :	March 18, 2009 (Updated 01/01/2017 for code references) [This bulletin supersedes AB-023, dated September 18, 2002]
SUBJECT   :	Plan Review; Permit Process
TITLE   :	Crane Site Safety Plan and Building Permits
PURPOSE   :	The purpose of this Administrative Bulletin is to detail procedures regarding tower crane safety which comply with the intent of 2016 San Francisco Building Code Section 1705.22. Implementation of the intent of the code requires that a contractor identify the location of proposed crane operations on a Crane Site Safety Plan and agree to comply with all applicable tower crane safety regulations; to require the presence of a safety representative during tower crane erection, jumping, and dismantling, and to prohibit, without prior agreement with the City and County of San Francisco, the controlling contractor and the crane erector, these operations from taking place during high traffic hours; to require employment of a flag-person to redirect traffic when loads are lifted over public streets and walkways during high traffic hours; and to require the review, approval and permitting by the Department of Building Inspection of the structural elements of tower crane foundations and tie-in attachments.
REFERENCES   :	2016 San Francisco Building Code, Section 1705.22 Administrative Bulletin AB-046: Special Inspection and Structural Observation Procedures Title 8, Occupational Safety and Health Regulations (CAL/OSHA), Chapter 4, Subchapter 7: General Industry Safety Orders, Group 13, Article 90, Cranes and Other Hoisting Equipment Title 8, Chapter 4, Subchapter 7: General Industry Safety Orders, Group 13, Tower Cranes re: Requirements for erection, dismantling, operation, tests / examination of equipment and accessory gear
DISCUSSION   :	Following a tower crane collapse in November 1989, the State of California passed legislation regulating certain tower crane operations. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance, based on that state legislation that added a section regarding tower crane safety requirements to the San Francisco Building Code (SFBC).

 

Crane safety remains under the jurisdiction of the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA), which requires an erection permit prior to the construction of foundation, anchorage and the erection of a tower crane. A Cal/OSHA operational permit is also required prior to the crane operation. While the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI) has no direct authority over, and its employees have no expertise in, the regulation of tower cranes, the following forms and procedures were developed to administer the San Francisco Building Code requirements.

Definitions

For the purposes of this Administrative Bulletin, the following definitions apply:

   1.   Contractor is the building contractor, licensed by the State of California, responsible for tower crane site safety for the project.

   2.   High traffic hours means weekdays from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM, 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, excluding holidays.

   3.   Tower crane is a crane in which a boom, swinging (slewing) jib or other structural member is mounted on a vertical mast or tower, and includes the following subcategories as defined by Cal/OSHA General Industry Safety Orders, Article 91, 4885(V)(1- 4):

      a.   Tower crane (climber) is a crane that may be raised or lowered to different floors or levels of the building or structure, that is erected upon, near to, and/or supported by a building or other structure.

      b.   Tower crane (free standing) is a crane with a horizontally swinging or luffing boom which may be on a fixed base or mounted on rails and not attached to any other structure.

      c.   Tower crane (mobile) is a tower crane which is mounted on a crawler, truck or similar carrier for travel or transit.

      d.   Tower crane (self-erector) is a mobile tower crane that is truck-carrier mounted and capable of self- erection.

   4.   Jumping (climbing) a crane is the process of increasing or decreasing the height of a tower crane by raising the upper (slewing) section and inserting or removing modular tower sections beneath it.

   5.   Safety Representative shall mean a safety representative of the crane manufacturer, distributor, or a representative of a licensed crane certifier, per Cal/OSHA requirements.

General Requirements

This Administrative Bulletin shall apply to climber tower cranes and to free standing tower cranes; mobile tower cranes and self-erector tower cranes are exempt from these regulations, but must meet all other Cal/OSHA requirements.

A Crane Site Safety Plan and Building Permit Application (Form 3) for the tower crane foundation and tower crane attachments shall be submitted to the DBI Plan Review Services (PRS) Division for review and approval prior to the erection of any such tower crane or the construction of the tower crane foundation, except that the tower crane foundation, tower crane attachments and crane site safety plan may be part of any structural addendum related to the building construction.

Procedure

For the review and approval of the Crane Site Safety Plan Submittal Form and Crane Safety Compliance Agreement; and for the review, approval, and issuance of a building permit for tower crane foundation and tower crane attachments, the following procedure shall be used:

   1.   The contractor shall submit to DBI two copies of the following:

      •   Crane Site Safety Plan Submittal Form and Crane Safety Compliance Agreement (see Attachment A)

      •   Plans showing street locations, crane location, path of boom swing, designated loading areas and designated staging areas. Note:  A site plan showing which streets will be impacted by the moving, erection, and operation of the tower crane is required by DPW in order to obtain a street use permit for crane erection. That site plan can be used as the Crane Site Safety Plan by adding the additional information noted above.

      •   Completed building permit application form (Form 3) for tower crane foundation and tower crane attachments or other permit (see General Requirements above).

      •   Plans detailing the tower crane foundation and tower crane attachment details.

      •   Structural calculations supporting the design shown on the plans.

   2.   A DBI plans examiner will review the permit submittal documents to determine that all documents comprising the Crane Site Safety Plan Submittal Form and Crane Safety Compliance Agreement are complete.

   3.   If the tower crane foundation was not included in the approved building permit or an approved addendum to a site permit, then the contractor shall obtain a separate building permit for the tower crane foundation. The contractor shall submit to DBI for review, drawings and calculations for the tower crane foundation prepared by a licensed design professional in the state of California experienced in such design. If the foundation was included in the approved building permit or the approved addendum to a site permit, the Crane Site Safety Plan shall reference such permit.

   4.   If the tower crane attachments (tie-ins) are required but not included in the approved building permit or an approved addendum to a site permit, then the contractor shall obtain a separate building permit for the tower crane attachments. The contractor shall submit to DBI for review, drawings and calculations for the tower crane attachments (tie-ins) prepared by a licensed design professional in the State of California experienced in such design. If the tower crane attachments were included in the approved building permit or the approved addendum to a site permit, the Crane Site Safety Plan shall reference such permit.

   5.   If the submittal documents are in compliance with all applicable codes and this Administrative Bulletin, the plans examiner shall approve both copies of the submitted Crane Site Safety Plan and building permit application documents, where applicable.

   6.   The contractor shall submit to DBI a copy of a tower crane inspection certificate issued by a Cal/OSHA approved inspection agency following erection of the tower crane and prior to its use. This may be done by mail, fax, or in person. This submittal must indicate the site permit or building permit application number for the project and the building permit application number for the tower crane foundation and tower crane attachment.

   7.   Special inspection, structural testing, and structural observation requirements, shall be met as required by SFBC and AB-046.

   8.   All documents submitted to DBI related to the Crane Site Safety Plan and building permit application for tower crane foundation and tower crane attachments shall be archived as part of the approved permit documents.

Signed By: Vivian L. Day, C.B.O.         

Director

Department of Building Inspection

Approved by the Building Inspection Commission September 18, 2002.

Revision approved March 18, 2009.

Attachment A:   Crane Site Safety Plan Submittal Form and Crane Safety Compliance Agreement.

AB-025 Preapplication Requirement for State Industrial Safety Permit for Certain Trenching, Demolition, and Construction Activities

 

NO. AB-025   :
DATE   :	October 30, 1984 (Updated 01/01/2017 for code references)
SUBJECT   :	Permit Process; Inspection
TITLE   :	Preapplication Requirement for State Industrial Safety Permit for Certain Trenching, Demolition, and Construction Activities
PURPOSE   :	Require Cal/OSHA Industrial Safety Permit before issuing DBI permits.
REFERENCES   :	2016 San Francisco Building Code State Health & Safety Code, Section 17922.5 State Labor Code, Section 6500
DISCUSSION   :	Section 17922.5 of the State Health & Safety Code requires local agencies that issue building permits to require building permit applicants to obtain a State Industrial Safety Permit prior to issuance of the local building permit.

 

Specifically, the State Industrial Safety Permit is required for the following categories of construction as defined in the “red and white tag” designated below:

STATE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY PERMIT

The attached application falls under the Labor Code Section 6500 in that it involves the type of construction work checked below:

•   Construction of trenches or excavations that are five feet or deeper and into which a person is required to descend.

•   The construction of any building, structure, falsework, or scaffolding more than three stories high or the equivalent height (36 ft.).

•   The demolition of any building, structure, falsework, or scaffold, more than three stories high or the equivalent height

Central Permit Bureau shall notify the applicant by mail after the need for the State Industrial Safety Permit has been ascertained by the affected Divisions and the “red  and white tag” affixed to the office copy of the permit application as follows:

 

DIVISION	APPLICATION FORM	RESPONSIBLE PERSONNEL	RED & WHITE PROCEDURE
BID	3	District Bldg. Inspector	Check appropriate box and attach to application
CED	3	CED Bldg. Inspector	“
MPC	1 & 2	Plan Checker/Engineer	“
PRS	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8	Plan Checker	“

 

PROJECTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION

It is the District Inspector’s responsibility to review his or her job cards for construction that may fall under the categories herein defined and for which proof that the contractor or owner’s agent has a State Industrial Safety Permit is mandatory. In those cases where proof is required, the Building Inspector is to contact the contractor and ask to see the State permit. If none is available, a Notice of Violation shall be given immediately to the Contractor or Owner’s representative at the job site. Unless proof of compliance has been shown within 5 days of the date of the notification, the permit is to be suspended on the 6th day and the job shut down. This review of “on-going” projects shall be instituted as soon as possible.

Originally signed by:

Robert C. Levy, Superintendent, BBI

AB-026 Noise Insulation Enforcement Procedures

 

NO. AB-026   :
DATE   :	December 21, 1984 (Updated 01/01/2017 for code references
SUBJECT   :	Plan Check; Inspection
TITLE   :	Noise Insulation Enforcement Procedures
PURPOSE   :	Enforcement of State mandated noise insulation requirements for new residential buildings
REFERENCES   :	2016  San Francisco Building Code Section 1207 California Health and Safety Code, State Housing Law, Section 17922.6, 17922.7 Fire Resistance Design Manual, prepared by the Gypsum Assoc., 21st Edition
DISCUSSION   :	There has been some confusion and variations among Department personnel on the enforcement of Title 24 requirements for noise insulation. This bulletin consolidates current Department procedures and policies on the subject, and supersedes all previous interpretations and procedures.

 

The State regulations deal only with insulation against airborne noises such as caused by stereos and loud conversations (the STC rating), and against impact noises such as caused by walking or scraping a chair on a hard floor surface (the IIC rating). The criteria for compliance consists solely of meeting the prescriptive requirement of 50, or the field test requirement of 45.

There are many other sources of noise which could be significant irritants to building occupants, but which the regulations do not cover. DBI does not follow through on complaints about such noise sources. Examples include appliance noises, such as from garbage disposals, dishwashers and washing machines; mechanical equipment noises, such as from garage door openers, elevators and compressors; and plumbing system noises, such as from water hammer, flushing toilets and running water.

When there is doubt as to whether the completed building complies with the STC and IIC ratings, the Department can require the owner to obtain and pay for field testing to verify values of 45 of higher before a CFC is issued. Inspectors must discuss a situation with the Chief Inspector before requiring testing.

If a complaint is made to DBI over alleged non-compliance with STC or IIC requirements in a new building, DBI may require the owner to have field testing performed, but only after the complainant posts a bond to cover the cost of testing. In the event the test results show compliance (45 of higher), the cost of the testing must be paid by the complainant. If the tests show non-compliance, the owner will be required to take measures to increase the ratings to 45, and to pay for the testing and retesting.

Field testing is performed to applicable provisions of ASTM E90, E413, and E492. The testing agency and procedures must be pre-approved by DBI.

APPLICABILITY

The noise insulation requirements apply only to residential use buildings for which permits were applied after August 22, 1974, i.e. to Form 1 and 2 applications. They do not apply to buildings constructed before 1974 in which new units are created through alterations, additions or changes of use.

REQUIREMENTS

1.   Wall and floor-ceiling assemblies which separate living units or guest rooms from each other, or from common areas of the building such as hallways and garages, must meet a Sound Transmission Class (STC) of 50.

2.   Floor-ceiling assemblies must meet an Impact Insulation Class (IIC) of 50.

PLAN CHECKING PROCEDURE

The Plan Reviewer shall do and/or obtain the following:

1.   Check that every party wall and party floor-ceiling on the floor plans are referenced to cross-sections which clearly show the construction of the assemblies. Give specific attention to areas with dropped ceilings and luminous ceilings.

2.   Check the Catalog of STC & IIC Ratings, prepared by the State of Office of Noise Control, the Fire Resistance Design Manual, prepared by the Gypsum Association, and /or other standards, to see if a comparable wall assembly has an STC of 50 or higher. If an assembly has been accepted by the Department through the product approval process, check the approval or its file for possible STC ratings. Where no comparable assembly is found, the plan reviewer may estimate the STC rating by comparing the assembly against a listed assembly which appears to have slightly more mass and/or insulation features, and with another assembly which has less. In this manner, it is often possible to extrapolate an STC for a listed assembly. Before doing so, checkers should have studied the listings in the Catalog of STC & IIC Ratings the Fire Resistance Design Manual, or other standards, sufficiently to understand how mass and/or insulation features affect the STC ratings. Where such estimates cannot be made with a fairly high degree of confidence, the plan reviewer should ask the designer to either revise the plans to use a listed assembly with an STC of 50 or higher, or to provide test reports for the shown assembly which justify ratings of 50 or higher.

3.   Floor-ceiling assemblies should be checked in a manner similar to Step 2 for an IIC rating of 50 or higher. If the IIC is achieved through the use of carpet and padding, the plans must be annotated to indicate which areas require them, and that the installation of carpets is mandatory.

4.   The plans must be annotated to require the following:

   - The bottom plate in party walls must be caulked.

   - Penetrations or openings in party walls and floor-ceilings for piping, electrical switches and outlets, recessed light fixtures, recessed cabinets, bathtubs and ducts must be sealed, lined, insulated, or otherwise treated to maintain the required ratings.

   - Dwelling unit entrance doors from interior corridors, together with their perimeter seals, must attain an STC of 30 or higher.

5.   Check that electrical switches and outlets in party walls are not installed back-to-back in the same stud space. Check that recessed light fixtures are not installed in party floor-ceilings unless such devices are boxed in with materials equivalent to the surface materials, and further that the joints in such boxes, and openings for wiring, are caulked. Check that recessed medicine cabinets have not been installed in party walls. Check that the bottom plate in party walls are caulked. For bathtubs located adjacent to party walls, check that sheetrock or wall covering extend below the top edge of the tub down to the floor.

6.   When buildings on adjacent lots have common courts or light wells, and both buildings have windows opening onto them, the windows must be located at least 3 feet from the common property line (i.e. 6 feet between edges or faces of windows). Alternatively, special acoustical treatment may be provided which will attain STC 50 (or 45 if field tested).

INSPECTION PROCEDURE

The Building Inspector in BID shall do the following:

1.   Pay specific attention to the construction of party walls and party floor-ceilings during the frame inspection to see that materials, sound blankets, dimensions, clearances, etc. are as shown on the sections of the approved plans. Check that luminous or dropped ceilings will not be installed in party floor-ceilings unless they are shown on the approved plans.

   If changes were made from the approved plans, the Inspector may accept the as- constructed assembly only if he or she can find a very similar assembly listed in the Catalog of STC & IIC Ratings, prepared by the State Department of Health Services Office of Noise Control or the Fire Resistance Design Manual, prepared by the Gypsum Association. Failing that, the inspector should make a sketch of the as-built assembly and refer it to the plan checker for review. Meanwhile, the inspector shall not approve the frame inspection. If the contractor does not want to be delayed by such a review, or if the plan checker concludes the as-built assembly will not meet an STC or IIC of 50, the Inspector should inform the contractor of the option to alter the construction to comply, or to test the completed building for ratings of 45. If the contractor decides to test, he or she must notify the Inspector in writing. Inform the contractor that if the testing shows non-compliance, the cost of correction would likely be much higher at that stage than at the frame stage.

2.   Check that electrical switches and outlets in party walls are not installed back-to-back in the same stud space. Check that recessed light fixtures are not installed in party floor-ceilings unless such devices are boxed in with materials equivalent to the surface materials, and further that the joints in such boxes, and openings for wiring, are caulked. Check that recessed medicine cabinets have not been installed in party walls. Check that the bottom plate in party walls are caulked. For bathtubs located adjacent to party walls, check that sheetrock or wallcovering extend below the top edge of the tub down to the floor.

3.   Interior hallway doors are required to be 20 minutes rated (i.e. solid core). Thus they may be presumed to meet the STC 30 rating. However, check that the perimeter seals are in place before final inspection.

Originally signed by:

Franklin Lew for Robert C. Levy, Superintendent, BBI

AB-027 Illegal Unit Reoccupancy Enforcement Procedure

 

NO. AB-027   :
DATE   :	February 5, 1985 (Updated 01/01/2017 for code references)
SUBJECT   :	Code Enforcement
TITLE   :	Illegal Unit Reoccupancy Enforcement Procedure
PURPOSE   :	To set forth procedure for handling repeat violations, by the same owner reoccupying an illegal unit.
REFERENCE   :	2016  San Francisco Building Code - Section 102A , Unsafe Building - Section 103A , Violations
DISCUSSION   :	Whenever illegal units are re-occupied after a Certificate of Final Completion (CFC) was issued to remove the illegal unit and the ownership has not changed, the enforcement procedure for these cases will be as follows:

 

1.   Send a notice requiring the application for a building permit within ten (10) days to revert the structure to its legal use and to complete the work within thirty (30) days of issuance of the permit.

2.   A copy of the notice will be sent to the Planning Department.

3.   If the case has already had a Director’s Hearing on the same problem, the notice will  also include the statement “failure to comply will result in referral of the matter to the City Attorney’s office for further action.”

4.   If the case has not had a Director’s Hearing, the notice will include the statement “failure to comply will result in the referral to the Director of Building Inspector for an Abatement Hearing.”

The time limits specified must be adhered to and all referrals to Code Enforcement Section (CES) must also include the above statements which are applicable and documented inspection reports.

Originally signed by:

Robert C. Levy, Superintendent, BBI

AB-028 Pre-application and Pre-addendum Plan Review Procedures

 

NO. AB-028   :
DATE   :	April 3, 2013(Updated 01/01/2017 for code references) (Supersedes Administrative Bulletin AB-028 dated 9/18/2002)
SUBJECT   :	General Administrative Procedures
TITLE   :	Pre-application and Pre-addendum Plan Review Procedures
PURPOSE   :	To establish policies and procedures allowing for review and comment of specific design issues by the Department of Building Inspection (DBI) prior to application for a permit or prior to the submittal of addenda to a Site Permit.
REFERENCE   :	2016 San Francisco Building Code - Section 106A.4.9  Pre-application Plan Review or Inspection - Section 110, Table 1A-B, Other Building Permit Application and Plan Review Fees - DBI Administrative Bulletin AB-032, Site Permit Processing
DISCUSSION   :	A preliminary verbal interpretation of a code requirement or alternate method of construction is considered informal information and may not always be accepted by the Department of Building Inspection plan reviewer or supervisor who has been assigned to check the submittal documents for a project. Rather than wait for the plan review to reveal requirements of specific design issues, it may be advantageous to project sponsors to verify code requirements with a formal DBI interpretation prior to completion of project drawings and before submitting an application for a building permit or an addendum to a Site Permit.

 

This bulletin sets out the procedure for requesting, conducting and concluding such a Pre- application or Pre-Addendum Plan Review Meeting. It is not intended that a general, non- directed plan review of a project will be made during this meeting, but that specific code issues will be addressed and resolved. Formal written confirmation of decisions agreed upon will be issued to the project sponsor following the meeting.

Request For Pre-Application or Pre-Addendum Plan Review Meeting

1.   Submit requests for a pre-application or pre-addendum plan review meeting in writing as follows:

   a.   List the items to be reviewed in the form of specific questions. The applicant shall propose a solution or provide a statement of position regarding each question asked, and shall include pertinent code references. Each item should be numbered. This list of questions or items will then form the agenda for review and response.

   b.   Include applicable drawings, documents, and other information as necessary to describe the conditions under question.

   c.   On the submitted drawings, highlight or “cloud” the areas to be reviewed, and provide cross-references to the questions. Where questions pertain to means of egress, indicate the path of egress on the drawings with arrows.

2.   To cover fees, include a check made out to the Department of Building Inspection (See FEES below).

3.   Address requests to:

      Manager, Permit Services
      Department of Building Inspection
      1660 Mission Street
      San Francisco, CA  94103-2414

   Indicate on the outside of the envelope: Pre-Application/Pre-Addendum Plan Review Request

4.   Provide several acceptable meeting times of your choice. Allow at least 10 working days for a response to the request for a meeting appointment.

Meeting and Response

5.   The Manager, Plan Review Services, will assign your pre-application or pre-addendum plan review request to one of the following section supervisors:

   a.   Structural Plan Review

   b.   Mechanical Plan Review

   c.   Premium Plan Review

   d.   Other Department staff as required

6.   The request for a pre-application or pre-addendum plan review meeting may result in a meeting or it may result in a letter of response, if that is determined to be appropriate by the responsible Supervisor.

7.   The review will be conducted by the Supervisor of the appropriate section or by other staff as assigned. One or more plan reviewers from Department of Building Inspection staff may be assigned to participate in the pre- application or pre-addendum plan review meeting depending on the complexity of the project and the issues raised. When necessary, representatives from other agencies such as the San Francisco Fire Department, Department of Public Works, Department of Public Health, Planning Department, or the Redevelopment Agency may be requested to attend.

8.   The Department representative will have final authority to determine which questions are addressed. Questions which are determined to be too broad in scope may be deleted from the agenda. Discussion will be limited to the items on the agenda.

9.   The Department may request additional information from the project sponsor in preparation for a pre- application or pre-addendum plan review meeting or as a follow-up to such a meeting.

10.   At the beginning of a meeting the project sponsor will be advised of the time allowed before additional plan review fees will be charged. A typical pre-application or pre-addendum plan review meeting, depending on the complexity of the project or issue, can be covered adequately in 2 hours or less of meeting time.

11.   A Department of Building Inspection staff member or the project sponsor will be designated to take notes during the meeting. If the size or location of the meeting warrants, the Department representative may request that a third party take the notes. Notes shall be taken on a standard form provided by DBI. At the conclusion of the meeting a copy of the notes taken during the meeting will be provided to the principal attendees. Those notes, which record the findings and agreements of the meeting, are to be signed by a Department of Building Inspection representative, by representatives of other departments as applicable, and by the project sponsor. Questions or topics not acknowledged in these notes will not be considered as part of the pre- application or pre-addendum plan review agreements. Alternatively, the Department may choose to issue a letter following the meeting. Such letter or other written communication shall be prepared by Department staff or the project sponsor within 10 working days of the conclusion of the meeting. Within 10 working days of receipt of such letter, the DBI staff will review and return the letter, signed, as “approved,” “approved with conditions,” or “disapproved.”  The letter shall state the reasons for such determinations. DBI will track the time of issuance and approval of such letters to confirm that the above time limits are met.

12.   For clarity, each item number of the written response shall correspond to the item number on the agenda.

13.   Any notes, annotated drawings and other documents from the meeting may be attached to the notes or letter of agreement and submitted by the project sponsor for reference at the time of permit or addendum application.

14.   The project sponsor shall attach a copy of the signed conclusions of the pre-application or pre-addendum plan review meeting, or the letter of response in lieu of meeting, to the permit application or addendum drawings. These decisions will be honored by the responsible plan reviewer during the plan review process and subsequently by field inspection staff.

15.   The project sponsor may request a review of the determination of the staff of the Department of Building Inspection by the Manager of Plan Review Services or the Director. Determinations of the Director may be appealed to the Building Inspection Commission. Certain issues related to alternate methods and materials and technical equivalencies may be appealed to the Board of Examiners.

16.   In the event the code provisions referenced by the application are substantively revised prior to filing for permit, the applicant will be required to submit for a new pre-application plan review meeting.

FEES:

16.    Fee Schedule:

   a.   Fees for initial and each subsequent meeting for a pre-application or pre- addendum plan review meeting are as noted in the 2016 San Francisco Building Code Fee Schedule, Table 1A-B, Item 5, Pre-application Plan Review Fee. This fee covers a review of the submitted documents, research, formulating a response, and the meeting itself. The meeting time shall not exceed a total of two hours under this base fee.

   b.   Additional meeting time beyond two hours for both pre-application and pre- addendum meetings is to be charged on a per person, hourly basis per San Francisco Building Code, Table 1A-D, Item 1.

   c.   The San Francisco Fire Department charges plan review fees in addition to the above fees when Fire Department personnel are included in a meeting.

17.   Fees, in addition to the pre-application plan review fee paid in advance, will be calculated at the conclusion of the meeting. Notes or letters of agreement will not be released by the Department until all pre-application or pre- addendum plan review fees are paid.

18.   If the initial pre-application or pre-addendum plan review fee is paid but no such meeting is subsequently held and no preparatory work has been done, the fee may be refunded upon written request by the project sponsor and agreement by the Department.

Revision signed by:

Tom C. Hui, S.E., C.B.O, Acting Director      April 3, 2013

Revision signed by:

Thomas Harvey, Fire Marshal         March 28, 2013

Originally approved by the Building Inspection Commission on September 18, 2002, revision approved March 20, 2013

Attachment:  Sample Question

AB-031 Identification of Revisions on Pages of Drawings

 

NO. AB-031   :
DATE   :	June 21, 1984 (Updated 01/01/2017 for code references)
SUBJECT   :	Plan Review
TITLE   :	Identification of Revisions on Pages of Drawings
PURPOSE   :	Information on submittal documents, including revised drawings, shall be in conformity with the San Francisco Building Code and shall be of sufficient clarity to indicate the location, nature and extent of the work proposed.
REFERENCE   :	2016 San Francisco Building Code, Section 106A.3.3
DISCUSSION   :	Revisions to submittal documents pending review and approval by the Department should be clearly identified on the revised sheets to facilitate review, to reduce discrepancies in the review and to speed the review process. Revisions are to be identified by one of the following methods:

 

   1.   Revisions to portions of a page shall be marked by identifying the change with arrows or encircling the change with a “cloud” symbol. The title block should be marked with the date and number of the revision. Notation of the date may be placed near the change in addition to the title block.

   2.   If an entire page is changed, the title block should be so marked, noting the date and number of revisions.

If a second or third revision is made on a page already containing a revision, the previous revision symbol or markings shall be removed, however, the title block should note the number and date of the revisions.

Originally signed by:

Robert C. Levy, Superintendent, BBI