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Inspections are required for all new construction, including the remodel or tenant improvements of existing buildings. This is conducted by the UCLA Fire Marshal's Office in compliance with laws and regulations that usually require specific fire inspections. Inspection of new construction determines the proper installation, operation and acceptance of fire protection features, systems and appliances within the building. The UCLA Fire Marshal's Office provides complete inspection of all new construction on behalf of the California State Fire Marshal and the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development to ensure that the scope of the project is adhered to, that all applicable fire and life safety provisions of the California Building and Fire Code are met and the building is safe and habitable.
Construction Inspection Sequence
In order to make timely inspections and to have the opportunity to adequately review new construction while the building is being built, the following sequence of inspections are required by the UCLA Fire Marshal's Office:
- Framing
- Inspection of wall framing
- Inspection of rough electrical installation in rated walls
- Inspection of rough fire damper installation
- Inspection of fire assembly installation
- Inspection of through penetrations of floors
- Inspection of curtain wall fire protection
- Inspect installation of rated seismic joints
- Review adhesion, cohesion, thickness & density test results for fireproofing
- Fire Protection Sequence
- Underground
- Inspection of piping
- Inspection of thrust blocks
- Witness hydrostatic pressure test
- Witness flush
- Overhead
- Inspect piping
- Inspect hangers
- Inspect sway bracing
- Witness hydrostatic pressure test
- Acceptance
- Test flow switches
- Test tamper switches
- Test interconnection to alarm system
- Witness flow test at rooftop (standpipe)
- Witness fire pump test
- Witness pop-off test (kitchen hood systems)
- Witness concentration test (halon, carbon dioxide systems)
- Fire Alarm Systems
- Rough inspection
- Pre-test in the presence of the electrical inspector
- Duct detector pressure differential test
- Indicating device audibility test
- 100% final acceptance test
- Fire Assemblies
- Inspect labels on all fire assemblies (doors, windows, dampers, etc.)
- Inspect installation of fire assemblies
- Test automatic closing device
- Mechanical inspector drop-tests 100% of dampers
- Fire inspector drop-tests 100% of 2-hour and 10% of 1-hour dampers
- Fire doors must self-close and latch after gaskets have been installed
- Emergency Generators
- Inspect load bank test results
- Witness power outage simulation test
- Inspect all components, equipment, fixtures, etc.
- Elevators
- Inspect hoistway
- Inspect and test hoistway vent
- Witness firefighter recall, phase I and II
- Test emergency communications system
- Occupancy and Final Inspection
- Fire Extinguishers in place
- Emergency Plan Posted
- Exits Clear and Unobstructed
- Issuance of Certificate of Occupan
Title 19 Inspections
Introduction – State laws have been created for the purpose of establishing minimum standards for the prevention of fire and for the protection of life and property against fire, explosion and panic. The “California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 19”, are the enforcing regulations that shall govern the use and maintenance of any building or structure used or intended for use as a hospital, school, assembly hall, or any similar occupancy of any capacity or similar place of assemblage where 50 or more persons may gather together for the purpose of entertainment, instruction, or education, and which is open to the public.
Inspection considerations – During the inspection process, the status and condition of a number of items is observed and evaluated for compliance. Some of these items may require immediate correction or, if appropriate, may be given a reasonable amount of identified time for correction and/or repair. The following is a representative list of some of the items/issues that are inspected and is not all inclusive or exclusive:
- Clear, unobstructed and adequate means of egress
- Clear, unobstructed fire rated corridors
- Clear, unobstructed and properly operating rated assemblies, such as rated fire doors, door closers, magnetic door hold-open devices, etc.
- Adequate and properly operating emergency egress lighting
- Maintenance of fire-rated assemblies
- Maintenance of fire protection equipment and appliances
- Compliance of identified “Target Hazards” for items such as; chemical use and storage, high piled storage, and safe occupancy limits
- Maintenance and compliance of housekeeping and storage practices
Inspection frequency – The frequency of your inspection cycle is prioritized by your areas and/or buildings occupancy use classification. This is determined by the California Building Code (CBC). Dependent on the occupancy use classification, you are rated 1 thru 6, with the brake down as follows:
- = Inspection conducted yearly
- = Inspection conducted yearly
- = Inspection conducted every 2 years
- = Inspection conducted every 3 years
- = Inspection conducted every 3 years
- = Inspection conducted every 5 years
Inspection process – A standard inspection sequence of events will follow a similar outline:
- Building coordinator/manager will be contacted by a Campus Deputy Fire Marshal (CDFM) representative to schedule an inspection date, time and location
- The inspection is conducted during normal business hours. Time line is dependent on variability of issues, size of inspection area, occupancy type, and complexity of inspection
- Documentation of inspection is presented to building coordinator/manager for corrections/compliance
- A re-inspection is scheduled, this is usually conducted within 30 to 60 days of the original inspection date and done to insure compliance and completion of correction items; however dependent on severity of hazards identified, corrections may be required to be completed immediately or within less than 30 days.
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