Fire Safety For Business Owners

Fire Department Inspections

Imperial Beach Fire-Rescue conducts both scheduled and unscheduled business fire safety inspections. These inspections are performed by designated fire department staff personally, during business hours and in uniform. Never allow an individual access to your business without verifying their credentials. For business owners requesting a safety inspection on a specific date please contact our Fire Prevention Division directly at 619-628-1392, business inspections are not conducted outside city business hours.

Commercial Fire Safety, What You Need to Know

These are some of the most commonly identified fire code violations. (Violations will vary by occupancy type) Like all California cities, Imperial Beach enforces the currently adopted California Fire Code. Below are some of the most commonly identified code violations.

Fire Department Access

Address identification

8” address numbers are required for all Imperial Beach businesses.
The address shall be displayed in a contrasting color and visible from the street

Exits and Exit Systems

Emergency exits are required to be free of obstructions and available for use anytime the building is occupied, blocking an emergency exit is a misdemeanor. Doors, more specifically rated doors cannot be propped open or altered (holes, windows, vents, etc.) in any way without approval from the door manufacturer and Fire Department. Lighted exit signs and emergency egress lighting are required to be tested monthly. Lastly, you cannot install slide bolts or other secondary locks on any exit door without Fire Department review and approval.

Fire Walls and Rated Construction

Rated construction (fire walls and similar assemblies) cannot be altered (holes, windows, doors, etc.) in any way without review and approval from the Fire Department. Do not block or hold open fire doors. Rated doors help stop the transmission of smoke and keep smoke in its area of origin, allowing time for building evacuation.

General Organization and Housekeeping

Maintain all storage at a height less than 24 inches from the ceiling in areas without fire sprinklers and less than 18 inches from the ceiling in areas with fire sprinklers. Manage all combustible storage and keep excess to a minimum.

Electrical

Extension cords are never allowed to be used as a permeant source of power, only for listed portable appliances, while in use.
A locatable power tap with overcurrent protection “rated power strip” can be used to provide power in a place where an outlet cannot be reached but only if it is powered directly by an outlet. A rated power strip can never be interconnected with another rated power strip.
Outlet, switch and junction box covers are required to be replaced when broken or missing.
Never block or otherwise obstruct any electrical panel.

Portable Fire Extinguishers

Portable fire extinguishers are required in all businesses. Portable fire extinguishers are required to be inspected annually by a California State Fire Marshal licensed contractor, Imperial Beach Fire-Rescue can provide a list of portable fire extinguisher service companies that have a valid City of Imperial Beach business license upon request. Imperial Beach Fire-Rescue does not inspect or recharge portable fire extinguishers.

Portable fire extinguishers are designed to be used on incipient stage fires and are not intended to fire fully involved fires, ensure you have a way out and call 911 before attempting to use any portable fire extinguisher.

For free safety training about topics like this please contact our Fire Prevention Division directly at 619-628-1392, safety training is currently only available during city business hours.

Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems

Commercial automatic fire sprinkler systems are designed to protect commodities and control the spread of a fire. Fire sprinkler heads are heat sensitive and activate once a specific temperature is exceeded, fire sprinkler heads activate individually. Do not store items within 18 inches of the bottom of any fire sprinkler head and never attach anything to or hang anything from a fire sprinkler head.

Automatic fire sprinkler systems are required to be inspected quarterly by a CSLB C-16 licensed contractor, Imperial Beach Fire-Rescue can provide a list of automatic fire sprinkler system service companies that have a valid City of Imperial Beach business license upon request. For free safety training about topics like this please contact our Fire Prevention Division directly at 619-628-1392, safety training is currently only available during city business hours.

Automatic Fire Alarm Systems

Commercial automatic fire alarm systems are designed to notify building occupants in the event of a fire. These life safety systems require annual maintenance by a CSLB C-10 license holder who has been specifically trained in fire alarm systems, a traditional C-10 electrician cannot perform this type of specialized work. Employees need instruction on when to evacuate, what steps to take when evacuating a building, where to meet, and what to do once help arrives.

For free safety training about topics like this please contact our Fire Prevention Division directly at 619-628-1392, safety training is currently only available during city business hours.

Hazardous Materials

Hazardous materials are permitted by the County of San Diego, Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA), and inspected by both CUPA and Imperial Beach Fire-Rescue. For information regarding maximum allowable quantities, storage, use, or handling of hazardous materials please contact the Fire Prevention Division directly at 619-628-1392.

More information regarding the CUPA can be found on their website.

Safety Training

Upon request, Imperial Beach Fire-Rescue can come to your place of business and conduct a safety presentation specific to your business. We will discuss topics like portable fire extinguishers, fire alarms, fire sprinkler systems, emergency preparedness and emergency evacuation. For business owners requesting safety training please contact our Fire Prevention Division directly at 619-628-1392, safety training is currently only available during city business hours.

Knox Rapid Access Box

A KNOX rapid access box is provided to reduce costs related to a ringing alarm call. If your business has any of the following fire protection systems, you are required to obtain and maintain a KNOX rapid access box.

Automatic fire sprinkler system
Automatic fire alarm system
Automatic extinguishing system (commercial kitchen fire suppression system, clean gas suppression system)

When locks or door access codes are changed please provide the new keys/codes to Imperial Beach Fire-Rescue and staff will lock them into the KNOX box.

Each KNOX rapid access box is keyed specifically to our jurisdiction and an Imperial Beach Fire Marshal signed form is required to complete the order with the KNOX Company. Please contact our Fire Prevention Division directly at the Fire Department to obtain a signed order form.

Imperial Beach Fire-Rescue Department
Fire Prevention Division
865 Imperial Beach Boulevard
Imperial Beach, CA 91932