Inspections

The Inspection Section of the Bureau of Fire Prevention inspects the life safety components of new building construction, building remodels, and fire sprinkler & fire alarm systems to ensure compliance with the San Francisco Fire Code.  The City is geographically divided into 17 Fire Inspection districts (see Fire Inspection District Map).  A Fire Inspector is assigned to each of these Fire Inspection Districts and responsible for conducting inspections within his/her area. Click here to search San Francisco property inspection records, violation & permit history. We encourage you to explore this page to access various form, guides and check lists required in the inspection process.

Referral and Request Forms

• Referral Inspection Request Form - Informational Bulletin  (New Rate Effective: 9/1/2025)
• Referral Inspection - Guideline/Checklist
• WDO Contract - Service and Overtime Request Agreement Form  (New Rate Effective: 9/1/2025)
• WDO Contract - Plan Review  (New Rate Effective: 9/1/2025)
• WDO Contract - Plan Review Additional Hours  (New Rate Effective: 9/1/2025)
• Residential Care Facility/Day Care Facility/Pre-School Facility Inspection Request Form  (New Rate Effective: 9/1/2025)

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High-Rise Inspections:

The Fire Inspectors assigned to the High Rise Section perform annual fire safety inspections for all high-rise buildings in the City.  The authority to conduct these High Rise inspections is made pursuant to California Health and Safety Code, Section 13217.  This Code provides that the local fire departments may annually inspect all high-rise structures for compliance with building standards and other regulations.  The SFFD provides a list of frequently used forms below. Forms can also be accessed from the Office of the State Fire Marshall.
 

State Fire Marshal Documentation Forms: 

Sprinkler Systems - Inspection and Testing (AES 2) 

• NFPA 25 Form AES 2.1 Quarterly Annual Wet Pipe 2013.pdf
• NFPA 25 Form AES 2.2 5-Year Wet Pipe.pdf
• NFPA 25 Form AES 2.3 Quarterly Annual Dry Pipe 2013.pdf
• NFPA 25 Form AES 2.4 5-Year Dry Pipe 2013.pdf
• NFPA 25 Form AES 2.5 Quarterly Annual Preaction Water 2013.pdf
• NFPA 25 Form AES 2.6 5-Year Preaction Water 2013.pdf
• NFPA 25 Form AES 2.7 Quarterly Annual Deluge System 2013.pdf
• NFPA 25 Form AES 2.8 5-Year Deluge System 2013.pdf
• NFPA 25 Form AES 2.9 Main Drain Test Continuation Form 2013.pdf

Standpipe and Hose Systems - Inspection and Testing (AES 3)

• NFPA 25 Form AES 3 Quarterly Annual Standpipe 2013.pdf
• NFPA 25 Form AES 3.1 5-Year Standpipe 2013.pdf

Fire Pumps - Inspection and Testing (AES 5) 

• NFPA 25 Form AES 5.1 ITM Diesel Fire Pump Weekly 2013.pdf
• NFPA 25 Form AES 5.2 ITM Diesel Fire Pump Annual 2013.pdf
• NFPA 25 Form AES 5.3 ITM Electric Fire Pump Monthly 2013.pdf
• NFPA 25 Form AES 5.4 ITM Electric Fire Pump Annual 2013.pdf

Water Storage Tanks - Inspection and Testing (AES 6)

• NFPA 25 Form AES 6 - Water Storage Tanks 2013

Pre-Enginereed Fire Extinguishing Systems (AES Forms)

• AES 20 Wet Chemical Pre-Engineered Fire Extinguishing System Semi-Annual 2013
• AES 21 Dry Chemical Pre-Engineered Fire Extinguishing System Semi-Annual 2013

SFFD Forms:

• Annual High-Rise Life Safety Training (Commercial, Hotels, and Motels)
• Annual Fire Drill for High-Rise Hotels and Motels 
• Annual Fire Drill for Commercial High-Rise Buildings
• Highrise Building Information Card (BIC)

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SFFD Binder for High-Rise Buildings:
The San Francisco Fire Department requires testing of all emergency equipment.  Records of all tests and inspections shall be maintained in a binder marked “SFFD” and stored on the premises for the fire department’s review.  Depending on your buildings features, some, or all of the items listed below require your attention:

• Facility Emergency Plan (Update plan as needed and anytime there is a change of the previously approved evacuation/relocation procedure of the building.)
• Fire Safety Director Certificate (Valid for 5 years)
• Fire Alarm UL Certificate (Expiration date on certificate. - To be verified on the UL website), Per SFFD Section 907.7.4 and SFFD Administrative Bulletin 3.03.)
• Annual High-Rise Life Safety Training log
• Annual Fire Drill log
• Annual Fire Alarm Test Certificate per NFPA 72 Chapter 14 applicable requirements, includes the testing of (but not limited to): Pull Stations, Visual Warning Devices, Audibility of Fire Alarm System, Waterflow and Tamper Devices, Smoke Detectors, Firefighters’ Phone System, Stairwell Emergency Phones, and Heat Sensors.
• UL Certificate for - Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement System (ERCES) per SFFD Section 510 and SFFD Administrative Bulletin 3.05.
• Sprinkler/Standpipe (5-yr Certification and Annual inspection)
• Fire Pump Test (Diesel and Electric pumps)- (Annual and Weekly)
• Emergency Generator- (Weekly and Monthly)
• Elevator Emergency Equipment and Key Operation (Quarterly)
• Exit and Emergency Lighting (Quarterly)
• Emergency Exit and Release Devices (Annually)
• Smoke Control Systems - Provide testing report per the following: 
  • Dedicated smoke control systems shall be tested semiannually per CFC Section 909.22.4.
  • Nondedicated smoke control systems shall be tested annually per SFFC Section 909.22.5. 
  • Per CFC Section 901.6.2.2:  Where a fire alarm system is integrated with a smoke control system as outlined in Section 909, integrated testing shall comply with NFPA 4, with an integrated test performed prior to issuance of the certificate of occupancy and at intervals not exceeding 10 years, unless otherwise specified by an integrated system test plan prepared in accourdance with NFPA 4.
• Roll-up type fire doors (Annual)
• Firefighter Air Replenishment System (Semi-Annual)
• Special Extinguishing Systems – including, but not limited UL300 or Halon systems (Semi-Annual)

 
The Fire Command Center (FCC) Shall Contain the Following Additional Features (Ref: 2010 SFFC, Section 508.1.5.1)

1. Stock spare of sprinklers required by NFPA 13 (2025).
2. Permanent signage with the name and telephone number of the applicable elevator service company.
3. Building contact phone numbers.
4. Utility shut-off location map.
5. Public address system instructions, as applicable.
6. Smoke control system procedures.
7. Sprinkler shut-off valve and standpipe isolation valve locations.
8. Emergency evacuation/relocation procedures, location of tenant areas of refuge, and location of any tenants requiring evacuation assistance.
9. Hazardous materials inventory statement and management plan, when required by the fire code official.  
10. Approved fire alarm operational matrix and evacuation/relocation matrix.
11. Elevator Fire Recall Keys.  The number and type of keys available shall be no less than the same number of Fire Recall Key switches located throughout the building and shall be on separate key rings as determined by the Fire Code Official.
12. In high-rise buildings provided with fire service access elevators and occupant evacuation elevators, a monitoring panel shall be provided in accordance with SFFD Administrative Bulletin 5.08.
13. An approved Emergency Power-Off (EPO) means shall be provided in the FCC for the Bi-Directional Amplifier (Signal Booster) of the Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement System (ERCES) in accordance with SFFD Administrative Bulletin No. 2.01 Addendum G.
14. A dedicated monitoring panel for the ERCES in accordance with SFFD Administrative Bulletin 2.01 Addendum G.
15. The Master Control Unit (MCU) of the Two-Way Emergency Communication System (Two-Way ECS) in accordance with SFFD Administrative Bulletin 2.01 Addendum H.
16. Yellow pull station to unlock security doors throughout the building including locked stairway doors in accordance with the 2025 California Building Code Section 403.5.3.
17. One (1) red manual fire alarm box to generate general alarm throughout the building (total evacuation).
18. Elevator system two-way communication means to communicate with each elevator car in the building in accordance with California Title 8 Elevator Safety Order and ASME A17.1-2004Section 2.27.1.1.4.

 
Additional Inspection Responsibilities Include:

• Fire Inspectors investigate fire and life safety complaints within their respective districts and determine if further action is required.  Complaints related to fire and life safety can be reported to the Bureau of Fire Prevention from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday thru Friday.
• The Fire Inspectors assigned to the High-Rise Section perform annual fire safety inspections for all high-rise buildings in the City.  The authority to conduct these High Rise inspections is made pursuant to California Health and Safety Code, Section 13217.  This Code provides that the local fire departments may annually inspect all high-rise structures for compliance with building standards and other regulations.
• Various City agencies and departments will refer requests for inspections of food establishments, nightclubs, street fairs, and other activities or events to ensure compliance with applicable codes, and to certify that reasonable fire and life safety precautions are in place.