92 Department of Building Inspection ■ Annual Report Fiscal Year 2001 - 2002

Access Appeals Commission

Linton D. Stables - PresidentRafael Torres-Gil - Commission Secretary

❘❙❚■ Purpose ■❚❙❘

To serve the City and County of San Francisco and the general public by hearing writtenappeals brought by any person regarding actions taken by the Department of BuildingInspection in the enforcement of the requirements for Access to Public Accommodations byPhysically Handicapped Persons (Part 5.5, Sections 19955-59 of the Health and Safety Code ofthe State of California), as well as action taken by the Department in the enforcement of thedisabled access and adaptability provisions of this code. San Francisco Building Code Section105.3.

❘❙❚■ Mission Statement ■❚❙❘

The Access Appeals Commission, consisting of a five-members, conducts hearings toapprove or disapprove the Departments interpretations of applicable disability access regulations and actions taken by the Department to enforce said regulations and abate violations. It shall establish reasonable rules and regulations for its own procedures, chooseits officers, conduct public meetings, designate an official reporter, and make decisions and recommendations by resolution.

❘❙❚■ The Access Appeals Commission (AAC) ■❚❙❘

The AAC consists of five commissioners: two from the disabled community, two experienced in the construction industry, and one public member. The commissioners areappointed by the Building Inspection Commission and serve at its pleasure. TheCommission consists of:

Mr. Linton D. Stables - President

Ms. Enid Ng Lim - Vice President

Ms. Roslyn Baltimore - Commissioner

Ms. Alyce G. Brown - Commissioner

Mr. Francis K. Chatillon - Commissioner

Department of Building Inspection ■ Annual Report Fiscal Year 2001 - 2002 93

❘❙❚■ How to Contact the AAC ■❚❙❘

Rafael Torres-Gil, Secretary to the Access Appeals Commission, and SusanPangilinan, Recording Secretary may be reached at:

Access Appeals CommissionDepartment of Building Inspection1660 Mission Street, 3rd FloorSan Francisco, CA 94103-2414(415) 558-6010, FAX (415) 558-6474

❘❙❚■ Meetings ■❚❙❘

The Access Appeals Commission meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday ofevery month. Meetings are accessible, open to the public, and are heldcommencing at 1:00 p.m. at:

City Hall1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 416San Francisco, CA 94102

❘❙❚■ Agendas ■❚❙❘

The Agenda is published on the Friday before the regularly scheduledmeeting. Agendas are posted on the Department’s website www.sfgov.org/dbiunder Agendas & Minutes, at the Main Library in the Government Documentssection, the Bulletin Board located at the ground floor elevator lobby of 1660Mission Street, and are also available by contacting Susan Pangilinan,Recording Secretary at (415) 558-6014.

❘❙❚■ Minutes ■❚❙❘

Minutes are posted on the Department’s website under the Agenda andMinutes link 10 days after approval by the AAC.

❘❙❚■ Highlights and Accomplishments ■❚❙❘

❚❙❘ 14 Appeal cases were filed with the Access Appeals Commission inFiscal Year 01-02.

94 Department of Building Inspection ■ Annual Report Fiscal Year 2001 - 2002

Board of Examiners

Mel Cammisa - PresidentWing Lau - Board Secretary

❘❙❚■ Mission Statement ■❚❙❘

The Board of Examiners is a group ofexperts created under Section 105.1 of theSan Francisco Building Code. The purposeof the Board is to hear and determine therequests by the public as to whether newmaterials, new methods or types ofconstruction comply with the standardsof safety established by the San FranciscoConstruction Codes which include SanFrancisco Building Code, Plumbing Code,Electrical Code and Mechanical Code. TheBoard also has the power to determinereasonable interpretation of theprovisions of the San Francisco BuildingCode, and to hear the appeals from theDirector's condemnation order involving construction methods, assemblies or materials orwhere safety is involved.

❘❙❚■ The Board Members ■❚❙❘

The Board is composed of 11 members appointed by the Building Inspection Commissionand two ex-officio members. Currently, the Board Members consist of the following:

Mel Cammisa - President Registered Electrical Engineer Seat

Dick Glumac Registered Mechanical Engineer Seat

Daniel Shapiro Registered Structural Engineer Seat

Ann Cervantes Licensed Architect Seat

Joseph Cassidy General Contractor Seat

Manuel Flores Building Trade Seat

John Demakas Licensed Plumbing Contractor Seat

Building Inspection, Fire Department, and Board Membershold Board meeting at 1660 Mission Street offices

Department of Building Inspection ■ Annual Report Fiscal Year 2001 - 2002 95

James Reed Licensed Electrical Contractor Seat

Jerome Cunningham Registered Fire Protection Engineer Seat

Vacant Registered Fire Protection Engineer Seat

Vacant Building Owner Representative Seat

Ex-officio Director of DBI or his/her Designee

Ex-officio Chief of Fire Prevention Bureau SFFD

❘❙❚■ How to Contact the BOE ■❚❙❘

Wing Lau, Chief Building Inspector, Secretary to the Board of Examiners, maybe reached at:

Board of ExaminersDepartment of Building Inspection1660 Mission Street, 3rd FloorSan Francisco, CA 94103-2414(415) 558-6135, FAX (415) 558-6261

❘❙❚■ Meetings ■❚❙❘

The Board of Examiners meets every second Tuesday of the month in thesecond floor conference room at 1660 Mission Street at 6:00 p.m. Meetingsare chaired by the Board Chairperson. A special meeting may be called by theChair or by a majority of the Board Members in accordance with noticerequirements.

❘❙❚■ Agendas ■❚❙❘

The Agenda is published 72 hours before a regularly scheduled meeting.Agendas are posted at the Main Library in the Government DocumentsSection, and the Bulletin Board located at the ground floor elevator lobby of1660 Mission Street. The agendas are also available by contacting Wing Lau,Board Secretary at 558-6135 and on the Department’s website atwww.sfgov.org/dbi under the Agendas & Minutes link.

❘❙❚■ Minutes ■❚❙❘

Minutes are posted on the Department’s website under the Agenda andMinutes link 10 days after the meeting date.

96 Department of Building Inspection ■ Annual Report Fiscal Year 2001 - 2002

Code Advisory Committee

Zachary Nathan - ChairAlan Tokugawa - Committee Secretary

❘❙❚■ Mission Statement ■❚❙❘

To preserve and promote the Health, Safety and Welfare of the public through the regulationof the built environment with codes and standards that are clear, concise, consistent andenforceable, recognizing the unique characteristics of San Francisco, and striking a balancebetween scientific knowledge and real-world conditions.

❘❙❚■ The Code Advisory Committee ■❚❙❘

The Code Advisory Committee consists of 17 members who are qualified by training andexperience to deliberate and make recommendations on matters pertaining to thedevelopment and improvement of the content of the San Francisco Building Code,Mechanical Code, Electrical Code,Plumbing Code, and Housing Code aswell as related rules and regulations orproposed ordinances that the Director orthe Building Inspection Commissiondetermines may have an impact onconstruction permits. Specificrecommendations of this Committee aredirected to the Building InspectionCommission for their further action.

These members are appointed by theBuilding Inspection Commission andcomprise a cross-section of theconstruction industry by including amajor-project architect, a small-projectarchitect, a civil engineer, a structuralengineer, a mechanical engineer orcontractor, a fire protection engineer, anelectrical engineer or contractor, a general contractor, a remodeling contractor, a residentialcontractor, a commercial property owner, member of the general business community, aperson qualified in the area of historical preservation, a person knowledgeable aboutdisability access regulations, and three members of the community-at-large.

Code Advisory Committee during a regular meeting

Department of Building Inspection ■ Annual Report Fiscal Year 2001 - 2002 97

❘❙❚■ The Committee Members ■❚❙❘

Zachary Nathan, Chair Small Projects Architect

Carolyn Abst Member-At-Large

Charles Breidinger, P.E. Mechanical Engineer

Jerry Cunningham, P.E. Fire Protection Engineer

Edgar Fennie Major Projects Architect

Michael T. Fretz Small Projects Civil Engineer

Fredric S. Freund Commercial Property Owner/Manager

Jim Guthrie, S.E. Major Projects Structural Engineer

Dorie Lee Major Projects Contractor

Arnie Lerner, AIA Historical Preservation Architect

Jim Reed Electrical Contractor

A.R. Tony Sanchez-Corea, III General Business Community

Livio Socal Remodel Contractor

Nicholas Palter Member-At-Large

Lee Yvonne Phillips Disability Access Advocate

Vacant Member-At-Large

Vacant Residential Project Contractor

Frank Y. Chiu, C.B.O. Ex-officio Member

Chief Gary Messetani Ex-officio MemberFire Marshal

98 Department of Building Inspection ■ Annual Report Fiscal Year 2001 - 2002

Code Advisory Committee

❘❙❚■ Meetings ■❚❙❘

The Code Advisory Committee meets regularly on the third Wednesday of each month at1660 Mission Street. Each member of the full Committee also serves on a subcommitteewhich meets at least once a month. These subcommittees are: Administrative & GeneralDesign Subcommittee, Fire & Life Safety Subcommittee, Structural Subcommittee,Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing Subcommittee, Housing Code Subcommittee, and DisabilityAccess Subcommittee. The general public is invited to attend and speak at any of thesemeetings on topics of interest which deal with construction permits and the building codes.

❘❙❚■ Agendas ■❚❙❘

The Agenda is published 72 hours before a regularly scheduled meeting. Agendas are postedat the Main Library in the Government Documents Section, and the Bulletin Board located atthe ground floor elevator lobby of 1660 Mission Street. The agendas are also available bycontacting Alan Tokugawa at 558-6004 and on the Department’s website at www.sfgov.org/dbiunder the Agendas & Minutes link.

❘❙❚■ Minutes ■❚❙❘

Minutes are posted on the Department’s website under the Agenda and Minutes link 10 daysafter the meeting date.

Department of Building Inspection ■ Annual Report Fiscal Year 2001 - 2002 99

❘❙❚■ Highlights and Accomplishments ■❚❙❘

❚❙❘ Reviewed and made recommendations on ordinances adopting the2001 San Francisco Building, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing andHousing Codes.

❚❙❘ Reviewed and made recommendations on draft ordinances whichwere proposed for inclusion in the building codes:

❚❙❘ Residential Hotel Sprinklers❚❙❘ Interior Lead Poisoning Prevention Ordinance❚❙❘ Ban on the Installation of Wood-burning Fireplaces

❚❙❘ Held joint meeting with the Lead Hazard Reduction Citizens AdvisoryCommittee to review and make recommendations regarding theproposed "Interior Lead Poisoning Prevention Ordinance."

❚❙❘ Reviewed and maderecommendationsregarding a Resolutionby the San FranciscoCommission on theEnvironment that wouldprohibit CityDepartments and Citycontractors from usingwood treated witharsenic.

❚❙❘ Reviewed and madepositiverecommendationsregarding US Senate Bill424 (Senator Feinstein)which provides incentiveto encourage privatesector efforts to reduce earthquake losses.

❚❙❘ Reviewed and made comments regarding amendments to Sections6735, 6735.3 and 6735.4 of the California Professional Engineers Actwhich deals with signing and stamping of construction documentsprior to issuance of a permit.

❚❙❘ Reviewed and proposed revisions to the San Francisco Building Coderegarding requirements for ventilation of public spaces in Group R,Division 1 Occupancies (apartments, hotels).

Code Advisory holds sub-committee meeting along with DBIrepresentative

100 Department of Building Inspection ■ Annual Report Fiscal Year 2001 - 2002

Code Advisory Committee

❚❙❘ Reviewed and proposed a revision to the San Francisco Building Code regarding theEdgehill Mountain Slope Protection Area Structural Advisory Committee by makingthe architect a voting member.

❚❙❘ Reviewed and made a recommendation regarding an amendment to San FranciscoBuilding Code Chapter 16, Structural Design Requirements, and the description ofpost-earthquake design triggers for seismic upgrade requirements.

❚❙❘ Reviewed request from Public Utilities Commission to revise Chapter 12A of the SanFrancisco Housing Code to add water conservation measures in residentialoccupancies, including devices such as 1.6 gal/min low flow toilets and restrictedflow shower heads.

❚❙❘ Reviewed existing Code Rulings and made recommendations for revising, deleting orre-issuing as new Administrative Bulletins:

❚❙❘ AB-029, "Procedure for Approval of Homeless Shelters"❚❙❘ AB-034, “Board of Appeals Conditional Revision Procedures"❚❙❘ AB-038, "Investigative Fee for Work Without Permit"❚❙❘ AB-040, "Referral of Architects and Engineers to License Boards"❚❙❘ AB-043, "Ventilation of Public Spaces in Group R Occupancies"❚❙❘ AB-046, "Guidelines for Special Inspection and Structural Observation"❚❙❘ AB-056, "Disabled Access Compliance Permits and Documentation"❚❙❘ AB-057, "Local Equivalency for Approval of Roof Hatches in Lieu of Stairway

Penthouses"

❚❙❘ Received an informational session from the Planning Department regarding accessingand implementing the broad list of architecturally significant and historical buildingsduring the permit issuance process.

❚❙❘ Reviewed a request to consider application of a listed firestopping material in lieu of fire dampers as an alternate method of design.

Department of Building Inspection ■ Annual Report Fiscal Year 2001 - 2002 101

❚❙❘ Reviewed various topics regarding current permit approval andissuance procedures, including:

❚❙❘ a notice to permit holders (owners, contractors, architects, etc.) of impending expiration of an issued permit

❚❙❘ the definition of an 'area of remodel' for disabled access regulations when altering an existing building

❚❙❘ the regulation of minimum garage door heights in Group U,Division 1 Occupancies (private garages)

❚❙❘ application and enforcement of sound control regulations in residential

❚❙❘ occupancies under the requirements of California Building Code,Chapter 12, Division IIA, Sound Transmission Control

102 Department of Building Inspection ■ Annual Report Fiscal Year 2001 - 2002

Unreinforced Masonry Building Appeals Board

Betty Louie, ChairGary Ho, Board Secretary

❘❙❚■ Mission Statement ■❚❙❘

The purpose of the Board is to hear applications for variance from or interpretations of coderequirements for Unreinforced Masonry Buildings (UMB), recommend approval or disapproval of new materials, new methods and types of constructions for UMBs, hearappeals from the Director's Abatement Orders for UMBs, review UMB retrofit alterationpermits and cost estimate for demolition permits, and assist the Seismic Safety Retrofit BondProgram and Advisory Boards pursuant to the authority granted to the Board under Chapters16b & 16C of the SFBC.

❘❙❚■ The Board Members ■❚❙❘

The Board is composed of nine members appointed by the Building Inspection Commission(BIC) and one ex-officio member in accordance with San Francisco Building Code (SFBC) Sect.105.7.2

Betty Louie, Chair Owner Seat

Lucia Bogatay, Vice-Chair Architect Seat

Faye Bernstein Structural Engineer Seat

Frank Rollo, Sr. Geotechnical Engineer Seat

Chad Thompson Testing Engineer Seat

Vacant Bond Board Seat

Vacant Civil Engineer Seat

Vacant Contractor Seat

Vacant Tenant Seat

Department of Building Inspection ■ Annual Report Fiscal Year 2001 - 2002 103

❘❙❚■ How to Contact the BOE ■❚❙❘

Gary Ho, S.E., Civil Engineer, Secretary of the UMB Appeals Board may bereached at:

UMB Appeals BoardDepartment of Building Inspection1660 Mission Street, 2nd Floor,San Francisco, CA 94103-2414;Tel. (415) 558-6083, Fax (415) 558-6041

❘❙❚■ Meetings ■❚❙❘

The UMB Appeals Board meets every fourth Friday of the month. Meetingsare accessible, open to the public, and are held commencing at 2:00 P.M. at

City Hall1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett PlaceRoom 416

The Board Chairperson chairs meetings. A special meeting may be called bythe Chair or by a majority of the Board Members in accordance with thenotice requirements.

❘❙❚■ Agendas ■❚❙❘

The agenda is published 72 hours before a regularly scheduled meeting.Agendas are posted at the Main Library in the Government DocumentsSection, and the Bulletin Board located at the ground floor elevator lobby of1660 Mission Street. Agendas are also available by contacting Gary Ho, BoardSecretary at 558-6083 and on the Department’s website www.sfgov.org/dbiunder the Agendas and Minutes link.

❘❙❚■ Minutes ■❚❙❘

Minutes are posted on the Department’s website under the Agenda andMinutes link 10 days after approval by the UMB.

❘❙❚■ Highlights and Accomplishments ■❚❙❘

❚❙❘ Received and approved the alternative use of center codereinforcement method for the Old St. Mary’s Church at 660 CaliforniaStreet in February, 2001.