FIRE LIFE & SAFETY FEES

To provide for the safety of our community, and in accordance with California law (Health and Safety Code §13146.2 and §17921), a Fire Life/Safety Inspection of all R-2 Occupancies (Multi-Family Residential with 3 or more units under one roof) must be performed annually by uniformed Manhattan Beach Fire Department personnel. The inspection focuses on exterior areas such as fire lanes, fire protection systems and emergency exiting, and common areas such as community rooms and laundry rooms. There will not be an inspection of the inside of individual apartments or condominiums.

Over the years the City has grown, as have the complexity and requirements for inspections. Cost-recovery is a mechanism to be able to provide necessary staffing to accommodate those changes.

The City of Manhattan Beach, in compliance with best management practices, conducts a comprehensive fee analysis every 4-5 years. The purpose of a fee study is to understand the gap between the City’s current fee amount and the cost of service. Matrix Consulting Group was hired by the City of Manhattan Beach to analyze the cost of service relationships that exist between fees for service activities for all departments within the City. The results of this Study address current service levels, the cost and demand for those services, and what fees for service can and should be charged.

In the process, we looked closely at which fees are common in the industry and whether those fees are common amongst our surrounding cities. In that regard, fees for R-2 Occupancies and business inspections are charged by the cities of El Segundo, Torrance, Redondo Beach, Santa Monica and Culver City.

To that end, the City of Manhattan Beach has implemented a cost recovery mechanism for these services pursuant to the 2020 User Fee Resolution.

Most commonly asked questions regarding Fire Inspection Billings (FAQs)

For further information, please call Kevin Bass, Fire Marshal, at (310) 802-5205, or email fireprevention@manhattanbeach.gov.

BASIC FIRE & LIFE SAFETY INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS

These are some of the more common life/safety violations seen on inspections. Click here for The Fire Life/Safety Inspection form.  More specific requirements will be pointed out during the annual Fire-Life Safety Inspection, or you may contact the Fire Prevention Team.

1. All businesses must have approved address numbers visible from the street or road.
2. Provide a minimum of one portable fire extinguisher, size 2A10BC for every 75 foot travel distance. These extinguishers must be serviced annually or after each use, and hung 3 to 5 feet from the floor in a readily accessible area.
3. Do not use extension cords, multiple plug adapters or ant device which allows more than one appliance to be plugged into each electrical outlet. The only exception would be an approved power strip, which includes a UL listing, fuse and or breaker- type adapter.
4. Do not lock, block or obstruct any exit and provide a sign over it stating (This door is to remain open during business hours).
5. The sprinkler system and standpipes must be certified every 5 years with appropriate documentation. 
6. All storage shall be kept 2 feet below ceiling or 18 inches below sprinklers if building is sprinkled. Maximum storage height is 15 feet without in-rack sprinklers.
7. A 30-inch minimum clearance shall be maintained around all power panels.
8. All exit doors shall provide a direct and unobstructed access to a public way. 
9. All compressed gas cylinders shall be secured to prevent falling. 
10. All commercial cooking surfaces, where grease-laden vapors are produced, shall be protected by an approved fixed extinguishing system, and said system shall be serviced semi-annually or after each use. A 40BC portable fire extinguisher shall be mounted near cooking areas