Former Fire Marshal Who Wrote SF's High-Rise Sprinkler Mandate Now Consulting With Condos It's Impacting

"Cofflin was responsible for writing the 2022 update to the city's fire code and pushing it through the approvals by the fire commission and SF Board of Supervisors, codifying a change that has caused an uproar among condo associations in a swath of neighborhoods. That change made it mandatory for condos in buildings of a certain age and size to have sprinklers installed in every room of every unit by 2027."

"The new fire code requires the sprinklers in all pre-1975 buildings of 12 stories or more that don't have two interior stairs separated from the rest of the building by fire-rated walls designed to withstand fire for two hours. It's believed the change impacts around 9,800 units spread across 126 historic high-rises, primarily in the Nob Hill, Russian Hill, Telegraph Hill, Pacific Heights, and Marina neighborhoods."

"While this has been framed as a rich-people problem and a lot of whining by wealthy SF property owners, it seems a fair portion of those impacted are elderly and not necessarily wealthy—with their condos being their primary assets, possibly purchased many years ago. And, the impacted owners say, the mandate has depressed property values for anyone wishing to sell while this hangs over the buildings."

San Francisco's 2022 fire code update, written by former Fire Marshal Kenneth Cofflin, mandates sprinkler installation in all units of pre-1975 buildings with 12+ stories lacking proper fire-rated stairwells. The requirement affects approximately 9,800 units across 126 historic high-rises in neighborhoods including Nob Hill, Russian Hill, and Pacific Heights, with estimated costs reaching $300,000 per unit. The mandate has sparked significant controversy among condo associations and owners, many of whom are elderly residents whose primary assets are being impacted. Property values have declined due to the mandate's uncertainty. Following pushback from supervisors, the Board of Supervisors recently voted to delay the deadline from 2027 to 2032, providing a five-year reprieve for affected property owners.

Read at sfist.com