Editor,
The city of Oakland as well as any other city with large exposed wooden structures in the building process should require a temporary fire suppression system to be built and operational as each level is constructed on structures three stories or higher — particularly multi-unit projects.
There is always a scaffolding system in place surrounding the buildings during their construction that could be used to hold the system in place while each of the floors are being framed. Then require them to be temporarily installed on each completed floor. Anything is better than being completely exposed to even the smallest source of ignition. The International Code Council (ICC) hasn’t responded to these recommendations, perhaps its up to the individual city fire departments to require that the systems are to be engineered prior to the permit approval. Fifteen cameras for a project the size of the recent fire in Oakland was inadequate at best. Eight per building would provide the coverage needed for one rectangular building. Dozens would be required to cover a complex the size of the recent Oakland fire. Millions of insurance dollars wasted, yet not a dime spent on prevention.
Tim Gordon
San Carlos
The letter writer is a California licensed general contractor and a ICC Combination Dwelling Inspector.
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