AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE REDONDO BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT

The Fire Department requires business owners, property managers or property owners to contact Fire protection companies to maintain or repair fire protection systems.  These systems include fire sprinklers, standpipes, fire alarm systems or special extinguisher systems. 

In recent years, South Bay Fire Departments have received complaints regarding fraudulent inspectors posing as Fire Department personnel and collecting monies from business owners for services rendered. These individuals state they are performing an inspection on behalf of the Fire Department.  They then charge a fee for services which include, but are not limited to; servicing fire extinguishers, inspecting fire sprinkler systems, servicing kitchen hood and duct systems, and conducting general fire safety inspections.  Below are facts from the Redondo Beach Fire Department to help you avoid this kind of fraud from occurring at your place of business.  If at any time you are concerned about individuals representing themselves as Fire Department personnel, please call Fire Administration at (310)318-0663.

Redondo Beach Fire Department Facts:

1.  The Fire Department conducts annual Fire Life Safety and business license inspections at every business address in Redondo Beach.
2. These inspections are conducted by one of two groups of Fire Department personnel: Fire Suppression personnel from the fire stations or fire prevention personnel from Fire Administration.
3. Fire Department personnel are always in an official fire department uniform with Redondo Beach Fire Department badges and photo I.D. card.
4. Fire Department personnel DO NOT service fire protection equipment, i.e. fire extinguishers.
5. Beginning February 1, 2018, Fire Prevention staff conducting annual fire and life safety inspections will institute a new $113.50 fee.

What is the Fire Department checking when they inspect your business? *

These regulations are generic for all businesses and only cover the very basics of a fire inspection.

1. Every business must have access to a fire extinguisher within 75’ from any point in the building.
2. Fire Extinguishers must be inspected annually and serviced every 6 years.
3. Kitchen hood systems must be serviced semi-annually (every 6 months).
4. Electrical panels must be clear of storage, accessible, and have no void spaces.
5. Exit doors must be operable and free of storage.

Note:  Fire Protection equipment must be serviced by a private, state licensed company.  The company will place a tag on the equipment with the date of service noted if the system is found to be in compliance.

*When contacting Fire Protection Companies

1.  Confirm and have them provide copies of the following licenses:
   1. C-10 or C-16 License (based on the type of work) from the California Contractors State Licensing Board
   2. Business license for the city of Redondo Beach
   3. Picture I.D. from the California State Fire Marshal’s office.
2. Make an appointment with the Fire Protection Company.  Any company who you have not done business with before or who you have not made an appointment with should not be allowed on the property. 
3. Get more than one opinion or quote.  Make sure you get a written proposal prior to any work being done to your equipment/ system.  Confirm all aspects of the work including the evaluation, inspection, hourly rate and parts are included in their proposal.
4. Prior to calling any fire protection companies for work, check with the better business bureau and the state contractors licensing board for complaints against those companies.
5. Upon completion, request that the contractor leave all of the old parts they have replaced and billed you for. 

LOS ANGELES COUNTY OR SOUTH BAY FIRE DEPARTMENTS HAVE WORKED IN THE PAST AND WILL CONTINUE INTO THE FUTURE TO FIGHT FRAUD WITHIN THE FIRE PROTECTION SERVICE FIELD. 

HERE ARE SUGGESTIONS TO HELP PROTECT YOURSELF.

1. All Redondo Beach Fire Department personnel will be in uniform with badge and will carry a photo I.D.
2. Remember, if you are not comfortable, you can refuse service/entry and call the Redondo Beach Fire Department for assistance or questions at (310)318-0663.

The Redondo Beach Fire Department conducts fire inspections in all Redondo Beach businesses once per calendar year. Business owners should not let anyone inspect their fire extinguishers, sprinkler system, hood system, or any other protection device unless under annual contracts or have an agreement with a specific fire protection service.  When contacting any fire protection company, consider researching their qualifications.  Any contractor performing work in California that total $500.00 dollars or more in labor and materials, must be licensed by the California State License Board, www.cslb.ca.gov and also possess a current business license to perform work in the City of Redondo Beach.  

If you have any questions, please call the Redondo Beach Fire Department/Fire Prevention Division at (310) 318-0663, or via email at RBFDPrevention@redondo.org.