This page identifies the primary duties and responsibilities of the organizational units within the Fire Prevention Division; the Division is divided into six (6) operational units:

    Links to topics within this page:

1. Technical Services Unit
2. New Construction Unit
3. Hazardous Materials Inspection Unit
4. High-Rise Unit
5. Health Care/Assembly/Educational Unit
6. Residential Inspection Unit

1.    Technical Services Unit

Assistant Fire Marshal Nancy Johnson
Telephone: (310) 458-8470
E-mail: nancy.johnson@smgov.net

• Provides technical assistance related to fire and life safety to architects, engineers, contractors, city agencies and citizens.
• Performs plan review of complex fire alarm systems; fire sprinkler and standpipe systems; fire pumps; fixed fire extinguishing systems; smoke control systems; and clean agent systems to assure compliance with approved plans and national standards.
• Performs plan review of new construction, tenant improvements and remodels for compliance with the California Building, Fire and Mechanical Code; the Uniform Fire Code; the Santa Monica Municipal Code; and adopted Standards.
• Establishes test and maintenance requirements for fire and life safety systems.
• Coordinates testing of fire protection and life safety systems.
• Provides code interpretations.
• Assists Fire Prevention staff in performing system testing, complex or technical
• inspections and plan reviews. Inspects Approved Production Facilities for compliance with Article 40.
• Maintains Division Policy Manual, forms and information sheets.

2.    New Construction Unit

Senior Fire
Telephone: (310) 458-8667
E-mail:

• Inspects all new construction, remodels and tenant improvements for compliance with the California Building, Fire and Mechanical Code; the Uniform Fire Code; the Santa Monica Municipal Code; and adopted Standards.
• Inspects and tests complex fire alarm systems; fire sprinkler and standpipe systems; fire pumps; fixed fire extinguishing systems; smoke control systems; and clean agent systems to assure compliance with approved plans and national standards.
• Provides technical assistance to designers and contractors.
• Performs plan reviews of complex submittals as required.

3.    Hazardous Materials Inspection Unit

Senior Fire Inspector Eric Binder
Telephone: (310) 434-2666
E-mail: eric.binder@smgov.net

• Performs technical and complex hazardous materials, fire and life safety inspections at industrial, residential, educational, licensed health care facilities, City Bus Yards, City Yards, and high-rise buildings or other facilities that use, handle, store, or dispose of hazardous materials.
• Conducts testing of complex fire alarm systems; fire sprinkler and standpipe systems; fire pumps; fixed fire extinguishing systems; smoke control systems; and clean agent systems to assure compliance with approved plans and national standards.
• Enforces the California Building, Fire, Electrical, and Mechanical Codes.

• Enforces the Santa Monica Municipal Code, Uniform Building and Fire Codes and National Fire Codes.

• Monitors, interprets and applies federal, state, county and city laws and regulations related to hazardous materials.
• Identifies and categorizes chemicals and other substances which may be hazardous materials.
• Approves and issues hazards control and fire protection system permits.
• Performs computer data entry, analysis and data management of Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) information and other activities as required.
• Assists Suppression and Rescue Division personnel with hazardous materials, fire and life safety inspections and other activities as required.
• Reviews plans for building construction; fire protection systems; flammable and hazardous materials storage and processes; and similar type projects.
• Develops, updates and analyzes documents for sufficiency and compliance with CUPA requirements which include, but are not limited to, the Hazardous Materials Release Response Program (HMRRP), Uniform Fire Code (Article 80), California Accidental Release Prevention Program (CalARP), and the Aboveground Storage Tanks (AST Program).
• Coordinates information and activities with other city and non-city agencies or departments.
• Conducts investigations of complaints or incidents involving hazardous materials.

4.    High-Rise Unit

Senior Fire Inspector Alan Major
Telephone: (310) 458-2254
E-mail: alan.major@smgov.net

• Inspections of all assigned high-rise buildings.
• Monitors testing of high-rise building fire and life safety systems.
• As necessary, witness tests of fire and life safety systems.
• Observes semi-annual and annual fire drills as needed.
• Assists high-rise management with development and maintenance of emergency evacuation plans.
• Provides technical assistance to building management and engineering staff.
• Inspections of Santa Monica Place (common area only) and all City owned and operated facilities, i.e. City Hall, Libraries, etc. not inspected by the Hazardous Materials Inspection Unit or Health Care/Assembly/Educational Unit.
• Inspects and tests complex fire alarm systems; fire sprinkler and standpipe systems; fire pumps; fixed fire extinguishing systems; smoke control systems; and clean agent systems to assure compliance with approved plans and national standards.
• Performs inspections of new businesses, as necessary.
• Assists Suppression and Rescue Division with inspections and Fire Prevention issues.
• Investigates complaints involving serious violations.
• Provides technical assistance to designers and contractors.
• Performs plan reviews of complex submittals as required.

5.    Health Care/Assembly/Educational Unit

Senior Fire Inspector Scott Waterman
Telephone: (310) 458-8668
E-mail: scott.waterman@smgov.net

• Inspects all licensed health care facilities
• Inspects the City Jail and Senior Centers.
• Inspects all Group E Occupancies.
• Inspects all Group A, Division 2.1 Occupancies.
• Inspects all residential care facilities licensed by Community Care.
• Observes monthly, semiannual or annual fire drills.
• Assists facility management with development and maintenance of emergency evacuation plans.
• Provides technical assistance to operators and administrators.
• Coordinates plan review and inspection activity with OSHPD and DSA.
• Administers Vacant Building/Nuisance Abatement Board activities.
• Performs plan review and testing of medical gas systems.
• Performs plan reviews as required.

6.    Residential Inspection Unit

Fire Inspector Jerry Renish
Telephone: (310) 458-8664
E-mail: jerry.renish@smgov.net.

Fire Inspector Brad Lomas
Telephone: (310) 458-8665
E-mail: brad.lomas@smgov.net

Fire Inspector Paul Radomski
Telephone: (310) 458-8663
E-mail: paul.radomski@smgov.net

• Inspects all non-high-rise hotels, motels, apartment and condominium buildings.
• Assists facility management with development and maintenance of emergency evacuation plans.
• Provides technical assistance to managers, owners and tenant groups.
• Performs plan reviews as required.

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This page was last modified on 07/30/2008