Recently there have been several emergencies at Park Blvd West where having a key on file for unit access would have been very beneficial and prevented additional damage to the unit(s). For example we just had a two unit flood where both parties were out of town and a locksmith had to be called out to unlock the door, this elapsed time waiting for access prevented Management from mitigating a tremendous amount of damage during this emergency. Management recently emailed owners an emergency key form, where you can opt in or out of having an emergency key on file in the management office. This helps in emergency situations like fire, flood or service when you are not at your unit or out of town for an extended period of time. Because of some of the issues we encountered with not having a key on file, we are sending this notice out to give residents the opportunity to provide a key to Management in case of emergency in your unit. Please contact Management if you have any questions or concerns about this authorization or need a new form.

Below is some of the current/updated building code information from the state of California as it pertains to smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. This is helpful information to make sure you are currently protected in your home in case of a fire or carbon monoxide emergency.

July 1, 2014

Smoke alarms or combination alarms (smoke and carbon monoxide) that are replaced because they are inoperable, must be replaced with a new model that contains the non-replaceable, non-removable battery that will last 10 years. One exception: If an older model smoke alarm device is already in the inventory of an owner, managing agent, contractor, wholesaler, or retailer, on or before July 1, 2014, this older model may be installed up until July 1, 2015.

January 1, 2015

Battery operated smoke alarms units installed after this date must comply with the following:

• Date of manufacture displayed

• Date of installation displayed

• Incorporate a hush feature

• Contain a non-removable 10-year battery

 

 January 1, 2016

Additional alarms must be installed, as needed, to ensure compliance with the current building standards. Currently, the California Building Code requires:

• One smoke alarm on each story and in the basement.

• One smoke alarm in each bedroom.

• An additional alarm in each hallway and/or stairway that leads directly to the sleeping areas.

 

A violation of this section is an infraction punishable by a maximum fine of two hundred dollars ($200).

 Safety tips for your maintenance checklist:

• Replace battery operated and hardwired units every 10 years. Smoke alarms don’t last forever.
• Inspect, test and clean smoke alarms at least once every year. Test not only the battery, but also with canned smoke to insure the device is operable.
• Never paint over a smoke alarm.
• In addition to knowing your local building code, read the manufacturer’s instructions for placement recommendations.
• To reduce your liability as a Property Manager, consider hiring a contractor for installation and maintenance issues relating to smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms.

SDGE made the necessary repairs today 1/6/17 around 12:00pm and the power to the building has been turned back on. For future power outages, please refer to a list of things below you can expect when the power is out and information on how to enter and exit the building.

1) The elevators will no longer work, you will need to take the stairs either out of the building or to the garage. Please check the emergency escape information located by each elevator to ensure you know where the closest stairwell/exit is.

2) If it is dark, take a flash lite or cell phone with you in case you cannot find your way out of the building when it is pitch black. If the outage is during the overnight security hours you can contact them for an escort 619-846-7049.

3) When there is a power outage, the buildings hall/stairwell lights and fob system will only work for roughly 90 minutes, if the outage is longer than that, you will need to enter through the garage entrances (which will pop open when the power is off) and/or in to the stairwell to access your unit. You will need to have a common area key if the power is out for extended periods, as the elevators and fobbed entrances will not work until they are reset. If you do not have a common area key please contact Management at your earliest convenience to obtain one.

4) Keep the refrigerator closed and unplug appliances if possible. The boiler and booster pumps will also not operate and will take a couple hours after the power comes back on for the hot water to circulate throughout the building.

If you did not receive email updates throughout the day, please contact management at rpreston@actionlife.com to be added to the email distribution list.