Section 604 Inspection

San Francisco Department of Building Inspections Sec. 604 requires all metal and wooden appendages of a building with 3 or more residential units, including elevated walkways, balconies, stairway systems, fire escapes, and exit corridors, to be inspected every 5 years.

Section. 604. Structural Maintenance: (a) Affidavit Required. All wood and metal decks, balconies, landings, exit corridors, stairway systems, guard rails, handrails, fire escapes, or any part thereof in weather-exposed areas of apartment buildings and hotels shall be inspected by a licensed general contractor, or a structural pest control licensee, or a licensed professional architect or engineer, verifying that the exit system, corridor, balcony, deck or any part thereof is in general safe condition, in adequate working order, and free from hazardous dry rot, fungus, deterioration, decay, or improper alteration. Property owners shall provide proof of compliance with this section by submitting an affidavit form (provided by the Department) signed by the responsible inspector to the Housing Inspection Services Division every five years. For purposes of this section, weather-exposed areas mean those areas which are not interior building areas.

Section 604 of the San Francisco Housing Code mandates a distinct inspection requirement, separate from CA-SB721. This regulation necessitates that apartment houses, buildings with three or more dwellings, and hotels with six or more guest rooms undergo a comprehensive inspection of all building appendages every five (5) years. Inspections are to be conducted by licensed General Contractors, Engineers, or Pest Controllers.
During the Section 604 inspection, a visual assessment of wood and metal decks, balconies, landings, exit corridors, stairway systems, guardrails, handrails, fire escapes, and other components exposed to weather is performed. The objective is to verify that all systems are generally safe, in good working order, and devoid of hazardous dry rot, fungus, and deterioration.
It's important to note that compliance with CA-SB721 or CA-SB326 does not exempt one from complying with Section 604. This is because SB721 does not cover fire escapes and metal appendages, which are included in Section 604.
As part of our service, Great Escape Inspection LLC will submit the completed and signed.
Compliance Affidavit to San Francisco Building Department as well as sending a copy to the client.