San Mateo County Grand Jury • 2009-2010

Issue | Background | Findings | Conclusions | Recommendations | Responses | Attachments San Mateo County Public School

80 pages

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Findings and Recommendations 10 findings

Classification of school fire alarm systems… SSFUSD Response: Agrees

No recommendations for this finding

Schools with construction approved prior to January 2008… SSFUSD Response: Agrees

Related Recommendations (1)

The Boards of Trustees of the Cabrillo Unified and the La Honda-Pescadero Unified School Districts, which have schools under modernization construction, should ensure compliance with the 2007 California Fire Code. Definitions Automatic Fire Sprinkler System is an approved system of devices and equipment, which automatically detects a fire and discharges water onto or in the area of the fire. Automatic Fire Alarm System is a system, which automatically detects a fire condition and actuates fire alarm-signaling devices. Modernization means any modification of a permanent structure or construction of a new building on an existing campus. New Campus means a school project consisting of one or more buildings on a new site for which plans are submitted to the California Department State Architecture’s Office on or after July 1,

Manual alarm systems are allowed to exist in schools where there is no construction or until parts for repair to the fire system are no longer available. SSFUSD Response: N/A

No recommendations for this finding

All of the county’s large high school districts have automated systems with direct connections to alarm companies. SSFUSD Response: Agrees

No recommendations for this finding

Half Moon Bay High School has a manual system with no plans to upgrade. SSFUSD Response: N/A

No recommendations for this finding

Fifty percent of elementary and middle schools have automated systems with direct connections to alarm companies. Forty-five percent have either automated systems without direct connection to alarm companies or a manual system with plans in place to upgrade. SSFUSD Response: N/A

Related Recommendations (1)

The Boards of Trustees of the Ravenswood City Elementary, Millbrae Elementary, Bayshore Elementary, and San Mateo-Foster City Elementary School Districts, which have schools in the process of upgrading their fire alarm systems or planning to upgrade, should ensure compliance with the 2007 California Fire Code.

Schools with automated systems but no direct connection to an alarm company are only required to have the fire alarm panel in the school office manned during normal school hours. However, most schools host after-hours events, such as musical performances and sporting events, and not all schools man the fire alarm panel during these after-hours events. Risk of injury and death is increased during these functions if there is a significant delay in school personnel arriving at the fire panel to determine the location and severity in the event of a fire.

Related Recommendations (1)

The Boards of Trustees of the Pacifica, Las Lomitas Elementary, Belmont-Redwood Shores Elementary, Portola Valley Elementary, San Carlos Elementary, San Bruno Elementary, Hillsborough City Elementary, and San Mateo-Foster City Elementary School Districts have schools with automated alarm systems that do not have direct connections to alarm companies or local public safety agencies. These schools and school districts should review their policies and procedures to ensure the school’s fire alarm control panel is manned by appropriately trained personnel whenever school is in session, occupied, or hosting after-hours events. Additionally, these school districts should budget for upgraded fire alarm systems to provide direct connections to an alarm company or public safety agency for 24-hour, 365-day coverage.

Three schools in the Belmont-Redwood Shores District (Cipriani, Fox, and Central) and four schools in the Cabrillo Unified School District (Farallone View, El Granada, Hatch and Kings Mountain) are on manual pull fire alarm systems with no plans for upgrading or converting their fire alarm systems to automated or addressable systems. The fire alarm systems in these schools are technologically less advanced than those with automated alarms.

Related Recommendations (1)

The Boards of Trustees of the Belmont-Redwood Shores and Cabrillo Unified School Districts perform a feasibility study and provide, , plans for upgrading or converting their manual pull station fire alarm systems to automated systems.

Schools with manual systems or automated systems without direct connection to an off- site alarm company must rely upon neighbors or passers-by to contact “911” in the event of a fire that might occur during nights, weekends, or school holidays. Unoccupied, these schools assume greater risk of large-scale fire damage. 4

Related Recommendations (2)

F10

Annual costs for utilizing an off-site supervising station ranged from as little as $450 to $6,800 per year. Conclusions The 2008-2009 San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury concludes that:

No recommendations for this finding

Additional Recommendations 1

These recommendations are not explicitly linked to specific findings.

R5

If not an automatic alarm system, are there plans to upgrade the system? When? Are you aware of the potential availability of grants or other financial assistance to help fund the alarm system upgrades? If so, where would you go for assistance? Please return all forms no later than 9-30-08 to: Meredith Monica, Chairperson, Education Committee, San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury. In care of: Mas Chikasuye 400 County Center, 2nd Floor Redwood City, CA 94063 or Fax-650-363-4698 or e-mail [email protected] Thank you. 1 5 San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury Attachment 3 Public School Fire Alarm Survey Results 11/19/2008 AUTOMATIC DIRECT UPGRADE FIRE CONNECT PLANS ALARM TO ALARM DISTRICT NAME SCHOOL NAME SYSTEM COMPANY BAYSHORE ELEMENTARY BAYSHORE Y Y N/A BAYSHORE ELEMENTARY ROBERTSON N N Y BELMONT-REDWOOD SHORES ELEMENTARY CENTRAL N N N BELMONT-REDWOOD SHORES ELEMENTARY CIPRIANI N N N BELMONT-REDWOOD SHORES ELEMENTARY FOX N N N BELMONT-REDWOOD SHORES ELEMENTARY NESBIT Y Y N/A BELMONT-REDWOOD SHORES ELEMENTARY RALSTON Y N N/A BELMONT-REDWOOD SHORES ELEMENTARY SANDPIPER Y Y N/A BRISBANE ELEMETARY BRISBANE Y Y N/A BRISBANE ELEMETARY LIPMAN Y Y N/A BRISBANE ELEMETARY PANORAMA Y Y N/A BURLINGAME ELEMENTARY BURLINGAME Y Y N/A BURLINGAME ELEMENTARY FRANKLIN Y Y N/A BURLINGAME ELEMENTARY LINCOLN Y Y N/A BURLINGAME ELEMENTARY McKINLEY Y Y N/A BURLINGAME ELEMENTARY ROOSEVELT Y Y N/A BURLINGAME ELEMENTARY WASHINGTON Y Y N/A CABRILLO UNIFIED CUNHA N N Y CABRILLO UNIFIED EL GRANDA N N N CABRILLO UNIFIED FARALLONE VIEW N N N CABRILLO UNIFIED HALF MOON BAY HIGH N N N CABRILLO UNIFIED HATCH N N N CABRILLO UNIFIED KINGS MT N N N CABRILLO UNIFIED CABRILLO ADULT N N N CABRILLO UNIFIED PILARCITOS ALTERNATIVE HIGH N N N 1 6 San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury Public School Fire Alarm Survey Results 11/19/2008 AUTOMATIC DIRECT UPGRADE FIRE CONNECT PLANS ALARM TO ALARM DISTRICT NAME SCHOOL NAME SYSTEM COMPANY HILLSBOROUGH CITY ELEMENTARY BRIDGE Y Y N/A HILLSBOROUGH CITY ELEMENTARY CROCKER Y Y N/A HILLSBOROUGH CITY ELEMENTARY NORTH HILLSBOROUGH Y Y N/A HILLSBOROUGH CITY ELEMENTARY SOUTH HILLSBOROUGH Y Y N/A HILLSBOROUGH CITY ELEMENTARY WEST HILLSBOROUGH Y Y N/A JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY BENJAMIN FRANKLIN Y Y N/A JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY DANIEL WEBSTER Y Y N/A JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY FERNANDO RIVERA Y Y N/A JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT Y Y N/A JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY GARDEN VILLAGE Y Y N/A JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY GEORGE WASHINGTON Y Y N/A JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY JOHN F KENNEDY Y Y N/A JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY MARGARET PAULINE BROWN Y Y N/A JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY MARJORIE TOBIAS Y Y N/A JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY SUSAN B ANTHONY Y Y N/A JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY THOMAS EDISON Y Y N/A JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY THOMAS R POLLICITA Y Y N/A JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY WESTLAKE Y Y N/A JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY WOODROW WILSON Y Y N/A JEFFERSON UNION HIGH JEFFERSON Y Y N/A JEFFERSON UNION HIGH OCEANA Y Y N/A JEFFERSON UNION HIGH TERRA NOVA Y Y N/A JEFFERSON UNION HIGH WESTMOOR Y Y N/A JEFFERSON UNION HIGH JEFFERSON UNION ADULT ED Y Y N/A JEFFERSON UNION HIGH THORTON HIGH Y Y N/A 1 7 San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury Public School Fire Alarm Survey Results 11/19/2008 AUTOMATIC DIRECT UPGRADE FIRE CONNECT PLANS ALARM TO ALARM DISTRICT NAME SCHOOL NAME SYSTEM COMPANY LA HONDA-PESCADERO UNIFIED LA HONDA N N Y LA HONDA-PESCADERO UNIFIED PESCADERO ELM & MID Y Y N/A LA HONDA-PESCADERO UNIFIED PESCADERO HIGH N N Y LAS LOMITAS ELEMENTARY LA ENTRADA Y N N/A LAS LOMITAS ELEMENTARY LAS LOMITAS Y N N/A MENLO PARK CITY ELEMENTARY ENCINAL Y Y N/A MENLO PARK CITY ELEMENTARY HILLVIEW Y Y N/A MENLO PARK CITY ELEMENTARY LAUREL Y N N/A MENLO PARK CITY ELEMENTARY OAK KNOLL Y Y N/A MILLBRAE ELEMENTARY GREEN HILLS N N Y MILLBRAE ELEMENTARY LOMITA PARK N N Y MILLBRAE ELEMENTARY MEADOWS N N Y MILLBRAE ELEMENTARY SPRING VBALLEY N N Y MILLBRAE ELEMENTARY TAYLOR N N Y PACIFICA CABRILLO Y N N/A PACIFICA INGRID B LACY Y N N/A PACIFICA OCEAN SHORE Y N N/A PACIFICA ORTEGA Y N N/A PACIFICA SUNSET RIDGE Y N N/A PACIFICA VALLEMAR Y N N/A PACIFICA LINDA MAR ED. CENTER Y N N/A PORTOLA VALLEY ELEMENTARY CORTE MADERA Y N Y PORTOLA VALLEY ELEMENTARY ORMONDALE Y N Y RAVENSWOOD CITY ELEMENTARY BELLE HAVEN N N/A Y RAVENSWOOD CITY ELEMENTARY CHAVEZ N N/A Y RAVENSWOOD CITY ELEMENTARY COSTANO N N/A Y 1 8 San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury Public School Fire Alarm Survey Results 11/19/2008 AUTOMATIC DIRECT UPGRADE FIRE CONNECT PLANS ALARM TO ALARM DISTRICT NAME SCHOOL NAME SYSTEM COMPANY RAVENSWOOD CITY ELEMENTARY STANFORD NEW SCHOOL N N.A Y RAVENSWOOD CITY ELEMENTARY EAST PALO ALTO CHARTER N N/A Y RAVENSWOOD CITY ELEMENTARY EAST PALO ALTO ACADEMY HIGH N N/A Y RAVENSWOOD CITY ELEMENTARY BRENTWOOD OAKS N N/A Y RAVENSWOOD CITY ELEMENTARY JAMES FLOOD MAGNET N N/A Y RAVENSWOOD CITY ELEMENTARY GREEN OAKS Y Y N/A RAVENSWOOD CITY ELEMENTARY RONALD McNAIR N N/A Y RAVENSWOOD CITY ELEMENTARY WILLOW OAKS N N/A Y REDWOOD CITY ELEMENTARY ADELANTE SPANISH IMMERSION Y Y N/A REDWOOD CITY ELEMENTARY CLIFFORD Y Y N/A REDWOOD CITY ELEMENTARY FAIR OAKS Y Y Y REDWOOD CITY ELEMENTARY GARFIELD ELEMENTARY CHARTER Y Y N/A REDWOOD CITY ELEMENTARY HAWES Y Y N/A REDWOOD CITY ELEMENTARY HENRY FORD Y Y Y REDWOOD CITY ELEMENTARY HOOVER Y Y N/A REDWOOD CITY ELEMENTARY J F KENNEDY Y Y Y REDWOOD CITY ELEMENTARY JOHN GILL Y Y N/A REDWOOD CITY ELEMENTARY McKINLEY INSTITUTE OF TECH Y Y Y REDWOOD CITY ELEMENTARY NEWCOMER Y Y Y REDWOOD CITY ELEMENTARY NORTH STAR Y Y Y REDWOOD CITY ELEMENTARY ORION ALTERNATIVE Y Y N/A REDWOOD CITY ELEMENTARY ROOSEVELT Y Y N/A REDWOOD CITY ELEMENTARY ROY CLOUD Y Y N/A REDWOOD CITY ELEMENTARY SELBY LANE Y Y N/A REDWOOD CITY ELEMENTARY TAFT Y Y N/A 1 9 San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury Public School Fire Alarm Survey Results 11/19/2008 AUTOMATIC DIRECT UPGRADE FIRE CONNECT PLANS ALARM TO ALARM DISTRICT NAME SCHOOL NAME SYSTEM COMPANY SAN BRUNO PARK ELEMENTARY ALLEN Y N N/A SAN BRUNO PARK ELEMENTARY BELLE AIR Y N N/A SAN BRUNO PARK ELEMENTARY CRESTMOOR Y N N/A SAN BRUNO PARK ELEMENTARY EL CRYSTAL Y N N/A SAN BRUNO PARK ELEMENTARY JOHN MUIR Y N N/A SAN BRUNO PARK ELEMENTARY PARKSIDE Y N N/A SAN BRUNO PARK ELEMENTARY PORTOLA Y N N/A SAN BRUNO PARK ELEMENTARY ROLLINGWOOD Y N N/A SAN CARLOS ELEMENTARY ARUNDEL Y N N/A SAN CARLOS ELEMENTARY BRITTAN ACRES Y N N/A SAN CARLOS ELEMENTARY CENTRAL Y N N/A SAN CARLOS ELEMENTARY CHARTER LEARNING CTR Y N N/A SAN CARLOS ELEMENTARY HEATHER Y N N/A SAN CARLOS ELEMENTARY TIERRA LINDA Y N N/A SAN CARLOS ELEMENTARY WHITE OAKS Y N N/A SAN MATEO-FOSTER CITY ELEMENTARY ABBOTT Y N N/A SAN MATEO-FOSTER CITY ELEMENTARY AUDOBON Y N N/A SAN MATEO-FOSTER CITY ELEMENTARY THE BAYSIDE S.T.E.M. ACADEMY Y Y N/A SAN MATEO-FOSTER CITY ELEMENTARY BAYWOOD Y Y N/A SAN MATEO-FOSTER CITY ELEMENTARY BERESFORD Y N N/A SAN MATEO-FOSTER CITY ELEMENTARY BOREL Y N N/A SAN MATEO-FOSTER CITY ELEMENTARY BOWDITCH Y N N/A SAN MATEO-FOSTER CITY ELEMENTARY BREWER ISLAND Y N N/A SAN MATEO-FOSTER CITY ELEMENTARY COLLEGE PARK Y N N/A SAN MATEO-FOSTER CITY ELEMENTARY FIESTA GARDENS INT'L Y N N/A 2 0 San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury Public School Fire Alarm Survey Results 11/19/2008 AUTOMATIC DIRECT UPGRADE FIRE CONNECT PLANS ALARM TO ALARM DISTRICT NAME SCHOOL NAME SYSTEM COMPANY SAN MATEO-FOSTER CITY ELEMENTARY FOSTER CITY Y N N/A SAN MATEO-FOSTER CITY ELEMENTARY GEORGE HALL Y N N/A SAN MATEO-FOSTER CITY ELEMENTARY HIGHLANDS Y N N/A SAN MATEO-FOSTER CITY ELEMENTARY HORRALL Y N N/A SAN MATEO-FOSTER CITY ELEMENTARY LAUREL Y N N/A SAN MATEO-FOSTER CITY ELEMENTARY MEADOW HEIGHTS Y N N/A SAN MATEO-FOSTER CITY ELEMENTARY NORTH SHOREVIEW MONTESSORI Y N N/A SAN MATEO-FOSTER CITY ELEMENTARY PARKSIDE Y N N/A SAN MATEO-FOSTER CITY ELEMENTARY PARK Y N N/A SAN MATEO-FOSTER CITY ELEMENTARY SUNNYBRAE Y Y N/A SAN MATEO UNION HIGH ARAGON Y Y N/A SAN MATEO UNION HIGH BURLINGAME Y Y N/A SAN MATEO UNION HIGH CAPUCHINO Y Y N/A SAN MATEO UNION HIGH HILLSDALE Y Y N/A SAN MATEO UNION HIGH MILLS Y Y N/A SAN MATEO UNION HIGH SAN MATEO Y Y N/A SAN MATEO UNION HIGH PENNISULA N N N/A SEQUOIA UNION HIGH CARLMONT Y Y N/A SEQUOIA UNION HIGH MENLO-ATHERTON Y Y N/A SEQUOIA UNION HIGH SEQUOIA Y Y N/A SEQUOIA UNION HIGH SUMMIT PREPARATORY Y Y N/A SEQUOIA UNION HIGH WOODSIDE Y Y N/A SEQUOIA UNION HIGH REDWOOD HIGH Y Y N/A 2 1 San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury Public School Fire Alarm Survey Results 11/19/2008 AUTOMATIC DIRECT UPGRADE FIRE CONNECT PLANS ALARM TO ALARM DISTRICT NAME SCHOOL NAME SYSTEM COMPANY SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO UNIFIED ALTA LOMA Y Y N/A SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO UNIFIED BURI BURI Y Y N/A SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO UNIFIED EL CAMINO HIGH Y Y N/A SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO UNIFIED JUNIPERO SERRA Y Y N/A SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO UNIFIED LOS CERRITOS Y Y N/A SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO UNIFIED MARTIN Y Y N/A SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO UNIFIED MONTE VERDE Y Y N/A SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO UNIFIED PARKWAY HEIGHTS Y Y N/A SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO UNIFIED PONDEROSA Y Y N/A SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO UNIFIED SKYLINE Y Y N/A SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO UNIFIED SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO HIGH Y Y N/A SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO UNIFIED SPRUCE Y Y N/A SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO UNIFIED SUNSHINE GARDENS Y Y N/A SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO UNIFIED WESTBOROUGH Y Y N/A SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO UNIFIED SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO ADULT Y Y N/A SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO UNIFIED BADEN HIGH Y Y N/A WOODSIDE ELEMENTARY WOODSIDE Y Y N/A B risbane School District Board of Trustees Joseph Blank One Solano Street, Brisbane, Ca 94005 Diane Crampton Tel: 415-467-0550 Fax: 415-467-2914 Bob Dettmer Tom Ledda Ken Walker Building Thoughtful Citizens Superintendent Toni Presta March 11, 2009 Hon. George A. Miram Judge of the Superior Court Hall of Justice 400 County Center, 2nd Floor Redwood City, CA 94063-1655 Re: Response to San Mateo County Public School Fire Alarm Systems Report Dear Judge Miram, Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on the findings of the Grand Jury. This letter serves as response from the Brisbane School District to the recommendations found therein.

Conclusions 8

CL1 Page 4

The adequacy of the fire alarm systems in San Mateo County schools varies among the schools and school districts.
CL2 Page 4

Schools are responsible for installing and updating school safety systems to minimize the possibility of loss of life and/or property due to fires.
CL3 Page 4

All the schools have a fire alarm system that complies with the California State statutes in effect when the buildings were constructed. This is the case whether the school has a manual, addressable, or automated system.
CL4 Page 4

Schools with manual systems are at greater risk for injury or property damage due to fire because they do not provide the additional functionality of identifying the exact location of a fire. This increases the time needed for the fire department to arrive at the exact fire location.
CL5 Page 4

For a relatively low cost, an upgraded fire alarm system can provide direct connections to an alarm company or public safety agency for 24-hour, 365-day coverage.
CL6 Page 4

All the large high school districts and the majority of elementary schools have fire alarm systems with direct connections to alarm companies and are fully compliant with the codes governing schools with construction from 2008 forward.
CL7 Page 4

The Grand Jury commends the following schools and school districts for deploying state- of-the-art fire alarm systems in advance of requirement by the State Fire Code for the protection of students and public school property: Schools: School Districts: Bayshore Elementary School Brisbane Elementary Nesbit Elementary School Burlingame Elementary Pescadero High School Hillsborough City Elementary Sandpiper Elementary School Jefferson Elementary Jefferson Union High Menlo Park City Elementary Redwood City Elementary San Mateo Union High Sequoia Union High South San Francisco Unified Woodside Elementary 5
CL8 Page 5

Schools with automated alarm systems but without direct connection to an off-site alarm company have already made the major investment in the equipment and construction necessary for state-of-the-art fire protection. Without a direct connection to an alarm company, these schools are at risk from potential delays in summoning emergency assistance during school hours and, particularly, during after-hours school events. In addition, the likelihood of large-scale property damage is much greater in the event of a fire on a weekend, late night, or during a school vacation period, since there is no automatic link to emergency resources. A direct connection to an alarm company, for an incremental investment, would advance these schools to the level of protection specified in the 2007 California Fire Code.

No Responses Found 3

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.

Brisbane Elementary School District School District

San Mateo County County Superintendent of Schools Elected County Office

South San Francisco Unified School District School District