2007-2008 Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury Report Safety and Operational Concerns at Santa Clara County

Conclusions 4

• CL1 Page 4
  Lack of battery acid ventilation is in violation of the current fire code. Technical employees have not been trained on handling batteries safely.
• CL2 Page 4
  Ceiling water-based fire extinguishing systems are currently installed in areas where equipment needed to handle emergency calls could be damaged if the extinguishers are deployed.
• CL3 Page 4
  There are no wiring diagrams of the current network/switch room.
• CL4 Page 3
  The SCCCC is the communications focal point for multiple critical services in Santa Clara County. As such, it is essential that this facility remain operational at all times. The SCCCC has exposures in health and operational issues that need to be addressed to ensure continuity of the services it provides. An emergency at the center could result in significant outages that could have a devastating effect on County emergency communications. In addition, SCCCC organizational procedures and policies, and lack of documentation, have created an atmosphere that is less than efficient and could be hazardous to employees and an impediment to the services they provide. The SCCCC needs to develop strategies that will result in a safer, more efficient and cost-effective operation. 3 Findings and Recommendations Findings have been reviewed with the subject agency. Finding 1 Lack of battery acid ventilation is in violation of the current fire code. Technical employees have not been trained on handling batteries safely. Recommendation 1 Ensure that ventilation for batteries is completed immediately or that current batteries are replaced with sealed-type batteries. All technical staff should be trained on the proper handling of batteries. Finding 2 Ceiling water-based fire extinguishing systems are currently installed in areas where equipment needed to handle emergency calls could be damaged if the extinguishers are deployed. Recommendation 2 The Communications Center should install ceiling chemical-based fire extinguishing systems for the network/switch room facilities to avoid possible damage to critical electronic equipment if extinguishers are deployed. Finding 3 There are no wiring diagrams of the current network/switch room. Recommendation 3 The Communications Center should create a complete set of wiring diagrams to enable any network engineer to fully reconstruct the connections in case of emergency. In addition the wiring diagrams should be updated as changes are made, and copies should be stored both onsite and offsite. The location of the diagrams should be communicated to all SCCCC engineers and management to facilitate reestablishment of connectivity in case of disaster. 4 Key References Documents “Clean Agent Fire Protection,” PyroChem.com, http://www.pyrochem.com/html/prodfm200.htm ], (accessed: May 10, 2008). County of Santa Clara, Office of the Assistant Fire Marshall to Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury. Email, April 15, 2008. County of Santa Clara, Office of the Chief Communications Dispatcher to Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury. Email, May 1, 2008. County of Santa Clara, Office of the County Executive, Communications Department to Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury. Email, May 13, 2008. County of Santa Clara, Office of the Fire Marshall, Report: 2008 Annual Fire and Life Safety Inspection for County Communications at 2700 Carol Drive, San Jose, CA. May 5, 2008 Interviews March 28, 2008 County of Santa Clara Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance Manager April 14, 2008 County of Santa Clara Assistant Fire Marshall, Office of the Fire Marshall April 21, 2008 Communications Director, County of Santa Clara, Office of the County Executive, Communications Department April 21, 2008 Senior Management Analyst, County of Santa Clara, Office of the County Executive, Communications Department April 21, 2008 Assistant Communications Director, County of Santa Clara, Office of the County Executive, Communications Department April 21, 2008 Administrative Support Officer II, County of Santa Clara, Office of the County Executive, Communications Department April 21, 2008 Chief Communications Dispatcher, County of Santa Clara, Office of the County Executive, Communications Department April 21, 2008 Communications Engineer, County of Santa Clara, Office of the County Executive, Communications Department 5 PASSED and ADOPTED by the Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury on this 12th day of June, 2008. Raymond A. Blockie, Jr. Foreperson Tim Cuneo Foreperson pro tem Kathryn C. Philp Secretary 6

No Responses Found 1

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