FIRE PRE-INSPECTION - 14702 KATHY ST. WESTMINSTER
14702 Kathy St.
Fire Clearance Readiness Checklist
Use this tool during the September 10, 2026 fire pre-inspection to review the property room-by-room, door-by-door, alarm-by-alarm and evacuation-route-by-evacuation-route before the next official OCFA fire-clearance inspection.
DO NOT LABEL THE PROPERTY “READY” WHILE A CRITICAL ITEM REMAINS UNRESOLVED
This pre-inspection should evaluate the home as it will actually operate: furnished rooms, resident mobility equipment, normal locked-door conditions and the proposed ambulatory, non-ambulatory and bedridden resident configuration.
1. Verify Every Previously Cited Deficiency
These are specific deficiencies previously documented at this property.
Bedroom #5 Exterior Door — City Approval & Final Documentation
OCFA previously cited the exterior door added to Bedroom #5 and requested approved plans and paperwork from the City Building Department.
- Confirm a building permit was obtained for the added exterior door.
- Confirm required City inspections were completed.
- Confirm final approval/final inspection status.
- Confirm the finished installation matches the approved plan.
- Have permit documents and final approval available for review.
Photograph the permit, approved plan and final inspection documentation. Do not rely only on an application receipt or verbal statement that the permit exists.
Correct CO Alarm Coverage for Bedroom Hallways
The previous inspection specifically called for CO detection in the hallway serving Bedrooms #4–#5 and the hallway serving Bedrooms #1–#3.
- CO alarm present in hall serving Bedrooms #1, #2 and #3.
- CO alarm present in hall serving Bedrooms #4 and #5.
- Devices function.
- Required devices interconnect correctly.
- Hardwired with battery backup where required.
- Listed / approved device.
Do not automatically mount a CO alarm at five feet, near the floor or near the ceiling. CO alarms have model-specific mounting instructions. Verify the exact manufacturer instructions for every device.
If it is a combination Smoke/CO alarm, its location must also meet the smoke-alarm placement limitations.
Evacuation Maps Corrected
- Bedridden resident room.
- Non-ambulatory resident rooms.
- Correct direction of travel for each evacuation route.
- Exterior exits.
- How occupants identify the fire alarm.
- “In case of emergency, dial 9-1-1.”
Stand in each resident bedroom and physically follow the route shown on the posted map. The arrows should correspond to the actual route being relied upon for that resident.
Exit Door Locks — Single-Action Correction
The previous property-specific inspection instructed that exit door locks be replaced so they operate as a single action.
- No key required from the egress side.
- No tool required.
- No unusual sequence or special knowledge.
- No prohibited manual slide bolt.
- No prohibited flush bolt.
- No padlock obstructing required egress.
- Door releases during normal opening operation.
Because this property has already been specifically cited regarding its locking arrangement, treat the prior correction as the target configuration rather than attempting to rely on a less protective arrangement.
2. Occupant Configuration & Furnished-Room Review
Inspect the home as it will actually operate after residents move in.
Floor Plan Matches Proposed Resident Use
- Every room and its intended use.
- All resident bedrooms.
- Resident count per bedroom.
- Ambulatory status.
- Exterior exits.
- Door clear widths.
- Client hallway widths.
- Smoke alarm locations.
- CO alarm locations.
- Exit routes to the public way.
- Gate opening widths.
Bedrooms Furnished for Intended Capacity
- All planned beds.
- Dressers.
- Nightstands.
- Resident storage.
- Chairs.
- Wheelchairs.
- Walkers.
- Other expected mobility equipment.
The usable evacuation route should remain available after the resident and normal furniture are actually in place.
Wheelchair / Emergency Gurney Maneuverability
Move an actual wheelchair through each route used by a non-ambulatory resident.
- Bedroom doorway.
- Hallway.
- Turns.
- Common area.
- Exterior door.
- Landing.
- Ramp if present.
- Side yard.
- Gate.
- Public way.
Also consider whether emergency personnel could reasonably maneuver a stretcher/gurney through the same physical path.
3. Client Bedroom Configuration Matrix
Record the actual resident status, capacity and evacuation configuration.
| Room | Resident Status | # Residents | Exit Configuration | Clear Exit Width | Notes |
|---|
4. Smoke Alarms — Coverage, Placement & Testing
Review the entire habitable portion of the home, not only resident bedrooms.
Required Habitable Areas Have Smoke Alarms
- Every bedroom.
- Living room.
- Dining room.
- Hallways.
- Foyer / entry areas as applicable.
- Basement if applicable.
- Other similar habitable spaces.
Do not install ordinary smoke alarms directly in kitchens, bathrooms, closets or garages unless a specifically applicable listed design requires otherwise.
Correct Alarm Type & System Configuration
- Properly listed smoke alarm.
- California State Fire Marshal approved/listed.
- Hardwired where required.
- Battery backup present.
- Required smoke alarms interconnected.
- Activation of one causes interconnected alarms to sound.
- Alarm audible throughout sleeping areas.
- Replace failed devices.
- Replace devices beyond permitted service life.
- Replace where device age/date cannot be verified if required.
If replacing equipment, use current-production listed devices from a major manufacturer. Near cooking areas, use an appropriately listed nuisance-resistant/photoelectric alarm where permitted by the actual installation conditions.
Smoke Alarm Ceiling / Wall Position
- Always follow the exact manufacturer's instructions for the model.
- Ceiling mounting is generally preferred where allowed.
- Near the center of a flat ceiling is preferable where practical.
- Avoid the dead-air area at the exact wall/ceiling corner.
- A commonly used installation guideline for ceiling-mounted alarms is at least 4 inches from the wall.
- When the manufacturer permits wall mounting, many models place the top of the alarm approximately 4 to 12 inches below the ceiling.
Do not use “6 inches from the wall” as a universal rule. The listing and manufacturer's instructions for the actual device control its permitted mounting position.
Distance From Cooking Appliances
Do not place a normal smoke alarm within the applicable cooking-appliance exclusion area unless the device is specifically listed for the closer location.
Where applicable, use appropriate nuisance-resistant detection technology or an approved alarm-silencing feature.
If a sleeping-area hallway is close to the kitchen, do not simply remove the required alarm. Use an appropriately listed alarm type and position it according to the device instructions and applicable separation requirements.
Steam / HVAC / Ceiling-Fan Interference
- Avoid direct forced-air supply airflow.
- Avoid strong drafts from windows or exterior doors.
- Avoid steam-heavy placement adjacent to a tub/shower bathroom.
- Maintain appropriate separation from ceiling fan blade tips.
- Follow the exact alarm listing if the physical room configuration prevents standard separation.
Full Interconnection & Audibility Test
- Close all bedroom doors.
- Activate one smoke alarm using its test function.
- Verify required interconnected alarms sound.
- Stand in each sleeping room with its door closed.
- Confirm the alarm is clearly audible.
- Test additional alarms if any device or area is questionable.
5. Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Correct Required Locations
- In the area leading to each separate sleeping area.
- On each occupiable level where required.
- In bedrooms where a fireplace or fuel-burning appliance triggers an additional bedroom-location requirement.
Carbon monoxide does not require one universal mounting height. The manufacturer may permit wall, ceiling or plug-in installation depending on the listed product.
CO Device Specifications & Interconnection
- Residential CO alarm properly listed.
- California approved/listed where required.
- Hardwired where required.
- Battery backup where required.
- Required CO devices interconnected.
- No fault indication.
- No end-of-life warning.
Keep the device unobstructed and follow manufacturer separation instructions from furnaces, fireplaces, water heaters, vents, windows and exterior doors.
Perform CO Alarm Test
- Use the manufacturer's Test/Reset function.
- Verify the device completes its normal test sequence.
- Verify required interconnected devices respond.
- Check for trouble or end-of-life indications.
6. General Exits, Hallways & Path to the Street
Two Remotely Located Approved Exits
Confirm the dwelling has at least two approved exit routes that are remotely located from one another.
Measure the Actual Clear Door Opening
- Minimum clear opening: 32 inches.
- Measure with the door open to 90 degrees.
- Client-serving exterior exit height: 6 feet 8 inches.
- Sliding doors must provide the required unobstructed clear opening.
Measure the actual usable space between the face of the opened door and the opposite stop/frame. Do not use the nominal advertised door size.
Client Hallways Maintain Required Width
Measure the narrowest usable hallway location after furniture and equipment are in their intended positions.
Target minimum: 36 inches in client-serving hallways.
Where practical, maintain more than the exact minimum so moved furniture, carts or mobility equipment do not reduce the effective evacuation width.
Exit Path Clear All the Way to the Public Way
- No furniture in the required route.
- No stored wheelchair blocking the route.
- No boxes or facility supplies.
- No trash cans obstructing side-yard travel.
- No patio furniture narrowing the path.
- No inaccessible locked gate.
- No vehicle blocking the route.
- Measure the narrowest exterior portion.
Common-Area Egress Route
- Review how many intervening spaces are crossed before reaching the exterior.
- Do not rely on a required egress path through a storeroom.
- Do not rely on a required egress path through a closet.
- Do not rely on a required egress path through the garage.
- Review separated-kitchen conditions carefully.
7. Non-Ambulatory Client Bedroom Exiting
Each Non-Ambulatory Bedroom Has an Accepted Exit Configuration
- Bedroom → Exterior.
- Bedroom → Adjacent Bedroom → Exterior.
- Bedroom → Hallway → Exterior.
- Bedroom → Hallway → Another Client Bedroom → Exterior.
When the home layout allows it, direct bedroom-to-exterior exiting minimizes turns and intervening rooms and creates the simplest evacuation route.
Hallway Separation Where Hallway Is Part of Resident Egress
- Review required separation from living, dining, kitchen, foyer and similar areas.
- Required separation doorway uses appropriate solid-door construction.
- Verify minimum 1-3/8 inch solid wood construction where required.
- Verify self-closing or smoke-activated automatic-closing function.
Open the door fully and release it. Confirm it closes completely rather than stopping before the closed position.
8. Bedridden Client Bedroom
Perform a separate mini-inspection of the proposed bedridden bedroom.
Bedridden Room Located on First Story
Confirm the proposed bedridden client's sleeping room is on the first story.
Unsprinklered Bedridden Configuration
- Confirm permitted number of bedridden clients.
- Direct exterior exit available where required.
- Exterior exit provides at least 32 inches clear width.
- Required interior and exterior operation of the exterior door.
Bedridden Room Door Construction
- Required solid wood door construction verified.
- Verify 1-3/8 inch solid wood where applicable.
- Required smoke gasketing installed.
- Door self-closes or automatically closes as required.
No Problematic Locking Hardware on Interior Bedroom Door
Review the interior door for deadbolts, night latches, security chains or similar hardware that could conflict with the required bedridden-room arrangement.
Bed-to-Exterior Evacuation Simulation
Evaluate whether caregivers could evacuate a resident who provides no physical assistance without first moving furniture or stored equipment.
9. Fire Sprinkler Status
Determine Whether the Home Is Sprinklered
- Number of bedridden clients.
- Location of non-ambulatory residents by story.
- Whether any client rooms are proposed on upper floors.
If the home has sprinklers, visually check for painted, covered, damaged or obviously obstructed sprinkler heads. Formal testing, repairs and system modifications should be performed by qualified fire-protection personnel.
10. Emergency Escape / Rescue Openings
Bedroom Rescue Openings Are Operable
- Opening actually opens.
- No key required from inside.
- No tool required.
- No special knowledge required.
- No furniture blocks operation.
- Exterior remains accessible to firefighters.
- Bars / grilles release appropriately where present.
Physically open every applicable rescue window/opening fully rather than visually assuming it works.
11. Attached Garage / Dwelling Separation
Garage-to-Dwelling Door
- Door in good condition.
- Door self-closes.
- Door positively latches.
- Required solid wood / steel / rated construction verified.
- Smoke gasket where applicable.
Open the door fully and release it. Confirm the closer brings it fully closed and that it positively latches.
No Unapproved Openings in Garage Separation
- No dog door.
- No improper window/opening into a sleeping room.
- No unsealed penetration.
- No unapproved garage living/sleeping use.
12. Fire Extinguisher
Correct Extinguisher & Mounting
- Minimum 2A:10B:C rating.
- Wall mounted.
- Visible.
- Readily accessible.
- Top no more than five feet above floor.
- Bottom at least four inches above floor.
- Current annual service tag or acceptable recent purchase proof.
- No obvious damage or discharge.
13. Water Heater & Other Ignition Sources
Combustible Storage Cleared
Maintain required combustible clearances around the water heater, furnace and other ignition sources based on the equipment and its listed installation requirements.
Avoid using the immediate water-heater or furnace area as general facility storage even where an item appears to technically fit.
14. Thresholds, Elevation Changes, Ramps & Stairs
Thresholds & Floor Elevation Changes
- Review small changes in level for required beveling.
- Review larger changes in elevation for required ramp treatment.
Evaluate the new exterior door threshold, exterior landing and grade. A 32-inch-wide door is not practically useful for a non-ambulatory evacuation if a wheelchair cannot safely cross the threshold or landing.
Existing Stairs — If Applicable
- Check rise.
- Check tread/run.
- Check usable stair width.
- Identify spiral or winding stair conditions.
15. Address Identification
14702 Clearly Visible From the Street
- Minimum four-inch-high numbers.
- Strong contrast against background.
- Attached to the structure.
- Clearly visible from street approach.
16. Inspector-Ready Document Packet
Updated Fire Clearance / Licensing Documentation Available
Updated Site Plan Available
Updated Floor Plan Available
Bedroom #5 City Permit / Final Approval Documents Available
Fire Extinguisher Service / Purchase Documentation Available
Smoke & CO Alarm Manufacturer / Model Information Available
Photograph the model labels. Keep the installation manual for each alarm model available so placement, mounting method, power source and replacement age can be verified.
Current Evacuation Maps Printed & Posted
17. Conduct a Full Mock Fire Inspection Before Leaving
Lock Every Exit as It Would Normally Be Locked
Start from inside and verify the required door and gate can be opened without a prohibited key, tool or sequence.
Activate Smoke Alarm & Verify Whole-Home Response
Test CO Alarm System
Walk Every Client Evacuation Route
Repeat Non-Ambulatory Route With a Wheelchair
Evaluate Bedridden Evacuation From Bed to Exterior
Photograph Critical Measurements & Corrections
18. Client Action Summary
Record corrections that should be completed before the next official fire-clearance inspection.
19. Pre-Inspection Review
Important Scope Notice
This is an RCCS fire pre-inspection and readiness tool designed to identify previously cited deficiencies and commonly applicable fire/life-safety conditions before an official fire-clearance inspection.
It does not constitute fire clearance, building approval, engineering approval or a guarantee of approval by OCFA, the City or another authority having jurisdiction.
Property-specific items are based on the prior OCFA inspection notice for 14702 Kathy St. General fire-clearance items are based on the supplied OCFA residential care guidelines. Additional installation recommendations for alarms should always be checked against the exact manufacturer's listed instructions for the installed device.