What is San Francisco Fire Code Section 409 – And How Can You Stay Compliant?
Fire safety isn't just about equipment—it's about awareness. San Francisco Fire Code Section 409 was enacted to ensure residents in multi-unit buildings are informed and prepared in the event of a fire.
If you own or manage a residential building with three or more dwelling units, you’re legally required to disclose detailed fire safety information to residents—not just once, but annually.
What Does Section 409 Require?
Section 409 of the SF Fire Code mandates that building owners or property managers:
Provide both written and oral fire safety information to each resident before they begin occupancy.
Redistribute updated fire safety information every year by January 31.
Include:
Locations of fire alarms, extinguishers, and exits
Testing dates for smoke alarms and fire alarm systems
Information on how to check alarms
Fire safety resources and training links
A contact for reporting suspected violations
Maintain a record of compliance for at least two years.
Failing to meet these requirements may result in citations—and more importantly, puts resident safety at risk.
How CFP Makes SF 409 Compliance Seamless
At Commercial Fire Protection (CFP), we’ve developed a technology-forward solution to help property owners and managers meet—and exceed—409 compliance. Powered by our proprietary platform, FireCloud, we make fire safety communication easy, trackable, and reliable.
Here’s how:
Custom Fire Safety Maps (per required, see sample here): For every apartment unit, we create a detailed, property-specific fire safety map that includes locations of alarms, extinguishers, exits, and more.
Automated Distribution: FireCloud distributes this information at move-in and again every January, meeting all SF 409 requirements.
Proof of Performance: We maintain all distribution records for over two years, giving you immediate access to compliance documentation anytime.
Multilingual Support: We deliver notices in the language of the resident’s choice—including English, Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, and more—ensuring accessibility for all.
With CFP and FireCloud, compliance doesn’t have to be manual or stressful. We make it easy for you to focus on what matters most: keeping your residents safe and informed.
