Learn About the Issue
Green Oaks Family Academy Elementary School Fire Protection Act (SB 575)
Structure Fires in Educational Properties (National Fire Protection Agency report, 2011)
San Mateo County Grand Jury Report (2008-2009)
Follow-up San Mateo County Grand Jury Report (2009)
Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury Report (2011)

Green Oaks Family Academy Elementary School Fire Protection Act (SB 575)
The Green Oaks Family Academy Elementary School Fire Protection Act (SB 575) requires automatic fire sprinkler systems and automatic fire alarm systems in public schools and became law on January 1, 2002.  Implementation began July 1, 2002.

SB 575 requires schools with new campuses or modernization projects costing more than $200,000 to install fire alarm systems directly connected to an approved supervising station.

While SB 575 applies to school construction approved by the California Division of State Architects (DSA) office after July 1, 2002, building and fire codes supporting SB 575 were not effective until January 2003.  

Therefore, only schools with construction approved after January 2003 are required to have automated alarm systems with direct connection to an approved supervising station. School construction approved prior to January 2003 is grandfathered under previous sections of the fire code. Schools with no new buildings fall under the earlier code and do not require a direct connection to an approved supervising station. The earlier code only required a staff member to be on campus during normal school hours to call “911” in the event of an emergency.

(For more information, please see the 2008-2009 San Mateo County Grand Jury Report below.)

Structure Fires in Educational Properties


(The original PDF of this report can be downloaded here.)

San Mateo County Grand Jury Report (2008-2009)


(The original PDF of this report can be downloaded here.)

Follow-up San Mateo County Grand Jury Report (2009)


(The original PDF of this report can be downloaded here.)

Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury Report (2011)


(The original PDF of this report can be downloaded here.)