916-920 Clay St, San Francisco, CA 94108

The three-story, five-unit multi-family residential building at 916-920 Clay Street in Nob Hill, built in 1907 and owned by Simon Wu, has undergone several significant safety improvements and has faced various compliance challenges over the years. Most notably, there are recurring fire safety concerns, with multiple violations issued between 2020 and 2024 related to storage issues, sprinkler maintenance, extinguisher service requirements, and emergency lighting. Recent inspections in September 2024 resulted in new violations regarding storage in boiler, mechanical, and electric rooms, blocked exits, internal signs and fire equipment, and outdated extinguishers.

The building has a history of addressing major structural concerns, having completed a $62,000 seismic retrofit in 1995 and various safety improvements including grab bar installations in 2014. A series of violations in 2019 required attention to smoke detectors, fire escape maintenance, water heater strapping, and common area maintenance. The property has experienced various maintenance and safety inspections over the years, with a noteworthy series of fire code violation inspections between 2019 and 2024. Issues have included routine cockroach eradication (2006), smoke detector repairs (2006), and the replacement of a wall heater (2006).

Electrical system improvements were undertaken in 2010 with the addition of new outlets and sub-panel replacement. The building's fire safety systems have been a particular focus, with multiple violations related to extinguishers, sprinklers, and emergency lighting. Recent 311 calls in 2023-2024 show ongoing issues with parking enforcement and graffiti, though these are external to the building itself. While the property has resolved many past violations, as evidenced by "abated" status on numerous historical cases, the recurrence of fire safety violations suggests ongoing challenges with maintaining compliance in this critical area.