4971-4973 17th St, San Francisco, CA 94117

The two-unit residential building at 4971-4973 17th Street in the Parnassus/Ashbury Heights neighborhood, owned by Henry S. Kwan and Vicky L., has undergone several significant modifications since its construction in 1974. Most notably, the property has implemented comprehensive fire safety upgrades in recent years, including the installation of a new sprinkler system in 2020 (with 26 heads and 2" underground service) costing $20,500, and a complete fire alarm system that year featuring advanced components such as smoke detectors, pull stations, and strobe lights.

The building has also seen substantial infrastructure improvements, including a 400-amp electrical meter service upgrade in 2021 with three unit meters and one house meter, and the legalization of the second-floor unit in 2016 which involved kitchen installation, lighting upgrades, and hydronic heating system improvements, totaling $70,000. More recent developments show continued attention to building systems, including a hydronic fan coil system installation for unit 4971 in 2022. The property has experienced periodic issues with blocked driveways, as evidenced by multiple parking enforcement calls in 2024, though these are external to the building itself.

A series of four false alarm/events related to the fire alarm system have been recorded, though no actual fires or civilian injuries have occurred. The building underwent a roof replacement in 2018 and attempted to add a fourth unit in 2019, though this permit was withdrawn. All major systems upgrades appear to have been completed successfully, with permits showing proper finalization of the work. The property has maintained compliance with local regulations, as evidenced by the successful legalization process completed in 2016.