278 27th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121

The 12-unit, 3-story multi-family residential building at 278 27th Avenue, owned by Chung Wo Louie Survivors Trust, has undergone several significant improvements since its construction in 1961. Most notably, the building completed a mandatory soft-story retrofit in 2017, which included ground floor reinforcement, installation of shearwalls, and steel moment frames, demonstrating compliance with seismic safety requirements. Recent building improvements include a 2020 renovation that replaced sliding doors and windows, along with exterior siding upgrades, costing approximately $130,000.

The building's fire safety systems have required ongoing attention, with multiple violations recorded in recent years regarding alarm systems, exit maintenance, and fire escape conditions. A cluster of four violations was issued in October 2024, including issues with fire extinguishers, blocked exits, and alarm systems, though these were subsequently marked as abated. The property has a documented history of routine inspections and several corrective actions taken in response to violations.

In 2021, a blocked exit and alarm system issue was corrected, while a 2019 exit blockage violation was addressed. The building previously faced multiple fire safety compliance issues in 2003 and 2006, including problems with the fire escape drop ladder, central alarm system, and combustible storage. Historical complaints from 1994-1996 regarding plumbing issues were resolved, and the building's maintenance record shows regular attention to safety features such as handrails, which were updated in 2007 and 2008 to meet code requirements. The property has maintained its soft-story retrofit status as complete, with a Certificate of Final Completion issued, and shows ongoing commitment to address safety violations as they arise, though the frequency of fire-related violations suggests recurring maintenance needs in this area.