IDAHO INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION

COMMISSIONERS

PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0041

(208) 334-6000 - FAX (208) 334-232!

l-SOO-950-2110
C.L. "BUTCH" OT'I'KR. GOVKRNOR

R, D. Maynard, Chairman
Thomas R. Limbaugh
Thomas P. Baskin
Mindy Montgomery, Director

March 18, 2015

Mayor Rebecca L. Noah Casper

Chief of Police Mark McBride

City of Idaho Falls

City of Idaho Falls

kmccullough(%idahofallsidaho.Rov

mmcbride(5)/idahofallsidaho.gov

Re: Health and Safety Issues at 650 N. Capital Avenue, Idaho Falls
Dear Mayor Casper and Chief McBride:
The Industrial Commission was contacted by Mr. Kent Granat, Chairman of the Idaho Falls
Citizens' Review Committee, who requested a safety inspection of the Idaho Falls Police

Department's central office located at 650 N. Capital Avenue, Idaho Falls, following the
Committee's February 20, 2015 tour of the facility. The Division of Building Safety completed
its inspection of the facility at the Commission's request, and a copy of its inspection report,
dated March 12, 2015, is enclosed.

Pursuant to IDAPA 17.10.01.007.02, please respond to the safety findings identified in the
facility inspection report within twenty (20) days of receipt of this report. Your response should
be sent to the Division of Building Safety, Industrial Safety Section, 1090 E. Watertower Street,
Suite 150, Meridian ID, 83642.
If you have any questions, please contact me at mindv.montgomery(%iic.idaho.gov , or Steve

Keys, Deputy Administrator of Operations at the Division of Building Safety,

steve.kevs(%dbs.idaho.gov. We appreciate your attention to these concerns and look forward to
your response.

Sincerity,

Mindy M.
Director

MJWbk
Enclosures
ec: Commissioners, IIC
Mr. Kent Granat, CRC Committee Chair, Idaho Falls

C. ICelly Pearce, Division Administrator, Division of Building Safety

Steve Keys, Deputy Administrator of Operations, Division of Building Safety

700 So. Clearwater Ln,, Boise, ID

Equal Opportunity Employer

State of Idaho

D I VISION OF BUILDING SAFETY

Building a Safer Idaho

1090 East Watcrto\\er Street Suiie 150

d-"BITCH" OTTER

Meridian. Idaho 83642

Main ^ l-SOO-955-3044
Fax?; 1-877-810-2840

Governor
C. Kdlv Pesn-cc
Administrator

(Jb:i,idaho.gov

Requested Facility Inspection

City of Idaho Falls Police Headquarters
March 12, 2015

On March 11,1 was contacted and informed that the Idaho Industrial Commission had requested that

a safety inspection be conducted at the City of Idaho Falls police headquarters located at 650 North
Capitol Avenue. On the 12 of March I met with the Idaho Falls fire marshal, Mr. Ken Anderson, and
asked him to accompany me in inspecting the facility. The Idaho Falls police department leases a

portion of the facility located at 650 North Capitol Avenue from Bonneville County.
The following is a list of safety discrepancies noted in the course of my inspection on this date:
1. The building requires approved address number visible from the street 4" min. per 505.1 of the

International Fire Code (IFC)

2. Fire extinguishers are required to have monthly quick checks per 061.60(b) ofthe Idaho
General Safety and Health Standards (IGSHS)
3. A 3-foot minimum clear space shall be maintained around the circumference of fire hydrants,
fire department inlet connections, and fire protection system control valves. The area around

the basement suppression system. IGSHS 060.05(b)

4. Fire alarm systems and components shall be inspected and tested annually by trained personnel.
IGSHS 064.12(a). The suppression system has not been inspected since 2002 (13 years out of

compliance). LIFE SAFETY CONCERN

5. The building is required to be maintained in a safe condition & shall be made safe. IGSPIS
030.08(b). On the day of inspection the fire marshal and I noticed a number of fire enunciators
had been removed from the facility Mr. Anderson indicated he had not been notified of any

change or removal of the fire panel or devices. LIFE SAFETY CONCERN

6. Eye wash stations capable of 15-minutes continuous water flow are required to be provided
where injurious chemical s/materials are used. IGSI-IS 031.03(s) The custodial closets and the
forensics lab require eye wash stations.
7. Rest rooms are required to be properly ventilated. IGSHS 080.23(a) The back hall men s and
both basement restroom fans are non-operational.

8. There is flexible electric extension cord being used on a permanent basis: Flexible extension
cords shall not be permitted as a substitute for fixed permanent electric wiring. IGSHS
150.05(d) There are a large number of extension cords being used on a fill! time basis at the

facility.
9. Electric power taps shall not be "daisy chained", "piggy backed", otherwise connected to one
another. IGSHS 150.06(a) Sica, patrol desk and the evidence room.
10. There is an ungrounded light duty extension cord in use: Only approved listed flexible
extension cords shall be permitted for use. IGSHS 150.05(a) Detectives work room and the
basement work out room.

11. Floors are required to be kept free of tripping hazards.070.06.a The patrol room and city
records room caipets need to be repaired or replaced.

12. Ventilation is required to be adequately provided for in all buildings and structures customarily
used by human beings. IGSHS 080.23(a) On the day of inspection there were numerous
employees complaining about the overwhelming smell of sewer gas in the facility.

13. Emergency lighting systems are required to be periodicity tested (monthly minimum). IGSHS
042.04(b) Less than 50% of emergency light fixtures were operational on the day of inspection.

14. The employer shall develop a chemical hygiene plan and have it available. IGSHS 111 ,04(a)
Highly recommend a hygiene plan for the forensics lab (safety equipment, inventory, M.S.D.S.,
storage requirements).

15. Portable electric heater does not shut off automatically when tipped; heating appliances shall
have tip over protection. IGSHS 060.04(r) Records room office.

16. Type III Household ladders, three (3) to six (6) feet for light duty use, such as light household
use (two-hundred (200)-pound maximum load limit). These ladders are not authorized for use

in the workplace. IGSHS 072.03 (a)(ui) Forensics lab

17. The building is required to be maintained in a safe condition & shall be made safe. IGSHS
030.08(b) The basement and first floor ceiling tiles and hard lid have a significant amount of
water damage; the ceiling lighting fixtures also show signs of possible water damage, (diffuser
stains) The staff spoke of times when buckets were used to catch water in the halls and offices.
18. The fire marshal asked numerous employees if they had participated in fire drills none
indicated they had ever heard a fire alarm Mr. Anderson will continue his investigation to
determine if any fire protection equipment has been removed or made inoperative.
The Idaho Falls fire marshal will be issuing his own report.

Russell Sidell
Industrial Safety Advisor
Division of Building Safety