(a) In the event of a seismic event, or other natural or manmade calamity that the department believes is of a magnitude so that it may have compromised the structural integrity of a hospital building, or any major system of a hospital building, the department shall send one or more authorized representatives to examine the structure or system. “System” for these purposes shall include, but not be limited to, the electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and fire and life safety system of the hospital building. If, in the opinion of the department, the structural integrity of the hospital building or any system has been compromised and damaged to a degree that the hospital building has been made unsafe to occupy, the department may cause to be placed on the hospital building either a red tag, a yellow tag, or a green tag.
(b) A “red” tag shall mean the hospital building is unsafe and shall be evacuated immediately. Access to red-tagged buildings shall be restricted to persons authorized by the department to enter.
(c) A “yellow” tag shall mean that the hospital building has been authorized for limited occupancy, and the authorized representative of the department shall write directly on the yellow tag that portion of the hospital building that may be entered with or without restriction and those portions that may not.
(d) A “green” tag shall mean the hospital building and all of its systems have been inspected by an authorized agent of the department, and have been found to be safe for use and occupancy.
(e) Any law enforcement or other public safety agency of this state shall grant access to hospital buildings by authorized representatives of the department upon the showing of appropriate credentials.
(f) For purposes of this section, “hospital building” includes the buildings referred to in paragraphs (2) and (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 129725.
(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 143, Sec. 326. (AB 133) Effective July 27, 2021.)