Berkeley Municipal Code Art. 5 Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems

Chapter 9 of the California Fire Code is partially adopted with adopted sections below. (Sections adopted by the State Fire Marshal remain unless modified below.)

CHAPTER 9 – FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS

SECTION 903 – AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

903.2.10.1 Commercial parking garages. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings used for storage of commercial motor vehicles where the fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet (464 m2).

903.2.11.1 Stories without openings. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout all buildings having stories, including basements, of all buildings where the floor area exceeds 1,500 square feet (139.4 m 2) and where the story does not comply with the following criteria for exterior wall openings:

1. Openings below grade that lead directly to ground level by an exterior stairway complying with Section 1011 or an outside ramp complying with Section 1012. Openings shall be located in each 50 linear feet (15 240 mm), or fraction thereof, of exterior wall in the story on not fewer than one side. The required openings shall be distributed such that the lineal distance between adjacent openings does not exceed 50 feet (15 240 mm).

2. Openings entirely above the adjoining ground level totaling not less than 20 square feet (1.86 m2) in each 50 linear feet (15 240 mm), or fraction thereof, of exterior wall in the story on not fewer than one side. The required openings shall be distributed such that the lineal distance between adjacent openings does not exceed 50 feet (15 240 mm) The height of the bottom of the clear opening shall not exceed 44 inches (1118 mm) measured from the floor.

903.2.11.2. Rubbish, recycling and linen chutes. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed at the top of rubbish, recycling and linen chutes and in their terminal rooms. Chutes shall have additional sprinkler heads installed at alternate floors and at the lowest intake. Where a rubbish chute extends through a building more than one floor below the lowest intake, the extension shall have sprinklers installed that are recessed from the drop area of the chute and protected from freezing in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1. Such sprinklers shall be installed at alternate floors, beginning with the second level below the last intake and ending with the floor above the discharge. Access to sprinklers in chutes shall be provided for servicing. Activation of any fire sprinkler in a chute shall activate a separate water flow switch to indicate waterflow in the chute. All fire sprinklers in the chute shall be controlled by a separate, electrically supervised control valve with a tamper switch.

903.2.22 Structures in the Berkeley Marina Area. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in all structures located in the Berkeley Marina Area in accordance with NFPA 13 standards.

Exceptions: Gear lockers not designed to permit human entry, municipal restrooms unattached to other structures, the existing City of Berkeley Harbor Master's office, and any temporary construction site structures.

903.2.23 Public Self-Storage Buildings. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in any building erected or existing that was converted and/or subdivided for public self-storage use on or after August 19, 1982, in accordance with NFPA 13 standards.

903.2.24 Environmental Safety - Residential District. Reserved

903.3.1.2 NFPA 13R sprinkler systems. Automatic sprinkler systems in Group R occupancies shall be permitted to be installed throughout in accordance with NFPA 13R as amended in Chapter 80 where the Group R occupancy meets all of the following conditions:

1. Four stories or less above grade plane.

2. For other than Group R-2 occupancies, the floor level of the highest story is 30 feet (9144mm) or less above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.

For Group R-2 occupancies, the roof assembly is less than 45 feet (13 716 mm) above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access. The height of the roof assembly shall be determined by measuring the distance from the lowest required fire vehicle access road surface adjacent to the building to the eave of the highest pitched roof, the intersection of the highest roof to the exterior wall, or the top of the highest parapet, whichever yields the greatest distance.

3. The floor level of the lowest story is 30 feet (9144mm) or less below the lowest level of fire department access.

The number or stores of Group R occupancies constructed in accordance with Sections 510.2 and 510.4 of the California Building Code shall be measured from grade plane.

Exception: Sprinkler systems in residential / commercial mix-use buildings are to be in accordance with NFPA 13.

903.3.10 Floor control valves. Floor control valves and waterflow detection assemblies shall be installed at each floor where any of the following occur:

1. Buildings where the floor level of the highest story is located more than 30 feet or more above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.

2. Buildings that are four three or more stories in height.

3. Buildings that are two or more stories below the highest level of fire department vehicle access.

Exception: In Group R-3 and R-3.1 occupancies, floor control valves and waterflow detection assemblies shall not be required.

903.4.3 Alarms. An approved audible and visual sprinkler waterflow alarm device, located on the exterior of the building in an approved location, shall be connected to each automatic sprinkler system. Such sprinkler waterflow alarm devices shall be activated by water flow equivalent to the flow of a single sprinkler of the smallest orifice size installed in the system. Where a waterflow switch is required by Section 903.4.1 to be electrically supervised, such sprinkler waterflow alarm devices shall be powered by a fire alarm control unit or, where provided, a fire alarm system. Where a fire alarm system is provided, actuation of the automatic sprinkler system shall actuate the building fire

single sprinkler of the smallest orifice size installed in the system. Where a waterflow switch is required by Section 903.4.1 to be electrically supervised, such sprinkler waterflow alarm devices shall be powered by a fire alarm control unit or, where provided, a fire alarm system. Where a fire alarm system is provided, actuation of the automatic sprinkler system shall actuate the building fire alarm system.

Exception: Automatic sprinkler systems protecting one- and two-family dwellings.

SECTION 907 – FIRE ALARM AND DETECTION SYSTEMS

907.1.6 Certification. New fire alarm systems shall be Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) certificated or placarded for Central Station Service Alarm Systems in accordance with NFPA 72, Chapter 26, Section 26.3. The NRTL shall be acceptable to the fire code official and capable of issuing serially numbered certificates or placards. A certificate of completion and other documentation as listed in NFPA 72 shall be provided for all new fire alarm system installations and stored in the document box onsite. It is the responsibility of the building owner or owner’s representative to obtain and maintain a current and valid NRTL issued certificate or placard for the life of the installed system(s).

Exceptions:

1. Fire warning and fire alarm systems in one- and two-family dwellings.

2. Fire alarm control units in which the primary function is to monitor an automatic sprinkler system or other dedicated function fire alarm system.

907.1.7 Fire Alarm System Monitoring. Fire alarm systems shall transmit distinctly different alarm, supervisory and trouble signals and shall be monitored in accordance with NFPA 72, Chapter 26, Section 26.3, Central Station Service Alarm Systems.

907.2 Where required—new buildings and structures. An approved fire alarm system installed in accordance with the provisions of this code and NFPA 72 shall be provided in new buildings and structures in accordance with Sections 907.2.1 through 907.2.29 and provide occupant notification in accordance with Section 907.5, unless other requirements are provided by another section of this code.

Not fewer than one manual fire alarm box shall be provided in an approved location to initiate a fire alarm signal for fire alarm systems employing automatic fire detectors or water-flow detection devices. Where an automatic and manual, or a manual fire alarm system is required by this code or Berkeley local ordinance, other sections of this code allow elimination of fire alarm boxes is prohibited. due to sprinklers or automatic fire alarm systems, a single fire alarm box shall be installed at a location approved by the enforcing agency.

Exceptions:

1. The manual fire alarm box is not required for fire alarm systems dedicated to elevator recall control and supervisory service and fire sprinkler monitoring.

2. The manual fire alarm box is not required for Group R-2 occupancies unless required by the fire code official to provide a means for fire watch personnel to initiate an alarm during a sprinkler system impairment event. Where provided, the manual fire alarm box shall not be located in an area that is open to the public.

3. The manual fire alarm box is not required to be installed when approved by the fire code official.

907.2.1 Group A. A manual fire alarm system that activates the occupant notification system in accordance with Section 907.5 shall be installed in Group A occupancies where the occupant load due to the assembly occupancy is 300 or more, or where the Group A occupant load is more than 100 persons above or below the lowest level of exit discharge. Group A occupancies not separated from one another in accordance with Section 707.3.10 of the California Building Code shall be considered as a single occupancy for the purposes of applying this section. Portions of Group E occupancies occupied for assembly purposes with an occupant load of less than 1000 shall be provided with a fire alarm system as required for the Group E occupancy.

Exceptions:

1. Manual fire alarm boxes are not required where the building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 and the occupant notification appliances will activate throughout the notification zones upon sprinkler water flow.

2. Manual fire alarm boxes and the associated occupant notification system or emergency voice/alarm communication system are not required for Group A-5 outdoor bleacher-type seating having an occupant load of greater than or equal to 300 and less than 15,000 occupants, provided that all of the following are met:

2.1. A public address system with standby power is provided.

2.2. Enclosed spaces attached to or within 5 feet (1524 mm) of the outdoor bleacher type seating compose, in the aggregate, a maximum of 10 percent of the overall area of the outdoor bleacher-type seating or 1,000 square feet (92.9 m2), whichever is less.

2.3. Enclosed accessory spaces under or attached to the outdoor bleacher-type seating shall be separated from the bleacher-type seating in accordance with Section 1030.1.1.1.

2.4. All means of egress from the bleacher-type seating are open to the outside.

3. Manual fire alarm boxes and the associated occupant notification system or emergency voice/alarm communication system are not required for temporary Group A-5 outdoor bleacher-type seating, provided that all of the following are met:

3.1. There are no enclosed spaces under or attached to the outdoor bleacher-type seating.

3.2. The bleacher-type seating is erected for a period of less than 180 days.

3.3. Evacuation of the bleacher-type seating is included in an approved fire safety plan.

*Every Group A building used for educational purposes shall be provided with a manual or automatic fire alarm system. This

. There are no enclosed spaces under or attached to the outdoor bleacher-type seating.~~

3.2. The bleacher-type seating is erected for a period of less than 180 days.

3.3. Evacuation of the bleacher-type seating is included in an approved fire safety plan.

Every Group A building used for educational purposes shall be provided with a manual or automatic fire alarm system. This provision shall apply to, but shall not necessarily be limited to, every community college and university.

Exception: Privately owned trade or vocational schools or any firm or company which provides educational facilities and instruction for its employees.

907.2.2 Group B. A manual fire alarm system, which activates the occupant notification system in accordance with Section 907.5, shall be installed in Group B occupancies where one of the following conditions exists:

1. The combined Group B occupant load of all floors is 500 or more.

2. The Group B occupant load is more than 100 persons above or below the lowest level of exit discharge.

3. The fire area contains an ambulatory care facility.

4. For Group B occupancies containing educational facilities, see Section 907.2.2.2.

Exception: Manual fire alarm boxes are not required where the building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 and the occupant notification appliances will activate throughout the notification zones upon sprinkler water flow.

907.2.4 Group F. A manual fire alarm system that activates the occupant notification system in accordance with Section 907.5 shall be installed in Group F occupancies where both of the following conditions exist:

1. The Group F occupancy is two or more stories in height.

2. The Group F occupancy has a combined occupant load of 500 or more above or below the lowest level of exit discharge.

Exception: Manual fire alarm boxes are not required where the building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 and the occupant notification appliances will activate throughout the notification zones upon sprinkler water flow.

907.2.7 Group M. Fire alarm system shall be required in Group M occupancies in accordance with Sections 907.2.7.1 and 907.2.7.2.

907.2.7.1 Occupant Load. A manual fire alarm system that activates the occupant notification system in accordance with Section 907.5 shall be installed in Group M occupancies where one of the following conditions exists:

1. The combined Group M occupant load of all floors is 500 or more persons.

2. The Group M occupant load is more than 100 persons above or below the lowest level of exit discharge.

Exceptions:

1. A manual fire alarm system is not required in covered or open mall buildings complying with Section 402 of the California Building Code.

2. Manual fire alarm boxes are not required where the building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 and the occupant notification appliances will automatically activate throughout the notification zones upon sprinkler water flow.

907.2.8.1 Manual fFire alarm system. A manual and automatic fire alarm system that activates the occupant notification system in accordance with Section 907.5 shall be installed in Group R-1 occupancies.Exceptions:

1. A manual fire alarm system is not required in buildings not more than two stories in height where all individual sleeping units and contiguous attic and crawl spaces to those units are separated from each other and public or common areas by not less than 1-hour fire partitions and each individual sleeping unit has an exit directly to a public way, egress court or yard.

2. Manual fire alarm boxes are not required throughout the building where all the following conditions are met:

2.1. The building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2.

2.2. The notification appliances will activate upon sprinkler water flow.

2.3. Not fewer than one manual fire alarm box is installed at an approved location.

907.2.8.2 Manual and Aautomatic fire alarm systemsmoke detection system. An A manual and automatic smoke detectionfire alarm system that activates the occupant notification system in accordance with Section 907.5 shall be installed throughout all interior corridors and common areas of Group R-1 occupancies. The detection device for this purpose shall be a smoke detector (or heat detector as approved), which is system connected and electronically supervisedserving sleeping units.

Exception: An automatic smoke detection system is not required in buildings that do not have interior corridors serving sleeping units and where each sleeping unit has a means of egress door opening directly to an exit or to an exterior exit access that leads directly to an exit.

907.2.9.1 Automatic and Mmanual fire alarm system. An automatic and manual fire alarm system that activates the occupant notification system in accordance with Section 907.5 shall be installed in Group R-2 occupancies where any of the following conditions apply:

1. The building is three or more stories in height and Any any dwelling unit or sleeping unit is located three or more stories above the lowest level of exit discharge.

2. Any dwelling unit or sleeping unit is located more than one story below the highest level of exit discharge of exits serving the dwelling unit or sleeping unit.

3. The building contains more than 16 dwelling units or sleeping units.

4. Congregate residences with more than 16 occupants.

Exceptions:

1. A fire alarm system is not required in buildings not more than two stories in height where all dwelling units or sleeping units and contiguo

story below the highest level of exit discharge of exits serving the dwelling unit or sleeping unit.

3. The building contains more than 16 dwelling units or sleeping units.

4. Congregate residences with more than 16 occupants.

Exceptions:

1. A fire alarm system is not required in buildings not more than two stories in height where all dwelling units or sleeping units and contiguous attic and crawl spaces are separated from each other and public or common areas by not less than 1-hour fire partitions and each dwelling unit or sleeping unit has an exit directly to a public way, egress court or yard.

2. Manual fire alarm boxes are not required where the building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2 and the occupant notification appliances will automatically activate throughout the notification zones upon a sprinkler water flow.

~~3.~~2. A fire alarm system is not required in buildings that do not have interior corridors serving dwelling units and are protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2, provided that dwelling units either have a means of egress door opening directly to an exterior exit access that leads directly to the exits or are served by open-ended corridors designed in accordance with Section 1027.6, Exception 3.

907.6.6 Monitoring. All Ffire alarm, detection, and communication systems required by this codechapter or by the California Building Code shall be monitored by an approved supervising station in accordance with NFPA 72, Chapter 26, Section 26.3, Central Station Service Alarm Systems, and this section.

907.7 Acceptance tests and completion. Upon completion of the installation, the fire alarm system and all fire alarm components shall be tested in accordance with NFPA 72. Fire alarm systems shall obtain a UL certificate for the system prior to final inspection.

Exceptions:

1. Fire warning and fire alarm systems in one- and two-family dwellings.

2. Fire alarm control units in which the primary function is to monitor an automatic sprinkler system or other dedicated function fire alarm system.

907.9 Where required in existing buildings and structures. An approved fire alarm system shall be provided in existing buildings and structures where required in Chapter 11.

907.9.1 Certification and monitoring. Certification per 907.1.6 and monitoring per 907.1.7 is required for an existing fire alarm system when one of the following is met:

1. When a fire alarm control unit is replaced, for any reason.

2. When there are multiple unwanted alarms and/or nuisance alarms that are repetitive and not corrected, as determined by the fire code official.

3. When the fire code official determines that the severity of life safety hazards or systems on the premises require certification of the fire alarm system.

(Ord. 7990-NS § 1, 2025)