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Chapter 4 — SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE

Section 411 — SPECIAL AMUSEMENT AREAS

2025 California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2) · 2025 edition · updated 2026-07-29 · California

Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.

411.1 General.

Special amusement areas having an occupant load of 50 or more shall comply with the requirements for the appropriate Group A occupancy and Sections 411.1 through 411.6. Special amusement areas having an occupant load of less than 50 shall comply with the requirements for a Group B occupancy and Sections 411.1 through 411.6.

Exceptions:

  1. Special amusement areas that are without walls or a roof and constructed to prevent the accumulation of smoke are not required to comply with this section.

4-32 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE

on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE

  1. Puzzle rooms provided with a means of egress that is unlocked, readily identifiable and always available are not required to comply with this section.

[F] 411.2 Automatic sprinkler system. Buildings containing special amusement areas shall be equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1. Where the special amusement area is temporary, less than 180 days, the sprinkler water supply shall be of an approved temporary means determined by the authority having jurisdiction.

Exception: Automatic sprinklers are not required where the total floor area of a temporary, less than 180 days, special amusement area is less than 1,000 square feet (93 m [2] ) and the exit access travel distance from any point in the special amusement area to an exit is less than 50 feet (15 240 mm).

[F] 411.3 Detection and alarm systems. Buildings containing special amusement areas shall be equipped throughout with an automatic smoke detection system and an emergency voice/alarm communications system in accordance with Section 907. Presignal alarms and alarm activation shall comply with Sections 411.3.1 and 411.3.2. Emergency voice/alarm communications systems shall comply with Section 411.3.3.

[F] 411.3.1 Alarm presignal. Activation of any single smoke detector, the automatic sprinkler system or any other single automatic fire-detection device shall immediately initiate an audible and visible alarm at a constantly attended location at the special amusement area from which emergency action, including the manual requirements in Section 411.3.2, can be initiated.

[F] 411.3.2 Alarm activation. Activation of two or more smoke detectors, a single smoke detector equipped with an alarm verification feature, two or more other approved fire detection devices, the automatic sprinkler system, or a manual control located at the constantly attended station required by Section 411.3.1 shall automatically accomplish all of the following:

  1. Illumination of the means of egress with an illumination level not less than 1 footcandle (11 lux) at the walking surface level.
  2. Cessation of conflicting or confusing sounds and visual distractions.
  3. Activation of approved directional exit markings.
  4. Activation of a prerecorded message, audible throughout the special amusement area, instructing occupants to proceed to the nearest exit. Alarm signals used in conjunction with the prerecorded message shall produce a sound that is distinct from other sounds used during normal operation of the special amusement area.

[F] 411.3.3 Emergency voice/alarm communications system. An emergency voice/alarm communications system complying with Section 907.5.2.2 shall be installed in and audible throughout special amusement areas. The emergency voice/alarm communications system is allowed to also serve as a public address system.

[BE] 411.4 Exit marking. Exit signs shall be installed at the required exit or exit access doorways serving special amusement areas in accordance with this section and Section 1013. Approved directional exit markings shall be provided. Where mirrors, mazes or other designs disguise the path of egress travel such that the path of egress travel is not apparent, approved and listed low-level exit signs that comply with Section 1013.5, and directional path markings listed in accordance with UL 1994, shall be provided and located not more than 8 inches (203 mm) above the walking surface and on or near the path of egress travel. Such markings shall become visible in an emergency. The directional exit marking shall be activated by the automatic smoke detection system and the automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 411.3.2.

[BE] 411.4.1 Photoluminescent exit signs. Where photoluminescent exit signs are installed, such signs shall be listed and the activating light source and viewing distance shall be in accordance with the listing and markings on the signs.

411.5 Interior finish.

Interior wall and ceiling finish materials in special amusement areas shall meet the flame spread index and smoke-developed index requirements for Class A in accordance with Section 803.1.

411.6 Flammable decorative materials.

Flammable decorative materials shall comply with Section 806.

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▸ Contents — 2025 California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2)
2025 California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2)
  1. Chapter 1 — ADMINISTRATION
  2. Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS
  3. Chapter 3 — OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE
  4. ▸ Chapter 4 — SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY A…
    Overview
    1. Section 401 — SCOPE
    2. Section 402 — COVERED MALL AND OPEN MALL BUILDINGS
    3. Section 403 — HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS AND GROUP I-2 OCCUPANCIES HA…
    4. Section 404 — ATRIUMS
    5. Section 405 — UNDERGROUND BUILDINGS
    6. Section 406 — MOTOR-VEHICLE-RELATED OCCUPANCIES
    7. Section 407 — GROUP I-2
    8. Section 408 — GROUP I-3
    9. Section 409 — MOTION PICTURE PROJECTION ROOMS
    10. Section 410 — STAGES, PLATFORMS AND TECHNICAL PRODUCTION AREAS
    11. Section 411 — SPECIAL AMUSEMENT AREAS
    12. Section 412 — AIRCRAFT-RELATED OCCUPANCIES
    13. Section 413 — COMBUSTIBLE STORAGE
    14. Section 414 — HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
    15. Section 415 — GROUPS H-1, H-2, H-3, H-4 AND H-5
    16. Section 416 — SPRAY APPLICATION OF FLAMMABLE FINISHES
    17. Section 417 — DRYING ROOMS
    18. Section 418 — ORGANIC COATINGS
    19. Section 419 — ARTIFICIAL DECORATIVE VEGETATION
    20. Section 420 — GROUPS R-1, R-2, R-2.1, R-2.2, R-3, R-3.1 AND R-4
    21. Section 421 — HYDROGEN FUEL GAS ROOMS
    22. Section 422 — AMBULATORY CARE FACILITIES
    23. Section 423 — STORM SHELTERS
    24. Section 424 — PLAY STRUCTURES
    25. Section 425 — HYPERBARIC FACILITIES
    26. Section 427 — MEDICAL GAS SYSTEMS
    27. Section 435 — SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR LICENSED 24-HOUR CARE FAC…
    28. Section 436 — GROUP I-4 [SFM]
    29. Section 437 — RESERVED
    30. Section 438 — RESERVED
    31. Section 439 — ROAD TUNNELS, BRIDGES AND OTHER LIMITED-ACCESS H…
    32. Section 440 — HORSE RACING STABLES [SFM]
    33. Section 441 — PET KENNELS AND PET BOARDING FACILITIES [SFM]
    34. Section 442 — COMBUSTION ENGINES AND GAS TURBINES [SFM]
    35. Section 443 — FIXED GUIDEWAY TRANSIT AND PASSENGER RAIL SYSTEM…
    36. Section 444 — EXPLOSIVES [SFM]
    37. Section 445 — RESERVED
    38. Section 446 — WINERY CAVES [SFM]
    39. Section 447 — RESERVED
    40. Section 448 — RESERVED
    41. Section 449 — PUBLIC LIBRARIES [SL AND SFM]
    42. Section 450 — GROUP C [SFM]
    43. Section 451 — RESERVED
    44. Section 452 — SCHOOL FACILITIES FOR KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 12TH …
    45. Section 453 — GROUP L [SFM]
    46. Section 454 — RESERVED
    47. Section 455 — LARGE FAMILY DAY-CARE HOMES [SFM]
  5. Chapter 5 — GENERAL BUILDING HEIGHTS AND AREAS
  6. Chapter 6 — TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION
  7. Chapter 7 — FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
  8. Chapter 7A — MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION METHODS FOR EXTERIOR W…
  9. Chapter 8 — INTERIOR FINISHES
  10. Chapter 9 — FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS
  11. Chapter 10 — MEANS OF EGRESS
  12. Chapter 11 — RESERVED
  13. Chapter 11A — HOUSING ACCESSIBILITY
  14. Chapter 11B — ACCESSIBILITY TO PUBLIC BUILDINGS, PUBLIC ACCOMM…
  15. Chapter 12 — INTERIOR ENVIRONMENT
  16. Chapter 13 — ENERGY EFFICIENCY
  17. Chapter 14 — EXTERIOR WALLS
  18. Chapter 15 — ROOF ASSEMBLIES AND ROOFTOP STRUCTURES
  19. Chapter 16 — STRUCTURAL DESIGN
  20. Chapter 16A — STRUCTURAL DESIGN
  21. Chapter 17 — SPECIAL INSPECTIONS AND TESTS
  22. Chapter 17A — SPECIAL INSPECTIONS AND TESTS
  23. Chapter 18 — SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS
  24. Chapter 18A — SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS
  25. Chapter 19 — CONCRETE
  26. Chapter 19A — CONCRETE
  27. Chapter 20 — ALUMINUM
  28. Chapter 21 — MASONRY
  29. Chapter 21A — MASONRY
  30. Chapter 22 — STEEL
  31. Chapter 22A — STEEL
  32. Chapter 23 — WOOD
  33. Chapter 24 — GLASS AND GLAZING
  34. Chapter 25 — GYPSUM PANEL PRODUCTS AND PLASTER
  35. Chapter 26 — PLASTIC
  36. Chapter 27 — ELECTRICAL
  37. Chapter 28 — MECHANICAL SYSTEMS
  38. Chapter 29 — PLUMBING SYSTEMS
  39. Chapter 30 — ELEVATORS AND CONVEYING SYSTEMS
  40. Chapter 31 — SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION
  41. Chapter 31A — SYSTEMS FOR WINDOW CLEANING OR EXTERIOR BUILDING…
  42. Chapter 31B — PUBLIC POOLS
  43. Chapter 31C — RADIATION
  44. Chapter 31D — FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS
  45. Chapter 31F — MARINE OIL TERMINALS
  46. Chapter 32 — ENCROACHMENTS INTO THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
  47. Chapter 33 — SAFEGUARDS DURING CONSTRUCTION
  48. Chapter 34 — RESERVED
  49. Chapter 35 — REFERENCED STANDARDS
  50. Appendix A — EMPLOYEE QUALIFICATIONS
  51. Appendix B — BOARD OF APPEALS
  52. Appendix C — GROUP U—AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS
  53. Appendix D — FIRE DISTRICTS
  54. Appendix E — RESERVED
  55. Appendix F — RODENTPROOFING
  56. Appendix G — FLOOD-RESISTANT CONSTRUCTION
  57. Appendix H — SIGNS
  58. Appendix I — PATIO COVERS
  59. Appendix J — GRADING
  60. Appendix K — GROUP R-3 AND GROUP R-3.1 OCCUPANCIES PROTECTED B…
  61. Appendix L — EARTHQUAKE RECORDING INSTRUMENTATION
  62. Appendix M — TSUNAMI-GENERATED FLOOD HAZARDS
  63. Appendix N — REPLICABLE BUILDINGS
  64. Appendix O — PERFORMANCE-BASED APPLICATION
  65. Appendix P — SLEEPING LOFTS
  66. Appendix Q — EMERGENCY HOUSING

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