420 Groups R-1, R-2, R-2.1, R-2.2, R-3, R-3.1 and R-4 — 2025 California Building Code

Occupancies in Groups R-1, R-2, R-2.1, R-2.2, R-3, R-3.1 and R-4 shall comply with the provisions of Sections 420.1 through 420.11 and other applicable provisions of this code.

Walls separating dwelling units in the same building, walls separating sleeping units in the same building, walls separating dwelling units from sleeping units in the same building and walls separating dwelling or sleeping units from other occupancies contiguous to them in the same building shall be constructed as fire partitions in accordance with Section 708.

Floor assemblies separating dwelling units in the same buildings, floor assemblies separating sleeping units in the same building, floor assemblies separating dwelling units from sleeping units in the same building and floor assemblies separating dwelling or sleeping units from other occupancies contiguous to them in the same building shall be constructed as horizontal assemblies in accordance with Section 711.

[F] 420.4 Automatic sprinkler system. Group R occupancies shall be equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.2.8. Group R-2.2 shall be equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1. Group R-2.1 occupancies shall be equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.2.6. Quick-response or residential automatic sprinklers shall be installed in accordance with Section 903.3.2.

[F] 420.5 Fire alarm systems and smoke alarms. Fire alarm systems and smoke alarms shall be provided in Group R-1, R-2 and R-2.1 occupancies in accordance with Sections 907.2.6, 907.2.8 and 907.2.9 and 907.2.10, respectively. Single- or multiple-station smoke alarms shall be provided in Groups R-2, R-2.1, R-3 and R-4 in accordance with Section 907.2.11. Group R-2.2 shall be equipped through- out with an automatic fire alarm systems per 907.2.9.2 and shall have a manual fire alarm pull station at the 24-hour staff watch office.

R-2.1 . Smoke barriers shall be provided in Group R-2.1 to subdivide every story used by persons receiving care, treatment or sleeping and to provide other stories with an occupant load of 50 or more persons, into not fewer than two smoke compartments. Such stories shall be divided into smoke compartments with an area of not more than 22,500 square feet (2092 m [2] ) and the distance of travel from any point in a smoke compartment to a smoke barrier door shall not exceed 200 feet (60 960 mm). The smoke barrier shall be in accordance with Section 709.

4-52 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE

SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE

420.6.1 Smoke barrier in Group R-2.2. Occupancies in Group R-2.2 shall have smoke barriers complying with Sections 709 to divide every story occupied by residents for sleeping, into no fewer than two smoke compartments.

Exception: Spaces having a direct exit to a public way.

420.6.2 Refuge area. Refuge areas shall be provided within each smoke compartment. The size of the refuge area shall accommodate the occupants and care recipients from the adjoining smoke compartment. Where a smoke compartment is adjoined by two or more smoke compartments, the minimum area of the refuge area shall accommodate the largest occupant load of the adjoining compartments. The size of the refuge area shall provide the following:

1. Not less than 15 net square feet (1.4 m [2] ) for each care recipient.
2. Not less than 6 net square feet (0.56 m [2] ) for other occupants.

Areas or spaces permitted to be included in the calculation of the refuge area are corridors, lounge or dining areas and other low-hazard areas.

In Group R-2.1 occupancies, installation of cooking appliance used in domestic cooking facilities shall comply with all of the following:

1. The types of cooking appliances permitted shall be limited to ovens, cooktops, ranges, warmers and microwaves.
2. Domestic cooking hoods installed and constructed in accordance with the California Mechanical Code shall be provided over cooktops or ranges.
3. Cooktops and ranges shall be protected in accordance with Section 904.15.
4. A shutoff for the fuel and electrical supply to the cooking equipment shall be provided in a location to which only staff has

access.

5. A timer shall be provided that automatically deactivates the cooking appliances within a period of not more than 120 minutes.

6. A portable fire extinguisher shall be provided. Installation shall be in accordance with Section 906 and the extinguisher shall be located within a 30-foot (9144 mm) distance of travel from each domestic cooking appliance.

Exceptions:

1. Cooking facilities provided within care recipients’ individual dwelling units are not required to comply with this section.
2. Cooktops and ranges used for care-recipient training or nutritional counseling are not required to comply with Item 3 of this section.

In Group R occupancies, cooking appliances used for domestic cooking operations shall be in accordance with the California Mechanical Code .

Domestic cooking appliances for use by residents of Group R-2 college dormitories shall be in accordance with Sections 420.11.1 and 420.11.2.

420.11.1 Cooking appliances. Where located in Group R-2 college dormitories, domestic cooking appliances for use by residents shall be in compliance with all of the following:

1. The types of domestic cooking appliances shall be limited to ovens, cooktops, ranges, warmers, coffee makers and microwaves.

2. Domestic cooking appliances shall be limited to approved locations.

3. Cooktops and ranges shall be protected in accordance with Section 904.15.

4. Cooktops and ranges shall be provided with a domestic cooking hood installed and constructed in accordance with the California Mechanical Code . Kitchen range hoods shall also be rated for sound and meet field verification requirements in the California Energy Code for low-rise and high-rise residential buildings.

420.11.2 Cooking appliances in sleeping rooms. Cooktops, ranges and ovens shall not be installed or used in sleeping rooms.

Recycle and/or salvage for reuse a minimum of 65 percent of the nonhazardous construction and demolition waste in accordance with the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen), Chapter 4, Division 4.4.

420.13.1 Locking mail receptacles. A locking mail receptacle for each residential unit shall be provided in all residential hotels pursuant to the requirements specified in Health and Safety Code Section 17958.3.

Newly constructed Group R-1, R-2 and R-3 buildings shall meet requirements for electric vehicle charging in accordance with the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen), Chapter 4, Divi- sion 4.1.

See Section 435 for Special Provisions for licensed 24-hour care facilities in a Group R-2.1, R-3.1 or R-4 occupancy.

In Group R-2.2 occupancies there shall be continuous electronic supervision via CCTV system camera coverage and monitoring the following areas: corridors, storage rooms over 100 square feet, central kitchen and main entryway of the facility.

SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE