Section 450 — GROUP C [SFM]

450.1.1 Organized camps. For the purposes of these regulations, Group C Occupancies shall mean “organized camps” as defined in Section 18897, Health and Safety Code.

450.1.1.1 Description. An organized camp is a site with programs and facilities established for the primary purpose of providing an outdoor group living experience with social, spiritual, educational or recreational objectives, for five days or more during one or more seasons of the year.

The term “organized camp” does not include a motel, tourist camp, trailer park, resort, hunting camp, auto court, labor camp, penal or correctional camp, child-care institution or home-finding agency nor does it include any charitable or recreational orga- nization which complies with the rules and regulations for recreational trailer parks provided for by Section 18301 (b), Health and Safety Code.

450.1.2 Tents and tent structures. For the purpose of this chapter, a tent or tent structure is defined as any shelter of which 25 percent or more of the walls or roof, or both, are constructed of, or covered or protected by, a canvas or any other fabric material.

The provisions of this section are established to provide fire and life safety in organized camps, but at the same time preserve the basic concept of outdoor living. It is the intent of this section that organized camps shall be considered as a sepa- rate and distinct occupancy.

450.3.1 Building classification. Every building or structure shall be classified into the occupancy group they most nearly resemble and be constructed in accordance with appropriate occupancy requirements specified in this part.

Exceptions: 1. Tents, tent structures, and buildings and structures that do not exceed 25 feet (7620 mm) in any lateral dimension and where such building or structure is not more than one story. 2. For fire safety, buildings or structures on the premises of an organized camp which are used for sleeping purposes, regard- less of their similarity to other occupancy groups, shall conform to the provisions of Sections 450.4, 450.5, 450.6 and 450.7. 3. For fire safety, buildings and structures which are not used for sleeping purposes shall conform to the provisions of Section 450.7, which shall supersede any similar provisions contained in this part.

450.3.2 Occupant load. The living shelter whether a building, structure, tent and tent structure, or cabin, shall provide a minimum of 30 square feet (2.8 m [2] ) of superficial floor area per person for single-tier bed units, and 20 square feet (1.9 m [2] ) of superficial floor area per person for two-tier bed units. More than two tiers per bed unit are prohibited. There shall be at least 3 feet (914 mm) of lateral distance between beds.

Exception: Intermittent short-term organized camps are not required to provide shelter facilities but, if provided, they shall comply with this section.

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SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE

450.4.1 Buildings intended for sleeping. Buildings and structures used or intended for sleeping purposes which do not exceed any one of the limitations set forth below shall conform to the provisions of Sections 450.5 and 450.7. 1. One story in height 2. Twenty-five feet (7620 mm) in any lateral dimension

Exception: This provision shall not apply to buildings or structures conforming to construction provisions of this section in effect prior to January 1, 1985. 3. Maximum housing of 12 persons

450.4.2 Limitations. Buildings and structures used or intended for sleeping purposes, including those so used in whole or in part by staff personnel, and which exceed any one of the limitations set forth in Section 450.4.1, shall conform to the provisions of Sections 450.5 and 450.7.

Exception: Buildings or structures used exclusively for living and sleeping purposes by resident custodial or caretaker personnel only may be constructed in accordance with the provisions of these regulations for a Group R, 3 Occupancy.

450.5.1 Special buildings. In addition to the provisions of Section 450.7, special buildings conforming to the limitations specified in Section 450.4.1 shall conform to the following: 1. The flame-spread end-point rating of all interior finish materials shall not exceed 200. 2. Every room or area housing more than eight persons shall be provided with not less than two approved exits, each of which shall be direct to the exterior and shall not be less than 32 inches (813 mm) in clear width and 6 feet 8 inches (2032 mm) in height. Rooms or areas housing eight or less persons shall be provided with at least one such exit direct to the exterior. 3. Every exit door shall be openable from the inside without the use of any key, special knowledge or effort. 4. Exit doors need not be hung to swing in the direction of exit travel. Where exit doors are hung to swing in the direction of exit travel, a landing conforming to the provisions of Section 1010.1.5 shall be provided. 5. When the distance (measured vertically) between the ground level and the floor level exceeds 8 inches (203 mm), a stairway from each exit shall be provided. Steps shall have a rise of not more than 8 inches (203 mm) and a run of not less than 9 inches (229 mm). Such stairway shall be at least as wide as the door it serves. Exception: In lieu of a stairway, a ramp having a slope of not more than 1 foot (305 mm) of rise for each 8 feet (2438 mm) of run may be provided. 6. When the floor level at any door opening of any building or structure is more than 30 inches (762 mm) above the adjacent ground level, handrails or guardrails shall be provided on the landing, balcony or porch, and on every stairway or ramp to ground level. 7. Buildings and structures or groups of buildings and structures shall be separated from each other by not less than 10 feet (3048 mm). Exception: This section shall not apply to existing buildings and structures of Group C Occupancies.

450.5.2 Tents and tent structures. In addition to the provisions of Section 450.7, tents and tent structures, or groups thereof, shall conform to the provisions of Section 450.5, except as follows: 1. Regardless of any other provisions of this section, heating of tents and tent structures shall be prohibited unless written permission is obtained from the fire chief.

2. All canvas or other fabric material shall be treated and maintained in a flame-retardant condition.

Exceptions: 1. Tents in existence prior to January 1, 1979, provided the following conditions are met: 1.1. Tents shall not exceed 80 square feet (7.4 m [2] ) in area. 1.2. No electrical devices, except flashlights, are installed or used in the tents. 1.3. Tents are not located closer than 30 feet (9144 mm) to any open fire. 1.4. Smoking is prohibited in the tents. 1.5. All other applicable provisions of this article are met. 2. Canvas or materials used exclusively to protect windows and similar openings in walls. 3. Canvas or materials used as a windbreak enclosure of not more than three sides and open to the sky.

Note: It is not the intent of Section 450.5.2 that strict adherence to the width and height requirements of exit openings be enforced for exits from tents.

Buildings and structures, or portions thereof, used or intended for sleeping purposes and which exceed the height, area or capacity limitations specified in Section 450.4.1 shall conform to the provisions of this section.

450.6.1 Area, height and type of construction. Buildings and structures, or portions thereof, shall not exceed the limits of area, height and type of construction specified in these regulations for a Group R-2.1 occupancy. Such buildings and structures shall not be of less than one-hour fire-resistive construction throughout.

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SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY AND USE

450.6.2 Location on property. The fire-resistive protection of exterior walls and openings, as determined by location on property, shall be in accordance with the provisions of these regulations for a Group R-2.1 occupancy.

450.6.3 Exits. Stairs, exits and smoke-proof enclosures shall be provided in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 10.

450.6.4 Enclosure of vertical openings. Exits shall be enclosed as specified in Chapter 10. Elevator shafts, vent shafts and other verti- cal openings shall be enclosed and enclosures shall be as set forth in Chapter 7.

450.6.5 Fire-extinguishing systems. Automatic fire-extinguishing systems, standpipes and basement pipe inlets shall be installed when and as specified in Chapter 9 for buildings, based on the occupancy they most nearly resemble.

450.6.6 Automatic fire alarm system. See Section 907.

The provisions of this section shall apply to the premises and to all buildings and structures of all orga- nized camps.

450.7.1 Electrical. The installation of all electrical wiring shall conform to the applicable provisions of the California Electrical Code.

450.7.2 Heating equipment. Heating equipment, and the installation thereof, shall conform to the provisions of the California Mechanical Code.

450.7.3 Motion picture booths. Motion picture machine booths shall conform to the requirements of Section 409.

450.7.4 Interior finish. Interior finish shall conform to the requirements of Chapter 8, except as permitted in Section 450.5.1, Item 1.

450.7.5 Heater room openings. All exterior openings in rooms containing central heating equipment, low-pressure boilers or water- heating boilers used as part of the heating system, if located below openings in another story, or if less than 10 feet (3048 mm) from other doors or windows of the same building, shall be protected by a fire assembly having a three-fourths-hour fire-resistive rating. Such fire assemblies shall be fixed, automatic or self-closing.

Exception: The requirement for three-fourths-hour fire assembly protection of openings may be deleted if the entire room is protected by an automatic sprinkler system conforming to the provisions of Section 903.

450.7.6 Heating rooms. Every room containing central-heating equipment, low-pressure boiler or water-heating boiler used as part of the heating system shall be separated from the rest of the building by a one-hour fire-resistive fire barrier with all openings protected as set forth in Section 707.6.

Exceptions: 1. Boilers or central heating plants where the largest piece of fuel equipment does not exceed 400,000 Btu per hour (135 kW) input. 2. When any such opening is protected by a pair of fire doors, the inactive leaf shall be normally secured in the closed position and shall be openable only by use of a tool. An astragal shall be provided and the active leaf shall be self-closing.

450.7.7 Exits. For purposes of determining occupant load for exit requirements, see Section 450.3.2.

450.7.8 Liquefied petroleum gas. The construction and installation of all tanks, cylinders, equipment and systems used or intended for use in conjunction with any liquefied petroleum gas shall conform to the provisions of the California Mechanical Code and the Cali- fornia Fire Code.

450.7.9 Air-conditioning and ventilation systems. Heating units used as an integral part of an air-conditioning and ventilation system shall be installed in accordance with Sections 450.7.2, 450.7.3 and 450.7.6.

Every organized camp shall provide and maintain a device or devices suitable for sounding a fire alarm. Such device or devices may be of any type acceptable to the enforcing agency provided they are distinctive in tone from all other signaling devices or systems and shall be audible throughout the camp premises. When an automatic fire alarm system is provided, as required by Section 450.6.6, all signaling devices required by this section shall be of the same type as that used in the automatic system.