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Chapter 1 — ADMINISTRATION

Section 115 — UNSAFE STRUCTURES OR EQUIPMENT

2025 California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9) · 2025 edition · updated 2026-07-29 · California

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

[A] 115.1 General. If during the inspection of a premises, a structure, or any building system, in whole or in part, constitutes a clear and inimical threat to human life, safety or health, the fire code official shall issue such notice or orders to remove or remedy the conditions as shall be deemed necessary in accordance with this section, and shall refer the building to the building official for any repairs, alterations, remodeling, removing or demolition required.

[A] 115.1.1 Unsafe conditions. Structures or existing equipment that are or hereafter become unsafe, insanitary or deficient because of inadequate means of egress, inadequate light and ventilation, or that constitute a fire hazard, are otherwise dangerous to human life or the public welfare, or involve illegal or improper occupancy or inadequate maintenance, shall be deemed an unsafe condition. Unsafe structures shall be taken down and removed or made safe, as the fire code official deems necessary and as provided for in this section. A vacant structure that is not secured against unauthorized entry shall be deemed unsafe.

[A] 115.1.2 Structural hazards. Where an apparent structural hazard is caused by the faulty installation, operation or malfunction of any of the items or devices governed by this code, the fire code official shall immediately notify the building code official in accordance with Section 115.1.

[A] 115.2 Evacuation. The fire code official or the fire department official in charge of an incident shall be authorized to order the immediate evacuation of any occupied structure deemed unsafe where such structure has hazardous conditions that pose an imminent danger to structure occupants. Persons so notified shall immediately leave the structure or premises and shall not enter or reenter until authorized to do so by the fire code official or the fire department official in charge of the incident.

[A] 115.3 Record. The fire code official shall cause a report to be filed on an unsafe condition. The report shall state the occupancy of the structure and the nature of the unsafe condition.

[A] 115.4 Notice. If an unsafe condition is found, the fire code official shall serve on the owner of the structure or the owner’s authorized agent a written notice that describes the condition deemed unsafe and specifies the required repairs or improvements to be made to abate the unsafe condition, or requires the unsafe structure to be demolished within a stipulated time. Such notice shall require the person thus notified to declare immediately to the fire code official acceptance or rejection of the terms of the order.

[A] 115.5 Method of service. Such notice shall be deemed properly served where a copy thereof is served in accordance with one of the following methods:

  1. A copy is delivered to the owner personally.
  2. A copy is sent by certified or registered mail addressed to the owner at the last known address with return receipt requested.
  3. A copy is delivered in any other manner as prescribed by local law.

115.5 Method of service.** Such notice shall be deemed properly served where a copy thereof is served in accordance with one of the following methods:

  1. A copy is delivered to the owner personally.
  2. A copy is sent by certified or registered mail addressed to the owner at the last known address with return receipt requested.
  3. A copy is delivered in any other manner as prescribed by local law.

If the certified or registered letter is returned showing that the letter was not delivered, a copy thereof shall be posted in a conspicuous place in or about the structure affected by such notice. Service of such notice in the foregoing manner on the owner’s authorized agent shall constitute service of notice on the owner.

[A] 115.6 Restoration or abatement. The structure or equipment determined to be unsafe by the fire code official is permitted to be restored to a safe condition. The owner, the owner’s authorized agent, operator or occupant of a structure, premises or equipment deemed unsafe by the fire code official shall abate or cause to be abated or corrected such unsafe conditions either by repair, rehabilitation, demolition or other approved corrective action. To the extent that repairs, alterations or additions are made or a change of occupancy occurs during the restoration of the structure, such repairs, alterations, additions or change of occupancy shall comply with the requirements of Section105.1.5 and the California Existing Building Code .

[A] 115.7 Summary abatement. Where conditions exist that are deemed hazardous to life and property, the fire code official or fire department official in charge of the incident is authorized to abate summarily such hazardous conditions that are in violation of this code.

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CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE – MATRIX ADOPTION TABLE

CHAPTER 2 – DEFINITIONS

(Matrix Adoption Tables are nonregulatory, intended only as an aid to the code user. See Chapter 1 for state agency authority and building applications.)

Adopting Agency BSC BSC-
CG		 SFM HCD DSA OSHPD BSCC DPH AGR DWR CEC CA SL SLC
Adopting Agency BSC BSC-
CG		 T-24 T-19* 1 2 1/AC AC SS 1 1R 2 3 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
Adopt Entire Chapter
Adopt Entire Chapter as
amended (amended sections
listed below)		 X
Adopt only those sections that
are listed below		 X
[California Code of Regulations,
Title 19, Division 1]		 X
Chapter / Section
Aged Home or Institution X
Assembly X
Atrium X
Battery X
Battery Types:
Flow battery X
Hybrid supercapacitor Battery
[Lithium-ion capacitor (LIC)]		 X
Iron-air aqueous battery X
Lead-Acid Battery X
Lithium-ion battery X
Lithium_-sulfur rechargeable_
battery		 X
Nickel-Cadmium (Ni-Cd)
Battery		 X
Nickel-Hydrogen (Ni-H2) X
Nickel-Iron (NiFe) X
Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) X
Nickel-Zinc (Ni-Zn) X
Sodium nickel chloride (NaNiCl) X
Zinc-air aqueous battery X
Zinc bromide X
Zinc manganese dioxide
(Zn-MnO_₂)_		 X
Bedridden Person X
Blasting Agent X
Building X
Care and Supervision X
Catastrophically Injured X
Cell X
Cell Complex X
Cell Tiers X
Charter School X
Child Care X
Child-Care Center X
Child or Children X
Chronically Ill X
Clinic, Outpatient X
Community Care Facility X

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CHAPTER 2 – DEFINITIONS—continued

Adopting Agency BSC BSC-
CG		 SFM HCD DSA OSHPD BSCC DPH AGR DWR CEC CA SL SLC
Adopting Agency BSC BSC-
CG		 T-24 T-19* 1 2 1/AC AC SS 1 1R 2 3 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
Adopt Entire Chapter
Adopt Entire Chapter as
amended (amended sections
listed below)		 X
Adopt only those sections that
are listed below		 X
[California Code of Regulations,
Title 19, Division 1]		 X
Chapter / Section
Community Correctional Reentry
Centers		 X
Congregate Living Health Facility
(CLHF)		 X
Congregate Residence X
Courthouse Holding Facility X
Courtroom Dock X
Day-Care X
Day-Care Home, Family X
Day-Care Home, Large Family X
Day-Care Home, Small Family X
Day Room X
Detention Elevator X
Detention Treatment Room X
Detoxification Facilities X
Electrochemical Double Layer
Capacitors (EDLCS)		 X
Fire Appliance X
Fireworks X
Fixed Guideway and Passenger
Rail Transit Systems		 X
Full-Time Care X
Group Home X
High-Rise Building X
Highway X
Holding Facility X
Hospitals and
Psychiatric Hospitals		 X
Housing Unit X
Hydrogen Fueled Vehicles X
Infant X
Laboratory X
Laboratory Suite X
Listed X
Lodging House X
Mass Timber X
Mechanical-Access Enclosed
Parking Garage		 X
Mobile Fueling X
Mortar X
Non-Accessible Area X
Nonambulatory Persons X
Noncombustible X
Nonpatient Care Suite X
Nursing Homes X
Permanent Portable Building X

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CHAPTER 2 – DEFINITIONS—continued

Adopting Agency BSC BSC-
CG		 SFM HCD DSA OSHPD BSCC DPH AGR DWR CEC CA SL SLC
Adopting Agency BSC BSC-
CG		 T-24 T-19* 1 2 1/AC AC SS 1 1R 2 3 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
Adopt Entire Chapter
Adopt Entire Chapter as
amended (amended sections
listed below)		 X
Adopt only those sections that
are listed below		 X
[California Code of Regulations,
Title 19, Division 1]		 X
Chapter / Section
Persons With Intellectual
Disabilities, Profoundly or
Severely		 X
Photovoltaic (PV) Panel System,
Ground Mounted		 X
Photovoltaic (PV) Support
Structure, Elevated		 X
Protective Social Care Facility X
Proximate Audience X
Railway X
Relocatable Building
(Public School)		 X
Residential Care Facility for the
Chronically Ill (RCF/CI)		 X
Residential Care Facility
For The Elderly (RCFE)		 X
Residential Facility (RF) X
Restraint X
Roadside Hydrogen Service
Vehicles		 X
Secure Interview Rooms X
Small Arms Ammunition
[T-19 §1559.19(a)]		 X
Small Management Yard X
State-Owned/Leased Building X
Tank in an Underground Area X
Temporary Holding Cell, Room
or Area		 X X
Temporary Holding Facility X
Tenable Environment X
Tent [T-19 §3.10(a) – (c)] X
Terminally Ill X
Toddler X
Waiting Room X
Wildland Urban Interface Area X
Winery Caves X
203.2 X
203.2.6 X
203.2.10 X
203.3 X
203.4 X
203.4.2 X
203.5.1 X
203.7 X
203.7.1 X
203.7.2 X
203.7.2.2 X

(continued)

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

CHAPTER 2 – DEFINITIONS—continued

Adopting Agency BSC BSC-
CG		 SFM HCD DSA OSHPD BSCC DPH AGR DWR CEC CA SL SLC
Adopting Agency BSC BSC-
CG		 T-24 T-19* 1 2 1/AC AC SS 1 1R 2 3 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
Adopt Entire Chapter
Adopt Entire Chapter as
amended (amended sections
listed below)		 X
Adopt only those sections that
are listed below		 X
[California Code of Regulations,
Title 19, Division 1]		 X
Chapter / Section
203.7.3 X
203.7.3.6 - 203.7.3.8 X
203.7.4 X
203.7.4.1 X
203.9.1 X
203.9.2 X
203.9.2.1 X
203.9.2.2 X
203.9.3 X
203.9.3.3 X
203.9.4 X
203.12 X
203.13 X
  • The California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 19, Division 1 provisions that are found in the California Fire Code are a reprint from the current CCR, Title 19, Division 1 text for the code user’s convenience only. The scope, applicability and appeals procedures of CCR, Title 19, Division I remain the same. The state agency does not adopt sections identified by the following symbol: The Office of the State Fire Marshal’s adoption of this chapter or individual sections is applicable to structures regulated by other state agencies pursuant to Section 1.11.

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▸ Contents — 2025 California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9)
2025 California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9)
  1. ▸ Chapter 1 — ADMINISTRATION
    Overview
    1. Section 1.1 — GENERAL
    2. Section 1.11 — OFFICE OF THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL
    3. Section 101 — SCOPE AND GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
    4. Section 102 — APPLICABILITY
    5. Section 103 — CODE COMPLIANCE AGENCY
    6. Section 104 — DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE FIRE CODE OFFICIAL
    7. Section 105 — PERMITS
    8. Section 106 — CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
    9. Section 107 — TEMPORARY STRUCTURES, USES, EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS
    10. Section 108 — FEES
    11. Section 109 — INSPECTIONS
    12. Section 110 — MAINTENANCE
    13. Section 111 — SERVICE UTILITIES
    14. Section 112 — MEANS OF APPEALS
    15. Section 113 — VIOLATIONS
    16. Section 114 — STOP WORK ORDER
    17. Section 115 — UNSAFE STRUCTURES OR EQUIPMENT
  2. Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS
  3. Chapter 3 — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
  4. Chapter 4 — EMERGENCY PLANNING AND PREPAREDNESS
  5. Chapter 5 — FIRE SERVICE FEATURES
  6. Chapter 6 — BUILDING SERVICES AND SYSTEMS
  7. Chapter 7 — FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
  8. Chapter 8 — INTERIOR FINISH, DECORATIVE MATERIALS AND FURNISHI…
  9. Chapter 9 — FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS
  10. Chapter 10 — MEANS OF EGRESS
  11. Chapter 11 — CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS
  12. Chapter 12 — ENERGY SYSTEMS
  13. Chapter 20 — AVIATION FACILITIES
  14. Chapter 21 — DRY CLEANING
  15. Chapter 22 — COMBUSTIBLE DUST-PRODUCING OPERATIONS
  16. Chapter 23 — MOTOR FUEL-DISPENSING FACILITIES AND REPAIR GARAGES
  17. Chapter 24 — FLAMMABLE FINISHES
  18. Chapter 25 — FRUIT AND CROP RIPENING
  19. Chapter 26 — FUMIGATION AND INSECTICIDAL FOGGING
  20. Chapter 27 — SEMICONDUCTOR FABRICATION FACILITIES
  21. Chapter 28 — LUMBER YARDS AND AGRO-INDUSTRIAL, SOLID BIOMASS A…
  22. Chapter 29 — MANUFACTURE OF ORGANIC COATINGS
  23. Chapter 30 — INDUSTRIAL OVENS
  24. Chapter 31 — TENTS, TEMPORARY SPECIAL EVENT STRUCTURES AND OTH…
  25. Chapter 32 — HIGH-PILED COMBUSTIBLE STORAGE
  26. Chapter 33 — FIRE SAFETY DURING CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION
  27. Chapter 34 — TIRE REBUILDING AND TIRE STORAGE
  28. Chapter 35 — WELDING AND OTHER HOT WORK
  29. Chapter 36 — MARINAS
  30. Chapter 37 — COMBUSTIBLE FIBERS
  31. Chapter 38 — RESERVED
  32. Chapter 39 — PROCESSING AND EXTRACTION FACILITIES
  33. Chapter 40 — STORAGE OF DISTILLED SPIRITS AND WINES
  34. Chapter 41 — TEMPORARY HEATING AND COOKING OPERATIONS
  35. Chapter 48 — MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION PRODUCTION STUDIO S…
  36. Chapter 49 — REQUIREMENTS FOR WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE FIRE AR…
  37. Chapter 50 — HAZARDOUS MATERIALS—GENERAL PROVISIONS
  38. Chapter 51 — AEROSOLS
  39. Chapter 52 — RESERVED
  40. Chapter 53 — COMPRESSED GASES
  41. Chapter 54 — CORROSIVE MATERIALS
  42. Chapter 55 — CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
  43. Chapter 56 — EXPLOSIVES AND FIREWORKS
  44. Chapter 57 — FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS
  45. Chapter 58 — FLAMMABLE GASES AND FLAMMABLE CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
  46. Chapter 59 — FLAMMABLE SOLIDS
  47. Chapter 60 — HIGHLY TOXIC AND TOXIC MATERIALS
  48. Chapter 61 — LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GASES
  49. Chapter 62 — ORGANIC PEROXIDES
  50. Chapter 63 — OXIDIZERS, OXIDIZING GASES AND OXIDIZING CRYOGENI…
  51. Chapter 64 — PYROPHORIC MATERIALS
  52. Chapter 65 — PYROXYLIN (CELLULOSE NITRATE) PLASTICS
  53. Chapter 66 — UNSTABLE (REACTIVE) MATERIALS
  54. Chapter 67 — WATER-REACTIVE SOLIDS AND LIQUIDS
  55. Chapter 80 — REFERENCED STANDARDS
  56. Appendix Chapter 4 — SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON US…
  57. Appendix A — BOARD OF APPEALS
  58. Appendix B — FIRE-FLOW REQUIREMENTS FOR BUILDINGS
  59. Appendix BB — FIRE-FLOW REQUIREMENTS FOR BUILDINGS
  60. Appendix C — FIRE HYDRANT LOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTION
  61. Appendix CC — FIRE HYDRANT LOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTION
  62. Appendix D — FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROADS
  63. Appendix E — HAZARD CATEGORIES
  64. Appendix F — HAZARD RANKING
  65. Appendix G — CRYOGENIC FLUIDS—WEIGHT AND VOLUME EQUIVALENTS
  66. Appendix H — HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MANAGEMENT PLANS AND HAZARDOU…
  67. Appendix I — FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS—NONCOMPLIANT CONDITIONS
  68. Appendix J — BUILDING INFORMATION SIGN
  69. Appendix K — CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING AMBULATORY…
  70. Appendix L — REQUIREMENTS FOR FIREFIGHTER AIR REPLENISHMENT SY…
  71. Appendix M — HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS—RETROACTIVE AUTOMATIC SPRINKL…
  72. Appendix N — INDOOR TRADE SHOWS AND EXHIBITIONS
  73. Appendix O — VALET TRASH AND RECYCLING COLLECTION IN GROUP R-2…
  74. Appendix P — TEMPORARY HAUNTED HOUSES, GHOST WALKS AND SIMILAR…
  75. Appendix Q — COMMUNITY WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE (WUI) FIRE HAZ…

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