Chapter 6 — BUILDING SERVICES AND SYSTEMS
Section 605 — FUEL-FIRED APPLIANCES
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.
605.1 General. ¶
The design, construction, installation, operation, alteration, repair and maintenance of nonportable gas-fired appliances and systems shall comply with California Plumbing Code . The design, construction, installation, operation, alteration, repair and maintenance of nonportable solid fuel-fired and oil-fired appliances and systems shall comply with the provisions of this section and the California Mechanical Code .
605.1.1 Installation of nonportable fuel-fired appliances. The installation of nonportable fuel-fired appliances shall be made in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions and applicable federal, state and local rules and regulations.
605.1.2 Electrical wiring and equipment. Electrical wiring and equipment used in connection with fuel-fired appliances and equipment shall be installed and maintained in accordance with Section 603 and the California Electrical Code.
605.1.3 Fuel oil. The grade of fuel oil used in an oil burner shall be that for which the oil burner is approved and as stipulated by the oil burner manufacturer’s instructions. Oil containing gasoline shall not be used. Waste crankcase oil shall be an acceptable fuel in Group F, M and S occupancies where utilized in equipment listed and labeled for use with waste oil and where such equipment is installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and the terms of its listing.
605.1.4 Access. The installation of fuel-fired equipment shall be provided with access to equipment for cleaning hot surfaces; removing burners; replacing motors, controls, air filters, chimney and vent connectors, draft regulators and other working parts; and for adjusting, cleaning and lubricating parts.
605.1.5 Testing, diagrams and instructions. After installation of the fuel-fired equipment, operation and combustion performance tests shall be conducted to determine that the equipment is in proper operating condition and that all accessory equipment, controls, and safety devices function properly.
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605.1.5.1 Diagrams. Contractors installing industrial oil-burning systems shall furnish not less than two copies of diagrams showing the main oil lines and controlling valves, one copy of which shall be posted at the oil-burning equipment and another at an approved location that will be available in case of emergency.
605.1.5.2 Operating instructions. After completing the installation, the installer shall instruct the owner or operator in the proper operation of the equipment. The installer shall furnish the owner or operator with the manufacturer’s operating instructions.
605.1.6 Clearances. Working clearances between fuel-fired appliances and electrical panelboards and equipment shall be in accordance with the California Electrical Code . Clearances between oil-fired equipment and oil supply tanks shall be in accordance with the California Electrical Code .
605.2 Abatement of unsafe conditions. ¶
The fire code official is authorized to order that measures be taken to prevent the operation of any existing stove, oven, furnace, incinerator, boiler or any other heat-producing device or appliance found to be defective or in violation of code requirements for existing appliances after giving notice to this effect to any person, owner, firm or agent or operator in charge of the same. The fire code official is authorized to take measures to prevent the operation of any device or appliance without notice when inspection shows the existence of an immediate fire hazard or when imperiling human life. The defective device shall remain withdrawn from service until all necessary repairs or alterations have been made or replaced in accordance with Section 605.1.
605.2.1 Chimneys and appliances. Chimneys, vents, incinerators, smokestacks or similar devices for conveying smoke or hot gases to the outer air and the appliances such as stoves, furnaces, fireboxes or boilers to which such devices are connected, shall be maintained so as not to create a fire hazard.
605.2.1.1 Masonry chimneys. Masonry chimneys that, upon inspection, are found to be without a flue liner and that have open mortar joints which will permit smoke or gases to be discharged into the building, or which are cracked as to be dangerous, shall be repaired or relined with a listed chimney liner system installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and the California Mechanical Code or a flue lining system installed in accordance with the requirements of the California Build- ing Code and appropriate for the intended class of chimney service.
605.2.1.2 Metal chimneys. Metal chimneys that are corroded or improperly supported shall be repaired or replaced in accordance with the California Mechanical Code .
605.2.1.3 Decorative shrouds. Decorative shrouds installed at the termination of factory-built chimneys or vents shall be removed except where such shrouds are listed and labeled for use with the specific factory-built chimney system and are installed in accordance with the chimney or vent manufacturer’s instructions and the California Mechanical Code or Interna- tional Fuel Gas Code .
605.2.1.4 Factory-built chimney and vent systems. Existing factory-built chimneys and vent systems that are damaged, corroded or improperly supported shall be repaired or replaced in accordance with the California Mechanical Code .
605.2.1.5 Connectors. Existing chimney and vent connectors that are damaged, corroded or improperly supported shall be repaired or replaced in accordance with the California Mechanical Code .
605.3 Chimneys and vents. ¶
Masonry chimneys shall be constructed in accordance with the California Building Code . Factory-built chimneys and vent systems serving solid-fuel-fired appliances or oil-fired appliances shall be installed in accordance with the Califor- nia Mechanical Code . Metal chimneys shall be constructed and installed in accordance with the California Mechanical Code . Factorybuilt chimneys and vent systems serving gas-fired appliances shall be installed in accordance with the International Fuel Gas Code .
605.4 Fuel oil storage systems. ¶
Fuel oil storage systems for combustion engines and gas turbines shall be installed and maintained in accordance with this code. Tanks and fuel oil piping systems for building heating systems shall be installed in accordance with this section and NFPA 31. Tanks and fuel oil piping systems for generators and fire pumps shall be installed in accordance with Section 605.4.2 or Chapter 57.
605.4.1 Fuel oil storage in outside, above-ground tanks. Where connected to a fuel oil piping system, the maximum amount of fuel oil storage allowed outside above ground without additional protection shall be 660 gallons (2498 L). The storage of fuel oil above ground for building heating systems in quantities exceeding 660 gallons (2498 L) shall comply with NFPA 31. The storage of fuel oil above ground for combustion engines and gas turbines in portable tanks exceeding a capacity of 660 gallons (2498 L) shall comply with Chapter 57.
605.4.1.1 Approval. Outdoor fuel oil storage tanks shall be in accordance with UL 80, UL 142 or UL 2085.
605.4.2 Fuel oil storage inside buildings. Fuel oil storage inside buildings shall comply with Sections 605.4.2.2 through 605.4.2.8 or Chapter 57.
605.4.2.1 Approval. Indoor fuel oil storage tanks shall be in accordance with UL 80, UL 142 or UL 2085.
605.4.2.2 Quantity limits. One or more fuel oil storage tanks containing Class II or III combustible liquid shall be permitted in a building. The aggregate capacity of all tanks shall not exceed the following:
- 660 gallons (2498 L) in unsprinklered buildings, where stored in a tank complying with UL 80, UL 142 or UL 2085.
- 1,320 gallons (4996 L) in buildings equipped with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, where stored in a tank complying with UL 142. The tank shall be listed as a secondary containment tank, and the secondary containment shall be monitored visually or automatically.
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- 3,000 gallons (11 356 L) in buildings equipped with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, where stored in protected above-ground tanks complying with UL 2085 and Section 5704.2.9.7. The tank shall be listed as a secondary containment tank, as required by UL 2085, and the secondary containment shall be monitored visually or automatically.
605.4.2.3 Restricted use and connection. Tanks installed in accordance with Section 605.4.2 shall be used only to supply fuel oil to fuel-burning equipment, generators or fire pumps installed in accordance with Section 605.4.2.5. Connections between tanks and equipment supplied by such tanks for building heating systems shall be made using closed piping systems in accordance with NFPA 31. Connections between tanks and equipment supplied by such tanks for generators or fire pumps shall be made using closed piping systems in accordance with NFPA 30.
nerators or fire pumps installed in accordance with Section 605.4.2.5. Connections between tanks and equipment supplied by such tanks for building heating systems shall be made using closed piping systems in accordance with NFPA 31. Connections between tanks and equipment supplied by such tanks for generators or fire pumps shall be made using closed piping systems in accordance with NFPA 30.
605.4.2.4 Applicability of maximum allowable quantity and control area requirements. The quantity of combustible liquid stored in tanks complying with Section 605.4.2 shall not be counted towards the maximum allowable quantity set forth in Table 5003.1.1(1), and such tanks shall not be required to be located in a control area.
605.4.2.5 Installation. Tanks and piping systems for building heating systems shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 31. Tanks and piping systems for generators or fire pumps shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 37.
605.4.2.6 Separation. Rooms containing fuel oil tanks for internal combustion engines shall be separated from the remainder of the building by fire barriers, horizontal assemblies, or both, with a minimum 1-hour fire-resistance rating with 1-hour fireprotection-rated opening protectives constructed in accordance with the California Building Code .
Exception: Rooms containing protected above-ground tanks complying with Section 5704.2.9.7 shall not be required to be separated from surrounding areas.
605.4.2.7 Spill containment. Tanks exceeding 60-gallon (227 L) capacity or an aggregate capacity of 1,000 gallons (3785 L) that are not provided with integral secondary containment shall be provided with spill containment sized to contain a release from the largest tank.
605.4.2.8 Tanks in basements. Tanks in basements shall be located not more than two stories below grade plane.
605.4.3 Underground storage of fuel oil. The storage of fuel oil in underground storage tanks shall comply with UL 58 or UL 1316. Fuel oil in underground storage tanks for building heating systems shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 31. Fuel oil in underground storage tanks for combustion engines and gas turbines shall be installed in accordance with Chapter 57.
605.5 Heating appliances. ¶
Heating appliances shall be listed and shall comply with Sections 605.5.1 and 605.5.2.
[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §3.17(a) and (b)] Guards for Heating Appliances.
Every heating appliance in any occupancy governed by California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1 regulations which does not have protective features incorporated in its design, shall be provided with guards that will provide protection against ignition of clothing and other combustible material.
(a) Appliances employing open flame radiated heat shall have fixed and substantially constructed metallic guards located not less than 10 inches from the radiating flame and the guard members shall be spaced not more than 2 inches apart.
(b) Cabinet type appliances that are not provided with an inner combustion chamber and an air circulating space between the combustion chamber and the outer shell, shall have fixed and substantially constructed metallic guards located not less than 3 inches from the shell and spaced not more than 2 inches apart.
605.5.1 Guard against contact. The heating element or combustion chamber shall be permanently guarded so as to prevent accidental contact by persons or material.
605.5.2 Heating appliance installation and maintenance. Heating appliances shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, the California Building Code, the International Fuel Gas Code, the California Mechanical Code and the California Electrical Code.
605.6 Unauthorized operation. ¶
It shall be a violation of this code for any person, user, firm or agent to continue the utilization of any device or appliance (the operation of which has been discontinued or ordered discontinued in accordance with Section 605.2) unless written authority to resume operation is given by the fire code official. Removing or breaking the means by which operation of the device is prevented shall be a violation of this code.
605.7 Incinerators. ¶
Commercial, industrial and residential-type incinerators and chimneys shall be constructed in accordance with California Building Code and the California Mechanical Code. Unless other approved means are provided for the prompt disposal of rubbish, an approved incinerator shall be provided and maintained for the disposal of combustible waste. Incinerators shall be constructed, located and maintained in such manner that waste material can be safely burned at any hour of the day, where local ordi- nances permit. Fuel-fired and garbage burning incinerators shall be constructed and maintained in conformance with NFPA 82-2019 Incinerators, Waste and Linen Handling Systems and Equipment or UL 791-2006 Standard for Residential Incinerators, whichever is applicable.
605.7.1 Residential incinerators. Residential incinerators shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 791.
605.7.2 Spark arrestor. Incinerators shall be equipped with an effective means for arresting sparks.
605.7.3 Restrictions. Where the fire code official determines that burning in incinerators located within 500 feet (152 m) of mountainous, brush or grass-covered areas will create an undue fire hazard because of atmospheric conditions, such burning shall be prohibited.
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605.7.4 Time of burning. Burning shall take place only during approved hours.
605.7.5 Discontinuance. The fire code official is authorized to require incinerator use to be discontinued immediately if the fire code official determines that smoke emissions are offensive to occupants of surrounding property or if the use of incinerators is determined by the fire code official to constitute a hazardous condition.
605.7.6 Flue-fed incinerators in Group I-2. In Group I-2 occupancies, the continued use of existing flue-fed incinerators is prohibited.
605.7.7 Incinerator inspections in Group I-2. Incinerators in Group I-2 occupancies shall be inspected not less than annually in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Inspection records shall be maintained on the premises and made available to the fire code official upon request.
605.8 Gas meters. ¶
Above-ground gas meters, regulators and piping subject to damage shall be protected by a barrier complying with Section 312 or otherwise protected in an approved manner.
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Ask AI about this code▸ Contents — 2025 California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9)
- Chapter 1 — ADMINISTRATION
- Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS
- Chapter 3 — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
- Chapter 4 — EMERGENCY PLANNING AND PREPAREDNESS
- Chapter 5 — FIRE SERVICE FEATURES
-
▸ Chapter 6 — BUILDING SERVICES AND SYSTEMS
Overview- Section 601 — GENERAL
- Section 602 — DEFINITIONS
- Section 603 — ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, WIRING AND HAZARDS
- Section 604 — ELEVATOR OPERATION, MAINTENANCE AND FIRE SERVICE…
- Section 605 — FUEL-FIRED APPLIANCES
- Section 606 — COMMERCIAL COOKING EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS
- Section 607 — COMMERCIAL COOKING OIL STORAGE
- Section 608 — MECHANICAL REFRIGERATION
- Section 609 — HYPERBARIC FACILITIES
- Section 610 — CLOTHES DRYER EXHAUST SYSTEMS
- Chapter 7 — FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
- Chapter 8 — INTERIOR FINISH, DECORATIVE MATERIALS AND FURNISHI…
- Chapter 9 — FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS
- Chapter 10 — MEANS OF EGRESS
- Chapter 11 — CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS
- Chapter 12 — ENERGY SYSTEMS
- Chapter 20 — AVIATION FACILITIES
- Chapter 21 — DRY CLEANING
- Chapter 22 — COMBUSTIBLE DUST-PRODUCING OPERATIONS
- Chapter 23 — MOTOR FUEL-DISPENSING FACILITIES AND REPAIR GARAGES
- Chapter 24 — FLAMMABLE FINISHES
- Chapter 25 — FRUIT AND CROP RIPENING
- Chapter 26 — FUMIGATION AND INSECTICIDAL FOGGING
- Chapter 27 — SEMICONDUCTOR FABRICATION FACILITIES
- Chapter 28 — LUMBER YARDS AND AGRO-INDUSTRIAL, SOLID BIOMASS A…
- Chapter 29 — MANUFACTURE OF ORGANIC COATINGS
- Chapter 30 — INDUSTRIAL OVENS
- Chapter 31 — TENTS, TEMPORARY SPECIAL EVENT STRUCTURES AND OTH…
- Chapter 32 — HIGH-PILED COMBUSTIBLE STORAGE
- Chapter 33 — FIRE SAFETY DURING CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION
- Chapter 34 — TIRE REBUILDING AND TIRE STORAGE
- Chapter 35 — WELDING AND OTHER HOT WORK
- Chapter 36 — MARINAS
- Chapter 37 — COMBUSTIBLE FIBERS
- Chapter 38 — RESERVED
- Chapter 39 — PROCESSING AND EXTRACTION FACILITIES
- Chapter 40 — STORAGE OF DISTILLED SPIRITS AND WINES
- Chapter 41 — TEMPORARY HEATING AND COOKING OPERATIONS
- Chapter 48 — MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION PRODUCTION STUDIO S…
- Chapter 49 — REQUIREMENTS FOR WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE FIRE AR…
- Chapter 50 — HAZARDOUS MATERIALS—GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Chapter 51 — AEROSOLS
- Chapter 52 — RESERVED
- Chapter 53 — COMPRESSED GASES
- Chapter 54 — CORROSIVE MATERIALS
- Chapter 55 — CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
- Chapter 56 — EXPLOSIVES AND FIREWORKS
- Chapter 57 — FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS
- Chapter 58 — FLAMMABLE GASES AND FLAMMABLE CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
- Chapter 59 — FLAMMABLE SOLIDS
- Chapter 60 — HIGHLY TOXIC AND TOXIC MATERIALS
- Chapter 61 — LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GASES
- Chapter 62 — ORGANIC PEROXIDES
- Chapter 63 — OXIDIZERS, OXIDIZING GASES AND OXIDIZING CRYOGENI…
- Chapter 64 — PYROPHORIC MATERIALS
- Chapter 65 — PYROXYLIN (CELLULOSE NITRATE) PLASTICS
- Chapter 66 — UNSTABLE (REACTIVE) MATERIALS
- Chapter 67 — WATER-REACTIVE SOLIDS AND LIQUIDS
- Chapter 80 — REFERENCED STANDARDS
- Appendix Chapter 4 — SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON US…
- Appendix A — BOARD OF APPEALS
- Appendix B — FIRE-FLOW REQUIREMENTS FOR BUILDINGS
- Appendix BB — FIRE-FLOW REQUIREMENTS FOR BUILDINGS
- Appendix C — FIRE HYDRANT LOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTION
- Appendix CC — FIRE HYDRANT LOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTION
- Appendix D — FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROADS
- Appendix E — HAZARD CATEGORIES
- Appendix F — HAZARD RANKING
- Appendix G — CRYOGENIC FLUIDS—WEIGHT AND VOLUME EQUIVALENTS
- Appendix H — HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MANAGEMENT PLANS AND HAZARDOU…
- Appendix I — FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS—NONCOMPLIANT CONDITIONS
- Appendix J — BUILDING INFORMATION SIGN
- Appendix K — CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING AMBULATORY…
- Appendix L — REQUIREMENTS FOR FIREFIGHTER AIR REPLENISHMENT SY…
- Appendix M — HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS—RETROACTIVE AUTOMATIC SPRINKL…
- Appendix N — INDOOR TRADE SHOWS AND EXHIBITIONS
- Appendix O — VALET TRASH AND RECYCLING COLLECTION IN GROUP R-2…
- Appendix P — TEMPORARY HAUNTED HOUSES, GHOST WALKS AND SIMILAR…
- Appendix Q — COMMUNITY WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE (WUI) FIRE HAZ…