Section 608 — MECHANICAL REFRIGERATION — 2025 California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9)

[M] 608.1 Scope. Refrigeration systems shall be installed in accordance with the California Mechanical Code . 608.1.1 Refrigerants other than ammonia. Where a refrigerant other than ammonia is used, refrigeration systems and the buildings in which such systems are installed shall be in accordance with ASHRAE 15. 608.1.2 Ammonia refrigeration. Refrigeration systems using ammonia refrigerant and the buildings in which such systems are installed shall comply with IIAR 2 for system design; IIAR 6 for inspection, testing and maintenance; and IIAR 7 for operating procedures. Decommissioning of…

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608.2 Permits. ¶

608.2 Permits. An operational permit shall be obtained for refrigeration systems as set forth in Section 105.5.46. [M] 608.3 Refrigerants. The use and purity of new, recovered and reclaimed refrigerants shall be in accordance with the California Mechanical Code . [M] 608.4 Refrigerant classification. Refrigerants shall be classified in accordance with the California Mechanical Code . [M] 608.5 Change in refrigerant type. A change in the type of refrigerant in a refrigeration system shall be in accordance with the California Mechanical Code .

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608.6 Access. ¶

608.6 Access. Access to refrigeration systems having a refrigerant circuit containing more than 220 pounds (100 kg) of Group A1 or 30 pounds (14 kg) of any other group refrigerant shall be provided for the fire department at all times as required by the fire code official.

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608.7 Testing of equipment. ¶

608.7 Testing of equipment. Refrigeration equipment and systems having a refrigerant circuit containing more than 220 pounds (100 kg) of Group A1 or 30 pounds (14 kg) of any other group refrigerant shall be subject to periodic testing in accordance with Section 608.7.1. Records of tests shall be maintained. Tests of emergency devices or systems required by this chapter shall be conducted by persons trained and qualified in refrigeration systems. 6-10 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER. BUILDING SERVICES AND SYSTEMS 608.7.1 Periodic testing. The following…

provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use

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608.8 Emergency signs. ¶

608.8 Emergency signs. Refrigeration units or systems having a refrigerant circuit containing more than 220 pounds (100 kg) of Group A1 or 30 pounds (14 kg) of any other group refrigerant shall be provided with approved emergency signs, charts and labels in accordance with NFPA 704. Hazard signs shall be in accordance with the California Mechanical Code for the classification of refrigerants listed therein.

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608.9 Refrigerant detection. ¶

608.9 Refrigerant detection. Machinery rooms shall be provided with a refrigerant detector with an audible and visible alarm. Where ammonia is used as the refrigerant, detection shall comply with IIAR 2. For refrigerants other than ammonia, refrigerant detection shall comply with Section 608.9.1. 608.9.1 Refrigerants other than ammonia. A detector, or a sampling tube that draws air to a detector, shall be provided at an approved location where refrigerant from a leak is expected to accumulate. The system shall be designed to initiate audible and visible alarms inside of and outside each…

provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use

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608.10 Remote controls. ¶

608.10 Remote controls. Where flammable refrigerants are used and compliance with Section 1106 of the California Mechanical Code is required, remote control of the mechanical equipment and appliances located in the machinery room as required by Sections 608.10.1 and 608.10.2 shall be provided at an approved location immediately outside the machinery room and adjacent to its principal entrance. 608.10.1 Refrigeration system emergency shutoff. A clearly identified switch of the break-glass type or with an approved tamperresistant cover shall provide off-only control of refrigerant compressors,…

provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use

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608.11 Emergency pressure control system. ¶

608.11 Emergency pressure control system. Permanently installed refrigeration systems in machinery rooms containing more than 6.6 pounds (3 kg) of flammable, toxic or highly toxic refrigerant or ammonia shall be provided with an emergency pressure control system in accordance with Sections 608.11.1 and 608.11.2. 608.11.1 Automatic crossover valves. Each high- and intermediate-pressure zone in a refrigeration system shall be provided with a single automatic valve providing a crossover connection to a lower pressure zone. Automatic crossover valves shall comply with Sections 608.11.1.1 through…

provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use

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608.12 Storage, use and handling. ¶

608.12 Storage, use and handling. Flammable and combustible materials shall not be stored in machinery rooms for refrigeration systems having a refrigerant circuit containing more than 220 pounds (100 kg) of Group A1 or 30 pounds (14 kg) of any other group refrigerant. Storage, use or handling of extra refrigerant or refrigerant oils shall be as required by Chapters 50, 53, 55 and 57. Exception: This provision shall not apply to spare parts, tools and incidental materials necessary for the safe and proper operation and maintenance of the system. on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER. � �…

provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage

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608.13 Discharge and termination of pressure relief and purge systems. ¶

608.13 Discharge and termination of pressure relief and purge systems. Pressure relief devices, fusible plugs and purge systems discharging to the atmosphere from refrigeration systems containing flammable, toxic or highly toxic refrigerants or ammonia shall comply with Sections 608.13.2 through 608.13.4. 608.13.1 Fusible plugs and rupture members. Discharge piping and devices connected to the discharge side of a fusible plug or rupture member shall have provisions to prevent plugging the pipe in the event the fusible plug or rupture member functions. 608.13.2 Flammable refrigerants. Systems…

provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use

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608.14 Mechanical ventilation exhaust. ¶

608.14 Mechanical ventilation exhaust. Exhaust from mechanical ventilation systems serving refrigeration machinery rooms containing flammable, toxic or highly toxic refrigerants, other than ammonia, capable of exceeding 25 percent of the LFL or 50 percent of the IDLH shall be equipped with approved treatment systems to reduce the discharge concentrations to those values or lower. Exception: Refrigeration systems containing Group A2L complying with Section 608.18.

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608.15 Notification of refrigerant discharges. ¶

608.15 Notification of refrigerant discharges. The fire code official shall be notified immediately when a discharge becomes reportable under state, federal or local regulations in accordance with Section 5003.3.1.

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608.16 Records. ¶

608.16 Records. A record of refrigerant quantities brought into and removed from the premises shall be maintained. [M] 608.17 Electrical equipment. Where refrigerant of Groups A2, A3, B2 and B3, as defined in the California Mechanical Code, are used, refrigeration machinery rooms shall conform to the Class I, Division 2, hazardous location classification requirements of the California Electrical Code. Exception: Ammonia machinery rooms that are provided with ventilation in accordance with Section 1101.1.2 of the California Mechanical Code . [M] 608.18 Group A2L and B2L refrigerant. Machinery…

provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use provision permitted lot commission district approval parking minimum height dwelling application requirement review coverage subject setback occupancy development standard accessory yard section structure compliance use

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