Chapter 7 — FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
706 Duct and Air Transfer Openings — 2025 California Fire Code
California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9) · 2025 edition · updated 2026-09-25 · California
CBSC: official editions, supplements and errata
Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.
Cite as: 2025 California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9) § 706 · Effective January 1, 2026 · Official source: Building Standards Commission
706.1 Maintaining protection.¶
Dampers protecting ducts and air transfer openings shall be inspected and maintained in accordance with NFPA 80 and NFPA 105. Other products or materials used to protect the openings for ducts and air transfer openings shall be securely attached to or bonded to the construction containing the duct or air transfer opening, without visible openings through or into the cavity of the construction. Any damaged products or materials protecting duct and air transfer openings shall be repaired, restored or replaced.
706.2 Unprotected openings.¶
Unprotected duct and air transfer openings in fire-resistance-rated construction and construction installed to resist the passage of smoke shall be protected so as to comply with requirements that were in effect when the building was constructed.
Explained in plain English
Guides that cite this section.
- When are fire dampers or smoke/air‑control dampers required at penetrations?
- What special rules apply to ducts that penetrate fire walls or horizontal exits?
- How do air‑transfer openings interact with smoke control systems and damper requirements?
- How do fire walls, fire barriers and fire partitions differ and where are their maintenance rules?
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