Section 1205
California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9) · 2019 edition · updated 2026-09-10 · California
CBSC: official editions, supplements and errata
Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.
1205.1 General. Stationary fuel cell power systems in new¶
and existing occupancies shall comply with this section.
1205.2 Permits. Permits shall be obtained for stationary fuel¶
cell power systems as set forth in Section 105.7.10.
1205.3 Equipment. Stationary fuel cell power systems shall¶
comply with the following:
Prepackaged fuel cell power systems shall be listed and labeled in accordance with CSA FC 1.
The modules and components in a preengineered fuel cell power system shall be listed and labeled in accordance with CSA FC 1 and interconnected to complete the assembly of the system at the job site in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and the module and component listings.
Field-fabricated fuel cell power systems shall be approved based on a review of the technical report provided in accordance with Section 104.7.2. The report shall be prepared by and bear the stamp of a registered design professional and shall include:
3.1. A fire risk evaluation.
3.2. An evaluation demonstrating that modules and components in the fuel cell power system comply with applicable requirements in CSA FC 1.
3.3. Documentation of the fuel cell power system’s compliance with applicable NFPA 2 and NFPA 853 construction requirements.
1205.4 Installation. Stationary fuel cell power systems shall¶
be installed and maintained in accordance with the California Electrical Code and NFPA 853, the manufacturer’s installation instructions, and the listing. Stationary fuel cell power systems fueled by hydrogen shall be installed and maintained in accordance with NFPA 2 and the California Electrical Code, the manufacturer’s installation instructions and the listing.
Copyright © 2019 ICC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Accessed by Kevin Day (kevin.day@dgs.ca.gov), (California Building Standards Commission) Order Number #100735044 on Jul 24, 2019 03:54 PM (PDT) pursuant to License Agreement with ICC. No further reproduction or distribution authorized. Single user only, copying and networking prohibited. ANY UNAUTHORIZED REPRODUCTION OR DISTRIBUTION IS A VIOLATION OF THE FEDERAL COPYRIGHT ACT AND THE LICENSE AGREEMENT, AND SUBJECT TO CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES THEREUNDER.
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1205.5 Residential use. Stationary fuel cell power systems¶
shall not be installed in Group R-3 and R-4 buildings, or dwelling units associated with Group R-2 buildings unless they are specifically listed for residential use.
1205.6 Indoor installations.¶
Stationary fuel cell power systems installed in indoor locations shall comply with Sections 1205.6 through 1205.6.2. For purposes of this section, an indoor location includes a roof and 50 percent or greater enclosing walls.
1205.6.1 Listed. Stationary fuel cell power systems installed indoors shall be specifically listed and labeled for indoor use.
1205.6.2 Separation. Rooms containing stationary fuel cell power systems shall be separated from the following occupancies by fire barriers or horizontal assemblies, or both, constructed in accordance with the California Build- ing Code .
Group B, F, M, S and U occupancies by 1-hour fireresistance-rated construction.
Group A, E, I and R occupancies by 2-hour fireresistance-rated construction.
Exception: Stationary fuel cell power systems with an aggregate rating less than 50 kW shall not be required to be separated from other occupancies provided that the systems comply with Section 9.3 of NFPA 853.
1205.7 Vehicle impact protection. Where stationary fuel¶
cell power systems are subject to impact by a motor vehicle, vehicle impact protection shall be provided in accordance with Section 312.
1205.8 Outdoor installation.¶
Stationary fuel cell power systems located outdoors shall be separated by not less than 5 feet (1524 mm) from the following:
Lot lines.
Public ways.
Buildings.
Stored combustible materials.
Hazardous materials.
High-piled stock.
Any portion of a designated means of egress system.
Other exposure hazards.
1205.9 Fuel supply. The design, location and installation of¶
the fuel supply for stationary fuel cell power systems shall comply with Chapter 53, Chapter 58 and the California Fuel Gas Code, based on the particular fuel being supplied to the system.
1205.10 Manual shutoff. Access to a manual shutoff valve¶
shall be provided for the fuel piping within 6 feet (1829 mm) of any fuel storage tank serving the fuel cell and within 6 feet (1829 mm) of the power system. If the fuel tank and the stationary fuel cell power system are less than 12 feet (3658 mm) apart, a single shutoff valve shall be permitted. If the stationary fuel cell power system is located indoors, the shutoff valve shall be located outside of the room in which the system is installed, unless otherwise approved by the fire code official.
1205.11 Ventilation and exhaust. Ventilation and exhaust¶
for stationary fuel cell power systems shall be provided in accordance with NFPA 853.
1205.12 Fire suppression. Fire suppression for stationary¶
fuel cell power system installations shall be provided in accordance with NFPA 853.
1205.13 Gas detection systems. Stationary fuel cell power¶
systems shall be provided with a gas detection system. Detection shall be provided in approved locations in the fuel cell power system enclosure, the exhaust system or the room that encloses the fuel cell power system. The system shall be designed to activate at a flammable gas concentration of not more than 25 percent of the lower flammable limit (LFL).
320 2019 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE
Copyright © 2019 ICC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Accessed by Kevin Day (kevin.day@dgs.ca.gov), (California Building Standards Commission) Order Number #100735044 on Jul 24, 2019 03:54 PM (PDT) pursuant to License Agreement with ICC. No further reproduction or distribution authorized. Single user only, copying and networking prohibited. ANY UNAUTHORIZED REPRODUCTION OR DISTRIBUTION IS A VIOLATION OF THE FEDERAL COPYRIGHT ACT AND THE LICENSE AGREEMENT, AND SUBJECT TO CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES THEREUNDER.
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1206.2.3 Hazard mitigation analysis. A failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) or other approved hazard mitigation analysis shall be provided in accordance with Section 104.7.2 under any of the following conditions:
Battery technologies not specifically identified in Table 1206.2 are provided.
More than one stationary storage battery technology is provided in a room or indoor area where there is a potential for adverse interaction between technologies.
Where allowed as a basis for increasing maximum allowable quantities in accordance with Section 1206.2.9.
1206.2.3.1 Fault condition. The hazard mitigation analysis shall evaluate the consequences of the following failure modes, and others deemed necessary by the fire code official. Only single-failure modes shall be considered.
Thermal runaway condition in a single-battery storage rack, module or array.
Failure of any energy management system.
Failure of any required ventilation system.
Voltage surges on the primary electric supply.
Short circuits on the load side of the stationary battery storage system.
Failure of the smoke detection, fire-extinguishing or gas detection system.
Spill neutralization not being provided or failure of the secondary containment system.
1206.2.3.2 Analysis approval. The fire code official is authorized to approve the hazardous mitigation analysis provided that the hazard mitigation analysis demonstrates all of the following:
Fires or explosions will be contained within unoccupied battery storage rooms for the minimum duration of the fire-resistance-rated walls identified in Table 509.1 of the California Build- ing Code .
Fires and explosions in battery cabinets in occupied work centers will be detected in time to allow occupants within the room to evacuate safely.
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1205.13.1 System activation. The activation of the gas detection system shall automatically:
Close valves between the gas supply and the fuel cell power system.
Shut down the fuel cell power system.
Initiate local audible and visible alarms in approved locations.
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