Chapter 33 — FIRE SAFETY DURING CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION
Section 3304
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.
3304.1 Smoking. Smoking shall be prohibited except in¶
approved areas. Signs shall be posted in accordance with Section 310. In approved areas where smoking is permitted, approved ashtrays shall be provided in accordance with Section 310.
3304.2 Combustible debris, rubbish and waste.¶
Combustible debris, rubbish and waste material shall comply with the requirements of Sections 3304.2.1 through 3304.2.4.
3304.2.1 Combustible waste material accumulation. Combustible debris, rubbish and waste material shall not be accumulated within buildings.
3304.2.2 Combustible waste material removal. Combustible debris, rubbish and waste material shall be removed from buildings at the end of each shift of work.
3304.2.3 Rubbish containers. Where rubbish containers with a capacity exceeding 5.33 cubic feet (40 gallons) (0.15 m 3 ) are used for temporary storage of combustible debris, rubbish and waste material, they shall have tightfitting or self-closing lids. Such rubbish containers shall be constructed entirely of materials that comply with either of the following:
Noncombustible materials.
Materials that meet a peak rate of heat release not exceeding 300 kW/m 2 when tested in accordance with ASTM E1354 at an incident heat flux of 50 kW/m 2 in the horizontal orientation.
3304.2.4 Spontaneous ignition. Materials susceptible to spontaneous ignition, such as oily rags, shall be stored in a listed disposal container.
3304.3 Burning of combustible debris, rubbish and waste.¶
Combustible debris, rubbish and waste material shall not be disposed of by burning on the site unless approved.
3304.4 Open burning. Open burning shall comply with Section 307.¶
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.
100735044
FIRE SAFETY DURING CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION
3304.5 Fire watch. Where required by the fire code official¶
or the prefire plan established in accordance with Section 3308.3, a fire watch shall be provided for building demolition and for building construction that is hazardous in nature, such as temporary heating or hot work.
3304.5.1 Fire watch during construction. Where required by the fire code official, a fire watch shall be provided during nonworking hours for new construction that exceeds 40 feet (12 192 mm) in height above the lowest adjacent grade.
3304.5.2 Fire watch personnel. Trained personnel shall be provided to serve as an on-site fire watch. Fire watch personnel shall be provided with not fewer than one approved means for notification of the fire department, and the sole duty of such personnel shall be to perform constant patrols and watch for the occurrence of fire. The combination of fire watch duties and site security duties is acceptable. Fire watch personnel shall be trained in the use of portable fire extinguishers.
3304.5.3 Fire watch location and records. The fire watch shall include areas specified by the prefire plan established in accordance with Section 3308.3. The fire watch personnel shall keep a record of all time periods of duty, including a log entry each time the site was patrolled and each time a structure under construction was entered and inspected. The records and log entries shall be made available for review by the fire code official upon request.
3304.6 Cutting and welding. Welding, cutting, open torches¶
and other hot work operations and equipment shall comply with Chapter 35.
3304.7 Electrical. Temporary wiring for electrical power and¶
lighting installations used in connection with the construction, alteration or demolition of buildings, structures, equipment or similar activities shall comply with the California Electrical Code.
3304.8 Cooking. Cooking shall be prohibited except in¶
approved designated cooking areas. Signs with a minimum letter height of 3 inches (76 mm) and a minimum brush stroke of 1 /2 inch (13 mm) shall be posted in conspicuous locations in designated cooking areas and state:
DESIGNATED COOKING AREA COOKING OUTSIDE OF A DESIGNATED COOKING
AREA IS PROHIBITED
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