Chapter 48 — MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION PRODUCTION STUDIO
Section 4811
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.
4811.1 General. This chapter shall apply to production loca-¶
tions.
4811.2 Permits. A permit shall be obtained, unless waived by¶
the fire code official for any of the activities that follow:
a) Use of pyrotechnic special effects, see Section 3307.1
and California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, Chapter 6.
b) Open flames.
c) Flammable or combustible liquids, gases and dust.
d) Hot work.
e) Presence of motor vehicles within a building.
f) Tents and canopies, see Chapter 31.
g) Any additional permits as required by the agency hav-
ing jurisdiction (AHJ).
4811.3 Pyrotechnic special effects and open flames. The use¶
of pyrotechnic special effects and open flames shall be sub- ject to the approval of the fire code official.
4811.4 Standby fire personnel. A requirement for standby¶
fire safety officers shall be determined by the fire code offi- cial on a case-by-case basis.
4811.5 Foamed plastic materials. All foam plastics shall¶
meet the requirements of Chapter 8, Sections 807.5.1.5 and 807.5.7.
4811.6 Smoking. When the fire code official determines that¶
hazardous conditions necessitate controlled use of smoking materials, smoking may be prohibited or limited to desig- nated smoking areas.
4811.7 Structural loads. Sets, scenery and other equipment¶
shall not impact the structural integrity of a building or struc- ture. Consultation with a building official or structural engi- neer may be required.
4811.8 Electrical requirements.¶
4811.8.1 General. All electrical equipment including lighting, cabling and temporary power, such as portable generators, shall be maintained in good working order and shall comply with the provisions of the California Electrical Code.
4811.8.2 Distribution. Temporary feeders shall not be tapped from panelboards and switchboards where dead- front covers have to be removed.
4811.8.3 Installations. Electrical installations shall be installed in accordance with the California Electrical Code. Such equipment shall not obstruct exits, means of egress or fire department access, unless approved by the fire code official.
4811.8.4 Generators. Portable, mobile or stationary power-generating equipment may be used to supplement building electrical power for temporary use. Equipment shall be placed in a location acceptable to the fire code official.
4811.9 Fire department access. Required emergency vehicle¶
access shall be maintained. Any deviations are subject to approval by the fire code official.
4811.10 Means of egress. The production location shall be¶
provided with means of egress appropriate for the intended use as approved by the fire code official.
4811.11 Fire protection systems and equipment. Functional¶
fire protection systems and equipment shall be maintained in an operable condition, unless approved by the fire code offi- cial. Disconnecting or altering of fire protection systems and/ or equipment shall be prohibited, unless otherwise approved by the fire code official with alternate means of protection provided.
4811.12 Fire hydrants and fire appliances. Hydrants, stand-¶
pipes and fire department connections (FDC) shall not be obstructed, blocked or rendered inoperable in accordance with Chapter 9, unless approved by the fire code official.
4811.13 Fire extinguishers. Approved fire extinguishers¶
shall be provided as required by the fire code official.
4811.14 Solid-ceiling sets and platforms. In buildings with¶
existing fire protection systems and where production intends to construct solid-ceiling sets over 600 square feet (55.7 m 2 ) in area, and platforms over 600 square feet (55.7 m 2 ) in area and which exceed 3 feet (914 mm) in height, such buildings shall be protected by one of the following:
1. An approved and listed heat detector system. Heat detectors shall be spaced 30 feet (9144 mm) on center or as required by the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Detectors shall be connected to an approved and listed central, proprietary or remote sta- tion service or a local alarm, which will give an audi- ble signal at a constantly attended location. Such system shall be installed in accordance with Chapter 9.
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
MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION PRODUCTION STUDIO SOUND STAGES, APPROVED PRODUCTION FACILITIES AND PRODUCTION LOCATIONS
2. The ceiling shall be positioned to allow for the opera- tion of the building’s automatic fire sprinkler system after rehearsal, videotaping, filming, or broadcasting of programs has been completed for the day.
3. An approved fire watch.
4 . Special hazards shall be reviewed by the enforcing agency (see additional fire protection systems, Section 901.4.3).
4811.15 Buildings without fire protection systems. Special¶
hazards shall be reviewed by the fire code official (see spe- cial hazards Section 901.4.4).
496 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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CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE – MATRIX ADOPTION TABLE
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