Chapter 6 — BUILDING SERVICES AND SYSTEMS
Section 603
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.
603.1 Installation. The installation of nonportable gas-fired¶
appliances and systems shall comply with the California Plumbing Code . The installation of nonportable liquid fuelfired appliances and systems shall comply with this section and the California Mechanical Code . The installation of all other fuel-fired appliances, other than portable internal combustion engines, oil lamps and other portable devices such as blow torches, melting pots and weed burners, shall comply with this section and the California Mechanical Code .
603.1.1 Manufacturer’s instructions. The installation shall be made in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and applicable federal, state and local rules and regulations. Where it becomes necessary to change, modify
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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ter 13, both of the California Mechanical Code, as applicable.
603.3.2.5 Separation. Rooms containing fuel oil tanks for internal combustion engines shall be separated from the remainder of the building by fire barriers, horizontal assemblies, or both, with a minimum 1-hour fire-resistance rating with 1-hour fire-protection-rated opening protectives constructed in accordance with the Califor- nia Building Code.
Exception: Rooms containing protected aboveground tanks complying with Section 5704.2.9.7 shall not be required to be separated from surrounding areas.
603.3.2.6 Spill containment. Tanks exceeding 55-gallon (208 L) capacity or an aggregate capacity of 1,000 gallons (3785 L) that are not provided with integral secondary containment shall be provided with spill containment sized to contain a release from the largest tank.
603.3.2.7 Tanks in basements. Tanks in basements shall be located not more than two stories below grade plane.
603.3.3 Underground storage of fuel oil. The storage of fuel oil in underground storage tanks shall comply with NFPA 31.
603.4 Portable unvented heaters.¶
Portable unvented fuelfired heating equipment shall be prohibited in occupancies in Groups A, E, I, R-1, R-2, R-2.1, R-2.2, R-3, R-3.1 and R-4 and ambulatory care facilities.
Exception: Portable outdoor gas-fired heating appliances in accordance with Section 603.4.2.
603.4.1 Prohibited locations. Unvented fuel-fired heating equipment shall not be located in, or obtain combustion air from, any of the following rooms or spaces: sleeping rooms, bathrooms, toilet rooms or storage closets.
603.4.2 Portable outdoor gas-fired heating appliances. Portable gas-fired heating appliances located outdoors shall be in accordance with Sections 603.4.2.1 through 603.4.2.3.4.
603.4.2.1 Location. Portable outdoor gas-fired heating appliances shall be located in accordance with Sections 603.4.2.1.1 through 603.4.2.1.4.
603.4.2.1.1 Prohibited locations. The storage or use of portable outdoor gas-fired heating appliances is prohibited in any of the following locations:
Inside of any occupancy where connected to the fuel gas container.
Inside of tents, canopies and membrane structures.
On exterior balconies.
Exception: As allowed in Section 6.22 of NFPA 58.
603.4.2.1.2 Clearance to buildings. Portable outdoor gas-fired heating appliances shall be located not less than 5 feet (1524 mm) from buildings.
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BUILDING SERVICES AND SYSTEMS
603.1.7 Clearances. Working clearances between oilfired appliances and electrical panelboards and equipment shall be in accordance with California Electrical Code. Clearances between oil-fired equipment and oil supply tanks shall be in accordance with NFPA 31.
603.2 Chimneys. Masonry chimneys shall be constructed in¶
accordance with the California Building Code . Factory-built chimneys shall be installed in accordance with the California Mechanical Code . Metal chimneys shall be constructed and installed in accordance with NFPA 211.
603.3 Fuel oil storage systems. Fuel oil storage systems¶
shall be installed in accordance with this code. Fuel-oil piping systems shall be installed in accordance with the California Mechanical Code .
603.3.1 Fuel oil storage in outside, above-ground tanks. Where connected to a fuel-oil piping system, the maximum amount of fuel oil storage allowed outside above ground without additional protection shall be 660 gallons (2498 L). The storage of fuel oil above ground in quantities exceeding 660 gallons (2498 L) shall comply with NFPA 31.
603.3.2 Fuel oil storage inside buildings. Fuel oil storage inside buildings shall comply with Sections 603.3.2.1 through 603.3.2.5 or Chapter 57.
603.3.2.1 Quantity limits. One or more fuel oil storage tanks containing Class II or III combustible liquid shall be permitted in a building. The aggregate capacity of all tanks shall not exceed the following:
660 gallons (2498 L) in unsprinklered buildings, where stored in a tank complying with UL 80, UL 142 or UL 2085.
1,320 gallons (4996 L) in buildings equipped with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, where stored in a tank complying with UL 142.
3,000 gallons (11 356 L) where stored in protected above-ground tanks complying with UL 2085 and Section 5704.2.9.7 and the room is protected by an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.
603.3.2.2 Restricted use and connection. Tanks installed in accordance with Section 603.3.2 shall be used only to supply fuel oil to fuel-burning equipment, generators or fire pumps installed in accordance with Section 603.3.2.4. Connections between tanks and equipment supplied by such tanks shall be made using closed piping systems.
603.3.2.3 Applicability of maximum allowable quan- tity and control area requirements. The quantity of combustible liquid stored in tanks complying with Section 603.3.2 shall not be counted towards the maximum allowable quantity set forth in Table 5003.1.1(1), and such tanks shall not be required to be located in a control area.
603.3.2.4 Installation. Tanks and piping systems shall be installed in accordance with Section 915 and Chap
120 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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603.4.2.1.3 Clearance to combustible materials. Portable outdoor gas-fired heating appliances shall not be located beneath, or closer than 5 feet (1524 mm) to combustible decorations and combustible overhangs, awnings, sunshades or similar combustible attachments to buildings.
603.4.2.1.4 Proximity to exits. Portable outdoor gas-fired heating appliances shall not be located within 5 feet (1524 mm) of exits or exit discharges.
603.4.2.2 Installation and operation. Portable outdoor gas-fired heating appliances shall be installed and operated in accordance with Sections 603.4.2.2.1 through 603.4.2.2.4.
603.4.2.2.1 Listing and approval. Only listed and approved portable outdoor gas-fired heating appliances utilizing a fuel gas container that is integral to the appliance shall be used.
603.4.2.2.2 Installation and maintenance. Portable outdoor gas-fired heating appliances shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
603.4.2.2.3 Tip-over switch. Portable outdoor gasfired heating appliances shall be equipped with a tilt or tip-over switch that automatically shuts off the flow of gas if the appliance is tilted more than 15 degrees (0.26 rad) from the vertical.
603.4.2.2.4 Guard against contact. The heating element or combustion chamber of portable outdoor gas-fired heating appliances shall be permanently guarded so as to prevent accidental contact by persons or material.
603.4.2.3 Gas containers. Fuel gas containers for portable outdoor gas-fired heating appliances shall comply with Sections 603.4.2.3.1 through 603.4.2.3.4.
603.4.2.3.1 Approved containers. Only approved DOTn or ASME gas containers shall be used.
603.4.2.3.2 Container replacement. Replacement of fuel gas containers in portable outdoor gas-fired heating appliances shall not be conducted while the public is present.
603.4.2.3.3 Container capacity. The maximum individual capacity of gas containers used in connection with portable outdoor gas-fired heating appliances shall not exceed 20 pounds (9 kg).
603.4.2.3.4 Indoor storage prohibited. Gas containers shall not be stored inside of buildings except in accordance with Section 6109.9.
603.5 Heating appliances. Heating appliances shall be listed¶
and shall comply with Sections 603.5.1 and 603.5.2.
[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §3.17(a) and (b)] Guards for Heating Appliances.
Every heating appliance in any occupancy governed by Cali- fornia Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1 regulations which does not have protective features incorporated in its design, shall be provided with guards that will provide pro-
BUILDING SERVICES AND SYSTEMS
tection against ignition of clothing and other combustible material.
(a) Appliances employing open flame radiated heat shall have fixed and substantially constructed metallic guards located not less than 10 inches from the radiating flame and the guard members shall be spaced not more than 2 inches apart.
(b) Cabinet type appliances that are not provided with an inner combustion chamber and an air circulating space between the combustion chamber and the outer shell, shall have fixed and substantially constructed metallic guards located not less than 3 inches from the shell and spaced not more than 2 inches apart.
603.5.1 Guard against contact. The heating element or combustion chamber shall be permanently guarded so as to prevent accidental contact by persons or material.
603.5.2 Heating appliance installation and mainte- nance. Heating appliances shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, the California Building Code, the California Mechanical Code, the California Plumbing Code and the California Electrical Code.
603.6 Chimneys and appliances. Chimneys, incinerators,¶
smokestacks or similar devices for conveying smoke or hot gases to the outer air and the stoves, furnaces, fireboxes or boilers to which such devices are connected, shall be maintained so as not to create a fire hazard.
603.6.1 Masonry chimneys. Masonry chimneys that, upon inspection, are found to be without a flue liner and that have open mortar joints which will permit smoke or gases to be discharged into the building, or which are cracked as to be dangerous, shall be repaired or relined with a listed chimney liner system installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions or a flue lining system installed in accordance with the requirements of the California Building Code and appropriate for the intended class of chimney service.
603.6.2 Metal chimneys. Metal chimneys that are corroded or improperly supported shall be repaired or replaced.
603.6.3 Decorative shrouds. Decorative shrouds installed at the termination of factory-built chimneys shall be removed except where such shrouds are listed and labeled for use with the specific factory-built chimney system and are installed in accordance with the chimney manufacturer’s instructions.
603.6.4 Factory-built chimneys. Existing factory-built chimneys that are damaged, corroded or improperly supported shall be repaired or replaced.
603.6.5 Connectors. Existing chimney and vent connectors that are damaged, corroded or improperly supported shall be repaired or replaced.
603.7 Discontinuing operation of unsafe heating appli-¶
ances. The fire code official is authorized to order that measures be taken to prevent the operation of any existing stove, oven, furnace, incinerator, boiler or any other heat-producing device or appliance found to be defective or in violation of
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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BUILDING SERVICES AND SYSTEMS
code requirements for existing appliances after giving notice to this effect to any person, owner, firm or agent or operator in charge of the same. The fire code official is authorized to take measures to prevent the operation of any device or appliance without notice when inspection shows the existence of an immediate fire hazard or when imperiling human life. The defective device shall remain withdrawn from service until all necessary repairs or alterations have been made.
603.7.1 Unauthorized operation. It shall be a violation of this code for any person, user, firm or agent to continue the utilization of any device or appliance (the operation of which has been discontinued or ordered discontinued in accordance with Section 603.7) unless written authority to resume operation is given by the fire code official. Removing or breaking the means by which operation of the device is prevented shall be a violation of this code.
603.8 Incinerators.¶
Commercial, industrial and residentialtype incinerators and chimneys shall be constructed in accordance with the California Building Code and the California Mechanical Code . Unless other approved means are pro- vided for the prompt disposal of rubbish, an approved incin- erator shall be provided and maintained for the disposal of combustible waste. Incinerators shall be constructed, located, and maintained in such manner that waste material can be safely burned at any hour of the day, where local ordi- nances permit. Fuel-fired and garbage burning incinerators shall be constructed and maintained in conformance with NFPA 82-2009 Incinerators, Waste and Linen Handling Sys- tems and Equipment or U.L. 791-2006 Standard for Residen- tial Incinerators, whichever is applicable.
603.8.1 Residential incinerators. Residential incinerators shall be of an approved type.
603.8.2 Spark arrestor. Incinerators shall be equipped with an effective means for arresting sparks.
603.8.3 Restrictions. Where the fire code official determines that burning in incinerators located within 500 feet (152 m) of mountainous, brush or grass-covered areas will create an undue fire hazard because of atmospheric conditions, such burning shall be prohibited.
603.8.4 Time of burning. Burning shall take place only during approved hours.
603.8.5 Discontinuance. The fire code official is authorized to require incinerator use to be discontinued immediately if the fire code official determines that smoke emissions are offensive to occupants of surrounding property or if the use of incinerators is determined by the fire code official to constitute a hazardous condition.
603.8.6 Flue-fed incinerators in Group I-2. In Group I-2 occupancies, the continued use of existing flue-fed incinerators is prohibited.
603.8.7 Incinerator inspections in Group I-2. Incinerators in Group I-2 occupancies shall be inspected not less than annually in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Inspection records shall be maintained on the premises and made available to the fire code official upon request
603.9 Gas meters. Above-ground gas meters, regulators and¶
piping subject to damage shall be protected by a barrier complying with Section 312 or otherwise protected in an approved manner.
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