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Chapter 8 — INTERIOR FINISH, DECORATIVE MATERIALS AND FURNISHINGS

Section 805

California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9) · 2022 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.

UPHOLSTERED FURNITURE AND MATTRESSES

IN NEW AND EXISTING BUILDINGS

805.1 Reserved .

805.2 Group I-2 and Group B ambulatory care facilities.

The requirements in Sections 805.2.1 through 805.2.2 shall apply to Group I-2 occupancies and Group B ambulatory care facilities.

805.2.1 Upholstered furniture. Newly introduced upholstered furniture shall meet the requirements of Sections 805.2.1.1 through 805.2.1.3.

805.2.1.1 Ignition by cigarettes. Newly introduced upholstered furniture shall be shown to resist ignition by cigarettes as determined by tests conducted in accordance with one of the following: (a) mocked-up composites of the upholstered furniture shall have a char length not exceeding 1.5 inches (38 mm) when tested in accordance with NFPA 261 or (b) the components of the upholstered furniture shall meet the requirements for Class I when tested in accordance with NFPA 260.

Exception: Upholstered furniture belonging to the patients in sleeping rooms of Group I-2, Condition 1

8-8 2022 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE

Copyright © 2022 by, or licensed to, International Code Council, Inc. (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED); licensed to California Building Standards Commission pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions is authorized. 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.

805.3.1 Upholstered furniture. Newly introduced upholstered furniture shall meet the requirements of Sections 805.3.1.1 through 805.3.1.3

805.3.1.1 Ignition by cigarettes. Newly introduced upholstered furniture shall be shown to resist ignition by cigarettes as determined by tests conducted in accordance with one of the following:

  1. Mocked-up composites of the upholstered furniture shall have a char length not exceeding 1.5 inches (38 mm) when tested in accordance with NFPA 261.

  2. The components of the upholstered furniture shall meet the requirements for Class I when tested in accordance with NFPA 260.

805.3.1.2 Heat release rate. Newly introduced upholstered furniture shall have limited rates of heat release when tested in accordance with ASTM E1537, as follows:

  1. The peak rate of heat release for the single upholstered furniture item shall not exceed 80 kW.

  2. The total heat released by the single upholstered furniture item during the first 10 minutes of the test shall not exceed 25 MJ.

805.3.1.3 Identification. Upholstered furniture shall bear the label of an approved agency, confirming compliance with the requirements of Sections 805.3.1.1 and 805.3.1.2.

805.3.2 Mattresses. Newly introduced mattresses shall meet the requirements of Sections 805.3.2.1 through 805.3.2.3.

805.3.2.1 Ignition by cigarettes. Newly introduced mattresses shall be shown to resist ignition by cigarettes as determined by tests conducted in accordance with DOC 16 CFR Part 1632 and shall have a char length not exceeding 2 inches (51 mm).

805.3.2.2 Fire performance tests. Newly introduced mattresses shall be tested in accordance with Section 805.3.2.2.1 or 805.3.2.2.2.

805.3.2.2.1 Heat release rate. Newly introduced mattresses shall have limited rates of heat release when tested in accordance with ASTM E1590 or California Technical Bulletin 129, as follows:

  1. The peak rate of heat release for the single mattress shall not exceed 100 kW.

  2. The total heat released by the single mattress during the first 10 minutes of the test shall not exceed 25 MJ.

805.3.2.2.2 Mass loss test. Newly introduced mattresses shall have a mass loss not exceeding 15 percent of the initial mass of the mattress where tested in accordance with the test in Annex A3 of ASTM F1085.

805.3.2.3 Identification. Mattresses shall bear the label of an approved agency, confirming compliance with the requirements of Sections 805.3.2.1 and 805.3.2.2.

INTERIOR FINISH, DECORATIVE MATERIALS AND FURNISHINGS

Exceptions & meaning →

805.4 Group R-2 college and university dormitories. The

requirements of Sections 805.4.1 through 805.4.2.3 shall apply to college and university dormitories classified in Group R-2, including decks, porches and balconies.

805.4.1 Upholstered furniture. Newly introduced upholstered furniture shall meet the requirements of Sections 805.4.1.1 through 805.4.1.3.

805.4.1.1 Ignition by cigarettes. Newly introduced upholstered furniture shall be shown to resist ignition by cigarettes as determined by tests conducted in accordance with one of the following:

  1. Mocked-up composites of the upholstered furniture shall have a char length not exceeding 1 1 /2 inches (38 mm) when tested in accordance with NFPA 261.

  2. The components of the upholstered furniture shall meet the requirements for Class I when tested in accordance with NFPA 260.

805.4.1.2 Heat release rate. Newly introduced upholstered furniture shall have limited rates of heat release when tested in accordance with ASTM E1537 or California Technical Bulletin 133, as follows:

  1. The peak rate of heat release for the single upholstered furniture item shall not exceed 80 kW.

Exception: Upholstered furniture in rooms or spaces protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.

  1. The total heat released by the single upholstered furniture item during the first 10 minutes of the test shall not exceed 25 MJ.

Exception: Upholstered furniture in rooms or spaces protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.

805.4.1.3 Identification. Upholstered furniture shall bear the label of an approved agency, confirming compliance with the requirements of Sections 805.4.1.1 and 805.4.1.2.

805.4.2 Mattresses. Newly introduced mattresses shall meet the requirements of Sections 805.4.2.1 through 805.4.2.3.

805.4.2.1 Ignition by cigarettes. Newly introduced mattresses shall be shown to resist ignition by cigarettes as determined by tests conducted in accordance with DOC 16 CFR Part 1632 and shall have a char length not exceeding 2 inches (51 mm).

805.4.2.2 Heat release rate. Newly introduced mattresses shall have limited rates of heat release when tested in accordance with ASTM E1590 or California Technical Bulletin 129, as follows:

  1. The peak rate of heat release for the single mattress shall not exceed 100 kW.

Exception: Mattresses in rooms or spaces protected by an approved automatic sprinkler

Copyright © 2022 by, or licensed to, International Code Council, Inc. (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED); licensed to California Building Standards Commission pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions is authorized. 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.

set forth in California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Divi- sion 1, Chapter 8.

[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §3.08]. Decorative Materials.

In every Group A, E, I, R-1, R-2, R-2.1, R-3.1 and R-4 occu- pancy, all drapes, hangings, curtains, drops and all other decorative material, including Christmas trees, that would tend to increase the fire and panic hazard shall be made from a nonflammable material, or shall be treated and maintained in a flame-retardant condition by means of a flame-retardant solution or process approved by the State Fire Marshal, as set forth in California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, Chapter 8. Exits, exit lights, fire alarm sending stations, wet standpipe hose cabinets and fire extinguisher locations shall not be concealed, in whole or in part, by any decorative material.

Exceptions:

(a) Cubical curtains and individual patient room window curtains and drapes in Group I, R-2.1, R-3.1 and R-4 occupancies.

(b) Window curtains and drapes within dwelling units of Group R-1 and R-2 occupancies.

(c) Christmas trees within dwelling units of Group R-1 and R-2 occupancies.

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