Chapter 9 — FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS
Section 902
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.
902.1 Definitions. The following terms are defined in Chapter 2:¶
ALARM NOTIFICATION APPLIANCE.
ALARM SIGNAL.
ALARM VERIFICATION FEATURE.
ANNUNCIATOR.
AUDIBLE ALARM NOTIFICATION APPLIANCE.
AUTOMATIC.
AUTOMATIC FIRE-EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM.
AUTOMATIC SMOKE DETECTION SYSTEM.
AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM.
AUTOMATIC WATER MIST SYSTEM.
AVERAGE AMBIENT SOUND LEVEL.
CARBON DIOXIDE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM.
CLEAN AGENT.
COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE.
CONSTANTLY ATTENDED LOCATION.
DELUGE SYSTEM.
DETECTOR, HEAT.
DRY-CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHING AGENT.
ELEVATOR GROUP.
EMERGENCY ALARM SYSTEM.
EMERGENCY VOICE/ALARM
COMMUNICATIONS.
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.
FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS
[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §902.4(b)] “E” Definitions
(b) Engineered Fixed Extinguishing System. A system which is custom designed for a particular hazard, using components which are approved or listed only for their broad performance characteristics. Components may be arranged into a variety of configurations. These systems shall include but not be limited to:
(1) Dry chemical systems
(2) Carbon dioxide systems
(3) Halogenated agent systems
(4) Steam systems
(5) High expansion foam systems
(6) Foam extinguishing systems
(7) Liquid agent systems
(8) Clean agent systems
FIRE ALARM BOX, MANUAL.
FIRE ALARM CONTROL UNIT.
FIRE ALARM SIGNAL.
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM.
FIRE APPLIANCE [SFM] is apparatus or equipment pro- vided or installed for use in the event of an emergency.
FIRE AREA.
FIRE DETECTOR, AUTOMATIC.
FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM.
FIRE SAFETY FUNCTIONS.
FIXED BASE OPERATOR (FBO).
FOAM-EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM.
GAS DETECTION SYSTEM.
HALOGENATED EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM.
IMPAIRMENT COORDINATOR.
INITIATING DEVICE.
[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §902.9(a)] “I” Definitions.
(a) Inspection. A visual examination of a system or portion thereof to verify that it appears to be in operating condi- tion and is free of physical damage.
LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS.
MANUAL FIRE ALARM BOX.
MULTIPLE-STATION ALARM DEVICE.
MULTIPLE-STATION SMOKE ALARM.
[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §902.12(a)] “M” Definitions.
(a) Maintenance. Work performed to keep equipment operable or to make repairs.
NOTIFICATION ZONE.
NUISANCE ALARM.
[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §902.15(a)] “P” Definitions.
(a) Pre-engineered Fixed Extinguishing System. A system where the number of components and their configurations are included in the description of the systems approval and listing. These systems shall include but not be limited to:
(1) Dry chemical systems
(2) Carbon dioxide systems
(3) Halogenated agent systems
(4) Liquid agent systems
(5) Clean agent systems
PRIVATE GARAGE.
RECORD DRAWINGS.
SINGLE-STATION SMOKE ALARM.
SLEEPING UNIT.
SMOKE ALARM.
SMOKE DETECTOR.
STANDPIPE, TYPES OF.
Automatic dry.
Automatic wet.
Manual dry.
Manual wet.
Semiautomatic dry.
STANDPIPE SYSTEM, CLASSES OF.
Class I system.
Class II system.
Class III system.
SUPERVISING STATION.
SUPERVISORY SERVICE.
SUPERVISORY SIGNAL.
SUPERVISORY SIGNAL-INITIATING DEVICE.
[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §902.18(a)] “S” Definitions.
(a) Service. The performance of testing and maintenance on an automatic fire extinguishing system.
TIRES, BULK STORAGE OF.
TRANSIENT AIRCRAFT.
TROUBLE SIGNAL.
VISIBLE ALARM NOTIFICATION APPLIANCE.
WET-CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHING AGENT.
WIRELESS PROTECTION SYSTEM.
ZONE.
ZONE, NOTIFICATION.
9-12 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.
FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS
The fire area has an occupant load of 300 or more.
The fire area is located on a floor other than a level of exit discharge serving such occupancies.
4. The structure exceeds 12,000 square feet (1155 m 2 ), contains more than one fire area containing exhibition and display rooms, and is separated into two or more buildings by fire walls of less than 4-hour fire-resistance rating without open- ings.
903.2.1.4 Group A-4. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout stories containing Group A-4 occupancies and throughout all stories from the Group A-4 occupancy to and including the levels of exit discharge serving that occupancy where one of the following conditions exists:
The fire area exceeds 12,000 square feet (1115 m 2 ).
The fire area has an occupant load of 300 or more.
The fire area is located on a floor other than a level of exit discharge serving such occupancies.
903.2.1.5 Group A-5. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for all enclosed Group A-5 accessory use areas in excess of 1,000 square feet (93 m 2 ).
903.2.1.5.1 Spaces under grandstands or bleach- ers. Enclosed spaces under grandstands or bleachers shall be equipped with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 where either of the following exist:
The enclosed area is 1,000 square feet (93 m 2 ) or less and is not constructed in accordance with Section 1030.1.1.1.
The enclosed area exceeds 1,000 square feet (93 m 2 ).
903.2.1.6 Assembly occupancies on roofs. Where an occupied roof has an assembly occupancy with an occupant load exceeding 100 for Group A-2 and 300 for other Group A occupancies, all floors between the occupied roof and the level of exit discharge shall be equipped with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2.
Exception: Open parking garages of Type I or Type II construction.
903.2.1.7 Multiple fire areas. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided where multiple fire areas of Group A-1, A-2, A-3 or A-4 occupancies share exit or exit access components and the combined occupant load of these fire areas is 300 or more.
903.2.2 Ambulatory care facilities. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout the entire floor containing an ambulatory care facility where either of the following conditions exist at any time:
- Four or more care recipients are incapable of selfpreservation.
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