Chapter 3 — GENERAL REGULATIONS
303.10 Clearance to Combustible Materials — 2025 California Mechanical Code
California Mechanical Code (Title 24, Part 4) · 2025 edition · updated 2026-09-25 · California
CBSC: official editions, supplements and errata
Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.
Cite as: 2025 California Mechanical Code (Title 24, Part 4) § 303.10 · Effective January 1, 2026 · Official source: Building Standards Commission
Appliances and their vent connectors shall be installed with clearances from combustible material so their operation does not create a hazard to persons or property. Minimum clearances between combustible walls and the back and sides of various conventional types of appliances and their vent connectors are specified in Chapter 8 and Chapter 9, or NFPA 211.
[NFPA 54:9.2.2] Where not provided in this code, listed and unlisted equipment or appliances shall be installed to maintain the required clearances for servicing and to combustible construction in accordance with the listing and the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
303.10.1 Clearance Reduction. Reduced clearances to combustible construction for listed equipment and appliances shall comply with the listing and Table 303.10.1. Where permitted by the manufacturer, and not provided in this code, reduced clearances to combustible construction for unlisted equipment and appliances shall comply with Table 303.10.1. 303.10.1.1 Type I Hood Exhaust System. Reduced clearances for Type I exhaust systems shall be in accordance with Section 507.4.2 through Section 507.4.2.3. Clearances from the duct or the
exhaust fan to the interior surface of enclosures of
combustible construction shall be in accordance with
Section 510.7.3 and clearances shall not be reduced.
303.10.1.2 Product Conveying Ducts. Reduced clearances to combustibles construction for product conveying ducts shall be in accordance with Section 506.10.3 through Section 506.11.6.3.
GENERAL REGULATIONS
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303.10.1.3 Solid-Fuel-Burning Appliances. For solid-fuel-burning appliances, the clearance shall not be less than 12 inches (305 mm) to combustible walls and not less than 18 inches (457 mm) to combustible ceilings. The clearance, after reduction, shall be permitted to be less than 12 inches (305 mm) to combustible walls and less than 18 inches (457 mm) to combustible ceilings. Solid-fuel-burning appliances listed for lesser clearances shall be permitted to be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and their listing.
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