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Chapter 3 — BUILDING PLANNING

Section R337.9

California Residential Code (Title 24, Part 2.5) · 2019 edition · updated 2026-09-12 · California

Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.

DECKING

R337.9.1 General. The walking surface material of decks, porches, balconies and stairs shall comply with the requirements of this section.

R337.9.2 Where required. The walking surface material of decks, porches, balconies and stairs shall comply with the requirements of this section when any portion of such surface is within 10 feet (3048 mm) of the building.

R337.9.3 Decking surfaces. The walking surface material of decks, porches, balconies and stairs shall be con- structed with one of the following materials:

1. Material that complies with the performance requirements of Section R337.9.4 when tested in accordance with both ASTM E2632 and ASTM E2726.

2. Ignition-resistant material that complies with the performance requirements of Section R337.4.3 when tested in accordance with ASTM E84 or UL 723.

3. Material that complies with the performance requirements of both SFM Standard 12-7A-4 and SFM Standard 12-7A-5.

4. Exterior fire retardant treated wood.

5. Noncombustible material.

6. Any material that complies with the performance requirements of SFM Standard 12-7A-4A when attached exterior wall covering is also composed of noncombustible or ignition-resistant material.

Exception: Wall material may be of any material that otherwise complies with this chapter when the decking surface material complies with the performance requirements ASTM E84 with a Class B flame spread rating.

7. Any material that complies with the performance requirements of Section R337.9.5 when tested in accordance with ASTM E2632 and when attached exterior wall covering is also composed of only non- combustible or ignition-resistant materials.

Exception : Wall material shall be permitted to be of any material that otherwise complies with this chapter when the decking surface material com- plies with the performance requirements ASTM E84 with a Class B flame spread index.

R337.9.4 Requirements for type of ignition-resistant material in Section R337.9.3, Item 1. The material shall be tested in accordance with both ASTM E2632 and ASTM E2726 and shall comply with the conditions of acceptance in Sections R337.9.4.1 and R337.9.4.2. The material shall also be tested in accordance with ASTM E84 or UL 723 and comply with the performance requirements of Section R337.4.3.

R337.9.4.1 Conditions of acceptance for ASTM E2632. The ASTM E2632 test shall be conducted on a minimum of three test specimens and the conditions of acceptance in Items 1 through 3 below shall be met. If any one of the three tests does not meet the conditions of acceptance, three additional tests shall be run. All of the additional tests shall meet the conditions of acceptance.

1. Peak heat release rate of less than or equal to 25 kW/ft 2 (269 kW/m 2 ).

2. Absence of sustained flaming or glowing combus- tion of any kind at the conclusion of the 40-minute observation period.

3. Absence of falling particles that are still burning when reaching the burner or floor.

R337.9.4.2 Conditions of acceptance for ASTM E2726. The ASTM E2726 test shall be conducted, using a “Class A” size roof test brand, on a minimum of three test specimens and the conditions of acceptance in Items 1 and 2 below shall be met. If any one of the three test specimens does not meet the conditions of accep- tance, three additional tests shall be run. All of the additional tests shall meet the conditions of accep- tance.

1. Absence of sustained flaming or glowing combus- tion of any kind at the conclusion of the 40-min- ute observation period.

2. Absence of falling particles that are still burning when reaching the burner or floor.

R337.9.5 Requirements for type of material in Section R337.9.3, Item 7. The material shall be tested in accor- dance with ASTM E2632 and shall comply with the follow- ing condition of acceptance. The ASTM E2632 test shall be conducted on a minimum of three test specimens and the peak heat release rate shall be less than or equal to 25 kW/ft 2 (269 kW/m 2 ). If any one of the three tests does not meet the conditions of acceptance, three additional tests shall be run. All the additional tests shall meet the condi- tion of acceptance.

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▸Contents — California Residential Code (Title 24, Part 2.5)
California Residential Code (Title 24, Part 2.5)
  1. Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
  2. Chapter 1 — SCOPE AND APPLICATION
  3. ▸Chapter 3 — BUILDING PLANNING
    Overview
    1. Section R300
    2. Section R301
    3. Section R302
    4. Section R303
    5. Section R304
    6. Section R305
    7. Section R306
    8. Section R307
    9. Section R308
    10. Section R309
    11. Section R310
    12. Section R311
    13. Section R312
    14. Section R313
    15. Section R314
    16. Section R315
    17. Section R316
    18. Section R317
    19. Section R318
    20. Section R319
    21. Section R320
    22. Section R321
    23. Section R322
    24. Section R323
    25. Section 324
    26. Section R325
    27. Section R334
    28. Section R335
    29. Section R326
    30. Section R327
    31. Section R336
    32. Section R337
    33. Section R337.1
    34. Section R337.2
    35. Section R337.3
    36. Section R337.4
    37. Section R337.5
    38. Section R337.6
    39. Section R337.7
    40. Section R337.8
    41. Section R337.9
    42. Section R337.10
    43. Section R340
    44. Section R338
  4. Chapter 4 — FOUNDATIONS
  5. Chapter 5 — FLOORS
  6. Chapter 6 — WALL CONSTRUCTION
  7. Chapter 7 — WALL COVERING
  8. Chapter 8 — ROOF-CEILING CONSTRUCTION
  9. Chapter 9 — ROOF ASSEMBLIES
  10. Chapter 10 — CHIMNEYS AND FIREPLACES
  11. Chapter 44 — REFERENCED STANDARDS
  12. Appendix F — RADON CONTROL METHODS
  13. Appendix H — PATIO COVERS
  14. Appendix I — PRIVATE SEWAGE DISPOSAL
  15. Appendix J — EXISTING BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES
  16. Appendix K — SOUND TRANSMISSION
  17. Appendix L — PERMIT FEES
  18. Appendix O — AUTOMATIC VEHICULAR GATES
  19. Appendix Q — TINY HOUSES
  20. Appendix R — LIGHT STRAW-CLAY CONSTRUCTION
  21. Appendix S — STRAWBALE CONSTRUCTION
  22. Appendix T — SOLAR-READY PROVISIONS—DETACHED ONE- AND
  23. Appendix V — SWIMMING POOL SAFETY ACT
  24. Appendix W — AREAS PROTECTED BY THE FACILITIES
  25. Appendix X — EMERGENCY HOUSING

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