Los Angeles Municipal Code § 57.101 Scope and General Requirements

Chapter 1 of the 2021 edition of the International Fire Code (IFC) and the 2022 edition of the California Fire Code (CFC) are hereby adopted by reference with the following exceptions, modifications, and additions.

This article, which is a portion of the Los Angeles Municipal Code, shall be known as the “Los Angeles Fire Code,” and whenever the word “Code” is used in this article, it shall mean the Los Angeles Fire Code.

The Los Angeles Fire Code adopts by reference portions of the 2022 California Fire Code (CFC) and the 2021 International Fire Code (IFC).

6. Such other laws as it may be the duty of the Fire Department to enforce.

The purpose of this Code is to establish the minimum requirements consistent with nationally recognized good practice for providing a reasonable level of life safety and property protection from the hazards of fire, explosion, panic, or dangerous conditions in new and existing buildings, structures and premises; and to provide a reasonable level of safety to fire fighters and emergency responders during emergency operations.

Nothing in this article shall be construed to prevent the enforcement of other laws which prescribe more restrictive limitations.

The permissive provisions of this article shall not be presumed to waive any limitations imposed by any other laws.

The Chief shall report to the Board from time to time as necessary, recommending revisions of this article. Such recommendations may be based upon, but not limited to, studies of the following:

1. Number of requests for variances.

2. Number of fire hazards reported or determined by inspections.

3. Changes and technological advancements of methods, materials, and processes.

4. Investigation of fires.

5. Recommendations of the Fire Code Advisory Committee.

The Chief shall establish a Fire Code Advisory Committee which shall consist of: the Fire Marshal, who shall serve as chairperson; and representatives from industry, business, and other governmental agencies as may be determined from time to time by the Chief. The purpose of the Fire Code Advisory Committee shall be to assist the Chief in any revision of this article by submitting recommendations.

The official badge of the Los Angeles Fire Department is hereby established as that badge amended by the Board by Resolution No. 189, on June 12, 1941; provided, however, that for the period of January 1, 1986, through and including December 31, 1986, the official badge of the Los Angeles Fire Department shall be that badge amended by Resolution No. 759 on November 21, 1985, by the Board as the Centennial Badge of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

It shall be unlawful for any person to wear, display, or have in their possession any such badge unless that person is a member of the Fire Department, employed to perform the duty of extinguishing or preventing or investigating fires, or providing an emergency ambulance service. The members of the Board, while actively serving as such under valid appointment, are members of the Fire Department within the meaning of this section.

EXCEPTION: The Board may adopt a design of badge, upon which the word “RETIRED” shall clearly appear, which may be worn by members of the Department who have been honorably retired from active duty by reason of length of service or physical disability.

No person who is not a regular member of the Fire Department shall wear, display, or have in their possession any official badge or one which resembles or may be mistaken for the official badge, or which is calculated to indicate that the person is a member of the Fire Department.

No official badge, or badge of any design indicating a connection with the Los Angeles Fire Department shall be issued to any person as an honorarium.

All badges and uniform insignia shall remain the property of the City. Every person receiving such property shall be required to personally sign a receipt therefor, and the receipt shall set forth an agreement to reimburse the City in the event of loss for the standard cost price as determined from time to time by the Board.

No person shall manufacture, make, sell, design, or transfer any official Fire Department badge except upon the official order of the Fire Department’s custodian of badges. The manufacturer shall deliver manufactured badges only to said custodian and may manufacture only the number of badges authorized by that person. Nothing herein shall be considered as affecting the manner in which contracts for the purchase of badges by the City shall be awarded as provided in the City Charter.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this article, the Board of Fire Commissioners may:

1. Cause a member’s badge and number to be retired from active service and use.

2. Cause the badge, or a similar badge, to be presented to the deceased member’s surviving spouse, child, or person in the member’s immediate family as a memorial honoring the member.

Prior to the presentation, the Board shall cause the badge to be affixed permanently to a plaque or within a frame, which will effectively preclude improper use of the badge, with a statement clearly visible showing the member’s death in the line of duty.

No person shall remove from the plaque or frame any badge presented under this section, or wear such a badge or display it, except while it is attached to the plaque or within the frame, with the above-prescribed statement clearly visible. Any badge removed, worn or displayed in violation of this section shall be subject to confiscation.

The repeal of the previous provisions of Chapter 5, Article 7, of the Los Angeles Municipal Code and the adopting of new ones shall not be construed to commence a new or the running of any time limits which may have been imposed by law, regulation, or order of the Chief or the Board, relating to the enforcement of such limit, notices, or orders.