Montclair Municipal Code Ch. 10.28 Fire Code

There is adopted by the city council a code known as the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition, based on the 2024 International Fire Code, as published by the International Code Council, and referenced as the California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 9, including Appendices B, BB, C, CC, and H. Except as provided in this chapter, the California Fire Code and its appendix chapters shall regulate the erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, removal, demolition, conservation, occupancy, equipment, use, height, area and maintenance of all buildings and/or structures in the city for all fire related issues. The California Fire Code is on file for public examination in the office of the building official, and can also be viewed online at https://www.dgs.ca.gov/bsc/codes.

(Ord. No. 19-988, § V, 12-16-19; Ord. No. 22-1002, § III, 12-19-22; Ord. No. 25-1016, § I(Exh. A), 12-15-25)

The following portions and sections of Chapter 1, Division II, "Scope and Administration," are hereby amended as follows:

A. Section 113.4 Violation penalties is hereby revised as follows:

113.4 Violation penalties. Persons who shall violate a provision of this code or shall fail to comply with any of the requirements thereof or who shall erect, install, alter, repair or do work in violation of the approved construction documents or directive of the fire code official, or of a permit or certificate used under provisions of this code, shall be guilty of either a misdemeanor, infraction or both as prescribed in Section 113.4.2 and 113.4.2. Penalties shall be as prescribed in local ordinance. Each day that a violation continues after due notice has been served shall be deemed a separate offense.

B. Section 113.4.2 Infraction is hereby added as follows:

113.4.2 Infraction. Except as provided in Section 113.4.3, persons operating or maintaining any occupancy, premises or vehicle subject to this code that shall permit any fire or life safety hazard to exist on premises under their control shall be guilty of an infraction.

C. Section 113.4.3 Misdemeanor is hereby added as follows:

113.4.3 Misdemeanor. Persons who fail to take immediate action to abate a fire or life safety hazard when ordered or notified to do so by the chief or a duly authorized representative, or who violate the following sections of this code, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor:

(1) 104.11.2 Obstructing operations

(2) 104.11.3 Systems and Devices

(3) 110.6 Overcrowding

(4) 113.3.2 Compliance with Orders and Notices

(5) 114.4 Failure to comply

(6) 305.4 Deliberate or negligent burning

(7) 308.1.2 Throwing or placing sources of ignition

(8) 310.7 Burning Objects

(9) 3107.4 Open or exposed flames

(Ord. No. 19-988, § V, 12-16-19; Ord. No. 22-1002, § IV, 12-19-22; Ord. No. 25-1016, § I(Exh. A), 12-15-25)

Flow-line means the lowest continuous elevation on a curb defined by the path traced by a particle in a moving body of water at the bottom of the rolled curb.

(Ord. No. 22-1002, § V, 12-19-22; Ord. No. 25-1016, § I(Exh. A), 12-15-25)

Only the following sections of Chapter 4 of the California Fire Code are adopted:

•

401—401.9

•

402

•

403

•

403.1

•

403.2

•

404.1

•

404.5

•

404.5—404.6.6

•

405

•

406

•

407

(Ord. No. 22-1002, § V, 12-19-22; Ord. No. 25-1016, § I(Exh. A), 12-15-25)

Chapter 5 of the California Fire Code, Fire Service Features, is adopted in its entirety with the following amendments:

A. Section 501.1 Scope is revised as follows:

501.1 Scope. Fire service features for buildings, structures and premises shall comply with this chapter and the City of Montclair Guideline for Fire Department Access & Water Requirements for Commercial & Residential Development, and the City of Montclair Guideline for Underground Piping for Private Hydrants & Sprinkler Supply Line.

B. Section 501.3 Construction documents is revised as follows:

501.3 Construction documents. Construction documents for proposed fire apparatus access, location of fire lanes, security gates across fire apparatus roads and construction documents and hydraulic calculations for fire hydrant systems shall be submitted to the fire department for review and approval prior to construction. The design shall be in accordance with this code, national standards, and the City of Montclair Guideline for Fire Department Access & Water Requires for Commercial & Residential Development, and the City of Montclair Guideline for Underground Piping for Private Hydrants & Sprinkler Supply Line.

C. Section 503.2.1 Dimensions is revised as follows:

503.2.1 Dimensions. Fire apparatus access roads shall have an unobstructed width of not less than 20 feet (6096 mm), exclusive of shoulders, except for approved security gates in accordance with Section 503.6, and an unobstructed vertical clearance of not less than 13 feet 6 inches (4115 mm). The width is measured flow-line to flow-line.

D. Section 504.5 Escape Windows is added as follows:

504.5 Escape window access. Where escape windows are required by Section 1031.2, fire department access shall be provided to the escape window. An unobstructed setback area shall be provided. The minimum setback distance shall be calculated ((H/5)+2)+P= Clear space required.

Where: H = Height of the windowsill measured from the exterior ground surface P = 3' ladder pad

D. Section 504.5.1 Ladder Pad is added as follows:

504.5.1 Ladder Pad. Where a laddering pad is required, it shall be free of obstructions and vegetation for a minimum of 3-foot × 3-foot area. The laddering pad shall be a firm surface such as compacted decomposed granite, concrete, pavers, or asphalt. The laddering pad shall be placed at a distance from the structure as calculated by Section 504.5.

(Ord. No. 22-1002, § V, 12-19-22; Ord. No. 25-1016, § I(Exh. A), 12-15-25)

Section 903.2 Where required is hereby amended as follows:

903.2 Where required. Approved automatic sprinkler systems in buildings and structures shall be required in the locations described in Sections 903.2.1 through 903.2.12 and as follows:

(1) Every structure hereafter constructed, erected, or moved onto a property, regard-less of separation walls as outlined in the California Building Code, shall have an approved automatic fire sprinkler system installed throughout therein.

(2) Every structure, except Group R, Division 3, and Group R, Division 4 occupancies, here-after remodeled, rebuilt, or renovated where such costs exceed fifty (50) percent of the assessed valuation as determined by the San Bernardino County Tax Assessor shall have an approved automatic fire sprinkler system installed throughout therein.

(3) Group R, Division 3, and Group R, Division 4 occupancies, including attached Group U occupancies, where fifty (50) percent or more of the existing floor area is hereafter added to, remodeled, rebuilt, or renovated shall have an approved automatic fire sprinkler system installed throughout therein.

(4) Every approved automatic fire sprinkler system shall have one (1) exterior Audible Device, connected to water flow alarm device installed on each riser.

(5) Each approved automatic fire sprinkler system shall maintain a stock of at least one spare sprinkler that corresponds to the types and temperatures of those installed in the system. The stock of spare sprinklers and wrench shall be stored in a cabinet which shall be mounted as close to the system riser as practical.

Exceptions:

(1) Spaces or areas in telecommunications buildings used exclusively for telecommunications equipment, associated electrical power distribution equipment, batteries, and standby engines, provided those spaces or areas are equipped throughout with an automatic fire alarm system and are separated from the remainder of the building by fire barriers consisting of not less than one-hour fire-resistance-rated walls and two-hour fire-resistance-rated floor/ceiling assemblies.

(2) Automatic fire sprinkler protection for fixed guideway transit systems shall be as per Section 903.2.17.

(3) Outdoor, detached storage facilities of 200 square feet or less.

(4) Any work for which a building permit is not required.

(5) Block walls.

(6) Swimming pools and spas.

(7) Lattice patio covers.

(8) Reroofing.

(9) Decks.

(i) Except a covered deck constructed as part of a new building or structure.

(10) Gazebos.

(11) Solar photovoltaic panels supported by a structure over parking stalls where the panels constitute the roof.

(Ord. No. 19-988, § V, 12-16-19)

A. Section 903.3.1 Standards is hereby amended as follows:

903.3.1 Standards. Sprinkler systems shall be designed and installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, unless otherwise permitted by Sections 903.3.1.2 and 903.3.1.3, and the following:

(1) Every sprinkler system shall have at least one (1) fire department connection located within fifty (50) feet of a fire hydrant as approved.

Exceptions:

(i) Sprinkler systems complying with NFPA 13 D.

(ii) Sprinkler systems supplying fewer than twenty (20) heads.

(2) Minimum sprinkler system design requirements for new industrial "spec" buildings shall be as required for NFPA 13 (latest edition), extra hazard (group 1).

(3) NFPA 13 R sprinkler systems shall utilize separate underground water mains to supply the fire sprinkler system and the domestic water supply.

B. Section 903.4, Sprinkler system supervision and alarms, is hereby amended by modifying item 1, deleting item 5, and renumbering the Exceptions as follows:

(1) Automatic sprinkler systems protecting one- and two-family dwellings.

(2) Limited area systems serving fewer than 20 sprinklers.

(3) Automatic sprinkler systems installed in accordance with NFPA 13R where the common supply main is used to supply both the domestic and automatic sprinkler system, and a separate shutoff valve for automatic sprinkler system is not provided.

(4) Jockey pump control valves that are sealed or locked in the open position.

(5) Valves controlling the fuel supply to fire pump engines that are sealed or locked in the open position.

(6) Trim valves to pressure switches in dry, pre-action and deluge sprinkler systems that are sealed or locked in the open position.

C. Section 905.4 Location of Class I standpipe hose connections is hereby amended by adding items 7 as follows:

(7) The centerline of the 2.5 inch (63.5 mm) outlet shall be no less than 18 inches (457.2 mm) and no more than 24 inches above the finished floor.

D. Section 907.1.6 False Alarms is hereby added as follows:

907.1.6 False Alarms. More than two (2) false alarms transmitted from any required or not required fire alarm system in a one (1) month period of time, or three (3) false alarms transmitted from any required or not required fire alarm system in any two (2) month period of time shall result in an assessment of fees for services provided by the Fire Department for all subsequent false alarms in the remainder of the calendar year.

(Ord. No. 19-988, § V, 12-16-19)

Construction Requirements for Existing Buildings from Chapter 11 of California Fire Code shall adopt only the sections listed below:

•

11.3.3.3

•

1103.7

•

1103.7.3

•

1103.7.3.1

•

1103.7.8—1103.7.8.2

•

1103.7.9—1103.7.9.10

•

1103.8—1103.8.5.3

•

1103.9.1

•

1107

•

1113

•

1114

•

1115

•

1116

(Ord. No. 22-1002, § V, 12-19-22)

Energy systems from Chapter 12 of the California Fire Code is adopted in its entirety with the following amendments:

Section 1205.2 Access and Pathways.

Exception 3. Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) systems where the BIPV systems are approved, integrated into the finished roof surface and are listed in accordance with a national test standard developed to address Section 690.12(B)(2) of the California Electrical Code. The removal or cutting away of portions of the BIPV system during firefighting operations shall not expose a firefighter to electrical shock hazard and smoke ventilation opportunity areas have been identified.

(Ord. No. 22-1002, § V, 12-19-22)

Marinas from Chapter 36 of the California Fire Code is deleted in its entirety.

(Ord. No. 22-1002, § V, 12-19-22)

A. Section 5601.2.5 Retail Fireworks is hereby added as follows:

5601.2.5 Retail Fireworks. The storage, use, sale, possession, and handling of fireworks 1.4G (commonly referred to as Safe & Sane) and fireworks 1.3G is prohibited.

Exception: Fireworks 1.4G and fireworks 1.3G may be part of an electrically fired public display when permitted and conducted by a licensed pyrotechnic operator

B. Section 5601.3.6 Seizure of Fireworks is hereby added as follows:

5601.3.6 Seizure of Fireworks. The fire code official shall have the authority to seize, take, and remove all fireworks stored, sold, offered for sale, used or handled in violation of the provisions of Title 19 CCR, Chapter 6. Any seizure or removal pursuant to this section shall be in compliance with all applicable statutory, constitutional, and decisional law.

C. Section 5608.2 Firing is hereby added as follows:

5608.2 Firing. All fireworks displays shall be electrically fired.

D. NFPA 13, 2016 Edition, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems is hereby amended as follows:

Section 6.7.3 is hereby revised as follows:

6.7.3 Fire department connections (FDC) shall be of an approved type. The FDC shall contain a minimum of two 2½" inlets. The location shall be approved and be no more than 50 feet from a public hydrant. The FDC may be located within 50 feet of a private fire hydrant when approved by the fire code official. The size of piping and the number of inlets shall be approved by the fire code official. If acceptable to the water authority, it may be installed on the backflow assembly. Fire department inlet connections shall be painted OSHA safety red. When the fire sprinkler density design requires 500 gpm (including inside hose stream demand) or greater, or a standpipe system is included, four 2½" inlets shall be provided.

Section 8.3.3.1 is hereby revised as follows:

8.3.3.1. When fire sprinkler systems are installed in shell buildings of undetermined use (Spec Buildings) other than warehouses (S occupancies), fire sprinklers of the quick-response type shall be used. Use is considered undetermined if a specific tenant/occupant is not identified at the time the fire sprinkler plan is submitted. Sprinklers in light hazard occupancies shall be one of the following:

(1) Quick-response type as defined in 3.6.4.8

(2) Residential sprinklers in accordance with the requirements of 8.4.5

(3) Quick response CMSA sprinklers

(4) ESFR sprinklers

(5) Standard-response sprinklers used for modifications or additions to existing light hazard systems equipped with standard-response sprinklers

(6) Standard-response sprinklers used where individual standard-response sprinklers are replaced in existing light hazard systems

Section 8.15.1.2.7 is hereby revised as follows:

8.15.1.2.7 Concealed spaces filled with noncombustible insulation shall not require sprinkler protection when approved by the fire code official.

Section 11.1.1.1 is hereby added as follows:

11.1.1.1 When fire sprinkler systems are required in buildings of undetermined use other than warehouses, they shall be designed and installed to have a fire sprinkler density of not less than that required for an Ordinary Hazard Group 2 use, with no reduction(s) in density or design area. Warehouse fire sprinkler systems shall be designed to Figure 16.2.1.3.2 (d) curve "G." Use is considered undetermined if a specific tenant/occupant is not identified at the time the sprinkler plan is submitted. Where a subsequent occupancy requires a system with greater capability, it shall be the responsibility of the occupant to upgrade the system to the required density for the new occupancy.

E. NFPA 13D 2016 Edition, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes is hereby amended as follows:

(1) Section 4.1.3 is hereby added as follows:

4.1.3 Stock of Spare Sprinklers.

4.1.3.1. A supply of at least two sprinklers for each type shall be maintained on the premises so that any sprinklers that have operated or been damaged in any way can be promptly replaced.

4.1.3.2 The sprinklers shall correspond to the types and temperature ratings of the sprinklers in the property.

4.1.3.3 The sprinklers shall be kept in a cabinet located where the temperature to which they are subjected will at no time exceed 100F° (38C°).

4.1.3.4 A special sprinkler wrench shall be provided and kept in the cabinet to be used in the removal and installation of sprinklers. One sprinkler wrench shall be provided for each type of sprinkler installed.

(2) Section 7.1.2 is hereby revised to read as follows:

7.1.2 The system piping shall not have a separate control valve unless supervised by a central station, proprietary, or remote station alarm service.

F. NFPA 24, 2016 Edition, Standard for the Installation of Private Fire Service Mains and Their Appurtenances is hereby amended to read as follows:

(1) Section 1.1.1 This standard and the City of Montclair's Underground Guideline shall cover the minimum requirements for the installation of private fire service mains and their appurtenances, which include supplying the following:

1. Automatic sprinkler systems

2. Open sprinkler systems

3. Water spray fixed systems

4. Foam systems

5. Private hydrants

6. Monitor nozzles or standpipe systems with reference to water supplies

7. Hose houses

G. Appendices

Appendix B is adopted in its entirety with the following amendments.

(1) Table B105.1 (1) is hereby revised as follows:

TABLE B105.1(1) REQUIRED FIRE-FLOW FOR ONE- AND TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGS, GROUP R-3 AND R-4 BUILDINGS AND TOWNHOUSES

For SI: 1 square foot = 0.0929 m2, 1 gallon per minute = 3.785 L/m

(2) Table B105.2 is hereby revised as follows:

TABLE B105.2 REQUIRED FIRE-FLOW FOR BUILDINGS OTHER THAN ONE- AND TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGS, GROUP R-3 AND R-4 BUILDINGS AND TOWNHOUSES

For SI: 1 square foot = 0.0929 m2, 1 gallon per minute = 3.785 L/m

(3) Appendix BB is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(4) Appendix C is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(5) Appendix CC is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. No. 19-988, § V, 12-16-19)

Hazardous Materials—General Provisions from the California Fire Code is adopted in its entirety with the following amendments.

Section 5001.5.2 Hazardous Materials Inventory Statement (HMIS), is hereby amended by modifying the starting paragraph as follows:

5001.5.2 Hazardous Materials Inventory Statement (HMIS). Where required by the fire code official, an application for a permit shall include City of Montclair Chemical Disclosure Statement, which shall be completed and approved prior to approval of plans, and/or the storage, use or handling of chemicals on the premises. The Chemical Disclosure Statement shall include the following information and formatted as specified in the City of Montclair Chemical Disclosure Statement:

1. Product Name

2. Component

3. Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) number

4. Location where stored or used.

5. Container size

6. Hazard classification

7. Amount in storage

8. Amount in use-closed systems

9. Amount in use-open systems

(Ord. No. 22-1002, § V, 12-19-22)

Chapter 56 Explosives and Fireworks California Fire Code Chapter 56 is adopted in its entirety with the following amendments:

Section 5601.2.5 Retail Fireworks is hereby added as follows:

5601.2.5 Retail Fireworks. The storage, use, sale, possession, and handling of fireworks 1.4G (commonly referred to as Safe & Sane) and fireworks 1.3G is prohibited. Exception: Fireworks 1.4G and fireworks 1.3G may be part of an electrically fired public display when permitted and conducted by a licensed pyrotechnic operator.

Section 5601.3.6 Seizure of Fireworks is hereby added as follows:

5601.3.6 Seizure of Fireworks. The fire code official shall have the authority to seize, take, and remove all fireworks stored, sold, offered for sale, used or handled in violation of the provisions of Title 19 CCR, Chapter 6. Any seizure or removal pursuant to this section shall be in compliance with all applicable statutory, constitutional, and decisional law.

Section 5608.2 Firing is hereby added as follows:

5608.2 Firing. All fireworks displays shall be electrically fired.

(Ord. No. 19-988, § V, 12-16-19)