Murrieta Municipal Code Ch. 15.24 California Fire Code and California Fire Code Standards

The City of Murrieta adopts as the Fire Code for the City of Murrieta Fire & Rescue the following: the 2025 California Fire Code based on the 2024 International Fire Code. In addition, the following provisions that are excluded in the 2025 California Fire Code are hereby adopted - Chapter 1, Division II, Chapters 3, 25, and Sections 503, 510.2, 1103.2, and Appendices A, C, H, I, N, O and P are adopted together with the city's amendments as set forth in this chapter. The California Fire Code and its appendix chapters will be on file for public examination in the offices of the Fire Marshal, Building Official, and the City Clerk’s office.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025; Ord. 584 § 1, 2022)

These regulations shall be known as the Fire Code of the City of Murrieta, hereinafter referred to as the Fire Code.

(Ord. 625-25 § 1 (part), 2025; Ord. 584 § 1, 2022)

All former ordinances, resolutions, or motions or parts thereof, conflicting or inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter are repealed.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025; Ord. 584 § 1, 2022)

The City of Murrieta/Murrieta Fire & Rescue is hereby created and the official in charge therefore shall be known as the fire code official. The function of the agency shall be the implementation, administration, and enforcement of the provisions of this code.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025; Ord. 584 § 1, 2022)

Fees for services and operational permits shall be as set forth in the City of Murrieta fee schedule.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2026; Ord. 584 § 1, 2022)

A person who commences any construction work regulated by the Fire Code within the city before first obtaining necessary construction permits may be fined as follows:

1. First offense is double fees for each building or permit required to be issued that is in violation, and a complaint is filed to the Contractors State License Board.

2. Second offense is double fees as indicated in item 1 above plus a $500.00 fine and a complaint filed to the Contractors State License Board.

3. Third offense is double fees as indicated in item 1 above plus a $1000.00 fine and a complaint filed to the Contractors State License Board.

4. Fourth or subsequent violations will result in a misdemeanor citation and/or additional legal action for failing to comply with the requirements of the Fire Code.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025; Ord. 584 § 1, 2022)

The purpose of this section is to establish authority to obtain reimbursement from responsible individuals for the expense of any emergency response and/or enforcement action by the Fire Department to protect the public from criminal or negligent activities, and from fire or hazardous substances.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025; Ord. 584 § 1, 2022)

In accordance with California Safety Code Section 13000 et seq., an individual who acts negligently or in violation of the law thereby requires an emergency response to a danger posed by a fire or hazardous substance shall be liable for reimbursement to the Fire Department for the costs incurred. In accordance with California Government Code Section 53150 through 53158, any individual who is under the influence of an alcoholic beverage or any drug or the combined influence of an alcoholic beverage and drug, and whose negligent operation of a motor vehicle, boat or vessel or civil aircraft caused by that influence proximately cause any incident and thereby requires an emergency response shall reimburse the Fire Department for those costs incurred.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025; Ord. 584 § 1, 2022)

The fire code official may impose a fee for recovery of expenses incurred to enforce the provisions of the Fire Code including approved third-party billing.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025; Ord. 584 § 1, 2022)

The fire code official can require the forms for maintenance inspections of fire protection systems to be filed in electronic format as prescribed by the fire code official.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025; Ord. 584 § 1, 2022)

Sections 112.1, 112.2, 112.3, and 112.4 of the California Fire Code are deleted in their entirety and replaced with:

Section 112.1 Board of Appeals Established.

In order to hear, and decide appeals of orders, decisions, or determinations made by the fire code official relative to the application and interpretation of the fire code, there shall be and is hereby created a board of appeals. After all "in-house" efforts (including a review and determination in writing by the Fire Chief) have failed to achieve resolution, a board of appeals shall be appointed on an as-needed basis by the Murrieta City Manager and shall hold office at their pleasure. The fire code official shall be an ex officio member of said board but shall not have a vote on any matter before the board. The board shall adopt rules of procedure for conducting its business and shall render all decisions and findings in writing to the appellant with a duplicate copy to the City Manager and fire code official.

Section 112.2 Limitations of Authority.

An application for appeal shall be based on a claim that the true intent of this code or the rules legally adopted hereunder have been incorrectly interpreted, the provisions of this code do not fully apply, or an equivalent method of protection or safety is proposed. The board shall not have the authority to waive the requirements of this code.

Section 112.3 Qualifications.

The board of appeals shall consist of three or five members who are qualified by experience and training to pass on matters pertaining to hazards of fire, explosions, hazardous conditions, or fire protection systems and are not public officials or employees of the City of Murrieta.

Section 112.4 Administration. The fire code official shall take immediate action in accordance with the decision of the board of appeals.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025; Ord. 584 § 1, 2022)

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 a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000.00 dollars or by imprisonment not exceeding 180 days, or both such fine and imprisonment. Each day that a violation continues after due notice has been served shall be deemed a separate offense.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025; Ord. 584 § 1, 2022)

ALL-WEATHER SURFACE. A road surface of asphalt, concrete, or approved pavers, or an engineered surface (such as decomposed granite compacted to 95%) capable of supporting an 80,000-pound fire apparatus in all weather conditions.

FLOW-LINE. The lowest continuous elevation on a curb is defined by the path traced by a particle in a moving body of water at the bottom of the rolled curb.

FUEL MODIFICATION ZONE. A strip of land where combustible vegetation has been thinned or modified or both and partially or totally replaced with approved fire-resistant and/or irrigated plants to provide an acceptable level of risk from vegetation fires. Fuel modification reduces the radiant and convective heat on a structure and provides valuable defensible space for firefighters to make an effective stand against an approaching fire front.

MID-RISE BUILDING. A building five or more stories high, but not exceeding 75 feet in height, and not defined as a high-rise building by Section 202 of the California Building Code. Measurements shall be made from the underside of the roof or floor above the topmost space that may be occupied to the lowest fire apparatus access road level.

JURISDICTION. The City of Murrieta and/or Murrieta Fire & Rescue.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025; Ord. 584 § 1, 2022)

Weeds, grass, vines, or other growth that is capable of being ignited and endangering property, shall be cut down and removed by the owner or occupant of the premises. Vegetation clearance requirements in urban-wildland interface areas shall be in accordance with 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code (Title 24 Part 7) and the City of Murrieta Municipal Code.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025; Ord. 584 § 1, 2022)

Open burning shall be prohibited within the jurisdictional boundaries of the City of Murrieta.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025; Ord. 584 § 1, 2022)

Outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, fire rings, or similar exterior devices shall comply with this section.

Exception: Barbeques, grills, and other portable devices intended solely for cooking.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025; Ord. 584 § 1, 2022)

Outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, and similar devices fueled by natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas are allowed when approved by the Building and Fire Department and the device is designed to only burn a gas flame and not wood or other solid fuel. At one-and two-family dwelling units, combustible construction and flammable vegetation shall not be located within three feet of gas-fueled devices. At all other Group R occupancies, the minimum distance to combustible construction and flammable vegetation shall be 20 feet. Where chimneys or vents are installed, they shall have an approved spark arrester as defined in California Mechanical Code, Section 221.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025; Ord. 584 § 1, 2022)

The burning of wood and other solid fuels shall not be conducted within a very high or high fire hazard severity zone.

Exception: Approved outdoor permanent fireplaces.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025; Ord. 584 § 1, 2022)

Permanent outdoor fireplaces, not located within a high or very high fire hazard severity zones, that burn wood or other solid fuel shall be constructed in accordance with the California Building Code with clearance from combustible construction and building openings as required therein. Fires in a fireplace shall be contained within a firebox with an attached chimney. The opening in the face of the firebox shall have an installed and maintained method of arresting sparks. Chimneys shall have an approved spark arrester as defined in California Mechanical Code, Section 221.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025; Ord. 584 § 1, 2022)

This Section applies to all of the following structures, as defined in Chapter 3 of Part 2, the California Building Code, of Title 24, the California Building Standards Code, of the California Code of Regulations, that are constructed on or after January 1, 2017.

(A) Group A assembly buildings with an occupant load of 300 or more.

(B) Group B business buildings with an occupant load of 200 or more.

(C) Group E educational buildings with an occupant load of 200 or more.

(D) Group F factory buildings with an occupant load of 200 or more.

(E) Group I institutional buildings with an occupant load of 200 or more.

(F) Group M mercantile buildings with an occupant load of 200 or more.

(G) Group R residential buildings with an occupant load of 200 or more, excluding single-family dwelling units.

(1) A structure described in subdivision (A) that is an occupied structure shall have an automated external defibrillator (AED) on the premises subject to the requirements in Section 1797.196. A person or entity that acquires an AED for emergency care pursuant to this section shall not be liable for any civil damages resulting from any acts or omissions in the rendering of the emergency care by use of an AED if that person or entity has complied with subdivision (b) of Section 1797.196.

(2) This chapter shall not apply to a structure in subdivision (A) that is owned or operated by any local government entity.

(3) This chapter shall not apply to a health facility licensed under subdivisions (a), (b), (c), or (f) of Section 1250 of the Health and Safety Code.

(4) This chapter shall not be construed to apply to a structure that is vacant or under construction or renovation.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025; Ord. 584 § 1, 2022)

Fire service features for buildings, structures, and premises shall comply with this chapter. All features shall be in accordance with this code, national standards, the Murrieta Fire & Rescue Guidelines for Fire Department Access & Water Requirements for Commercial & Residential Development, and the Murrieta Fire & Rescue Guideline for the Installation of Private Fire Service Mains and Their Appurtenances.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025; Ord. 584 § 1, 2022)

Fire apparatus access roads, including private residential driveways, shall be required for every building hereafter constructed when any portion of an exterior wall of the first story is located more than 150 feet from the closest point of an approved fire department vehicle access.

Fire apparatus access roads, except private residential driveways, shall be provided and maintained for the purposes of rapid and reliable fire apparatus access and for unobstructed traffic circulation for evacuation or relocation of civilians during a wildfire or other emergency. Fire apparatus access roads shall be provided and maintained in compliance with this section and the most recent edition and any amendments thereto, of public and private road standards as adopted by the City of Murrieta. The fire code official may modify the requirements of this section if the modification provides equivalent access.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025)

The fire code official is authorized to require more than one fire apparatus access road based on the potential for impairment of a single road by vehicle congestion, condition of the terrain, climatic conditions, or other factors that could limit access. When additional fire apparatus access roads are required, the additional fire apparatus access road must be remote from the primary fire apparatus access road and be approved by the fire code official.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025)

The dimensions of fire apparatus access roads shall be in accordance with the following:

(a) The width of an approved fire apparatus access road is measured flowline to flowline. All fire apparatus access roads shall have and maintain an unobstructed vertical clearance of not less than 13 feet 6 inches.

Fire apparatus access roads shall have an unobstructed improved width of not less than 24 feet, except for single-family residential driveways serving no more than two single-family dwellings, which shall have a minimum of 14 feet of unobstructed improved width. Any of the following, which have separated lanes of one-way traffic: gated entrances with card readers, guard stations, or center medians, are allowed, provided that each lane is not less than 16 feet wide.

(b) Fire apparatus access roads serving multi-family structures shall have an unobstructed improved width of not less than 24 feet. The fire code official may require additional access road improvements, including 26 feet of roadway width when necessary to accommodate an Aerial Fire Apparatus.

(c) Fire apparatus access roads serving commercial, industrial, or buildings greater than two stories shall have an unobstructed improved width of not less than 26 feet to accommodate an Aerial Fire Apparatus. The fire code official may require additional access road improvements necessary to accommodate an Aerial Fire Apparatus.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025)

Fire apparatus access roads shall be designed and maintained to support the imposed loads of fire apparatus at 80,000 pounds and shall be hard-surfaced, paved, or concrete and suitable for fire apparatus. Pervious pavers may be used when designed, installed, and maintained to hold the imposed loads of fire apparatus at 80,000 pounds and are approved by the fire code official. In rural areas, all-weather surfaces may be utilized for fire apparatus access roads where slopes permit. All-weather surfaces must be maintained to engineered standards, failure to do so will result in violations as outlined in 15.24.120.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025)

New motorized gates shall be provided with means to be automatically opened remotely by emergency vehicles.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025)

Approved numbers and/or addresses shall be placed on all new and existing buildings and at appropriate additional locations, plainly visible and legible from the street or roadway fronting the property when approaching from either direction. All commercial addressing shall be illuminated to be visible from the street at all hours. Single-family residential numbers shall contrast with their background and shall meet the following minimum size standards: 4" high with a ½” stroke. For buildings up to 25 feet in height, address numbers shall be a minimum of 12” high with a minimum 2” stroke. For building(s) exceeding 25 feet in height, address numbers shall be a minimum of 24” in height with a minimum 4” stroke and be placed on all sides of a structure. All address identification characters shall contrast with their background. Numbers shall not be spelled out. Additional numbers shall be required where deemed necessary by the fire code official, such as rear access doors, building corners, and entrances to commercial centers. Where access is by means of a private road and the building cannot be viewed from the public way, an approved monument, pole, or other approved sign or means shall be used to identify the structure. Address identification shall be maintained.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025; Ord. 584 § 1, 2022)

Where required by other sections of this code and in all buildings classified as high-rise buildings by the California Building Code, and mid-rise buildings as defined and Group I-2 Occupancies having occupied floors located more than 55 feet above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access and in all F-1 and S-1 Occupancies with a building footprint greater than 300,000 square feet, a fire command center for fire department operations shall be provided and comply with Sections 508.1.1 through 508.1.8.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025)

The fire command center shall be not less than 0.015 percent of the total building area of the facility served or 200 square feet in area, whichever is greater, with a minimum dimension of 0.7 times the square root of the room area or 10 feet, whichever is greater.

Where a fire command center is required for a group F-1, and S-1 Occupancies with a building footprint greater than 300,000 square feet, the fire command center shall have a minimum size of 96 square feet with a minimum dimension of 8 feet, where approved by the fire code official.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025)

Approved in-building emergency responder communications enhancement systems (ERCES) for emergency responders shall be provided in all new and existing buildings as determined by the fire code official. The ERCES, where required, shall be provided in accordance with Murrieta Fire & Rescue and Police Departments policies and guidelines.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025; Ord. 584 § 1, 2022)

In-building emergency responder communications enhancement shall be provided with dedicated standby batteries or provided with 2-hour standby batteries and connected to the facility generator power system in accordance with Sections 1203. The standby power supply shall be capable of operating in-building emergency responder communications enhancement systems at 100-percent system capacity for a duration of not less than 24 hours.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025)

The in-building emergency responder communications enhancement system shall be maintained operational at all times in accordance with sections 510.6.1 through 510.6.5.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025)

ERCES shall be installed and maintained so as not to cause harmful interference to the Public Safety Enterprise Communications (PSEC) within or beyond the building or structure served.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025)

ERCES shall be equipped with automatic detection and shutdown features that deactivate amplification components upon occurrence of oscillation, feedback, or over-amplification. Automatic shutdown shall occur when system operation causes disruption or degradation of the Public Safety Enterprise Communications (PSEC).

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025)

Upon activation of the shutdown function, a supervisory signal shall be transmitted to the fire alarm control unit and to a constantly attended location as required by the fire code official.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025)

Following an automatic shutdown, corrective action shall be performed by qualified personnel prior to system reset. ERCES shall not be returned to service until testing has verified that operation does not cause interference with the Public Safety Enterprise Communications (PSEC).

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025)

ERCES shall not be permitted to operate in any manner that degrades or impairs emergency communications as determined by Public Safety Enterprise Communications (PSEC).

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025)

Records of all system inspections, tests, and maintenance required by referenced standards shall be submitted and maintained in the required format and electronically as required by the fire code official.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025; Ord. 584 § 1, 2022)

Approved automatic sprinkler systems, regardless of the occupancy classification, shall be provided throughout new buildings and structures which are 3,600 square feet or greater in size or more than two stories in height.

Exception: Group R, occupancies shall comply with sections 903.2.8

1. Regardless of the occupancy classification. Where Sections 903.2.1 - 903.2.21 of the California Fire Code require more restrictive requirements than those listed below, the more restrictive requirement shall take precedence.

2. The elimination of sprinkler protection in the following areas is subject to approval by the Fire Code Official. 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 1-hour fire-resistance-rated walls and 2-hour fire-resistance-rated floor/ceiling assemblies.

Unless required elsewhere in this code or the California Building Code, automatic fire sprinkler systems shall not be required for the following:

1. Detached Group U occupancies used for agricultural or livestock purposes, less than 5,500 square feet, and having setback distances of 50 feet or more from the property line and other buildings.

2. Detached non-combustible equestrian arena shade canopies that are open on all sides and used for riding only - no commercial, assembly or storage uses.

3. Detached fabric or non-combustible shade structures that are open on all sides and used to shade playground equipment, temporary storage of vehicles, and dining areas with no cooking.

4. Detached Group U occupancy greenhouses less than 5,500 square feet.

5. Where determined by the Fire Chief that no major life safety hazard exists, and the fuel load does not pose a significant threat to firefighter safety or to other structures or property, automatic fire sprinklers may be exempted.

For development within the BP and C1 zoning districts or commercial or industrial buildings that are speculative in nature with no specific commodity or method of storage, the automatic fire protection system installed shall provide a minimum density coverage of 0.33/2,500 S.F. or as determined by the fire code official or their designee.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025; Ord. 584 § 1, 2022)

An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings classified as parking garages.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025)

Section 903.2.10.1, Commercial Parking Garages, is hereby deleted without replacement. (Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025)

The design of hydraulically calculated fire sprinkler systems shall not exceed 90% of the water supply capacity.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025; Ord. 584 § 1, 2022)

Section 903.4 Amended - Sprinkler System Supervision and Alarms, is hereby amended by modifying item 2, deleting items 5 and 8, and renumbering the exceptions as follows:

Exceptions:

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

2. Limited area systems serving fewer than 20 sprinklers.

3. Automatic sprinkler systems are 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 the 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.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025; Ord. 584 § 1, 2022)

The main fire alarm control panel shall be located in the same room as and share the same access as the fire sprinkler riser. The FACP shall have a minimum of 36 inches of face clearance and 6 inches of side clearance from any other wall or equipment.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025; Ord. 584 § 1, 2022)

Notification shall be provided to the occupants in single tenant and multi-tenant buildings, (including when a tenant improvement permit is required) a single audio/visual device shall be installed in each suite, in a constantly attended location, and shall annunciate upon the activation of any fire protection system.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025; Ord. 584 § 1, 2022)

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025; Ord. 584 § 1, 2022)

A newly constructed mid-rise building shall comply with this section.

Exceptions:

1. Buildings used exclusively as an open parking garage.

2. Buildings where all floors above the fourth-floor level are used exclusively as an open parking garage.

3. Buildings such as a power plant, lookout tower, steeple, grain house, and other similar structures with intermittent human occupancy.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025)

Mid-rise buildings shall be protected throughout by an automatic fire sprinkler system designed and installed in conformance with the latest edition of NFPA 13 and in accordance with the following:

1. A shut-off valve and a water flow alarm shall be provided for each floor. Each shut-off valve and water flow alarm shall be electronically supervised.

2. Mid-rise buildings shall be provided with a Class I standpipe system that is interconnected with the automatic fire sprinkler system. The system shall consist of 2.5-inch hose valves located in each stair enclosure on every floor. Two hose outlets shall be located on the roof outside of each stair enclosure that penetrates the roof. The standpipe system shall be designed, installed, and tested in accordance with the latest edition of NFPA 14.

3. Fire department standpipe connections and valves serving each floor shall be located in the vestibule and located in a manner so as not to obstruct egress when hose lines are connected and charged.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025)

Smoke detectors shall be provided in accordance with this section. Smoke detectors shall be connected to an automatic fire alarm system and shall be installed in accordance with the latest edition of NFPA 72. The actuation of any device required by this section shall operate the emergency voice alarm signal system and shall operate all equipment necessary to prevent the circulation of smoke through air returns and exhaust ductwork. Smoke detectors shall be located as follows:

1. In every mechanical equipment, electrical, transformer, telephone equipment, unmanned computer equipment, elevator machinery, or similar room and in all elevator lobbies. Elevator lobby detectors shall be connected to an alarm verification zone or be listed as a releasing device.

2. In the main return air and exhaust air plenum of each air conditioning system. The smoke detector shall be located in a serviceable area downstream of the last duct inlet.

3. At each connection to a vertical duct or riser serving no than 4 or more stories from a return air duct or plenum of an air conditioning system. In Group R, Division 1 and 2 occupancies, an approved smoke detector is allowed to be used in each return air riser carrying not more than 5,000 cubic feet per minute and not serving more than 10 air inlet openings.

4. For Group R, Division 1 and 2 occupancies, in all corridors serving as a means of egress for an occupant load of 10 or more persons.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025)

An approved and listed, automatic and manual, fully addressable, and electronically supervised fire alarm system shall be provided in accordance with the provisions of this code and NFPA 72.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025)

The operation of any automatic fire detector or water flow device shall automatically sound an alert tone followed by a pre-recorded voice instruction giving appropriate information and direction on a general or selective basis to the following terminal areas:

• 1. Elevators
• 2. Elevator lobbies
• 3. Corridors
• 4. Exit stairways
• 5. Rooms and tenant spaces
• 6. Dwelling units
• 7. Hotel guest rooms
• 8. Areas designated as safe refuge within the building.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025)

A fire command center for fire department operations shall be provided for mid-rise buildings, as defined in Section 202 of this Code, in accordance with Section 508.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025)

Elevators and elevator lobbies shall comply with Chapter 30 of the California Building Code. At least one elevator cab shall be assigned for fire department use and shall serve all floors of the building. This cab shall be provided large enough to accommodate an ambulance-type stretcher in accordance with section 3002.4 of the California Building Code.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025)

An approved two-way fire department communication system designed and installed in accordance with the adopted edition of NFPA 72, shall be provided for fire department use per section 907.2.13.2.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025)

In addition to the requirements of Chapter 10, egress components of mid-rise buildings shall comply with sections 914.12.8.1 through 914.12.8.5.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025)

Stairway enclosures shall be continuous and shall fully enclose all portions of the stairway. Exit enclosures shall exit directly to the exterior of the building or include an exit passageway on the ground floor leading to the exterior of the building. Each exit enclosure shall extend completely through the roof and be provided with a door that leads onto the roof.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025)

All required stairways and enclosures in a mid-rise building shall be pressurized as specified in Section 909. Pressurized stairways shall be designed to exhaust smoke manually.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025)

Pressurized stairway enclosures serving a mid-rise building shall be provided with a pressurized entrance vestibule on each floor that complies with Section 909.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025)

The minimum pressure difference between a vestibule and adjacent areas shall comply with Section 909.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025)

All stairway doors that are locked to prohibit access from the interior of the stairway shall have the capability of being unlocked simultaneously, without unlatching, upon a signal from the fire command center. Upon failure of normal electrical service or activation of any fire alarm, the locking mechanism shall automatically unlock.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025)

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 hazards and smoke ventilation opportunity areas shall be identified.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025; Ord. 584 § 1, 2022)

The required water supply, including water mains and fire hydrants, for fire protection, shall be installed, tested, and accepted, prior to combustible materials arriving onsite.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025)

No person shall have in his or her possession, or keep, store, use, shoot, discharge, set off, ignite, explode, manufacture, sell, offer to sell, give or transport any fireworks, dangerous fireworks, or safe and sane fireworks, except for use as agricultural and wildlife fireworks or for use in a public display of fireworks pursuant to a permit obtained from Murrieta Fire & Rescue under the provisions of California Health and Safety Code Sections 12640-12654 and the municipal code adopted by the City of Murrieta. Any storage, use, sale, possession, and handling of fireworks 1.4G (commonly referred to as Safe & Sane) and fireworks 1.3G is strictly prohibited.

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

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025; Ord. 584 § 1, 2022)

The fire code official and his or her designee 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 applicable statutory, constitutional, and decisional law.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025; Ord. 584 § 1, 2022)

All fireworks displays shall be electrically fired.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025; Ord. 584 § 1, 2022)

Explosives shall not be possessed, kept, stored, sold, offered for sale, given away, used, discharged, transported, or disposed of except by permit from the fire code official.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025; Ord. 584 § 1, 2022)

On-demand mobile fueling operations that dispense Class I, II, and III liquids into the fuel tanks of motor vehicles shall be prohibited.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025; Ord. 584 § 1, 2022)

Sections 5707.2 through 5707.6 are hereby deleted without replacement.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025)

NFPA 13, 2025 Edition, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems is hereby amended as follows:

Section 16.12.3.3 is hereby revised as follows:

NFPA 13R, 2025 is added and adopted in its entirety.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025)

NFPA 13D, 2025 Edition, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes is hereby adopted and amended or added as follows:

Section 5.1.3 is hereby added as follows:

NFPA 14, 2024 Edition, Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems is hereby amended as follows:

Section 9.5.1.1 is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced as follows:

NFPA 24, 2025 Edition, Standard for the Installation of Private Fire Service Mains and their Appurtenances is hereby amended as follows:

Section 6.2.9* (3) and (5) is hereby deleted without replacement and (6) and (7) renumbered as follows:

(5) Control Valves installed in a fire-rated room accessible from the exterior.

(6) Control valves in a fire-rated stair enclosure accessible from the exterior as permitted by the authority having jurisdiction.

Section 6.2.9* (2) is hereby revised as follows:

(2) When approved by the fire code official, a wall post indicating valve may be installed on an existing structure.

Section 6.3.3 is hereby added as follows:

Joints shall be coated and wrapped after assembly. All fittings shall be protected with a loose 8-mil polyethylene tube. The ends of the tube shall extend past the joint by a minimum of 12 inches and be sealed with 2 inch wide tape approved for underground use. Galvanizing does not meet the requirements of this section.

Exception: 304 or 316 Stainless Steel pipe and fittings

Section 10.3.8 Bolts is hereby added as follows:

TABLE B105.1(1)

REQUIRED FIRE-FLOW FOR ONE AND TWO FAMILY DWELLINGS,

GROUP R-3 AND R-4 BUILDINGS AND TOWNHOUSES

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025)

TABLE B105.2

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

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025)

All new buildings constructed or installed that are located within a High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, as designated by the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection or as subsequently amended, the minimum fire-flow requirements shall be increased by 500 gallons per minute (GPM) at a residual pressure of 20 psi for a minimum duration of 2 hours.

Exception. Where the entire project is constructed in compliance with the current Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) Wildfire Technical Standards, the required fire flow may comply with the standard fire-flow requirements of Appendix B without modification.

(Ord. 626-25 § 1 (part), 2025)