Chapter 9 — FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS

Section 903. Automatic Sprinkler Systems - Amend Section 903 as follows:

Amend: 903.2 Where required. Approved automatic sprinkler systems in new buildings and structures shall be provided in the locations described in this Section.

Exceptions:

(a)

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

(b)

Canopies over motor vehicle fuel dispensing facilities when constructed in accordance with Section 406.7.2 of the 2022 California Building Code.

(c)

Temporary construction trailers, less than 1,650 sq ft, on-site less than one year and 20' from property lines, building, structures and combustibles.

(d)

The following detached Group U occupancies: Barns, fences more than 6 feet high, grain silos accessory to residential occupancies, green houses, gazebos or similar structures accessory to residential occupancies, livestock shelters, retaining walls, tool or storage sheds, stables, tanks, towers.

(e)

Detached Group U occupancies housing dumpsters or refuse containers with floor areas of 500 sq. ft. or less are exempt from installation of automatic fire extinguishing systems.

(f)

Detached one-story Group U occupancies housing dumpsters or refuse containers with floor area up to 1500 sq ft are exempt from installation of automatic fire extinguishing systems provided all of the following requirements are met:

a.

Building is constructed to Type IV, Type V1-Hour, or a higher fire-resistive construction, and

b.

Minimum five-foot setback to property line and ten-foot setback to any other building on the site is maintained.

(g)

Airport Control Towers (see 903.2.11.3 exception #1).

(h)

Parking shade structures or solar trellises when constructed of non-combustible materials, set back from property lines and separated from buildings in accordance with the California Building Code.

Amend: 903.2.1 Group A and B. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings and portions thereof used as Group A and B occupancies.

Amend: 903.2.1.1 Group A-1. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout Group A-1 occupancies.

Amend: 903.2.1.2 Group A-2. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout Group A-2 occupancies.

Amend: 903.2.1.3 Group A-3. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout Group A-3 occupancies.

Amend: 903.2.1.4 Group A-4. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout Group A-4 occupancies.

Amend: 903.2.1.5 Group A-5. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout Group A-5 occupancies.

Amend: 903.2.1.6. Assembly occupancies on roofs. Where an occupied roof has an assembly occupancy, all floors between the occupied roof and the level of exit discharge shall be equipped with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2.

Exception: Deleted.

Amend: 903.2.2 Ambulatory care facilities. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout Ambulatory care facilities.

Amend: 903.2.3 Group E. Except as provided for in Sections 903.2.20 for a new public school campus and 907.2.29 (fire alarm and detection) for modernization of an existing public school campus building(s), an automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for Group E occupancies.

Amend: 903.2.4 Group F. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all buildings containing Group F occupancies.

Amend: 903.2.5 Group H. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all buildings containing Group H occupancies.

Amend: 903.2.5.31 Pyroxylin plastics. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all buildings, portions thereof, where cellulose nitrate film or pyroxylin plastics are manufactured, stored or handled in quantities exceeding 100 pounds (45kg).

Amend: 903.2.6 Group 1. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings with a Group I fire area.

Amend: 903.2.7 Group M. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings containing a Group M occupancy.

Amend: 903.2.8 Group R. An automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3 shall be provided throughout all buildings with a Group R fire area.

Amend: 903.2.9 Group S-1. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all buildings containing a Group S-1 occupancy.

Amend: 903.2.10 Group S-2. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings classified as parking garages in accordance with Section 406.4 of the California Building Code or where located beneath other groups.

Amend: 903.2.10.1 Commercial Parking Garages. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings used for the storage of commercial trucks, buses, and cars.

Amend: 903.2.11 Specific building areas and hazards. In all occupancies, an automatic sprinkler system shall be installed for building design or hazards in the locations set forth in Sections 903.2.11.1 through 903.2.11.6.

Amend: 903.2.11.1 Stories without openings. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout every story or basement without openings.

Amend: 903.2.18 Group U private garages and carports accessory to Group R-3 occupancies.

Carports and attached garages, accessory to Group R-3 occupancies, shall be protected by residential fire sprinklers in accordance with this Section. Residential fire sprinklers shall be connected to, and installed in accordance with, an automatic residential fire sprinkler system that complies with section R313 of the California Residential Code or with NFPA 13-D. Fire sprinklers shall be residential or quick response sprinklers, designed to provide a minimum density of .05 gpm/ft2 over the area of the garage and/or carport, but not to exceed two sprinklers for hydraulic calculation purposes. Garage doors shall not be considered obstructions with respect to sprinkler placement.

Deleted: Exception.

Add: 903.2.22 Additions to Group A, B, E, F, H, I, L, M, R, S, and certain miscellaneous group U occupancies. For additions to existing Group A, B, E, F, H, I, L, M, R, S, and U occupancies not exempted in 903.2, an automatic fire extinguishing system (AFES) shall be required throughout the entire building when one of the following thresholds is exceeded. For purposes of floor area calculations, Group U (private garages or similar) occupancies shall be included in the floor area calculation.

The combined floor area of the existing building plus the addition exceeds 3,600 square feet, or

The addition exceeds 500 square feet, or

The addition increases the floor area of the existing building by 50%. The increase in floor area shall be calculated cumulatively from July 1,1999.

Exception: The existing portion of a one or two story building with no basement does not require automatic fire extinguishing systems when all the following conditions are met:

(a)

The addition is protected by an AFES.

(b)

The addition and the existing structure are separated with fire walls, have required protection, and fire rated openings and construction is in accordance with the California Building Code based on Type of Occupancy and Construction type.

(c)

Assembly, Education, Institutional and Multi-Family Residential occupancies install an underwriter laboratory certified and National Fire Protection Association Standard 72 compliant fire alarm system.

Add: 903.2.23 Additions to existing R-3 occupancies. For additions to R-3 occupancies, an automatic fire sprinkling system shall be required throughout the entire building when one of the following thresholds is exceeded. For purposes of floor area calculations, Group U (private garages or similar) occupancies shall be included in the floor area calculation:

The combined floor area of the existing building plus the addition exceeds 3,600 square feet, or

The addition exceeds 500 square feet; or 3.

The addition increases the floor area of the existing structure by 50%.

Consistent with the State Fire Marshal Information Bulletin 17-001, also referenced in State Fire Marshal Guideline Bulletin 21-005, the Department Having Jurisdiction requires an automatic residential sprinkler system when the square footage exceeds the prescribed amounts listed above in this section. Also consistent with State Fire Marshal Information Bulletin 17-001, new detached accessory dwelling units are required to comply with the standards for fire protection such as water supply and/or fire department access. Automatic residential sprinkler systems provide construction options for the owner by providing different ways of complying with the fire protection requirements.

Exception: The entire residence including the addition does not require an AFES when the following conditions are met:

(a)

The approved addition is greater than 500 square feet and the cumulative floor area is 3,600 square feet or less and an approved local, hard wired or similarly configured, alarm system are installed throughout the existing structure and the addition,

(b)

No Planning or Building Department variances or exceptions are needed to accommodate the addition,

(c)

Exception (a) may be used only once for the first addition or conversion of existing space to habitable space occurring after January 1, 2008,

(d)

The addition or modification meets the city requirements for detached secondary/accessory dwelling units, or

(e)

The addition or modification meets the city requirements for attached secondary/accessory dwelling units.

Add: 903.2.24 Repair/Retrofit. All occupancies except Group U occupancies exempted in 903.2 damaged during a fire or natural disaster shall require an automatic fire-extinguishing system to be installed in the entire structure. Retrofit criteria shall be as follows:

All installations of automatic fire extinguishing systems and signaling devices shall comply with the then current code.

Any occupancy that has been damaged as a result of a fire or natural disaster, except as otherwise noted, shall be retrofitted with an automatic fire extinguishing system to the entire building and structure in accordance with the following criteria:

a.

When the estimated value of repair is less than 50 percent (50%) of the replacement value of the structure, the damaged portion(s) may be restored to their pre-damaged condition.

b.

When the estimated value of repair is 50 percent (50%) or more of the replacement value of the structure, the entire building shall be retrofitted with an automatic fire extinguishing system.

Add: 903.2.25 Retrofit for Essential Services Facilities. When the estimated value of repair contained in the engineering evaluation is more than thirty percent (30%) of the replacement value of the structure, the entire building shall be retrofitted with an automatic fire extinguishing system.

Add: 903.2.26 Retrofit for Historic Buildings or Structures. The minimum criteria for retrofit of Historic Buildings or Structures shall be in accordance with the California Code of Regulations and the State of California Historic Building Code, shall apply.

Where conflicts exist between the standards contained herein and the State of California Historic Building Code, the Historic Building Code shall govern.

Amend: 903.3.1.2 NFPA 13R in Group R Occupancies. Automatic sprinkler system in group R occupancies up to and including 4 stories in height shall be permitted to be installed throughout in accordance with NFPA 13R as amended in Chapter 80 and as follows.

The sprinkler system shall include protection in the following areas: garages, carports, bathrooms, concealed spaces, closets, water heater closets, laundry rooms, attic spaces, under walkways, or overhangs, balconies or decks greater than four feet in depth, at each floor under stair landing that is wholly or partially enclosed, and other areas where deemed necessary by the Fire Code Official and the Building Official to protect the public health and safety.

The number of stories of Group R occupancies constructed in accordance with Sections 510.2 and 510.4 of the California Building Code shall be measured from the horizontal assembly creating separate buildings.

Add: 903.3.1.3.1 NFPA 13D in Group R-3 Occupancies. An automatic fire sprinkler system shall be installed in all Group R-3 occupancies including garages, detached garages over 500 square feet, and other attached rooms.

When an Automatic Fire Extinguishing System is required, the system in R-3 occupancies up to 12,000 square feet shall be installed to a modified NFPA 13D standard as follows:

A modified NFPA 13D system shall include areas such as: garages, carports, bathrooms, concealed spaces, closets, water heater closets, laundry rooms and attic spaces, under walkways, overhangs or balconies over four feet in depth, at each floor under stair landing that is wholly or partially enclosed; and meet the following requirements:

A one-inch water meter or larger may be required to meet AFES hydraulic calculations.

For new residences over 5,000 square feet, hydraulic calculations shall be required for all sprinkler heads in the most remote fire area up to a maximum of four sprinkler heads. For new residences of less than 5,000 square feet, hydraulic calculations shall be required for all sprinkler heads in the most remote area up to a maximum of two sprinkler heads.

Fifteen gallons per minute for domestic use shall be added at the domestic and fire water supply split point.

In residences with high, sloped, beamed, soffited, cathedral ceilings or smooth flat ceilings greater than nine feet, additional fire sprinkler head discharge calculations may be required.

Dielectric fittings shall be provided when using copper with steel riser assemblies.

Each system shall have a single control valve arranged to shut off both the domestic and sprinkler systems.

In residential sprinkler projects, the Fire Code Official with the concurrence of the building official may grant alternate methods of construction.

Exceptions. This section does not apply to:

(a)

Any structure exempt from permit requirements per the currently adopted California Building Code or the California Fire Code is exempt from the requirements for fire sprinklers.

(b)

All exterior decks without roof covering adjacent to R-3 occupancies, unless otherwise required by the Fire Code Official or building official. This exemption shall not apply to R-3 occupancies in the Wildland Urban Interface Area.

Add: 903.3.5.3 Underground water supply. The location of the fire department connection, post indicator valve and the routing of the water supply for multi-building facilities shall be evaluated on an individual basis.

Amend: 903.3.7 Fire department connections. A fire department connection shall be provided for all buildings, or when the Fire Code Official deems them necessary. The location of fire department connections shall be approved by the Fire Code Official.

Amend: 903.3.9 Floor control valves. Floor control valves and water flow detection assemblies shall be installed at each floor. An exterior control valve shall be provided for all buildings.

Exception: Group R-2 without an interior hallway, R-3 and R-3.1.

Amend: 903.4.1 Monitoring. Alarm, supervisory and trouble signals shall be distinctly and descriptively different, transmitted to the control panel, local annunciator and automatically transmitted to an approved central station, remote supervising station, or proprietary supervising station as defined in NFPA 72. When approved by the Fire Code Official, signals may sound an audible signal at a constantly attended location.

Deleted: Exceptions.

Amend: 903.4.2 Alarms. Approved audible devices shall be connected to every automatic sprinkler system. Such sprinkler water-flow alarms devices shall be activated by water flow equivalent to the flow of a single sprinkler of the smallest orifice size installed in the system. Alarm devices shall be provided inside each tenant space in a normally occupied area and on the exterior of the building in an approved location. Where afire alarm system is installed, actuation of the automatic sprinkler system shall activate the building fire alarm system.

Group R-3 occupancies shall have local alarms. Local alarms shall be of sufficient intensity to be clearly audible in all bedrooms over background noise levels with all intervening doors closed.

An exterior alarm bell shall be installed on the front ⅓ of the building facing public or private street access.

Interior alarm devices (minimum DCBL rating of 88) may be recessed into the wall, centrally located between sleeping rooms in hallway.

Such alarms shall be audible in all sleeping rooms with doors closed.

Add: 903.4.4 Central Station Monitoring. An approved central alarm monitoring company shall mean approved by the State Fire Code Official or a nationally recognized testing laboratory. All alarm transmitting devices and systems shall be installed and maintained in accordance with nationally recognized standards.

Valve supervision, water-flow alarm and trouble signals shall be distinctly different and shall be automatically transmitted to an approved central station, remote station or proprietary supervising station as defined by national standards or, when approved by the building official with the concurrence of the Fire Code Official, sound an audible signal at a consistently attended location.

Exceptions:

(a)

Underground key or hub valves in roadway boxes provided by the municipality or public utility need not be supervised.

(b)

Monitored systems are not required for Group R-3 occupancies.

Add: 903.7 Underground corrosion protection. A corrosion protection plan, including details and specifications for all ferrous underground piping must be designed and provided by a qualified corrosion engineer.

Exception: underground piping systems with cathodic protection on all ferrous piping.

Add: 903.8 Control Valves. Control valves and flow switches shall be installed on each floor. All control valves shall be monitored by a Central Station.

Exceptions:

Control valves per floor not required on single family houses.

Existing buildings where T.I. work modifications to a sprinkler system covers less than 20 sprinkler heads need not upgrade to have separately monitored floors.

Vertically-separated individual R-2 dwelling units (townhomes) with individual water meters may have dual- service meters when approved by the water purveyor.

Add: 903.9 Stages. All stages shall be provided with an automatic fire extinguishing system. Such systems shall be provided throughout the stage and in dressing rooms, workshops, storerooms and other accessory spaces contiguous to such stages.

Add: 903.10 Stairs. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in enclosed usable space below or over a stairway in all occupancies.

Add: 903.11 Speculative Warehousing. The sprinkler system shall be designed to discharge at the following rates:

Where clear ceiling heights are 20 feet or less, 0.33 gallons per minute, per square foot, over a minimum area of 3,000 square feet.

Where clear ceiling heights are between 20 and 30 feet, 0.495 gallons per minute, per square foot, over a minimum area of 3,000 square feet.

Where clear ceiling heights are over 30 feet, 0.60 gallons per minute, per square foot, over a minimum of 3,000 square feet.

Add: 903.12 Modification to existing automatic fire extinguishing system (AFES). All changes or additions to any existing automatic fire sprinkler systems or underground fire lines must comply with all regulations within this Section.

Section 904. Alternative Automatic Fire-Extinguishing Systems — Amend Section 904 as follows:

Add: 904.12.6 Ventilating Hood and Duct Systems and Air Handlers. All buildings with an existing or new fire alarm/sprinkler monitoring control panel shall interconnect all hood and duct systems and air handlers equal or greater than 2000 cfm to the alarm panel. The hood and duct shall report to a central station as a fire condition. Air handlers shall report as a supervisory or trouble condition when the building is provided with fire sprinklers. They shall report as an alarm in buildings without fire sprinklers.

Section 905. Standpipes - Amend Section 905 as follows:

Add: 905.1.1 Hose connections. All Class I, II and III standpipe outlets in multi-storied buildings or buildings with basements shall be installed on intermediate landings between floors, unless otherwise approved by fire code official.

Amend: 905.3.2 Group A.

Exceptions: Deleted.

Section 907. Fire Alarm and Detection Systems - Amend Section 907 as follows:

Amend: 907.1.3 Equipment. Systems and their components shall be California State Fire Code Official listed and approved for the purpose for which they are installed. The building owner shall provide a serially numbered certificate from an approved nationally recognized testing laboratory for all fire alarm systems indicating that the system has been installed in accordance with the approved plans and specification and meets minimum NFPA Standards. A copy shall be provided to the Fire Code Official's office at no cost to

the city. Certification shall be required for all new systems to be installed after January 1, 1996. Existing systems that can no longer be serviced or maintained or those that are deemed problematic shall also be required to obtain this certification within 12 months of notification.

Add: 907.1.3.1 Remote Annunciator Location. All new or existing systems that require a new Fire Alarm Control Panel shall have a remote annunciator at the main entrance. It shall be visible to approaching emergency personnel.

Amend: 907.2 Where required—new buildings and structures. An approved fire alarm system installed in accordance with the provisions of this code and NFPA 72 shall be provided in new buildings and structures in accordance with Sections 907.2. through 907.2.23 and provide occupant notification in accordance with Section 907.5, unless other requirements are provided by another section of this code.

A minimum of one manual fire alarm box shall be provided in an approved location to initiate a fire alarm signal for fire alarm systems employing automatic fire detectors or water-flow detection devices. Where other sections of this code allow elimination of fire alarm boxes due to sprinklers or automatic fire alarm systems, a single fire alarm box shall be installed at a location approved by the enforcing agency.

Exceptions: Deleted.

Add: 907.2.5.2 All new H occupancies, or existing H occupancies that require a new fire alarm control panel, and that have a local detection systems(s) shall interconnect, or otherwise configure, the system(s) to report to a Central Station as a fire condition or alarm condition. The report shall be in nomenclature easy to understand (e. g. Water, not H20).

Amend: 907.2.9.1 Manual fire alarm system. Exception: (3) Deleted.

Amend: 907.3 Fire safety functions. Automatic fire detectors utilized for the purpose of performing fire safety functions shall be connected to the building's fire alarm control unit where a fire alarm or sprinkler monitoring system is installed. Detectors shall, upon actuation, perform the intended function and activate the alarm notification appliance or activate a visible and audible supervisory signal at a constantly attended location when approved by the Fire Code Official. In buildings not required to be equipped with a fire alarm or sprinkler monitoring system, the automatic fire detector shall be powered by normal electrical service and, upon actuation, perform the intended function. The detectors shall be located in accordance with NFPA 72.

Amend: 907.3.1 Duct Smoke Detectors. Smoke detectors installed in ducts shall be listed for the air velocity, temperature and humidity present in the duct. Duct smoke detectors shall be connected to the building's fire alarm control unit when a fire alarm or sprinkler monitoring is installed. Activation of a duct smoke detector shall initiate a visible and audible supervisory signal at a central station or when approved by the Fire Code Official at a constantly attended location and shall perform the intended fire safety function in accordance with this code and the California Mechanical Code. Duct smoke detectors shall not be used as a substitute for required open area detection.

Exceptions:

The supervisory signal at a constantly attended location is not required where duct smoke detectors activate the building's notification appliances.

In occupancies, not required to be equipped with a fire alarm or sprinkler monitoring system, actuation of a smoke detector shall activate a visible and an audible signal in an approved location and shall be identified as air duct detector supervisory.

Add: 907.5.2.1.5 Audible Alarms. Approved audible devices shall be connected to every automatic sprinkler system. Such sprinkler water-flow alarms devices shall be activated by water flow equivalent to the flow of a single sprinkler of the smallest orifice size installed in the system. Audible alarm devices shall be provided inside each tenant space in a normally occupied area and on the exterior of the building in an approved location. Where a fire alarm system or sprinkler water flow monitoring is installed, actuation of the automatic sprinkler system shall activate the building fire alarm system.

Amend: 907.6.2 Power Supply. The primary and secondary power supply for the alarm system shall be provided in accordance with NFPA 72.

Exception: Deleted.

Amend: 907.6.6 Monitoring. Fire alarm system shall transmit distinctly and descriptively different alarm, supervisory and trouble signals to an approved supervising station in accordance with NFPA 72 or when approved by the Fire Code Official, shall sound an audible signal at a constantly attended location.

Exceptions:

Single and multiple-station smoke alarms required by Section 907.2.10.

Group I-3 occupancies shall be monitored in accordance with Section 907.2.6.3

Automatic sprinkler systems in one and two family dwellings.

Add: 908.3.1 Carbon dioxide (CO2) systems all other occupancies. Emergency alarm system shall comply with section 5307.3.2. Emergency alarm system shall be interconnected and monitored by building fire alarm system.

Section 914. Fire Protection Based on Special Detailed Requirements of Use and Occupancy - Amend Section 914 as follows:

Amend: 914.2.3 Emergency voice/alarm communication system. Covered malls buildings shall be provided with an emergency voice/alarm communication system. Emergency voice/alarm communication system serving a mall, required or otherwise shall be accessible to the fire department. The system shall be provided in accordance with Section 907.5.2.2.