Title 17 — BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION
Part 13 — ADOPTION OF APPENDICES OF THE 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE
San Jose Municipal Code · 2026-09 edition · updated 2026-09-29 · San Jose
Except as otherwise provided in this Chapter, the following appendices to the 2025 California Fire Code are adopted and incorporated by reference and made a part hereof as if fully set forth herein: Appendix B, Appendix C, Appendix D, Appendix K, Appendix L, Appendix N, and Appendix P.
Appendix B, Section B105.1 of the 2025 California Fire Code is amended to read as follows:
B105.1 One- and two-family dwellings, Group R-3 and R-4 buildings and townhouses. The minimum fire- flow and flow duration requirements for one- and two-family dwellings, Group R-3 and R-4 buildings and townhouses shall be as specified in Table B105.1(3).
Appendix B, Section B105.2 of the 2025 California Fire Code is amended to read as follows:
B105.2 Buildings other than one- and two-family dwellings, Group R-3 and R-4 buildings and townhouses. The minimum fire-flow and flow duration for buildings other than one- and two-family dwellings, Group R-3 and R-4 buildings and townhouses shall be as specified in Table B105.1(3).
Table B105.1(3) San José Fire Flow and Hydrant Policy
Building Area (square feet) Fire Flow (gpm)g fand Duration Required Number and Spacing of Fire Hydrantse
Type IA Type IIA Type IV Type IIB Type Light Ordinary
0 - 0 - 0 - 8,200 0 - 5,900 0 - 1,500 1,500 1,500 2 1 500 250 22,700 12,700 3,600
22,701 - 12,701 - 8,201 - 5,901 - 3,601 - 1,500 1,500 1,750 2 1 500 250 30,200 17,000 10,900 7,900 4,800
30,201 - 17,001 - 10,901 - 7,901 - 4,801 - 1,500 1,500 2,000 2 2 450 225 38,700 21,800 12,900 9,800 6,200
38,701 - 21,801 - 12,901 - 9,801 - 6,201 - 1,500 1,688 2,250 2 2 450 225 48,300 24,200 17,400 12,600 7,700
48,301 - 24,201 - 17,401 - 12,601 - 7,701 - 1,500 1,875 2,500 2 3 450 225 59,000 33,200 21,300 15,400 9,400
59,001 - 33,201 - 21,301 - 15,401 - 9,401 - 1,500 2,063 2,750 2 3 450 225 70,900 39,700 25,500 18,400 11,300
70,901 - 39,701 - 25,501 - 18,401 - 11,301 - 1,500 2,250 3,000 3 3 400 225 83,700 47,100 30,100 21,800 13,400
83,701 - 47,101 - 30,101 - 21,801 - 13,401 - 1,625 2,438 3,250 3 3 400 225 97,700 54,900 35,200 25,900 15,600
97,701 - 54,901 - 35,201 - 25,901 - 15,601 - 1,750 2,625 3,500 3 4 350 210 112,700 63,400 40,600 29,300 18,000
112,701 63,401 - 40,601 - 29,301 - 18,001 - 1,875 2,818 3,750 3 4 350 210
72,400 46,400 33,500 20,600
128,700
128,701 72,401 - 46,401 - 33,501 - 20,601 - 2,000 3,000 4,000 4 4 350 210
82,100 52,500 37,900 23,300
145,900
145,901 82,101 - 52,501 - 37,901 - 23,301 - 2,150 3,188 4,250 4 5 300 180
92,400 59,100 42,700 26,300
164,200
164,201 92,401 - 59,101 - 42,701 - 26,301 - 2,250 3,375 4,500 4 5 300 180
103,100 66,000 47,700 29,300
183,400
183,401 103,101 66,001 - 47,701 - 29,301 - 2,375 3,563 4,750 4 5 300 180
- 73,300 53,000 32,600
203,700 114,600
203,701 114,601 73,301 - 53,001 - 32,601 - 2,500 3,750 5,000 4 5 300 180
- 81,100 58,600 36,000
225,200 126,700
225,201 126,701 81,101 - 58,601 - 36,001 - 2,625 3,938 5,250 4 6 300 180
- 89,200 65,400 39,600
247,700 139,400
247,701 139,401 89,201 - 65,401 - 39,601 - 2,750 4,125 5,500 4 6 300 180
- 97,700 70,600 43,400
271,200 152,600
271,201 152,601 97,701 - 70,601 - 43,401 - 2,875 4,313 5,750 4 6 250 150
- 106,500 77,000 47,400
295,900 166,500
295,901 166,501 106,501 77,001 - 47,401 - 3,000 4,500 6,000 4 6 250 150
Greater - Greater - 83,700 51,500 115,800
- 115,801 83,701 - 51,501 - 3,125 4,688 6,250 4 7 250 150
- 90,600 55,700
125,500
- 125,501 90,601 - 55,701 - 3,250 4,875 6,500 4 7 250 150
- 97,900 60,200
135,500- 135,501 97,901 - 60,201 - 3,375 5,063 6,750 4 7 250 150
- 106,800 64,800
145,800- 145,801 106,801 64,801 - 3,500 5,250 7,000 4 7 250 150
- - 69,600
156,700 113,200- 156,701 113,201 69,601 - 3,625 5,438 7,250 4 8 200 120
- - 74,600
167,900 121,300- 167,901 121,301 74,601 - 3,750 5,625 7,500 4 8 200 120
- - 79,800
179,400 129,600- 179,401 129,601 79,801 - 3,875 5,813 7,750 4 8 200 120
- - 85,100
191,400 138,300- 191,401 138,301 85,101 - 4,000 6,000 8,000 4 8 200 120
- Greater - Greater Greater
Occ. = Occupancy Classification
*Types of construction are based on the California Building Code.
+ Types of Hazard are based on NFPA 13.
g Measured at 20 psi residual pressure.
a Reduce by 100 feet for dead-end streets or roads.
b Where streets are provided with median dividers that cannot be crossed by fire fighters pulling hose lines, or where arterial streets are provided with four or more traffic lanes and have a traffic count of more than 30,000 vehicles per day, hydrant spacing shall average 500 feet on each side of the street and be arranged on an alternating basis up to a fire-flow requirement of 7,000 gallons per minute and 400 feet for higher fire-flow requirements.
c Where new water mains are extended along streets where hydrants are not needed for protection of structures or similar fire problems, fire hydrants shall be provided at spacing not to exceed 500 feet to provide for transportation hazards.
d Reduce by 50 feet for dead-end streets or roads.
e The fire code official is authorized to modify the location, number and distribution of fire hydrants based on site-specific constraints and hazards.
f For one- and two- family dwellings; the minimum fire-flow and flow duration requirements for one- and two-family dwellings having a fire-flow calculation area that does not exceed 3,600 square feet shall be 1,000 gallons per minute for a duration of 1 hour.
Appendix C, Section C102.1 of the 2025 California Fire Code is amended to read as follows:
C102.1. Minimum number of fire hydrants for a building. The number of fire hydrants available to a building shall not be less than the minimum specified in Table B105.1 (3)
Appendix D, Section D103.3 of the 2025 California Fire Code is amended to read as follows:
D103.3. Turing radius. The minimum required inner turning radius shall be 30 feet and the minimum required outer turning radius shall be 50 feet.
Section D105.1 of the 2025 California Fire Code is amended to read as follows:
D103.5 Fire apparatus access road gates. Gates securing the fire apparatus access roads shall comply with all of the following criteria:
Where a single gate is provided, the gate width shall be not less than 14 feet (4267 mm). The minimum required roadway width is not reduced. Gates shall not be located within the minimum clearance around a fire hydrant per Figure D103.1. Where a fire apparatus road consists of a divided roadway, the gate width shall be not less than 14 feet (4267 mm).
Gates shall be of the swinging or sliding type.
Construction of gates shall be of materials that allow manual operation by one person.
Gate components shall be maintained in an operative condition at all times and replaced or repaired when defective.
Electric gates shall be equipped with a means of opening the gate by fire department personnel for emergency access. Emergency opening devices shall be approved by the fire code official.
Methods of locking shall be submitted for approval by the fire code official.
Electric gate operators, where provided, shall be listed in accordance with UL 325.
Gates intended for automatic operation shall be designed, constructed, and installed to comply with the requirements of ASTM F2200.
D105.1 Where required. Where the vertical distance between the grade plane and the highest roof surface exceeds 30 feet (9144 mm), approved aerial fire apparatus access roads shall be provided. For purposes of
this section, the highest roof surface shall be determined by measurement to the eave of a pitched roof, the intersection of the roof to the exterior wall, or the top of parapet walls, whichever is greater.
Exception: Deleted
Appendix L, Section L101.1 of the 2025 California Fire Code is amended to read as follows:
L101.1 Scope. Firefighter air replenishment systems (FARS) shall be provided in accordance with this appendix. The following buildings shall be equipped with a FARS, as approved by the Fire Chief or designee. The system shall provide an adequate pressurized air supply through a permanent piping system with access stations for replenishment of portable breathing air equipment used by Fire Department personnel:
Buildings having occupied floors located more than seventy five (75') feet above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access;
Underground buildings that are more than three floors below grade with an area greater than 20,000 square feet;
Underground transportation or pedestrian tunnels exceeding 500 feet in length;
Appendix L, Section L104.13.1, subparagraphs 1 & 2 of the 2025 California Fire Code is amended to read as follows:
Fill stations shall be provided at the fifth floor above the ground floor and every third floor level thereafter except the uppermost floor.
For buildings with more than three floors below grade level, fill stations shall be provided at the first floor below the ground level floor and every third floor level thereafter except the lowermost floor.
On floor levels requiring fill stations, one fill station shall be provided adjacent to a required exit stair at a location designated by a fire code official. In buildings that have three or more exit stairs, additional fill stations shall be provided at a ratio of one fill station for every three stairways. Example: for two exit stairs, a minimum of one fill station is required, and for three exit stairs, a minimum of two fill stations are required.
Appendix L, Section L104.13.2, subparagraph 5 of the 2025 California Fire Code, shall be amended to delete the exception.
Appendix L, Section L105.1, of the 2025 California Fire Code is amended to read as follows:
L105.1 Acceptance tests. Upon completion of the installation, a FARS shall be acceptance tested to verify compliance. Oversight of the acceptance tests shall be provided by a registered design professional and witnessed by a fire code official. Acceptance testing shall include all of the following:
A pneumatic test in accordance with ASME B31.3 of the complete system at a minimum test pressure of 110 percent of the system design pressure using oil free dry air, nitrogen or argon shall be conducted. Test pressure shall be maintained for not less than 24 hours. During this test, all fittings, joints and system components shall be inspected for leaks. Defects in the system or leaks detected shall be documented and repaired.
A pneumatic test in accordance with ASME B31.3 of the complete system at a minimum test pressure of 110% of the fire apparatus compressor rating pressure using oil free dry air, nitrogen or argon shall be conducted. Test pressure shall be maintained for not less than 1 hour. During this test, all fittings, joints and system components shall be inspected for leaks. Defects in the system or leaks detected shall be documented and repaired.
A cylinder-filling performance test shall be conducted to verify compliance with the required breathing air cylinder refill rate from the exterior mobile air connection and, where provided, a stored air pressure supply system.
The air quality monitoring system shall be tested to verify both of the following conditions:
4.1.
Visual indicators required by Section L104.15.1 function properly.
4.2
Supervisory signals are transmitted as required by Section L104.15.2 for each sensor based on a sensor function test.
Connections intended for fire department use shall be confirmed as compatible with the fire department's mobile air unit, SCBA cylinders and, where provided, RIC/UAC connections.
Air samples shall be taken from not less than two fill stations and submitted to an approved gas analysis laboratory to verify compliance with NFPA 1989. The FARS shall not be placed into service until a written
report verifying compliance with NFPA 1989 has been provided to the fire code official.
(Ord. 31258.)
Editor's note— Ord. 31258, § 15, adopted Nov. 18, 2025, amended Part 13 of Ch. 17.12 in its entirety to read as set out herein. Former Part 13 pertained to similar subject matter and derived from Ord. 30327, 30836.
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