CBC · California Building Code

What are the machine room, machine space and equipment location/safety requirements?

For homeowners: the CBC requires permanent access to elevator equipment rooms, dedicated HVAC that keeps the room within the elevator maker’s temperature and humidity limits, and special wiring (a shunt trip tied to sprinklers per NFPA 72) that cuts power to the elevator if sprinklers in the machine/control spaces operate; these measures protect the equipment and building occupants.

Ask a question free See coverage

Last reviewed: July 5, 2026

What the code requires — 2-4 sentences

Under the CBC, elevator machine rooms, elevator machinery spaces, control rooms and control spaces must have a permanent, approved means of access (§ 3005.1). Those rooms that contain driving machines or motion/controllers must have independent ventilation or air‑conditioning sized to protect electrical equipment and keep temperature and humidity within the range required by the equipment manufacturer (§ 3005.2). Where automatic sprinklers protect hoistways, machine rooms or control spaces, the main line power to the affected elevator must be automatically disconnected (shunt trip) in accordance with NFPA 72 § 21.4 — and that shunt trip must not be self‑resetting (§ 3005.5).

Requirements in detail

Access (permanent, approved means)

  • Rule: Provide a permanent, approved means of access to elevator machine rooms, control rooms, control spaces and machinery spaces so service and inspection can be performed safely and reliably. This is mandatory per § 3005.1.
  • Practical implication: Access may be stairs, platform, or other code‑approved access; temporary ladders or ad hoc openings are not acceptable as the primary access. (The code text requires a permanent, approved access but does not list exact access dimensions in § 3005.1.)

Temperature and humidity control (independent HVAC/ventilation)

  • Rule: Machine rooms, machinery spaces that contain the driving machine, and control rooms/spaces containing the operation or motion controller must have an independent ventilation or air‑conditioning system to prevent electrical equipment overheating. The system must be capable of maintaining temperature and humidity within the range established by the equipment manufacturer (§ 3005.2).
  • Practical implication: Design HVAC to meet the manufacturer's specified operating envelope for temperature and relative humidity (manufacturer’s spec becomes the controlling criteria for setpoints and capacity).

Shunt trip / automatic power disconnect when sprinklers operate

  • Rule: If elevator hoistways, machine rooms, control rooms or control spaces are protected with automatic sprinklers, provide an automatic means (shunt trip) installed per Section 21.4 of NFPA 72 to disconnect the main line power to the affected elevator prior to the application of water. The shunt trip must not be self‑resetting. Activation of sprinklers outside the hoistway/machine/control space shall not disconnect main line power (§ 3005.5).
  • Practical implication: Coordination with the fire‑alarm/sprinkler monitoring system and electrical design is required; the shunt trip is tied to sprinkler waterflow or supervisory input as described in NFPA 72 § 21.4 and must require manual reset after activation.

Decision‑relevant dimensions / values (quick reference table)

Requirement area Decision‑relevant dimension / value Notes / design trigger Code reference
Access Permanent, approved means of access (type determined by building design) Required for all elevator machine rooms, control rooms, control spaces, machinery spaces § 3005.1
Temperature & humidity control Maintain within manufacturer's specified operating range HVAC/ventilation must be independent for the elevator equipment space § 3005.2
Shunt trip (sprinkler‑protected areas) Automatic disconnect of main line power prior to water application; not self‑resetting; installed per NFPA 72 § 21.4 Activation of sprinklers outside the protected spaces must NOT trip the elevator power § 3005.5

How these rules interact with related elevator protections (brief)

  • Machine rooms and related spaces are also addressed for fire‑resistance, sprinkler exceptions and plumbing prohibition elsewhere in Chapter 30; see Related provisions below for specific § references. Portions of these related rules (for example, whether sprinklers are installed at all) will change whether § 3005.5 shunt trip provisions are required in practice.

Exceptions & special cases

  • § 3005.5 clarifies that a shunt trip is required only where the hoistway, machine room, control room or control space is actually protected with automatic sprinklers; sprinkler activation outside those spaces must not disconnect the elevator's main power (sprinklers in adjacent areas do not trigger a shunt trip) (§ 3005.5).
  • The code gives the manufacturer’s specified temperature and humidity range as the controlling limit — the CBC does not supply numeric temperature or RH limits in § 3005.2; therefore the designer must obtain and use the manufacturer’s environmental requirements. If a manufacturer does not provide a range, the design professional should document a rationale for the chosen design conditions.
  • Where the building design or other CBC provisions (for example, occupant‑evacuation elevator rules) limit sprinkler use or shunt trip use, those special elevator provisions will control — review the occupant‑evacuation elevator provisions if applicable.

Common mistakes

  • Treating temporary or ladder access as compliant with § 3005.1 instead of providing permanent, approved access pathways.
  • Designing machine‑room HVAC to the building zones rather than providing independent ventilation/HVAC sized to meet the equipment manufacturer’s temperature/humidity range per § 3005.2.
  • Installing a shunt trip that is self‑resetting or that trips on sprinkler activations outside the machine room/hoistway, contrary to § 3005.5.
  • Assuming numeric temperature or humidity limits from other standards — § 3005.2 requires the manufacturer’s range, not a fixed CBC numeric setpoint.

Worked example — applying the rule with numbers (illustrative)

Scenario: A designer is providing HVAC and electrical coordination for an office building elevator. The elevator equipment manufacturer specifies an acceptable machine‑room temperature range of 50°F–85°F and maximum relative humidity 60%.

Application:

  1. HVAC: Provide an independent ventilation/air‑conditioning system dedicated to the machine room sized to remove the equipment heat load and maintain 50–85°F and ≤60% RH under worst‑case conditions. This satisfies § 3005.2 (the CBC requires the machine room HVAC to maintain manufacturer’s range).
  2. Electrical / fire protection: The project includes automatic sprinklers in the machine room and hoistway. Per § 3005.5, specify a shunt trip tied to the sprinkler supervisory/waterflow signal installed per NFPA 72 § 21.4; ensure the shunt trip requires manual reset and does not self‑reset. Make wiring and sequence diagrams showing that sprinkler activation outside the hoistway/machine room will not cause the shunt trip to operate (that condition is explicitly prohibited) (§ 3005.5).
  3. Access: Provide a permanent stair or platform to the machine room (not a temporary ladder) to meet § 3005.1 access requirement. Document the access type on shop drawings.

Note: the numeric temperature/RH values above came from the hypothetical manufacturer specification — the CBC requires the manufacturer’s range but does not supply those numeric values in § 3005.2.

Related provisions

  • Machine rooms, control rooms, machinery spaces and control spaces — fire‑barrier enclosure requirements: § 3005.4.
  • Exception and sprinkler‑installation limits for elevator hoistways and machine rooms: § 3005.4.1.
  • Plumbing prohibition in elevator equipment rooms: § 3005.6.
  • Occupant‑evacuation elevator special rules affecting sprinkler and shunt‑trip provisions: § 3008 (see particularly § 3008.2.1 and § 3008.4).

Code references

Grounded in the retrieved California Building Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:

  • CBC § 3005.1 High relevance — show source text

    Additionally, the design of personnel hoists shall include provisions for field testing and maintenance that will demonstrate that the hoist device functions in accordance with the design. Field tests shall be conducted upon the completion of an installation or following a major alteration of a personnel hoist.

    SECTION 3005—MACHINE ROOMS

    3005.1 Access. A permanent and approved means of access shall be provided to elevator machine rooms, control rooms, control spaces and machinery spaces.

    3005.2 Temperature and humidity control. Elevator machine rooms, machinery spaces that contain the driving machine, and control rooms or spaces that contain the operation or motion controller for elevator operation shall be provided with an independent ventilation or air-conditioning system to protect against the overheating of the electrical equipment. The system shall maintain the temperature and humidity be capable of maintaining temperatures within the range established by the manufacturer of the elevator equipment.

    3005.3 Pressurization. The elevator machine room, control rooms or control space with openings into a pressurized elevator hoistway shall be pressurized upon activation of a heat or smoke detector located in the elevator machine room, control room or control space.

    3005.4 Machine rooms, control rooms, machinery spaces, and control spaces. The following rooms and spaces shall be enclosed with fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both:

    1. Machine rooms.

    2. Control rooms.

    30-6 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE

    on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

    ELEVATORS AND CONVEYING SYSTEMS

    1. Control spaces.
    2. Machinery spaces outside of the hoistway enclosure.

    The fire-resistance rating shall be not less than the required rating of the hoistway enclosure served by the machinery. Openings in the fire barriers shall be protected with assemblies having a fire protection rating not less than that required for the hoistway enclosure doors.

    Exceptions:

    1. For other than fire service access elevators and occupant evacuation elevators, where machine rooms, machinery spaces, control rooms and control spaces do not abut and do not have openings to the hoistway enclosure they serve, the fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both, shall be permitted to be reduced to a 1-hour fire-resistance rating.
    2. For other than fire service access elevators and occupant evacuation elevators, in buildings four stories or less above grade plane where machine room, machinery spaces, control rooms and control spaces do not abut and do not have openings to the hoistway enclosure they serve, the machine room, machinery spaces, control rooms and control spaces are not required to be fire-resistance rated.

    3005.4.1 Automatic sprinkler system. Automatic sprinklers shall not be required to be installed in the elevator hoistway, elevator machine room, elevator machinery space, elevator control space or elevator control room where the following is met:

  • CBC § 3004.2 High relevance — show source text

    3004.2 Escalators and moving walks. Escalators and moving walks shall be constructed of approved noncombustible and fireretardant materials. This requirement shall not apply to electrical equipment, wiring, wheels, handrails and the use of [1] / 28 -inch (0.9 mm) wood veneers on balustrades backed up with noncombustible materials.

    3004.2.1 Enclosure. Escalator floor openings shall be enclosed with shaft enclosures complying with Section 713.

    3004.2.2 Escalators. Where provided in below-grade transportation stations, escalators shall have a clear width of not less than 32 inches (815 mm).

    3004.3 Conveyors. Conveyors and conveying systems shall comply with ASME B20.1.

    3004.3.1 Enclosure. Conveyors and related equipment connecting successive floors or levels shall be enclosed with shaft enclosures complying with Section 713.

    3004.3.2 Conveyor safeties. Power-operated conveyors, belts and other material-moving devices shall be equipped with automatic limit switches that will shut off the power in an emergency and automatically stop all operation of the device.

    3004.4 Personnel and material hoists. Personnel and material hoists shall be designed utilizing an approved method that accounts for the conditions imposed during the intended operation of the hoist device. The design shall include, but is not limited to, anticipated loads, structural stability, impact, vibration, stresses and seismic restraint. The design shall account for the construction, installation, operation and inspection of the hoist tower, car, machinery and control equipment, guide members and hoisting mechanism. Additionally, the design of personnel hoists shall include provisions for field testing and maintenance that will demonstrate that the hoist device functions in accordance with the design. Field tests shall be conducted upon the completion of an installation or following a major alteration of a personnel hoist.

    SECTION 3005—MACHINE ROOMS

    3005.1 Access. A permanent and approved means of access shall be provided to elevator machine rooms, control rooms, control spaces and machinery spaces.

    3005.2 Temperature and humidity control. Elevator machine rooms, machinery spaces that contain the driving machine, and control rooms or spaces that contain the operation or motion controller for elevator operation shall be provided with an independent ventilation or air-conditioning system to protect against the overheating of the electrical equipment. The system shall maintain the temperature and humidity be capable of maintaining temperatures within the range established by the manufacturer of the elevator equipment.

    3005.3 Pressurization. The elevator machine room, control rooms or control space with openings into a pressurized elevator hoistway shall be pressurized upon activation of a heat or smoke detector located in the elevator machine room, control room or control space.

    3005.4 Machine rooms, control rooms, machinery spaces, and control spaces. The following rooms and spaces shall be enclosed with fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both:

    1. Machine rooms.

    2. Control rooms.

    30-6 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE

    on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

    ELEVATORS AND CONVEYING SYSTEMS

    1. Control spaces.
    2. Machinery spaces outside of the hoistway enclosure.
  • CBC § 3008.6.3.1 High relevance — show source text

    3008.6.3.1 Vision panel. A vision panel shall be installed in each fire door assembly in the smoke barrier. The vision panel shall consist of fire-protection-rated glazing, shall comply with the requirements of Section 716 and shall be located to furnish clear vision of the occupant evacuation elevator lobby.

    3008.6.3.2 Door closing. Each fire door assembly in the smoke barrier shall be automatic-closing upon receipt of any fire alarm signal from the emergency voice/alarm communication system serving the building.

    3008.6.4 Lobby size. Each occupant evacuation elevator lobby shall have minimum floor area as follows:

    1. The occupant evacuation elevator lobby floor area shall accommodate, at 3 square feet (0.28 m [2] ) per person, not less than 25 percent of the occupant load of the floor area served by the lobby.
    2. The occupant evacuation elevator lobby floor area shall accommodate one wheelchair space of 30 inches by 52 inches (760 mm by 1320 mm) for each 50 persons, or portion thereof, of the occupant load of the floor area served by the lobby.

    Exception: The size of lobbies serving multiple banks of elevators shall have the minimum floor area approved on an individual basis and shall be consistent with the building’s fire safety and evacuation plan.

    3008.6.5 Signage. An approved sign indicating elevators are suitable for occupant self-evacuation shall be posted on all floors adjacent to each elevator call station serving occupant evacuation elevators.

    3008.6.6 Two-way communication system. A two-way communication system shall be provided in each occupant evacuation elevator lobby for the purpose of initiating communication with the fire command center or an alternate location approved by the fire department. The two-way communication system shall be designed and installed in accordance with Sections 1009.8.1 and 1009.8.2.

    3008.7 Elevator system monitoring. The occupant evacuation elevators shall be continuously monitored at the fire command center or a central control point approved by the fire department and arranged to display all of the following information:

    1. Floor location of each elevator car.

    2. Direction of travel of each elevator car.

    3. Status of each elevator car with respect to whether it is occupied.

    4. Status of normal power to the elevator equipment, elevator machinery and electrical apparatus cooling equipment where provided, elevator machine room, control room and control space ventilation and cooling equipment.

    5. Status of standby or emergency power system that provides backup power to the elevator equipment, elevator machinery and electrical cooling equipment where provided, elevator machine room, control room and control space ventilation and cooling equipment.

    6. Activation of any fire alarm initiating device in any elevator lobby, elevator machine room, machine space containing a motor controller or electric driving machine, control space, control room or elevator hoistway.

    3008.7.1 Elevator recall. The fire command center or an alternate location approved by the fire department shall be provided with the means to manually initiate a Phase I Emergency Recall of the occupant evacuation elevators in accordance with Califor- nia Code of Regulations, Title 8, Division 1, Chapter 4, Subchapter 6, Elevator Safety Orders.

    3008.8 Electrical power. The following features serving each occupant evacuation elevator shall be supplied by both normal power and Type 60/Class 2/Level 1 standby power:

    1. Elevator equipment.
    2. Ventilation and cooling equipment for elevator machine rooms, control rooms, machinery spaces and control spaces.
    3. Elevator car lighting.
  • CBC § 403.2.2 High relevance — show source text

    8 High-rise 403.2.2, 403.4.8, 403.6 Hoistway door protection 3006 Hoistway enclosures 403.2.2, 713, 1023.4, 1024.3, 3002, 3007.5, 3008.5 Hoistway lighting 3007.5.2 Hoistway pressurization 909.21 Keys 3003.3 Lobby 1009.4, 1009.8, 3006, 3007.6, 3008.6

    Machine rooms Table 1607.1, 3005 Means of egress 403.6, 1003.7, 1009.2.1, 1009.4, 3008

    Number of elevator cars in hoistway 3002.2

    Occupant evacuation elevators 403.6.2, 3008 Personnel and material hoists 3004.4

    Private residence elevator 3009

    Roof access 1011.12.2

    Shaft enclosure 712, 3006 Signs 914, 1009.10, 3002.3, 3007.6.5, 3008.6.5 Stairway to elevator equipment 1011.12.1

    Standards 3001.3 Standby power 2702.2, 3007.8, 3008.8 System monitoring 3007.7, 3008.7 Underground 405.4.3 Emergency Communications Accessible means of egress 1009.8 Alarms (see Fire Alarm and Smoke Detection Systems) Elevator 3001.2 Elevators, occupant evacuation 3008.6.6

    Fire command center 403.4.6, 911, 3007.7, 3008.6.6, 3008.7 Radio coverage 403.4.5, 916 Emergency Escape and Rescue Openings 1031 Required Table 1006.3.4(1), Table 1006.3.4(2), 1031.2 Window wells 1031.5, 1031.6 Emergency Housing Appendix Q Emergency Lighting 1008.2.4, 1204.5 Emergency Power 2702 Exit signs 1013.6.3, 2702.2 Hazardous 415.11.11, 2702.2 Higher education laboratory 428.3.6, 2702.2 High-rise 403.4.8, 2702.2 Means of egress illumination 1008.2.4, 2702.2

    Semiconductor fabrication 415.11.11,

    2702.2 Underground buildings 405.8, 2702.2 Emergency Responders Additional exit stairway 403.5.2 Elevators 403.6, 1009.2.1, 3002.4, 3003, 3007, 3008 Fire command center 403.4.6, 911, 3007.7, 3008.6.6, 3008.7 Mall access 402.7.5 Radio coverage 403.4.5, 918 Roof access 1011.12 Safety features 914 Emittance 202

  • CBC § 30-6 Medium relevance — show source text

    1. Machine rooms.

    2. Control rooms.

    30-6 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE

    on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

    ELEVATORS AND CONVEYING SYSTEMS

    1. Control spaces.
    2. Machinery spaces outside of the hoistway enclosure.

    The fire-resistance rating shall be not less than the required rating of the hoistway enclosure served by the machinery. Openings in the fire barriers shall be protected with assemblies having a fire protection rating not less than that required for the hoistway enclosure doors.

    Exceptions:

    1. For other than fire service access elevators and occupant evacuation elevators, where machine rooms, machinery spaces, control rooms and control spaces do not abut and do not have openings to the hoistway enclosure they serve, the fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both, shall be permitted to be reduced to a 1-hour fire-resistance rating.
    2. For other than fire service access elevators and occupant evacuation elevators, in buildings four stories or less above grade plane where machine room, machinery spaces, control rooms and control spaces do not abut and do not have openings to the hoistway enclosure they serve, the machine room, machinery spaces, control rooms and control spaces are not required to be fire-resistance rated.

    3005.4.1 Automatic sprinkler system. Automatic sprinklers shall not be required to be installed in the elevator hoistway, elevator machine room, elevator machinery space, elevator control space or elevator control room where the following is met:

    The elevator machine room, elevator machinery space, elevator control space or elevator control room shall be enclosed with fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both. The fire-resistance rating shall not be less than the required rating of the hoistway enclosure served by the machinery. Openings in the fire barriers shall be protected with assemblies having a fire protection rating not less than that required for the hoistway enclo- sure doors. The exceptions to Section 3005.4 shall not apply.

    3005.5 Shunt trip. Where elevator hoistways, elevator machine rooms, control rooms and control spaces containing elevator control equipment are protected with automatic sprinklers, a means installed in accordance with Section 21.4 of NFPA 72 shall be provided to automatically disconnect the main line power supply to the affected elevator prior to the application of water. This means shall not be self-resetting. The activation of automatic sprinklers outside the hoistway, machine room, machinery space, control room or control space shall not disconnect the main line power supply.

    3005.6 Plumbing systems. Plumbing systems shall not be located in elevator equipment rooms.

    SECTION 3006—ELEVATOR LOBBIES AND HOISTWAY OPENING PROTECTION

    3006.1 General. Enclosed elevator lobbies and elevator hoistway door protection shall be provided in accordance with the following:

    1. Where elevator hoistway door protection is required by Section 3006.2, such protection shall be provided in accordance with Section 3006.3.
  • CBC § 26-10 Medium relevance — show source text

    2609 Light-Transmitting Plastic Roof Panels . . . . . . . . . 26-10

    2610 Light-Transmitting Plastic Skylight Glazing . . . . . 26-11

    2611 Light-Transmitting Plastic Interior Signs. . . . . . . . 26-11

    2612 Plastic Composite Decking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26-12

    2613 Fiber-Reinforced Polymer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26-12

    2614 Reflective Plastic Core Insulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26-13

    CHAPTER 27 ELECTRICAL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27-1

    2701 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27-3

    2702 Emergency and Standby Power Systems . . . . . . . . 27-3

    2703 Lightning Protection Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27-4

    CHAPTER 28 MECHANICAL SYSTEMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28-1

    2801 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28-3

    2802 Spark Arrestor [SFM]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28-3

    CHAPTER 29 PLUMBING SYSTEMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29-1

    CHAPTER 30 ELEVATORS AND CONVEYING SYSTEMS. . . 30-1

    3001 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-3

    3002 Hoistway Enclosures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-4

    3003 Emergency Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-5

    3004 Conveying Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-6

    3005 Machine Rooms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-6

    3006 Elevator Lobbies and Hoistway Opening Protection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-7

    3007 Fire Service Access Elevator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-8

    3008 Occupant Evacuation Elevators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-10

  • CBC § 1224.4.19. Medium relevance — show source text

    Service areas for the purposes of this table include kitchens, elevators, elevator machine rooms, laundries, garages, maintenance rooms, boiler and mechanical equipment rooms_
    and similar spaces of high noise. Mechanical equipment located on the same floor or above patient rooms, offices, nurse stations and similar occupied space shall be effectively
    isolated from the floor.
    5. Patient room access corridors contain composite walls with doors/windows and have direct access to patient rooms.
    6. Renovation projects of existing spaces where the existing function is not changed, are not required to comply with the requirements of Table 1224.4.19.|1. Sound Transmission Class (STC) shall be determined by tests in accordance with methods set forth in ASTM 90 and ASTM E413. Where partitions do not extend to the structure
    above, sound transmission through ceilings and composite STC performance shall be considered.
    2. Treatment rooms shall be treated the same as patient rooms. STC rating may be reduced to 40 dBA for rooms with electronic masking. Electronic masking shall provide a maxi-
    mum background level of 48 dBA.
    3. Public space includes corridors (except patient room access corridors), lobbies, dining rooms, recreation rooms and similar space.
    4. Service areas for the purposes of this table include kitchens, elevators, elevator machine rooms, laundries, garages, maintenance rooms, boiler and mechanical equipment rooms
    and similar spaces of high noise. Mechanical equipment located on the same floor or above patient rooms, offices, nurse stations and similar occupied space shall be effectively
    isolated from the floor.
    5. Patient room access corridors contain composite walls with doors/windows and have direct access to patient rooms.
    6. Renovation projects of existing spaces where the existing function is not changed, are not required to comply with the requirements of Table 1224.4.19.|

    1224.5 Communications Systems. Technology and medical communication rooms shall comply with the California Electrical Code, California Mechanical Code, California Plumbing Code and the requirements of this section.

    1224.5.1 Telecommunications service entrance room. The telecommunications service entrance room houses the point at which outside carrier data and voice circuits and services enter the facility and outdoor cabling interfaces with the building’s internal cabling infrastructure. Each hospital facility shall have at least one telecommunications service entrance room, and each room that is provided shall be dedicated to the telecommunications function with related support facilities and meet the requirements of this section.

    1224.5.2 Technology equipment center.

    1224.5.2.1 Number. Each hospital shall have at least one technology equipment center space that is not used for any purpose other than electronic data storage, processing and networking.

    1224.5.2.2 Size. The technology equipment center shall be sized to provide space to meet the service requirements for the required equipment.

    1224.5.2.3 Location. The technology equipment center shall be located to minimize the risk of water damage, both from internal and external sources. The technology equipment center shall be located above any floodways or flood hazard areas as described in the National Flood Insurance Program.

    1224.5.3 Technology distribution room.

    1224.5.3.1 Number. There shall be a minimum of one technology distribution room on each floor of the facility.

  • CBC § 3.3.44.2 Medium relevance — show source text

    Amend Section 3.3.44.2 and amend publications to read as follows:

    3.3.44.2 Open Station.* A station that is constructed such that it is directly open to the atmosphere and smoke and heat are allowed to disperse directly into the atmosphere.

    The following enclosed areas in open stations are permitted:

    1. Ticket/pass booths not exceeding 150 square feet (13.9 m [2] ) in area. 2. Mechanical and electrical spaces typically not used for human occupancy and necessary for the operation of a fixed guideway transit system. Such spaces shall be limited to two per level. 3. Restrooms not exceeding 150 square feet (13.9 m [2] ) in area. A maximum of four restrooms are permitted per level.

    Add a new definition as 3.3.44.3 to read as follows:

    3.3.44.1.1 Underground Station. A station or portion thereof that is located beneath the surface of the earth or of the water.

    Amend Section 5.2.2.1 to read as follows:

    5.2.2.1 Building construction for all new enclosed stations shall be not less than Type IA, Type IB or Type IIA construction and shall not exceed in area or height the limits specified in the California Building Code Table 503, for the station configuration or as determined by fire hazard analysis of potential fire exposure hazards to the structure.

    Add Section 5.2.2.1.1 –5.2.2.1.3 to read as follows:

    5.2.2.1.1 Underground stations shall be a minimum Type IA or Type IB constructions.

    5.2.2.1.2 Open stations may be of Type IIB construction and shall not exceed in area or height as required by Table 503 for Type IIA.

    5.2.2.1.3 Open at grade stations may be of any construction type allowed by the California Building Code.

    Delete Section 5.2.2.2.

    Amend Section 5.2.4.3 to read as follows:

    5.2.4.3 Ancillary Spaces. Fire resistance ratings of separations between ancillary occupancies shall be established as required by the California Building Code.

    35-36 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE

    on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

    REFERENCED STANDARDS

    Amend Section 5.2.4.3.1 to read as follows:

    5.2.4.3.1 The following areas shall be separated by a two-hour fire barrier:

    1. Electrical control rooms, auxiliary electrical rooms and associated battery rooms

    2. Trash rooms

    3. Train control rooms and associated battery rooms

    4. Fan rooms

    5. Emergency generator rooms

    Amend Section 5.2.4.5 to read as follows:

    5.2.4.5 Separation Between System and Nonsystem Occupancies.* All station public areas shall be fire separated from adjacent non-system occupancies by a one hour fire barrier, unless otherwise required by other provisions of the California Building Code.

    Amend Section 5.3.1.1 to read as follows:

  • CBC § 3008.2.1 Medium relevance — show source text

    3008.2.1 Prohibited locations. Automatic sprinklers shall not be installed in elevator machine rooms, machinery spaces, control rooms, control spaces and elevator hoistways of occupant evacuation elevators in accordance with this section and Section 3005.4.1.

    3008.2.2 Sprinkler system monitoring. The automatic sprinkler system shall have a sprinkler control valve supervisory switch and water-flow-initiating device provided for each floor that is monitored by the building’s fire alarm system.

    3008.3 Water protection. Water from the operation of an automatic sprinkler system outside the enclosed lobby shall be prevented from infiltrating into the hoistway enclosure in accordance with an approved method.

    3008.4 Shunt trip. Means for elevator shutdown in accordance with Section 3005.5 shall not be installed on elevator systems used for occupant evacuation elevators.

    3008.5 Hoistway enclosure protection. Occupant evacuation elevator hoistways shall be located in shaft enclosures complying with Section 713.

    3008.5.1 Structural integrity of hoistway enclosures. Occupant evacuation elevator hoistway enclosures shall comply with Sections 403.2.2.1 through 403.2.2.4.

    3008.6 Occupant evacuation elevator lobby. Occupant evacuation elevators shall open into an enclosed elevator lobby in accordance with Sections 3008.6.1 through 3008.6.6. Egress is permitted through the elevator lobby in accordance with Item 1 of Section 1016.2.

    3008.6.1 Access to interior exit stairway or ramp. The occupant evacuation elevator lobby shall have direct access from the enclosed elevator lobby to an interior exit stairway or ramp.

    Exceptions:

    1. Access to an interior exit stairway or ramp shall be permitted to be through a protected path of travel that has a level of fire protection not less than the elevator lobby enclosure. The protected path shall be separated from the enclosed elevator lobby through an opening protected by a smoke and draft control assembly in accordance Section 716.2.2.1.1.

    2. Elevators that only service an open parking garage and the elevator lobby of the building shall not be required to provide direct access.

    30-10 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE

    on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

    ELEVATORS AND CONVEYING SYSTEMS

    3008.6.2 Elevator lobby separation. The occupant evacuation elevator lobby shall be separated from each floor with a smoke barrier in accordance with Section 709, except that lobby doorways shall comply with Section 3008.6.3.

    Exception: Occupant evacuation elevator lobbies are not required to be separated at the levels of exit discharge.

    3008.6.3 Elevator lobby doorways. Other than the doors to elevator machine rooms, machinery spaces, control rooms and control spaces in the smoke barrier, each doorway to an occupant evacuation elevator lobby shall be provided with a [3] / 4 -hour fire door assembly complying with Section 716. Such a fire door assembly shall comply with the smoke and draft control assembly requirements of Section 716.2.2.1.1 and be tested in accordance with UL 1784 without an artificial bottom seal.

  • CBC § 3008.7 Medium relevance — show source text

    3008.7 Elevator system monitoring. The occupant evacuation elevators shall be continuously monitored at the fire command center or a central control point approved by the fire department and arranged to display all of the following information:

    1. Floor location of each elevator car.

    2. Direction of travel of each elevator car.

    3. Status of each elevator car with respect to whether it is occupied.

    4. Status of normal power to the elevator equipment, elevator machinery and electrical apparatus cooling equipment where provided, elevator machine room, control room and control space ventilation and cooling equipment.

    5. Status of standby or emergency power system that provides backup power to the elevator equipment, elevator machinery and electrical cooling equipment where provided, elevator machine room, control room and control space ventilation and cooling equipment.

    6. Activation of any fire alarm initiating device in any elevator lobby, elevator machine room, machine space containing a motor controller or electric driving machine, control space, control room or elevator hoistway.

    3008.7.1 Elevator recall. The fire command center or an alternate location approved by the fire department shall be provided with the means to manually initiate a Phase I Emergency Recall of the occupant evacuation elevators in accordance with Califor- nia Code of Regulations, Title 8, Division 1, Chapter 4, Subchapter 6, Elevator Safety Orders.

    3008.8 Electrical power. The following features serving each occupant evacuation elevator shall be supplied by both normal power and Type 60/Class 2/Level 1 standby power:

    1. Elevator equipment.
    2. Ventilation and cooling equipment for elevator machine rooms, control rooms, machinery spaces and control spaces.
    3. Elevator car lighting.

    3008.8.1 Determination of standby power load. Standby power loads shall be based on the determination of the number of occupant evacuation elevators in Section 3008.1.1.

    3008.8.2 Protection of wiring or cables. Wires or cables that are located outside of the elevator hoistway, machine room, control room and control space and that provide normal or standby power, control signals, communication with the car, lighting, heating, air conditioning, ventilation and fire-detecting systems to occupant evacuation elevators shall be protected using one of the following methods:

    1. Cables used for survivability of required critical circuits shall be listed in accordance with UL 2196 and shall have a fireresistance rating of not less than 2 hours.
    2. Electrical circuit protective systems shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 hours. Electrical circuit protective systems shall be installed in accordance with their listing requirements.
    3. Construction having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 hours.

    Exception: Wiring and cables to control signals are not required to be protected provided that wiring and cables do not serve Phase II emergency in-car operation.

    2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE 30-11

    on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

    ELEVATORS AND CONVEYING SYSTEMS

    3008.9 Emergency voice/alarm communication system. The building shall be provided with an emergency voice/alarm communication system. The emergency voice/alarm communication system shall be accessible to the fire department. The system shall be provided in accordance with Section 907.5.2.2.

    3008.9.1 Notification appliances. Not fewer than one audible and one visible notification appliance shall be installed within each occupant evacuation elevator lobby.

  • CBC § 1.2 Medium relevance — show source text

    Calculations_ shall be submitted to OSHPD for review and approval. 11. For in-plane collectors transferring axial loads into the sideplate connection, coordination between sideplate and the regis- tered design professional in responsible charge will be required to confirm the collector connection is sufficient to transfer the load into the moment frame system. This requirement shall be satisfied by designing the sideplate connections in the first bay of a multi-bay sideplate moment frame or an end bay to have a minimum connection capacity, including combined shear (V u + V g ) and moment (M pr ) demands, of at least 1.2 times the M pr at the plastic hinge location when the axial load, as determined by ASCE 7, Section 12.10.2.1 without Ω o , exceeds 0.1 F y A g of the sideplate beam. 12. A complete frame analysis for gravity and design wind loading using LRFD load combinations in Section 1605.1 shall be performed including Demand/Capacity Ratios. Frame beam member nominal moment strengths (M n ) used for gravity and design wind loading for the bolted sideplate connection using Class A or Class B faying surfaces shall be taken as 0.80F y Z for frame beams up to 300 plf and 0.60F y Z for frame beams greater than 300 plf. 13. For moment frame beams with maximum beam shear greater than 90 percent of the vertical bolt shear capacity, a second- ary check is to be provided to confirm the vertical bolt shear capacities are sufficient.

    2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE 22-5

    on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

    �

    �

    �

    STEEL

    14. Bolted sideplate connections used on heavy-shallow frame beams for beams greater than 200 plf and shallower than 24 inches (610 mm) in depth shall be considered as an alternative system. 15. Skewed beams shall utilize the link-beam fabrication method with CJP welded splices for skew angles. The skew angle shall be less than 15 degrees. 16. For two-sided bolted sideplate connections sharing the same side plates at the same height and depth across the column, the vertical offset in the beams shall not exceed 10 inches (254 mm).

    2202.4.4 Modifications to AISC 358 Chapter 12. The Simpson Strong-Tie (SST) Strong Frame bolted moment connection shall be permitted, provided: 1. Only T-stub yield links are permitted. End plate yield links are not permitted. 2. The biaxial dual-strong axis and column minor axis configurations of the moment connection shall be considered as an alternative system. 3. Beam flange width-to-thickness ratio shall satisfy AISC 341 Table D1.1b. 4. Yield-Link stem-to-beam flange connection bolts shall not slip under wind design demand loads. Yield-Link stem-to-beam flange connection shall be designed to prevent slip using AISC 360 Equation J3-4, where the slip resistance, μ , is taken to be 0.3.

    5. Double shear plate connection is permitted to increase connection axial capacity for collector loads. A partial joint penetra- tion (PJP) groove weld for second shear plate is permissible due to space restrictions.

  • CBC § 0.77 Medium relevance — show source text

    shall be_ greater than or equal to 5. 4. The width-to-thickness ratios for beam flanges shall not be less than 3. 5. The spacing for lateral bracing of wide flange beams, L b , shall include the length of the side plate at beam ends. 6. The extension of the side plates beyond the face of the column shall be within the range of 0.77d to 1.0d. 7. The gap-to-side plate thickness ratio shall range from 2.1 to 2.3.

    Exception: The gap-to-side plate thickness ratio shall be permitted to be modified for moment connections with unequal beam sizes on opposite sides of the column or when orthogonal beams acting as drag connections frame into the side plate. 8. Demand critical fillet welds {2}, {5}, {5a} and {7} shall have Magnetic Particle Testing (MT) in accordance with AWS D1.1 for procedure, technique and acceptance. Inspect the beginning and end of these welds for a 6-inch length, plus any location along the length of the weld where a start and restart is visually noted for a distance of 6 inches on either side of the start/stop location.

    22A-4 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE

    on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

    STEEL

    2202A.4.3 Modifications to AISC 358 Chapter 11 Bolted Moment Connection. The bolted sideplate steel moment connection shall be permitted, provided: 1. The beams shall consist of either rolled or built-up wide flange sections. Columns shall consist of rolled or built-up wide flange sections or noncomposite built-up box or HSS with a minimum wall thickness of [3] / 4 inch (19 mm), or satisfy the requirements of width-to-thickness ratios of highly ductile members in AISC 341. 2. The biaxial dual-strong axis and column minor axis configurations of the moment connection shall be considered as an alternative system. 3. For SMF and IMF systems, on the sideplate standard or configuration A the U-shaped cover plates shall be used with the k dimension extension. The k dimension extension length is defined as beam depth d b /6, rounded to the nearest [1] / 2 inch (12.7 mm).

    4. The hinge-to-hinge span to beam depth, L h /d, shall be greater than or equal to 4.5. 5. The width-to-thickness ratios for beam flanges shall not be less than 3.5. Exception: For width-to-thickness ratios less than 3.5 the C pr shall be calculated in accordance with that for welded side- plate connections but in no case shall the width-to-thickness ratio be less than 3.0. 6. The minimum bolt-to-bolt spacing shall not be less than 3 bolt diameters. 7. The extension of the side plates beyond the face of the column shall be within the range of 0.65d to 1.5d. 8. The gap-to-side plate thickness ratio shall range from 2.1 to 2.3.

Frequently asked questions

Who decides the acceptable temperature and humidity for a machine room?

The equipment manufacturer: § 3005.2 requires the machine room HVAC to maintain the temperature and humidity range established by the elevator equipment manufacturer.

Is a shunt trip required whenever there are sprinklers in the building near an elevator?

No — § 3005.5 requires a shunt trip only when the hoistway, machine room, control room or control space itself is protected with automatic sprinklers; activation of sprinklers outside those spaces shall not disconnect elevator main power.

Can the main elevator power be set to automatically reset after a shunt trip?

No — § 3005.5 states the means provided to disconnect main line power shall not be self‑resetting.

Are numeric HVAC setpoints provided in the CBC for machine rooms?

No — § 3005.2 requires maintaining the manufacturer's specified temperature/humidity range; the CBC does not provide fixed numeric values in that section.

Can a temporary ladder be used for machine room access during occupancy?

No — § 3005.1 requires a permanent, approved means of access to machine rooms and similar spaces; temporary ladders are not an acceptable permanent means of access.

More in California Building Code

Ask about the CBC

Get cited, plain-English answers on the California Building Code for your project — any code section, any scenario.

Start Free Trial

Related in the CBC

How must elevator hoistways be vented and how do vents operate in a fire?

What are the hoistway enclosure and opening protection requirements?

Hoistways, Machine Rooms & Opening Protection

California Building Code