CFC · California Fire Code

Office of the State Fire Marshal — scope of authority and applicability

The State Fire Marshal enforces fire and panic safety standards in **state-owned, state-occupied, and state institution** buildings, may authorize local fire chiefs to inspect state buildings in writing, issues code interpretations, sets inspection/fee rules for care facilities, and enforces penalties for violations; details are in **§ 1.11** and its subsections.

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Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

What the code requires — plain English

The Office of the State Fire Marshal (SFM) has defined, statewide authority over fire and panic safety building standards for the classes of buildings identified in § 1.11. The SFM enforces those standards directly in state-owned, state-occupied, and state institution buildings and may delegate certain inspection duties to local fire chiefs by written authorization; the SFM also issues code interpretations, enforces penalties for violations, and prescribes inspection and fee rules for specific occupancies. See § 1.11.2.1.2, § 1.11.2.2, § 1.11.2.1.3, and related subsections for the controlling language.

The single most important rule: the State Fire Marshal enforces SFM-adopted fire and panic safety standards for state buildings (and certain state-regulated occupancies) and may authorize local fire agencies to act within written limits. § 1.11.

Requirements in detail

Who and what the SFM directly applies to

  • Primary jurisdiction: state-owned, state-occupied, and state institutions — SFM-enforced building standards for fire and panic safety apply to these classes of buildings. § 1.11.2.1.2.
  • Delegation to local agencies: the State Fire Marshal may authorize a city/county or fire protection district chief (and their authorized representatives) to perform fire-prevention inspections of state-owned/occupied buildings (other than state institutions) when requested and when local agencies meet staffing requirements. § 1.11.2.1.2.
  • Right of entry: the SFM, deputies, and local fire chiefs (and their reps) may enter non-dwelling buildings at reasonable hours for enforcement and inspections; owners/managers must permit entry. § 1.11.2.2.

Enforcement powers, penalties, and appeals

  • Misdemeanor penalties: Violations of SFM orders, rules or regulations are a misdemeanor with fines of $100–$500 and/or imprisonment up to 6 months; each day of continued violation is a separate offense. § 1.11.2.1.3.
  • Appeals & code interpretations: Any person may request a code interpretation from the SFM; when project-specific, the SFM will review with the local enforcing agency before issuing the interpretation. Orders from authorized local chiefs inspecting state buildings may be appealed to the SFM. § 1.11.2.1.2.

Inspection timing and fees for special occupancies

  • Jails / places of detention: Inspections of jails/places of detention (state institutions) are required at least once every two years unless the local chief assumes inspection responsibility in writing; inspection reports must be submitted to the facility official, local governing body, SFM and Corrections Standards Authority within 30 days. § 1.11.2.1.1 (see file text).
  • Care facilities (preinspection & final clearance): For community care, RCFEs and child day-care facilities, the primary enforcing agency (local or SFM) must complete a final fire clearance within 30 days of request; a preinspection fee may be charged equal to actual cost and a reasonable final inspection fee not to exceed actual cost may be charged for RCFEs. § 1.11.4.4 – 1.11.4.6.
  • Fee exemption: No fee may be charged for inspection enforcement for RCFEs that serve six or fewer persons (per Health & Safety Code cited in §1.11 text). § 1.11.4.5 / referenced statutes.

Matrix of decision‑relevant dimensions

Decision dimension / question Typical values or thresholds Code Reference
Applies to state buildings? Yes — state-owned, state-occupied, state institutions § 1.11.2.1.2
Local agency can inspect state building? Only if authorized in writing; local agency must have paid fire prevention staff § 1.11.2.1.2
Jail/Detention reinspection frequency At least once every two years; reports due within 30 days § 1.11.2.1.1
Preinspection/final clearance timeline (care facilities) Final clearance within 30 days of request § 1.11.4.5
Fee limits for preinspection Fee not to exceed actual cost of preinspection § 1.11.4.4 / 1.11.4.5
Criminal penalty for violating SFM order $100–$500 fine and/or up to 6 months jail; daily continuing offense § 1.11.2.1.3
Right of entry SFM, deputies, local fire chiefs may enter non-dwelling buildings at reasonable hours § 1.11.2.2

Exceptions & special cases

  • Local fire protection districts may adopt more restrictive fire and panic safety building standards than the SFM (i.e., local can be stricter) through the process described in § 1.11.2.3 (districts treated as legislative bodies for that purpose). § 1.11.2.3.1.
  • The SFM may authorize local chiefs to inspect state-owned or occupied buildings other than state institutions; authorization is limited to agencies with a paid fire prevention bureau. § 1.11.2.1.2.
  • Some inspection/testing licensing requirements may be waived in writing by the SFM (for example licensing for system testing where the SFM allows it). See Title 19 reprinted text sections in the CFC for details. § 1.11 and related Title 19 excerpts.

Common mistakes

  • Treating the SFM as applying only to "state agencies" — the better test is building classification: state-owned/occupied/institution status (not just who funds the project). See § 1.11.2.1.2.
  • Assuming local inspection equals local enforcement: local chiefs can inspect only when authorized in writing by the SFM for state buildings (exceptions exist for state institutions). § 1.11.2.1.2.
  • Charging prohibited fees: enforcement fees for RCFEs serving six or fewer persons cannot be charged by the SFM or a local public entity as noted in the statute referenced in § 1.11.4.5.
  • Ignoring appeals: Orders by authorized local chiefs over state-occupied buildings (other than state institutions) can be appealed to the SFM — don’t assume local appeal routes override SFM review. § 1.11.2.1.2.

Worked example

Scenario: A private contractor is preparing to convert a state-occupied office building into a consolidated state department office (still state-occupied). The local fire chief requests to perform plan review and inspections.

Step 1 — jurisdiction: Because this is state-occupied, the SFM has authority under § 1.11.2.1.2. The SFM may perform reviews or authorize the local chief to inspect (only if the SFM provides written authorization and the local agency maintains a paid fire prevention bureau).

Step 2 — authorization: The local chief requests authorization. If the SFM authorizes local inspections in writing, the local agency may perform the inspections; if not, the SFM retains plan-review/inspection authority. § 1.11.2.1.2.

Step 3 — fees & inspections: If the local agency requests that the SFM perform plan review/inspection services related to a building permit, the fees for those services are payable to the Office of the State Fire Marshal (i.e., the SFM charges for SFM services). § 1.11.4.6.

Numeric example: the owner requests a final prelicensure fire clearance for a care-program office within the building. The primary enforcing agency must complete final clearance within 30 days of the request; any preinspection fee charged may be no more than actual cost of the preinspection. § 1.11.4.5 – 1.11.4.6.

Related provisions (select CFC sections)

  • § 1.11.2.1.2 — SFM enforcement in state-owned / -occupied buildings; delegation to local chiefs.
  • § 1.11.2.1.3 — Penalties (misdemeanor, fines, imprisonment, daily offenses).
  • § 1.11.2.2 — Right of entry for SFM, deputies, and local fire chiefs.
  • § 1.11.2.3.1 — Fire protection districts may adopt more restrictive standards.
  • § 1.11.4.4 – 1.11.4.6 — Preinspection, fees, requests to the Office of the State Fire Marshal, and timelines for care facilities.
  • § 1.11.5 / § 1.11.5.1 — Inspection requirements and reinspection rules for existing licensed Group R (and I-1/R in CBC text) occupancies.
  • Matrix adoption / Title 19 excerpts in Chapter 1 — identification of sections reprinted from CCR Title 19 and adoption notes regarding SFM responsibilities. § 1.11 (matrix text).

Code references

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

  • CFC § 1-5 High relevance — show source text

    1.11 Office of the State Fire Marshal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5

    DIVISION II— SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATION . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-13

    Part 1—General Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13

    101 Scope and General Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13 102 Applicability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13

    Part 2—Administration and Enforcement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14

    103 Code Compliance Agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14 104 Duties and Powers of the Fire Code Official . . . . . . . 1-14

    105 Permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17

    106 Construction Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-26

    107 Temporary Structures, Uses, Equipment and Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-26

    108 Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-26

    109 Inspections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-27

    110 Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-27

    111 Service Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-28

    112 Means of Appeals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-28 113 Violations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-28

    114 Stop Work Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-29 115 Unsafe Structures or Equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-29

    CHAPTER 2 DEFINITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5

  • CFC § 1-3 High relevance — show source text

    Community-level fire hazard data is not always readily available in a centralized location and not in a_ standard format. This framework enables communities’ leaders to collect their WUI fire hazard data in an immediately accessible for- mat. This framework also allows the community WUI fire hazard area data to be an inclusive picture. Part of the data assembled in the framework layout will help first responders during an incident. This data may enhance situational awareness, facilitate ingress and egress routes, and increase structure survivability through targeted fire responder actions. The framework allows decision makers the ability to access WUI fire hazard risks across multiple communities when implemented in this standardized method. For example, a comparison can be made between a community of 5,000 residents to a community with 20,000 residents. They will be able to compare their overall fire hazard as well as the relative fire hazard. The information from the standardized framework may be used to assist with making the design and prioritizing resources at the community, county and state level. These resources may include funding for fuel treatment around communities in designated very high fire hazard severity zones. The proposed framework has the benefit of enabling communities, county and state to use a methodized approach to assess hazards, offer property solutions and inform first responders before and during incidents.

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    CONTENTS

    CHAPTER 1 ADMINISTRATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-3

    DIVISION I—CALIFORNIA ADMINISTRATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-3

    1.1 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3

    1.11 Office of the State Fire Marshal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5

    DIVISION II— SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATION . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-13

    Part 1—General Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13

    101 Scope and General Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13 102 Applicability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13

    Part 2—Administration and Enforcement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14

    103 Code Compliance Agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14 104 Duties and Powers of the Fire Code Official . . . . . . . 1-14

    105 Permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17

    106 Construction Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-26

  • CFC § 1.11.2.1.2 High relevance — show source text

    unless the chief of a city or county fire department or fire_ protection district, or such chief’s authorized representative, indicates in writing to the State Fire Marshal that inspections of such jails or places of detention will be conducted by the chief or such person’s authorized representative, in their respective area of jurisdiction. The inspections shall be made at least once every two years for the purpose of enforcing the regulations adopted by the State Fire Marshal, pursuant to Section 13143. Reports of inspection conducted pursuant to this subsection shall be on forms provided by the State Fire Marshal and shall be submitted to the official in charge of the facility, the local governing body, the State Fire Marshal and the Corrections Standards Authority within 30 days of the inspections.

    1.11.2.1.2 Pursuant to Health and Safety Code, Section 13108, and except as otherwise provided in this section, building stan- dards adopted by the State Fire Marshal published in the California Building Standards Code relating to fire and panic safety shall be enforced by the State Fire Marshal in all state-owned buildings, state-occupied buildings and state institutions throughout the state. Upon the written request of the chief fire official of any city, county or fire protection district, the State Fire Marshal may authorize such chief fire official and his or her authorized representatives, in their geographical area of responsibility, to make fire prevention inspections of state-owned or state-occupied buildings, other than state institutions, for the purpose of enforcing the regulations relating to fire and panic safety adopted by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to this section and building standards relating to fire and panic safety published in the California Building Standards Code. Authorization from the State Fire Marshal shall be limited to those fire departments or fire districts which maintain a fire prevention bureau staffed by paid personnel.

    Pursuant to Health and Safety Code, Section 13108, any requirement or order made by any chief fire official who is authorized by the State Fire Marshal to make fire prevention inspections of state-owned or state-occupied buildings, other than state institu- tions, may be appealed to the State Fire Marshal. The State Fire Marshal shall, upon receiving an appeal and subject to the provisions of Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 18945) of Part 2.5 of Division 13 of the Health and Safety Code, determine if the requirement or order made is reasonably consistent with the fire and panic safety regulations adopted by the State Fire Marshal and building standards relating to fire and panic safety published in the California Building Code.

    Any person may request a code interpretation from the State Fire Marshal relative to the intent of any regulation or provision adopted by the State Fire Marshal. When the request relates to a specific project, occupancy or building, the State Fire Marshal shall review the issue with the appropriate local enforcing agency prior to rendering such code interpretation.

    1.11.2.1.3 Pursuant to Health and Safety Code, Section 13112, any person who violates any order, rule or regulation of the State Fire Marshal is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $100.00 or more than $500.00, or by imprisonment for not less than six months, or by both. A person is guilty of a separate offense each day during which he or she commits, continues or permits a violation of any provision of, or any order, rule or regulation of, the State Fire Marshal as contained in this code.

    Any inspection authority who, in the exercise of his or her authority as a deputy State Fire Marshal, causes any legal complaints to be filed or any arrest to be made shall notify the State Fire Marshal immediately following such action.

  • CFC § 1569.84 High relevance — show source text

    Pursuant to Health and Safety Code, Section 1569.84, neither the State Fire Marshal nor any local public entity shall charge any fee for enforcing fire inspection regulations pursuant to state law or regulation or local ordinance, with respect to residential care facili- ties for the elderly (RCFE) which service six or fewer persons.

    1.11.4.6 Requests of the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Whenever a local authority having jurisdiction requests that the State Fire Marshal perform plan review and/or inspection services related to a building permit, the applicable fees for such shall be payable to the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

    1.11.5 Inspections. Work performed subject to the provisions of this Code shall comply with the inspection requirements contained in Section 107, as adopted by the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

    1.11.5.1 Existing Group R occupancies. Licensed 24-hour care in a Group R occupancy in existence and originally classified under previously adopted state codes shall be reinspected under the appropriate previous code, provided there is no change in the use or character which would place the facility in a different occupancy group.

    1.11.6 Certificate of Occupancy. A Certificate of Occupancy shall be issued as specified in Title 24, Part 2, California Building Code, Section 111.

    Exception: Certificates of occupancy are not required for work exempt from permits in accordance with Section 105.2 of the Califor- nia Building Code.

    1.11.7 Temporary Structures and Uses. See Title 24, Part 2, California Building Code, Section 108.

    1.11.8 Service Utilities. See Title 24, Part 2, California Building Code, Section 112.

    1.11.9 Stop Work Order. See Title 24, Part 2, California Building Code, Section 115.

    1.11.10 Unsafe Buildings, Structures and Equipment. See Title 24, Part 2, California Building Code, Section 116.

    [California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §1.03] Scope. (a) California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1 regulations shall govern the use and maintenance of any building or struc- ture used or intended for use as an asylum, jail, mental hospital, hospital, sanitarium, home for aged, children’s home or institution, school or any similar occupancy of any capacity; and any theater, dance hall, skating rink, auditorium, assembly hall, meeting hall, night club, fair building or similar place of assemblage where 50 or more persons may gather together in a building, room or structure for the purpose of amusement, entertainment, instruction, deliberation, worship, drinking or

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    DIVISION I—CALIFORNIA ADMINISTRATION

    dining, awaiting transportation or education, and in any building or structure which is open to the public and is used or intended to be used for the showing of motion pictures when an admission fee is charged and when such building or structure has a capacity of 10 or more persons, and shall apply to both new and existing occupancies.

  • CFC § 1.11.2.2 High relevance — show source text

    Any person may request a code interpretation from the State Fire Marshal relative to the intent of any regulation or provision adopted by the State Fire Marshal. When the request relates to a specific project, occupancy or building, the State Fire Marshal shall review the issue with the appropriate local enforcing agency prior to rendering such code interpretation.

    1.11.2.2 Right of entry. The fire chief of any city, county, or fire protection district, or such person’s authorized representative, may enter any state institution or any other state-owned or state-occupied building for the purpose of preparing a fire suppression preplanning program or for the purpose of investigating any fire in a state-occupied building.

    The State Fire Marshal, his or her deputies or salaried assistants, the chief of any city or county fire department or fire protection district, and his or her authorized representatives may enter any building or premises not used for dwelling purposes at any reason- able hour for the purpose of enforcing this chapter. The owner, lessee, manager, or operator of any such building or premises shall permit the State Fire Marshal, his or her deputies or salaried assistants, and the chief of any city or county fire department or fire protection district and his or her authorized representatives to enter and inspect them at the time and for the purpose stated in this section.

    [California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §1.08] Report of Arrest.

    Any inspection authority who, in the exercise of his authority as a Deputy State Fire Marshal, causes any legal complaints to be filed or any arrest to be made shall notify the State Fire Marshal immediately following such action.

    [California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §1.13] Penalty.

    Section 13112 of the Health and Safety Code provides that: (a) “Every person who violates any provision of this chapter, or any order, rule or regulation made pursuant to this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) or more than five hundred dollars ($500), or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or by both.” (b) “A person is guilty of a separate offense each day during which he commits, continues or permits a violation of any provision of, or any order, rule or regulation made pursuant to, this chapter.”

    1.11.2.3 More restrictive fire and panic safety building standards.

    1.11.2.3.1 Fire protection district. Any fire protection district organized pursuant to Health and Safety Code Part 2.7 (commenc- ing with Section 13800) of Division 12 may adopt building standards relating to fire and panic safety that are more stringent than those building standards adopted by the State Fire Marshal and contained in the California Building Standards Code. For these purposes, the district board shall be deemed a legislative body, and the district shall be deemed a local agency. Any changes or modifications that are more stringent than the requirements published in the California Building Standards Code relating to fire and panic safety shall be subject to Section 1.1.7.1.

    1.11.2.3.2 Noticing a proposed ordinance. Any fire protection district that proposes to adopt an ordinance pursuant to this section shall, not less than 30 days prior to noticing a proposed ordinance for a public hearing, provide a copy of that ordinance,

    2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE 1-7

  • CFC § 1.11.4.4 Medium relevance — show source text

    1.11.4.4 Fire clearance pre-inspection. Pursuant to Health and Safety Code, Section 13235, Fire Clearance Pre-inspection, fee, upon receipt of a request from a prospective licensee of a community care facility, as defined in Section 1502, of a residential care facility for the elderly, as defined in Section 1569.2, or of a child daycare facility, as defined in Section 1596.750, the local fire enforcing agency, as defined in Sections 13145 and 13146, or State Fire Marshal, whichever has primary jurisdiction, shall conduct a pre-inspec- tion of the facility prior to the final fire clearance approval. At the time of the preinspection, the primary fire enforcing agency shall price consultation and interpretation of the fire safety regulations and shall notify the prospective licensee of the facility in writing of the specific fire safety regulations which shall be enforced in order to obtain fire clearance approval. A fee equal to, but not exceeding, the actual cost of the pre-inspection may be charged for the pre-inspection of a facility.

    1.11.4.5 Care facilities. The primary fire enforcing agency shall complete the final fire clearance inspection for a community care facility, residential care facility for the elderly or child day-care facility within 30 days of receipt of the request for the final inspection, or as of the date the prospective facility requests the final prelicensure inspection by the State Department of Social Services, which- ever is later.

    Pursuant to Health and Safety Code, Section 13235, a pre-inspection fee equal to, but not exceeding, the actual cost of the pre- inspection services may be charged for the pre-inspection of a facility.

    Pursuant to Health and Safety Code, Section 13131.5, a reasonable final inspection fee, not to exceed the actual cost of inspection services necessary to complete a final inspection may be charged for occupancies classified as residential care facilities for the elderly (RCFE).

    Pursuant to Health and Safety Code, Section 1569.84, neither the State Fire Marshal nor any local public entity shall charge any fee for enforcing fire inspection regulations pursuant to state law or regulation or local ordinance, with respect to residential care facili- ties for the elderly (RCFE) which service six or fewer persons.

    1.11.4.6 Requests of the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Whenever a local authority having jurisdiction requests that the State Fire Marshal perform plan review and/or inspection services related to a building permit, the applicable fees for such shall be payable to the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

    1.11.5 Inspections. Work performed subject to the provisions of this Code shall comply with the inspection requirements contained in Section 107, as adopted by the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

    1.11.5.1 Existing Group R occupancies. Licensed 24-hour care in a Group R occupancy in existence and originally classified under previously adopted state codes shall be reinspected under the appropriate previous code, provided there is no change in the use or character which would place the facility in a different occupancy group.

    1.11.6 Certificate of Occupancy. A Certificate of Occupancy shall be issued as specified in Title 24, Part 2, California Building Code, Section 111.

    Exception: Certificates of occupancy are not required for work exempt from permits in accordance with Section 105.2 of the Califor- nia Building Code.

  • CFC § 1.11.2.1.3 Medium relevance — show source text

    Any person may request a code interpretation from the State Fire Marshal relative to the intent of any regulation or provision adopted by the State Fire Marshal. When the request relates to a specific project, occupancy or building, the State Fire Marshal shall review the issue with the appropriate local enforcing agency prior to rendering such code interpretation. 1.11.2.1.3 Pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 13112, any person who violates any order, rule or regulation of the State Fire Marshal is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $100.00 or more than $500.00, or by impris- onment for not less than six months, or by both. A person is guilty of a separate offense each day during which he or she commits, continues or permits a violation of any provision of, or any order, rule or regulation of, the State Fire Marshal as contained in this code.

    Any inspection authority who, in the exercise of his or her authority as a deputy State Fire Marshal,

    16 2025 CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE

    ), Copyright © 2025 IAPMO, and may not be used for any other purpose or distributed to any other persons or parties.

    DIVISION I CALIFORNIA ADMINISTRATION

    causes any legal complaints to be filed or any arrest to be made shall notify the State Fire Marshal imme- diately following such action. 1.11.2.2 Right of Entry. The fire chief of any city, county, or fire protection district, or such person’s authorized representative, may enter any state institution or any other state-owned or state-occupied building for the purpose of preparing a fire suppression preplanning program or for the purpose of investigating any fire in a state-occupied building. The State Fire Marshal, his or her deputies or salaried assistants, the chief of any city or county fire department or fire protection district and his or her authorized representatives may enter any building or premises not used for dwelling purposes at any reason- able hour for the purpose of enforcing this chapter. The owner, lessee, manager or operator of any such building or premises shall permit the State Fire Marshal, his or her deputies or salaried assistants and the chief of any city or county fire department or fire protection district and his or her authorized representatives to enter and inspect them at the time and for the purpose stated in this section. 1.11.2.3 More Restrictive Fire and Panic Safety Building Standards. 1.11.2.3.1 Any fire protection district organized pursuant to Health and Safety Code Part 2.7 (commencing with Section 13800) of Division 12 may adopt building standards relating to fire and panic safety that are more stringent than those building standards adopted by the State Fire Marshal and contained in the California Building Standards Code. For these purposes, the district board shall be deemed a legislative body and the district shall be deemed a _local agency.

  • CFC § 1.11.4.6 Medium relevance — show source text

    1.11.4.6 Requests of the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Whenever a local authority having jurisdiction requests that the State Fire Marshal perform plan review and/or inspection services related to a building permit, the applicable fees for such shall be payable to the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

    1.11.5 Inspections. Work performed subject to the provisions of this code shall comply with the inspection requirements of Sections 110.1, 110.3, 110.3.4, 110.3.5, 110.3.6, 110.3.8, 110.3.9, 110.3.10, 110.5 and 110.6 as adopted by the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

    1.11.5.1 Existing Group I-1 or R occupancies. Licensed 24-hour care in a Group I-1 or R occupancy in existence and originally classi- fied under previously adopted state codes shall be reinspected under the appropriate previous code, provided there is no change in the use or character which would place the facility in a different occupancy group.

    1.11.6 Certificate of Occupancy. A Certificate of Occupancy shall be issued as specified in Section 111.

    Exception: Certificates of occupancy are not required for work exempt from permits in accordance with Section 105.2 of the Califor- nia Building Code.

    1.11.7 Temporary structures and uses. See Section 108.

    1.11.8 Service utilities. See Section 112.

    1.11.9 Stop work order. See Section 115.

    1.11.10 Unsafe buildings, structures and equipment. See Section 116.

    1.11.11 Adopting Agency Identification. The provisions of this code applicable to buildings identified in this Section 1.11 will be identi- fied in the Matrix Adoption Tables under the acronym SFM.

    SECTION 1.12—STATE LIBRARIAN

    1.12.1 Specific scope of application of the agency responsible for enforcement, the enforcement agency and the specific authority to adopt and enforce such provisions of this code, unless otherwise stated.

    Application— Public library construction and renovation using funds from the California Library Construction and Renovation Bond Act of 1988.

    Enforcing agency— State librarian.

    Authority cited— Education Code Sections 19950 through 19981.

    Reference— Education Code Sections 19950 through 19981.

    SECTION 1.13—DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES

    RESERVED

    SECTION 1.14—CALIFORNIA STATE LANDS COMMISSION

    1.14.1 Specific scope of application of the agency responsible for enforcement, the enforcement agency and the specific authority to adopt and enforce such provisions of this code, unless otherwise stated.

    Application— Marine oil terminals.

    Enforcing agency— California State Lands Commission.

    Authority cited— Public Resources Code Section 8755.

    Reference— Public Resources Code Section 8755.

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    ADMINISTRATION

  • CFC § 1.11.4.5 Medium relevance — show source text

    At the time of the preinspection, the primary fire enforcing agency shall price_ consultation and interpretation of the fire safety regulations and shall notify the prospective licensee of the facility in writing of the specific fire safety regulations which shall be enforced in order to obtain fire clearance approval. A fee equal to, but not exceeding, the actual cost of the preinspection services may be charged for the preinspection of a facility.

    1.11.4.5 Care facilities. The primary fire enforcing agency shall complete the final fire clearance inspection for a community care facility, residential care facility for the elderly, or child day-care facility within 30 days of receipt of the request for the final inspection, or as of the date the prospective facility requests the final prelicensure inspection by the State Department of Social Services, whichever is later.

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    Pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 13235, a preinspection fee equal to, but not exceeding, the actual cost of the preinspection services may be charged for the preinspection of a facility.

    Pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 13131.5, a reasonable final inspection fee, not to exceed the actual cost of inspection services necessary to complete a final inspection may be charged for occupancies classified as residential care facilities for the elderly (RCFE).

    Pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 1569.84, neither the State Fire Marshal nor any local public entity shall charge any fee for enforcing fire inspection regulations pursuant to state law or regulation or local ordinance, with respect to residential care facilities for the elderly (RCFE) which service six or fewer persons.

    1.11.4.6 Requests of the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Whenever a local authority having jurisdiction requests that the State Fire Marshal perform plan review and/or inspection services related to a building permit, the applicable fees for such shall be payable to the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

    1.11.5 Inspections. Work performed subject to the provisions of this code shall comply with the inspection requirements of Sections 109.1, 109.3, 109.3.4, 109.3.5, 109.3.6, 109.3.7, 109.3.8, 109.3.9, 109.5 and 109.6 as adopted by the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

    1.11.5.1 Existing Group I-1 or R occupancies. Licensed 24-hour care in a Group I-1 or R occupancy in existence and originally classified under previously adopted state codes shall be reinspected under the appropriate previous code, provided there is no change in the use or character which would place the facility in a different occupancy group.

    1.11.6 Certificate of Occupancy. A Certificate of Occupancy shall be issued as specified in Title 24, Part 2, California Building Code, Section 111.

    Exception: Certificates of occupancy are not required for work exempt from permits in accordance with Section 105.2 of the California Building Code.

    1.11.7 Temporary structures and uses. See Section 107.

    1.11.8 Service utilities. See Section 111.

    1.11.9 Stop work order. See Section 114.

  • CFC § 1-12 Medium relevance — show source text

    Authorization from the State Fire Marshal_ shall be limited to those fire departments or fire districts which maintain a fire prevention bureau staffed by paid personnel.

    Pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 13108, any requirement or order made by any chief fire official who is authorized by the State Fire Marshal to make fire prevention inspections of state-owned or state-occupied buildings, other than state institu- tions, may be appealed to the State Fire Marshal. The State Fire Marshal shall, upon receiving an appeal and subject to the

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    provisions of Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 18945) of Part 2.5 of Division 13 of the Health and Safety Code, determine if the requirement or order made is reasonably consistent with the fire and panic safety regulations adopted by the State Fire Marshal and building standards relating to fire and panic safety published in the California Building Code.

    Any person may request a code interpretation from the State Fire Marshal relative to the intent of any regulation or provision adopted by the State Fire Marshal. When the request relates to a specific project, occupancy or building, the State Fire Marshal shall review the issue with the appropriate local enforcing agency prior to rendering such code interpretation.

    1.11.2.1.3 Pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 13112, any person who violates any order, rule or regulation of the State Fire Marshal is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $100.00 or more than $500.00, or by imprisonment for not less than six months, or by both. A person is guilty of a separate offense each day during which he or she commits, continues or permits a violation of any provision of, or any order, rule or regulation of, the State Fire Marshal as contained in this code.

    Any inspection authority who, in the exercise of his or her authority as a deputy State Fire Marshal, causes any legal complaints to be filed or any arrest to be made shall notify the State Fire Marshal immediately following such action.

    1.11.2.2 Right of entry. The fire chief of any city, county or fire protection district, or such person’s authorized representative, may enter any state institution or any other state-owned or state-occupied building for the purpose of preparing a fire suppression preplanning program or for the purpose of investigating any fire in a state-occupied building.

    The State Fire Marshal, his or her deputies or salaried assistants, the chief of any city or county fire department or fire protection district and his or her authorized representatives may enter any building or premises not used for dwelling purposes at any reason- able hour for the purpose of enforcing this chapter. The owner, lessee, manager or operator of any such building or premises shall permit the State Fire Marshal, his or her deputies or salaried assistants and the chief of any city or county fire department or fire protection district and his or her authorized representatives to enter and inspect them at the time and for the purpose stated in this section.

    1.11.2.3 More restrictive fire and panic safety building standards.

Frequently asked questions

Who enforces the SFM-adopted fire standards for state buildings?

The Office of the State Fire Marshal enforces SFM-adopted fire and panic safety standards for state-owned, state-occupied and state institutions; the SFM may authorize local fire chiefs in writing to inspect certain state buildings. § 1.11.2.1.2.

Can a local fire district adopt stricter fire rules than the SFM?

Yes — a fire protection district may adopt more restrictive fire and panic safety building standards than those adopted by the SFM, following the procedures in § 1.11.2.3.

What if I disagree with an order issued by a local chief inspecting a state-occupied building?

You may appeal the order to the State Fire Marshal; the SFM will determine whether the order is reasonably consistent with SFM-adopted regulations and building standards. § 1.11.2.1.2.

Are there limits on inspection fees for care facilities?

Yes — a preinspection fee may be charged up to the actual cost; final inspection fees for RCFEs must be reasonable and no greater than actual inspection cost; RCFEs serving six or fewer persons cannot be charged inspection enforcement fees by the SFM or local public entity per the cited statutes included in § 1.11 text. § 1.11.4.4 – 1.11.4.6 / referenced H&S Code.

What are the criminal penalties for violating an SFM order?

Violating an SFM order or regulation is a misdemeanor punishable by $100–$500 fine and/or up to 6 months jail; each day of a continuing violation is a separate offense. § 1.11.2.1.3.

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