Design, Fire-Protection Systems & Safety Controls

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

• CFC § 1203 High relevance — show source text

  CHAPTER TOPICS	Col2
  PARTS AND CHAPTERS	SUBJECTS
  Part I—Chapters 1 and 2	Administrative and definitions
  Part II—Chapters 3 and 4	General safety provisions
  Part III—Chapters 5 through 12	Building and equipment design features
  Part III—Chapters 13 through 19	Reserved for future use
  Part IV—Chapters 20 through 41_; 48 and 49_	Special occupancies and operations
  Part IV—Chapters 42 through_47_	Reserved for future use
  Part V—Chapters 50, 51 and 53 through 67	Hazardous materials
  Part V—Chapters_ 52,_ 68 through 79	Reserved for future use
  Part VI—Chapter 80	Referenced standards
  Part VII—Appendices A through Q	Adoptable and informational appendices

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  California Building Code Correlated Topics

  The CFC requirements for fire-resistance-rated construction, interior finish, fire protection systems, means of egress and construction safeguards are directly correlated to the chapters containing parallel requirements in the CBC as follows:

  CFC/CBC CORRELATED TOPICS	Col2	Col3
  CFC CHAPTER/SECTION	CBC CHAPTER/SECTION	SUBJECT
  Chapter 7	Chapter 7	Fire and smoke protection features (Fire-resistance-rated construction in the CBC)
  Chapter 8	Chapter 8	Interior finish, decorative materials and furnishings
  Chapter 9	Chapter 9	Fire protection and life safety systems
  Chapter 10	Chapter 10	Means of egress
  Section 1203	Chapter 27	Emergency and standby power
  Chapter 31	Section 3103	Temporary structures
  Chapter 33	Chapter 33	Construction fire safety
  Chapters 50–67	Sections 307, 414, 415	Hazardous materials and Group H requirements

  PART I—ADMINISTRATIVE

  Chapter 1 Scope and Administration.

  Chapter 1 establishes the limits of applicability of the code and describes how the code is to be applied and enforced. The provisions of Chapter 1 establish the authority and duties of the code official appointed by the authority having jurisdiction and also establish the rights and privileges of the design professional, contractor and property owner.

  Chapter 2 Definitions.

  Chapter 2 is the repository of the definitions of terms used in the body of the code. The user of the code should be familiar with and consult this chapter because the definitions are essential to the correct interpretation of the code and because the user may not be aware that a term is defined.

  PART II—GENERAL SAFETY PROVISIONS

  Chapter 3 General Requirements

  General regulations contained in Chapter 3, are intended to improve premises safety for everyone, including construction workers, tenants, operations and maintenance personnel, and emergency response personnel.

  Chapter 4 Emergency Planning and Preparedness

  Chapter 4 addresses the human contribution to life safety during emergencies. Continuous training and scheduled fire, evacuation and lockdown drills can be as important as the required periodic inspections and maintenance of built-in fire protection features. The level of preparation by the occupants also improves the emergency responders’ abilities during an emergency.

  PART III—BUILDING AND EQUIPMENT DESIGN FEATURES

  Chapter 5 Fire Service Features

• CFC § 910.3.4 High relevance — show source text

  where:

  A VR = The required aggregate vent area (ft [2] ).

  A FA = The area of the floor in the area that requires smoke removal.

  910.3.4 Vent operation. Smoke and heat vents shall be capable of being operated by approved automatic and manual means.

  910.3.5 Fusible link temperature rating. Where vents are installed in areas provided with automatic fire sprinklers and the vents operate by fusible link, the fusible link shall have a temperature rating of 360°F (182°C).

  910.4 Mechanical smoke removal systems. Mechanical smoke removal systems shall be designed and installed in accordance with Sections 910.4.1 through 910.4.7.

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  FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS

  910.4.1 Automatic sprinklers required. The building shall be equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.

  910.4.2 Exhaust fan construction. Exhaust fans that are part of a mechanical smoke removal system shall be rated for operation at 221°F (105°C). Exhaust fan motors shall be located outside of the exhaust fan airstream.

  910.4.3 System design criteria. The mechanical smoke removal system shall be sized to exhaust the building at a minimum rate of two air changes per hour based on the volume of the building or portion thereof without contents. The capacity of each exhaust fan shall not exceed 30,000 cubic feet per minute (14.2 m [3] /s).

  910.4.3.1 Makeup air. Makeup air openings shall be provided within 6 feet (1829 mm) of the floor level. Operation of makeup air openings shall be manual or automatic. The minimum gross area of makeup air inlets shall be 8 square feet per 1,000 cubic feet per minute (0.74 m [2] per 0.4719 m [3] /s) of smoke exhaust.

  910.4.4 Activation. The mechanical smoke removal system shall be activated by manual controls only.

  910.4.5 Manual control location. Manual controls shall be located where they are able to be accessed by the fire service from an exterior door of the building and separated from the remainder of the building by not less than 1-hour fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 of the California Building Code or horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711 of the California Building Code, or both.

  910.4.6 Control wiring. Wiring for operation and control of mechanical smoke removal systems shall be connected ahead of the main disconnect in accordance with Section 701.12E of the California Electrical Code and be protected against interior fire exposure to temperatures in excess of 1,000°F (538°C) for a period of not less than 15 minutes.

  910.4.7 Controls. Where building air-handling and mechanical smoke removal systems are combined or where independent building air-handling systems are provided, fans shall automatically shut down in accordance with the California Mechanical Code . The manual controls provided for the smoke removal system shall have the capability to override the automatic shutdown of fans that are part of the smoke removal system.

• CFC § 5005.1.3 Medium relevance — show source text

  5005.1.3 Spill control and secondary containment for hazardous material liquids. Where required by other provisions of Section 5005, spill control and secondary containment shall be provided for hazardous material liquids in accordance with Section 5004.2.

  5005.1.4 Limit controls. Limit controls shall be provided in accordance with Sections 5005.1.4.1 through 5005.1.4.4.

  5005.1.4.1 High-liquid-level control. Open tanks in which liquid hazardous materials are used shall be equipped with a liquid-level limit control or other means to prevent overfilling of the tank.

  5005.1.4.2 Low-liquid-level control. Approved safeguards shall be provided to prevent a low-liquid level in a tank from creating a hazardous condition, including but not limited to, overheating of a tank or its contents.

  5005.1.4.3 Temperature control. Temperature control shall be provided in accordance with Section 5004.8.1.

  5005.1.4.4 Pressure control. Pressure control shall be provided in accordance with Section 5004.8.2.

  5005.1.5 Standby or emergency power. Where mechanical ventilation, treatment systems, temperature control, manual alarm, detection or other electrically operated systems are required by this code, such systems shall be provided with emergency or standby power in accordance with Section 1203.

  5005.1.5.1 Exempt applications. Standby power for mechanical ventilation, treatment systems and temperature control systems shall not be required where an approved fail-safe engineered system is installed.

  5005.1.6 Supervision and monitoring. Manual alarm, detection and automatic fire-extinguishing systems required by other provisions of Section 5005 shall be electrically supervised and monitored by an approved supervisory service or, where approved, shall initiate an audible and visual signal at a constantly attended on-site location.

  5005.1.7 Lighting. Adequate lighting by natural or artificial means shall be provided.

  5005.1.8 Fire protection systems. Indoor rooms or areas in which hazardous materials are dispensed or used shall be protected by an automatic sprinkler system or automatic fire-extinguishing system in accordance with Chapter 9. Sprinkler system design shall be not less than that required for Ordinary Hazard, Group 2, with a minimum design area of 3,000 square feet (279 m [2] ). Where the materials or storage arrangement are required by other regulations to be provided with a higher level of sprinkler system protection, the higher level of sprinkler system protection shall be provided.

  5005.1.9 Ventilation. Indoor dispensing and use areas shall be provided with exhaust ventilation in accordance with Section 5004.3.

  Exception: Ventilation is not required for dispensing and use of flammable solids other than finely divided particles.

  5005.1.10 Liquid transfer. Liquids having a hazard ranking of 3 or 4 in accordance with NFPA 704 shall be transferred by one of the following methods:

  1. From safety cans complying with UL 30.

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  HAZARDOUS MATERIALS—GENERAL PROVISIONS

• CFC § 33-3 Medium relevance — show source text

  3303 Administrative Safety Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33-3 3304 Protection of Combustible Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . 33-4

  3305 Ignition Source Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33-5 3306 Fire Protection Systems and Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . 33-5 3307 Fire Department Site Access and Water Supply. . . 33-6 3308 Motorized Construction Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33-7 3309 Hazardous Materials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33-7

  3310 Additional Safeguards for Occupied Buildings. . . . 33-7 3311 Additional Safeguards for Types I and II Construction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33-8

  3312 Additional Safeguards for Type IV Construction . . 33-8

  CHAPTER 34 TIRE REBUILDING AND TIRE STORAGE . . . 34-3

  3401 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34-3

  3402 Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34-3

  3403 Tire Rebuilding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34-3 3404 Precautions Against Fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34-3 3405 Outdoor Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34-3 3406 Fire Department Access. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34-4 3407 Fencing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34-4 3408 Fire Protection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34-5

  3409 Indoor Storage Arrangement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34-5

  CHAPTER 35 WELDING AND OTHER HOT WORK . . . . . . . 35-3

  3501 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35-3

  3502 Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35-3

• CFC § 1207 Medium relevance — show source text

  The criteria in Chapter 10 regulating the design of the means of egress system are established as the primary method for protection of occupants by allowing timely relocation or evacuation. Both prescriptive and performance language is utilized for determination of a safe exiting system. It addresses all portions of the means of egress system (i.e., exit access, exits and exit discharge) and includes design requirements as well as provisions regulating individual components. The requirements detail the size, arrangement, number and protection of means of egress components. The means of egress protection requirements work in coordination with other sections of the code, such as protection of vertical openings (see Chapter 7 of the CBC), interior finish (see Chapter 8 of the CBC), fire suppression and detection systems (see Chapter 9) and numerous others, all having an impact on life safety. Chapter 10 of the CBC is duplicated in Chapter 10 of the CFC; however, the CFC contains one additional section on the maintenance of the means of egress system in existing buildings.

  Chapter 11 Construction Requirements for Existing Buildings

  Chapter 11 applies to existing buildings constructed prior to the adoption of the code and intends to provide a minimum degree of fire and life safety to persons occupying existing buildings by providing for retroactive requirements to install or upgrade fire safety features to such buildings that do not comply with the minimum requirements of the CBC. Prior to the 2009 edition, its content existed in the CFC but in a random manner that was neither efficient nor user-friendly. In the 2007/2008 International Code Council (ICC) code development cycle, a code change (F294-07/ 08) was approved that consolidated the retroactive elements of CFC into a single chapter for easier and more efficient reference and application to existing buildings.

  Chapter 12 Energy Systems

  Chapter 12 addresses any provisions related to energy systems found in the CFC. The expansion of such energy systems is related to meeting today’s energy, environmental and economic challenges. Ensuring appropriate criteria to address the safety of such systems in building and fire codes is an important part of protecting the public at large, building occupants and emergency responders. These requirements also facilitate the successful implementation of new technologies.

  All text in Section 1207 of the 2024 CFC with the following designation (Material based on NFPA 855 2023 Ed.) is reproduced with permission from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and is based upon NFPA 855, Standard for the Installation of Station- ary Energy Storage Systems, Copyright © 2023 NFPA. All designated text is either directly copied from the 2023 edition of NFPA 855 or as modified by the ICC Code Development Process. This material is not the complete and official position of NFPA on the referenced subject, which is represented solely by the standard in its entirety. NFPA shall not be responsible for the manner in which this information is presented, nor for any interpretations thereof.

  Chapters 13 through 19 Reserved for future use.

  PART IV—SPECIAL OCCUPANCIES AND OPERATIONS

  Chapter 20 Aviation Facilities

  Chapter 20 specifies minimum requirements for the fire-safe operation of airports, heliports and helistops. The principal nonflight operational hazards associated with aviation involve fuel, facilities and operations. Therefore, safe use of flammable and combustible liquids during fueling and maintenance operations is emphasized. Availability of portable Class B:C-rated fire extinguishers for prompt control or suppression of incipient fires is required.

  Chapter 21 Dry Cleaning

• CFC § 901.1 Medium relevance — show source text

  9 FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS

  User notes:

  About this chapter: Chapter 9 prescribes the minimum requirements for active fire protection equipment systems to perform the functions of detecting a fire, alerting the occupants or fire department of a fire emergency, mass notification, gas detection, controlling smoke and controlling or extinguishing the fire. Generally, the requirements are based on the occupancy, the height and the area of the building, because these are the factors that most affect firefighting capabilities and the relative hazard of a specific building or portion thereof. This chapter parallels and is substantially duplicated in Chapter 9 of the California Fire Code.

  SECTION 901—GENERAL

  901.1 Scope. The provisions of this chapter shall specify where fire protection and life safety systems are required and shall apply to the design, installation and operation of fire protection and life safety systems.

  901.2 Fire protection systems. Fire protection and life safety systems shall be installed, repaired, operated and maintained in accordance with this code and the California Fire Code .

  Any fire protection or life safety system for which an exception or reduction to the provisions of this code has been granted shall be considered to be a required system.

  Exception: Any fire protection or life safety system or portion thereof not required by this code shall be permitted to be installed for partial or complete protection provided that such system meets the requirements of this code.

  901.3 Modifications. Persons shall not remove or modify any fire protection system installed or maintained under the provisions of this code or the California Fire Code without approval by the building official.

  901.4 Threads. Threads provided for fire department connections to automatic sprinkler systems, standpipes, yard hydrants or any other fire hose connection shall be compatible with the connections used by the local fire department.

  901.5 Administration of installation acceptance tests. Fire protection systems shall be tested in accordance with the requirements of this code and the California Fire Code . Where required, the tests shall be conducted in the presence of the building official. Tests required by this code, the California Fire Code and the standards listed in this code shall be conducted at the expense of the owner or the owner’s authorized agent. It shall be unlawful to occupy portions of a structure until the required fire protection systems within that portion of the structure have been tested and approved.

  901.6 Supervisory service. Where required, fire protection systems shall be monitored by an approved supervising station in accordance with NFPA 72.

  901.6.1 Automatic sprinkler systems. Automatic sprinkler systems shall be monitored by an approved supervising station.

  Exceptions:

  1. A supervising station is not required for automatic sprinkler systems protecting one- and two-family dwellings.
  2. Limited area systems in accordance with Section 903.3.8.

  901.6.2 Fire alarm systems. Fire alarm systems required by the provisions of Section 907.2 of this code and Sections 907.2 and 907.9 of the California Fire Code shall be monitored by an approved supervising station in accordance with Section 907.6.6 of this code.

  Exceptions:

  1. Single- and multiple-station smoke alarms required by Section 907.2.11.
  2. Smoke detectors in Group I-3 occupancies.
  3. Supervisory service is not required for automatic sprinkler systems in one- and two-family dwellings.

  901.6.3 Group H. Supervision and monitoring of emergency alarm, detection and automatic fire-extinguishing systems in Group H occupancies shall be in accordance with the California Fire Code .

• CFC § 914.3.1.2.1 Medium relevance — show source text

  914.3.1.2.1 Fire pumps. Redundant fire pump systems shall be required for high-rise buildings having an occupied floor more than 200 feet above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access. Each fire pump system shall be capable of automatically supplying the required demand for the automatic sprinkler and standpipe systems.

  914.3.2 Secondary water supply. An automatic secondary on-site water supply having a usable capacity not less than the hydraulically calculated sprinkler demand, including the hose stream requirement, shall be provided for high-rise buildings and Group I-2 occupancies having occupied floors located more than 75 ft above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access assigned to Seismic Design Category C, D, E or F as determined by the California Building Code . An additional fire pump shall not be required for the secondary water supply unless needed to provide the minimum design intake pressure at the suction side of the fire pump supplying the automatic sprinkler system. The secondary water supply shall have a useable capacity of not less than the hydraulically calculated sprinkler demand plus 100 GPM for the inside hose stream, allowance for a duration of not less than 30 minutes as determined by the occupancy hazard classification in accordance with NFPA 13 , whichever is greater. The Class I stand- pipe system demand shall not be required to be included in the secondary on-site water supply calculations. In no case shall the secondary on-site water supply be less than 15,000 gallons.

  914.3.3 Fire alarm system. A fire alarm system shall be provided in accordance with Section 907.2.13.

  914.3.4 Automatic smoke detection. Smoke detection shall be provided in accordance with Section 907.2.13.1.

  914.3.5 Emergency voice/alarm communication system. An emergency voice/alarm communication system shall be provided in accordance with Section 907.5.2.2.

  914.3.6 Emergency responder communication coverage. In-building, two-way emergency responder communication coverage shall be provided in accordance with Section 510.

  914.3.7 Fire command. A fire command center complying with Section 508 shall be provided in a location approved by the fire department.

  914.3.8 Smoke control.

  914.3.8.1 Smoke control system. All portions of high-rise buildings shall be provided with a smoke control system in accordance with California Building Code, Section 909.

  914.3.8.2 Smokeproof exit enclosures. Every exit enclosure in high-rise buildings shall comply with California Building Code, Sections 909.20 and 1023.12. Every required stairway in Group I-2 occupancies serving floors more than 75 feet (22 860 mm) above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access shall comply with Sections 909.20 and 1023.12 of the California Building Code.

  Exception: In high-rise buildings, exit enclosures serving three or less adjacent floors where one of the adjacent floors is the level of exit discharge.

  914.4 Atriums. Atriums shall comply with Sections 914.4.1 and 914.4.2.

  914.4.1 Automatic sprinkler system. An approved automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout the entire building.

• CFC § 901.2.1 Medium relevance — show source text

  901.2.1 Statement of compliance. Before requesting final approval of the installation, where required by the fire code official, the installing contractor shall furnish a written statement to the fire code official that the subject fire protection or life safety system has been installed in accordance with approved plans and has been tested in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications and the appropriate installation standard. Any deviations from the design standards shall be noted and copies of the approvals for such deviations shall be attached to the written statement.

  901.3 Permits. Permits shall be required as set forth in Sections 105.5 and 105.6.

  901.4 Fire protection and life safety systems. Fire protection and life safety systems shall be installed, repaired, operated and maintained in accordance with this code and the California Building Code .

  901.4.1 Required fire protection and life safety systems. Fire protection and life safety systems required by this code or the California Building Code shall be installed, repaired, operated, tested and maintained in accordance with this code. A fire protection or life safety system for which a design option, exception or reduction to the provisions of this code or the California Building Code has been granted shall be considered to be a required system.

  901.4.2 Nonrequired fire protection and life safety systems. Fire protection and life safety systems or portion thereof not required by this code or the California Building Code shall be allowed to be furnished for partial or complete protection provided that such installed systems meet the applicable requirements of this code and the California Building Code .

  901.4.3 Alterations in buildings and structures. For any alteration within a building or structure, the fire protection and life safety systems shall be extended, altered or augmented to maintain and continue protection within the building or structure. Persons shall not remove or modify any fire protection or life safety system installed or maintained under the provisions of this code or the California Building Code without approval from the fire code official.

  901.4.4 Fire areas. Where buildings, or portions thereof, are divided into fire areas so as not to exceed the limits established for requiring a fire protection system in accordance with this chapter, such fire areas shall be separated by fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 of the California Building Code or horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711 of the California Building Code, or both, having a fire-resistance rating of not less than that determined in accordance with Section 707.3.10 of the California Building Code .

  901.4.5 Additional fire protection systems. In occupancies of a hazardous nature, where special hazards exist in addition to the normal hazards of the occupancy, or where the fire code official determines that access for fire apparatus is unduly difficult, the fire code official shall have the authority to require additional safeguards and fire protection systems. Fire protection and life safety systems required under this section shall be installed in accordance with this code and the applicable referenced standards.

  901.4.6 Appearance of equipment. Any device that has the physical appearance of life safety or fire protection equipment but that does not perform that life safety or fire protection function shall be prohibited.

• CFC § 915.2 Medium relevance — show source text

  1|||X|X|X|||||||||||||||||||| |915.2|||X|X|X|||||||||||||||||||| |915.2.1|||X|X|X|||||||||||||||||||| |915.2.3|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |915.4|||X|X|X|||||||||||||||||||| |915.4.1,
  Exceptions 2 and 3|||X|X|X|||||||||||||||||||| |915.4.2|||X|X|X|||||||||||||||||||| |915.4.3|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |915.4.4|||X|X|X|||||||||||||||||||| |915.5.2|||X|X|X|||||||||||||||||||| |915.5.3|||X|X|X|||||||||||||||||||| |915.6|||X|X|X|||||||||||||||||||| |915.6.1|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |915.7|||X|||X|||||||||||||||||||

  The state agency does not adopt sections identified with the following symbol: The Office of the State Fire Marshal’s adoption of this chapter or individual sections is applicable to structures regulated by other state agencies pursuant to Section 1.11.

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  9 FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS

  User notes:

  About this chapter: Chapter 9 prescribes the minimum requirements for active fire protection equipment systems to perform the functions of detecting a fire, alerting the occupants or fire department of a fire emergency, mass notification, gas detection, controlling smoke and controlling or extinguishing the fire. Generally, the requirements are based on the occupancy, the height and the area of the building, because these are the factors that most affect firefighting capabilities and the relative hazard of a specific building or portion thereof. This chapter parallels and is substantially duplicated in Chapter 9 of the California Fire Code.

  SECTION 901—GENERAL

  901.1 Scope. The provisions of this chapter shall specify where fire protection and life safety systems are required and shall apply to the design, installation and operation of fire protection and life safety systems.

  901.2 Fire protection systems. Fire protection and life safety systems shall be installed, repaired, operated and maintained in accordance with this code and the California Fire Code .

  Any fire protection or life safety system for which an exception or reduction to the provisions of this code has been granted shall be considered to be a required system.

  Exception: Any fire protection or life safety system or portion thereof not required by this code shall be permitted to be installed for partial or complete protection provided that such system meets the requirements of this code.

  901.3 Modifications. Persons shall not remove or modify any fire protection system installed or maintained under the provisions of this code or the California Fire Code without approval by the building official.

  901.4 Threads. Threads provided for fire department connections to automatic sprinkler systems, standpipes, yard hydrants or any other fire hose connection shall be compatible with the connections used by the local fire department.

• CFC § 909.18 Medium relevance — show source text

  Smoke control systems shall activate individual components (such as dampers and fans) in the sequence necessary to prevent physical damage to the fans, dampers, ducts and other equipment. For purposes of smoke control, the firefighter’s control panel response time shall be the same for automatic or manual smoke control action initiated from any other building control point. The total response time, including that necessary for detection, shutdown of operating equipment and smoke control system startup, shall allow for full operational mode to be achieved before the conditions in the space exceed the design smoke condition. Upon receipt of an alarm condition at the fire alarm control panel, fans, dampers and automatic doors shall have achieved their proper operating state and the final status shall be indicated at the smoke control panel within 90 seconds. The system response time for each component and their sequential relationships shall be detailed in the required rational analysis and verification of their installed condition reported in the required final report.

  909.18 Acceptance testing. Devices, equipment, components and sequences shall be individually tested. These tests, in addition to those required by other provisions of this code, shall consist of determination of function, sequence and, where applicable, capacity of their installed condition.

  909.18.1 Detection devices. Smoke or fire detectors that are a part of a smoke control system shall be tested in accordance with Chapter 9 in their installed condition. Where applicable, this testing shall include verification of airflow in both minimum and maximum conditions.

  909.18.2 Ducts. Ducts that are part of a smoke control system shall be traversed using generally accepted practices to determine actual air quantities.

  909.18.3 Dampers. Dampers shall be tested for function in their installed condition in accordance with NFPA 80 and NFPA 105.

  909.18.4 Inlets and outlets. Inlets and outlets shall be read using generally accepted practices to determine air quantities.

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  FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS

  909.18.5 Fans. Fans shall be examined for correct rotation. Measurements of voltage, amperage, revolutions per minute and belt tension shall be made.

  909.18.6 Smoke barriers. Measurements using inclined manometers or other approved calibrated measuring devices shall be made of the pressure differences across smoke barriers. Such measurements shall be conducted for each possible smoke control condition.

  909.18.7 Controls. Each smoke zone equipped with an automatic-initiation device shall be put into operation by the actuation of one such device. Each additional device within the zone shall be verified to cause the same sequence without requiring the operation of fan motors in order to prevent damage. Control sequences shall be verified throughout the system, including verification of override from the firefighter’s control panel and simulation of standby power conditions.

  909.18.8 Testing for smoke control. Smoke control systems shall be tested by a special inspector in accordance with Section 1705.19 of the California Building Code .

  909.18.8.1 Scope of testing. Testing shall be conducted in accordance with the following:

  1. During erection of ductwork and prior to concealment for the purposes of leakage testing and recording of device location.
  2. Prior to occupancy and after sufficient completion for the purposes of pressure-difference testing, flow measurements, and detection and control verification.

  909.18.8.2 Qualifications. Approved agencies for smoke control testing shall have expertise in fire protection engineering, mechanical engineering and certification as air balancers.

• CFC § 909.12.4 Medium relevance — show source text

  909.12.4 Automatic control. Where completely automatic control is required or used, the automatic-control sequences shall be initiated from an appropriately zoned automatic sprinkler system complying with Section 903.3.1.1, manual controls provided with ready access for the fire department and any smoke detectors required by the engineering analysis.

  909.13 Control air tubing. Control air tubing shall be of sufficient size to meet the required response times. Tubing shall be flushed clean and dry prior to final connections and shall be adequately supported and protected from damage. Tubing passing through concrete or masonry shall be sleeved and protected from abrasion and electrolytic action.

  909.13.1 Materials. Control air tubing shall be hard drawn copper, Type L, ACR in accordance with ASTM B42, ASTM B43, ASTM B68/B68M, ASTM B88, ASTM B251 and ASTM B280. Fittings shall be wrought copper or brass, solder type, in accordance with ASME B16.18 or ASME B16.22. Changes in direction shall be made with appropriate tool bends. Brass compression-type fittings shall be used at final connection to devices; other joints shall be brazed using a BCuP5 brazing alloy with solidus above 1,100°F (593°C) and liquidus below 1,500°F (816°C). Brazing flux shall be used on copper-to-brass joints only.

  Exception: Nonmetallic tubing used within control panels and at the final connection to devices, provided that all of the following conditions are met:

  1. Tubing shall comply with the requirements of Section 602.3.5 of the California Mechanical Code .
  2. Tubing and the connected device shall be completely enclosed within a galvanized or paint-grade steel enclosure having a minimum thickness of 0.0296 inch (0.7534 mm) (No. 22 gage). Entry to the enclosure shall be by copper tubing with a protective grommet of neoprene or Teflon or by suitable brass compression to male-barbed adapter.
  3. Tubing shall be identified by appropriately documented coding.
  4. Tubing shall be neatly tied and supported within the enclosure. Tubing bridging cabinets and doors or moveable devices shall be of sufficient length to avoid tension and excessive stress. Tubing shall be protected against abrasion. Tubing connected to devices on doors shall be fastened along hinges.

  909.13.2 Isolation from other functions. Control tubing serving other than smoke control functions shall be isolated by automatic isolation valves or shall be an independent system.

  909.13.3 Testing. Control air tubing shall be tested at three times the operating pressure for not less than 30 minutes without any noticeable loss in gauge pressure prior to final connection to devices.

  909.14 Marking and identification. The detection and control systems shall be clearly marked at all junctions, accesses and terminations.

  909.15 Control diagrams. Identical control diagrams showing all devices in the system and identifying their location and function shall be maintained current and kept on file with the fire code official, the fire department and in the fire command center in a format and manner approved by the fire code official.

• CFC § 3.8.2 Medium relevance — show source text

  3.8.2_|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |914.7 –914.7.1|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |914.7.2.2 – 914.7.2.3|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |915.1|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |915.2 – 915.2.1|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |915.2.3|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |915.4.1|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |915.4.2|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |915.4.3|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |915.4.4|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |915.5.3|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |915.6.1|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |915.7|||X|||||||||||||||||||||

  • The California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 19, Division 1 provisions that are found in the California Fire Code are a reprint from the current CCR, Title 19, Division 1 text for the code user’s convenience only. The scope, applicability and appeals procedures of CCR, Title 19, Division I remain the same. The state agency does not adopt sections identified by the following symbol: The Office of the State Fire Marshal’s adoption of this chapter or individual sections is applicable to structures regulated by other state agencies pursuant to Section 1.11.

  9-6 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE

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

  9 FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS

  User notes:

  About this chapter: Chapter 9 prescribes the minimum requirements for active fire protection equipment systems to perform the functions of detecting a fire, alerting the occupants or fire department of a fire emergency, mass notification, gas detection, controlling smoke and controlling or extinguishing the fire. Generally, the requirements are based on the occupancy, the height and the area of the building because these are the factors that most affect firefighting capabilities and the relative hazard of a specific building or portion thereof. This chapter parallels and is substantially duplicated in Chapter 9 of the California Building Code ; however, this chapter also contains periodic testing criteria that are not contained in the California Building Code . In addition, the special fire protection system requirements based on use and occupancy found in Chapter 4 of the California Building Code are duplicated in this chapter as a user convenience.

  SECTION 901—GENERAL

  901.1 Scope. The provisions of this chapter shall specify where fire protection and life safety systems are required and shall apply to the design, installation, inspection, operation, testing and maintenance of all fire protection and life safety systems.

  901.2 Construction documents. The fire code official shall have the authority to require construction documents and calculations for all fire protection and life safety systems and to require permits be issued for the installation, rehabilitation or modification of any fire protection and life safety systems. Construction documents for fire protection and life safety systems shall be submitted for review and approval prior to system installation.