Overview & owner maintenance obligations

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

• CFC § 904.2 High relevance — show source text

  (c) The owner or occupant shall promptly correct or repair deficiencies, damaged parts or impairments found while performing the inspection, test and maintenance requirements of this standard. Recalled products shall be replaced or remedied. Such replacement or remedial product shall be installed in accordance with the listing requirements, the manufacturer’s instructions and the appropri- ate NFPA installation standards. A recalled product is a product subject to a statute or administrative regulation specifically requiring the manufacturer, importer, distributor, wholesaler or retailer of a product, or any combination of such entities, to recall the product, or a product voluntarily recalled by a combination of such entities.

  [California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §904.2(d)] Testing and Maintenance Requirements.

  (d) The building or system owner shall ensure immediate correction of any deficiencies noted during the service. A tag or label shall be affixed to a system only after all deficiencies have been corrected. The owner or occupant shall promptly correct or repair deficien- cies, damaged parts or impairments found while performing the inspection, test and maintenance requirements of this standard. Recalled products shall be replaced or remedied. Such replacement or remedial product shall be installed in accordance with the list- ing requirements, the manufacturer’s instructions and the appropriate NFPA installation standards. A recalled product is a product subject to a statute or administrative regulation specifically requiring the manufacturer, importer, distributor, wholesaler or retailer of a product, or any combination of such entities, to recall the product, or a product voluntarily recalled by a combination of such entities.

  [California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §904.2(e)] Testing and Maintenance Requirements.

  (e) At the time of testing and maintenance, or at any time parts are replaced, an itemized invoice showing work performed and parts replaced shall be provided by the licensee to the system owner. If testing and maintenance is performed more than thirty (30) days prior to the next required testing and maintenance date, the invoice shall bear a statement indicating the system was tested and maintained early.

  [California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §904.2(f)] Testing and Maintenance Requirements.

  (f) The licensee shall offer to return all replaced parts to the system owner or owner’s representative, except those parts that are required to be returned to the manufacturer under conditions of warranty.

  901.7.1 Impairment coordinator. The building owner shall assign an impairment coordinator to comply with the requirements of this section. In the absence of a specific designee, the owner shall be considered to be the impairment coordinator.

  901.7.2 Tag required. A tag shall be used to indicate that a system, or portion thereof, has been removed from service.

  901.7.3 Placement of tag. The tag shall be posted at each fire department connection, system control valve, fire alarm control unit, fire alarm annunciator and fire command center, indicating which system, or part thereof, has been removed from service. The fire code official shall specify where the tag is to be placed.

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  FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS

• CFC § 1.11. High relevance — show source text

  • 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.

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  7 FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES

  User notes:

  About this chapter: Chapter 7 provides requirements to maintain the fire-resistance ratings of building elements and to limit fire spread. Section 701 addresses the maintenance of and owner’s responsibility for construction elements such as fire barriers and smoke barriers. The rest of the chapter deals with various aspects that also must be maintained to achieve overall fire resistance of the main fire- and smoke-resistive features. These include penetrations, joint protection, door and window openings, and duct and air transfer opening protection.

  SECTION 701—GENERAL

  701.1 Scope. The provisions of this chapter shall govern the inspection and maintenance of the materials, systems and assemblies used for structural fire resistance, fire-resistance-rated construction separation of adjacent spaces and construction installed to resist the passage of smoke to safeguard against the spread of fire and smoke within a building and the spread of fire to or from buildings. New buildings shall comply with the California Building Code.

  701.2 Fire-resistance-rated construction. The fire-resistance rating of the following fire-resistance-rated construction shall be maintained:

  1. Structural members.

  2. Exterior walls.

  3. Fire walls, fire barriers, fire partitions.

  4. Horizontal assemblies.

  5. Shaft enclosures.

  701.2.1 Hanging displays. The hanging and displaying of salable goods and other decorative materials from acoustical ceiling systems that are part of a fire-resistance-rated horizontal assembly shall be prohibited.

  701.3 Smoke barriers. The fire-resistance rating and smoke-resistant characteristics of smoke barriers shall be maintained.

  701.4 Smoke partitions. The smoke-resistant characteristics of smoke partitions shall be maintained.

  701.5 Maintaining protection. Materials, systems and devices used to repair or protect breaches and openings in fire-resistance-rated construction and construction installed to resist the passage of smoke shall be maintained in accordance with Sections 703 through 707.

  701.6 Owner’s responsibility. The owner shall maintain an inventory of all required fire-resistance-rated construction, construction installed to resist the passage of smoke and the construction included in Sections 703 through 707 and Sections 602.4.1 and 602.4.2 of the California Building Code . Such construction shall be visually inspected by the owner annually and properly repaired, restored or replaced where damaged, altered, breached or penetrated. Where concealed, such elements shall not be required to be visually inspected by the owner unless the concealed space is accessible by the removal or movement of a panel, access door, ceiling tile or similar movable entry to the space.

• CFC § 901.5.1 Medium relevance — show source text

  901.5.1 Occupancy. It shall be unlawful to occupy any portion of a building or structure until the required fire protection and life safety systems have been tested and approved.

  901.6 Inspection, testing and maintenance. Fire protection and life safety systems shall be maintained in an operative condition at all times, and shall be replaced or repaired where defective. Nonrequired fire protection and life safety systems and equipment shall be inspected, tested and maintained or removed in accordance with Section 901.8.

  All fire alarm systems, fire detection systems, automatic sprinkler or extinguishing systems, communication systems, and all other equipment, material or systems required by these regulations shall be maintained in an operable condition at all times in accordance with this code and California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1. Upon disruption or diminishment of the fire protective qualities of such equipment, material or systems, immediate action shall be instituted to affect a reestablishment of such equipment, material or systems to their original normal and operational condition.

  [California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §1.14] Maintenance.

  Every fire alarm system or device, sprinkler system, fire extinguisher, fire hose, fire-resistive assembly or any other fire safety assembly, device, material or equipment installed and retained in service in any building or structure subject to California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1 regulations shall be maintained in an operable condition at all times in accordance with California Code of Regula- tions, Title 19, Division 1 regulations and with their intended use.

  [California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §3.24] Maintenance of Equipment.

  All fire alarm systems, fire detection systems, automatic sprinkler or extinguishing systems, communication systems, and all other equip- ment, material or systems required by California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1 shall be maintained in an operable condition at all times. Upon disruption or diminishment of the fire protective qualities of such equipment, material or systems, immediate action shall be instituted to affect a reestablishment of such equipment material or systems to their original normal and operational condition.

  [California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §904(a)] Required Inspection, Testing and Maintenance Frequencies.

  (a) All automatic fire extinguishing systems, including systems installed as an alternate to other building requirements, shall be inspected, tested and maintained in accordance with the following frequencies. Local authorities may require more frequent inspec- tion, testing and maintenance and additional procedures.

  [California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §904(a)(1)] Required Inspection, Testing and Maintenance Frequencies.

  (1) Water-based fire protection systems shall be inspected, tested and maintained in accordance with the frequencies required by NFPA 25 (2011 edition) including Annexes A, B, C, D and G as amended by the State of California. (Published as NFPA 25, 2013 Califor- nia Edition.)

  [California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §904(b)] Required Inspection, Testing and Maintenance Frequencies.

  (b) When proof of the installation date of standpipe systems or automatic fire sprinkler systems cannot be furnished, such systems shall receive initial testing and maintenance by July 1, 1985.

  [California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §904.2(a)] Testing and Maintenance Requirements.

• CFC § 701 Medium relevance — show source text

  Chapter 7 Fire and Smoke Protection Features

  The maintenance of assemblies required to be fire-resistance rated is a key component in a passive fire protection philosophy. Chapter 7 sets forth requirements to maintain required fire-resistance ratings of building elements and limit fire spread. Section 701 addresses the basics of what construction elements such as fire barriers and smoke barriers need to be maintained as well as defining the owner’s responsibility. Sections 703 through 708, deals with various fire and smoke protection features that must also be maintained.

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  Chapter 8 Interior Finish, Decorative Materials and Furnishings

  The overall purpose of Chapter 8 is to regulate interior finishes, decorative materials and furnishings in new and existing buildings so that they do not significantly add to or create fire hazards within buildings. This chapter is consistent with Chapter 8 of the CBC, which regulates the interior finishes of new buildings.

  Chapter 9 Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems

  Chapter 9 prescribes the minimum requirements for active systems of fire protection equipment to perform the following functions: detect a fire, alert the occupants or fire department of a fire emergency, and control smoke and control or extinguish 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 CBC; however, this chapter also contains periodic testing criteria that are not contained in the CBC. In addition, the special fire protection system requirements based on use and occupancy found in CBC Chapter 4 are duplicated in CFC Chapter 9 as a user convenience.

  Chapter 10 Means of Egress

  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

• CFC § 109.3 Medium relevance — show source text

  [A] 109.3 Concealed work. It shall be the duty of the permit applicant to cause the work to remain visible and able to be accessed for inspection purposes. Where any installation subject to inspection prior to use is covered or concealed without having first been inspected, the fire code official shall have the authority to require that such work be made visible and able to be accessed for inspection. Neither the fire code official nor the jurisdiction shall be liable for expense entailed in the removal or replacement of any material required to allow inspection.

  [A] 109.4 Approvals. Approval as the result of an inspection shall not be construed to be an approval of a violation of the provisions of this code or of other ordinances of the jurisdiction. Inspections presuming to give authority to violate or cancel provisions of this code or of other ordinances of the jurisdiction shall not be valid.

  SECTION 110—MAINTENANCE

  [A] 110.1 Maintenance of safeguards. Where any device, equipment, system, condition, arrangement, level of protection, or any other feature is required for compliance with the provisions of this code, or otherwise installed, such device, equipment, system, condition, arrangement, level of protection, or other feature shall thereafter be continuously maintained in accordance with this code and applicable referenced standards.

  [A] 110.2 Testing and operation. Equipment requiring periodic testing or operation to ensure maintenance shall be tested or operated as specified in this code.

  [A] 110.2.1 Reinspection and testing. Where any work or installation does not pass an initial test or inspection, the necessary corrections shall be made so as to achieve compliance with this code. The work or installation shall then be resubmitted to the fire code official for inspection and testing.

  [A] 110.3 Recordkeeping. A record of periodic inspections, tests, servicing and other operations and maintenance shall be maintained on the premises or other approved location for not less than 3 years, or a different period of time where specified in this code or referenced standards. Records shall be made available for inspection by the fire code official, and a copy of the records shall be provided to the fire code official on request.

  The fire code official is authorized to prescribe the form and format of such recordkeeping. The fire code official is authorized to require that certain required records be filed with the fire code official.

  [A] 110.4 Supervision. Maintenance and testing shall be under the supervision of a responsible person who shall ensure that such maintenance and testing are conducted at specified intervals in accordance with this code.

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  DIVISION II—SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATION

  110.5 Rendering equipment inoperable. Portable or fixed fire-extinguishing systems or devices, and fire-warning systems, shall be provided with ready access and shall not be rendered inoperative, except as necessary during emergencies, maintenance, repairs, alterations, drills or prescribed testing.

  [A] 110.6 Overcrowding. Overcrowding or admittance of any person beyond the approved capacity of a building or a portion thereof shall not be allowed. The fire code official, on finding any overcrowding conditions or obstructions in aisles, passageways or other means of egress, or on finding any condition that constitutes a life safety hazard, shall be authorized to cause the event to be stopped until such condition or obstruction is corrected.

  SECTION 111—SERVICE UTILITIES

• CFC § 507.5.2 Medium relevance — show source text

  507.5.2 Inspection, testing and maintenance. Fire hydrant systems shall be subject to periodic tests as required by the fire code official. Fire hydrant systems shall be maintained in an operative condition at all times and shall be repaired where defective. Additions, repairs, alterations and servicing shall comply with approved standards. Records of tests and required maintenance shall be maintained.

  507.5.3 Private fire service mains and water tanks. Private fire service mains and water tanks shall be periodically inspected, tested and maintained in accordance with California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, Chapter 5.

  1. Private fire hydrants of all types: Inspection annually and after each operation; flow test and maintenance annually.
  2. Fire service main piping: Inspection of exposed, annually; flow test every 5 years.
  3. Fire service main piping strainers: Inspection and maintenance after each use.

  Records of inspections, testing and maintenance shall be maintained.

  507.5.4 Obstruction. Unobstructed access to fire hydrants shall be maintained at all times. The fire department shall not be deterred or hindered from gaining immediate access to fire protection equipment or fire hydrants.

  507.5.5 Clear space around hydrants. A 3-foot (914 mm) clear space shall be maintained around the circumference of fire hydrants, except as otherwise required or approved.

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  FIRE SERVICE FEATURES

  507.5.6 Physical protection. Where fire hydrants are subject to impact by a motor vehicle, guard posts or other approved means shall comply with Section 312.

  SECTION 508—FIRE COMMAND CENTER

  508.1 General. Where required by other sections of this code and in all buildings classified as high-rise buildings by the California Building Code and Group I-2 occupancies having occupied floors located more than 75 feet (23 m) above the lowest level of fire depart- ment vehicle access and in all F-1 and S-1 occupancies with a building footprint greater than 500,000 square feet (46 451 m [2] ), a fire command center for fire department operations shall be provided and shall comply with Sections 508.1.1 through 508.1.7.

  508.1.1 Location and access. The location and access to the fire command center shall be approved by the fire code official.

  508.1.2 Separation. The fire command center shall be separated from the remainder of the building by not less than a 2-hour fire barrier constructed in accordance with Section 707 of the California Building Code or horizontal assembly constructed in accordance with Section 711 of the California Building Code, or both.

  508.1.3 Size. The fire command center shall be not less than 0.015 percent of the total building area of the facility served or 200 square feet (19 m [2] ) in area, whichever is greater, with a minimum dimension of 0.7 times the square root of the room area or 10 feet (3048 mm), whichever is greater.

  Where a fire command center is required for Group F-1 and S-1 occupancies with a building footprint greater than 500,000 square feet (46 452 m [2] ), the fire command center shall have a minimum size of 96 square feet (9 m [2] ) with a minimum dimension of 8 feet (2438 mm) where approved by the fire code official.

• CFC § 904.2 Medium relevance — show source text

  [California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §904(a)] Required Inspection, Testing and Maintenance Frequencies.

  (a) All automatic fire extinguishing systems, including systems installed as an alternate to other building requirements, shall be inspected, tested and maintained in accordance with the following frequencies. Local authorities may require more frequent inspec- tion, testing and maintenance and additional procedures.

  [California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §904(a)(1)] Required Inspection, Testing and Maintenance Frequencies.

  (1) Water-based fire protection systems shall be inspected, tested and maintained in accordance with the frequencies required by NFPA 25 (2011 edition) including Annexes A, B, C, D and G as amended by the State of California. (Published as NFPA 25, 2013 Califor- nia Edition.)

  [California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §904(b)] Required Inspection, Testing and Maintenance Frequencies.

  (b) When proof of the installation date of standpipe systems or automatic fire sprinkler systems cannot be furnished, such systems shall receive initial testing and maintenance by July 1, 1985.

  [California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §904.2(a)] Testing and Maintenance Requirements.

  (a) All testing and maintenance on automatic fire extinguishing systems in accordance with Health & Safety Code Section 13195 shall be performed by those licensed in accordance with Health and Safety Code Section 13196.5.

  Exceptions:

  (1) The State Fire Marshal may waive, in writing, licensing of fire departments which conduct fire sprinkler and standpipe system testing and maintenance.

  (2) Service on fire alarm systems and industrial systems as specified in Health and Safety Code Sections 13196.5(b) and (c) may be conducted without a license.

  (3) Testing and maintenance on automatic fire extinguishing systems exempted in writing by the State Fire Marshal, when the building owner or occupant has the staff and equipment to conduct testing and maintenance.

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  FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS

  [California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §904.2(b)] Testing and Maintenance Requirements.

  (b) Any testing and maintenance of automatic fire extinguishing systems shall be performed in accordance with these requirements.

  Exceptions:

  (1) The State Fire Marshal may waive, in writing, the requirement that testing and maintenance be performed in accordance with these requirements when a licensee can demonstrate that a system cannot functionally be tested and maintained in accor- dance with the California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, Chapter 5.

  (2) If at any time a licensee encounters a specialized or modified system which cannot be tested and maintained in accordance with California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, Chapter 5, the licensee shall contact the State Fire Marshal and test and maintain the system as directed.

  (A) The intent of this section is to cover automatic fire extinguishing systems as originally designed, installed and approved by the Authority Having Jurisdiction. It is not, however, intended to require that such systems be upgraded to current adopted standards.

  [California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §904.2(h)] Testing and Maintenance Requirements.

• CFC § 9-8 Medium relevance — show source text

  (3) Testing and maintenance on automatic fire extinguishing systems exempted in writing by the State Fire Marshal, when the building owner or occupant has the staff and equipment to conduct testing and maintenance.

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  FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS

  [California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §904.2(b)] Testing and Maintenance Requirements.

  (b) Any testing and maintenance of automatic fire extinguishing systems shall be performed in accordance with these requirements.

  Exceptions:

  (1) The State Fire Marshal may waive, in writing, the requirement that testing and maintenance be performed in accordance with these requirements when a licensee can demonstrate that a system cannot functionally be tested and maintained in accor- dance with the California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, Chapter 5.

  (2) If at any time a licensee encounters a specialized or modified system which cannot be tested and maintained in accordance with California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, Chapter 5, the licensee shall contact the State Fire Marshal and test and maintain the system as directed.

  (A) The intent of this section is to cover automatic fire extinguishing systems as originally designed, installed and approved by the Authority Having Jurisdiction. It is not, however, intended to require that such systems be upgraded to current adopted standards.

  [California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §904.2(h)] Testing and Maintenance Requirements.

  (h) At the time of testing and maintenance, building management shall be consulted to avoid unnecessary disturbance of normal building operation.

  [California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §904.2(i)] Testing and Maintenance Requirements.

  (i) The licensee shall contact the local fire authority having jurisdiction prior to testing and maintenance of a system when required by the local fire authority having jurisdiction to do so.

  901.6.1 Standards. Fire protection systems shall be inspected, tested and maintained in accordance with the referenced standards listed in Table 901.6.1 and California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, Chapters 3 and 5.

  [California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §904.1(a)] Inspection Requirements.

  (a) A license shall not be required to perform inspections. Inspections may be conducted by any person designated by the building owner or occupant who has developed competence through training and experience.

  [California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §904.2(g)] Testing and Maintenance Requirements.

  (g) Prior to activating any fire alarm component of an automatic fire extinguishing system, the licensee shall ensure that the licensee is capable of restoring the fire alarm system.

• CFC § 701 Medium relevance — show source text

  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

  The requirements of Chapter 5 apply to all buildings and occupancies and pertain to access roads, access to building openings and roofs, premises identification, key boxes, fire protection water supplies, fire command centers, fire department access to equipment, and in-building emergency responder communication system coverage.

  Chapter 6 Building Services and Systems

  Chapter 6 provides a more systematic view of building systems and services as they relate to potential safety hazards and when and how they should be installed.

  Chapter 7 Fire and Smoke Protection Features

  The maintenance of assemblies required to be fire-resistance rated is a key component in a passive fire protection philosophy. Chapter 7 sets forth requirements to maintain required fire-resistance ratings of building elements and limit fire spread. Section 701 addresses the basics of what construction elements such as fire barriers and smoke barriers need to be maintained as well as defining the owner’s responsibility. Sections 703 through 708, deals with various fire and smoke protection features that must also be maintained.

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  Chapter 8 Interior Finish, Decorative Materials and Furnishings

  The overall purpose of Chapter 8 is to regulate interior finishes, decorative materials and furnishings in new and existing buildings so that they do not significantly add to or create fire hazards within buildings. This chapter is consistent with Chapter 8 of the CBC, which regulates the interior finishes of new buildings.

  Chapter 9 Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems

  Chapter 9 prescribes the minimum requirements for active systems of fire protection equipment to perform the following functions: detect a fire, alert the occupants or fire department of a fire emergency, and control smoke and control or extinguish 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 CBC; however, this chapter also contains periodic testing criteria that are not contained in the CBC. In addition, the special fire protection system requirements based on use and occupancy found in CBC

• CFC § 1001.1 Medium relevance — show source text

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  10 MEANS OF EGRESS

  User notes:

  About this chapter: Chapter 10 provides the general criteria for designing the means of egress established as the primary method for protection of people in buildings by allowing timely relocation or evacuation of building occupants. Both prescriptive and performance language is utilized in this chapter to provide for a basic approach in the determination of a safe exiting system for all occupancies. It addresses all portions of the egress system (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. Functional and operational characteristics that will permit the safe use of components without special knowledge or effort are specified.

  The means of egress protection requirements work in coordination with other sections of the code, such as protection of vertical openings (see Chapter 7), interior finish (see Chapter 8), fire suppression and detection systems (see Chapter 9) and numerous others, all having an impact on life safety. Chapter 10 is subdivided into four main sections: general (Sections 1003–1015), exit access (Sections 1016–1021), exit (Sections 1022–1027) and exit discharge (Sections 1028–1029). Special allowances for the unique requirements for assembly spaces (Section 1030) and emergency escape and rescue openings (Section 1031) complete the chapter. Chapter 10 of this code is duplicated in Chapter 10 the California Fire Code; however, the California Fire Code contains one additional section on maintenance of the means of egress system in existing buildings.

  SECTION 1001—ADMINISTRATION

  1001.1 General. Buildings or portions thereof shall be provided with a means of egress system as required by this chapter. The provisions of this chapter shall control the design, construction and arrangement of means of egress components required to provide an approved means of egress from structures and portions thereof.

  1001.2 Minimum requirements. It shall be unlawful to alter a building or structure in a manner that will reduce the number of exits or the minimum width or required capacity of the means of egress to less than required by this code.

  SECTION 1002—MAINTENANCE AND PLANS

  [F] 1002.1 Maintenance. Means of egress shall be maintained in accordance with the California Fire Code .

  [F] 1002.2 Fire safety and evacuation plans. Fire safety and evacuation plans shall be provided for all occupancies and buildings where required by the California Fire Code . Such fire safety and evacuation plans shall comply with the applicable provisions of Sections 401.2 and 404 of the California Fire Code .

  SECTION 1003—GENERAL MEANS OF EGRESS

  1003.1 Applicability. The general requirements specified in Sections 1003 through 1015 shall apply to all three elements of the means of egress system, in addition to those specific requirements for the exit access, the exit and the exit discharge detailed elsewhere in this chapter.

• CFC § 904.2 Medium relevance — show source text

  (A) The intent of this section is to cover automatic fire extinguishing systems as originally designed, installed and approved by the Authority Having Jurisdiction. It is not, however, intended to require that such systems be upgraded to current adopted standards.

  [California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §904.2(h)] Testing and Maintenance Requirements.

  (h) At the time of testing and maintenance, building management shall be consulted to avoid unnecessary disturbance of normal building operation.

  [California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §904.2(i)] Testing and Maintenance Requirements.

  (i) The licensee shall contact the local fire authority having jurisdiction prior to testing and maintenance of a system when required by the local fire authority having jurisdiction to do so.

  901.6.1 Standards. Fire protection systems shall be inspected, tested and maintained in accordance with the referenced standards listed in Table 901.6.1 and California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, Chapters 3 and 5.

  [California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §904.1(a)] Inspection Requirements.

  (a) A license shall not be required to perform inspections. Inspections may be conducted by any person designated by the building owner or occupant who has developed competence through training and experience.

  [California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §904.2(g)] Testing and Maintenance Requirements.

  (g) Prior to activating any fire alarm component of an automatic fire extinguishing system, the licensee shall ensure that the licensee is capable of restoring the fire alarm system.

  TABLE 901.6.1—FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM INSPECTION, TESTING AND MAINTENANCE STANDARDS	Col2
  SYSTEM	STANDARD
  Portable fire extinguishers	California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, Chapter 3
  Carbon dioxide fire-extinguishing systems	NFPA 12
  Halon 1301 fire-extinguishing systems	NFPA 12A
  Dry-chemical extinguishing systems	NFPA 17
  Wet-chemical extinguishing systems	NFPA 17A
  Water-based fire protection systems	California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, Chapter 5
  Fire alarm systems	NFPA 72
  Fire dampers	NFPA 80
  Smoke dampers	NFPA 105
  Smoke and heat vents	NFPA 204
  Water-mist systems	NFPA 750
  Clean-agent extinguishing systems	NFPA 2001
  Aerosol fire-extinguishing systems	NFPA 2010

  901.6.2 Integrated testing. Where two or more fire protection or life safety systems are interconnected, the intended response of subordinate fire protection and life safety systems shall be verified when required testing of the initiating system is conducted. In addition, integrated testing shall be performed in accordance with Sections 901.6.2.1 and 901.6.2.2.

• CFC § 904.2 Medium relevance — show source text

  [California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §904.2(g)] Testing and Maintenance Requirements.

  (g) Prior to activating any fire alarm component of an automatic fire extinguishing system, the licensee shall ensure that the licensee is capable of restoring the fire alarm system.

  TABLE 901.6.1—FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM INSPECTION, TESTING AND MAINTENANCE STANDARDS	Col2
  SYSTEM	STANDARD
  Portable fire extinguishers	California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, Chapter 3
  Carbon dioxide fire-extinguishing systems	NFPA 12
  Halon 1301 fire-extinguishing systems	NFPA 12A
  Dry-chemical extinguishing systems	NFPA 17
  Wet-chemical extinguishing systems	NFPA 17A
  Water-based fire protection systems	California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, Chapter 5
  Fire alarm systems	NFPA 72
  Fire dampers	NFPA 80
  Smoke dampers	NFPA 105
  Smoke and heat vents	NFPA 204
  Water-mist systems	NFPA 750
  Clean-agent extinguishing systems	NFPA 2001
  Aerosol fire-extinguishing systems	NFPA 2010

  901.6.2 Integrated testing. Where two or more fire protection or life safety systems are interconnected, the intended response of subordinate fire protection and life safety systems shall be verified when required testing of the initiating system is conducted. In addition, integrated testing shall be performed in accordance with Sections 901.6.2.1 and 901.6.2.2.

  901.6.2.1 High-rise buildings. For high-rise buildings, integrated testing shall comply with NFPA 4, with an integrated test performed prior to issuance of the certificate of occupancy and at intervals not exceeding 10 years, unless otherwise specified by an integrated system test plan prepared in accordance with NFPA 4. If an equipment failure is detected during integrated testing, a repeat of the integrated test shall not be required, except as necessary to verify operation of fire protection or life safety functions that are initiated by equipment that was repaired or replaced.

  901.6.2.2 Smoke control systems. Where a fire alarm system is integrated with a smoke control system as outlined in Section 909, integrated testing shall comply with NFPA 4, with an integrated test performed prior to issuance of the certificate of occu

  2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE 9-9

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

  FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS

  pancy and at intervals not exceeding 10 years, unless otherwise specified by an integrated system test plan prepared in accordance with NFPA 4. If an equipment failure is detected during integrated testing, a repeat of the integrated test shall not be required, except as necessary to verify operation of fire protection or life safety functions that are initiated by equipment that was repaired or replaced.

  901.6.3 Records. Records of all system inspections, tests and maintenance shall be maintained in accordance with Section 110.3.

  [California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §904.1(b)] Inspection Requirements.

  (b) Records of all inspections shall be retained on the premises by the building or system owner for a period of five years after the next required inspection.