Fire Protection and Life‑Safety Systems (sprinklers, alarms, smoke control)

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

• CWUIC § 2025 High relevance — show source text

  2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE xiii

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  Chapter 7 Fire and Smoke Protection Features.

  Chapter 7 provisions present the fundamental concepts of fire performance that all buildings are expected to achieve in some form. This chapter identifies the acceptable materials, techniques and methods by which proposed construction can be designed and evaluated against to determine a building’s ability to limit the impact of fire.

  Chapter 7A Materials and Construction Methods for Exterior Wildfire Exposure.

  Requirements for Wildland-Urban Interface Areas are now located in Part 7 of Title 24, California Wildland-Urban Interface Code. The provisions of Part 7, California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, shall apply to buildings and structures located in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) or Fire Hazard Severity Zone.

  Chapter 8 Interior Finishes.

  Chapter 8 contains the performance requirements for controlling fire growth within buildings by restricting interior finish and decorative materials. The provisions of Chapter 8 require materials used as interior finishes and decorations to meet certain flame-spread index or flame-propagation criteria based on the relative fire hazard associated with the occupancy.

  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 CFC; however, the CFC Chapter 9 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), 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 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 Reserved.

  Chapter 11A Housing Accessibility. Chapter 11B Accessibility to Public Buildings, Public Accommodations, Commercial Buildings and Public Housing.

  Verify compliance with accessibility provisions. In order to be considered as accessible, buildings and their individual elements must comply with the applicable scoping and technical provisions of Chapter 11A and/or Chapter 11B.

  Chapter 12 Interior Environment.

• CFC § 701 High 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 § 9-7 High relevance — show source text

  CHAPTER 9 FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY

  SYSTEMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-7

  901 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-7

  902 Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-11

  903 Automatic Sprinkler Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-13 904 Alternative Automatic Fire-Extinguishing Systems . 9-24 905 Standpipe Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-28 906 Portable Fire Extinguishers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-31 907 Fire Alarm and Detection Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-39 908 Emergency Alarm Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-57 909 Smoke Control Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-57 910 Smoke and Heat Removal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-66

  911 Explosion Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-67 912 Fire Department Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-69 913 Fire Pumps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-70 914 Fire Protection Based on Special Detailed Requirements of Use and Occupancy . . . . . . . . . . 9-71 915 Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-75 916 Gas Detection Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-77 917 Mass Notification Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-78

  CHAPTER 10 MEANS OF EGRESS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5

  1001 Administration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5

  1002 Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5

  1003 General Means of Egress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• CFC § 903.2.11.6 High relevance — show source text

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  FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS

  [F] TABLE 903.2.11.6—ADDITIONAL REQUIRED PROTECTION SYSTEMS—continued	Col2
  SECTION	SUBJECT
  440	Horse racing stables
  441	Pet kennels
  449	Public libraries
  453	Buildings containing_Group L occupancies_
  507	Unlimited area buildings
  508.5.7	Live/work units
  509.4	Incidental uses
  1030.6.2.3	Smoke-protected assembly seating
  CFC	Automatic sprinkler system requirements as set forth in Section 903.2.11.6 of the_California Fire Code_
  California Fire Code Section 1207	Stationary and mobile energy storage systems

  [F] 903.2.12 During construction. Automatic sprinkler systems required during construction, alteration and demolition operations shall be provided in accordance with Chapter 33 of the California Fire Code .

  903.2.13 Reserved.

  903.2.14 Motion picture and television production studio sound stages, approved production facilities and production locations. 903.2.14.1 Existing sound stages and approved production facilities. All existing sound stages and approved production facili- ties equipped with an automatic fire sprinkler system shall be maintained in accordance with the provisions of California Fire Code Chapter 9. 903.2.14.2 New sound stages. All new sound stages shall be equipped with an approved automatic fire sprinkler system. The system shall be installed in accordance with the provisions of the California Fire Code Chapter 9 and shall meet the minimum design requirements of an Extra Hazard, Group 2 system. 903.2.15 Automatic sprinkler system—existing high-rise buildings. See California Fire Code Chapter 11 and California Existing Building Code. 903.2.15.1 Existing Group R-1 and R-2 high-rise buildings fire-extinguishing systems. See California Fire Code Chapter 11 and California Existing Building Code. 903.2.16 Group L occupancies. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout buildings housing Group L occupancies. Sprinkler systems for Group L occupancy shall be designed for the square footage area of the Group L occupancy based on an area of sprinkler operation of 2,500 square feet (232 m [2] ) and design density of 0.20 gpm/sf. In mixed occupancies, portions of floors with Group L occupancies, but not classified as Group L, shall be provided with a sprinkler protection system per NFPA 13. 903.2.16.1 Group L occupancies located on the 11th story and above. The automatic sprinkler system shall be designed and zoned to provide separate indication upon water-flow for each side of the 2-hour fire-smoke barrier on the 11th story and above. 903.2.17 Fixed guideway and passenger rail transit systems. _**903.2.17.1 Automatic sprinkler system.

• CFC § 901.1 High 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 § 914.4.2 High relevance — show source text

  Exceptions:

  1. That area of a building adjacent to or above the atrium need not be sprinklered, provided that portion of the building is separated from the atrium portion by not less than a 2-hour fire barrier 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.
  2. Where the ceiling of the atrium is more than 55 feet (16 764 mm) above the floor, sprinkler protection at the ceiling of the atrium is not required.

  914.4.2 Fire alarm system. A fire alarm system shall be provided where required by Section 907.2.14.

  914.5 Underground buildings. Underground buildings shall comply with Sections 914.5.1 through 914.5.5.

  914.5.1 Automatic sprinkler system. The highest level of exit discharge serving the underground portions of the building and all levels below shall be equipped with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1. Waterflow switches and control valves shall be supervised in accordance with Section 903.4.1.

  914.5.2 Smoke control system. A smoke control system is required to control the migration of products of combustion in accordance with Section 909 and provisions of this section. Smoke control shall restrict movement of smoke to the general area of fire origin and maintain means of egress in a usable condition.

  914.5.3 Compartment smoke control system. Where compartmentation is required by Section 405.4 of the California Building Code, each compartment shall have an independent smoke control system. The system shall be automatically activated and capable of manual operation in accordance with Section 907.2.18.

  914.5.4 Fire alarm system. A fire alarm system shall be provided where required by Sections 907.2.18 and 907.2.19.

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  FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS

  914.5.5 Standpipe system. The underground building shall be provided throughout with a standpipe system in accordance with Section 905.

  914.6 Stages. Stages shall comply with Section 914.6.1.

  914.6.1 Automatic sprinkler system. Stages shall be equipped with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1. Sprinklers shall be installed under the roof and gridiron and under all catwalks and galleries over the stage. Sprinklers shall be installed in dressing rooms, performer lounges, shops and storerooms accessory to such stages.

  Exceptions:

  1. Sprinklers are not required under stage areas less than 4 feet (1219 mm) in clear height utilized exclusively for storage of tables and chairs, provided that the concealed space is separated from the adjacent spaces by Type X gypsum board not less than [5] / 8 inch (15.9 mm) in thickness.
  2. Sprinklers are not required for stages 1,000 square feet (93 m [2] ) or less in area and 50 feet (15 240 mm) or less in height where curtains, scenery or other combustible hangings are not retractable vertically. Combustible hangings shall be limited to a single main curtain, borders, legs and a single backdrop.
  3. Sprinklers are not required within portable orchestra enclosures on stages.
• CFC § 9-6 High relevance — show source text

  9-6 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE

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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 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.

  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 .

• CFC § 3.1 High relevance — show source text

  4. In a Group R-3.1 occupancies, in addition to the above, smoke alarms shall be provided throughout the habitable areas of the dwelling unit except kitchens. See Section 907.2.10.8 for specific location requirements. 907.2.11.2.1 Licensed Group R-2.1 occupancies. Licensed Group R-2.1 occupancies housing more than six nonambulatory, elderly clients shall be provided with an approved manual and automatic fire alarm system. Exceptions: Buildings housing nonambulatory clients on the first story only and which are protected throughout by the following: 1. An approved and supervised automatic sprinkler system, as specified in Sections 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2, which upon activation will initiate the fire alarm system to notify all occupants. 2. A manual fire alarm system. 3. Smoke alarms required by Section 907.2.11.

  907.2.11.2.1.1 Smoke alarms. Single- and multiple-station smoke alarms shall be installed in accordance with Section 907.2.11.

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  FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS

  907.2.11.2.2 Group I-4 occupancies. Large family day-care homes shall be equipped with State Fire Marshal approved and listed single station residential type smoke alarms.

  907.2.11.2.3 Group R-3.1. In all facilities housing a bedridden client, smoke alarms shall receive their primary power from the building wiring when such wiring is served from a commercial source and shall be equipped with a battery backup. Smoke alarms shall be electrically interconnected so as to cause all smoke alarms to sound a distinctive alarm signal upon actuation of any single smoke alarm. Such alarm signal shall be audible throughout the facility at a minimal level of 15 db above ambient noise level. These devices need not be interconnected to any other fire alarm device, have a control panel, or be electronically supervised or provided with emergency power.

  907.2.11.2.4 Smoke alarms. Smoke alarms shall be tested and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Smoke alarms that no longer function shall be replaced.

  907.2.11.2.5 Existing Group R occupancies. See the California Residential Code for existing Group R-3 occupancies or Chapter 11 of the California Fire Code for all other existing Group R occupancies.

  907.2.11.2.6 Group R-4. A manual fire alarm system that activates the occupant notification system in accordance with Section 907.5 shall be installed in Group R-4 occupancies housing nonambulatory clients.

  907.2.11.3 Installation near cooking appliances. See Section 907.2.11.8.

  907.2.11.4 Installation near bathrooms. See Section 907.2.11.8.

• CFC § 9-31 High relevance — show source text

  2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE 9-31

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  FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS

  2. A manual fire alarm system. 3. Smoke alarms required by the California Fire Code Section 907.2.10.

  907.2.11.2.1.1 Smoke alarms. Single- and multiple-station smoke alarms shall be installed in accordance with California Fire Code Section 907.2.11.

  907.2.11.2.2 Group I-4 occupancies. Large family day-care homes shall be equipped with State Fire Marshal approved and listed single station residential type smoke alarms.

  907.2.11.2.3 Group R-3.1. In all facilities housing a bedridden client, smoke alarms shall receive their primary power from the build- ing wiring when such wiring is served from a commercial source and shall be equipped with a battery backup. Smoke alarms shall be electrically interconnected so as to cause all smoke alarms to sound a distinctive alarm signal upon actuation of any single smoke alarm. Such alarm signal shall be audible throughout the facility at a minimal level of 15 dB above ambient noise level. These devices need not be interconnected to any other fire alarm device, have a control unit, or be electrically supervised or provided with emer-

  gency power.

  907.2.11.2.4 Smoke alarms. Smoke alarms shall be tested and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Smoke alarms that no longer function shall be replaced.

  907.2.11.2.5 Existing Group R occupancies. See the California Residential Code for existing Group R-3 occupancies or Chapter 11 of the California Fire Code for all other existing Group R occupancies.

  907.2.11.2.6 Group R-4. A manual fire alarm system that activates the occupant notification system in accordance with Section 907.5 shall be installed in Group R-4 occupancies housing nonambulatory clients.

  [F] 907.2.11.3 Installation near cooking appliances. See Section 907.2.11.8.

  [F] 907.2.11.4 Installation near bathrooms. See Section 907.2.11.8.

  [F] 907.2.11.5 Interconnection. Where more than one smoke alarm is required to be installed within an individual dwelling unit or sleeping unit in Group R occupancies, the smoke alarms shall be interconnected in such a manner that the activation of one alarm will activate all of the alarms in the individual unit. Physical interconnection of smoke alarms shall not be required where listed wireless alarms are installed and all alarms sound upon activation of one alarm. The alarm shall be clearly audible in all bedrooms over background noise levels with all intervening doors closed.

  [F] 907.2.11.6 Power source. In new construction, and in newly classified Group R-3.1 occupancies, required smoke alarms shall receive their primary power from the building wiring where such wiring is served from a commercial source and shall be equipped with a battery backup. Smoke alarms with integral strobes that are not equipped with battery backup shall be connected to an emergency electrical system in accordance with Section 2702. Smoke alarms shall emit a signal when the batteries are low. Wiring shall be permanent and without a disconnecting switch other than as required for overcurrent protection.

• CFC § 2309.3.1.5.2 High relevance — show source text

  2309.3.1.5.2 Fire-extinguishing systems. Fuel-dispensing areas under canopies shall be equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1. The design of the sprinkler system shall be not less than that required for Extra Hazard Group 2 occupancies. Operation of the sprinkler system shall activate the emergency functions of Sections 2309.3.1.5.3 and 2309.3.1.5.4.

  2309.3.1.5.3 Emergency discharge. Operation of the automatic sprinkler system shall activate an automatic emergency discharge system, which will discharge the hydrogen gas from the equipment on the canopy top through the vent pipe system.

  2309.3.1.5.4 Emergency shutdown control. Operation of the automatic sprinkler system shall activate the emergency shutdown control required by Section 2309.5.3.

  2309.3.1.5.5 Signage. Approved signage having 2-inch (51 mm) block letters shall be affixed at approved locations on the exterior of the canopy structure stating: “CANOPY TOP HYDROGEN STORAGE.”

  2309.3.2 Canopies. Dispensing equipment need not be separated from canopies of Type I or II construction that are constructed in a manner that prevents the accumulation of hydrogen gas and in accordance with Section 406.7 of the California Building Code .

  2309.4 Dispensing into motor vehicles at hydrogen motor fuel-dispensing facilities. Hydrogen motor fuel-dispensing systems, including key, code and card lock dispensing systems, shall be limited to the filling of permanently mounted motor vehicle fuel tanks on hydrogen-powered vehicles.

  In addition to the requirements in Section 2311, the owner of a hydrogen motor fuel-dispensing facility shall provide for the safe operation of the system by complying with this code and the fueling protocols in NFPA 2 and through the institution of a fire safety plan submitted in accordance with Section 404, the training of employees and operators who use and maintain the system in accordance with Section 406, and provisions for hazard communication in accordance with Section 407.

  Exception: Filling of nonpermanently mounted storage containers or tanks for motor fuel-dispensing system testing purposes is permitted.

  2309.4.1 Dispensing systems. Dispensing systems shall be equipped with an overpressure protection device set at not greater than 140 percent of the service pressure of the fueling nozzle it supplies.

  2309.5 Safety precautions. Safety precautions at hydrogen motor fuel-dispensing and generation facilities shall be in accordance with Sections 2309.5.1 through 2309.5.3.1.

  2309.5.1 Protection from vehicles. Guard posts or other approved means shall be provided to protect hydrogen storage systems and use areas subject to vehicular damage in accordance with Section 312.

  2309.5.1.1 Vehicle fueling pad. The vehicle shall be fueled on noncoated concrete or other approved paving material having a resistance not exceeding 1 megohm as determined by the methodology specified in EN 1081.

  2309.5.2 Emergency shutoff valves. A manual emergency shutoff valve shall be provided to shut down the flow of gas from the hydrogen supply to the piping system.

  2309.5.2.1 Identification. Manual emergency shutoff valves shall be identified and the location shall be clearly visible, have access and be indicated by means of a sign.

• CFC § 3.8.2 High 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.

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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 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.

• CFC § 9-61 High relevance — show source text

  2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE 9-61

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

  FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS

  909.16.1 Smoke control systems. Fans within the building shall be shown on the firefighter’s control panel. A clear indication of the direction of airflow and the relationship of components shall be displayed. Status indicators shall be provided for all smoke control equipment, annunciated by fan and zone and by pilot-lamp-type indicators as follows:

  1. Fans, dampers and other operating equipment in their normal status—WHITE.
  2. Fans, dampers and other operating equipment in their off or closed status—RED.
  3. Fans, dampers and other operating equipment in their on or open status—GREEN.
  4. Fans, dampers and other operating equipment in a fault status—YELLOW/AMBER.

  909.16.2 Smoke control panel. The firefighter’s control panel shall provide control capability over the complete smoke control system equipment within the building as follows:

  1. ON-AUTO-OFF control over each individual piece of operating smoke control equipment that can be controlled from other sources within the building. This includes stairway pressurization fans; smoke exhaust fans; supply, return and exhaust fans; elevator shaft fans; and other operating equipment used or intended for smoke control purposes.
  2. OPEN-AUTO-CLOSE control over individual dampers relating to smoke control and that are controlled from other sources within the building.
  3. ON-OFF or OPEN-CLOSE control over smoke control and other critical equipment associated with a fire or smoke emergency and that can only be controlled from the firefighter’s control panel.

  Exceptions:

  1. Complex systems, where approved, where the controls and indicators are combined to control and indicate all elements of a single smoke zone as a unit.
  2. Complex systems, where approved, where the control is accomplished by computer interface using approved, plain English commands.

  909.16.3 Control action and priorities. The firefighter’s control panel actions shall be as follows:

  1. ON-OFF and OPEN-CLOSE control actions shall have the highest priority of any control point within the building. Once issued from the firefighter’s control panel, automatic or manual control from any other control point within the building shall not contradict the control action. Where automatic means are provided to interrupt normal, nonemergency equipment operation or produce a specific result to safeguard the building or equipment including, but not limited to, duct freezestats, duct smoke detectors, high-temperature cutouts, temperature-actuated linkage and similar devices, such means shall be capable of being overridden by the firefighter’s control panel. The last control action as indicated by each firefighter’s control panel switch position shall prevail. Control actions shall not require the smoke control system to assume more than one configuration at any one time.

  Exception: Power disconnects required by the California Electrical Code . 2. Only the AUTO position of each three-position firefighter’s control panel switch shall allow automatic or manual control action from other control points within the building. The AUTO position shall be the NORMAL, nonemergency, building control position. Where a firefighter’s control panel is in the AUTO position, the actual status of the device (on, off, open, closed) shall continue to be indicated by the status indicator described in Section 909.16.1. Where directed by an automatic signal to assume an emergency condition, the NORMAL position shall become the emergency condition for that device or group of devices within the zone. Control actions shall not require the smoke control system to assume more than one configuration at any one time.