Smoke Control and Smoke Removal

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

• CFC § 909.1 High relevance — show source text

  SECTION 909—SMOKE CONTROL SYSTEMS

  909.1 Scope and purpose. This section applies to mechanical or passive smoke control systems where they are required for new buildings or portions thereof by provisions of the California Building Code or this code. The purpose of this section is to establish minimum requirements for the design, installation and acceptance testing of smoke control systems that are intended to provide a tenable environment for the evacuation or relocation of occupants. These provisions are not intended for the preservation of contents, the timely restoration of operations or for assistance in fire suppression or overhaul activities. Smoke control systems regulated by this section serve a different purpose than the smoke- and heat-removal provisions found in Section 910. Mechanical smoke control systems shall not be considered exhaust systems under Chapter 5 of the California Mechanical Code .

  909.2 General design requirements. Buildings, structures, or parts thereof required by the California Building Code or this code to have a smoke control system or systems shall have such systems designed in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 909 and the generally accepted and well-established principles of engineering relevant to the design. The construction documents shall include sufficient information and detail to describe adequately the elements of the design necessary for the proper implementation of the smoke control systems. These documents shall be accompanied with sufficient information and analysis to demonstrate compliance with these provisions.

  2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE 9-57

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  FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS

  909.3 Special inspection and test requirements. In addition to the ordinary inspection and test requirements that buildings, structures and parts thereof are required to undergo, smoke control systems subject to the provisions of Section 909 shall undergo special inspections and tests sufficient to verify the proper commissioning of the smoke control design in its final installed condition. The design submission accompanying the construction documents shall clearly detail procedures and methods to be used and the items subject to such inspections and tests. Such commissioning shall be in accordance with generally accepted engineering practice and, where possible, based on published standards for the particular testing involved. The special inspections and tests required by this section shall be conducted under the same terms as in Section 1704 of the California Building Code .

  909.4 Analysis. A rational analysis supporting the types of smoke control systems to be employed, the methods of their operations, the systems supporting them and the methods of construction to be utilized shall accompany the construction documents submission and include, but not be limited to, the items indicated in Sections 909.4.1 through 909.4.7.

  909.4.1 Stack effect. The system shall be designed such that the maximum probable normal or reverse stack effect will not adversely interfere with the system’s capabilities. In determining the maximum probable stack effect, altitude, elevation, weather history and interior temperatures shall be used.

  909.4.2 Temperature effect of fire. Buoyancy and expansion caused by the design fire in accordance with Section 909.9 shall be analyzed. The system shall be designed such that these effects do not adversely interfere with the system’s capabilities.

  909.4.3 Wind effect. The design shall consider the adverse effects of wind. Such consideration shall be consistent with the windloading provisions of the California Building Code .

• CFC § 909.21.11 High relevance — show source text

  [BF] 909.21.11 System response time. Hoistway pressurization systems shall comply with the requirements for smoke control system response time in Section 909.17.

  909.22 Maintenance. Smoke control systems shall be maintained to ensure to a reasonable degree that the system is capable of controlling smoke for the duration required. The system shall be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and Sections 909.22.1 through 909.22.6.

  909.22.1 Schedule. A routine maintenance and operational testing program shall be initiated immediately after the smoke control system has passed the acceptance tests. A written schedule for routine maintenance and operational testing shall be established.

  909.22.2 Records. Records of smoke control system testing and maintenance shall be maintained. The record shall include the date of the maintenance, identification of the servicing personnel and notification of any unsatisfactory condition and the corrective action taken, including parts replaced.

  909.22.3 Testing. Operational testing of the smoke control system shall include all equipment such as initiating devices, fans, dampers, controls, doors and windows.

  909.22.4 Dedicated smoke control systems. Dedicated smoke control systems shall be operated for each control sequence semiannually. The system shall be tested under standby power conditions.

  909.22.5 Nondedicated smoke control systems. Nondedicated smoke control systems shall be operated for each control sequence annually. The system shall be tested under standby power conditions.

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  FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS

  909.22.6 Components bypassing weekly test. Where components of the smoke control system are bypassed by the preprogrammed weekly test required by Section 909.12.1, such components shall be tested semiannually. The system shall be tested under standby power conditions.

  SECTION 910—SMOKE AND HEAT REMOVAL

  910.1 General. Where required by this code, smoke and heat vents or mechanical smoke removal systems shall conform to the requirements of this section.

  910.2 Where required. Smoke and heat vents or a mechanical smoke removal system shall be installed as required by Sections 910.2.1 and 910.2.2.

  Exceptions:

  1. Frozen food warehouses used solely for storage of Class I and II commodities where protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system.
  2. Smoke and heat removal shall not be required in areas of buildings equipped with early suppression fast-response (ESFR) sprinklers.
  3. Smoke and heat removal shall not be required in areas of buildings equipped with control mode special application sprinklers with a response time index of 50(m × s) [1/] 2 [ or less that are listed to control a fire in stored commodities with 12] or fewer sprinklers.
• CFC § 907.8 Medium relevance — show source text

  [F] 907.8 Inspection, testing and maintenance. The maintenance and testing schedules and procedures for fire alarm and fire detection systems shall be in accordance with Section 907.8 of the California Fire Code .

  SECTION 908—EMERGENCY ALARM SYSTEMS

  [F] 908.1 Group H occupancies. Emergency alarms for the detection and notification of an emergency condition in Group H occupancies shall be provided in accordance with Section 415.5.

  [F] 908.2 Group H-5 occupancy. Emergency alarms for notification of an emergency condition in an HPM facility shall be provided as required in Section 415.11.4.

  [F] 908.3 Fire alarm system interface. Where an emergency alarm system is interfaced with a building’s fire alarm system, the signal produced at the fire alarm control unit shall be a supervisory signal.

  SECTION 909—SMOKE CONTROL SYSTEMS

  [F] 909.1 Scope and purpose. This section applies to mechanical or passive smoke control systems where they are required by other provisions of this code. The purpose of this section is to establish minimum requirements for the design, installation and acceptance testing of smoke control systems that are intended to provide a tenable environment for the evacuation or relocation of occupants. These provisions are not intended for the preservation of contents, the timely restoration of operations or for assistance in fire suppression or overhaul activities. Smoke control systems regulated by this section serve a different purpose than the smoke- and heat-removal provisions found in Section 910. Mechanical smoke control systems shall not be considered exhaust systems under Chapter 5 of the California Mechanical Code .

  [F] 909.2 General design requirements. Buildings, structures or parts thereof required by this code to have a smoke control system or systems shall have such systems designed in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 909 and the generally accepted and well-established principles of engineering relevant to the design. The construction documents shall include sufficient information and detail to adequately describe the elements of the design necessary for the proper implementation of the smoke control systems. These documents shall be accompanied by sufficient information and analysis to demonstrate compliance with these provisions.

  [F] 909.3 Special inspection and test requirements. In addition to the ordinary inspection and test requirements that buildings, structures and parts thereof are required to undergo, smoke control systems subject to the provisions of Section 909 shall undergo special inspections and tests sufficient to verify the proper commissioning of the smoke control design in its final installed condition. The design submission accompanying the construction documents shall clearly detail procedures and methods to be used and the items subject to such inspections and tests. Such commissioning shall be in accordance with generally accepted engineering practice and, where possible, based on published standards for the particular testing involved. The special inspections and tests required by this section shall be conducted under the same terms in Section 1704.

  [F] 909.4 Analysis. A rational analysis supporting the types of smoke control systems to be employed, their methods of operation, the systems supporting them and the methods of construction to be utilized shall accompany the submitted construction documents and shall include, but not be limited to, the items indicated in Sections 909.4.1 through 909.4.7.

  [F] 909.4.1 Stack effect. The system shall be designed such that the maximum probable normal or reverse stack effect will not adversely interfere with the system’s capabilities. In determining the maximum probable stack effect, altitude, elevation, weather history and interior temperatures shall be used.

• CFC § 909.22.5 Medium relevance — show source text

  909.22.5 Nondedicated smoke control systems. Nondedicated smoke control systems shall be operated for each control sequence annually. The system shall be tested under standby power conditions.

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  FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS

  909.22.6 Components bypassing weekly test. Where components of the smoke control system are bypassed by the preprogrammed weekly test required by Section 909.12.1, such components shall be tested semiannually. The system shall be tested under standby power conditions.

  SECTION 910—SMOKE AND HEAT REMOVAL

  910.1 General. Where required by this code, smoke and heat vents or mechanical smoke removal systems shall conform to the requirements of this section.

  910.2 Where required. Smoke and heat vents or a mechanical smoke removal system shall be installed as required by Sections 910.2.1 and 910.2.2.

  Exceptions:

  1. Frozen food warehouses used solely for storage of Class I and II commodities where protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system.
  2. Smoke and heat removal shall not be required in areas of buildings equipped with early suppression fast-response (ESFR) sprinklers.
  3. Smoke and heat removal shall not be required in areas of buildings equipped with control mode special application sprinklers with a response time index of 50(m × s) [1/] 2 [ or less that are listed to control a fire in stored commodities with 12] or fewer sprinklers.

  910.2.1 Group F-1 or S-1. Smoke and heat vents installed in accordance with Section 910.3 or a mechanical smoke removal system installed in accordance with Section 910.4 shall be installed in buildings and portions thereof used as a Group F-1 or S-1 occupancy having more than 50,000 square feet (4645 m [2] ) of undivided area. In occupied portions of a building equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, where the upper surface of the story is not a roof assembly, a mechanical smoke removal system in accordance with Section 910.4 shall be installed.

  Exception: Group F-1 aircraft manufacturing buildings and Group S-1 aircraft repair hangars.

  910.2.2 High-piled combustible storage. Smoke and heat removal required by Table 3206.2 for buildings and portions thereof containing high-piled combustible storage shall be installed in accordance with Section 910.3 in unsprinklered buildings. In buildings and portions thereof containing high-piled combustible storage equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, a smoke and heat removal system shall be installed in accordance with Section 910.3 or 910.4. In occupied portions of a building equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 where the upper surface of the story is not a roof assembly, a mechanical smoke removal system in accordance with Section 910.4 shall be installed.

  910.3 Smoke and heat vents. The design and installation of smoke and heat vents shall be in accordance with Sections 910.3.1 through 910.3.3.

• CFC § 914.3.4 Medium relevance — show source text

  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.

  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.

• CFC § 910.2.1 Medium relevance — show source text

  Exceptions:

  1. Frozen food warehouses used solely for storage of Class I and II commodities where protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system.
  2. Smoke and heat removal shall not be required in areas of buildings equipped with early suppression fast-response (ESFR) sprinklers.
  3. Smoke and heat removal shall not be required in areas of buildings equipped with control mode special application sprinklers with a response time index of 50 (m × s) [1/2] or less that are listed to control a fire in stored commodities with 12 or fewer sprinklers.

  [F] 910.2.1 Group F-1 or S-1. Smoke and heat vents installed in accordance with Section 910.3 or a mechanical smoke removal system installed in accordance with Section 910.4 shall be installed in buildings and portions thereof used as a Group F-1 or S-1 occupancy having more than 50,000 square feet (4645 m [2] ) of undivided area. In occupied portions of a building equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 where the upper surface of the story is not a roof assembly, a mechanical smoke removal system in accordance with Section 910.4 shall be installed.

  Exception: Group F-1 aircraft manufacturing buildings and Group S-1 aircraft repair hangars.

  [F] 910.2.2 High-piled combustible storage. Smoke and heat removal required by Table 3206.2 of the California Fire Code for buildings and portions thereof containing high-piled combustible storage shall be installed in accordance with Section 910.3 in unsprinklered buildings. In buildings and portions thereof containing high-piled combustible storage equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, a smoke and heat removal system shall be installed in accordance with Section 910.3 or 910.4. In occupied portions of a building equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, where the upper surface of the story is not a roof assembly, a mechanical smoke removal system in accordance with Section 910.4 shall be installed.

  [F] 910.3 Smoke and heat vents. The design and installation of smoke and heat vents shall be in accordance with Sections 910.3.1 through 910.3.3.

  [F] 910.3.1 Listing and labeling. Smoke and heat vents shall be listed and labeled to indicate compliance with UL 793 or FM 4430 or ICC-ES AC 331.

  [F] 910.3.2 Smoke and heat vent locations. Smoke and heat vents shall be located 20 feet (6096 mm) or more from adjacent lot lines and fire walls and 10 feet (3048 mm) or more from fire barriers. Vents shall be uniformly located within the roof in the areas of the building where the vents are required to be installed by Section 910.2 with consideration given to roof pitch, sprinkler location and structural members.

  [F] 910.3.3 Smoke and heat vents area. The required aggregate area of smoke and heat vents shall be calculated as follows:

  For buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1:

  Equation 9-3 A VR = V /9000

  where:

• CFC § 910.3 Medium relevance — show source text

  910.3 Smoke and heat vents. The design and installation of smoke and heat vents shall be in accordance with Sections 910.3.1 through 910.3.3.

  910.3.1 Listing and labeling. Smoke and heat vents shall be listed and labeled to indicate compliance with UL 793 or FM 4430 or ICC-ES AC 331.

  910.3.2 Smoke and heat vent locations. Smoke and heat vents shall be located 20 feet (6096 mm) or more from adjacent lot lines and fire walls and 10 feet (3048 mm) or more from fire barriers. Vents shall be uniformly located within the roof in the areas of the building where the vents are required to be installed by Section 910.2, with consideration given to roof pitch, sprinkler location and structural members.

  910.3.3 Smoke and heat vents area. The required aggregate area of smoke and heat vents shall be calculated as follows:

  For buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1:

  Equation 9-3 A VR = V /9000

  where:

  A VR = The required aggregate vent area (ft [2] ). V = Volume (ft [3] ) of the area that requires smoke removal.

  For unsprinklered buildings:

  Equation 9-4 A VR = A FA /50

  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).

• CFC § 910.3.4 Medium 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 § 9-1 Medium relevance — show source text

  SAFETY SYSTEMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-1

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

  902 Fire Pump and Riser Room Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-7

  903 Automatic Sprinkler Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-8

  904 Alternative Automatic Fire-Extinguishing Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-17

  905 Standpipe Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-20

  906 Portable Fire Extinguishers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-22

  907 Fire Alarm and Detection Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-25

  908 Emergency Alarm Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-43

  909 Smoke Control Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-43

  910 Smoke and Heat Removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-51

  911 Fire Command Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-53

  912 Fire Department Connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-54

  913 Fire Pumps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-55

  914 Emergency Responder Safety Features . . . . . . . . . . 9-56

  915 Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-56

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  916 Gas Detection Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-58

  917 Mass Notification Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-59

  918 Emergency Responder Communication Coverage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-59

  CHAPTER 10 MEANS OF EGRESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1

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

• CFC § 910.4.3.1 Medium relevance — show source text

  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.

  910.5 Maintenance and testing. Maintenance and testing of smoke and heat vents and mechanical smoke removal systems shall be in accordance with Sections 910.5.1 and 910.5.2. A written record of inspection, testing and maintenance that includes the date, identification of personnel involved, any unsatisfactory result, corrective action taken and replaced parts shall be maintained on the premises.

  910.5.1 Smoke and heat vents. Smoke and heat vents shall be maintained in an operative condition. Inspection, testing and maintenance shall be in accordance with NFPA 204 except as follows:

  1. Mechanically operated smoke and heat vents shall be inspected annually and operationally tested not less than every 5

  years. 2. Gravity dropout smoke and heat vents shall be inspected annually. 3. Fused, damaged or painted fusible links shall be replaced.

  910.5.2 Mechanical smoke removal systems. Mechanical smoke removal systems shall be maintained in accordance with NFPA 204 and the equipment manufacturer’s instructions except as follows:

  1. Systems shall be inspected and operationally tested annually.
  2. Testing shall include the operation of all system components, controls and ancillary equipment, such as makeup air openings.
  3. A written schedule for routine maintenance and operational testing shall be established and testing shall be conducted in accordance with the schedule.

  SECTION 911—EXPLOSION CONTROL

  911.1 General. Explosion control shall be provided in the following locations:

  1. Where a structure, room or space is occupied for purposes involving explosion hazards as identified in Table 911.1.
  2. Where quantities of hazardous materials specified in Table 911.1 exceed the maximum allowable quantities in Table 5003.1.1(1).
• CFC § 907.6.6.3 Medium relevance — show source text

  [F] 907.6.6.3 Termination of monitoring service. Termination of fire alarm monitoring services shall be in accordance with Section 901.9 of the California Fire Code .

  907.6.6.4 Group E schools. Automatic fire alarm systems shall be monitored and shall transmit the alarm, supervisory and trou- ble signals to an approved supervising station in accordance with NFPA 72. The supervising station shall be listed as either UUFX (Central Station) or UUJS (remote & proprietary) by the Underwriters Laboratory Inc. (UL) or other approved listing and testing laboratory or shall comply with the requirements of standard, FM 3011. Termination of monitoring services shall be in accordance with Section 907.6.6.3.

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  FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS

  [F] 907.7 Acceptance tests and completion. Upon completion of the installation, the fire alarm system and all fire alarm components shall be tested in accordance with NFPA 72.

  [F] 907.7.1 Single- and multiple-station alarm devices. When the installation of the alarm devices is complete, each device and interconnecting wiring for multiple-station alarm devices shall be tested in accordance with the smoke alarm provisions of NFPA 72.

  [F] 907.7.2 Record of completion. A record of completion in accordance with NFPA 72 verifying that the system has been installed and tested in accordance with the approved plans and specifications shall be provided.

  [F] 907.7.3 Instructions. Operating, testing and maintenance instructions and record drawings (“as-builts”) and equipment specifications shall be provided at an approved location.

  [F] 907.8 Inspection, testing and maintenance. The maintenance and testing schedules and procedures for fire alarm and fire detection systems shall be in accordance with Section 907.8 of the California Fire Code .

  SECTION 908—EMERGENCY ALARM SYSTEMS

  [F] 908.1 Group H occupancies. Emergency alarms for the detection and notification of an emergency condition in Group H occupancies shall be provided in accordance with Section 415.5.

  [F] 908.2 Group H-5 occupancy. Emergency alarms for notification of an emergency condition in an HPM facility shall be provided as required in Section 415.11.4.

  [F] 908.3 Fire alarm system interface. Where an emergency alarm system is interfaced with a building’s fire alarm system, the signal produced at the fire alarm control unit shall be a supervisory signal.

  SECTION 909—SMOKE CONTROL SYSTEMS

  [F] 909.1 Scope and purpose. This section applies to mechanical or passive smoke control systems where they are required by other provisions of this code. The purpose of this section is to establish minimum requirements for the design, installation and acceptance testing of smoke control systems that are intended to provide a tenable environment for the evacuation or relocation of occupants. These provisions are not intended for the preservation of contents, the timely restoration of operations or for assistance in fire suppression or overhaul activities. Smoke control systems regulated by this section serve a different purpose than the smoke- and heat-removal provisions found in Section 910. Mechanical smoke control systems shall not be considered exhaust systems under Chapter 5 of the California Mechanical Code .

• CFC § 907.8.4 Medium relevance — show source text

  907.8.4 Inspection, testing and maintenance. The building owner shall be responsible to maintain the fire and life safety systems in an operable condition at all times. Service personnel shall meet the qualification requirements of NFPA 72 for inspection, testing and maintenance of such systems. Records of inspection, testing and maintenance shall be maintained.

  907.9 Where required in existing buildings and structures. An approved fire alarm system shall be provided in existing buildings and structures where required in Chapter 11.

  907.10 Smoke alarm maintenance. Smoke alarms shall be tested and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instruc tions and this code.

  907.10.1 Smoke alarm replacement. Smoke alarms shall be replaced when any of the following apply:

  1. The smoke alarm fails to respond to operability tests.

  2. The smoke alarm exceeds 10 years from the date of manufacture marked on the unit, unless an earlier replacement is specified in the manufacturer’s instructions.

  3. The smoke alarm end-of-life signal is sounded.

  4. The smoke alarm date of manufacture cannot be determined.

  Where the replacement of smoke alarms is required by this section, smoke alarms shall not be required to include the 520-Hz signal unless the smoke alarms to be replaced include that signal.

  SECTION 908—EMERGENCY ALARM SYSTEMS

  908.1 Group H occupancies. Emergency alarms for the detection and notification of an emergency condition in Group H occupancies shall be provided as required in Chapter 50. 908.2 Group H-5 occupancy. Emergency alarms for notification of an emergency condition in an HPM facility shall be provided as required in Section 2703.12. 908.3 Fire alarm system interface. Where an emergency alarm system is interfaced with a building’s fire alarm system, the signal produced at the fire alarm control unit shall be a supervisory signal. 908.4 Carbon dioxide enrichment systems. A gas detection system shall be provided in rooms and indoor areas in which carbon diox- ide enrichment processes are located in accordance with Section 5307.3.2.

  SECTION 909—SMOKE CONTROL SYSTEMS

  909.1 Scope and purpose. This section applies to mechanical or passive smoke control systems where they are required for new buildings or portions thereof by provisions of the California Building Code or this code. The purpose of this section is to establish minimum requirements for the design, installation and acceptance testing of smoke control systems that are intended to provide a tenable environment for the evacuation or relocation of occupants. These provisions are not intended for the preservation of contents, the timely restoration of operations or for assistance in fire suppression or overhaul activities. Smoke control systems regulated by this section serve a different purpose than the smoke- and heat-removal provisions found in Section 910. Mechanical smoke control systems shall not be considered exhaust systems under Chapter 5 of the California Mechanical Code .

  909.2 General design requirements. Buildings, structures, or parts thereof required by the California Building Code or this code to have a smoke control system or systems shall have such systems designed in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 909 and the generally accepted and well-established principles of engineering relevant to the design. The construction documents shall include sufficient information and detail to describe adequately the elements of the design necessary for the proper implementation of the smoke control systems. These documents shall be accompanied with sufficient information and analysis to demonstrate compliance with these provisions.

  2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE 9-57

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