CFC · California Fire Code
Access to building openings and roofs, and premises identification
Chapter 5 of the CFC (notably §§504–505) sets minimum requirements for firefighter access to doors and roofs and for clear, legible premises identification to speed emergency response.
Last reviewed: July 6, 2026
Overview
This area of the California Fire Code (CFC) covers fire-department access to exterior openings, roof access and obstructions, and the marking and signage that let responders find and reach buildings quickly. These provisions are found in Chapter 5 (Fire Service Features) and address maintenance of required exterior doors and routes, roof access and prohibited rooftop obstructions, and address and street identification to facilitate emergency response. See Chapter 5 and its table of contents for the chapter context and scope.
Key requirements include the access and maintenance obligations in §504 (Access to Building Openings and Roofs), including rules about stairway access to roofs and prohibitions on rooftop security barriers, and the address and street-sign standards in §505 (Premises Identification). §504 requires that exterior doors and required openings remain accessible to the fire department and limits rooftop obstructions that would impede egress or firefighter access, while §505 specifies legible, contrasting address characters and additional signs where a building is not visible from the public way.
These sections are practical — they reduce response time, prevent accidental entanglement or blocked access on roofs, and ensure that units and streets can be identified from the street or private access roads. Chapter 5 also connects to related provisions on fire apparatus access roads and key boxes that support responder access and entry.
In this section
Code references
Grounded in the retrieved California Fire Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:
CFC § 4-3 High relevance — show source text
402 Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
403 Emergency Preparedness Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . 4-3 404 Fire Safety, Evacuation and Lockdown Plans . . . . . . 4-10 405 Emergency Evacuation Drills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13 406 Employee Training and Response Procedures. . . . . 4-15
407 Hazard Communication. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15
CHAPTER 5 FIRE SERVICE FEATURES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-3
501 General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
502 Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
503 Fire Apparatus Access Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3 504 Access to Building Openings and Roofs . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5 505 Premises Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
506 Key Boxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5 507 Fire Protection Water Supplies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6 508 Fire Command Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
509 Fire Protection and Utility Equipment Identification and Access. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
510 Emergency Responder Communications Enhancement Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
CHAPTER 6 BUILDING SERVICES AND SYSTEMS . . . . . . . . .6-3
601 General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
602 Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
CFC § 5-3 High relevance — show source text
503 Fire Apparatus Access Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3 504 Access to Building Openings and Roofs . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5 505 Premises Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
506 Key Boxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5 507 Fire Protection Water Supplies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6 508 Fire Command Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
509 Fire Protection and Utility Equipment Identification and Access. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
510 Emergency Responder Communications Enhancement Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
CHAPTER 6 BUILDING SERVICES AND SYSTEMS . . . . . . . . .6-3
601 General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
602 Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
603 Electrical Equipment, Wiring and Hazards . . . . . . . . . 6-3 604 Elevator Operation, Maintenance and Fire Service Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5 605 Fuel-Fired Appliances. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6 606 Commercial Cooking Equipment and Systems . . . . . 6-9 607 Commercial Cooking Oil Storage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-10 608 Mechanical Refrigeration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-10 609 Hyperbaric Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-13 610 Clothes Dryer Exhaust Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-13
CHAPTER 7 FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION
FEATURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-3
701 General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3
CFC § 3.05 High relevance — show source text
Title 19, Division 1]||||X|||||||||||||||||||| |Chapter / Section|||||||||||||||||||||||| |503|||†||||||||||||||||||||| |[T-19 §3.05 (a)]||||X|||||||||||||||||||| |503.5.2|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |[T-19 §3.05 (b)]||||X|||||||||||||||||||| |504.4|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |507.2.1|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |507.3|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |507.5|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |507.5.1|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |507.5.3|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |508.1|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |508.1.2|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |508.1.5|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |508.1.6|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |508.1.8|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |510.2|||†|||||||||||||||||||||- 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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PART III— BUILDING AND EQUIPMENT DESIGN FEATURES
5 FIRE SERVICE FEATURES
User notes:
About this chapter: Chapter 5 provides requirements that 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 emergency responder communications enhancement coverage in buildings. Although many safety features are part of the building design, features such as proper fire department access roads and communication coverage are necessary in case of emergency and are important tools for emergency responders for public safety and their own safety.
SECTION 501—GENERAL
501.1 Scope. Fire service features for buildings, structures and premises shall comply with this chapter.
501.2 Permits. A permit shall be required as set forth in Sections 105.5 and 105.6.
501.3 Construction documents. Construction documents for proposed fire apparatus access, location of fire lanes, security gates across fire apparatus access roads and construction documents and hydraulic calculations for fire hydrant systems shall be submitted to the fire department for review and approval prior to construction.
501.3.1 Site safety plan. The owner or owner’s authorized agent shall be responsible for the development, implementation and maintenance of an approved written site safety plan in accordance with Section 3303.
CFC § 5-1 High relevance — show source text
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PART III— BUILDING AND EQUIPMENT DESIGN FEATURES
5 FIRE SERVICE FEATURES
User notes:
About this chapter: Chapter 5 provides requirements that 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 emergency responder communications enhancement coverage in buildings. Although many safety features are part of the building design, features such as proper fire department access roads and communication coverage are necessary in case of emergency and are important tools for emergency responders for public safety and their own safety.
SECTION 501—GENERAL
501.1 Scope. Fire service features for buildings, structures and premises shall comply with this chapter.
501.2 Permits. A permit shall be required as set forth in Sections 105.5 and 105.6.
501.3 Construction documents. Construction documents for proposed fire apparatus access, location of fire lanes, security gates across fire apparatus access roads and construction documents and hydraulic calculations for fire hydrant systems shall be submitted to the fire department for review and approval prior to construction.
501.3.1 Site safety plan. The owner or owner’s authorized agent shall be responsible for the development, implementation and maintenance of an approved written site safety plan in accordance with Section 3303.
501.4 Timing of installation. Where fire apparatus access roads or a water supply for fire protection are required to be installed, such protection shall be installed and made serviceable prior to and during the time of construction except where approved alternative methods of protection are provided. Temporary street signs shall be installed at each street intersection where construction of new roadways allows passage by vehicles in accordance with Section 505.2.
SECTION 502—DEFINITIONS
502.1 Definitions. The following terms are defined in Chapter 2:
AGENCY.
FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROAD.
FIRE COMMAND CENTER.
FIRE DEPARTMENT MASTER KEY.
FIRE LANE.
KEY BOX.
TRAFFIC CALMING DEVICES.
SECTION 503—FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROADS
503.1 Where required. Fire apparatus access roads shall be provided and maintained in accordance with Sections 503.1.1 through 503.1.3.
503.1.1 Buildings and facilities. Approved fire apparatus access roads shall be provided for every facility, building or portion of a building hereafter constructed or moved into or within the jurisdiction. The fire apparatus access road shall comply with the requirements of this section and shall extend to within 150 feet (45 720 mm) of all portions of the facility and all portions of the exterior walls of the first story of the building as measured by an approved route around the exterior of the building or facility.
Exceptions:
- The fire code official is authorized to increase the dimension of 150 feet (45 720 mm) where any of the following conditions occur:
CFC § 701 High 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 § 504.2 High relevance — show source text
Exception: Guy wire, rods and aerial antenna masts may be attached to a roof structure having a slope of less than 30 degrees provided there is full clearance of seven feet or more between the roof and said obstruction. Guy wire or rods required to support aerial or antenna masts may be attached to a roof structure a lateral distance from the mast not in excess of one-sixth the height of the mast.
504.2 Maintenance of exterior doors and openings. Exterior doors and their function shall not be eliminated without prior approval. Exterior doors that have been rendered nonfunctional and that retain a functional door exterior appearance shall have a sign affixed to the exterior side of the door with the words “THIS DOOR BLOCKED.” The sign shall consist of letters having a principal stroke of not less than [3] / 4 inch (19.1 mm) wide and not less than 6 inches (152 mm) high on a contrasting background. Required fire department access doors shall not be obstructed or eliminated. Exit and exit access doors shall comply with Chapter 10. Access doors for high-piled combustible storage shall comply with Section 3206.7.
504.3 Stairway access to roof. New buildings four or more stories above grade plane, except those with a roof slope greater than 4 units vertical in 12 units horizontal (33.3-percent slope), shall be provided with a stairway to the roof. Stairway access to the roof shall be in accordance with Section 1011.12. Such stairway shall be marked at street and floor levels with a sign indicating that the stairway continues to the roof. Where the roof is a vegetative roof, includes a landscaped roof area, or is used or for other purposes, stairways shall be provided as required for such occupancy classification.
504.4 Roof access. No person shall install or maintain any security barrier such as barbed wire fencing, razor wire fencing, chain link fencing or any other fencing material, cable, aerial, antenna or other obstruction on the roof of any commercial establishment in such a manner as to obstruct or render egress or access hazardous in the event of fire or other emergency.
Exception: Guy wire, rods and aerial antenna masts may be attached to a roof structure having a slope of less than 30 degrees provided there is full clearance of 7 feet or more between the roof and said obstruction. Guy wire or rods required to support aerial or antenna masts may be attached to a roof structure a lateral distance from the mast not in excess of one-sixth the height of the mast.
SECTION 505—PREMISES IDENTIFICATION
505.1 Address identification. New and existing buildings shall be provided with approved address identification. The address identification shall be legible and placed in a position that is visible from the street or road fronting the property. Address identification characters shall contrast with their background. Address numbers shall be Arabic numbers or alphabetical letters. Numbers shall not be spelled out. Each character shall be not less than 4 inches (102 mm) high with a minimum stroke width of [1] / 2 inch (12.7 mm). Where required by the fire code official, address identification shall be provided in additional approved locations to facilitate emergency response. Where access is by means of a private road and the building cannot be viewed from the public way, a monument, pole or other sign or means shall be used to identify the structure. Address identification shall be maintained.
CFC § 503.6 High relevance — show source text
FIRE SERVICE FEATURES
enforcement and fire-protection agencies. There shall be no less than one such access gate and there shall be as many such gates as needed to assure access to all major buildings and ground areas. If such gates are to be equipped with locks, the locking devices shall be designed to permit ready entrance by the use of the chain or bolt-cutting devices with which the local law enforcement and fire-protection agencies may be equipped.
503.6 Security gates. The installation of security gates across a fire apparatus access road shall be approved by the fire code official. Where security gates are installed, they shall have an approved means of emergency operation. The security gates and the emergency operation shall be maintained operational at all times. Electric gate operators, where provided, shall be listed in accordance with UL 325. Gates intended for automatic operation shall be designed, constructed and installed to comply with the requirements of ASTM F2200.
SECTION 504—ACCESS TO BUILDING OPENINGS AND ROOFS
504.1 Required access. Exterior doors and openings required by this code or the California Building Code shall be maintained with ready access for emergency access by the fire department. An approved access walkway leading from fire apparatus access roads to exterior openings shall be provided where required by the fire code official.
[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §3.05(b)] Fire Department Access and Egress. (Roofs)
(b) Roofs. No person shall install or maintain any security barrier such as barbed wire fencing, razor wire fencing, chain link fencing or any other fencing material, cable, aerial, antenna or other obstruction on the roof of any commercial establishment in such a manner as to obstruct or render egress or access hazardous in the event of fire or other emergency.
Exception: Guy wire, rods and aerial antenna masts may be attached to a roof structure having a slope of less than 30 degrees provided there is full clearance of seven feet or more between the roof and said obstruction. Guy wire or rods required to support aerial or antenna masts may be attached to a roof structure a lateral distance from the mast not in excess of one-sixth the height of the mast.
504.2 Maintenance of exterior doors and openings. Exterior doors and their function shall not be eliminated without prior approval. Exterior doors that have been rendered nonfunctional and that retain a functional door exterior appearance shall have a sign affixed to the exterior side of the door with the words “THIS DOOR BLOCKED.” The sign shall consist of letters having a principal stroke of not less than [3] / 4 inch (19.1 mm) wide and not less than 6 inches (152 mm) high on a contrasting background. Required fire department access doors shall not be obstructed or eliminated. Exit and exit access doors shall comply with Chapter 10. Access doors for high-piled combustible storage shall comply with Section 3206.7.
504.3 Stairway access to roof. New buildings four or more stories above grade plane, except those with a roof slope greater than 4 units vertical in 12 units horizontal (33.3-percent slope), shall be provided with a stairway to the roof. Stairway access to the roof shall be in accordance with Section 1011.12. Such stairway shall be marked at street and floor levels with a sign indicating that the stairway continues to the roof. Where the roof is a vegetative roof, includes a landscaped roof area, or is used or for other purposes, stairways shall be provided as required for such occupancy classification.
CFC § 3307.1 High relevance — show source text
Construction and demolition sites
3307.1 Doors for 504.2, 3205.5, 3206.7 Equipment to 509 High-piled storage buildings 3206.6 Tire storage 3406 Access Roads, Fire Apparatus 503 Aviation facilities 2003.4 Bridges 503.2.6 Building openings and roofs 504 Defined 202 High-piled storage 3206.6 Lumber yards 2803.6, 2809.3 Obstructions 503.4
Tents and membrane structures
3103.7.1 Accessible Means of Egress 202, 1009 Area of refuge 202, 1009.6 Signage 1009.10, 1009.11, 1009.9, 1013.4
Two-way communication 1009.6.5, 1009.8 Where required 1009.2, 1009.3.3, 1009.4.2 Assembly 1009.1, 1030.8 Elevators 1009.2.1, 1009.4, 1009.8,
1203.2.2
Exterior area for assisted rescue (see Exterior Area for Assisted Rescue) Horizontal exits (see Horizontal Exits) Mezzanine 1009.2
Platform lifts 1009.5
Stairways 1009.3 Acetylene (see Welding and Other Hot Work) Gas 3505.4
Generators 3508 Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing) 202, 319 Industrial 319.3
Nonindustrial 319.2
Permits 105.5.1
Address Number (see Premises Identification) Administration
Alternative methods and materials
104.2.3, 501.4 Applicability 102 Approval 104.7.1, 401.2, 2307.2, 2308.2, 3103.2, 5706.4.7.1 Approved materials and equipment 104.9
INDEX
Emergencies 104.11 General 101
Inspections 104.7.2, 109 Maintenance 110 Means of appeals 112.1 Permits 104.3, 105 Right of entry 104.4 Unsafe buildings 115 Violations 113
Aerosol Container
Defined 202
Glass 5101.4
Plastic 5101.4, 5104.1.1 Aerosol Fire-Extinguishing Systems 904.13 Aerosol Product Warehouse 202, 5104.4 Aerosols Chapter 51 Aerosol cooking spray products 202 Aerosol product 202 Classification levels 5103.1 Classification of products Table 5103.1
Defined 202 Inside storage 5104 Manufacturing facilities 5107 Nonsegregated storage 5104.3.1, Table 5104.3.1 Outside storage 5105 Permit required 105.5.2 Retail display 5106 Segregated storage 5104.3.2, Table 5104.3.2
Agency Defined 202
Agent Defined 202 Agricultural Building (Occupancy Group U) Defined 202
CFC § 904.3.4 High relevance — show source text
Warning signs 904.3.4 Alarm, Smoke (see Smoke Alarms) Alarm Signal Defined 202
Alcohol-Based Hand Rub 5001.1, 5705.5 Defined 202
Alcohol-Blended Fuels Compatibility of components 2306.8.2 Defined 202
Dispensing 2306.8 Listed equipment 2306.8.1 Alteration 101.2, 102.4, 102.6, Section 105, 108.5, 110.5, Section 115, 311.3, 315.3.2, 316.3, 507.5.2, Section 605, 901.4.3, 903.2.12, 907.5.2.3, 1103.8.2, 1103.8.3, 2705.3.2.1, 3301.1, 3303.1, 3305.6, 3306.6, 3307.1.3, 3310.1, 4101.1 Alternating Tread Device 202, 1011.14 Alternative Automatic Fire-Extinguishing Systems 904 Alternative Materials and Methods 104.2.3 Ambulatory Care Facility (Occupancy Group B) 202 Automatic sprinklers 903.2.2.1 Existing Appendix K Fire alarm systems 907.2.2.1 Smoke compartments 1026.4.1 Ammonia Diffusion systems 608.13.7 Flaring system 608.13.6
Abandoned Premises (see Vacant Premises) Abandonment Flammable and combustible liquid tanks 5704.2.13 Acceptance Testing Fire protection system installations 901.5, 904.4, 907.7 Fire pumps 913.5.1 Flammable and combustible liquid tanks 5704.2.12.1 Single- and multiple-station smoke alarms 907.7.1 Smoke control systems 909.18 Access, Fire Department Aviation facilities 2003.4
Construction and demolition sites
3307.1 Doors for 504.2, 3205.5, 3206.7 Equipment to 509 High-piled storage buildings 3206.6 Tire storage 3406 Access Roads, Fire Apparatus 503 Aviation facilities 2003.4 Bridges 503.2.6 Building openings and roofs 504 Defined 202 High-piled storage 3206.6 Lumber yards 2803.6, 2809.3 Obstructions 503.4
Tents and membrane structures
3103.7.1 Accessible Means of Egress 202, 1009 Area of refuge 202, 1009.6 Signage 1009.10, 1009.11, 1009.9, 1013.4
Two-way communication 1009.6.5, 1009.8 Where required 1009.2, 1009.3.3, 1009.4.2 Assembly 1009.1, 1030.8 Elevators 1009.2.1, 1009.4, 1009.8,
1203.2.2
CFC § 3-15 High relevance — show source text
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-15 319 Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing). . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-16 320 Battery Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-17 321 Artificial Combustible Vegetation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-19 322 Powered Micromobility Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-19
323 Road Tunnels, Bridges and Other Limited Access Highways [SFM]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-20
CHAPTER 4 EMERGENCY PLANNING AND
PREPAREDNESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-3
401 General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
402 Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
403 Emergency Preparedness Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . 4-3 404 Fire Safety, Evacuation and Lockdown Plans . . . . . . 4-10 405 Emergency Evacuation Drills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13 406 Employee Training and Response Procedures. . . . . 4-15
407 Hazard Communication. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15
CHAPTER 5 FIRE SERVICE FEATURES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-3
501 General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
502 Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
503 Fire Apparatus Access Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3 504 Access to Building Openings and Roofs . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5 505 Premises Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
CFC § 6403.1.1.1 Medium relevance — show source text
6403.1.1.1 Repair Garages 2311 Gas detection system 2311.8.9 LP-gas-fueled vehicles 6111.3 Motor vehicle repair booths 2311.8.4 Permit 105.5.47 Sources of ignition 2311.3 Sprinklers required 903.2.9.1 Ventilation 2311.4.3 Repairs 105.1.5 Repairs, Emergency (see Emergency Repairs) Reporting Aviation facilities fire extinguisher use 2005.8
Emergencies 401.1 Fire 3310
Fire alarm 3310
Leak 5704.2.7.10 Record keeping 5603 Research reports 104.2.3.6 Residential Occupancies (Group R)
203
Alarms and detection
907.2.11, 907.2.12, 907.2.8, 907.2.9, 907.5.2.3.2, 907.5.2.3.3 Means of egress Aisles 1018.5
Corridors 1020.2, 1020.3
Doors 1010.1.1 Emergency escape and rescue 1031.2
Exit signs 1013.1, 1013.2 Single exits 1006.3 Travel distance 1006.3.3, 1017.2,
1006.2.1 Sprinkler protection 903.2.8, 903.3.2 Resin Application Area 202, 2403.2.1.2, 2403.2.5, 2404.4, 2409.3, 2409.5, 2409.6 Response Procedures 406 Retail Display Area (for aerosols) Defined 202 Manufacturing facilities 5107.1 Maximum quantities 5106.2, Table 5106.2, Table 5106.4 Revocation of Permits 105.4 Right of Entry 104.4 Roadways, Access for Fire Apparatus (see Fire Apparatus Access Road) Rockets and Rocketry 5601.1.4 Roll Coating 202, 2405.11 Roof, Landscaped (see Rooftop Gardens) Roof Vents 910 Roofing Operations Safeguards 3318 Roofs Safeguarding operations 3318 Stairway access 504.3, 1011.12, 1011.16
Rooftop Gardens and Landscaped Roofs 317, 905.3.7 Rooftop Heliport (see Heliport)
Ventilation 309.4 Powered Micromobility Devices 202, 322 Fire safety plan 403.10.6 Precautions against Fire 301.1, 3305, 3309.1.3, 3404 Premises Identification 505 Prespotting (see Dry Cleaning) Pressure Vessel 202 Primary Containment 202 Primary Tank 202 Private Garage 202, 915.2.5 Process
Piping 2907 Raw materials 2908, 2909 Process Transfer
Defined 202
CFC § 10-14 Medium relevance — show source text
10-14 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
MEANS OF EGRESS
[BE] TABLE 1006.3.4(2)—STORIES AND OCCUPIABLE ROOFS WITH ONE EXIT OR ACCESS TO ONE EXIT FOR OTHER OCCUPANCIES Col2 Col3 Col4 STORY AND OCCUPIABLE ROOF OCCUPANCYe MAXIMUM OCCUPANT
LOAD PER STORY AND
OCCUPIABLE ROOFMAXIMUM EXIT
ACCESS TRAVEL DISTANCE
(feet)First story above or below grade plane and
occupiable roofs over the first story above grade
planeA, Bb, E, Fb, M, U 49 75 First story above or below grade plane and
occupiable roofs over the first story above grade
planeH-2, H-3 3 25 First story above or below grade plane and
occupiable roofs over the first story above grade
planeH-4, H-5, I, R-1, R-2a, c_, R-2.2_ 10 75 First story above or below grade plane and
occupiable roofs over the first story above grade
planeSb, d 29 75 First story above or below grade plane and
occupiable roofs over the first story above grade
planeI-2 7 occupants 50 feet Second story above grade plane B, F, M, Sd 29 75 Third story above grade plane and higher NP NA NA For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm.
NP = Not Permitted.
NA = Not Applicable.
a. Buildings classified as Group R-2 equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2 and provided with emergency
escape and rescue openings in accordance with Section 1031.
b. Group B, F and S occupancies in buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or an occupiable roof of such build-
ings shall have a maximum exit access travel distance of 100 feet.
c. This table is used for Group R-2 occupancies consisting of sleeping units. For Group R-2 occupancies consisting of dwelling units, use Table 1006.3.4(1).
d. The length of exit access travel distance in a Group S-2 open parking garage shall be not more than 100 feet.
e. For Group L occupancies see Section 453.6.1 of the California Building Code.For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm.
NP = Not Permitted.
NA = Not Applicable.
a. Buildings classified as Group R-2 equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2 and provided with emergency
escape and rescue openings in accordance with Section 1031.
b.
Frequently asked questions
What does §504 say about rooftop obstructions and stairway access?
§504 requires exterior openings and doors required by code to be maintained with ready access for emergency responders, and §504.4 prohibits rooftop security barriers and other obstructions that would render egress or access hazardous. New buildings four stories or more generally must provide stairway access to the roof per §504.3.
What are the minimum requirements for address identification under §505?
§505.1 requires new and existing buildings to have approved, legible address identification visible from the street or road fronting the property, with contrasting characters, Arabic numbers or letters, and a minimum 4‑inch character height and 1/2‑inch stroke; additional signs or monument/pole identification are required where the building is not visible from the public way.
More in California Fire Code
- Administration and Definitions
- General Requirements and Emergency Planning
- Fire Service Features and Fire Department Access
- Referenced Standards and Adoptable Appendices (Chapter 80; Appendices A–Q)
- Fire and Smoke Protection Features (fire‑resistance, barriers)
- Interior Finish, Decorative Materials and Furnishings
- Fire Protection and Life‑Safety Systems (sprinklers, alarms, smoke control)
- Means of Egress (exit design and maintenance)
- Construction Requirements for Existing Buildings (retrofit rules)
- Energy Systems and Stationary Energy Storage (ESS)
- Special Occupancies and Operations (chapters 20–41, 48–49)
- Hazardous Materials — Storage, Use and Handling (Chapters 50–67)
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