CHBC · California Historical Building Code
Fire Protection
CHBC Chapter 8-4 sets preservation‑compatible fire protection rules for historic buildings, allowing alternatives (sprinklers, engineered systems, waivers) that maintain occupant and firefighter life safety.
Last reviewed: July 6, 2026
Overview
Chapter 8-4 of the California Historical Building Code (CHBC) establishes fire-protection rules tailored to qualified historical buildings and properties, with the primary intent of preserving historic materials and character while protecting life safety for occupants and fire personnel (see § 8-401) . The CHBC directs enforcing agencies to accept reasonably equivalent alternatives to regular-code mandates so long as an approved level of life safety is maintained .
Key topics in this chapter include fire-resistive construction and opening protection (§ 8-402), interior finish and wood lath/plaster provisions (§ 8-403–§ 8-404), roof coverings (§ 8-408), fire alarm systems (§ 8-409) and automatic sprinkler requirements and standards (§ 8-410), plus acceptance of engineered or technology-based solutions (§ 8-411) and special provisions for high‑rise historic buildings (§ 8-412) . The chapter also works with other CHBC parts (for example, use/occupancy and means-of-egress in Chapters 8-3 and 8-5) to frame preservation-compatible life‑safety strategies .
The CHBC commonly allows automatic sprinklers and other approved systems to substitute for certain construction upgrades (for example, easing one‑hour fire‑resistive upgrade requirements when sprinklers are provided), and it contains targeted allowances for historic materials and assemblies (such as wood lath and plaster) when exposures to life‑safety risks are addressed .
In this section
Code references
Grounded in the retrieved California Historical Building Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:
CHBC § 8-303.6 High relevance — show source text
8-303.6 Light and ventilation. Windows in habitable rooms shall have an area of 6 percent of the floor area, or 6 square feet (0.56 m [2] ), whichever is greater. Windows in sleeping rooms shall be openable (see Section 8-503). Residential occupancies need not be provided with electrical lighting.
8-303.7 Alteration and repair. The alteration and repair of qualified historical buildings or properties may permit the replacement, retention and extension of original materials and the continued use of original methods of construction, provided a life safety hazard is not created or continued. Alterations and repairs shall be consistent with the CHBC.
The amount of alterations and repairs is not limited, provided there is no nonhistorical increase in floor area, volume or size of the building or property.
8-303.8 Exiting. See Chapter 8-5.
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8-4 FIRE PROTECTION
SECTION 8-401 — PURPOSE, INTENT AND SCOPE
8-401.1 Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to provide regulations for fire protection of qualified historical buildings or properties. The CHBC requires enforcing agencies to accept any reasonably equivalent alternatives to the regular code when dealing with qualified historical buildings or properties.
8-401.2 Intent. The intent of the CHBC is to preserve the integrity of qualified historical buildings or properties while maintaining a reasonable degree of fire protection based primarily on the life safety of the occupants and firefighting personnel.
8-401.3 Scope. This chapter shall apply when required by the provisions of Section 8-102.
SECTION 8-402 — FIRE-RESISTIVE CONSTRUCTION
8-402.1 Exterior wall construction. The fire-resistance requirement for existing exterior walls and existing opening protection may be satisfied when an automatic sprinkler system designed for exposure protection is installed per the CHBC. The automatic sprinklers may be installed on the exterior with at least one sprinkler located over each opening required to be protected. Additional sprinklers shall also be distributed along combustible walls under the roof lines that do not meet the fire-resistive requirement due to relationship to property lines as required by regular code. Such sprinkler systems may be connected to the domestic water supply on the supply-main side of the building shut-off valve. A shut-off valve may be installed for the sprinkler system, provided it is locked in an open position.
8-402.2 One-hour construction. Upgrading an existing qualified historical building or property to one-hour fire-resistive construction and one-hour fire-resistive corridors shall not be required regardless of construction or occupancy when one of the following is provided:
- An automatic sprinkler system throughout. See Section 8-410 for automatic sprinkler systems.
- An approved life safety evaluation.
- Other alternative measures as approved by the enforcing agency.
8-402.3 Openings in fire-rated systems. Historical glazing materials and solid wood unrated doors in interior walls required to have one-hour fire rating may be approved when operable windows and doors are provided with appropriate smoke seals and when the area affected is provided with an automatic sprinkler system. See Section 8-410 for automatic sprinkler systems.
SECTION 8-403 — INTERIOR FINISH MATERIALS
CHBC § 8-402 High relevance — show source text
SECTION 8-402 — FIRE-RESISTIVE CONSTRUCTION
8-402.1 Exterior wall construction. The fire-resistance requirement for existing exterior walls and existing opening protection may be satisfied when an automatic sprinkler system designed for exposure protection is installed per the CHBC. The automatic sprinklers may be installed on the exterior with at least one sprinkler located over each opening required to be protected. Additional sprinklers shall also be distributed along combustible walls under the roof lines that do not meet the fire-resistive requirement due to relationship to property lines as required by regular code. Such sprinkler systems may be connected to the domestic water supply on the supply-main side of the building shut-off valve. A shut-off valve may be installed for the sprinkler system, provided it is locked in an open position.
8-402.2 One-hour construction. Upgrading an existing qualified historical building or property to one-hour fire-resistive construction and one-hour fire-resistive corridors shall not be required regardless of construction or occupancy when one of the following is provided:
- An automatic sprinkler system throughout. See Section 8-410 for automatic sprinkler systems.
- An approved life safety evaluation.
- Other alternative measures as approved by the enforcing agency.
8-402.3 Openings in fire-rated systems. Historical glazing materials and solid wood unrated doors in interior walls required to have one-hour fire rating may be approved when operable windows and doors are provided with appropriate smoke seals and when the area affected is provided with an automatic sprinkler system. See Section 8-410 for automatic sprinkler systems.
SECTION 8-403 — INTERIOR FINISH MATERIALS
New non-historical interior wall and ceiling finishes shall conform to the provisions of the regular code. Existing non-conforming materials used in interior walls and finishes may be surfaced with an approved fire-retardant to increase the rating of the natural finish to within reasonable proximity of the required rating. For wood lath and plaster walls, see Section 8-404.
Exception: When an automatic sprinkler system is provided throughout the building, existing finishes shall be approved.
SECTION 8-404 — WOOD LATH AND PLASTER
Wood lath and plaster walls may be considered in accordance with codes, standards and listings published prior to 1943 whereby a wood stud wall assembly with gypsum or lime plaster on hand split or sawn wooden lath obtains a one-half-hour fire-resistive rating. This rating may be increased for interior walls to as much as one hour by filling the wall with mineral fiber or glass fiber.
SECTION 8-405 — OCCUPANCY SEPARATION
See Chapter 8-3.
SECTION 8-406 — MAXIMUM FLOOR AREA
See Chapter 8-3.
SECTION 8-407 — VERTICAL SHAFTS
Vertical shafts need not be enclosed when such shafts are blocked at every floor level by the installation of not less than 2 full inches (51 mm) of solid wood or equivalent construction to prevent the initial passage of smoke and flame. Automatic sprinkler systems or other solutions may be considered on a case-by-case basis, in lieu of enclosure of vertical shafts and stairwells.
SECTION 8-408 — ROOF COVERING
Existing or original roofing materials may be repaired or reconstructed subject to the following requirements:
- The original or historical roofing system shall be detailed or modified as necessary in order to be capable of providing shelter while preserving the historical materials and appearance of the roof.
CHBC § 8-404 High relevance — show source text
Exception: When an automatic sprinkler system is provided throughout the building, existing finishes shall be approved.
SECTION 8-404 — WOOD LATH AND PLASTER
Wood lath and plaster walls may be considered in accordance with codes, standards and listings published prior to 1943 whereby a wood stud wall assembly with gypsum or lime plaster on hand split or sawn wooden lath obtains a one-half-hour fire-resistive rating. This rating may be increased for interior walls to as much as one hour by filling the wall with mineral fiber or glass fiber.
SECTION 8-405 — OCCUPANCY SEPARATION
See Chapter 8-3.
SECTION 8-406 — MAXIMUM FLOOR AREA
See Chapter 8-3.
SECTION 8-407 — VERTICAL SHAFTS
Vertical shafts need not be enclosed when such shafts are blocked at every floor level by the installation of not less than 2 full inches (51 mm) of solid wood or equivalent construction to prevent the initial passage of smoke and flame. Automatic sprinkler systems or other solutions may be considered on a case-by-case basis, in lieu of enclosure of vertical shafts and stairwells.
SECTION 8-408 — ROOF COVERING
Existing or original roofing materials may be repaired or reconstructed subject to the following requirements:
- The original or historical roofing system shall be detailed or modified as necessary in order to be capable of providing shelter while preserving the historical materials and appearance of the roof.
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FIRE PROTECTION
- Wooden roof materials may be utilized where fire resistance is required, provided they are treated with fire-retardant treatments to achieve a Class “B” roof covering rating. Wood roofing in state designated Urban Wildland and High Fire Zones shall be permitted when installed in Class “A” assemblies.
- Jurisdictions that prohibit wood roofing materials for application as roof coverings and roof assemblies shall submit documentation for the adoption. Express Terms, statement of reasons and minutes of the action by the adopting authority Health and Safety Code, Section 18959(f).
SECTION 8-409 — FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
Every qualified historical building or property shall be provided with fire alarm systems as required for the use or occupancy by the regular code or other approved alternative.
SECTION 8-410 — AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEMS
8-410.1 Every qualified historical building or property which cannot be made to conform to the construction requirements specified in the regular code for the occupancy or use, and which constitutes a distinct fire hazard (for definition of “Distinct Hazard,” see Chapter 8-2), shall be deemed to be in compliance if provided with an automatic sprinkler system or a life safety system or other technologies as approved by the enforcing agency. (“Automatic” is defined in the regular code. “Sprinkler System” is defined in this section.)
8-410.2 When required by the CHBC, an automatic sprinkler system is defined by the following standards as adopted by the State Fire Marshal (for nonhazardous occupancies).
- Buildings of four stories or less: NFPA 13R.
- For floors above the fourth, NFPA 13.
CHBC § 8-409 High relevance — show source text
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FIRE PROTECTION
- Wooden roof materials may be utilized where fire resistance is required, provided they are treated with fire-retardant treatments to achieve a Class “B” roof covering rating. Wood roofing in state designated Urban Wildland and High Fire Zones shall be permitted when installed in Class “A” assemblies.
- Jurisdictions that prohibit wood roofing materials for application as roof coverings and roof assemblies shall submit documentation for the adoption. Express Terms, statement of reasons and minutes of the action by the adopting authority Health and Safety Code, Section 18959(f).
SECTION 8-409 — FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
Every qualified historical building or property shall be provided with fire alarm systems as required for the use or occupancy by the regular code or other approved alternative.
SECTION 8-410 — AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEMS
8-410.1 Every qualified historical building or property which cannot be made to conform to the construction requirements specified in the regular code for the occupancy or use, and which constitutes a distinct fire hazard (for definition of “Distinct Hazard,” see Chapter 8-2), shall be deemed to be in compliance if provided with an automatic sprinkler system or a life safety system or other technologies as approved by the enforcing agency. (“Automatic” is defined in the regular code. “Sprinkler System” is defined in this section.)
8-410.2 When required by the CHBC, an automatic sprinkler system is defined by the following standards as adopted by the State Fire Marshal (for nonhazardous occupancies).
Buildings of four stories or less: NFPA 13R.
For floors above the fourth, NFPA 13.
Buildings with floors above 75 feet, NFPA 13.
When the building is free standing or with property line separation, two floors and 1500 square feet per floor or less, NFPA 13D.
For exterior wall and opening protection. As required by this chapter.
Exception: When the automatic sprinkler systems are used to reach compliance using this code, in three or more occasions, NFPA 13D standard shall be increased to NFPA 13R standard, or NFPA 13R standard shall be increased to a NFPA 13 standard.
8-410.3 Automatic sprinkler systems shall not be used to substitute for or act as an alternate to the required number of exits from any facility. (See Chapter 8-5 for exiting requirements.)
8-410.4 An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided in all detention facilities.
SECTION 8-411 — OTHER TECHNOLOGIES
Fire alarm systems, smoke and heat detection systems, occupant notification and annunciation systems, smoke control systems and fire modeling, timed egress analysis and modeling, as well as other engineering methods and technologies may be accepted by the enforcing agency to address areas of nonconformance.
SECTION 8-412 — HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS
Qualified historical buildings having floors for human occupancy located more than 75 feet above the lowest floor level having building access shall conform to the provisions of the regular code for existing high-rise buildings as amended by the CHBC.
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8-5 MEANS OF EGRESS
CHBC § 8-1 High relevance — show source text
CONTENTS
CHAPTER 8-1 ADMINISTRATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Section
8-101 Title, Purpose and Intent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 8-102 Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 8-103 Organization and Enforcement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 8-104 Review and Appeals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 8-105 Construction Methods and Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
8-106 SHBSB Rulings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
CHAPTER 8-2 DEFINITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Section
8-201 Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
CHAPTER 8-3 USE AND OCCUPANCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Section
8-301 Purpose and Scope. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 8-302 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
8-303 Residential Occupancies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
CHAPTER 8-4 FIRE PROTECTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Section
8-401 Purpose, Intent and Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
8-402 Fire-resistive Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
8-403 Interior Finish Materials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
8-404 Wood Lath and Plaster. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
8-405 Occupancy Separation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 8-406 Maximum Floor Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
CHBC § 8-302.6 High relevance — show source text
8-302.6 Fire-resistive construction. See Chapter 8-4.
8-302.7 Light and ventilation. Existing provisions for light and ventilation which do not, in the opinion of the enforcing agency, constitute a safety hazard may remain. See Section 8-303.6 for residential requirements. See Section 8-503 for Escape or Rescue Windows and Doors.
SECTION 8-303 — RESIDENTIAL OCCUPANCIES
8-303.1 Purpose. The purpose of this section is to provide regulations for those buildings designated as qualified historical buildings or properties and classified as residential occupancies. The CHBC requires enforcing agencies to accept any reasonably equivalent alternative to the regular code when dealing with qualified historical buildings and properties.
8-303.2 Intent. The intent of the CHBC is to preserve the integrity of qualified historical buildings and properties while maintaining a reasonable degree of protection of life, health and safety for the occupants.
8-303.3 Application and scope. The provisions of this section shall apply to all qualified historical buildings used for human habitation. Those dwelling units intended only for display, or public use with no residential use involved, need not comply with the requirements of this section.
8-303.4 Fire escapes. See Chapter 8-5.
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USE AND OCCUPANCY
8-303.5 Room dimensions. Rooms used for sleeping purposes may contain a minimum of 50 square feet (4.6 m [2] ) floor area, provided there is maintained an average ceiling height of 7 feet (2134 mm). Other habitable rooms need only be of adequate size to be functional for the purpose intended.
8-303.6 Light and ventilation. Windows in habitable rooms shall have an area of 6 percent of the floor area, or 6 square feet (0.56 m [2] ), whichever is greater. Windows in sleeping rooms shall be openable (see Section 8-503). Residential occupancies need not be provided with electrical lighting.
8-303.7 Alteration and repair. The alteration and repair of qualified historical buildings or properties may permit the replacement, retention and extension of original materials and the continued use of original methods of construction, provided a life safety hazard is not created or continued. Alterations and repairs shall be consistent with the CHBC.
The amount of alterations and repairs is not limited, provided there is no nonhistorical increase in floor area, volume or size of the building or property.
8-303.8 Exiting. See Chapter 8-5.
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8-4 FIRE PROTECTION
SECTION 8-401 — PURPOSE, INTENT AND SCOPE
8-401.1 Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to provide regulations for fire protection of qualified historical buildings or properties. The CHBC requires enforcing agencies to accept any reasonably equivalent alternatives to the regular code when dealing with qualified historical buildings or properties.
8-401.2 Intent. The intent of the CHBC is to preserve the integrity of qualified historical buildings or properties while maintaining a reasonable degree of fire protection based primarily on the life safety of the occupants and firefighting personnel.
CHBC § 8-301 High relevance — show source text
Section
8-301 Purpose and Scope. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 8-302 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
8-303 Residential Occupancies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
CHAPTER 8-4 FIRE PROTECTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Section
8-401 Purpose, Intent and Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
8-402 Fire-resistive Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
8-403 Interior Finish Materials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
8-404 Wood Lath and Plaster. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
8-405 Occupancy Separation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 8-406 Maximum Floor Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
8-407 Vertical Shafts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
8-408 Roof Covering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 8-409 Fire Alarm Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 8-410 Automatic Sprinkler Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 8-411 Other Technologies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 8-412 High-rise Buildings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
CHAPTER 8-5 MEANS OF EGRESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Section
8-501 Purpose, Intent and Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 8-502 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
8-503 Escape or Rescue Windows and Doors. . . . . . . . . . . . 10 8-504 Railings and Guardrails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
CHBC § 8-410.3 High relevance — show source text
Buildings with floors above 75 feet, NFPA 13.
When the building is free standing or with property line separation, two floors and 1500 square feet per floor or less, NFPA 13D.
For exterior wall and opening protection. As required by this chapter.
Exception: When the automatic sprinkler systems are used to reach compliance using this code, in three or more occasions, NFPA 13D standard shall be increased to NFPA 13R standard, or NFPA 13R standard shall be increased to a NFPA 13 standard.
8-410.3 Automatic sprinkler systems shall not be used to substitute for or act as an alternate to the required number of exits from any facility. (See Chapter 8-5 for exiting requirements.)
8-410.4 An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided in all detention facilities.
SECTION 8-411 — OTHER TECHNOLOGIES
Fire alarm systems, smoke and heat detection systems, occupant notification and annunciation systems, smoke control systems and fire modeling, timed egress analysis and modeling, as well as other engineering methods and technologies may be accepted by the enforcing agency to address areas of nonconformance.
SECTION 8-412 — HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS
Qualified historical buildings having floors for human occupancy located more than 75 feet above the lowest floor level having building access shall conform to the provisions of the regular code for existing high-rise buildings as amended by the CHBC.
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8-5 MEANS OF EGRESS
SECTION 8-501 — PURPOSE, INTENT AND SCOPE
8-501.1 Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to establish minimum means of egress regulations for qualified historical buildings or properties. The CHBC requires enforcing agencies to accept reasonably equivalent alternatives to the means of egress requirements in the regular code.
8-501.2 Intent. The intent of these regulations is to provide an adequate means of egress.
8-501.3 Scope. Every qualified historical building or portion thereof shall be provided with exits as required by the CHBC when required by the provisions of Section 8-102.
SECTION 8-502 — GENERAL
8-502.1 General. The enforcing agency shall grant reasonable exceptions to the specific provisions of applicable egress regulations where such exceptions will not adversely affect life safety.
8-502.2. Existing door openings and corridor widths of less than dimensions required by regular code shall be permitted where there is sufficient width and height for the occupants to pass through the opening or traverse the exit.
8-502.3 Stairs. Existing stairs having risers and treads or width at variance with the regular code are allowed if determined by the enforcing agency to not constitute a distinct hazard. Handrails with nonconforming grip size or extensions are allowed if determined by the enforcing agency to not constitute a distinct hazard.
8-502.4 Main entry doors. The front or main entry doors need not be rehung to swing in the direction of exit travel, provided other means or conditions of exiting, as necessary to serve the total occupant load, are provided.
CHBC § 5.1 High relevance — show source text
5.1|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |705.2.3.2|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |705.5|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |Table 705.5|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |705.13|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |Table 706.4|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |Table 707.3.10|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |707.4|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |708.1|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |708.3|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |709.3|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |709.5|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |709.5.1|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |710.2|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |710.4|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |710.8|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |716.2.2.1|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |716.2.6.6|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |716.2.9.4|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |717.5.2|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |717.5.4|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |717.5.4.1|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |717.5.5|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |721.2||||X|X|||||||||||||||||||| |7_21.2.1_||||X|X||||||||||||||||||||
The state agency does not adopt sections identified with the following symbol: The Office of the State Fire Marshal’s adoption of this chapter or individual sections is applicable to structures regulated by other state agencies pursuant to Section 1.11.
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7 FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
User notes:
About this chapter: Chapter 7 provides detailed requirements for fire-resistance-rated construction, including structural members, walls, partitions and horizontal assemblies. Other portions of the code describe where certain fire-resistance-rated elements are required. This chapter specifies how these elements are constructed, how openings in walls and partitions are protected and how penetrations of such elements are protected.
SECTION 701—GENERAL
701.1 Scope. The provisions of this chapter shall govern the materials, systems and assemblies used for structural fire resistance and fire-resistance-rated construction separation of adjacent spaces to safeguard against the spread of fire and smoke within a building and the spread of fire to or from buildings.
SECTION 702—MULTIPLE-USE FIRE ASSEMBLIES
702.1 Multiple-use fire assemblies. Fire assemblies that serve multiple purposes in a building shall comply with all of the requirements that are applicable for each of the individual fire assemblies.
SECTION 703—FIRE-RESISTANCE RATINGS AND FIRE TESTS
703.1 Scope. Materials prescribed herein for fire resistance shall conform to the requirements of this chapter.
CHBC § 8-302.3 High relevance — show source text
8-302.3 Occupancy separations. Required occupancy separations of more than one hour may be reduced to one-hour fire-resistive construction with all openings protected by not less than three-fourths-hour fire-resistive assemblies of the self-closing or automatic-closing type when the building is provided with an automatic sprinkler system throughout the entire building in accordance with Section 8-410.2. Doors equipped with automatic-closing devices shall be of a type which will function upon activation of a device which responds to products of combustion other than heat.
Required occupancy separations of one hour may be omitted when the building is provided with an automatic sprinkler system throughout.
8-302.4 Maximum floor area. Regardless of the use or character of occupancy, the area of a one-story qualified historical building or property may have, but shall not exceed, a floor area of 15,000 square feet (1393.5 m [2] ) unless such an increase is otherwise permitted in regular code. Multistory qualified historical buildings (including basements and cellars) shall be in accordance with regular code requirements.
Exception: Historical buildings may be unlimited in floor area without fire-resistive area separation walls:
- When provided with an automatic sprinkler, or
- Residential occupancies of two stories or less when provided with a complete fire alarm and annunciation system and where the exiting system conforms to regular code.
8-302.5 Maximum height. The maximum height and number of stories of a qualified historical building or property shall not be limited because of construction type, provided such height or number of stories does not exceed that of its historical design.
8-302.5.1 High-rise buildings. Occupancies B, F-1, F-2 or S in high-rise buildings with floors located more than 75 feet above the lowest floor level having building access may be permitted with only the stories over 75 feet provided with an automatic fire sprinkler system if:
- The building construction type and the exits conform to regular code, and
- A complete building fire alarm and annunciation system is installed, and
- A fire barrier is provided between the sprinklered and nonsprinklered floors.
8-302.6 Fire-resistive construction. See Chapter 8-4.
8-302.7 Light and ventilation. Existing provisions for light and ventilation which do not, in the opinion of the enforcing agency, constitute a safety hazard may remain. See Section 8-303.6 for residential requirements. See Section 8-503 for Escape or Rescue Windows and Doors.
SECTION 8-303 — RESIDENTIAL OCCUPANCIES
8-303.1 Purpose. The purpose of this section is to provide regulations for those buildings designated as qualified historical buildings or properties and classified as residential occupancies. The CHBC requires enforcing agencies to accept any reasonably equivalent alternative to the regular code when dealing with qualified historical buildings and properties.
8-303.2 Intent. The intent of the CHBC is to preserve the integrity of qualified historical buildings and properties while maintaining a reasonable degree of protection of life, health and safety for the occupants.
8-303.3 Application and scope. The provisions of this section shall apply to all qualified historical buildings used for human habitation. Those dwelling units intended only for display, or public use with no residential use involved, need not comply with the requirements of this section.
8-303.4 Fire escapes. See Chapter 8-5.
2025 CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL BUILDING CODE 5
CHBC § 13.4. High relevance — show source text
13.4. Exit access and exit stairway information that includes: number of exit access and exit stairways in the building, each exit access and exit stairway designation and floors served, location where each exit access and exit stairway discharges, interior exit stairways that are pressurized, exit stairways provided with emergency lighting, each exit stairway that allows reentry, exit stairways providing roof access; elevator information that includes: number of elevator banks, elevator bank designation, elevator car numbers and respective floors that they serve; location of elevator machine rooms, control rooms and control spaces; location of sky lobby, location of freight elevator banks. 13.5. Building services and system information that includes: location of mechanical rooms, location of building management system, location and capacity of all fuel oil tanks, location of emergency generator, location of natural gas service. 13.6. Fire protection system information that includes: location of standpipes, location of fire pump room, location of fire department connections, floors protected by automatic sprinklers, location of different types of automatic sprinkler systems installed including, but not limited to, dry, wet and pre-action. 13.7. Hazardous material information that includes: location of hazardous material, quantity of hazardous material.
Work table.
Generator supervision devices, manual start and transfer features.
Public address system, where specifically required by other sections of this code.
Elevator fire recall switch in accordance with California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Division 1, Chapter 4, Subchapter 6, Elevator Safety Orders.
Elevator emergency or standby power selector switch(es), where emergency or standby power is provided. 19. A master switch for unlocking elevator lobby doors permitted by Section 1010.2.12.1.
[SFM] Fire command centers shall not be used for the housing of any boiler, heating unit, generator, combustible storage or similar hazardous equipment or storage.
[F] 911.1.7 Fire command center identification. The fire command center shall be identified by a permanent easily visible sign reading “FIRE COMMAND CENTER” located on the door to the fire command center.
911.1.8 Ventilation. The fire command center shall be provided with an independent ventilation or air-conditioning system.
SECTION 912—FIRE DEPARTMENT CONNECTIONS
[F] 912.1 Installation. Fire department connections shall be installed in accordance with the NFPA standard applicable to the system design and shall comply with Sections 912.2 through 912.6.
[F] 912.2 Location. With respect to hydrants, driveways, buildings and landscaping, fire department connections shall be so located that fire apparatus and hose connected to supply the system will not obstruct access to the buildings for other fire apparatus. The location of fire department connections shall be approved by the fire code official.
[F] 912.2.1 Visible location. Fire department connections shall be located on the street side of buildings or facing approved fire apparatus access roads, fully visible and recognizable from the street, fire apparatus access road or nearest point of fire department vehicle access or as otherwise approved by the fire code official.
CHBC § 914.3.1.2.1 High relevance — show source text
914.3.1.2.1 Fire pumps. Redundant fire pump systems shall be required for high-rise buildings having an occupied floor more than 200 feet above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access. Each fire pump system shall be capable of automatically supplying the required demand for the automatic sprinkler and standpipe systems.
914.3.2 Secondary water supply. An automatic secondary on-site water supply having a usable capacity not less than the hydraulically calculated sprinkler demand, including the hose stream requirement, shall be provided for high-rise buildings and Group I-2 occupancies having occupied floors located more than 75 ft above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access assigned to Seismic Design Category C, D, E or F as determined by the California Building Code . An additional fire pump shall not be required for the secondary water supply unless needed to provide the minimum design intake pressure at the suction side of the fire pump supplying the automatic sprinkler system. The secondary water supply shall have a useable capacity of not less than the hydraulically calculated sprinkler demand plus 100 GPM for the inside hose stream, allowance for a duration of not less than 30 minutes as determined by the occupancy hazard classification in accordance with NFPA 13 , whichever is greater. The Class I stand- pipe system demand shall not be required to be included in the secondary on-site water supply calculations. In no case shall the secondary on-site water supply be less than 15,000 gallons.
914.3.3 Fire alarm system. A fire alarm system shall be provided in accordance with Section 907.2.13.
914.3.4 Automatic smoke detection. Smoke detection shall be provided in accordance with Section 907.2.13.1.
914.3.5 Emergency voice/alarm communication system. An emergency voice/alarm communication system shall be provided in accordance with Section 907.5.2.2.
914.3.6 Emergency responder communication coverage. In-building, two-way emergency responder communication coverage shall be provided in accordance with Section 510.
914.3.7 Fire command. A fire command center complying with Section 508 shall be provided in a location approved by the fire department.
914.3.8 Smoke control.
914.3.8.1 Smoke control system. All portions of high-rise buildings shall be provided with a smoke control system in accordance with California Building Code, Section 909.
914.3.8.2 Smokeproof exit enclosures. Every exit enclosure in high-rise buildings shall comply with California Building Code, Sections 909.20 and 1023.12. Every required stairway in Group I-2 occupancies serving floors more than 75 feet (22 860 mm) above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access shall comply with Sections 909.20 and 1023.12 of the California Building Code.
Exception: In high-rise buildings, exit enclosures serving three or less adjacent floors where one of the adjacent floors is the level of exit discharge.
914.4 Atriums. Atriums shall comply with Sections 914.4.1 and 914.4.2.
914.4.1 Automatic sprinkler system. An approved automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout the entire building.
Frequently asked questions
When does the CHBC require automatic sprinklers in a historic building?
The CHBC provides that a qualified historical building that cannot conform to regular-code construction requirements and that constitutes a distinct fire hazard may comply by being provided with an automatic sprinkler system, a life‑safety system, or other approved technologies (see § 8-410.1), and § 8-410.2 sets the NFPA installation standards (NFPA 13, 13R or 13D) by building height and situation .
Can original historic finishes or wood lath and plaster be retained?
Yes. The CHBC permits retention and repair of historic finishes where they do not create a life‑safety hazard; existing nonconforming finishes may be accepted (and certain existing finishes are expressly allowed where an automatic sprinkler system is provided). Wood lath and plaster assemblies are addressed specifically and may be treated as historic assemblies under defined conditions (§ 8-403–§ 8-404) .
Do high-rise historic buildings follow CHBC or regular high‑rise rules?
Qualified historical buildings with occupiable floors more than 75 feet above the lowest access floor must conform to the regular-code provisions for existing high‑rise buildings as amended by the CHBC (see § 8-412) .
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