CRC · California Residential Code
Fire, combustibility and detection referenced standards
This hub orients readers to the CRC’s referenced standards that govern combustibility testing and residential fire detection/sprinkler requirements, and points to the primary sections and test standards used for compliance.
Last reviewed: July 6, 2026
Overview
This hub covers the referenced standards the California Residential Code (CRC) uses to regulate fire performance, combustibility of materials, and residential fire-warning/detection systems. It points you to the ASTM/UL/NFPA test methods, State Fire Marshal (SFM) standards, and specific CRC sections that adopt or rely on those standards for smoke and carbon‑monoxide alarms, residential sprinklers, and material fire testing .
Why this matters: the referenced standards translate performance tests and product listings into enforceable requirements — e.g., which alarm types are acceptable, how combustibility is established for siding/roofing/deck materials, and the test methods used to determine surface-burning or heat-release characteristics. Many of these standards (for example ASTM E84, ASTM E136 and other ASTM test methods) are enumerated in the CRC referenced‑standards lists and in related state codes and appendices .
Key CRC touchpoints include the residential sprinkler, smoke‑alarm and CO‑alarm requirements (see § R313, § R314 and § R315), plus the CRC referenced‑standards tables that list the ASTM/UL/SFM standards used to verify combustibility and alarm equipment. The CRC sections are cross‑referenced throughout the California codes and in implementing materials such as the Building and Fire Code appendices and SFM standards .
In this section
Code references
Grounded in the retrieved California Residential Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:
CRC § 12-72 High relevance — show source text
TABLE 12-72-2B—TEMPERATURE CLASSIFICATIONS Col2 Col3 Col4 TEMPERATURE
** CLASSIFICATION**OPERATING TEMPERATURE LIMITS OPERATION OPERATION TEMPERATURE
** CLASSIFICATION**Minimum °F (°C) Maximum °F (°C) Tolerance, °F (°C) Ordinary 128 (53.3) 165 (73.9) 10 (5.6) Intermediate 166 (74.4) 225 (107) 15 (8.3) 2025 CALIFORNIA REFERENCED STANDARDS CODE 129
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PROTECTIVE SIGNALING SYSTEMS
FIGURE 12-72-2-1—TIME-TEMPERATURE CURVE—15-FOOT SPACINGS
FIGURE 12-72-2-2—FIRE-TEST LAYOUT
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PROTECTIVE SIGNALING SYSTEMS
FIGURE 12-72-2-3—TEST OVEN
2025 CALIFORNIA REFERENCED STANDARDS CODE 131
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132 2025 CALIFORNIA REFERENCED STANDARDS CODE
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12-72-3 PROTECTIVE SIGNALING SYSTEMS
SMOKE DETECTORS, COMBUSTION PRODUCTS TYPE
STANDARD 12-72-3
STATE FIRE MARSHAL
SCOPE
Sec. 12-72-300.
(a) Basic. This standard represents the minimum basic requirements for the construction and performance of combustion products detectors of other than the photoelectric type to be employed in ordinary indoor locations and to be listed under this classification. The minimum design, construction and performance standards set forth herein are those deemed as minimum necessary to establish conformance to the regulations of the State Fire Marshal.
(b) Definitions. For the purpose of this standard, the following definitions shall apply:
Alarm signal. A signal intended to indicate an emergency fire condition.
Annunciator. Integrally mounted or remotely connected visual indicating device intended to indicate an alarm or trouble condition.
Ionization type detector. A device in which the presence of small combustion practices, often invisible to the eye, interfere with the normal ionization current resulting from radiation produced by a radioactive source in the detection chamber. A second chamber, employing a similar ionization source, may also be used to compensate for normal environmental ambient changes.
Ionization-resistance bridge type detector. Employs both ionization and resistance bridge principles in one unit. Additive response from both detector elements is required for detector operation.
Resistance-bridge type detector. Responds to an abnormal rate of increase of combustion products which change the impedance of second similar plate may be employed to compensate for normal ambient changes.
Sensitivity. Relative degree of response of a detector.
CRC § 4.1. High relevance — show source text
Q104.3 Minimum ceiling height. Habitable space and hallways in emergency sleeping cabins shall have a ceiling height of not less than 80 inches (2032 mm). Bathrooms, toilet rooms and kitchens, if provided, shall have a ceiling height of not less than 76 inches (1930 mm). Obstructions shall not extend below these minimum ceiling heights including beams, girders, ducts, lighting and other obstructions.
Exception: Ceiling heights in lofts constructed in accordance with Section Q108 are permitted to be less than 80 inches (2032 mm).
Q104.4 Means of egress. Emergency sleeping cabins shall be provided with at least two forms of egress placed remotely from each other. One form of egress may be an egress window complying with Section Q104.4.1. When a loft is provided, one form of egress shall be an egress window complying with Section Q104.4.1, provided in the loft space.
Q104.4.1 Egress window. The bottom of the clear opening of the egress window shall not be more than 44 inches (1118 mm) above the floor. The egress window shall have a minimum net clear opening height of 24 inches (610 mm), and a minimum net clear opening width of 20 inches (508 mm). The egress window shall have a minimum net clear opening area of 5 square feet (0.465 m [2] ).
Q104.5 Plumbing and gas service. If an emergency sleeping cabin contains plumbing or gas service, it shall comply with all applicable requirements of the California Plumbing Code and the California Mechanical Code.
Q104.6 Electrical. Emergency sleeping cabins shall be provided with all of the following installed in compliance with the California Elec- trical Code:
1. Continuous source of electricity. Exception: The source of electricity may be an emergency generator or renewable source of power such as solar or wind
power.
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APPENDIX Q—EMERGENCY HOUSING
2. At least one interior lighting fixture. 3. Electrical heating equipment listed for residential use and a dedicated receptacle outlet for the electrical heating equipment. Exception: Electrical heating equipment and a dedicated receptacle outlet for the electrical heating equipment are not required if a nonelectrical source of heating is provided. 4. At least one GFCI-protected receptacle outlet for use by the occupant(s).
Q104.7 Ventilation. Emergency sleeping cabins shall be provided with means of ventilation (natural and/or mechanical) allowing for adequate air replacement, as determined by the enforcing agency.
Q104.8 Smoke alarms. Emergency sleeping cabins shall be provided with at least one smoke alarm installed in accordance with the California Residential Code, Section R314.
Q104.9 Carbon monoxide alarms. If an emergency sleeping cabin contains a fuel-burning appliance(s) or a fireplace(s), a carbon monoxide alarm shall be installed in accordance with the California Residential Code, Section R315.
SECTION Q105—EMERGENCY TRANSPORTABLE HOUSING UNITS
CRC § 101.6 High relevance — show source text
Q104.6 Electrical. Emergency sleeping cabins shall be provided with all of the following installed in compliance with the California Elec- trical Code:
1. Continuous source of electricity. Exception: The source of electricity may be an emergency generator or renewable source of power such as solar or wind
power.
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APPENDIX Q—EMERGENCY HOUSING
2. At least one interior lighting fixture. 3. Electrical heating equipment listed for residential use and a dedicated receptacle outlet for the electrical heating equipment. Exception: Electrical heating equipment and a dedicated receptacle outlet for the electrical heating equipment are not required if a nonelectrical source of heating is provided. 4. At least one GFCI-protected receptacle outlet for use by the occupant(s).
Q104.7 Ventilation. Emergency sleeping cabins shall be provided with means of ventilation (natural and/or mechanical) allowing for adequate air replacement, as determined by the enforcing agency.
Q104.8 Smoke alarms. Emergency sleeping cabins shall be provided with at least one smoke alarm installed in accordance with the California Residential Code, Section R314.
Q104.9 Carbon monoxide alarms. If an emergency sleeping cabin contains a fuel-burning appliance(s) or a fireplace(s), a carbon monoxide alarm shall be installed in accordance with the California Residential Code, Section R315.
SECTION Q105—EMERGENCY TRANSPORTABLE HOUSING UNITS
Q105.1 General. In addition to the requirements in this appendix, manufactured homes, mobilehomes, multifamily manufactured homes, commercial modulars, recreational vehicles and park trailers used as emergency transportable housing shall comply with all applicable requirements in the Health and Safety Code, Division 13, Part 2; and Title 25, Division 1, Chapter 3, Subchapter 2.
SECTION Q106—TENTS AND MEMBRANE STRUCTURES
Q106.1 General. Tents shall not be used to house occupants for more than 7 days unless such tents are maintained with tight wooden floors raised at least 4 inches (101.6 mm) above the ground level and are equipped with baseboards on all sides to a height of at least 6 inches (152.4 mm). Tents may be maintained with concrete slabs with the finished surface at least 4 inches (101.6 mm) above grade and equipped with curbs on all sides at least 6 inches (152.4 mm) high.
A tent shall not be considered a suitable sleeping place when it is found necessary to provide heating facilities in order to maintain a minimum temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) within such tent during the period of occupancy.
Membrane structures installed and/or assembled in accordance with Chapter 31 of this code, may be permitted to be used as emer- gency housing and emergency housing facilities, as determined by the enforcing agency.
SECTION Q107—ACCESSIBILITY
Q107.1 General. Emergency housing shall comply with the applicable requirements in Chapter 11B and/or the US Access Board Final Guidelines for Emergency Transportable Housing.
CRC § 304.3.3 High relevance — show source text
304.3.3 Criteria for incidental and minor structural alteration, additions, or repairs of pre-1973 code buildings. [OSHPD 1R, 2, 4 & 5] Provisions of this section shall apply to hospital buildings which were originally designed to pre-1973 building codes, and had no major structural alterations, additions or repairs using 1973 California Building Standards Code or later editions with an OSHPD permit. 1. Nonstructural components. Component importance factor, I p , shall be permitted to be 1.0. Exception: Components required for life safety purposes after an earthquake, including emergency, standby or alternative power systems, mechanical smoke removal systems, fire protection sprinkler systems, fire alarm control panels and egress stairways shall have a component importance factor (I p ) of 1.5.
SECTION 305—IN-SITU LOAD TESTS
[BS] 305.1 General. Where used, in-situ load tests shall be conducted in accordance with Section 1708 of the California Building Code .
SECTION 306—ACCESSIBILITY FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS
[DSA-AC] Public buildings, public accommodations, commercial facilities and public housing regulated by the Division of the State Architect-Access Compliance in Title 24, Part 2, California Building Code, Chapter 1, Section 1.9.1 shall comply with Title 24, Part 2, California Building Code, Chapter 11B.
[HCD 1-AC] Accessibility requirements for covered multifamily dwellings, as defined in Chapter 2 of the California Building Code, are promulgated under HCD authority and are located in Chapter 11A of the California Building Code.
SECTION 307—SMOKE ALARMS
307.1 Smoke alarms. Where an alteration, addition, change of occupancy or relocation of a building is made to an existing building or structure of a Group R and I-1 occupancy, the existing building shall be provided with smoke alarms in accordance with the California Fire Code or Section R310 of the California Residential Code .
Exception: Work classified as Level 1 Alterations in accordance with Chapter 7.
SECTION 308—CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTION
308.1 Carbon monoxide detection. Where an addition, alteration, change of occupancy or relocation of a building is made to an existing building, the existing building shall be provided with carbon monoxide detection in accordance with the California Fire Code or Section R311 of the California Residential Code .
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PROVISIONS FOR ALL COMPLIANCE METHODS
308.2 Carbon monoxide alarms in existing portions of a building. [HCD 1 & HCD 2] Pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 17926, carbon monoxide detection shall be provided in all existing Group R buildings, as required in Section 915 of the California Building Code or Section R315 of the California Residential Code, as applicable.
CRC § 903.2.17.2 Medium relevance — show source text
3. Power substations.
4. Machinery rooms, electrical rooms and train control rooms protected by an approved automatic fixed fire-extinguish- ing system.
5. Open stations. 6. Station platform areas open to three or more sides. 903.2.17.2 Station guideway deluge system. Underground stations and stations in open cuts with walls 5 feet (1524 mm) above he top of the running rail and with a raised platform shall be provided with an under-vehicle guideway manually activated deluge sprinkler system. In open cut stations, such system shall be provided in guideways which are situated between a raised platform edge and a retaining wall. 903.2.17.2.1 Systems shall be provided along the entire length of track at each station platform. 903.2.17.2.2 Deluge nozzles with caps shall be located in the approximate center of track with spacing designed to completely wet the undersides of the vehicle at the applied density. 903.2.17.2.3 System density shall be a minimum of 0.19 gallon per minute (gpm) per square foot (0.72 L/m per m [2] ) for the design area. When more than one zone is provided, two adjacent zones are required to be considered operating for calculating
purposes.
2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE 9-13
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FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS
903.2.17.2.4 Deluge systems shall be directly connected to a water supply capable of supplying the required flow rate for a mini- mum 30-minute duration.
903.2.17.2.5 Controls or manually operable valves shall be in a location acceptable to the Fire Code Official. All deluge systems shall be monitored by the station fire alarm system.
903.2.17.2.6 Each valve shall be monitored by a separate circuit. The alarm panel shall be located in an area normally occupied by station personnel or signals shall be transmitted to the operations control center (OCC).
903.2.18 Group U private garages and carports accessory to Group R-3 occupancies. Carports with habitable space above and attached garages, accessory to Group R-3 occupancies, shall be protected by residential fire sprinklers in accordance with this section. Residential fire sprinklers shall be connected to, and installed in accordance with, an automatic residential fire sprinkler system that complies with Section R313 of the California Residential Code or with NFPA 13D. Fire sprinklers shall be residential sprin- klers or quick-response sprinklers, designed to provide a minimum density of 0.05 gpm/ft [2] (2.04 mm/min) over the area of the garage and/or carport, but not to exceed two sprinklers for hydraulic calculation purposes. Garage doors shall not be considered obstruc- tions with respect to sprinkler placement.
Exception: An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall not be required when additions or alterations are made to existing carports and/or garages that do not have an automatic residential fire sprinkler system installed in accordance with this section.
CRC § 903.2.17.2.5 Medium relevance — show source text
903.2.17.2.5 Controls or manually operable valves shall be in a location acceptable to the Fire Code Official. All deluge systems shall be monitored by the station fire alarm system.
903.2.17.2.6 Each valve shall be monitored by a separate circuit. The alarm panel shall be located in an area normally occupied by station personnel or signals shall be transmitted to the operations control center (OCC).
903.2.18 Group U private garages and carports accessory to Group R-3 occupancies. Carports with habitable space above and attached garages, accessory to Group R-3 occupancies, shall be protected by residential fire sprinklers in accordance with this section. Residential fire sprinklers shall be connected to, and installed in accordance with, an automatic residential fire sprinkler system that complies with Section R313 of the California Residential Code or with NFPA 13D. Fire sprinklers shall be residential sprin- klers or quick-response sprinklers, designed to provide a minimum density of 0.05 gpm/ft [2] (2.04 mm/min) over the area of the garage and/or carport, but not to exceed two sprinklers for hydraulic calculation purposes. Garage doors shall not be considered obstruc- tions with respect to sprinkler placement.
Exception: An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall not be required when additions or alterations are made to existing carports and/or garages that do not have an automatic residential fire sprinkler system installed in accordance with this section.
903.2.19 Public school state funded construction projects for kindergarten through 12th grade - automatic sprinkler system requirements.
903.2.19.1 New public school campus. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided in all occupancies. The provisions of this section shall apply to any public school project consisting of one or more buildings on a new school campus and receiving state funds pursuant to Leroy F. Greene School Facilities Act of 1998, California Education Code Sections 17070.10 through 17079. For purposes of this section, new campus refers to a school site, where an application for construction of original buildings was made to DSA on or after July 1, 2002.
An automatic fire sprinkler system is not required in locations identified in Section 903.2.20 .
903.2.19.1.1 Sprinklers shall be installed in spaces where the ceiling creates a “ceiling-plenum” or space above the ceiling is utilized for environmental air.
903.2.19.1.2 Fire-resistive substitution for new campus. A new public school campus shall be entitled to include in the design and construction documents all of the applicable fire-resistive construction substitutions as permitted by this code.
CRC § 903.2.17.2.2 Medium relevance — show source text
903.2.17.2.2 Deluge nozzles with caps shall be located in the approximate center of track with spacing designed to completely wet the undersides of the vehicle at the applied density. 903.2.17.2.3 System density shall be a minimum of 0.19 gallon per minute (gpm) per square foot (0.72 L/m per m [2] ) for the design area. When more than one zone is provided, two adjacent zones are required to be considered operating for calculating
purposes.
903.2.17.2.4 Deluge systems shall be directly connected to a water supply capable of supplying the required flow rate for a mini- mum 30-minute duration.
903.2.17.2.5 Controls or manually operable valves shall be in a location acceptable to the Fire Code Official. All deluge systems shall be monitored by the station fire alarm system.
903.2.17.2.6 Each valve shall be monitored by a separate circuit. The alarm panel shall be located in an area normally occupied by station personnel or signals shall be transmitted to the operations control center (OCC).
903.2.18 Group U private garages and carports accessory to Group R-3 occupancies. Carports with habitable space above and attached garages, accessory to Group R-3 occupancies, shall be protected by residential fire sprinklers in accordance with this section. Residential fire sprinklers shall be connected to, and installed in accordance with, an automatic residential fire sprinkler system that complies with Section R313 of the California Residential Code or with NFPA 13D. Fire sprinklers shall be residential sprin- klers or quick-response sprinklers, designed to provide a minimum density of 0.05 gpm/ft [2 ] (2.04 mm/min) over the area of the garage and/or carport, but not to exceed two sprinklers for hydraulic calculation purposes. Garage doors shall not be considered obstruc- tions with respect to sprinkler placement.
Exception: An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall not be required when additions or alterations are made to existing carports and/or garages that do not have an automatic residential fire sprinkler system installed in accordance with this section.
903.2.19 Public school state-funded construction projects for kindergarten through 12th grade — automatic sprinkler system requirements.
903.2.19.1 New public school campus. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided in all occupancies. The provisions of this section shall apply to any public school project consisting of one or more buildings on a new school campus and receiving state funds pursuant to Leroy F. Greene School Facilities Act of 1998, California Education Code, Sections 17070.10 through 17079. For purposes of this section, new campus refers to a school site, where an application for construction of original buildings was made to DSA on or after July 1, 2002.
An automatic fire sprinkler system is not required in locations identified in Section 903.2.20.
903.2.19.1.1 Sprinklers shall be installed in spaces where the ceiling creates a “ceiling-plenum” or the space above the ceiling is utilized for environmental air.
CRC § 307.1 Medium relevance — show source text
[HCD 1-AC] Accessibility requirements for covered multifamily dwellings, as defined in Chapter 2 of the California Building Code, are promulgated under HCD authority and are located in Chapter 11A of the California Building Code.
SECTION 307—SMOKE ALARMS
307.1 Smoke alarms. Where an alteration, addition, change of occupancy or relocation of a building is made to an existing building or structure of a Group R and I-1 occupancy, the existing building shall be provided with smoke alarms in accordance with the California Fire Code or Section R310 of the California Residential Code .
Exception: Work classified as Level 1 Alterations in accordance with Chapter 7.
SECTION 308—CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTION
308.1 Carbon monoxide detection. Where an addition, alteration, change of occupancy or relocation of a building is made to an existing building, the existing building shall be provided with carbon monoxide detection in accordance with the California Fire Code or Section R311 of the California Residential Code .
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308.2 Carbon monoxide alarms in existing portions of a building. [HCD 1 & HCD 2] Pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 17926, carbon monoxide detection shall be provided in all existing Group R buildings, as required in Section 915 of the California Building Code or Section R315 of the California Residential Code, as applicable.
308.2.1 Carbon monoxide detection in existing Group E occupancy buildings. Where the new addition includes any of the conditions identified in the California Fire Code Sections 915.1.2 through 915.1.6, carbon monoxide detection shall be installed in accordance with Section 915 of the California Fire Code. No person shall install, market, distribute, offer for sale, or sell any carbon monoxide device in the State of California unless the device and instructions have been approved and listed by the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
SECTION 309—ADDITIONS AND REPLACEMENTS OF EXTERIOR WALL COVERINGS AND EXTERIOR WALL ENVELOPES
309.1 General. The provisions of Section 309 apply to all alterations, repairs, additions, relocations of structures and changes of occupancy regardless of compliance method.
309.2 Additions and replacements. Where an exterior wall covering or exterior wall envelope is added or replaced, the materials and methods used shall comply with the requirements for new construction in Chapter 14 and Chapter 26 of the California Building Code if the added or replaced exterior wall covering or exterior wall envelope involves two or more contiguous stories and comprises more than 15 percent of the total wall area on any side of the building.
309.2.1 Automatic sprinkler systems. Combustible exterior wall covering or combustible exterior wall envelopes shall not be added to an existing high-rise building that is not protected throughout with an automatic sprinkler system.
Exceptions:
- Where such material is located on a single story and is less than 15 percent of the wall area on any side of the building.
- Water-resistive barriers installed in accordance with Section 1402.6 of the California Building Code .
CRC § 501.3 Medium relevance — show source text
501.3, 504.3, 504.3.1, 504.5, 504.7, 504.7.1
E136— 2024a : Standard Test Method for Assessing Combustibility of Materials Using a Vertical Tube Furnace at 750 Degrees C
501.4.1
E1354— 2023 : Standard Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates for Materials and Products Using an Oxygen Consumption Calorimeter
503.2.4.3.2, 503.2.4.3.3
E2632—2020: Standard Test Method for Evaluating the Under-Deck Fire Test Response of Deck Materials
504.7.3.2, 504.7.3.3, 504.7.3.3.1, 504.7.3.4
E2652—2022: Standard Test Method for Assessing Combustibility of Materials Using a Tube Furnace with a Cone-shaped Airflow Stabilizer, at 750°C
501.4.1
E2707—2022: Standard Test Method for Determining Fire Penetration of Exterior Wall Assemblies Using a Direct Flame Impingement Exposure
504.5, 504.9, 504.9.3
E2726/E2726M—2012a(2017): Standard Test Method for Evaluating the Fire Test Response of Deck Structures to Burning Brands
504.7.3.2, 504.7.3.3, 504.7.3.3.2
E2768—11(2018): Standard Test Method for Extended Duration Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials (30 min Tunnel Test)
503.2.4
2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE 7-3
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REFERENCED STANDARDS
E2886/E2886M—20: Standard Test Method for Evaluating the Ability of Exterior Vents to Resist the Entry of Embers and Direct Flame Impingement
504.10.1
E2957—2017 : Standard Test Method for Resistance to Wildfire Penetration of Eaves, Soffits and Other Projections
504.3, 504.7, 504.7.1, 504.7.2
G155—2021: Standard Practice for Operating Xenon Arc Lamp Apparatus for Exposure of Materials
504.9.2
ICC International Code Council, Inc., 200 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 250, Washington, DC 20001
CBC—2025: California Building Code
CRC § 903.2.17 Medium relevance — show source text
903.2.17 Fixed guideway and passenger rail transit systems.
903.2.17.1 Automatic sprinkler system. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in all stations of fixed guideway transit systems.
Exceptions: 1. Guideways when the closest sprinkler heads to the guideway are within 3 feet (914 mm) of the edge, over the platform and spaced 6 feet (1829 mm) on center, parallel to the guideway. 2. Station agent booths not exceeding 150 square feet (13.9 m [2] ) in area, when provided with an approved smoke detec- tor connected to the building fire alarm system.
3. Power substations.
4. Machinery rooms, electrical rooms and train control rooms protected by an approved automatic fixed fire-extinguish- ing system.
5. Open stations. 6. Station platform areas open to three or more sides.
903.2.17.2 Station guideway deluge system. Underground stations and stations in open cuts with walls 5 feet (1524 mm) above the top of the running rail and with a raised platform shall be provided with an under-vehicle guideway manually activated deluge sprinkler system. In open cut stations, such system shall be provided in guideways which are situated between a raised platform edge and a retaining wall.
903.2.17.2.1 Systems shall be provided along the entire length of track at each station platform.
903.2.17.2.2 Deluge nozzles with caps shall be located in the approximate center of track with spacing designed to completely wet the undersides of the vehicle at the applied density. 903.2.17.2.3 System density shall be a minimum of 0.19 gallon per minute (gpm) per square foot (0.72 L/m per m [2] ) for the design area. When more than one zone is provided, two adjacent zones are required to be considered operating for calculating
purposes.
903.2.17.2.4 Deluge systems shall be directly connected to a water supply capable of supplying the required flow rate for a mini- mum 30-minute duration.
903.2.17.2.5 Controls or manually operable valves shall be in a location acceptable to the Fire Code Official. All deluge systems shall be monitored by the station fire alarm system.
903.2.17.2.6 Each valve shall be monitored by a separate circuit. The alarm panel shall be located in an area normally occupied by station personnel or signals shall be transmitted to the operations control center (OCC).
903.2.18 Group U private garages and carports accessory to Group R-3 occupancies. Carports with habitable space above and attached garages, accessory to Group R-3 occupancies, shall be protected by residential fire sprinklers in accordance with this section. Residential fire sprinklers shall be connected to, and installed in accordance with, an automatic residential fire sprinkler _system that complies with Section R313 of the California Residential Code or with NFPA 13D.
CRC § 13.2 Medium relevance — show source text
R905.13.2
D7672—19: Standard Specification for Evaluating Structural Capacities of Rim Board Products and Assemblies
R502.1.7, R602.1.7, R802.1.6
D7793—20: Standard Specification for Insulated Vinyl Siding Table R703.3(1), R703.13
D8257/D8257M—20: Standard Specification for Mechanically Attached Polymeric Roof Underlayment Used in Steep Slope Roofing R905.1.1, Table R905.1.1(1)
E84—21a: Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
R202, R302.9.3, R302.9.4, R302.10.1, R302.10.2, R302.15, R507.2.2.2, R703.14.3
E96/E96M—21: Standard Test Methods for Gravimetric Determination of Water Vapor Transmission Rate of Materials R202, Table R806.5
E108— 2020a : Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Roof Coverings
R302.2.4, R902.
E119—20: Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials Table R302.1(1), Table R302.1(2), R302.2.1, R302.2.2, R302.3, R302.4.1, R302.11.1, R606.2.2
E136— 2022: Standard Test Method for Assessing Combustibility of Materials Using a Vertical Tube Furnace at 750 Degrees C
R202, R302.11
E283/E283M—19: Standard Test Method for Determining Rate of Air Leakage Through Exterior Windows, Skylights, Curtain Walls, and Doors Under Specified Pressure Differences Across the Specimen
R202
E330/E330M—14(2021): Test Method for Structural Performance of Exterior Windows, Doors, Skylights and Curtain Walls by Uniform Static Air Pressure Difference
R609.4, R609.5, R609.6.2, R703.1.2
E331—2000(2016): Test Method for Water Penetration of Exterior Windows, Skylights, Doors, and Curtain Walls by Uniform Static Air Pressure Difference
R703.1.1
E814—2013A(2017): Standard Test Method for Fire Tests of Penetration Firestop Systems
R302.4.1.2
E970—2017: Standard Test Method for Critical Radiant Flux of Exposed Attic Floor Insulation Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
R302.10.4
E1592—2005(2017): Test Method for Structural Performance of Sheet Metal Roof and Siding Systems by Uniform Static Air Pressure Difference
R905.10.5
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REFERENCED STANDARDS
E1602—2003(2017): Guide for Construction of Solid Fuel Burning Masonry Heaters
R1002.2
E1745—17: Standard Specification for Plastic Water Vapor Retarders Used in Contact with Soil or Granular Fill under Concrete Slabs
R506.3.3
CRC § 607.3 Medium relevance — show source text
607.3
2196—2017: Fire Test for Circuit Integrity of Fire-Resistive Power, Instrumentation, Control and Data Cables—with Revisions through December 2020
913.2.2, 1203.3
2200—2020: Stationary Engine Generator Assemblies
1203.1.1
2201—2018: Standard for Carbon Monoxide (CO) Emission Rate of Portable Generators
1204.2
2208—2010: Solvent Distillation Units—with Revisions through June 2020
5705.4.1
2245—2006: Below-Grade Vaults for Flammable Liquid Storage Tanks
5704.2.8.1
2272—2016: Electrical Systems for Personal E-Mobility Devices
322.3
2335—2010: Fire Tests of Storage Pallets—with Revisions through August 2017
315.7.5, 3206.4.1.1
2360—2000: Test Methods for Determining the Combustibility Characteristics of Plastics Used in Semi-Conductor Tool Construction—with Revisions through October 2017
2703.10.1.2
2524—2019: In-Building 2-Way Emergency Radio Communication Enhancement Systems—with Revisions through February 2019
510.4
2525—2020: Standard for Two-Way Emergency Communications Systems for Rescue Assistance
1009.8.1
2849—2020: Electrical Systems for eBikes
322.3
3741—2020: Standard for Safety for Photovoltaic Hazard Control
1205.2, 1205.2.3
8800—2019: Standard for Horticultural Lighting Equipment And Systems
3901.4
9540 Edition 3—2023 : Standard for Energy Storage Systems and Equipment
1207.3.1, 1207.3.2, 1207.3.7, 1207.10.6, 1207.10.7.4, 1207.11, 1207.11.1, 1207.11.5
9540A Edition 4 —2019: Test Method for Evaluating Thermal Runaway Fire Propagation in Battery Energy Storage Systems
1207.1.7
60601-1—2003: Medical Electrical Equipment, Part I: General Requirements for Safety—with Revisions through April 2006
603.5.1.1
80-26 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
REFERENCED STANDARDS
60950-1—2007: Information Technology Equipment—Safety Requirements—with Revisions through May 2019
319.2.1
62368-1—2019: Audio/video, Information and Communication Technology Equipment—Safety Requirements—with Revisions through October 2021
319.2.1
USC United States Code, c/o Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325
18 USC Part 1, Chapter 40: Importation, Manufacture, Distribution and Storage of Explosive Materials
202
21 USC Chapter 9: United States Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act
202
2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE 80-27
Frequently asked questions
Which CRC sections set the residential alarm and sprinkler requirements?
Smoke‑alarm and carbon‑monoxide requirements are codified in the CRC at § R314 (smoke alarms) and § R315 (carbon monoxide alarms); residential automatic sprinkler rules are addressed at § R313 and in related building/fire code cross‑references .
Where does the CRC say which test methods to use for combustibility or surface‑burning?
The CRC referenced‑standards tables list specific ASTM and other test methods (for example ASTM E84 for surface‑burning characteristics and ASTM E136 for combustibility tests) and point to those standards wherever the code requires an approved test or listing .
Do devices and detectors have to be approved by the State Fire Marshal?
Yes — household fire‑warning devices and other equipment installed under CRC provisions must be approved/listed for their intended use; the CRC and SFM rules require listed/approved devices and include SFM standards for detector and alarm performance .
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