Part 1 — General Provisions
This code establishes regulations affecting or relating to structures, processes, premises and safeguards regarding:
1. The hazard of fire and explosion arising from the storage, handling or use of structures, materials or devices;
2. Conditions hazardous to life, property or public welfare in the occupancy of structures or premises;
3. Fire hazards in the structure or on the premises from occupancy or operation;
4. Matters related to the construction, extension, repair, alteration or removal of fire suppression or alarm systems; and
5. Conditions affecting the safety of fire fighters and emergency responders during emergency operations.
The construction and design provisions of this code shall apply to:
1. Structures, facilities and conditions arising after the adoption of this code.
2. Existing structures, facilities and conditions not legally in existence at the time of adoption of this code.
3. Existing structures, facilities and conditions when required in Chapter 46.
4. Existing structures, facilities and conditions which, in the opinion of the fire code official, constitute a distinct hazard to life or property.
The administrative, operational and maintenance provisions of this code shall apply to:
1. Conditions and operations arising after the adoption of this code.
2. Existing conditions and operations.
Where structures are designed and constructed in accordance with the International Residential Code, the provisions of this code shall apply as follows:
1. Construction and design provisions: Provisions of this code pertaining to the exterior of the structure shall apply including, but not limited to, premises identification, fire apparatus access and water supplies. Where interior or exterior systems or devices are installed, construction permits required by Section 105.7 of this code shall also apply.
2. Administrative, operational and maintenance provisions: All such provisions of this code shall apply.
Part 2 — Administrative Provisions
There shall be two types of permits as follows:
1. Operational permit. An operational permit allows the applicant to conduct an operation or a business for which a permit is required by Section 105.6 for either:
1.1. A prescribed period.
1.2. Until renewed or revoked.
2. Construction permit. A construction permit allows the applicant to install or modify systems and equipment for which a permit is required by Section 105.7.
Construction documents and supporting data shall be submitted in two or more sets with each application for a permit and in such form and detail as required by the fire code official. The construction documents shall be prepared by a registered design professional where required by the statutes of the jurisdiction in which the project is to be constructed.
Exception: The fire code official is authorized to waive the submission of construction documents and supporting data not required to be prepared by a registered design professional if it is found that the nature of the work applied for is such that review of construction documents is not necessary to obtain compliance with this code.
The fire code official is authorized to revoke a permit issued under the provisions of this code when it is found by inspection or otherwise that there has been a false statement or misrepresentation as to the material facts in the application or construction documents on which the permit or approval was based including, but not limited to, any one of the following:
1. The permit is used for a location or establishment other than that for which it was issued.
2. The permit is used for a condition or activity other than that listed in the permit.
3. Conditions and limitations set forth in the permit have been violated.
4. There have been any false statements or misrepresentations as to the material fact in the application for permit or plans submitted or a condition of the permit.
5. The permit is used by a different person or firm than the name for which it was issued.
6. The permittee failed, refused or neglected to comply with orders or notices duly served in accordance with the provisions of this code within the time provided therein.
7. The permit was issued in error or in violation of an ordinance, regulation or this code.
An operational permit is required for the storage, use or handling at normal temperature and pressure (NTP) of compressed gases in excess of the amounts listed in Table 105.6.8.
Exception: Vehicles equipped for and using compressed gas as a fuel for propelling the vehicle.
TABLE 105.6.8
PERMIT AMOUNTS FOR COMPRESSED GASES
| TYPE OF GAS | AMOUNT |
| Corrosive | 200 |
| Flammable (except cryogenic fluids and liquefied petroleum gases) | 200 |
| Highly toxic | Any Amount |
| Inert and simple asphyxiant | 6,000 |
| Oxidizing (including oxygen) | 504 |
| Pyrophoric | Any Amount |
| Toxic | Any Amount |
For SI: 1 cubic foot = 0.02832 m3.
An operational permit is required for:
1. The placement of retail fixtures and displays, concession equipment, displays of highly combustible goods and similar items in the mall.
2. The display of liquid- or gas-fired equipment in the mall.
3. The use of open-flame or flame-producing equipment in the mall.
An operational permit is required to produce, store, transport on site, use, handle or dispense cryogenic fluids in excess of the amounts listed in Table 105.6.10.
Exception: Permits are not required for vehicles equipped for and using cryogenic fluids as a fuel for propelling the vehicle or for refrigerating the lading.
TABLE 105.6.10
PERMIT AMOUNTS FOR CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
| TYPE OF CRYOGENIC FLUID | INSIDE BUILDING | OUTSIDE BUILDING |
| Flammable | More than 1 | 60 |
| Inert | 60 | 500 |
| Oxidizing (includes oxygen) | 10 | 50 |
| Physical or health hazard not indicated above | Any Amount | Any Amount |
For SI: 1 gallon = 3.785 L.
An operational permit is required for the manufacture, storage, handling, sale or use of any quantity of explosives, explosive materials, fireworks or pyrotechnic special effects within the scope of Chapter 33.
Exception: Storage in Group R-3 occupancies of smokeless propellant, black powder and small arms primers for personal use, not for resale and in accordance with Section 3306.
An operational permit is required to use or operate fire hydrants or valves intended for fire suppression purposes which are installed on water systems and accessible to a fire apparatus access road that is open to or generally used by the public.
Exception: A permit is not required for authorized employees of the water company that supplies the system or the fire department to use or operate fire hydrants or valves.
An operational permit is required:
1. To use or operate a pipeline for the transportation within facilities of flammable or combustible liquids. This requirement shall not apply to the off-site transportation in pipelines regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOTn) nor does it apply to piping systems.
2. To store, handle or use Class I liquids in excess of 5 gallons (19 L) in a building or in excess of 10 gallons (37.9 L) outside of a building, except that a permit is not required for the following:
2.1. The storage or use of Class I liquids in the fuel tank of a motor vehicle, aircraft, motorboat, mobile power plant or mobile heating plant, unless such storage, in the opinion of the code official, would cause an unsafe condition.
2.2. The storage or use of paints, oils, varnishes or similar flammable mixtures when such liquids are stored for maintenance, painting or similar purposes for a period of not more than 30 days.
3. To store, handle or use Class II or Class IIIA liquids in excess of 25 gallons (95 L) in a building or in excess of 60 gallons (227 L) outside a building, except for fuel oil used in connection with oil-burning equipment.
4. To store, handle or use Class IIIB liquids in tanks or portable tanks for fueling motor vehicles at motor fuel-dispensing facilities or where connected to fuel-burning equipment.
Exception: Fuel oil and used motor oil used for space heating or water heating.
5. To remove Class I or II liquids from an underground storage tank used for fueling motor vehicles by any means other than the approved, stationary on-site pumps normally used for dispensing purposes.
6. To operate tank vehicles, equipment, tanks, plants, terminals, wells, fuel-dispensing stations, refineries, distilleries and similar facilities where flammable and combustible liquids are produced, processed, transported, stored, dispensed or used.
7. To place temporarily out of service (for more than 90 days) an underground, protected above-ground or above-ground flammable or combustible liquid tank.
8. To change the type of contents stored in a flammable or combustible liquid tank to a material that poses a greater hazard than that for which the tank was designed and constructed.
9. To manufacture, process, blend or refine flammable or combustible liquids.
10. To engage in the dispensing of liquid fuels into the fuel tanks of motor vehicles at commercial, industrial, governmental or manufacturing establishments.
11. To utilize a site for the dispensing of liquid fuels from tank vehicles into the fuel tanks of motor vehicles, marine craft and other special equipment at commercial, industrial, governmental or manufacturing establishments.
An operational permit is required to store, transport on site, dispense, use or handle hazardous materials in excess of the amounts listed in Table 105.6.20.
TABLE 105.6.20
PERMIT AMOUNTS FOR HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
| TYPE OF MATERIAL | AMOUNT |
| Combustible liquids | See Section 105.6.16 |
| Corrosive materials Gases | See Section 105.6.8 |
| Explosive materials | See Section 105.6.14 |
| Gases | See Section 105.6.8 |
| Highly toxic materials Gases | See Section 105.6.8 |
| Oxidizing materials Gases Class 4 Class 3 Class 2 Class 1 Solids Class 4 Class 3 Class 2 Class 1 | See Section 105.6.8
1 gallona 10 gallons 55 gallons Any Amount 10 poundsb 100 pounds 500 pounds |
| Organic peroxides Class I Class II Class III Class IV Class V Solids Class I Class II Class III Class IV Class V |
Any Amount Any Amount 1 gallon 2 gallons No Permit Required Any Amount Any Amount 10 pounds 20 pounds No Permit Required |
| Pyrophoric materials |
|
| Toxic materials Gases | |
| Unstable (reactive) materials Liquids Class 4 Class 3 Class 2 Class 1 Solids Class 4 Class 3 Class 2 Class 1 | Any Amount Any Amount 5 gallons 10 gallons Any Amount Any Amount 50 pounds 100 pounds |
| Water-reactive materials Liquids Class 3 Class 2 Class 1 Solids Class 3 Class 2 Class 1 | Any Amount 5 gallons 55 gallons Any Amount 50 pounds 500 pounds |
For SI: 1 gallon = 3.785 L, 1 pound = 0.454 kg.
a. 20 gallons when Table 2703.1.1(1) Note k applies and hazard identification signs in accordance with Section 2703.5 are provided for quantities of 20 gallons or less.
b. 200 pounds when Table 2703.1.1(1) Note k applies and hazard identification signs in accordance with Section 2703.5 are provided for quantities of 200 pounds or less.
An operational permit is required for hot work including, but not limited to:
1. Public exhibitions and demonstrations where hot work is conducted.
2. Use of portable hot work equipment inside a structure.
Exception: Work that is conducted under a construction permit.
3. Fixed-site hot work equipment such as welding booths.
4. Hot work conducted within a wildfire risk area.
5. Application of roof coverings with the use of an open-flame device.
6. When approved, the fire code official shall issue a permit to carry out a hot work program. This program allows approved personnel to regulate their facility’s hot work operations. The approved personnel shall be trained in the fire safety aspects denoted in this chapter and shall be responsible for issuing permits requiring compliance with the requirements found in Chapter 26. These permits shall be issued only to their employees or hot work operations under their supervision.
An operational permit is required to operate an air-supported temporary membrane structure or a tent having an area in excess of 400 square feet (37 m2).
Exceptions:
1. Tents used exclusively for recreational camping purposes.
2. Tents open on all sides, which comply with all of the following:
2.1. Individual tents having a maximum size of 700 square feet (65 m2).
2.2. The aggregate area of multiple tents placed side by side without a fire break clearance of not less than 12 feet (3658 mm) shall not exceed 700 square feet (65 m2) total.
2.3. A minimum clearance of 12 feet (3658 mm) to structures and other tents shall be provided.
When the compressed gases in use or storage exceed the amounts listed in Table 105.6.8, a construction permit is required to install, repair damage to, abandon, remove, place temporarily out of service, or close or substantially modify a compressed gas system.
Exceptions:
1. Routine maintenance.
2. For emergency repair work performed on an emergency basis, application for permit shall be made within two working days of commencement of work.
A construction permit is required:
1. To install, repair or modify a pipeline for the transportation of flammable or combustible liquids.
2. To install, construct or alter tank vehicles, equipment, tanks, plants, terminals, wells, fuel-dispensing stations, refineries, distilleries and similar facilities where flammable and combustible liquids are produced, processed, transported, stored, dispensed or used.
3. To install, alter, remove, abandon or otherwise dispose of a flammable or combustible liquid tank.
A construction permit is required to install, repair damage to, abandon, remove, place temporarily out of service, or close or substantially modify a storage facility or other area regulated by Chapter 27 when the hazardous materials in use or storage exceed the amounts listed in Table 105.6.20.
Exceptions:
1. Routine maintenance.
2. For emergency repair work performed on an emergency basis, application for permit shall be made within two working days of commencement of work.
A construction permit is required for installation of industrial ovens covered by Chapter 21.
Exceptions:
1. Routine maintenance.
2. For repair work performed on an emergency basis, application for permit shall be made within two working days of commencement of work.
A construction permit is required to erect an air-supported temporary membrane structure or a tent having an area in excess of 400 square feet (37 m2).
Exceptions:
1. Tents used exclusively for recreational camping purposes.
2. Funeral tents and curtains or extensions attached thereto, when used for funeral services.
3. Tents and awnings open on all sides which comply with all of the following:
3.1. Individual tents shall have a maximum size of 700 square feet (65 m2).
3.2. The aggregate area of multiple tents placed side by side without a fire break clearance of not less than 12 feet (3658 mm) shall not exceed 700 square feet (65 m2) total.
3.3. A minimum clearance of 12 feet (3658 mm) to structures and other tents shall be maintained.