Adopting agency | BSC | BSC- CG |
SFM | HCD | DSA | OSHPD | BSCC | DPH | AGR | DWR | CEC | CA | SL | SLC | |||||||||
1 | 2 | 1/AC | AC | SS | SS/CC | 1 | 1R | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||||||||||||
Adopt entire chapter | X | X | X | X | X | X | |||||||||||||||||
Adopt entire chapter as amended (amended sections listed below) |
X | X | X | X | |||||||||||||||||||
Adopt only those sections that are listed below |
X | X | X | X | |||||||||||||||||||
Chapter / Section | |||||||||||||||||||||||
3101 | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||
3102.1 | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||
3102.3.1 | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||
3103 | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||
3104 | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||
3104.2, Exception 2 | X | X | |||||||||||||||||||||
3105 | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||
3106 | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||
3109 | †| †| |||||||||||||||||||||
3109.1 | X | X | |||||||||||||||||||||
3109.2 | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||
3110 | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||
3111 | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||
3111.1.1 | X | X | |||||||||||||||||||||
3111.1.1, Exception | X | X | |||||||||||||||||||||
3111.3 | X | X | X | X | |||||||||||||||||||
3112.2 | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||
3112.3, Exception | X | X | |||||||||||||||||||||
3113 | †| †| |||||||||||||||||||||
3113.1 | X | X | |||||||||||||||||||||
3113.1.1 | X | X | |||||||||||||||||||||
3113.2, Exception | X | X | |||||||||||||||||||||
3113.3, Exception | X | X | |||||||||||||||||||||
3113.4, Exception | X | X |
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.
User notes:
Code development reminder: Code change proposals to sections preceded by the designation [BS] will be considered by the IBC—Structural Code Development Committee during the 2019 (Group B) Code Development Cycle. See explanation on page ix.
The provisions of this chapter shall govern special building construction including membrane structures, temporary structures, pedestrian walkways and tunnels, automatic vehicular gates, awnings and canopies, marquees, signs, towers, antennas, relocatable buildings, swimming pool enclosures and safety devices, and solar energy systems.
Membranes and interior liners shall be either noncombustible as set forth in Section 703.5 or meet the fire propagation performance criteria of Test Method 1 or Test Method 2, as appropriate, of NFPA 701 and the manufacturer's test protocol.shall be flame resistant in accordance with the provisions set forth in CCR, Title 19, Division 1, Chapter 8. Tops and sidewalls shall be made either from fabric that has been flame resistant treated with an approved exterior chemical process by an approved application concern, or from inherently flame resistant fabric approved and listed by the State Fire Marshal (see CCR, Title 19, Division 1, Chapter 8).
Exception: Plastic less than 20 mil (0.5 mm) in thickness used in greenhouses, where occupancy by the general public is not authorized, and for aquaculture pond covers is not required to meet the fire propagation performance criteria of Test Method 1 or Test Method 2, as appropriate, of NFPA 701.
Membrane structures shall not exceed one story nor shall such structures exceed the height limitations in feet specified in Section 504.3.
Exception: Noncombustible membrane structures serving as roofs only.
Blower equipment shall meet all of the following requirements:
- Blowers shall be powered by continuous-rated motors at the maximum power required for any flow condition as required by the structural design.
- Blowers shall be provided with inlet screens, belt guards and other protective devices as required by the building official to provide protection from injury.
- Blowers shall be housed within a weather-protecting structure.
- Blowers shall be equipped with backdraft check dampers to minimize air loss when inoperative.
- Blower inlets shall be located to provide protection from air contamination. The location of inlets shall be approved.
Buildings connected by pedestrian walkways or tunnels shall be considered to be separate structures.
Exceptions:
- Buildings that are on the same lot and considered as portions of a single building in accordance with Section 503.1.2.
- [DSA-AC and HCD 1-AC] For purposes of calculating the number of Type B unitsaccessibility in residential facilities as required by Chapter11s 11A and 11B, structurally connected buildings, buildings connected by stairs, walkways, or roofs, and buildings with multiple wings shall be considered to be one structure.
The pedestrian walkway shall be of noncombustible construction.
Exceptions:
- Combustible construction shall be permitted where connected buildings are of combustible construction.
- Fire-retardant-treated wood, in accordance with Section 603.1, Item 1.3, shall be permitted for the roof construction of the pedestrian walkway where connected buildings are not less than Type I or II construction.
The connection of a pedestrian walkway to a building shall comply with Section 3104.5.1, 3104.5.2, 3104.5.3 or 3104.5.4.
Exception: Buildings that are on the same lot and considered as portions of a single building in accordance with Section 503.1.2.
The wall separating the pedestrian walkway and the building shall comply with Section 3104.5.2.1 or 3104.5.2.2 where:
- The distance between the connected buildings is more than 10 feet (3048 mm).
- The pedestrian walkway and connected buildings are equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, and the roof of the walkway is not more than 55 feet (16 764 mm) above grade connecting to the fifth, or lower, story above grade plane, of each building.
Exception: Open parking garages need not be equipped with an automatic sprinkler system.
Where the distance between the connected buildings is more than 10 feet (3048 mm), the walls at the intersection of the pedestrian walkway and each building need not be fire-resistance rated provided that both sidewalls of the pedestrian walkway are not less than 50 percent open with the open area uniformly distributed to prevent the accumulation of smoke and toxic gases. The roof of the walkway shall be located not more than 40 feet (12 160 mm) above grade plane, and the walkway shall only be permitted to connect to the third or lower story of each building.
Exception: Where the pedestrian walkway is protected with a sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, the roof of the walkway shall be located not more than 55 feet (16 764 mm) above grade plane and the walkway shall only be permitted to connect to the fifth or lower story of each building.
Where exterior walls of connected buildings are required by Section 705 to have a fire-resistance rating greater than 2 hours, the walls at the intersection of the pedestrian walkway and each building need not be fire-resistance rated provided:
- The pedestrian walkway is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.
- The roof of the walkway is not located more than 55 feet (16 764 mm) above grade plane and the walkway connects to the fifth, or lower, story above grade plane of each building.
The length of exit access travel shall be 200 feet (60 960 mm) or less.
Exceptions:
- Exit access travel distance on a pedestrian walkway equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 shall be 250 feet (76 200 mm) or less.
- Exit access travel distance on a pedestrian walkway constructed with both sides not less than 50 percent open shall be 300 feet (91 440 mm) or less.
- Exit access travel distance on a pedestrian walkway constructed with both sides not less than 50 percent open, and equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, shall be 400 feet (122 m) or less.
Awnings and canopies shall be provided with an approved covering that complies with one of the following:
- The fire propagation performance criteria of Test Method 1 or Test Method 2, as appropriate, of NFPA 701.
- Has a flame spread index not greater than 25 when tested in accordance with ASTM E84 or UL 723.
Meets all of the following criteria when tested in accordance with NFPA 286:
- 3.1. During the 40 kW exposure, flames shall not spread to the ceiling.
- 3.2. Flashover, as defined in NFPA 286, shall not occur.
- 3.3. The flame shall not spread to the outer extremity of the sample on any wall or ceiling.
- 3.4. The peak heat release rate throughout the test shall not exceed 800 kW.
Exception: The fire propagation performance and flame spread index requirements shall not apply to awnings installed on detached one- and two-family dwellings.
115920. This act shall be known and may be cited as the Swimming Pool Safety Act.
(Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 925, Sec. 3.5. Effective January 1, 1997.)
115921. As used in this article the following terms have the following meanings:
- "Swimming pool" or "pool" means any structure intended for swimming or recreational bathing that contains water over 18 inches deep. "Swimming pool" includes in-ground and aboveground structures and includes, but is not limited to, hot tubs, spas, portable spas, and nonportable wading pools.
- "Public swimming pool" means a swimming pool operated for the use of the general public with or without charge, or for the use of the members and guests of a private club. Public swimming pool does not include a swimming pool located on the grounds of a private single-family home.
- "Enclosure" means a fence, wall, or other barrier that isolates a swimming pool from access to the home.
- "Approved safety pool cover" means a manually or power-operated safety pool cover that meets all of the performance standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), in compliance with standard F1346-91.
- "Exit alarms" means devices that make audible, continuous alarm sounds when any door or window, that permits access from the residence to the pool area that is without any intervening enclosure, is opened or is left ajar. Exit alarms may be battery operated or may be connected to the electrical wiring of the building.
- "ANSI/APSP performance standard" means a standard that is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and published by the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP).
- "Suction outlet" means a fitting or fixture typically located at the bottom or on the sides of a swimming pool that conducts water to a recirculating pump.
115922.
- Except as provided in Section 115925, when a
building permit is issued for the construction of a new swimming
pool or spa or the remodeling of an existing swimming
pool or spa at a private single-family home, the respective
swimming pool or spa shall be equipped with at least two of
the following seven drowning prevention safety features:
- An enclosure that meets the requirements of Section 115923 and isolates the swimming pool or spa from the private single-family home.
- Removable mesh fencing that meets American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Specifications F2286 standards in conjunction with a gate that is self-closing and self-latching and can accommodate a key lockable device.
- An approved safety pool cover, as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 115921.
- Exit alarms on the private single-family home's doors that provide direct access to the swimming pool or spa. The exit alarm may cause either an alarm noise or a verbal warning, such as a repeating notification that "the door to the pool is open."
- A self-closing, self-latching device with a release mechanism placed no lower than 54 inches above the floor on the private single-family home's doors providing direct access to the swimming pool or spa.
- An alarm that, when placed in a swimming pool or spa, will sound upon detection of accidental or unauthorized entrance into the water. The alarm shall meet and be independently certified to the ASTM Standard F2208 "Standard Safety Specification for Residential Pool Alarms," which includes surface motion, pressure, sonar, laser, and infrared type alarms. A swimming protection alarm feature designed for individual use, including an alarm attached to a child that sounds when the child exceeds a certain distance or becomes submerged in water, is not a qualifying drowning prevention safety feature.
- Other means of protection, if the degree of protection afforded is equal to or greater than that afforded by any of the features set forth above and has been independently verified by an approved testing laboratory as meeting standards for those features established by the ASTM or the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).
- Before the issuance of a final approval for the completion of permitted construction or remodeling work, the local building code official shall inspect the drowning safety prevention features required by this section and, if no violations are found, shall give final approval.
115923. An enclosure shall have all of the following characteristics:
- Any access gates through the enclosure open away from the swimming pool, and are self-closing with a self-latching device placed no lower than 60 inches above the ground.
- A minimum height of 60 inches.
- A maximum vertical clearance from the ground to the bottom of the enclosure of two inches.
- Gaps or voids, if any, do not allow passage of a sphere equal to or greater than four inches in diameter.
- An outside surface free of protrusions, cavities, or other physical characteristics that would serve as handholds or footholds that could enable a child below the age of five years to climb over.
115924.
- Any person entering into an agreement to build a swimming pool or spa, or to engage in permitted work on a pool or spa covered by this article, shall give the consumer notice of the requirements of this article.
- Pursuant to existing law, the Department of Health Services shall have available on the department's Web site, commencing January 1, 2007, approved pool safety information available for consumers to download. Pool contractors are encouraged to share this information with consumers regarding the potential dangers a pool or spa poses to toddlers. Additionally, pool contractors may provide the consumer with swimming pool safety materials produced from organizations such as the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, Drowning Prevention Foundation, California Coalition for Children's Safety & Health, Safe Kids Worldwide, Association of Pool and Spa Professionals, or the American Academy of Pediatrics.
115925. The requirements of this article do not apply to any of the following:
- Public swimming pools.
- Hot tubs or spas with locking safety covers that comply with the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM F1346).
- An apartment complex, or any residential setting other than a single-family home.
115926. This article does not apply to any facility regulated by the State Department of Social Services even if the facility is also used as the private residence of the operator. Pool safety in those facilities shall be regulated pursuant to regulations adopted therefor by the State Department of Social Services.
(Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 925, Sec. 3.5. Effective January 1, 1997.)
115927. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, this article shall not be subject to further modification or interpretation by any regulatory agency of the state, this authority being reserved exclusively to local jurisdictions, as provided for in subdivision (e) of Section 115922 and subdivision (c) of Section 115924.
(Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 925, Sec. 3.5. Effective January 1, 1997.)
115928. Whenever a building permit is issued for the construction of a new swimming pool or spa, the pool or spa shall meet all of the following requirements:
-
- The suction outlets of the pool or spa for which the permit is issued shall be equipped to provide circulation throughout the pool or spa as prescribed in paragraphs (2) and (3).
- The swimming pool or spa shall either have at least two circulation suction outlets per pump that shall be hydraulically balanced and symmetrically plumbed through one or more "T" fittings, and that are separated by a distance of at least three feet in any dimension between the suction outlets, or be designed to use alternatives to suction outlets, including, but not limited to, skimmers or perimeter overflow systems to conduct water to the recirculation pump.
- The circulation system shall have the capacity to provide a complete turnover of pool water, as specified in Section 3124B of Chapter 31B of the California Building Standards Code (Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations).
- Suction outlets shall be covered with antientrapment grates, as specified in the ANSI/APSP-16 performance standard or successor standard designated by the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission, that cannot be removed except with the use of tools. Slots or openings in the grates or similar protective devices shall be of a shape, area, and arrangement that would prevent physical entrapment and would not pose any suction hazard to bathers.
- Any backup safety system that an owner of a new swimming pool or spa may choose to install in addition to the requirements set forth in subdivisions (a) and (b) shall meet the standards as published in the document, "Guidelines for Entrapment Hazards: Making Pools and Spas Safer," Publication Number 363, March 2005, United States Consumer Product Safety Commission.
115928.5. Whenever a building permit is issued for the remodel or modification of an existing swimming pool, toddler pool, or spa, the permit shall require that the suction outlet or suction outlets of the existing swimming pool, toddler pool, or spa be upgraded so as to be equipped with antientrapment grates, as specified in the ANSI/APSP-16 performance standard or a successor standard designated by the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission.
[Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 679, Sec. 3. (AB 2114) Effective January 1, 2013.]
115929.
- The Legislature encourages a private entity, in consultation with the Epidemiology and Prevention for Injury Control Branch of the department, to produce an informative brochure or booklet, for consumer use, explaining the child drowning hazards of, possible safety measures for, and appropriate drowning hazard prevention measures for, home swimming pools and spas, and to donate the document to the department.
- The Legislature encourages the private entity to use existing documents from the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission on pool safety.
- If a private entity produces the document described in subdivisions (a) and (b) and donates it to the department, the department shall review and approve the brochure or booklet.
- Upon approval of the document by the department, the document shall become the property of the state and a part of the public domain. The department shall place the document on its Web site in a format that is readily available for downloading and for publication. The department shall review the document in a timely and prudent fashion and shall complete the review within 18 months of receipt of the document from a private entity.
Release mechanisms shall be in accordance with CBC Section 1010.1.9.
The provisions of this section shall apply to relocatable buildings. Relocatable buildings manufactured after the effective date of this code shall comply with the applicable provisions of this code [DSA-SS and DSA-SS/CC] as enforced by the enforcement agency.
Exception: This section shall not apply to manufactured housing used as dwellings.
[HCD] The provisions of Section 3113 are not applicable to commercial modulars, manufactured homes, mobilehomes, multi-unit manufactured housing, and special purpose commercial modulars as defined in Health and Safety Code Sections 18001.8, 18007, 18008, 18008.7 and 18012.5, respectively. These structures are subject to installation/reinstallation requirements specified in the Mobilehome Parks Act (Health and Safety Code Section 18200 et seq.) and the California Code of Regulations, Title 25, Division 1, Chapter 2. Manufactured homes must meet unit identification (data plate) and certification label requirements as specified in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 24, Subtitle B, Chapter XX, Part 3280 and Health and Safety Code Section 18032. Commercial modulars and special purpose commercial modulars must meet identification requirements in the California Code of Regulations, Title 25, Division 1, Chapter 3, Subchapter 2.
Supplemental information specific to a relocatable building shall be submitted to the authority having jurisdiction. It shall, as a minimum, include the following in addition to the information required by Section 105:
- Manufacturer's name and address.
- Date of manufacture.
- Serial number of module.
- Manufacturer's design drawings.
- Type of construction in accordance with Section 602.
- Design loads including: roof live load, roof snow load, floor live load, wind load and seismic site class, use group and design category.
- Additional building planning and structural design data.
- Site-built structure or appurtenance attached to the relocatable building.
Each relocatable module shall have a data plate that is permanently attached on or adjacent to the electrical panel, and shall include the following information:
- Occupancy group.
- Manufacturer's name and address.
- Date of manufacture.
- Serial number of module.
- Design roof live load, design floor live load, snow load, wind and seismic design.
- Approved quality assurance agency or approved inspection agency.
- Codes and standards of construction.
- Envelope thermal resistance values.
- Electrical service size.
- Fuel-burning equipment and size.
- Special limitations if any.