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Code Interpretations

The State Fire Marshal's Office established the Code Interpretations Committee (CIC) in November 2001, to research requests for code interpretations. The CIC meets once a month to review and discuss each code interpretation request, then pass their recommendations on to the Division Chiefs for final endorsement and approval. Once approved, the request is posted on the SFM website.

Did you know?...Section 2.05, Title 19, California Code of Regulations provides that any person may request a code interpretation from the State Fire Marshal. How to Request a Code Interpretation from SFM??

The State Fire Marshal will start posting all code interpretations for a 5-day comment period prior to these being permanently posted on this web site. The draft code interpretations will be posted on this web site on the 20th of each month. If none are posted, there were none to post. The purpose of the 5-day comment period is to allow for input from all interested parties on any one of the draft code interpretations. All comments will be considered, and the interpretations will be revised accordingly if the comments for a specific interpretation merit revision. Due to the limited time period, you will not receive a response to your comments. Please e-mail all comments to:  Ernie.Paez@fire.ca.gov

Year of 2008

Interpretation# Topic Date Issued
08-085 Automatic Smoke Detection Requirements for Group E Day Care Facilities. Draft
08-084 Corridor penetrations in SFM regulated occupancies . Draft
08-083 Corridor ratings in Group I-2 occupancy suites . Draft
08-082 Vestibule widths in Group I-2 occupancies. Draft
08-077 Exiting Requirements for a Large Family Daycare. Draft
08-076 Pyrotechnic Operators employing unlicensed assistants. Draft
08-075 Stairs Serving an Assembly Occupancy. Draft
08-073 RCFE Exiting Requirements. December 19, 2008
08-071 Automatic Sprinkler System Increase. Draft
08-068 Manual Fire Alarm Box Height for Wheelchair Access. Draft
08-065 Automatic Shutoffs for Multiple Units. Draft
08-064 Occupancy Separation Between an I and F-1. Draft
08-060 Existing R-2.1.1 or R-2.2.1 Occupancies (6 or less). October 01, 2008
08-057 Mixed Occupancy Separations. Draft
08-056 Fire Extinguisher Requirements on Amusement Rides. December 19, 2008
08-050 Residential Care Facility I-1. September 19, 2008
08-047 R3.1 Clarifications of Sprinklers and Exiting. Draft
08-044 Access-controlled Egress Doors. Draft
08-042 Requirement for Automatic Fire Alarms in Schools. Draft
08-034 Visible Notification Appliances. Draft
08-029 Fire Sprinkler System. December 19, 2008
08-028 Group B vs. Group L Occupancy. December 19, 2008
08-027 Floor Level Exit Signs and Pathway Marking. December 19, 2008
08-025 Wireless interconnected smoke alarms for Group R occupancies. May 13, 2008
08-022 Do existing R-4's have to meet current code because of a required biannual license renewal. May 09, 2008
08-021 New classification of an R6.1.1. May 09, 2008
08-019 Elevator Lobbies in High Rise Buildings. July 11, 2008
08-018 Fire damper requirements in high-rise and state regulated occupancies. July 11, 2008
08-014 Does a sliding glass door meet the requirement for an exit. May 09, 2008
08-013 Smoke Control Systems: Fire/Smoke Damper Blade Position Monitoring. May 09, 2008
08-012 Allowable Area Increases. My 09, 2008
08-011 Does 2001 CFC 1006.3.3.3.1 require the installation of audible and visual notification appliances. May 09, 2008
08-010 Voluntary Recall of Sprinkler Heads. July 11, 2008
08-008 Define "Immediate area". May 09, 2008
08-001 Construction Type for Group I-1 Multi Story Facility. February 22, 2008
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