Information Bulletins

Welcome to the Information Bulletins page of the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM). This platform offers crucial updates and guidance concerning fire safety, regulations, and compliance matters pertinent to California's fire prevention and safety standards. Here, you'll discover an extensive collection of bulletins issued throughout the years, addressing various topics such as firework disposal procedures and safety protocols for emerging technologies. Each bulletin is crafted to enhance safety measures, ensure compliance with current laws, and equip stakeholders with the necessary information to effectively manage fire-related risks.

Please note that while each bulletin serves as informational material, they are not legally binding documents. These bulletins do not intend to replace or override the requirements of laws and regulations.

IB No.	Date Issued	Topics
24-001	01-23-2024	Lithium-Ion Battery Safety
24-002	03-21-2024	Honeywell Recalls System Sensor L-series Low Frequency Fire Alarm Sounders and Strobes
24-003	05-14-2024	Elide Fire Extinguishing balls
24-004	05-28-2024	Fire Engineering and Investigation's Certification Exam Accommodations
24-005	06-05-2024	Field Testing For Flammability: Match Flame Test
24-006	06-24-2024	Notary Public Signature Removal From The Fire Sprinkler Fitter Application Forms
24-007	08-23-2024	Compliance with Senate Bill (SB)-1044 Restrictions on Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) and Requirements for Heliports
24-008	09-03-2024	Prohibition on AFFF Use at Part 139 Airports
24-009	09-16-2024	Self-Authorization Exams through Pearson VUE
24-010	09-24-2024	Fire and Life Safety Construction Inspections and Other Related Processes
24-011	09-30-2024	Unapproved AKE Fire Safety Equipment
24-012	10-15-2024	Child Care Centers - Occupancy Classification and Use (Updated Version)
24-013	10-23-2024	Consumer Product Recall - Colsen Recalls Fire Pits Due to Risk of Serious Burn Injury
24-014	11-13-2024	New and Renewal Cards to be issued - Effective December 16, 2024

IB No.	Date Issued	Topics
23-006	08-11-2023	Seized Fireworks Reporting and Disposal
23-005	07-13-2023	NFPA 2 Hydrogen Edition Update
23-004	05-30-2023	AES Corporation IntelliPro Recall
23-003	04-03-2023	Lithium-Ion Battery Safety
23-002	03-14-2023	Unapproved Fire Extinguisher Sold in California by Element Fire Extinguishers
23-001	01-25-2023	Sprinkler Fitter Continuing Education Units Due At Time Of Renewals

IB No.	Date Issued	Topics
22-001	10-20-2022	Requirement for listing under UL 38 Manually Actuated Signaling Boxes 1999 Edition, with California Amendments.
22-002	10-21-2022	Guidance for Photovoltaic Installation for State owned and Specified State-Occupied Buildings.
22-003	11-1-2022	Senate Bill Update on Firework Seizures and Management

IB No.	Date Issued	Topics
21-001	05-07-21	Kidde Recalls TruSense Smoke and Combination Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Model Series 2040, 2050, 2060, and 2070)
21-002	06-15-21	SB 1044 AFFF Fire Foam - Regulation information
21-003	07-08-21	2019 Intervening Code California Building Code, Chapter 7A Vents Requirement in the Wildland Urban Interface Areas
21-004	07-08-21	2019 California Residential Code section R327.7 for Heat Detection for Energy Storage Systems
21-005	08-05-21	Accessory Dwelling Units and Automatic Residential Fire Sprinkler System Requirements
21-006	08-13-21	Pyrotechnic Effect Simulation Equipment
21-007	09-20-21	Defensible Space Inspection Requests
21-008	10-26-21	OSFM Headquarters Office Relocation

IB No.	Date Issued	Topics
20-001	3-20-20	Office of the State Fire Marshal Lobby Counter Closures
20-002	3-23-20	The RUSOH® ELIMINATOR® Fire Extinguisher
20-003	4-2-20	COVID-19 Emergency Medical Tents
20-004	4-3-20	Correction Title 24, Part 2, Section 1030.1
20-005	6-3-20	Annual Renewal Expiration Extension
20-006	3-30-20	Fire Sprinkler Fitter Certification CEUs
20-007	12-15-20	Use of Heaters in Temporary Tents & Awnings
20-008	3-19-21	Guidance for Family Day Care Homes

IB No.	Date Issued	Topics
19-001	7-22-19	Universal Security Instruments Recalls to Inspect Smoke Alarm Due to Risk of Failure to Alert Consumers to a Fire
19-002	10-28-19	School Re-Opening After Extended Loss of Electrical Power

IB No.	Date Issued	Topics
18-013	12-27-18	Correction to the 2016 California Fire Code for Photovoltaic Power Systems (PDF)
18-012	12-20-18	New Licensing Examination Process (PDF)
18-011	12-20-18	NFPA 25, 2011 Edition Tentative Interim Amendments, TIA 11-5 for the 2013 California Edition (PDF)
18-010	09-11-18	Tank and Pump Residential Fire Sprinklers (PDF)
18-009	09-11-18	UL 2075 requirement from California Fire Code 3805.1.2 (PDF)
18-008	03-29-18	Updated Seized Fireworks Reporting and Disposal Process (PDF)
18-007	03-29-18	Automatic Fire Extinguishing Systems Fire Sprinkler Fitter Certification Implementation (PDF)
18-006	03-26-18	Kidde Recalls Dual Sensor Smoke Alarms (Model PI2010 and PI9010) (PDF)
18-005	03-22-18	California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 9, 2016 CFC, Chapter 57, Section 5703.6.2.2 (PDF)
18-004	03-20-18	California Fire Code Chapter 57 Matrix Errata (PDF)
18-003	03-20-18	Errata for California Building Code (PDF)
18-002	02-07-18	Area Code Overlays (PDF)
18-001	01-04-18	New Automatic Fire Extinguishing Systems Certification Implementation Period and Timeline (PDF)

IB No.	Date Issued	Topics
17-002	05-25-17	NEW Automatic Fire Extinguishing Systems Certification (PDF) (see 18-001)
17-001	01-24-17	Automatic Residential Fire Sprinkler System Requirements for Accessory Dwelling Units (PDF)

IB No.	Date Issued	Topics
16-006	09-13-16	Plan Review Submittals Utilizing the 2016 California Building Standards Code Prior to the Effective Date of January 1, 2017
16-005	09-13-16	2016 California Building Standards Code Effective Date (PDF)
16-004	03-02-16	Adoption of 2016 edition of NFPA 2 for the 2016 California Fire Code (PDF)
16-003	01-22-16	Guidelines for Log Storage Areas Due to Tree Mortality (PDF)
16-002	01-13-16	Fire Pump Exam Update (PDF)
16-001	12-23-15	Rebuilding After A Wildfire (PDF)

IB No.	Date Issued	Topics
15-006	12-23-15	Hoverboard Fire Safety (PDF)
15-004	09-23-15	CCR, Title 24, Part 2, 2013 California Building Code (CBC), Chapter 34, Sections 3401.6 and 3401.8 (PDF)
15-003	09-10-15	NFPA 25, 2013 California Edition Inspection, Testing & Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems (PDF)
15-002	07-17-15	Best Practices of Water Management during Required Testing (PDF)
15-001	06-26-15	Kidde ABC and BC-rated Fire Extinguishers Recall (PDF)

IB No.	Date Issued	Topics
14-011	11/26/14	Fire Classification for Roof Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Systems and Panels or Modules - 2013 California Building Standards Code Supplement (PDF)
14-010	11/18/14	Adoption of NFPA 2 Hydrogen Technologies Code for the Supplement to the 2013 California Building and Fire Code Effective Date (PDF)
14-009	10/15/14	Siemens Audible Fire Alarm Base Recall (PDF)
14-008	9/14/14	Kidde Smoke Alarm Recall (PDF)
14-007	8/22/14	U.S. Consumer Product Safety Product Recall of Edwards, ESL, Interlogix Hard-Wired Smoke Alarms Recalled Due to Failure to Alert Consumers of a Fire (PDF)
14-006	9/4/14	Updated Smoke Alarm Requirements (PDF)
14-005-A	1/29/15	Addendum - Underground Fuel Storage Tanks Prohibited for Use as Aboveground Fuel Storage Tanks (PDF)
14-005	7/25/14	Underground Fuel Storage Tanks Prohibited for Use as Aboveground Fuel Storage Tanks (PDF)
14-004	4/29/14	Non-Metallic Piping Systems, Fire Sprinklers and Spray Polyurethane Foam Applications (PDF)
14-003	3/3/14	Unapproved Fire Extinguisher Sold in California - Fire Gone Fire Suppression Device sold by Max Professional (PDF)
14-002-A	4/29/14	Delayed Effective Date Effecting Fire Classification for Roof Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Panels/Modules [Systems] (PDF)
14-002	2/14/14	Fire Classification for Roof Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Panels/Modules [Systems] and Application of the 2013 California Building Standards Code (PDF)
14-001	1/22/14	Pipelines, Trains and Bakken Crude Oil (PDF)

IB No.	Date Issued	Topics
13-009	12-30-2013	Antifreeze Use in NFPA 13D (2013 Edition) Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems as Referenced in the 2013 California Building Standards Code (PDF)
13-007	11-18-2013	Residential Fire Sprinklers and Energy Regulations (PDF)
13-006	11-12-2013	Update New Requirement for Smoke Alarms Listings (PDF)
13-005	09-23-2013	Repeal of State Fire Marshal (SFM) Standard 12-7-2 Fire-Resistive Standards Fire Dampers (PDF)
13-004	09-23-2013	2013 California Building Standards Code Effective Date (PDF)
13-01	08-13-2013	Repeal of State Fire Marshal (SFM) Standard 12-7-2 Fire-Resistive Standards Fire Dampers (PDF)

IB No.	Date Issued	Topics
12-09	12-11-2012	Crowd Managers (PDF)
12-07	08-28-2012	Unapproved Smoke Alarm Consumer Alert (PDF)
12-06	06-26-2012	Guidance for Safe Handling and Storage of Seized Fireworks (PDF)
12-05	06-08-2012	Sky Lanterns (PDF)
12-04	06-07-2012	Fire Apparatus Access Roads Photovoltaic Power Generation Facilities (PDF)
12-03	05-25-2012	Unapproved Fire Extinguisher Sold in California By Nitro Strike, Inc . (PDF)
12-02	05-14-2012	Unapproved Fire Extinguisher Sold in California By Fire Service Plus, Inc. (PDF)
12-01	05-14-2012	New Requirements for Markings of Portable Fire Extinguisher Service Vehicles (PDF)

IB No.	Date Issued	Topics
11-06	08-24-2011	Licensed 24-Hour Residential Care Facilities (PDF)
11-05	08-24-2011	Lead Free Residential Fire Sprinkler Heads (Under Review) (PDF)
11-04	08-01-2011	Unapproved Fire Extinguisher Sold in California By Kidde (PDF)
11-03	05-13-2011	NFPA 25, 2006 California Edition Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems (PDF)(Updated: 9/10/15 IB 15-003)
11-02	05-06-2011	U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Recalls Active Leisure Tents Recalled Due to Fire Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Costco (PDF)
11-01	02-09-2011	U.S. Consumer Product Safety Product Recall - Aux Sable Liquid Products Propane (LP) Gas (PDF)

Date Issued	Topics
12-08-2010	Fire Protection Systems for Dry Cleaning Plants With Type III-A Cleaning Systems and the 2010 California Fire Code Requirements (PDF)
10-26-2010	Antifreeze Solutions Within Residential Fire Sprinkler Applications (PDF)
10-07-2010	Overfill Prevention for Underground Storage Tanks (PDF)
09-08-2010	Antifreeze Used In Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems (PDF)
09-07-2010	Fire Apparatus Access Roads (PDF)
08-30-2010	Unapproved Fire Extinguisher Sold in California By "Top Gear Auto Sport" (PDF)
08-30-2010	Unapproved Fire Extinguisher Sold in California By StreetBeatCustoms Fire Extinguisher (PDF)
08-30-2010	Unapproved Fire Extinguisher Sold in California By "k2 motor Fire Extinguisher" (PDF)
08-30-2010	Unapproved Fire Extinguisher Sold in California By "AIRBAGIT Fire Extinguisher" (PDF)
08-25-2010	Update on the Vapor Systems Technologies (VST) Nozzles Operating in California (PDF)
08-16-2010	National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standards Council Decision Regarding Antifreeze in Residential Sprinkler Systems (PDF)
07-06-2010	OSFM Information Bulletin Regarding The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Interim Safety Alert Regarding Antifreeze in Residential Sprinklers (PDF)
06-11-2010	Regarding Vapor Systems Technologies Nozzles Operating in California (PDF)
02-18-2010	Residential Automatic Fire Sprinklers in One and Two-Family Dwellings and Townhouses (PDF)
01-08-2010	Field Testing for Flammability for Match Flame Test (PDF)

Date Issued	Topics
12-17-2009	New Law Impacting Fire Clearance for RCFEs and Community Care Facilities (PDF)
12-10-2009	Information Regarding Changes in the Defensible Space Codes (PDF)
12-02-2009	New License Classification For Automatic Extinguishing Systems Maintenance and Testing (PDF)
09-01-2009	Requirements for "Artwork" in Group E Occupancies (PDF)
07-13-2009	Dual Sensor Smoke Alarms Recalled by Kidde Due to Failure to Warn of a Fire (PDF)
06-23-2009	Fireworks Safety Tips - 2009 (PDF)
06-23-2009	Sales of Consumer Fireworks on Craigslist (PDF)
06-11-2009	Health and Safety Code Fireworks Violations (PDF)
05-01-2009	Fire Alarm Control Unit Listings (PDF)
03-19-2009	Kidde Recall to Replace Fire Extinguishers Due to Failure to Operate (PDF)
03-10-2009	Exterior Ramps Group R-3.1 (PDF)
01-12-2009	Statewide Consumer Alert Regarding Fire Protection Equipment Scam (PDF)
01-08-2009	Fire Alarm Control Panel Recalled by NOTIFIER (PDF)

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