Section 903.2 of the California Fire Code is revised to read:
Sec. 903.2 Where required. Approved automatic sprinkler systems shall be installed in all new buildings. For the purpose of automatic sprinkler systems, buildings separated by less than 10 feet from adjacent buildings shall be considered one building. Fire barriers and partitions, regardless of rating, shall not be considered as creating separate buildings for purposes of determining automatic sprinkler system requirements. Mezzanines shall be included in the total square footage calculation. All new buildings constructed shall have an approved NFPA 13, NFPA 13R, or NFPA 13D automatic sprinkler system installed as per 903.3.1.1, 903.3.1.2 or 903.3.1.3. The Fire Code Official has the final decision of which NFPA 13 standard to apply, as required due to access, water supply and travel time.
Exceptions:
1. Group U occupancies not greater than 500 square feet, and when the building is more than 10 feet from an adjacent building or property line measured from the farthest projection from the building.
2. Agricultural buildings constructed of wood or metal frames over which fabric or similar material is stretched, which are specifically used as green houses are exempt from the automatic sprinkler system requirements unless physically connected to other buildings.
903.2 (a) Additions. An automatic sprinkler system may be required to be installed throughout the building when the addition is more than 50% of the existing building or when the altered building will exceed a fire flow as calculated pursuant to Section 507.3. The fire code official may require an automatic sprinkler system to be installed in buildings where no water main exists to provide the required fire flow or where a special hazard exists, such as poor access roads, steep grades and canyon rims, hazardous brush and response times greater than 5 minutes by a fire department. The fire code official may require that other protective measures be taken based on existing conditions and/or potential hazards. The preceding addition or remodel exception is limited to one permit per three-year period from the date of the last permit approval.
Sec. 903.2 (b) Remodels or reconstructions. The fire code official may require an automatic sprinkler system to be installed throughout buildings if a remodel or reconstruction includes significant modification to the interior or roof of the building. The fire code official may require that other protective measures be taken based on existing conditions and/or potential hazards. The preceding addition or remodel exception is limited to one permit per three-year period from the date of the last permit approval.
903.2 (c) Group U Occupancies. For Group U Occupancies greater than 500 square feet, an approved automatic sprinkler system shall be installed as per NFPA 13D edition referenced in Chapter 80 of the CFC, or as approved by the FAHJ.
(Added by Ord. No. 9915 (N.S.), effective 1-30-08; amended by Ord. No. 10014 (N.S.), effective 11-13-09; repealed and reenacted by Ord. No. 10337 (N.S.), effective 6-19-14; repealed and reenacted by Ord. No. 10465 (N.S.), effective 4-14-17; repealed and reenacted by Ord. No. 10659 (N.S.), effective 3-26-20; repealed and reenacted by Ord. No. 10833 (N.S.), effective 4-13-23)