2016 California CodesSignificant Changes
Symbol Markings in Margin
Acronyms of State Agencies
2016 California Building CodeSignificant Changes to
1.1.7.3.1 Projects can use the CBC or CRC
but not both (Residential 1 and 2 family dwelling).
101.2 Limited height of CRC
Accessory Structures changed from 2‐stories to not more than 3‐stories above grade plane.
CBC Chapter 1
202 Definition of Horizontal Exit HORIZONTAL EXIT. An exit component consisting of
fire‐resistance‐rated construction and opening protectives intended to compartmentalize portions of a building thereby creating refuge areas that afford safety from the fire and smoke from the area of fire origin.
Focuses on compartmentalization aspect of using a “horizontal exit” rather than on the path of egress travel.
CBC Chapter 2
202 Definition of Treated Wood TREATED WOOD, Wood products that are conditioned to
enhance fire‐retardant or preservative properties. Fire‐retardant‐treated wood. Wood products that, when
impregnated with chemicals by a pressure process or other means during manufacture, exhibit reduced surface‐burning characteristics and resist propagation of fire.
Preservative‐treated wood. Wood products that, conditioned with chemicals by a pressure process or other means, exhibit reduced susceptibility to damage by fungi, insects or marine borers.
CBC Chapter 2
304.1 Food Processing Facilities and Commercial Kitchens Small food establishments and commercial kitchens not
associated with dining facilities not more than 2500 SF included as Group B Occupancies.
CBC Chapter 3
304.1 Training and Skill Development Facilities Group B classification clarified to address:
Ages of occupants. Occupant load limitation where the facility is used for assembly.
Types of permitted uses.
CBC Chapter 3
310.5.2 Lodging Houses New section added for Lodging Houses
Owner‐occupied lodging houses with 5 or fewer quest rooms shall be permitted to be under the CRC.
CBC Chapter 3
Hazardous Materials
The Hazardous Materials Inventory Statement (HMIS) is the basis for regulatory compliance: Planning/Zoning Department Review
Environmental Impact Report (EIR) California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Building/Fire Department review Occupancy Determination Construction Requirements
Ca Health & Safety Code (H&SC) Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP) Ca Electronic Reporting System (CERS)
CBC Tables 307.1(1) & (2) Maximum Allowable Quantities of Hazardous Materials per Control Area. Tables reformatted so that CFC and CBC tables are
identical. Base MAQ for Class 3 Unstable Reactive Gases increased
from 250cf to 750cf to correspond to NFPA 55. Gas Rooms added to Footnote e as an allowable storage
method for increasing the MAQ.
CBC Chapter 3
CBC Tables 307.1(1) & (2) Maximum Allowable Quantities of Hazardous Materials per Control Area.
CBC Chapter 3
404.9 & 404.10 Egress Travel through an Atrium Three distinct travel distance conditions are now each
addressed individually for clarification: 404.9.2 Exit access travel distance at the level of exit discharge.
404.9.3 Exit access travel distance at other than the level of exit discharge.
404.10 Interior exit stairways.
CBC Chapter 4
504 Building Height & No. of Stories Tables 504.3 (revised from 2013 CBC Table 503)
CBC Chapter 5
504 Building Height & No. of Stories Tables 504.4 (revised from 2013 CBC Table 503)
CBC Chapter 5
506.2 Allowable Area Determination Table 506.2 (revised from 2013 CBC Table 503)
CBC Chapter 5
510.2 Horizontal Building Separation No longer limited to 1‐
story for portions of buildings below 3‐hour horizontal separations.
CBC Chapter 5
601 One‐Hour Substitution Table 601 – Footnote d permitting 1‐hour substitution
deleted.
CBC Chapter 6
=
903.2.1.6 Sprinkler Systems – Assembly Occupancies Rooftop uses for assembly ‐ Requires all floors to be
sprinklered.
CBC Chapter 9
915 Carbon Monoxide Detection Existing Group R Occupancies New Group E Occupancies Excludes Group I‐3 Occupancies. Also required by CFC 915.
CBC Chapter 9
1004.1.1 Cumulative Occupant Loads Determination of cumulative occupant load for
intervening spaces, adjacent levels and adjacent stories has been clarified.
Also required by CFC 1004.1.1.
CBC Chapter 10
1004.1.2 Occupant Load Factors Mercantile occupant load factor revised. Also required by CFC 1004.1.2.
CBC Chapter 10
1006 & 1007 Number of Exits and Exit Access Doorways Means of egress requirements have been consolidated.
Table 1006.2.1 (formerly tables 1014.3 & 1015.1
Also required by CFC 1006 & 1007.
CBC Chapter 10
1009.8 Two‐Way Communication Systems Exempts service elevators and private residence
elevators. Also required by CFC 1009.8.
CBC Chapter 10
1016.2 Egress through Intervening Spaces A means of egress is now permitted through an elevator
lobby provided access to at lease one exit is available without passing through the lobby.
Also required by CFC 1016.2
CBC Chapter 10
Chapter 2 DRIVE‐UP ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION. An electric vehicle charging station in which use is
limited to 30 minutes maximum. Drive‐through similar to fuel island
at gas station.
CBC Chapter 11B
Chapter 2 ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION. One or more electric vehicle charging spaces served by
an electric vehicle charger.
CBC Chapter 11B
• The number of electric vehicle charging stations equals the number of electric vehicles that can be simultaneously charged
Chapter 2 ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING SPACE A space intended for charging electric vehicles. 11B‐208 Parking Spaces
Where EV charging stations are provided,they do not qualify as parking spaces.
CBC Chapter 11B
5.106.5.3 Electrical Vehicle Charging Number of EV charging spaces required shall be in
accordance with CBC Table 5.106.5.3.3
CGBSC Chapter 5
CBC Chapter 11B
76 Parking Spaces
requires 5 EVCS.
433 Parking Spaces
requires 26 EVCS.
10 ParkingSpaces
requires 1 EVCS
Van Accessible spaces requires signage when 5 0r more EVCS’ are required.
Van and Standard Accessible spaces requires signage when 26 0r more
EVCS’ are required.
2016 California Fire CodeSignificant Changes to
CFC Chapter 1
Construction Permits Required to “install, repair, modify, abandon, remove,
place temporarily out-of-service, or close systems and equipment.”
Operational Permits Required for various operations, such as:
Cutting and welding, or Hot work High‐pile storage Hazardous Materials
105.6.21 Hazardous Materials A permit is required to store,
dispense, use or handle hazardous materials in quantities exceeding CFC Table 106.2.21.
Hazardous Materials Permits
A permit may be required to store, handle or use ANY of the following materials: Radioactive Materials such as Iodine‐125 or Phosphorous‐32. Highly‐Toxic Liquids or Solids such as sodium azide, mercury,
arsenic or cyanide compounds. Toxic or Highly‐Toxic Gases such as arsine or nitric oxide, or
corrosive gases such as chlorine. Highly Reactive Materials such as peroxides, perchlorates or
nitrates > 70% concentration. Infectious, Etiological or Biological agents or wastes greater
than level 1.
Hazardous Materials PermitsANY AMOUNT
A permit may be required to store, handle or use the following materials in excess of 5 Gallons or 10 Pounds. Flammable Liquids such as acetone, alcohols, toluene, or
stains containing alcohol. Combustible Liquids such as glycerol, dimethylformamide or
dimethylsufoxide. Toxic or Corrosive Liquids or Solids such as hydrochloric acid,
or sodium hydroxide. Reactive Liquids or Solids such as hydrogen peroxide, nitric
acid, iodine or ammonium persulfate. Cryogenic fluids such as liquid nitrogen.
Hazardous Materials Permits5 Gallons or 10 Pounds
A permit may be required to store, handle or use the following materials in excess of 55 Gallons, 500 Pounds or 200 Cu.Ft. Irritants, Sensitizers or Other Health Hazard Solids and
Liquids such as bleach, ammonium chloride, citric acid or sodium acetate.
Flammable, Oxidizing or Corrosive Gases such as hydrogen, oxygen or ammonia.
Hazardous Materials Permits55 Gal., 500 Lbs., 200 Cu.Ft.
901.8.2 Removal of Existing Occupant‐use Hose Lines Existing 1‐1/2” hose lines intended for occupancy use can
be removed, where: They are not required under current code. Would not be utilized by trained personnel or Fire Department.
Remaining connect5ions are compatible withLocal Fire Department fittings.
CFC Chapter 9
903.3.8 Limited Area Sprinkler Systems Reduces the number of sprinkler heads that may be used
in a limited area sprinkler system from 20 heads to 6. Most Local AHJ’s instill local amendments that eliminates
provisions for limited area sprinkler systems. 904.2 & 904.11 Automatic Water Mist Systems Recognizes automatic water mists systems for use on a
limited basis or for special protection applications such as computer room subfloors.
CFC Chapter 9
5003.1.1 Maximum Allowable Quantities of Hazardous Materials per Control Area. Tables reformatted so that CFC and CBC tables are
identical. Base MAQ for Class 3 Unstable Reactive Gases increased
from 250cf to 750cf to correspond to NFPA 55. Gas Rooms added to Footnote e as an allowable storage
method for increasing the MAQ.
CFC Chapter 50
5307 Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Systems Section 5307 added to address CO2 systems > 100 lbs.
used in beverage dispensing applications. Requires: 1 cfm/sf ventilation with exhaust taken within 12” of floor. Gas detection at 5,000 ppm with local alarm in area. Operational permit
CFC Chapter 53
Chapter 56 Explosives & Fireworks Modified extensively with many provisions from CCR
Title 19 brought into the Fire Code to address: Explosives Small Arms Ammunition Fireworks Experimental Rockets
CFC Chapter 56
5808 Hydrogen Fuel Gas Rooms Section 5808 added to address rooms with H2 as a fuel
gas less than MAQ. Ventilation per 2311.7.1.1 with standby power. Gas detection at 25% LEL with
local alarm inside and outside the area. Trouble alarm at “approved location” Initiate ventilation if its not continuous
Operational permit
CFC Chapter 58
ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITS
Other Environmental & Regulatory Permits CEQA: Risk Management Plans POTW: Wastewater discharge TSDF: Hazardous waste treatment SWPPP: Storm water discharge SPCCP: Spill Prevention (Petroleum) BAAQMD: Air emissions
RMPP
Risk Management Prevention Plan Offsite Consequence Analysis (OFCA) Location to Sensitive Public Receptors
Residential Schools & Daycare Non‐Ambulatory Care Facilities
POTW
Publically Owned Treatment Works Set limits for Industrial Wastewater Discharge:
Corrosive Matter, e.g. pH Heavy Metals, e.g. Cu, Pb, Ni, Zn, etc. Flammable Materials Toxic Organic Compounds, e.g. TCA, TCE Suspended Solids
TSDF
Treatment Storage and Disposal Facilities Required for on‐site treatment of Hazardous Waste
Permit by Rule (PBR) Conditionally Authorized
Required for storage of hazardous waste Exceptions:
90 day storage Satellite Accumulation
Requires 5‐year tank certifications
SWPPP
Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Construction Sites Facilities
Equipment Pads Roofs Parking Lots
SPCCP
Spill Prevention, Control & Countermeasure Plan Applicable to Petroleum Tanks
Tier I: No individual tank > 5,000 gallons, aggregate quantity facility wide < 10,000 gallons
Tier II: Assumes an individual tank > 5,000 gallons, or aggregate quantity facility wide < 10,000 gallons
BAAQMD
Bay Area Air Quality Management District, sets limits for air emissions: Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)
Generally limited to 10 lbs/day and 150 lbs/year Toxic Air Contaminated (TACs)
Acute & Chronic Trigger Levels Emergency Diesel Generators Boilers
2M to 10M Btu NOx & CO2 limits
Code Summary by Occupancy
CONCLUSION