2 0 2 5 C F C C o d e A m e n d m e n t s p a g e 1 8
Section 5608.2 Firing is hereby added as follows:
5608.2 Firing. All fireworks display, regardless of mortar, device, or shell size, shall be electrically fired.
Section 5608.3 Application for permit is hereby added as follows:
Section 5608.3 Application for permit. A diagram of the grounds on which the display is to be held showing the point at which the fireworks are to be discharged, the fallout area based on 100 feet per inch of shell size, the location of all buildings, roads, and other means of transportation, the lines behind which the audience will be restrained, the location of all nearby trees, telegraph or telephone line, or other overhead obstructions shall be provided to OCFA.
Chapter 57
Flammable and Combustible Liquids
Chapter 57 FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS is adopted in its entirety as amended by the SFM.
Chapter 58
Flammable Gases and Flammable Cryogenic Fluids
Chapter 58 FLAMMABLE GASES AND FLAMMABLE CRYOGENIC FLUIDS is adopted in its entirety as amended by the SFM.
Chapter 59
Flammable Solids
Chapter 59 FLAMMABLE SOLIDS is adopted in its entirety.
Chapter 60
Highly Toxic and Toxic Materials
Chapter 60 HIGHLY TOXIC AND TOXIC MATERIALS is adopted in its entirety.
Chapter 61
Liquefied Petroleum Gases
Chapter 61 LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GASES is adopted in its entirety.
2 0 2 5 C F C C o d e A m e n d m e n t s p a g e 1 9
Chapter 62
Organic Peroxides
Chapter 62 ORGANIC PEROXIDES is adopted in its entirety.
Chapter 63
Oxidizers, Oxidizing Gases and Oxidizing Cryogenic Fluids Chapter 63 OXIDIZERS, OXIDIZING GASES AND OXIDIZING CRYOGENIC FLUIDS is adopted in its entirety.
Chapter 64
Pyrophoric Materials
Chapter 64 PYROPHORIC MATERIALS is adopted in its entirety.
Chapter 65
Pyroxylin (Cellulose Nitrate) Plastics
Chapter 65 PYROXYLIN (CELLULOSE NITRATE) PLASTICS is adopted in its entirety.
Chapter 66
Unstable (Reactive) Materials
Chapter 66 UNSTABLE (REACTIVE) MATERIALS is adopted in its entirety.
Chapter 67
Water-Reactive Solids and Liquids
Chapter 67 WATER-REACTIVE SOLIDS AND LIQUIDS is adopted in its entirety.
Chapter 80
Referenced Standards
Chapter 80 REFERENCED STANDARDS is adopted in its entirety as amended by the SFM with the following amendments:
NFPA 13, 2025 Edition, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems is hereby amended as follows:
2 0 2 5 C F C C o d e A m e n d m e n t s p a g e 2 0
Section 9.2.1.7 is hereby revised as follows:
9.2.1.7 Concealed spaces filled with noncombustible insulation shall not require sprinkler protection when approved by the fire code official.
Section 9.4.3.1 is hereby revised as follows:
9.4.3.1 When fire sprinkler systems are installed in shell buildings of undetermined use (Spec Buildings) other than warehouses (S occupancies), fire sprinklers of the quick-response type shall be used. Use is considered undetermined if a specific tenant/occupant is not identified at the time the fire sprinkler plan is submitted.
Sprinklers in light hazard occupancies shall be one of the following:
(1) Quick-response type as defined in 3.3.223.4.16
(2) Residential sprinklers in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 12 (3) Quick-response CMSA sprinklers
(4) ESFR sprinklers
(5) Standard-response sprinklers used for modifications or additions to existing light hazard systems equipped with standard-response sprinklers. (6) Standard-response sprinklers used where individual standard-response sprinklers are replaced in existing light hazard systems Section 16.12.3.3 is hereby revised as follows:
16.12.3.3 Fire department connections (FDC) shall be of an approved type. The location shall be approved and be no more than 150 feet from a public hydrant. The FDC may be located within 150 feet of a private fire hydrant when approved by the fire code official. The size of piping and the number of 2½” inlets shall be approved by the fire code official. If acceptable to the water authority, it may be installed on the backflow assembly. Fire department inlet connections shall be painted OSHA safety red or as approved. When the fire sprinkler density design requires more than 500 gpm (including inside hose stream demand), or a standpipe system is included, four 2½” inlets shall be provided.
NFPA 13D 2025 Edition, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in Oneand Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes is hereby amended as follows:
Section 7.1.2 is hereby revised as follows:
7.1.2 The sprinkler system piping shall not have separate control valves installed unless supervised by a central station, proprietary, or remote station alarm service.
2 0 2 5 C F C C o d e A m e n d m e n t s p a g e 2 1
NFPA 24, 2025 Edition, Standard for the Installation of Private Fire Service Mains and Their Appurtenances is hereby amended as follows:
Section 6.2.8.1 is hereby added as follows:
6.2.8.1 All indicating valves controlling fire suppression water supplies shall be painted OSHA red.
Exceptions:
(1) Brass or bronze valves on sprinkler risers mounted to the exterior of the building may be left unpainted.
(2) Where OS&Y valves on the detector check assembly are the only control valves, at least one OS&Y valve shall be painted red.
Section 6.2.9 is hereby revised as follows:
All connections to private fire service mains for fire protection systems shall be arranged in accordance with one of the following so that they can be isolated:
(1) A post indicator valve installed not less than 40 ft (12 m) from the building (a) For buildings less than 40 ft (12 m) in height, a post indicator valve shall be permitted to be installed closer than 40 ft (12 m) but at least as far from the building as the height of the wall facing the post indicator valve.
(b) Post indicating valves shall be allowed to be closer than 40 ft (12 m) to the building when a property line or other physical barriers make it impossible to have a post indicating valve 40 ft (12m) away. (c) Post indicating valves shall be allowed to be closer than 40 ft (12 m) to the building when building driveway or fire access roadways or other building traffic make it impractical to be 40 ft (12 m). (2) A wall post indicator valve on risers located within the building, either a nonrising stem gate valve with a wall post indicator or a listed butterfly valve with an indicating handle extending out through the building wall. (3) A backflow preventer with at least one indicating valve not less than 40 ft (12 m) from the building
(a) For buildings less than 40 ft (12 m) in height, a backflow preventer with at least one indicating valve shall be permitted to be installed closer than 40 ft (12 m) but at least as far from the building as the height of the wall facing the backflow preventer.
(b) Backflow preventer valves shall be allowed to be closer than 40 ft (12 m) to the building when a property line or other physical barriers make it impossible to have a backflow preventer valve 40 ft (12 m) away.
2 0 2 5 C F C C o d e A m e n d m e n t s p a g e 2 2
(c) Backflow preventer valves shall be allowed to be closer than 40 ft (12 m) to the building when building driveway or fire access roadways or other building traffic make it impractical to be 40 ft (12 m).
(4) Indicating control valves installed in a fire-rated room accessible from the exterior
(5) Indicating control valves in a fire-rated stair enclosure accessible from the exterior as permitted by the AHJ
(6) Any other valve type or location as permitted by the AHJ Section 10.1.5 is hereby added as follows:
10.1.5 All ferrous pipe and joints shall be polyethylene encased per AWWA C150, Method A, B, or C. All fittings shall be protected with a loose 8-mil polyethylene tube or sheet. The ends of the tube or sheet shall extend past the joint by a minimum of 12 inches and be sealed with 2-inch-wide tape approved for underground use.
Galvanizing does not meet the requirements of this section.
Exception: 304 or 316 Stainless Steel pipe and fittings Section 10.4.1.1 is hereby revised as follows:
10.4.1.1 All bolted joint accessories shall be cleaned and thoroughly coated with asphalt, bituminous, or other corrosion-retarding material after installation.
Exception: Bolted joint accessories made from 304 or 316 stainless steel.
Section 10.4.1.1.1 is hereby added as follows:
10.4.1.1.1 All bolts used in pipe-joint assembly shall be 316 stainless steel.
Section 10.4.3.2 is hereby deleted and replaced as follows:
10.4.3.2 Where fire service mains enter the building adjacent to the foundation, the pipe may run under a building to a maximum of 24 inches, as measured from the interior face of the exterior wall to the center of the vertical pipe. The pipe under the building or building foundation shall be 304 or 316 stainless steel and shall not contain mechanical joints or it shall comply with 10.4.3.2.1 through
10.4.3.2.4.
2 0 2 5 C F C C o d e A m e n d m e n t s p a g e 2 3
Appendices
Appendix A is not adopted.
Appendix B is adopted in its entirety as amended by the SFM.
Appendix BB is adopted in its entirety.
Appendix C is adopted in its entirety as amended by the SFM.
Appendix CC is adopted in its entirety.
Appendix D is not adopted.
Appendix E is not adopted.
Appendix F is not adopted.
Appendix G is not adopted.
Appendix H is adopted in its entirety.
Appendix I is not adopted.
Appendix J is not adopted.
Appendix K is not adopted.
Appendix L is not adopted.
Appendix M is not adopted.
Appendix N is not adopted.
Appendix O is not adopted.
Appendix P is not adopted.
2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE
LOCAL AMENDMENT FINDINGS
I. Climatic Conditions
A. Orange County is located in a semi-arid Mediterranean type climate. It annually experiences extended periods of high temperatures with little or no precipitation. Hot, dry (Santa Ana) winds, which may reach speeds of 70 M.P.H. or greater, are also common to the area. These climatic conditions cause extreme drying of vegetation and common building materials. Frequent periods of drought and low humidity add to the fire danger. This predisposes the area to large destructive fires (conflagration). In addition to directly damaging or destroying buildings, these fires are also prone to disrupt utility services throughout the County. Obstacles generated by a strong wind, such as fallen trees, street lights and utility poles will greatly impact the response time to reach an incident scene.
B. The climate alternates between extended periods of drought and brief flooding conditions.
Flood conditions may affect the Orange County Fire Authority’s ability to respond to a fire or emergency condition. Floods also disrupt utility services to buildings and facilities within the County.
C. Water demand in this densely populated area far exceeds the quantity supplied by natural precipitation; and although the population continues to grow, the already-taxed water supply does not. Due to storage capacities and consumption, and a limited amount of rainfall future water allocation is not fully dependable. This necessitates the need for additional and on-site fire protection features.
D. These dry climatic conditions and winds contribute to the rapid spread of even small fires originating in high-density housing or vegetation. These fires spread very quickly and create a need for increased levels of fire protection. The added protection of fire sprinkler systems and other fire protection features will supplement normal fire department response by providing immediate protection for the building occupants and by containing and controlling the fire spread to the area of origin. Fire sprinkler systems will also reduce the use of water for firefighting by as much as 50 to 75 percent.
II. Topographical conditions
A. Natural; slopes of 15 percent or greater generally occur throughout the foothills of Orange County. The elevation change caused by the hills creates the geological foundation on which communities with Orange County is built and will continue to build. With much of the populated flatlands already built upon, future growth will occur on steeper slopes and with greater constraints in terrain.
B. Traffic and circulation congestion is an artificially created, obstructive topographical condition, which is common throughout Orange County.
C. These topographical conditions combine to create a situation that places fire department response time to fire occurrences at risk and makes it necessary to provide automatic on-site fire-extinguishing systems and other protection measures to protect occupants and property.
III. Geological Conditions
The Orange County region is a densely populated area that has buildings constructed over and near a vast and complex network of faults that are believed to be capable of producing future earthquakes similar or greater in size than the 1994 Northridge and the 1971 Sylmar earthquakes.
Earthquake faults run along the northeast and southwest boundaries of Orange County. The Newport-Inglewood Fault, located within Orange County was the source of the destructive 1933 Long Beach earthquake (6.3 magnitude) which took 120 lives and damaged buildings in an area from Laguna Beach to Marina Del Rey to Whittier. In December 1989, another earthquake occurred in the jurisdiction of Irvine at an unknown fault line. Regional planning for reoccurrence of earthquakes is recommended by the state of California, Department of Conservation.
A. Previous earthquakes have been accompanied by disruption of traffic flow and fires. A severe seismic event has the potential to negatively impact any rescue or fire suppression activities because it is likely to create obstacles similar to those indicated under the high wind section above. The October 17, 1989, Santa Cruz earthquake resulted in one major fire in the Marina District (San Francisco). When combined with the 34 other fires locally and over 500 responses, the department was taxed to its fullest capabilities. The Marina fire was difficult to contain because mains supplying water to the district burst during the earthquake. This situation creates the need for both additional fire protection and automatic on-site fire protection for building occupants. State Department of Conservation noted in their 1988 report (Planning Scenario on a Major Earthquake on the Newport-Inglewood Fault Zone, page 59), “unfortunately, barely meeting the minimum earthquake standards of building codes places a building on the verge of being legally unsafe.”
B. Road circulation features located throughout the County also make amendments reasonably necessary. Located through the County are major roadways, highways and flood control channels that create barriers and slow response times. Hills, slopes, street and storm drain design, accompanied by occasional heavy rainfall, causes roadway flooding and landslides and at times may make an emergency access route impassable. There are areas in Orange County that naturally have extended emergency response times that exceed the 5 minute goal.
C. Soils throughout the County possess corrosive properties that reduce the expected usable life of water services when metallic pipes are in contact with soils.
Due to the topographical conditions of sprawling development separated by waterways and narrow and congested streets and the expected infrastructure damage inherent in seismic zones described above, it is prudent to rely on automatic fire sprinkler systems to mitigate extended fire department response time and keep fires manageable with reduced fire flow (water) resources available for a given structure. Additional fire protection is also justified to match the current resources of firefighting equipment and personnel within the Orange County Fire Authority.
2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE
AMENDMENT FINDINGS LEGEND
CODE
SECTION
TITLE (Clarification) FINDINGS
112.4 Violation penalties Administrative
112.4.2 Infraction and misdemeanor Administrative
202 General definitions Administrative
304.1.2 OCFA vegetation management I
305.6 Hazardous conditions (outdoor fires) I & II
305.7 Disposal of rubbish I & II
307 Open burning, recreational fires, fire pits, fire rings, and outdoor fireplaces
Administrative
307.6 Outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, fire rings Administrative 307.6.1 Gas-fueled devices (outdoor fires) I & II
307.6.2 Devices using wood or fuels other than natural gas or LPG I & II 307.6.2.1 Where prohibited (burning of solid fuels) I & II 324.1 Fuel modification requirements for new construction I 325.1 Clearance of brush or vegetation growth from roadways I 326.1 Unusual circumstances (vegetation management) Administrative 327.1 Use of equipment (IC engines and spark arresters) I 327.2 Use of equipment and devices generating heat, sparks or open flames
I
327.3 Spark arresters I
407.5 Hazardous material inventory statement I & II
501.1 Scope (fire service features) Administrative, I, II & III 510.1 Emergency responder radio coverage Administrative 903.2 Where required (sprinklers) I, II & III
903.2.8 Group R (sprinklers) I, II & III
903.3.5.3 Hydraulically calculated systems I, II & III
2801.2 Permit (biomass storage and handling) Administrative 2808.2 Storage site Administrative
2808.3 Size of piles I
2808.4 Pile separation I
2808.7 Pile fire protection I
2808.9 Material-handling equipment I
2808.11 Temperature control I
2808.11.1 Pile temperature control I
2808.11.2 New material temperature control I
2808.12 Water availability (for piles) I
2808.13 Tipping area I
2808.14 Emergency contact information Administrative
2808.15 Maximum grid of piles and rows Administrative, I 2808.16 Push-out / clear area Administrative, I
5001.5.2 Hazardous materials inventory statement Administrative 5003.1.1.1 Extremely hazardous substances I, II & III
5608.2 Firing (commercial fireworks) Administrative
5608.3 Application for permit (commercial fireworks) Administrative
Chapter
80 Reference Standards N/A
2025 NFPA 13 (commercial sprinkler systems) Administrative, II & III 2025 NFPA 13D (single family sprinkler systems) I & II
2025 NFPA 24 (underground water supply systems) Administrative & III