Art. 1 General Provisions — 2025 California Administrative Code

4-401. Purpose. These regulations implement Section 14963 of the Government Code to ensure that elementary, secondary or community college buildings and facilities constructed or altered pursuant to these regulations are in compliance with the California Code of Regulations, Title 24 related to the design aspects of the Fire and Life Safety (FLS) elements, components and systems. Authority: Government Code Section 14963.

Reference: Government Code Section 14963.

4-402. Scope. Title 24, California Code of Regulations (C.C.R.) parts 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9 and 10; known as the California Building Code, designate building regulations that are applicable to the Fire and Life Safety portions of the design, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, alteration of or addition to any school building as defined in Sections 17283 and 81050 of the Education Code. The term “school building” shall include all buildings, structures, appurtenances and related systems or facilities as defined in Section 4-314. Section 14963, Government Code, authorizes the Division of the State Architect (DSA) to carry out the functions and duties related to plan check and inspections of the construction of school buildings.

Authority: Government Code Section 14963.

Reference: Government Code Section 14963. Education Code Sections 17283 and 81050.

4-403. Authority for enforcement of regulations. All duties and functions that relate to the Fire and Life Safety aspects of school construction plan checking and inspections have been vested by law in the Division of the State Architect.

Authority: Government Code Section 14963.

Reference: Government Code Section 14963.

4-404. Alternate materials and methods of construction and modifications. The provisions of these regulations are not intended to prevent the use of any material or method of construction not specifically prescribed by these regulations, provided any alternate has been approved and its use authorized by DSA or the State Fire Marshal.

DSA may approve any such alternate, provided DSA finds that the proposed design is satisfactory and complies with the provisions of these regulations and that the material, method or work offered is, for the purpose intended, at least the equivalent of that prescribed in these regulations in suitability, strength, effectiveness, fire resistance, durability, safety and sanitation.

DSA shall require that sufficient evidence or proof be submitted to substantiate any claims that may be made regarding its use. The details of any action granting acceptance of an alternate shall be recorded and entered in the files of DSA.

When there are practical difficulties involved in carrying out the provisions of these regulations, DSA may grant modifications for individual cases. DSA shall first find that a special individual reason makes the strict letter of these regulations impractical, that the modification is in conformance with the intent and purpose of these regulations, and that such modification does not lessen any fire protection requirements, accessibility or degree of structural integrity. The details of any action granting modifications shall be recorded and entered in the files of DSA.

Authority: Education Code Sections 17310 and 81142. Government Code Section 14963.

Reference: Education Code Sections 17280 and 81130. Government Code Section 14963.

4-405. Application of building standards. Building standards applicable to public school buildings are set forth in Parts 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11 and 12, Title 24, C.C.R., and have been adopted as minimum design and construction standards upon which to base the approval of plans and specifications. These regulations shall not be construed to prevent the use of higher design standards or to restrict the use of new or innovative design or construction techniques.

Where the designer desires to use innovative design or construction techniques not addressed in these regulations it shall be necessary to submit for review and approval information including computations, test data and recommendations covering the design in question. The designer shall confer with DSA concerning the applicability of these innovative design or construction techniques to school building construction prior to the submittal of plans and specifications.

DSA must be satisfied that the degree of safety achieved by these innovative design and construction techniques is at least equivalent to that achieved by the regulations. The determination of the equivalency of the degree of safety shall be the responsibility of DSA.

Authority: Education Code Sections 17310 and 81142. Government Code Section 14963.

Reference: Education Code Sections 17280 and 81130. Government Code Section 14963.

4-406. Approval of construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, alteration of or addition to any school buildings. Plans and specifications for any new school building or for the reconstruction, rehabilitation, alteration of or addition to school buildings shall be submitted to DSA for approval as required by and in accordance with Sections 4-306 through 4-310. This approval shall include Fire and Life Safety.

Authority: Government Code Section 14963. Education Code Sections 17310 and 81142.

Reference: Government Code Section 14963. Health and Safety Code Section 13143. Education Code Sections 17280, 17295, 81130 and 81133.