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Chapter 48 — MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION PRODUCTION STUDIO SOUND STAGES, APPROVED PRODUCTION FACILITIES AND PRODUCTION LOCATIONS

Section 4811 — PRODUCTION LOCATIONS

2025 California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9) · 2025 edition · updated 2026-07-29 · California

Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.

4811.1 General. This chapter shall apply to production locations.

4811.2 Permits.

A permit shall be obtained, unless waived by the fire code official for any of the activities that follow:

a) Use of pyrotechnic special effects, see Section 3307.1 and California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, Chapter 6.

b) Open flames.

c) Flammable or combustible liquids, gases and dust.

d) Hot work.

e) Presence of motor vehicles within a building.

f) Tents and canopies, see Chapter 31 .

g) Any additional permits as required by the agency having jurisdiction (AHJ).

4811.3 Pyrotechnic special effects and open flames.

The use of pyrotechnic special effects and open flames shall be subject to the approval of the fire code official.

4811.4 Standby fire personnel.

A requirement for standby fire safety officers shall be determined by the fire code official on a case-by- case basis.

4811.5 Foamed plastic materials.

All foam plastics shall meet the requirements of Chapter 8, Sections 807.5.1.5 and 807.5.7.

4811.6 Smoking.

When the fire code official determines that hazardous conditions necessitate controlled use of smoking materials, smoking may be prohibited or limited to designated smoking areas.

4811.7 Structural loads.

Sets, scenery and other equipment shall not impact the structural integrity of a building or structure. Consulta- tion with a building official or structural engineer may be required.

4811.8 Electrical requirements.

4811.8.1 General. All electrical equipment including lighting, cabling and temporary power, such as portable generators, shall be maintained in good working order and shall comply with the provisions of the California Electrical Code.

4811.8.2 Distribution. Temporary feeders shall not be tapped from panelboards and switchboards where deadfront covers have to be removed.

4811.8.3 Installations. Electrical installations shall be installed in accordance with the California Electrical Code. Such equipment shall not obstruct exits, means of egress or fire department access, unless approved by the fire code official.

4811.8.4 Generators. Portable, mobile or stationary power-generating equipment may be used to supplement building electrical power for temporary use. Equipment shall be placed in a location acceptable to the fire code official.

4811.9 Fire department access.

Required emergency vehicle access shall be maintained. Any deviations are subject to approval by the fire code official.

4811.10 Means of egress.

The production location shall be provided with means of egress appropriate for the intended use as approved by the fire code official.

4811.11 Fire protection systems and equipment.

Functional fire protection systems and equipment shall be maintained in an operable condition, unless approved by the fire code official. Disconnecting or altering of fire protection systems and/or equipment shall be prohibited, unless otherwise approved by the fire code official with alternate means of protection provided.

4811.12 Fire hydrants and fire appliances.

Hydrants, standpipes and fire department connections (FDC) shall not be obstructed, blocked or rendered inoperable in accordance with Chapter 9, unless approved by the fire code official.

4811.13 Fire extinguishers.

Approved fire extinguishers shall be provided as required by the fire code official.

4811.14 Solid-ceiling sets and platforms.

In buildings with existing fire protection systems and where production intends to construct solid-ceiling sets over 600 square feet (55.7 m [2] ) in area, and platforms over 600 square feet (55.7 m [2] ) in area and which exceed 3 feet (914 mm) in height, such buildings shall be protected by one of the following:

1. An approved and listed heat detector system. Heat detectors shall be spaced 30 feet (9144 mm) on center or as required by the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Detectors shall be connected to an approved and listed central, proprietary or remote station service or a local alarm, which will give an audible signal at a constantly attended location. Such system shall be installed in accordance with Chapter 9.

on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION PRODUCTION STUDIO SOUND STAGES, APPROVED PRODUCTION FACILITIES AND PRODUCTION LOCATIONS

2. The ceiling shall be positioned to allow for the operation of the building’s automatic fire sprinkler system after rehearsal, video- taping, filming or broadcasting of programs has been completed for the day. 3. An approved fire watch. 4 . Special hazards shall be reviewed by the enforcing agency (see additional fire protection systems, Section 901.4.3).

4811.15 Buildings without fire protection systems.

Special hazards shall be reviewed by the fire code official (see special hazards Section 901.4.4).

48-6 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE

on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

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▸ Contents — 2025 California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9)
2025 California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9)
  1. Chapter 1 — ADMINISTRATION
  2. Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS
  3. Chapter 3 — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
  4. Chapter 4 — EMERGENCY PLANNING AND PREPAREDNESS
  5. Chapter 5 — FIRE SERVICE FEATURES
  6. Chapter 6 — BUILDING SERVICES AND SYSTEMS
  7. Chapter 7 — FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
  8. Chapter 8 — INTERIOR FINISH, DECORATIVE MATERIALS AND FURNISHI…
  9. Chapter 9 — FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS
  10. Chapter 10 — MEANS OF EGRESS
  11. Chapter 11 — CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS
  12. Chapter 12 — ENERGY SYSTEMS
  13. Chapter 20 — AVIATION FACILITIES
  14. Chapter 21 — DRY CLEANING
  15. Chapter 22 — COMBUSTIBLE DUST-PRODUCING OPERATIONS
  16. Chapter 23 — MOTOR FUEL-DISPENSING FACILITIES AND REPAIR GARAGES
  17. Chapter 24 — FLAMMABLE FINISHES
  18. Chapter 25 — FRUIT AND CROP RIPENING
  19. Chapter 26 — FUMIGATION AND INSECTICIDAL FOGGING
  20. Chapter 27 — SEMICONDUCTOR FABRICATION FACILITIES
  21. Chapter 28 — LUMBER YARDS AND AGRO-INDUSTRIAL, SOLID BIOMASS A…
  22. Chapter 29 — MANUFACTURE OF ORGANIC COATINGS
  23. Chapter 30 — INDUSTRIAL OVENS
  24. Chapter 31 — TENTS, TEMPORARY SPECIAL EVENT STRUCTURES AND OTH…
  25. Chapter 32 — HIGH-PILED COMBUSTIBLE STORAGE
  26. Chapter 33 — FIRE SAFETY DURING CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION
  27. Chapter 34 — TIRE REBUILDING AND TIRE STORAGE
  28. Chapter 35 — WELDING AND OTHER HOT WORK
  29. Chapter 36 — MARINAS
  30. Chapter 37 — COMBUSTIBLE FIBERS
  31. Chapter 38 — RESERVED
  32. Chapter 39 — PROCESSING AND EXTRACTION FACILITIES
  33. Chapter 40 — STORAGE OF DISTILLED SPIRITS AND WINES
  34. Chapter 41 — TEMPORARY HEATING AND COOKING OPERATIONS
  35. ▸ Chapter 48 — MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION PRODUCTION STUDIO S…
    Overview
    1. Section 4801 — GENERAL
    2. Section 4802 — OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION
    3. Section 4803 — REQUIRED PERMITS
    4. Section 4804 — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
    5. Section 4805 — FIRE-EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS
    6. Section 4806 — FIRE DETECTION EQUIPMENT
    7. Section 4807 — FIRE SAFETY OFFICERS
    8. Section 4808 — ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS
    9. Section 4809 — MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT
    10. Section 4810 — DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
    11. Section 4811 — PRODUCTION LOCATIONS
  36. Chapter 49 — REQUIREMENTS FOR WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE FIRE AR…
  37. Chapter 50 — HAZARDOUS MATERIALS—GENERAL PROVISIONS
  38. Chapter 51 — AEROSOLS
  39. Chapter 52 — RESERVED
  40. Chapter 53 — COMPRESSED GASES
  41. Chapter 54 — CORROSIVE MATERIALS
  42. Chapter 55 — CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
  43. Chapter 56 — EXPLOSIVES AND FIREWORKS
  44. Chapter 57 — FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS
  45. Chapter 58 — FLAMMABLE GASES AND FLAMMABLE CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
  46. Chapter 59 — FLAMMABLE SOLIDS
  47. Chapter 60 — HIGHLY TOXIC AND TOXIC MATERIALS
  48. Chapter 61 — LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GASES
  49. Chapter 62 — ORGANIC PEROXIDES
  50. Chapter 63 — OXIDIZERS, OXIDIZING GASES AND OXIDIZING CRYOGENI…
  51. Chapter 64 — PYROPHORIC MATERIALS
  52. Chapter 65 — PYROXYLIN (CELLULOSE NITRATE) PLASTICS
  53. Chapter 66 — UNSTABLE (REACTIVE) MATERIALS
  54. Chapter 67 — WATER-REACTIVE SOLIDS AND LIQUIDS
  55. Chapter 80 — REFERENCED STANDARDS
  56. Appendix Chapter 4 — SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON US…
  57. Appendix A — BOARD OF APPEALS
  58. Appendix B — FIRE-FLOW REQUIREMENTS FOR BUILDINGS
  59. Appendix BB — FIRE-FLOW REQUIREMENTS FOR BUILDINGS
  60. Appendix C — FIRE HYDRANT LOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTION
  61. Appendix CC — FIRE HYDRANT LOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTION
  62. Appendix D — FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROADS
  63. Appendix E — HAZARD CATEGORIES
  64. Appendix F — HAZARD RANKING
  65. Appendix G — CRYOGENIC FLUIDS—WEIGHT AND VOLUME EQUIVALENTS
  66. Appendix H — HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MANAGEMENT PLANS AND HAZARDOU…
  67. Appendix I — FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS—NONCOMPLIANT CONDITIONS
  68. Appendix J — BUILDING INFORMATION SIGN
  69. Appendix K — CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING AMBULATORY…
  70. Appendix L — REQUIREMENTS FOR FIREFIGHTER AIR REPLENISHMENT SY…
  71. Appendix M — HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS—RETROACTIVE AUTOMATIC SPRINKL…
  72. Appendix N — INDOOR TRADE SHOWS AND EXHIBITIONS
  73. Appendix O — VALET TRASH AND RECYCLING COLLECTION IN GROUP R-2…
  74. Appendix P — TEMPORARY HAUNTED HOUSES, GHOST WALKS AND SIMILAR…
  75. Appendix Q — COMMUNITY WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE (WUI) FIRE HAZ…

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