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Chapter 9 — FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS

Section 911 — EXPLOSION CONTROL

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.

911.1 General. Explosion control shall be provided in the following locations:

  1. Where a structure, room or space is occupied for purposes involving explosion hazards as identified in Table 911.1.
  2. Where quantities of hazardous materials specified in Table 911.1 exceed the maximum allowable quantities in Table 5003.1.1(1).

Such areas shall be provided with explosion (deflagration) venting, explosion (deflagration) prevention systems or barricades in accordance with this section and NFPA 68, NFPA 69 or NFPA 495 as applicable. Deflagration venting shall not be utilized as a means to protect buildings from detonation hazards.

TABLE 911.1—EXPLOSION CONTROL REQUIREMENTSf

MATERIAL CLASS EXPLOSION CONTROL METHODS EXPLOSION CONTROL METHODS
MATERIAL CLASS Barricade
construction		 Explosion (deflagration) venting or
explosion (deflagration) prevention systems
Hazard Category Hazard Category Hazard Category Hazard Category
Combustible dustsa — Not required Required
Cryogenic fluids Flammable Not required Required

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

FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS

TABLE 911.1—EXPLOSION CONTROL REQUIREMENTSf—continued

MATERIAL CLASS EXPLOSION CONTROL METHODS EXPLOSION CONTROL METHODS
MATERIAL CLASS Barricade
construction		 Explosion (deflagration) venting or
explosion (deflagration) prevention systems
Hazard Category Hazard Category Hazard Category Hazard Category
Explosives Division 1.1 Required Not required
Explosives Division 1.2 Required Not required
Explosives Division 1.3 Not required Required
Explosives Division 1.4i Not required Required
Explosives Division 1.5 Required Not required
Explosives Division 1.6 Required Not required
Flammable gas Gaseous Not required Requiredh
Flammable gas Liquefied Not required Requiredh
Flammable liquids IAb Not required Required
Flammable liquids IBc Not required Required
Organic peroxides Unclassified detonable Required Not permitted
Organic peroxides I Required Not permitted
Oxidizer liquids and solids 4 Required Not permitted
Pyrophoric Gases Not required Required
Unstable (reactive) 4 Required Not permitted
Unstable (reactive) 3 detonable Required Not permitted
Unstable (reactive) 3 nondetonable Not required Required
Water-reactive liquids and solids 3 Not required Required
Water-reactive liquids and solids 2e Not required Required
Special Uses Special Uses Special Uses Special Uses
Acetylene generator rooms — Not required Required
Electrochemical energy storage systemsg — Not required Required
Energy storage systemsg — Not required Required
Grain processing — Not required Required
Liquefied petroleum gas distribution facilities — Not required Required
Where explosion hazards existd Detonation Required Not permitted
Where explosion hazards existd Deflagration Not required Required

For SI: 1 inch per second = 25.4 mm/s.
a. Combustible dusts where manufactured, generated or used in such a manner that the concentration and conditions create a fire or explosion hazard
based on information prepared in accordance with Section 104.2.2. See definition of “Combustible dust” in Chapter 2.
b. Storage or use.
c. In open use or dispensing.
d. Rooms containing dispensing and use of hazardous materials where an explosive environment can occur because of the characteristics or nature of the
hazardous materials or as a result of the dispensing or use process.
e. A method of explosion control shall be provided where Class 2 water-reactive materials can form potentially explosive mixtures.
f. Explosion venting is not required for Group H-5 Fabrication Areas complying with Chapter 27 and the_California Building Code_.
g. Where explosion control is required in Section 1207.6.3.
h. Not required for Category 1B Flammable Gases having a burning velocity not exceeding 3.9 inches per second.
i. Does not apply to consumer fireworks, 1.4G.

911.2 Required deflagration venting.

Areas that are required to be provided with deflagration venting shall comply with the following:

  1. Walls, ceilings and roofs exposing surrounding areas shall be designed to resist a minimum internal pressure of 100 pounds per square foot (psf) (4788 Pa). The minimum internal design pressure shall be not less than five times the maximum internal relief pressure specified in Item 5 of this section.
  2. Deflagration venting shall be provided only in exterior walls and roofs.

Exception: Where sufficient exterior wall and roof venting cannot be provided because of inadequate exterior wall or roof area, deflagration venting shall be allowed by specially designed shafts vented to the exterior of the building. 3. Deflagration venting shall be designed to prevent unacceptable structural damage. Where relieving a deflagration, vent closures shall not produce projectiles of sufficient velocity and mass to cause life threatening injuries to the occupants or other persons on the property or adjacent public ways.

9-68 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE

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

FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS

  1. The aggregate clear area of vents and venting devices shall be governed by the pressure resistance of the construction assemblies specified in Item 1 of this section and the maximum internal pressure allowed by Item 5 of this section.
  2. Vents shall be designed to withstand loads in accordance with the California Building Code . Vents shall consist of any one or any combination of the following to relieve at a maximum internal pressure of 20 pounds per square foot (958 Pa), but not less than the loads required by the California Building Code : 5.1. Exterior walls designed to release outward.

5.2. Hatch covers.

5.3. Outward swinging doors. 5.4. Roofs designed to uplift. 5.5. Venting devices listed for the purpose. 6. Vents designed to release from the exterior walls or roofs of the building when venting a deflagration shall discharge directly to the exterior of the building where an unoccupied space not less than 50 feet (15 240 mm) in width is provided between the exterior walls of the building and the lot line.

Exception: Vents complying with Item 7 of this section. 7. Vents designed to remain attached to the building when venting a deflagration shall be so located that the discharge opening shall be not less than 10 feet (3048 mm) vertically from window openings and exits in the building and 20 feet (6096 mm) horizontally from exits in the building, from window openings and exits in adjacent buildings on the same lot and from the lot line.

  1. Discharge from vents shall not be into the interior of the building.

911.3 Explosion prevention systems.

Explosion prevention systems shall be of an approved type and installed in accordance with the provisions of this code and NFPA 69.

911.4 Deflagration venting.

Deflagration venting shall be of an approved type and installed in accordance with the provisions of this code and NFPA 68.

911.5 Barricades. Barricades shall be designed and installed in accordance with NFPA 495.

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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
    Overview
    1. Section 901 — GENERAL
    2. Section 902 — DEFINITIONS
    3. Section 903 — AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEMS
    4. Section 904 — ALTERNATIVE AUTOMATIC FIRE-EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS
    5. Section 905 — STANDPIPE SYSTEMS
    6. Section 906 — PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
    7. Section 907 — FIRE ALARM AND DETECTION SYSTEMS
    8. Section 908 — EMERGENCY ALARM SYSTEMS
    9. Section 909 — SMOKE CONTROL SYSTEMS
    10. Section 910 — SMOKE AND HEAT REMOVAL
    11. Section 911 — EXPLOSION CONTROL
    12. Section 912 — FIRE DEPARTMENT CONNECTIONS
    13. Section 913 — FIRE PUMPS
    14. Section 914 — FIRE PROTECTION BASED ON SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIR…
    15. Section 915 — CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) DETECTION
    16. Section 916 — GAS DETECTION SYSTEMS
    17. Section 917 — MASS NOTIFICATION 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…
  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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