Pasadena Municipal Code Ch. 14.28 Fire Prevention Code

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. No. 7461, § 6, adopted November 10, 2025, repealed former Ch. 14.28, §§ 14.28.010—14.28.510, and enacted a new Ch. 14.28. Former Ch. 14.28 pertained to similar subject matter and derived from Ord. No. 7407, § 5, adopted December 5, 2022; and Ord. No. 7451, § 1, adopted July 21, 2025.

Except as otherwise provided for in the chapter by specific provision, the minimum standards, provisions, and requirements for the safe construction and maintenance of property, facilities, conditions, materials, equipment, fire prevention and alarms systems, and the general supervision thereof for the purpose of combating and control of fire and fire hazard and abatement same within the corporate limits of the City shall be in accordance with the provisions and in the manner prescribed by the California Fire. Code, 2025 edition (California Fire Code) in its entirety, as published by the International Code Council. This adoption of the code also includes adoption by reference of the 2024 International Fire Code Chapters 1, 3, Section 503 of Chapter 5, Sections 1101 and 1104 of Chapter 11, Appendix Chapter 4 and Appendices B through I, K, M, N, O, P, all as compiled, adopted, and subsequently amended by the International Code Council, California State Fire Marshal's Office, California Building Standards Commission, or City of Pasadena. One copy of the above publication is on file for public inspection and they are adopted and incorporated herein as if fully set forth in this chapter.

(Ord. No. 7461, § 6, 11-10-2025)

101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the Fire Code of the City of Pasadena hereinafter referred to as "this code."

(Ord. No. 7461, § 6, 11-10-2025)

[A] 105.6.4 Cryogenic fluids.

A construction permit is required for installation, alteration, or closure to outdoor stationary cryogenic fluid storage systems where the system capacity exceeds the amounts listed in Table 105.5.11. Maintenance performed in accordance with this code is not considered to be an alteration and does not require a construction permit.

(Ord. No. 7461, § 6, 11-10-2025)

[A] 113.4 Violation penalties.

Persons who violate a provision of this code or fail to comply with any of the requirements thereof or who erect, install, alter, repair or do work in violation of the approved construction documents or directive of the fire code official, or of a permit or certificate used under provisions of this code, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to the penalties specified in Chapter 1.24 of the Pasadena Municipal Code.

(Ord. No. 7461, § 6, 11-10-2025)

307.4.3 Portable outdoor fireplaces.

Portable outdoor fireplaces shall be used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and shall not be operated within 15 feet (3048 mm) of a structure or combustible material.

Exception:

1. Portable outdoor fireplaces used at one-and two-family dwellings.

2. Portable outdoor fireplaces as approved by the fire code official for Fire Department staffed special events within the parameters established by the fire code official.

(Ord. No. 7461, § 6, 11-10-2025)

Subsections adopted as published.

508.1 General.

Where required by other sections of this code and in all buildings totaling three (3) stories or greater above and below grade and in all F-1 and S-1 occupancies with a building footprint greater than 500,000 square feet (46451 m 2 ), a fire command center for fire department operations shall be provided and shall comply with Sections 508.1.1 through 508.1.7.

(Ord. No. 7461, § 6, 11-10-2025)

903.1.2 Existing occupancies.

Existing occupancies, shall comply with Section 903.2 where one of the following conditions exists:

1. Whenever additions result in an additional level above or below grade, or a total increase of more than 1000 square feet (92.9 m 2 ) or more, or an increase of more than fifty percent (50%) of the existing floor area including mezzanines and additional stories, whichever is less, regardless of ownership. Additions shall be cumulative with each application for a building permit from January 1, 2008 to present day.

Exception: R-3 occupancies shall not be required to comply with this section solely due to the addition of an additional level, unless the criteria for an increase of existing floor area is also exceeded or if the addition exceeds a combined total floor area of 3,600 square feet and fire flow requirements are not met.

2. Whenever the value of alterations exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the replacement value of the structure, excluding the value of property and contents, as determined by the Building Official. Alteration values shall be cumulative with each application for a building permit from January 1, 2008. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs such as interior and exterior painting, carpeting, interior window coverings, drapes, movable partitions, surface re-roofing or plumbing, mechanical and electrical repairs shall not be considered when calculating the percentage of alterations.

3. Whenever there is a change of occupancy to a more hazardous use, as determined by the fire code official.

(Ord. No. 7461, § 6, 11-10-2025)

903.1.3 Partial automatic fire sprinkler system prohibited.

Whenever an automatic fire sprinkler system is installed for any portion of any building or structure, an automatic fire sprinkler system shall be installed for the entire building or structure.

(Ord. No. 7461, § 6, 11-10-2025)

903.2 Where required.

All new construction of buildings and structures shall be provided with an approved automatic fire sprinkler system.

Exception: The following types of construction may be exempt from this section when approved by the fire code official.

1. Detached private garages, utility sheds, and similar structures 500 square feet or less, accessory to a R-3 occupancy, provided no portion of the structure is located more than 150 feet (45,720 mm) from an approved fire department access road.

2. Detached Carports, detached gazebos, pergolas, and similar shade structures open on all sides constructed of non-combustible material 500 square feet or less, accessory to a R-3 occupancy.

3. Other similar structures as deemed appropriate by the fire code official.

(Ord. No. 7461, § 6, 11-10-2025)

903.2.18 Group U detached and attached private garages, carports, and similar structures accessory to Group R-3 occupancies.

Carports with habitable space above and attached garages, accessory to Group R-3 occupancies, shall be protected by residential fire sprinklers in accordance with this section. When an automatic fire sprinkler system is required in accordance with sections 903.1.2 and 903.2, carports without habitable space above, detached garages, and similar attached and detached structures, accessory to R-3 occupancies, shall be protected by residential fire sprinklers in accordance with this section. Residential fire sprinklers shall be connected to, and installed in accordance with, an automatic residential fire sprinkler system that complies with Section R309 of the California Residential Code or with NFPA 13D. Fire sprinklers shall be residential sprinklers or quick-response sprinklers, designed to provide a minimum density of 0.05 gpm/ft2 (2.04 mm/min) over the area of the garage, carport, and/or similar structure, but not to exceed two sprinklers for hydraulic calculation purposes. Garage doors shall not be considered obstructions with respect to sprinkler placement.

(Ord. No. 7461, § 6, 11-10-2025)

903.3.5 Water supplies.

Water supplies for automatic sprinkler systems shall comply with this section and the standards referenced in Section 903.3.1. The potable water supply shall be protected against backflow in accordance with Health and Safety Code 13114.7. For connections to public waterworks systems, the water supply test used for design of fire protection systems shall be adjusted to account for seasonal and daily pressure fluctuations based on information from the water supply authority and as approved by the fire code official. Hydraulic calculations shall include a 10% safety margin.

(Ord. No. 7461, § 6, 11-10-2025)

903.3.5.2 Residential combination services.

A single combination water supply shall not be allowed for NFPA 13R systems.

(Ord. No. 7461, § 6, 11-10-2025)

5001.6.1Temporary out-of-service facilities.

Facilities that are temporarily out of service shall continue to maintain a permit and be monitored and inspected. Unless otherwise specified, a temporary facility closure shall last not more than 180 calendar days. The fire code official may authorize one 180-day extension.

(Ord. No. 7461, § 6, 11-10-2025)

5003.2.9.3 Minimum testing.

At a minimum, all tanks, primary storage, secondary containment, monitoring systems, release prevention and mitigation systems, and other safety equipment or systems for the storage, use or handling of any hazardous material shall be tested for proper function as described by manufacturer's or design specifications, whichever is more stringent, prior to the introduction of a hazardous material.

(Ord. No. 7461, § 6, 11-10-2025)

5704.2.7.4 Emergency venting.

Stationary, above-ground tanks shall be equipped with additional venting that will relieve excessive internal pressure caused by exposure to fires. Emergency venting devices shall be listed and approved. Emergency vents for Class I, II and IIIA liquids shall not discharge inside buildings. This requirement shall also apply to each compartment of a compartmentalized tank, the interstitial space (annulus) of a secondary containment type tank, and the enclosed space of tanks of closed-top dike construction. Additionally, this requirement shall apply to spaces or enclosed volumes, such as those intended for insulation, membranes or weather shields that can contain liquid because of a leak from the primary vessel and can inhibit venting during fire exposure. The insulation, membrane or weather shield shall not interfere with emergency venting. The venting shall be installed and maintained in accordance with Section 22.7 of NFPA 30 except as modified by Section 5703.6.2.2.

(Ord. No. 7461, § 6, 11-10-2025)

5704.2.7.5.8 Overfill prevention.

An approved means or method in accordance with Section 5704.2.9.7.5 shall be provided to prevent the overfill of all Class I, II and IIIA liquid storage tanks. Storage tanks in refineries, bulk plants or terminals regulated by Section 5706.4 or 5706.7 shall have overfill protection in accordance with API 2350.

An approved means or method in accordance with Section 5704.2.9.7.5 shall be provided to prevent overfilling of Class IIIB liquid storage tanks connected to fuel-burning equipment inside buildings.

(Ord. No. 7461, § 6, 11-10-2025)

5704.2.8.14 Emergency vents.

Emergency vents shall be vapor tight and shall not be allowed to discharge inside the vault. Long-bolt manhole covers shall not be allowed for this purpose.

(Ord. No. 7461, § 6, 11-10-2025)

Subsections adopted as published.

5704.2.9.6.1 Locations where above-ground tanks are prohibited.

Storage of Class I and II liquids in above-ground tanks outside of buildings is prohibited within the limits established by law as the limits of districts in which such storage is prohibited in the City of Pasadena.

(Ord. No. 7461, § 6, 11-10-2025)

5706.2.4.4 Location where above-ground tanks are prohibited.

The storage of Class I and II liquids in above-ground tanks is prohibited within the limits established by law as set forth in the fire code adoption ordinance or other regulation adopted by the City of Pasadena.

(Ord. No. 7461, § 6, 11-10-2025)

5806.2 Limitations.

Storage of flammable cryogenic fluids in stationary containers outside of buildings is prohibited within the limits established by law as set forth in the fire code adoption ordinance or other regulation adopted by the City of Pasadena.

(Ord. No. 7461, § 6, 11-10-2025)

6101.3 Construction documents.

Where a single LP-gas container is more than 20 gallons (75.7 L) in water capacity or the aggregate water capacity of LP-gas containers is more than 40 gallons (151 L) in water capacity, the installer shall submit construction documents for such installation.

(Ord. No. 7461, § 6, 11-10-2025)

6101.4 Minimum testing.

At a minimum, all tanks, primary storage, secondary containment, monitoring systems, release prevention and mitigation systems, and other safety equipment or systems for the storage, use or handling of any hazardous material shall be tested for proper function as described by manufacturers or design specifications, whichever is more stringent, prior to the introduction of a hazardous material.

(Ord. No. 7461, § 6, 11-10-2025)

TABLE B105.1(1) REQUIRED FIRE-FLOW FOR ONE- AND TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGS, GROUP R-3 AND R-4 BUILDINGS AND TOWNHOUSES

For SI: 1 square foot = 0.0929 m 2 , 1 gallon per minute = 3.875 L/m.

(Ord. No. 7461, § 6, 11-10-2025)

TABLE B105.2 REQUIRED FIRE-FLOW FOR BUILDINGS OTHER THAN ONE- AND TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGS, GROUP R-3 AND R-4 BUILDINGS AND TOWNHOUSES

For SI: 1 gallon per minute = 3.785 L/m.

a. The reduced fire-flow shall be not less than 1,000 gallons per minute.

b. The reduced fire-flow shall be not less than 1,500 gallons per minute.

(Ord. No. 7461, § 6, 11-10-2025)

D103.6 Signs.

Where required by the fire code official, fire apparatus access roads shall be marked with permanent "NO PARKING—FIRE LANE" signs complying with the current specifications maintained by the Pasadena Department of Public Works.

(Ord. No. 7461, § 6, 11-10-2025)

The map entitled "City of Pasadena Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map" dated March 24, 2025, is adopted and incorporated in this chapter by this reference. The adopted map shall be maintained on file with the City Clerk and made available for public inspection during normal business hours. Such map shall be used by the fire chief in administering this chapter.

(Ord. No. 7461, § 6, 11-10-2025)