GENERAL PRECAUTIONS AGAINST FIRE

SECTION 301 GENERAL

301.1 Scope. The provisions of this chapter shall govern the occupancy and maintenance of all structures and premises for precautions against fire and the spread of fire and general requirements of fire safety.
[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, $3.14] Fire Hazard.
No person, including but not limited to the State and its political subdivisions, operating any occupancy subject to California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division I regulations shall permit any fire hazard, as defined in this article, to exist on premises under their control, or fail to take immediate action to abate a fire hazard when requested to do so by the enforcing agency.

Note: "Fire Hazard" as used in California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1 regulations means any condition, arrangement, or act which will increase, or may cause an increase of, the hazard or menace of fire to a greater degree than customarily recognized as normal by persons in the public service of preventing, suppressing or extinguishing fire; or which may obstruct, delay, or hinder, or may become the cause of obstruction, delay or hindrance to the prevention, suppression or extinguishment of fire.
[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, $3.19(a) through (g)] Housekeeping.
Every building or portion ofa building governed by California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1 regulations shall be maintained in a neat orderly manner, free from any condition that would create a fire or life hazard or a condition which would add to or contribute to the rapid spread of fire. Provisions shall be made for the proper storage and disposal of waste materials and rubbish consistent with the following:
(a) All basements, cellars, floors, closets, attics and other similar places not open to continuous observation shall be kept free from combustible litter and rubbish at all times. Note: Such storage may be permitted in these areas only when protected by approved automatic extinguishing systems or fire-resistive separations.
(b) All combustible waste material and rubbish shall be stored in approved containers or shall be stored in a manner approved by the enforcing agency as being consistent with standard fire prevention practices until such waste material and rubbish is removed from the premises or otherwise disposed of in a proper manner. (1) Containers with a capacity exceeding 5.33 cubic feet (40 gallons) (0.15 m³) shall comply with the provisions of California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 9. Section 304.3. (2) Wastebaskets and linen containers in Group 1-2 and 1-3 оссираncies shall comply with the provisions of California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 9, Section 808.
(c) Approved self-closing metal containers or listed disposal containers by an approved testing or listing agencyу shall be provided and maintained in all rooms or locations where oily rags, oily waste, paint rags, or similar materials subject to spontaneous ignition are used, or are stored temporarily. Contents of such containers shall be removed and disposed of daily.
(d) Ashes shall not be placed in, on or near combustible material, but shall be placed in approved metal containers, until removed from the premises or otherwise properly disposed of.
(e) No dry vegetation shall be permitted to exist within 20 feet of any building or occupancies subject to California Code of Regulations, California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1 regulations.
(f) Except when permitted by the enforcing agency, boiler rooms, mechanical rooms, transformer and switchgear vaults and electrical panel rooms, shall not be used for storage.
(g) Electric motors, filters on heating equipment, and grease hoods shall be checked periodically and kept clean and maintained in a safe operating condition.
301.2 Permits. Permits shall be required as set forth in Section 105.6 for the activities or uses regulated by Sections 306, 307, 308 and 315.

SECTION 302 DEFINITIONS

302.1 Definitions. The following words and terms shall, for the purposes of this chapter and as used elsewhere in this code, have the meanings shown herein.
BONFIRE. An outdoor fire utilized for ceremonial purposes. HI-BOY. A cart used to transport hot roofing materials on a roof.
HIGH-VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE. An electrical power transmission line operating at or above 66 kilovolts.
OPEN BURNING. The burning of materials wherein products of combustion are emitted directly into the ambient air without passing through a stack or chimney from an enclosed chamber. Open burning does not include road flares, smudgepots and similar devices associated with safety or occupational uses typically considered open flames, recreational fires or use of portable outdoor fireplaces. For the purpose of this definition, a chamber shall be regarded as enclosed when, during the time combustion occurs, only apertures, ducts,stacks, flues or chimneys necessary to provide combustion air and permit the escape of exhaust gas are open.
PORTABLE OUTDOOR FIREPLACE. A portable, outdoor, solid-fuel-burning fireplace that may be constructed of steel, concrete, clay or other noncombustible material. A portable outdoor fireplace may be open in design, or may be equipped with a small hearth opening and a short chimney or chimney opening in the top.
POWERED INDUSTRIAL TRUCK. A forklift, tractor, platform lift truck or motorized hand truck powered by an electrical motor or internal combustion engine. Powered industrial trucks do not include farm vehicles or automotive vehicles for highway use.
RECREATIONAL FIRE. An outdoor fire burning materials otherthan rubbish where the fuel being burned is not contained in an incinerator, outdoor fireplace, portable outdoor fireplace, barbeque grill or barbeque pit and has a total fuel area of 3 feet (914 mm) or less in diameter and 2 feet (610 mm) or less in height for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth or similar purposes.

SECTION 303 ASPHALT KETTLES

303.1 Transporting. Asphalt (tar) kettles shall not be transported over any highway, road or street when the heat source for the kettle is operating.
Exception: Asphalt (tar) kettles in the process of parching road surfaces.

SECTION 303 ASPHALT KETTLES

303.1 Transporting. Asphalt (tar) kettles shall not be transported over any highway, road or street when the heat source for the kettle is operating.
303.3 Location of fuel containers. Fuel containers shall be located at least 10 feet (3048 mm) from the burner. Exception: Containers properly insulated from heat or flame are allowed to be within 2 feet (610 mm) of the burner.
303.2 Location. any building opening and within a controlled area identified by the use of traffic cones, barriers or other approved means. Asphalt (tar) kettles and pots shall sot be utilized inside or on the roof of a building or strict Roofing kettles and operating asphalt (tar) kettles shall not block means of egress, gates, roadways or entrances.
303.4 Attendant. An operating kettle shall be attended by a minimum of one employee knowledgeable of the operations and hazards. The employee shall be within 100 feet (30 480 mm) of the kettle and have the kettle within sight. Ladders or similar obstacles shall not form a part of the route between the attendant and the kettle.
303.5 Fire extinguishers. There shall be a portable fire extinguisher complying with Section 906 and with a minimum 40-B:C rating within 25 feet (7620 mm) of each asphalt (tar) kettle during the period such kettle is being utilized. Additionally, there shall be one portable fire extinguisher with a minimum 3-A:40-B:C rating on the roof being covered.
303.6 Hi-boys. Hi-boys shall be constructed of noncombustible materials. Hi- boys shall be limited to a capacity of 55 gallons (208 L). Fuel sources or heating elements shall not be allowed as part of a hi-boy.
303.7 Roofing kettles. Roofing kettles shall be constructed of noncombustible materials.
303.8 Fuel containers under air pressure. Fuel containers that operate under air pressure shall not exceed 20 gallons (76 L) in capacity and shall be approved

SECTION 304 COMBUSTIBLE WASTE MATERIAL

304.1 Waste accumulation prohibited. Combustible waste material creating a fire hazard shall not be allowed to accumulate in buildings or structures or upon premises.
[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, $3.07(a)] Clearances.
(a) General. No combustible material shall be placed or stored within 10 feet (3048 mm) of any building or structure. 304.1.1 Waste material. Accumulations of wastepaper, wood, hay, straw, weeds, litter or combustible or flammable waste or rubbish of any type shall not be permitted to remain on a roof or in any court, yard, vacant lot, alley, parking lot, open space, or beneath a grandstand, bleacher, pier, wharf, manufactured home, recreational vehicle or other similar structure.
304.1.2 Vegetation. Weeds, grass, vines or other growth that is capable of being ignited and endangering property. shall be cut down and removed by the owner or occupant of the premises. Vegetation clearance requirements in urbanwildland interface areas shall be in accordance with Chapter 49.
[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, $3.07(b)] Clearances.
(b) Ground Clearance. The space surrounding every building or structure shall be maintained in accordance with the following:
Any person that owns, leases, controls, operates or maintains any building or structure in, upon, or adjoining any mountainous area or forest-covered lands, brush covered lands or grass-covered lands, or any land which is covered with flammable material, shall at all times do all of the following:
(1) Maintain around and adjacent to such building or structure a firebreak made by removing and clearing away, for a distance of not less than 30 feet (9144 mm) on each side thereof or to the property line, whichever is nearer, all flammable vegetation or other combustible growth. This section does not apply to single specimens of trees, ornamental shrubbery, or similar plants which are used as ground cover, if they do not form a means of rapidly transmitting fire from the native growth to any building or structure.

SECTION 305 IGNITION SOURCES

305.1 Clearance from ignition sources. Clearance between ignition sources, such as luminaires, heaters, flame-producing devices and combustible materials, shall be maintained in an approved manner.
305.2 Hot ashes and spontaneous ignition sources. Hot ashes, cinders, smoldering coals or greasy or oily materials subject to spontaneous ignition shall not be deposited in a combustible receptacle, within 10 feet (3048 mm) of other combustible material including combustible walls and partitions or within 2 feet (610 mm) of openings to buildings.
Exception: The minimum required separation distance to other combustible materials shall be 2 feet (610 mm) where the material is deposited in a covered, noncombustible receptacle placed on a noncombustible floor, ground surface or stand.
305.3 Open-flame warning devices. Open-flame warning devices shall not be used along an excavation, road, or any place where the dislodgment of such device might permit the device to roll, fall or slide on to any area or land containing combustible material.
305.4 Deliberate or negligent burning. It shall be unlawful to deliberately or through negligence set fire to or cause the burning ofcombustible material in sucha manner as to endanger the safety of persons or property.

SECTION 306 MOTION PICTURE PROJECTION ROOMS AND FILM

306.1 Motion picture projection rooms. Electric arc, xenon or other light source projection equipment which develops hazardous gases, dust or radiation and the projection of ribbon-type cellulose nitrate film, regardless of the light source used in projection, shall be operated within a motion picture projection room complying with Section 409 of the International Building Code.
306.2 Cellulose nitrate film storage. Storage of cellulose

SECTION 307 OPEN BURNING, RECREATIONAL FIRES AND PORTABLE OUTDOOR FIREPLACES

307.1 General. A person shall not kindle or maintain or authorize to be kindled or maintained any open burning unless conducted and approved in accordance with this section.
307.1.1 Prohibited open burning. Open burning that is offensive or objectionable because of smoke emissions or when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fires hazardous shall be prohibited.
307.2 Permit required. A permit shall be obtained from the fire code official in accordance with Section 105.6 prior to kindling a fire for recognized silvicultural or range or wildlife management practices, prevention or control of disease or pests, or a bonfire. Application for such approval shall only be presented by and permits issued to the owner of the land upon which the fire is to be kindled.
307.2.1 Authorization. Where required by state or local law or regulations, open burning shall only be permitted with prior approval from the state or local air and water quality management authority, provided that all conditions specified in the authorization are followed.
307.3 Extinguishment authority. The fire code official is authorized to order the extinguishment by the permit holder, another person responsible or the fire department of open burning that creates or adds to a hazardous or objectionable situation.
307.4 Location. The location for open burning shall not be less than 50 feet (15 240 mm) from any structure, and provisions shall be made to prevent the fire from spreading to within 50 feet (15 240 mm) of any structure. Exceptions: 1. Fires in approved containers that are not less than 15 feet (4572 mm) from a structure. 2. The minimum required distance froma structure shall be 25 feet (7620 mm) where the pile size is 3 feet (914 mm) or less in diameter and 2 feet (610 mm) or less in height.
307.4.1 Bonfires. A bonfire shall not be conducted within 50 feet (15 240 mm) of a structure or combustible material unless the fire is contained in a barbecue pit. Conditions which could cause a fire to spread within 50 feet (15 240 mm) of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition.
307.4.2 Recreational fires. Recreational fires shall not be conducted within 25 feet (7620 mm) of a structure or combustible material. Conditions which could cause a fire to spread within 25 feet (7620 mm) of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition.
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.