ARTICLE 7.5. Automatic Fire Detection, Alarm, and Sprinkler Systems [17074.50. - 17074.56.]

Cal. Education Code - EDC 7.5.

in effect

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 17074.50. Section 17074.50.

(a) On and after July 1, 2002, all new construction projects submitted to the Division of the State Architect pursuant to this chapter, including, but not limited to, hardship applications, that require the approval of the Department of General Services shall include an automatic fire detection, alarm, and sprinkler system as set forth in Section 17074.52 and approved by the State Fire Marshal. These provisions shall entitle the school district to all applicable reductions in code requirements, as provided in the California Building Standards Code (Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations). (b) On and after July 1, 2002, all modernization projects that have an estimated total cost in excess of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) submitted to the Division of the State Architect pursuant to this chapter, including, but not limited to, hardship applications, that require the approval of the Department of General Services shall include an automatic fire detection and alarm system as set forth in Section 17074.52 and approved by the State Fire Marshal. For a modernization project that is to be completed in more than one phase, the school district may defer installation of the system until the final phase of the modernization project. Solely for purposes of this section, “modernization” means any modification of a permanent structure or construction of a new building on an existing campus. (c) The Department of General Services shall administer this section based upon the standards adopted by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to Section 17074.52.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 17074.52. Section 17074.52.

(a) For modernization projects, the automatic fire detection and alarm system required pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 17074.50 shall consist of smoke or heat detectors, or a combination thereof, as determined by the State Fire Marshall, installed in the school building. The alarm, upon activation of an initiating device, shall alert all occupants and shall transmit the alarm signal to an approved supervising station. (b) For new construction projects, the automatic fire detection, alarm, and sprinkler system required pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 17074.50, shall in addition to compliance with subdivision (a), include an automatic fire sprinkler system installed in the school building including, but not necessarily limited to, attic spaces. (c) Notwithstanding Section 17074.50 or subdivisions (a) or (b) of this section, for a stand alone portable building, the system required pursuant to this article shall consist of an automatic fire detection and alarm system. For the purposes of this subdivision a “stand alone portable building” means a portable building that is used as a single classroom and that is sited more than 25 feet from any other building, including, but not limited to, any other portable building. (d) Except as required for automatic fire detectors and waterflow detection devices, manual fire alarm boxes shall not be required throughout the school building. (e) The entire system shall be installed, tested, and maintained in accordance with the regulations of the State Fire Marshal.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 17074.54. Section 17074.54.

(a) A portable building that is sited with the intent that it be at the site for less than three years and is sited upon a temporary foundation in a manner that is designed to permit easy removal, is exempt from Sections 17074.50 and 17074.52 for a period of three years from the date of siting. (b) After the three-year exemption set forth in subdivision (a), a school district may request an extension of the exemption for an additional period not to exceed three additional years. The board shall grant the request if the school district presents convincing evidence demonstrating to the satisfaction of the board that the extension is necessary. (c) For purposes of this section, “ portable building” means a classroom building of modular design and construction that meets all of the following criteria: (1) It is designed and constructed to be relocatable and transportable over public streets. (2) It is designed and constructed for relocation without detaching the roof or the floor from the building. (3) It has a floor area of 2,000 square feet or less when measured at the most exterior walls.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 17074.56. Section 17074.56.

(a) The State Allocation Board shall adjust the per-pupil grant amount set forth in Section 17072.10 as necessary to accommodate 50 percent of the increased costs due to the automatic fire detection, alarm, and sprinkler system required pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 17074.50. The board shall adjust the per-pupil grant amount set forth in Section 17074.10 as necessary to accommodate 80 percent of the increased costs due to the automatic fire detection and alarm system required pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 17074.50. The board shall establish a method to provide up to 100 percent of the increased costs of the automatic fire detection, alarm, and sprinkler, if applicable, systems for school districts which qualify for hardship assistance pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 17075.10. (b) By July 1, 2003, the board shall review the adequacy of the per-pupil grant adjustments made pursuant to subdivision (a) and shall increase or decrease those adjustments as determined to be necessary. (c) Any project submitted to the Division of the State Architect on or after September 1, 2001, that includes a qualifying fire detection, alarm, and sprinkler, if applicable, system, and that has not been fully funded prior to July 1, 2002, shall be eligible for grant or eligibility adjustments as set forth in this article.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026