Fire Protection (C-16) · Lesson 6 of 6

California Amendments to NFPA 13 and NFPA 24 (CFC Chapter 80)

"California Amendments to NFPA 13 and NFPA 24 (CFC Chapter 80)" is lesson 6 of 6 in the Fire Protection (C-16) Learning Hub. It opens with "Build to the Amended Text" and works through 5 short steps, then a worked example you can check yourself against.

Open the free trialSee pricing

One-time purchase, no subscription. Law & Business included.

Steps in this lesson

  1. Build to the Amended Text
  2. The Hydraulic Design Information Sign
  3. Valve Access and Sectional Control Valves
  4. Underground: Joints, Backfill, Licensing
  5. Seismic Attachments and Flow Test Timing

The worked example in the course applies this lesson to a realistic job in 5 steps, from "Count the fire appurtenances" through "Size the pipe zone".

What you'll be able to do

  • Explain the main idea of "California Amendments to NFPA 13 and NFPA 24 (CFC Chapter 80)" in plain language you can use on the exam.
  • Apply this step with confidence: "Valve Access and Sectional Control Valves".
  • Apply this step with confidence: "Underground: Joints, Backfill, Licensing".
  • Apply this step with confidence: "Seismic Attachments and Flow Test Timing".
  • Test yourself on the worked example and the quick-check quiz inside the classroom.
California Amendments: NFPA 13 and NFPA 24PRIVATE FIRE SERVICE MAINSV5 appurtenances5 appurtenancesCircle = hydrant or riser; SV = sectional valvePIPE ZONE (NFPA 24 10.9.1 as amended)Clean sand or pea gravel: 6 + 10 + 12 = 28 in.12 in. min10 in. OD6 in. minAS AMENDED IN CFC CHAPTER 80Main serves 5 hydrants + 4 sprinklerrisers + 1 standpipe riser = 106 or more: sectional valves neededMax 5 per shutdown: 10 / 5 = 2 sections1 sectional valve minimumBackfill zone: 6 + 10 + 12 = 28 in.Waterflow test Feb 10, plans Aug 20More than 6 months: retest or getapproval from the AHJValves over 7 ft: operable from floorCount appurtenances (limit 5 per shutdown), size the pipe zone, check the flow test dateSign, riser label, bracing and joints: same Chapter 80 amendments1 sectional valve minimum; 28 in. pipe zoneFlow test is 10 days past the 6-month limitSource: 2025 CFC Chapter 80 (NFPA 13 and NFPA 24 amended sections); CFC 903.3.1.1, 507.2.1CC
The diagram for this lesson, exactly as it appears in the Learning Hub.

The first steps of this lesson

Step 1: Build to the Amended Text

CFC 903.3.1.1 requires sprinklers per NFPA 13 as amended in Chapter 80, 905.2 requires standpipes per NFPA 14 as amended in Chapter 80, and 507.2.1 requires private fire service mains per NFPA 24 as amended in Chapter 80. The California changes are printed in CFC Chapter 80 under each standard, and they are the text you install to. NFPA 25 for inspection and testing is referenced as the 2013 California edition, and Title 19, California Code of Regulations, Chapter 5 governs the label put on each system riser after the authority having jurisdiction accepts the system.

Step 2: The Hydraulic Design Information Sign

The installing contractor identifies a hydraulically designed system with a permanently marked weatherproof metal or rigid plastic sign secured with corrosion-resistant wire, chain or other approved means, placed at the alarm, dry pipe, preaction or deluge valve supplying that area (NFPA 13 29.4.1 as amended). A pipe schedule system gets a sign saying so and listing the hazard classifications. The sign (29.4.3) lists, among 14 items: the location of the design areas, discharge densities, required flow and pressure at the base of the riser and at the water supply source, occupancy or commodity classification and maximum storage height, the hose stream allowance included, the installing contractor, flow and pressure at the pump discharge where a pump is installed, sprinkler type, orifice size, K-factor and SIN, and the edition of NFPA 13 used. A system with floor control valves needs a sign at each floor control valve (16.9.3.1.3.4).

The remaining 3 steps, the worked example and the quiz are in the course. This is a preview. The full lesson, with the step-by-step explanations, a worked example and a quick-check quiz, is inside the classroom.

More lessons for this trade

Browse all lesson previews

Ready to practice for real?

Try the real classroom free, no sign-up, or get the full course for your trade.

Open the free trialSee pricing

Independent exam preparation. Contractors Classroom is not affiliated with the Contractors State License Board, and no course can guarantee a passing result.