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City officials to press State Fire Marshal over new interpretation that treats occupied roofs as floors
Summary
DBI staff, the fire department and housing officials agreed to convene the State Fire Marshal and local stakeholders after a written interpretation said occupied roofs count as 'occupied floors' for the 75-foot high‑rise threshold — a change that could add sprinkler, alarm and construction requirements and squeeze affordable housing projects.
Kirk Means, DBI technical services chief, told the Building Inspection Commission on June 20 that a recent written interpretation from the State Fire Marshal answers "yes" to whether an occupied roof is considered an "occupied floor" for measuring the high‑rise threshold under the California Building Code.
"The answer from the State Fire Marshal is yes an occupied roof is considered an occupied floor," Means said, noting the prior understanding under the Uniform Building Code (1997) and earlier commentary excluded open roofs and roof decks from that measurement. The change, Means said, would…
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