Certifications

C.A.F.A.A. was founded in 1970 and as our name implies it is a provincial organization concerned with the fire alarm problems in California. Our membership consists of fire alarm manufacturers, their representatives and distributors, fire alarm installers, registered professional engineers, building and fire officials. Our primary objective is to promote cooperation and understanding among the professional involved in the fire alarm industry. Click here for C.A.F.A.A. Code of Ethics. Our Association is represented on the National Fire Protection Association Standard 72. We maintain active liaison with the California Fire Chiefs Association, the International Conference of Building Officials, the Society of Fire Protection Engineers, the International Association of Electrical Inspectors, Western Fire Chiefs and other professional associations. We do not permit commercialism of any sort in any of activities, meetings, publications, etc.

As you know, California has the most strict fire alarm regulations in the country. Section 13114 of the Health and Safety Code requires that all fire alarm equipment sold, installed, distributed or offered for sale in California must be listed and approved by the California State Fire Marshal. The State Contractors Licensing Board maintains special licensing provisions for fire alarm contractors. California Administrative Code Title 24 State Building Standards and Title 19 State Fire Marshal Regulations contain fire alarm requirements above and beyond any National Standard. Our Association has always been well represented on the State Fire Marshal Fire Alarm Advisory Committees. California State law requires local fire departments to enforce State Fire Marshal Regulations. Since many of these regulations have been in place for over 20 years the fire alarm industry deals with knowledgeable fire officials having absolute jurisdiction. It is vital for the fire alarm industry to have an open-door two-way communication policy with these authorities.

Articles concerning fire alarm systems have been written by many of our members. One of our members article in SDM magazine, March 1982, is widely used with instruction material for fire department fire alarm system training classes. Other members have written articles appearing in FIRE JOURNAL, published by the National Fire Protection Association, BUILDING STANDARDS magazine published by the International Conference of Building Officials Conference of America, ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT magazine, WESTER FIRE JOURNAL, AMERICAN FIRE JOURNAL and other professional publications.