What does the per-unit pillow test report include?

Each unit receives a stamped report with the exact dBA reading measured at pillow level, the ambient sound level recorded before the alarm, which notification appliance was tested, door/curtain configuration, meter calibration date, and a pass/fail determination against SFFC 1103.7.6.1. Failed units include a recommended remediation scope. This report becomes part of your ongoing fire alarm inspection and compliance reporting record, so the AHJ sees a complete history at every review.

Why are pillow test measurements taken at pillow level?

SFFD and NFPA 72 define the sleeping area as the location where a person is actually asleep. Pillow height is where the ear receives sound during sleep, so it is the most realistic — and most restrictive — test point. Testing with doors closed also accounts for real-world barriers like bedrooms, bathrooms, and closets. Once the system passes, 24/7 UL-Listed fire alarm monitoring ensures any future alarm is dispatched without delay.

What is the exact pillow-level measurement process?

A licensed C-10 technician places a calibrated dBA meter at pillow height — approximately 24 to 30 inches above the finished floor, centered on the bed location — with the microphone oriented toward the occupant's ear position. The technician records the average ambient sound level for at least 30 seconds before the alarm, then activates the notification appliance serving that sleeping area and captures the maximum sustained dBA reading over a minimum 60-second interval. This is repeated for every sleeping area, with each reading timestamped and photographed for the stamped per-unit report.

What door and room conditions are used during dBA testing?

Testing is performed with all doors to the sleeping area closed, including bedroom, bathroom, closet, and any corridor or suite entry doors. Curtains, drapes, and partitions are left in their normal closed position so the test accounts for real-world sound barriers. HVAC may remain in normal operation because ambient sound is measured before the alarm, but no doors are propped open and no notification appliances are temporarily relocated.

How quickly is the stamped per-unit pillow test report delivered?

Most reports are issued within 2 business days of the site visit. Larger buildings or those requiring remediation first may take longer because we re-test failed units before stamping the final report. Rush turnaround is available when an NOV deadline or SFFD re-inspection is pending.

What documentation must the building provide before testing?

We need the building address and DBI permit number if available, a current floor plan showing sleeping areas, the existing fire alarm panel and notification appliance layout, and any prior SFFD NOV or inspection correspondence. Access instructions and a point of contact for unit entry are also required so our C-10 technicians can test every sleeping area without delays.

Is the per-unit pillow test report accepted by SFFD and the AHJ?

Yes. Each report is stamped by a licensed C-10 contractor, includes the calibrated meter serial number and calibration date, and documents every reading against SFFC 1103.7.6.1. This is the same format SFFD district inspectors expect at witness testing and permit closeout, and it becomes part of your long-term fire alarm inspection and compliance reporting record.

Active SFFD enforcement

SF Pillow Test compliance — 75 dBA at every pillow

San Francisco Fire Code Section 1103.7.6.1 and SFFD Administrative Bulletin 3.08 require every R-2 apartment building with a fire alarm system to deliver a minimum of 75 dBA at pillow level in every sleeping area, with doors closed. The compliance deadline was July 1, 2023 — SFFD is now issuing Notices of Violation with fines.

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75 dBA

Required at pillow level, doors closed

520 Hz

Low-frequency sounder tone per NFPA 72

Jul 1, 2023

Compliance deadline — now past

What the Pillow Test is

Formally the Sleeping Area Audibility Test, it verifies that a building's fire alarm notification appliances will actually wake sleeping occupants. A licensed C-10 contractor uses a calibrated dBA meter at pillow height in each bedroom — with every door, curtain, and partition closed — and records the sound pressure level while the fire alarm is sounding.

Per NFPA 72 §18.4.5.1 (as adopted by SFFC 1103.7.6.1), the reading must meet the most restrictive of:

At least 15 dBA above the average ambient sound level, OR
At least 5 dBA above the maximum ambient sustained ≥ 60 seconds, OR
At least 75 dBA absolute minimum — whichever is greater.

Does it apply to your building?

R-2 multi-family residential (3+ units)
Existing building fire alarm system installed pre-2017
Mixed-use with residential portion + fire alarm
High-rise residential (adds FCC LED annunciator)
Any permit ≥ $99,000 (excl. seismic) triggers upgrade
New systems installed on/after Jan 1, 2017 are presumed compliant

Consequences of non-compliance

SFFD has moved past warnings. Notices of Violation now carry real fines and escalating enforcement, and owners face civil liability if an occupant is not awakened during a fire. Insurance carriers are also flagging the ordinance during renewals.

Our compliance playbook

01 · Records path
We first check DBI Permit Tracking and existing SFFD-approved plans — if the system was properly permitted post-2017 and unaltered, we document Path A compliance with no test required.
02 · Pillow test
SFFD 'Fire Only' permit pulled. Our C-10 technicians measure every sleeping area at pillow level with a calibrated dBA meter, doors closed, and issue a stamped per-unit report.
03 · 520 Hz upgrade
Where readings fail, we design and install CSFM-listed 520 Hz low-frequency sounders in every bedroom (and any room usable for sleeping) — wired or wireless per SFFD AB 2.01.
04 · Witness & final
SFFD district inspector witnesses a random unit sample. We stand by with the calibrated meter, resolve any deficiencies on the spot, and clear the permit — plus any open NOV.

Code references

SF Fire Code §1103.7.6.1 — Sleeping Area Requirements
SFFD Administrative Bulletin 3.08 (2025 edition)
NFPA 72 §18.4.5.1 / §18.4.5.2 / §18.4.5.3 (520 Hz low-frequency)
SF Ordinance 163-16, amended by 077-21 and 248-22

Frequently asked questions

What does the per-unit report include?: Each unit receives a stamped report with the exact dBA reading measured at pillow level, the ambient sound level recorded before the alarm, which notification appliance was tested, door/curtain configuration, meter calibration date, and a pass/fail determination against SFFC 1103.7.6.1. Failed units include a recommended remediation scope. This report becomes part of your ongoing fire alarm inspection and compliance reporting record, so the AHJ sees a complete history at every review.
Why are measurements taken at pillow level?: SFFD and NFPA 72 define the sleeping area as the location where a person is actually asleep. Pillow height is where the ear receives sound during sleep, so it is the most realistic — and most restrictive — test point. Testing with doors closed also accounts for real-world barriers like bedrooms, bathrooms, and closets. Once the system passes, 24/7 UL-Listed fire alarm monitoring ensures any future alarm is dispatched without delay.
What is the exact pillow-level measurement process?: A licensed C-10 technician places a calibrated dBA meter at pillow height — approximately 24 to 30 inches above the finished floor, centered on the bed location — with the microphone oriented toward the occupant's ear position. The technician records the average ambient sound level for at least 30 seconds before the alarm, then activates the notification appliance serving that sleeping area and captures the maximum sustained dBA reading over a minimum 60-second interval. This is repeated for every sleeping area, with each reading timestamped and photographed as part of your fire alarm inspection and compliance reporting record.
What door and room conditions are used during dBA testing?: Testing is performed with all doors to the sleeping area closed, including bedroom, bathroom, closet, and any corridor or suite entry doors. Curtains, drapes, and partitions are left in their normal closed position so the test accounts for real-world sound barriers. HVAC may remain in normal operation because ambient sound is measured before the alarm, but no doors are propped open and no notification appliances are temporarily relocated.
How quickly is the stamped per-unit pillow test report delivered?: Most reports are issued within 2 business days of the site visit. Larger buildings or those requiring remediation first may take longer because we re-test failed units before stamping the final report. Rush turnaround is available when an NOV deadline or SFFD re-inspection is pending.
What documentation must the building provide before testing?: We need the building address and DBI permit number if available, a current floor plan showing sleeping areas, the existing fire alarm panel and notification appliance layout, and any prior SFFD NOV or inspection correspondence. Access instructions and a point of contact for unit entry are also required so our C-10 technicians can test every sleeping area without delays.
Is the per-unit pillow test report accepted by SFFD and the AHJ?: Yes. Each report is stamped by a licensed C-10 contractor, includes the calibrated meter serial number and calibration date, and documents every reading against SFFC 1103.7.6.1. This is the same format SFFD district inspectors expect at witness testing and permit closeout, and it becomes part of your long-term fire alarm inspection and compliance reporting record.

Schedule a pillow-level inspection

Our C-10 technicians pull the SFFD "Fire Only" permit, test every sleeping area with a calibrated dBA meter, and deliver a stamped per-unit report that satisfies SFFC 1103.7.6.1.

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Related services

Inspections & reports
Annual and event-driven fire alarm inspections that keep your compliance reporting current for the AHJ.
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24/7 monitoring
UL-Listed central station monitoring so every alarm is dispatched, even when the building is unstaffed.
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System upgrades
520 Hz low-frequency sounder design and installation for sleeping areas that fail the pillow test.
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NOV resolution
End-to-end SFFD compliance support from test through permit closeout and violation clearance.
Compliance reporting →

Serving San Francisco & nearby cities

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San Francisco · SFFC 1103.7.6.1

Book a pillow test

Tell us the address and unit count — we'll price the test and any required 520 Hz upgrade, and pull the SFFD permit.

Got an NOV under 1103.7.6.1? We clear it.

Same-week pillow testing across San Francisco, with 520 Hz sounder upgrades and permit close-out under one accountable C-10 vendor.

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