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[EB] APPENDIX J
EXISTING BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES
SECTION AJ101
AJ102.4 Replacement windows. Regardless of the category
PURPOSE AND INTENT
of work, when an entire existing window, including frame, sash and glazed portion is replaced, the replacement window AJ101.1 General. The purpose of these provisions is to
shall comply with the requirements of Section N1102.4.
encourage the continued use or reuse of legally existing build- ings and structures. These provisions are intended to permit AJ102.5 Flood Hazard areas. Work performed in existing
work in existing buildings that is consistent with the purpose buildings located in a flood hazard area as established by of the International Residential Code. Compliance with these Table R301.2(1) shall be subject to the provisions of provisions shall be deemed to meet the requirements of the International Residential Code.
AJ102.6 Equivalent alternatives. These provisions are not
AJ101.2 Classification of work. For purposes of this appen-
intended to prevent the use of any alternate material, alternate dix, all work in existing buildings shall be classified into the design or alternate method of construction not specifically categories of repair, renovation, alteration and reconstruction.
prescribed herein, provided any alternate has been deemed to Specific requirements are established for each category of be equivalent and its use authorized by the building official.
AJ102.7 Other alternatives. Where compliance with these
AJ101.3 Multiple categories of work. Work of more than
provisions or with this code as required by these provisions is one category may be part of a single work project. All related technically infeasible or would impose disproportionate costs work permitted within a 12-month period shall be considered because of structural, construction or dimensional difficul- a single work project. Where a project includes one category ties, other alternatives may be accepted by the building of work in one building area and another category of work in a official. These alternatives may include materials, design separate and unrelated area of the building, each project area features and/or operational features.
shall comply with the requirements of the respective category of work. Where a project with more than one category of work AJ102.8 More restrictive requirements. Buildings or sys-
is performed in the same area or in related areas of the build- tems in compliance with the requirements of this code for new ing, the project shall comply with the requirements of the construction shall not be required to comply with any more restrictive requirement of these provisions.
AJ102.9 Features exceeding International Residential
Code requirements. Elements, components and systems of
SECTION AJ102
existing buildings with features that exceed the requirements COMPLIANCE
of this code for new construction, and are not otherwise re- AJ102.1 General. Regardless of the category of work being
quired as part of approved alternative arrangements or performed, the work shall not cause the structure to become deemed by the building official to be required to balance other unsafe or adversely affect the performance of the building; building elements not complying with this code for new shall not cause an existing mechanical or plumbing system to construction, shall not be prevented by these provisions from become unsafe, hazardous, insanitary or overloaded; and un- being modified as long as they remain in compliance with the less expressly permitted by these provisions, shall not make applicable requirements for new construction.
the building any less conforming to this code or to any pre- viously approved alternative arrangements than it was before SECTION AJ103
AJ102.2 Requirements by category of work. Repairs shall
PRELIMINARY MEETING
conform to the requirements of Section AJ301. Renovations shall conform to the requirements of Section AJ401. Alter- AJ103.1 General. If a building permit is required at the
ations shall conform to the requirements of Section AJ501 and request of the prospective permit applicant, the building offi- the requirements for renovations. Reconstructions shall cial or his designee shall meet with the prospective applicant conform to the requirements of Section AJ601 and the to discuss plans for any proposed work under these provisions requirements for alterations and renovations.
prior to the application for the permit. The purpose of this preliminary meeting is for the building official to gain an AJ102.3 Smoke detectors. Regardless of the category of
understanding of the prospective applicant’s intentions for the work, smoke detectors shall be provided where required by proposed work, and to determine, together with the prospec- tive applicant, the specific applicability of these provisions.
2003 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODEX
APPENDIX J
SECTION AJ104
MATERIALS AND METHODS REQUIREMENTS.
EVALUATION OF AN EXISTING BUILDING
Those requirements in this code that specify material stand- AJ104.1 General.
ards, details of installation and connection, joints, penetra- tions, and continuity of any element, component or system in existing building to be investigated and evaluated by a the building. The required quantity, fire resistance, flame registered design professional in the case of proposed recon- spread, acoustic or thermal performance, or other perfor- struction of any portion of a building. The evaluation shall mance attribute is specifically excluded from materials and determine the existence of any potential nonconformities with these provisions, and shall provide a basis for determining the impact of the proposed changes on the performance of the RECONSTRUCTION. The reconfiguration of a space that
building. The evaluation shall utilize the following sources of affects an exit, a renovation and/or alteration when the work area is not permitted to be occupied because existing means of 1. Available documentation of the existing building.
egress and fire protection systems, or their equivalent, are not in place or continuously maintained; and/or there are exten- sive alterations as defined in Section AJ501.3.
1.2. Tests (nondestructive and destructive).
REHABILITATION. Any repair, renovation, alteration or
reconstruction work undertaken in an existing building.
Exception: Detached one- or two-family dwellings that are
RENOVATION. The change, strengthening or addition of
not irregular buildings under Section R301.2.2.6 and are load-bearing elements; and/or the refinishing, replacement, not undergoing an extensive reconstruction shall not be bracing, strengthening, upgrading or extensive repair of exist- ing materials, elements, components, equipment and/or fixtures. Renovation involves no reconfiguration of spaces.
Interior and exterior painting are not considered refinishing SECTION AJ105
for purposes of this definition, and are not renovation.
REPAIR. The patching, restoration and/or minor replace-
AJ105.1 Identification of work area. The work area shall be
ment of materials, elements, components, equipment and/or clearly identified on all permits issued under these provisions.
fixtures for the purposes of maintaining such materials, elements, components, equipment and/or fixtures in good or SECTION AJ201
WORK AREA. That portion of a building affected by any
DEFINITIONS
renovation, alteration or reconstruction work as initially in- tended by the owner and indicated as such in the permit. Work AJ201.1 General. For purposes of this appendix, the terms
area excludes other portions of the building where incidental work entailed by the intended work must be performed, and ALTERATION. The reconfiguration of any space, the addi-
portions of the building where work not initially intended by tion or elimination of any door or window, the reconfiguration the owner is specifically required by these provisions for a or extension of any system, or the installation of any renovation, alteration or reconstruction.
additional equipment.
CATEGORIES OF WORK. The nature and extent of
SECTION AJ301
construction work undertaken in an existing building. The categories of work covered in this Appendix, listed in increas- ing order of stringency of requirements, are repair, renova- AJ301.1 Materials. Except as otherwise required herein,
tion, alteration and reconstruction.
work shall be done using like materials or materials permitted DANGEROUS. Where the stresses in any member; the con-
dition of the building, or any of its components or elements or AJ301.1.1 Hazardous materials. Hazardous materials no
attachments; or other condition that results in an overload longer permitted, such as asbestos and lead-based paint, exceeding 150 percent of the stress allowed for the member or AJ301.1.2 Plumbing materials and supplies. The follow-
EQUIPMENT OR FIXTURE. Any plumbing, heating,
ing plumbing materials and supplies shall not be used: electrical, ventilating, air conditioning, refrigerating and fire 1. All-purpose solvent cement, unless listed for the protection equipment, and elevators, dumb waiters, boilers, pressure vessels, and other mechanical facilities or installa- 2. Flexible traps and tailpieces, unless listed for the tions that are related to building services.
LOAD-BEARING ELEMENT. Any column, girder, beam,
3. Solder having more than 0.2 percent lead in the re- joist, truss, rafter, wall, floor or roof sheathing that supports any vertical load in addition to its own weight, and/or any AJ301.2 Water closets. When any water closet is replaced
with a newly manufactured water closet, the replacement 2003 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODEX
APPENDIX J
water closet shall comply with the requirements of Section 2. Newly installed electrical equipment shall comply with the requirements of Section AJ501.5.
AJ301.3 Safety glazing. Replacement glazing in hazardous
AJ501.2 Nonconformities. The work shall not increase the
locations shall comply with the safety glazing requirements of extent of noncompliance with the requirements of Section AJ601, or create nonconformity with those requirements AJ301.4 Electrical. Existing electrical wiring and equipment
undergoing repair shall be permitted to be repaired or replaced AJ501.3 Extensive alterations. When the total area of all the
work areas included in an alteration exceeds 50 percent of the area of the dwelling unit, the work shall be considered as a Exceptions:
reconstruction and shall comply with the requirements of 1. Replacement of electrical receptacles shall comply these provisions for reconstruction work.
with the requirements of Chapters 33 through 42.
Exception: Work areas in which the alteration work is
2. Plug fuses of the Edison-base type shall be used for exclusively plumbing, mechanical or electrical shall not be replacements only where there is no evidence of included in the computation of total area of all work areas.
over-fusing or tampering per the applicable require- AJ501.4 Structural. The minimum design loads for the struc-
ture shall be the loads applicable at the time the building was 3. For replacement of nongrounding-type receptacles constructed, provided that no dangerous condition is created.
with grounding-type receptacles and for branch Structural elements that are uncovered during the course of circuits that do not have an equipment grounding the alteration and that are found to be unsound or dangerous conductor in the branch circuitry, the grounding con- shall be made to comply with the applicable requirements of ductor of a grounding type receptacle outlet shall be permitted to be grounded to any accessible point on the grounding electrode system, or to any accessible AJ501.5 Electrical equipment and wiring.
point on the grounding electrode conductor, as allowed and described in Chapters 33 through 42.
AJ501.5.1 Materials and methods. All newly installed
electrical equipment and wiring relating to work done in any work area shall comply with the materials and methods requirements of Chapters 33 through 42.
SECTION AJ401
RENOVATIONS
Exception: Electrical equipment and wiring in newly
installed partitions and ceilings shall comply with all AJ401.1 Materials and methods. The work shall comply
applicable requirements of Chapters 33 through 42.
with the materials and methods requirements of this code.
AJ501.5.2 Electrical service. Service to the dwelling unit
AJ401.2 Door and window dimensions. Minor reductions in
shall be a minimum of 100 ampere, three-wire capacity and the clear opening dimensions of replacement doors and win- service equipment shall be dead front having no live parts dows that result from the use of different materials shall be exposed whereby accidental contact could be made. Type allowed, whether or not they are permitted by this code.
“S” fuses shall be installed when fused equipment is used.
AJ401.3 Interior finish. Wood paneling and textile wall cov-
Exception: Existing service of 60 ampere, three-wire
erings used as an interior finish shall comply with the flame capacity, and feeders of 30 ampere or larger two- or spread requirements of Section R315.
three-wire capacity shall be accepted if adequate for the AJ401.4 Structural. Unreinforced masonry buildings
AJ501.5.3 Additional electrical requirements. When the
located in Seismic Design Categories D2 or E shall have work area includes any of the following areas within a parapet bracing and wall anchors installed at the roofline dwelling unit, the requirements of Sections AJ501.5.3.1 whenever a reroofing permit is issued. Such parapet bracing and wall anchors shall be of an approved design.
AJ501.5.3.1 Enclosed areas. All enclosed areas other
than closets, kitchens, basements, garages, hallways, laundry areas and bathrooms shall have a minimum of SECTION AJ501
two duplex receptacle outlets, or one duplex receptacle ALTERATIONS
outlet and one ceiling or wall type lighting outlet.
AJ501.1 Newly constructed elements. All newly
AJ501.5.3.2 Kitchen and laundry areas. Kitchen areas
constructed elements, components and systems shall comply shall have a minimum of two duplex receptacle outlets.
Laundry areas shall have a minimum of one duplex Exceptions:
receptacle outlet located near the laundry equipment and installed on an independent circuit.
1. Openable windows may be added without requiring compliance with the light and ventilation require- AJ501.5.3.3
Ground-fault
circuit-interruption.
Ground fault circuit interruption shall be provided on 2003 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODEX
APPENDIX J
newly installed receptacle outlets if required by Chapters AJ501.5.3.4 Lighting outlets. At least one lighting
outlet shall be provided in every bathroom, hallway, stairway, attached garage and detached garage with elec- tric power to illuminate outdoor entrances and exits, and in utility rooms and basements where these spaces are used for storage or contain equipment requiring service.
AJ501.5.3.5 Clearance. Clearance for electrical service
equipment shall be provided in accordance with Chap- AJ501.6 Ventilation. All reconfigured spaces intended for
occupancy and all spaces converted to habitable or occupiable space in any work area shall be provided with ventilation in SECTION AJ601
RECONSTRUCTION
AJ601.1 Stairways, handrails and guards.
AJ601.1.1 Stairways. Stairways within the work area shall
be provided with illumination in accordance with Section AJ601.1.2 Handrails. Every required exit stairway that
has three or more risers; is part of the means of egress for any work area; and is not provided with at least one hand- rail, or in which the existing handrails are judged to be in danger of collapsing, shall be provided with handrails de- signed and installed in accordance with Section R311 for the full length of the run of steps on at least one side.
AJ601.1.3 Guards. Every open portion of a stair, landing
or balcony that is more than 30 inches (762 mm) above the floor or grade below; is part of the egress path for any work area; and is not provided with guards or in which the exist- ing guards are judged to be in danger of collapsing, shall be provided with guards designed and installed in accordance AJ601.2 Wall and ceiling finish. The interior finish of walls
and ceilings in any work area shall comply with the require- ments of Section R315. All existing interior finish materials that do not comply with those requirements shall be removed or shall be treated with an approved fire retardant coating in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions to secure compliance with the requirements of this section.
AJ601.3 Separation walls. Where the work area is in an
attached dwelling unit, all walls separating dwelling units that are not continuous from the foundation to the underside of the roof sheathing shall be constructed to provide a continuous fire separation using construction materials consistent with the existing wall or complying with the requirements for new structures. Work shall only be required to be performed on the side of the wall of the dwelling unit that is part of the work 2003 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODEX

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