Form revised December 4, 2006
FISCAL NOTE FOR NON-CAPITAL PROJECTS
|
Department: |
Contact Person/Phone: |
DOF Analyst/Phone: |
|
Planning and Development |
Maureen Traxler/233-3892 |
Karen Grove/684-5805 |
|
Legislation Title: |
|
An ordinance relating to the Seattle Building Code, amending Section 22.100.010, and adopting by reference Chapters 2 through 28, Chapters 31 through 33, and Chapter 35 of the 2006 International Building Code; and amending certain of those chapters; and adopting a new Chapter 1 for the Seattle Building Code related to administration, permitting and enforcement, a new Chapter 29 related to plumbing systems, a new Chapter 30 related to elevators and conveying systems, and a new Chapter 34 related to existing structures; and repealing Sections 3-150, 152, 153, 155, 158, 160-165, 167-189, 191,192, 194-203 of Ordinance 121519 and Sections 1-39 of Ordinance 122049.
|
· Summary of the Legislation:
This bill that adopts the 2006 International Building Code with Seattle amendments. . It is part of a group of several coordinated bills that regulate construction and use of buildings in the City of Seattle. It establishes construction standards for construction of all types of buildings. Seattle and the State adopt new editions of the International Codes every three years.
· Background:
The International Building Code is adopted statewide according to the State Building Code Act, RCW 19.27. In addition, Seattle adopts state standards for elevators adopted according to RCW 70.87. Seattle adds local amendments, interpretations, and administration and enforcement provisions.
· Please check one of the following:
__X__ This legislation does not have any financial implications.
Changes in 2006 Seattle Building Code
1. Highlights of changes in International Building Code
Most of the changes in the International Building Code are technical changes that will not have a major impact on construction. The most significant of the changes are listed here.
In response to the World Trade Center bombings of September 11, 2001, buildings more than 420 feet in height will no longer be allowed to take advantage of some reductions in fire-resistant construction. For example, the rating of shaft enclosures will not be allowed to be reduced from two hours to one hour.
Areas of refuge where those unable to use stairs may wait temporarily for assistance during an emergency building evacuation are now required in buildings protected by automatic fire sprinklers.
A provision intended to reduce the danger of children falling from windows has been added. Openable windows that are 6 feet or more above the ground outside are required to have sills located at least 24 inches above the floor.
Buildings of four and more stories with elevators are required to have one car that will accommodate a stretcher of 24 by 84 inches. The current size is 24 by 76 inches.
2. Detailed list of changes in Seattle amendments
Note: This list includes changes proposed for the Seattle amendments to the International Building Code. Amendments that are carried forward from the 2003 Seattle Building Code are not listed; differences between the 2003 and 2006 editions of the International Building Code are not listed. The most significant changes are noted in bold type.
Chapter 1 Administration
Code Alternate CA101.2 is deleted. It provided that applications that complied with the State Building Code plus selected Seattle amendments would be deemed to comply with the Seattle Building Code.
101.6 A new section is added to clarify that the Building Code governs when it conflicts with a referenced standard.
102.2 & 102.3 The sections on emergency and hazard correction orders are revised so that the orders will specify a date certain by which deficiencies in the buildings subject to the orders must be corrected.
Several sections: The procedures for enforcing the code are modified to conform to legal requirements, including procedures for serving notices. Sections have been added to provide a mechanism for parties impacted by a stop work order, notice of violation and revocation of permit to request a review by the code official. The procedures affected are in the following sections: 104.4 stop work orders, 103.3 notices of violation, and 106.12 permit revocation.
106.2 Playhouses are deleted from the permit exemption for playground equipment; they are included instead in the exemption for one-story accessory buildings.
106.5 and throughout the Code. The terms “registered design professional” or “design professional in responsible charge” replace “architect of record” and “engineer of record”. Both new terms are used in IBC.
108.3 A new section is added that codifies DPD’s practice of requiring a meeting between DPD, the building owner, the contractor, the design team, and the special inspection agency after the permit is issued, but before work the project begins.
108.5 Those who request inspections are required to provide safety equipment for inspectors.
Chapter 2 Definitions
Definitions of “architect”, “engineer”, “project architect or engineer” and “structural engineer of record” are deleted. The Seattle Code adopts the term “registered design professional”, used in the IBC.
Definition of “Director” is deleted; the term “building official” has been substituted.
Definition of “existing structure” is revised so that buildings are not considered “existing” until after they have either a Certificate of Occupancy or final inspection. The IBC defines buildings as existing as soon as a permit is issued, which could allow revisions made during construction to be subject to lesser standards.
Definition of “nightclub” is revised to be consistent with 2007 State legislation requiring sprinkler retrofits.
Definition of “residential care facility/assisted living facility” is deleted consistent with a state amendment which deletes the Group R-4 and Licensed Care as separate occupancy classifications and adds them to Group R-2. The changes make the IBC better coordinated with regulations of the Department of Health and the Department of Social and Health Services.
The definition of “waterfront structure” is deleted; the substance of the definition is added to the scope of Section 421.
Chapter 3 Use and Occupancy Classification
Several changes are made to coordinate the Building Code with regulations administered by the Washington State Department of Health and the Department of Social and Health Services. These changes include: adding boarding homes and residential treatment facilities to Group R-2, and deletion of the Group R-4 (residential care/assisted living) and (Licensed Care) occupancy classifications. Changes are made throughout the code to correlate with these changes.
Chapter 4 Special Detailed Requirements Based on Use and Occupancy
403.12 Provisions for locking exit stairway doors in high-rise buildings are clarified.
404.1.2 Predesign conferences are not required for atriums connecting only 2 stories.
406.2.6 Provision requiring floors in parking garages to be sloped is deleted, consistent with the State Building Code.
406.3.5.1 Revised amendment clarifies that minimum ceiling height applies only in vehicle and pedestrian traffic areas of open parking garages, consistent with IBC provisions for enclosed parking garages.
415.3.1 Fireworks manufacturing buildings are removed from an exception that exempted them from minimum separation from lot lines.
421 Definition of “waterfront structure” is deleted; contents are added to scope of code section; section is revised to be consistent with requirements for retrofit of covered boat moorage adopted in 2006. Requirements for standpipes are revised to reflect actual practice.
422 DPD and Seattle City Light collaborated to make the Building Code provisions for transformer vaults more consistent with City Light’s requirements.
423.1 Section is revised to clarify that medical gas systems with more than the maximum allowable quantities of hazardous materials must comply with provisions regulating Group H occupancies.
Chapter 5 General Building Heights and Areas
501.2 Four-inch minimum size for address numbers applies to all Group R.
502 A State Building Code amendment is added that clarifies the definition of “basement”.
505.2 New IBC exception that allows mezzanines to be one-half the area of the room in which they are located is deleted in favor of existing Seattle amendment.
Table 508.2 A row is added to the incidental use table to require that elevator machine rooms be separated from the rest of the building with one-hour fire barriers. This requirement appears in Chapter 30 of the 2003 code; relocating it to Chapter 5 will aid in consistency of enforcement.
509.1 Interpretation is added specifying that the subsections of 509 may not be combined—each must be used alone.
509.2 Section 509.2 is a frequently-used provision allowing a height increase for buildings with a concrete base structure and wood structure above. The section is revised to allow an additional story in the concrete base on all sites—the 2003 code only allows the extra story on sloped sites. Pressurized stairways are required if there are two stories in the base structure. DPD consulted with an ad hoc committee of architects and developers in addition to CCAB while revising this section.
509.3 State amendments are adopted to clarify this section.
Chapter 6 Types of Construction
Table 601 Note is added referring to other sections for requirements that apply to construction of stairways.
603 An item is added specifying where aluminum may be used in buildings of noncombustible construction types.
Chapter 7 Fire-resistance-rated Construction
704.6 and 705.2 IBC provisions requiring that buildings separated by a fire wall be structurally independent is deleted by a Seattle amendment. DPD believes such construction is not practically achievable in higher seismic zones. This amendment must be approved by the State Building Code Council before it may be applied in Seattle.
Table 704.8 An amendment to a footnote that allows a greater area of unprotected openings in single-family residences and day cares is expanded to apply to all construction types instead of only non-rated construction.
706.3.10 A new subsection is added to specify the required rating for elevator machine rooms. The new section correlates with a new amendment to Table 508.2.
707.14 Provisions for elevator pressurization are moved here from Section 909. These provisions are part of a comprehensive review of Seattle’s provisions for smoke control and shaft pressurization.
707.15 A provision is added allowing factory-built chimneys to be installed without a fire-resistance-rated shaft enclosure under certain conditions.
712.3.2 An existing amendment is revised to clarify that the only openings allowed in soffits of exterior balconies are openings used for ventilation.
716.5.3 The provisions governing when smoke dampers are required in penetrations of shaft walls are amended so that Group M (mercantile) occupancies are treated the same as residential and business occupancies. This provision allows smoke dampers not to be provided when, among other conditions, a continuously-operating fan is provided. The amendment allows a standby power source to be provided for the fan instead of an emergency source.
716.5.4 An amendment is added to clarify that the exception waiving fire dampers in tenant separations only applies in covered mall buildings because they are the only buildings in which tenant separations are required.
Chapter 9 Fire Protection Systems
Note that Building Code Chapter 9 is the same as the Fire Code chapter, and most amendments are governed by the Fire Code.
903.2 An amendment is deleted so that sprinklers will not be required in rooms used for telecommunications equipment in telecommunications buildings instead of all buildings.
903.2.1 An amendment is added to clarify that sprinklers are required on the level of discharge in buildings with Group A occupancies.
903.2.1.6 An amendment incorporating a state law that requires sprinklers in nightclubs is revised to reflect changes made by the 2007 State Legislature.
903.2.2 A state amendment is adopted that requires sprinklers in all Group E day cares, instead of only those with an occupant load greater than 50.
903.1.1.2 A Seattle amendment governing sprinkler systems in high-rise buildings is moved to this section from Section 403 “High-rise Buildings” and is updated.
903.3.3 An existing amendment exempting temporary kiosks from sprinkler requirements is limited to single-story structures.
903.3.5.2 The size of the secondary water tank required for high-rise buildings is increased from 15,000 to 33,000 gallons. A lesser amount may be used if calculations show adequate duration for the specific building.
903.4 An existing amendment that waived electronic supervision for non-required sprinkler systems in one- and two-family dwellings is modified to apply to all sprinkler systems in one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses.
905.3.2 An IBC exception that was deleted in the 2003 Seattle codes is reinstated in the 2006 codes. The exception modifies standpipe requirements in high-rise buildings.
905.3.8 Standpipe requirements for high-rise buildings are moved to this section from Section 403 “High-rise Buildings”.
905.4 An amendment is added that allows standpipe hose connections to be located on floor landings as well as on intermediate landings so long as the location is consistent throughout the building.
905.4 A provision that requires additional standpipe hose connections to be provided when hose travel distances are excessively long is amended to specify that a protected route is required to the connection.
905.8 The 2003 Code was amended to state that dry standpipes are not permitted in high-rise buildings. The 2006 Seattle code will revert to IBC language which prohibits dry standpipes everywhere except where subject to freezing.
907.1 Amendments specifically allowing multiple partial fire alarm systems are deleted.
907.2 An IBC provision requiring that all fire detectors be smoke detectors that was deleted in the 2003 code is reinstated in the 2006 code.
907.2.9 A Seattle exception is deleted that eliminated a requirement for fire alarm systems in residential buildings under certain conditions.
907.2.12.2 Provisions for emergency voice communication in high-rise buildings are revised to more specifically state which areas are required to be covered.
907.9.2.1 An amendment is added specifying the audibility required for alarms in existing buildings.
907.3.1 Manual fire alarm boxes will be required in sprinklered business, manufacturing, mercantile, and storage occupancies.
907.9.1 A reference is added to a Fire Department administrative rule that clarifies the requirements for visible fire alarms.
907.14 An existing amendment that waived electronic monitoring for non-required fire alarm systems in one- and two-family dwellings is modified to apply to all sprinkler systems in one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses.
909 An existing alternate means of complying with smoke control requirements for high-rise buildings is deleted. Instead, the code requires pressurized stairways and elevator hoistways. The resulting system will not be greatly different than the one allowed by the 2003 alternate means, except that breakable windows are not required. DPD and the Seattle Fire Department worked with a joint committee of their advisory boards and consulted with the country’s leading authority on smoke control.
909.21 Existing amendments setting forth requirements for pressurization of stairways in low-rise buildings are coordinated with other smoke-control provisions. References to elevators are deleted because elevator pressurization is governed by Section 707.14.
911.1 Two revisions are made to the list of items required in fire command centers in high-rise buildings: the term “transfer features” is clarified to mean “load transfer capabilities and procedures”; and a new requirement for an on-site water tank fill valve control switch is added.
Chapter 10 Means of Egress
1003.2 Provisions for ceiling height in means of egress are revised to coordinate with provisions in Chapter 12 for ceiling height in rooms, and Section 406 for ceiling heights in garages.
1006 Existing amendments are corrected to coordinate the provisions for illumination of means of egress. No change in the substance of the provision is intended.
1007.2 An interpretation is added to clarify that the IBC requirement that accessible means of egress be continuous to the public way does not require an exit passageway to connect elevators to the exterior door.
1007.2.1 An interpretation is added to clarify how stories are counted in determining whether buildings are required to have accessible means of egress. Another interpretation is added to clarify that only ramps that are part of an accessible means of egress are allowed to substitute for required elevators.
1008.1.2 The State of Washington deleted an amendment found in previous State Building Codes that required power assists for exterior doors that require more than 8.5 pounds to close. The IBC provisions requiring power assists at doors with 15 pound forces will govern.
1008.1.8.3 A new provision is added that specifies conditions under which doors from elevator lobbies may be locked. The Building Code requires that every occupied space be provided with exits, but DPD and SFD devised this provision to accommodate building owners’ and tenants’ security concerns. The provision requires that the doors unlock automatically on fire alarm and loss of power, and that a phone, smoke detectors and sprinklers be provided.
1009.11 A new exception is added so that a stairway to the roof is not required in residential buildings without shared stairways.
1011.1 Exit signs will be required in office spaces, consistent with DPD’s practice to require exit signs wherever necessary to show the way to exits, regardless of occupancy.
1014.2.2 State Building Code provisions that clarify requirements for hospital suites are adopted.
1014.3 DPD is proposing to add single-family residences to an exception allowing the common path of egress travel to be 125 feet.
1015.1 A state amendment is adopted that allows a single exit from and within dwellings. Other state amendments are adopted that clarify this section and its relationship to Section 1019.
1015.2.1 An interpretation is added to clarify that the exception allowing a more generous measurement for travel distance will only apply where corridors have fire-resistance-rated construction even if other code provisions would allow non-rated construction.
1015.2.1 Exception 3 is revised to allow less separation between exits within dwelling units when approved by the building official.
1017.1 & 1071.6 State amendments are adopted that coordinate Building Code provisions with provisions enforced by DSHS and Department of Health for boarding homes and residential treatment facilities.
1017.3 The wording of this section is corrected to be consistent with the Building Code in effect prior to the 2003 edition. The provision regulates the length of dead ends in corridors.
1019.1 A new exception is added, consistent with the State Building Code, to clarify that, if a building is allowed to have one exit, then floors in that building may also have a single exit if the exit discharges directly to the street.
1019.2 The provision allowing residential buildings to have one exit is revised to state more clearly that the exit may not discharge through a parking garage, although the parking garage may communicate with the exit stairway. A new item is added to coordinate with the new amendment to 1014.3 that allows 125 feet common path of travel. Residential-type sprinkler systems will no longer be allowed in single-exit residential buildings.
1020.1 An amendment is deleted that specified that exit enclosures must either continue to the exterior of the building or be connected to the exterior with an exit passageway. The amendment is not needed because Section 1019.3 requires exits to be continuous.
I1020.1 Elevators are deleted from this interpretation because they have been added specifically to Section 1020.1.1.
1021.4 A new code alternate is added that allows elevators to open into exit passageways when specific protective measures are provided.
1024.1 The provision allowing one of a building’s exits to egress through a street-level lobby is revised to clarify that a parking garage ramp may be open to the street level.
Chapter 11 Accessibility
Note: All amendments to Chapter 11 are State Building Code amendments and are not detailed here. Local amendments are not permitted.
Chapter 12 Interior Environment
1208.2 Amendments are reorganized to be more consistent with IBC language; no change in meaning is intended.
Chapter 16 Structural Design
1602 Definitions of “balcony, exterior” and “deck” are deleted, consistent with the Washington State Building Code.
1603.1 “Ground snow load” is changed to “snow load” because, for most applications, a prescriptive value is used.
1603.1.1 The section on roof snow load is deleted to coordinate with the manner in which snow loads are determined in Seattle.
Table 1607.1 The entry for balconies in the live load table is deleted, so that the live load for balconies will be the same as for decks, consistent with the Washington State Building Code.
1607.11.2.2 Amendments dealing with live loads for roofs used for assembly purposes are modified for clarity. No change in meaning is intended.
1613.5.1 An amendment specifying that USGS maps are acceptable sources for ground acceleration data is deleted because reference to the maps has been added to the IBC.
Many sections. Amendments that deleted the simplified method of seismic design are deleted because the IBC provisions have been corrected. Amendments correcting ASCE 7 are deleted because ASCE 7 has been corrected.
Chapter 17 Structural Tests and Special Inspections
1702 A definition of “small business” is added to coordinate with Section 1714.5.
1703.8 This section is modified to reflect DPD’s practice of requiring a preconstruction conference for all permits for which special inspection is required. For many projects, the conference is conducted by phone.
1704.3.1 The section on special inspection of welding is revised to specify the proper standards for welding of cold-formed steel.
Table 1704.3 A new entry is added to the inspection of steel construction table that specifies the appropriate standard for welding of seismic-force-resisting systems.
Table 1704.4 A new entry is added to the table that specifies what inspection is required for concrete formwork.
1704.14 The IBC provisions for special inspection of smoke control are replaced with a provision giving DPD authority to specify standards.
1705.2 The new IBC section requiring statements of special inspection is amended to give DPD authority to determine whether to require certain information in the statements.
1706 A new IBC section titled “Contractor Responsibility” is deleted because it regulates a matter that is better governed by common law and the law of contracts.
1714.5 A provision from the Washington State Building Code is added that exempts small window manufacturers, as defined in Section 1702, from certain testing requirements.
Chapter 18 Soils and Foundations
1802.2.6.1 An existing amendment is revised to eliminate unnecessary language.
1802.2.7 A Seattle exception stating that site specific studies are only required for single-family dwellings if they are on site class F soils is deleted. This new exception codifies current practice.
1805.3 The section on “footings on or adjacent to slopes” is deleted because it is superseded by Critical Areas regulations.
Chapter 19 Concrete
1904.2 A code alternate is added stating that specified mixes of concrete are equivalent to the IBC weathering potential and air entrainment provisions.
1905.2 An additional standard is specified for concrete materials.
Chapter 23 Wood
All existing amendments to Chapter 23 are unnecessary because of changes in the IBC.
Chapter 29 Plumbing Fixtures
Table 2902.1 A new State amendment to footnote 9 specifies how to calculate the required number of fixtures for multiplex movie theaters.
Chapter 30 Elevators
3002.2.1 A reference to Seattle’s provisions for existing elevators is added to the section requiring existing elevators to comply with specific provisions of the Washington Administrative Code.
3002.2.2 A reference to the pertinent portions of the national standard is added for elevator maintenance.
3002.2.6 A reference to the national standard is added for provisions governing change of use of elevators from freight to passenger use.
3003.1 The codes adopted by reference are updated to the current editions. The most current supplement to the ASME elevator standard is not adopted. This supplement has provisions for elevators without machine rooms (“machine-room-less elevators”) that DPD staff and the CCAB Elevator Committee do not believe should be adopted at this time. The State of Washington is also delaying its adoption of the supplement.
3003.2 A provision is added to require all people and firms working on elevators to be licensed according to state law.
3004 Definitions for types of control rooms, control spaces, and machine rooms are added to assist in application of the code to machine-room-less elevators. The definitions are taken from the ASME elevator standard.
3004 The definition of “material lift” has been revised to be consistent with State regulations. The minimum rise to be considered a material lift regulated by the code is decreased from 30 inches to 5 inches.
3011.2 Control rooms, control spaces and machine rooms are required to comply with minimum standards for doors in existing installations.
3013 This section is revised to require all material lifts, as defined in the Seattle Building Code, to comply with WAC standards.
3016.12 The minimum size of elevator cars required to accommodate ambulance stretchers is increased to 24 by 84 inches instead of 24 by 76 inches. The State Building Code contains an identical provision.
3017 Provisions for fire command centers, which are required in high-rise and other buildings, are modified to require that elevator car position indicators be permanent, and that the indicators can be read without special knowledge. Phone jacks or radios will be required instead of phones to more accurately reflect current practice.
3017.4 The location of elevator machine rooms will be required to be noted on the elevator emergency operation instructions that are posted in the fire command center.
3020.2 & 3020.3.1 The provisions for fire-resistance-rated construction of elevator machine rooms is clarified and coordinated with Section 508, incidental uses.
3020.4 An existing amendment allowing reduced working clearances around elevator machinery is modified to require protection of the space when it is not located inside a machinery room. Representatives of the International Union of Elevator Constructors object to this provision. They believe that allowing the working clearance outside machine rooms creates dangerous conditions for mechanics and the public.
3020.6 Permanent labels are required on elevator machine room doors.
3026 A provision is added allowing owners’ agents to accept reports of elevator tests.
Chapter 31 Special Construction
3107.2.1 A paragraph authorizing the building official to order removal of non-compliant signs is deleted. The provisions of Chapter 1 will be used to enforce Section 3107.
3107.2.2 An unnecessary sentence is deleted that stated that signs may be regulated by the Building Code even if they are not regulated by the Land Use Code.
3107.3 Several definitions that are not used are deleted: billboard, building facade facing, fabric sign, on-premise directional sign, and portable sign. The definition of “on-premise sign” is revised for consistency with the Land Use Code.
3107.4 Provisions for sign permits are revised to eliminate redundancy, and to specify that the Department of Neighborhoods is authorized to review some permit applications.
3107.4.1 This section is revised to require permits when there is a change in the business entity using a sign. DPD needs the information to maintain current contact information for enforcement purposes. Similar changes are made in other portions of Section 3107. Several exemptions are replaced by one exemption for on-premises signs that are less than 5 square feet in aggregate area, and are neither electric nor illuminated.
3107.7 .1 This section is revised to clarify that owners of signs are responsible for maintenance of signs.
3107.8 This section is revised to state that structural and electrical alterations to nonconforming signs are prohibited unless the building official determines they are minor. Language referring to changes in advertising messages on nonconforming signs is deleted because the issue is more appropriately addressed by requiring a permit when there is a change in the business entity using a sign.
3109.3 A state amendment is adopted that references the Washington Administrative Code for regulation of public swimming pools.
Chapter 32 Encroachments into the Public Right-of-way
3201 Three IBC subsections with general provisions for regulation of building projections into the right-of-way are adopted. Amendments giving the Director of Transportation authority to regulate projections are retained.
Chapter 33 Safeguards During Construction
3307.1 Provisions for protection of adjoining property during excavations are amended to be consistent with the Grading Code. The revised language specifies that a slope of 1 horizontal to 1 vertical is the maximum allowed for temporary slopes, and 2 horizontal to 1 vertical is the maximum for permanent slopes unless otherwise approved by DPD.
Chapter 34 Existing Structures
3401.1 Language from the IBC is added which states that all existing buildings are subject to Chapter 34.
3401.1 A paragraph about changes of occupancy is deleted because the same substance is covered by Section 3406.
3401.3 The section on impracticality is moved to Section 3401 from 3403 so that it will apply to changes of occupancy as well as alterations and additions.
3402 Definitions related to repair of damaged buildings are added to coordinate with Section 3404.4.
3403.1 This section governing maintenance of buildings is revised with language from the IBC that is clearer and more comprehensive.
3404 is reorganized and revised more like the IBC section on additions, alterations and repairs.
CA3404 The International Existing Building Code (IEBC) with Seattle’s amendments is adopted as an alternate standard for alterations and additions. The IEBC will not be allowed for substantial alterations, historic buildings, and repair of earthquake damage.
3404.1 The provisions that specify when sprinklers are required when dwelling units are added to existing buildings are revised.
3404.2.1 IBC provisions governing structural alterations and additions are added to clarify how much increase in forces is allowed before the structure is required to comply with the current code standards.
3404.4 Provisions for repair of damage to buildings are added to the Building Code. These provisions are currently found in Director’s Rule 6-2006. The Director’s Rule applies to earthquake damage; the code will apply to damage from all causes. There are 4 levels of damage, each of which requires a different amount of repair work to be done. The level of damage is measured as the ratio between the cost of work and the estimated replacement value of the building. Minor damage is the lowest level, and may be repaired with only the repairs themselves required to comply with the requirements of the current code. Extensive damage is the highest level, and must be repaired so that the expected risk of life-threatening injury from structural damage is low.
3404.6 This section is revised so that minor structural damage may be repaired with the same materials as the existing building. In the 2003 code, this provision applies only to nonstructural repairs. SBC language in this section is replaced by language from the IBC.
3404 Provisions governing radon-resistive construction measures are deleted because of changes in the State Ventilation and Indoor Quality Code. The State is now adopting radon measures from the International Residential Code that do not apply to buildings outside the scope of the IRC.
3406 A provision allowing changes in occupancy to comply with the International Existing Building Code instead of Chapter 34 is added.
3407 Minor changes to the section on accessibility for existing buildings are made for consistency with the IBC and the State Building Code. Local jurisdictions are not permitted to change these provisions.