Section 1011 — CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION

The provisions of this section shall apply to buildings or portions thereof undergoing a change of occupancy classification. This includes a change of occupancy classification within a group as well as a change of occupancy classification from one group to a different group. The provisions of this section shall also apply where there is a change of occupancy within a building or portion thereof and there is a different fire protection system threshold requirement in Chapter 9 of the current California Building Code than exists in the current building or space. Such buildings shall also comply with Sections 1002 through 1010 of this code.

Fire protection systems shall be provided in accordance with Sections 1011.2.1 and 1011.2.2.

1011.2.1 Automatic sprinkler system. The installation of an automatic sprinkler system shall be required where there is a change of occupancy classification and Chapter 9 of the current California Building Code requires an automatic sprinkler system based on the new occupancy or where there is a change of occupancy within the space where there is a different fire protection system threshold requirement in Chapter 9 of the current California Building Code than exists in the current building or space . The installation of the automatic sprinkler system shall be required within the area of the change of occupancy and areas of the building not separated by a fire wall from the change of occupancy.

1011.2.1.1 Nonrequired automatic sprinkler systems. The code official is authorized to permit the removal of an existing automatic sprinkler system where all of the following conditions exist:

1. The system is not required for new construction.
2. Portions of the system that are exposed to the public are removed.
3. The system was not installed as part of any special construction features, including fire-resistance-rated assemblies and smoke-resistive assemblies, conditions of occupancy, means of egress conditions, fire code deficiencies, approved modifications or approved alternative materials, design and methods of construction, and equipment applying to the building.

1011.2.1.1.1 Approval. Plans, investigation and evaluation reports, and other data shall be submitted documenting compliance with Section 1011.2.1.1 for review and approval in support of a determination authorizing the removal of the automatic sprinkler system by the code official.

1011.2.2 Fire alarm and detection system. Where a change in occupancy classification occurs or where there is a change of occupancy within a space where there is a different fire protection system threshold requirement in Chapter 9 of the current Cali- fornia Building Code than exists in the current building or space that requires a fire alarm and detection system to be provided based on the new occupancy, such system shall be in accordance with Chapter 11 and Section 907 of the California Fire Code.

In areas of the building undergoing the change of occupancy classification, the interior finish of walls and ceilings shall comply with the requirements of the California Building Code for the new occupancy classification.

In Group E occupancies, where the work area is a Level 3 alteration, enhanced classroom acoustics shall be provided in all classrooms with a volume of 20,000 cubic feet (565 m [3] ) or less. Enhanced classroom acoustics shall comply with the reverberation time in Section 808 of ICC A117.1.

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CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY

Hazard categories in regard to life safety and means of egress shall be in accordance with Table 1011.5.

TABLE 1011.5—MEANS OF EGRESS HAZARD CATEGORIES

1011.5.1 Means of egress for change to a higher-hazard category. Where a change of occupancy classification is made to a higher-hazard category (lower number) as shown in Table 1011.5, the means of egress shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 10 of the California Building Code .

Exceptions:

1. Stairways shall be enclosed in compliance with the applicable provisions of Section 903.1.

2. Existing stairways including handrails and guards complying with the requirements of Chapter 9 shall be permitted for continued use subject to approval of the code official.

3. Any stairway replacing an existing stairway within a space where the pitch or slope cannot be reduced because of existing construction shall not be required to comply with the maximum riser height and minimum tread depth requirements.

4. Existing corridor walls constructed on both sides of wood lath and plaster in good condition or [1] / 2 -inch-thick (12.7 mm) gypsum wallboard shall be permitted. Such walls shall either terminate at the underside of a ceiling of equivalent construction or extend to the underside of the floor or roof next above.

5. Existing corridor doorways, transoms and other corridor openings shall comply with the requirements in Sections 804.7.1, 804.7.2 and 804.7.3.

6. Existing dead-end corridors shall comply with the requirements in Section 804.8.

7. An operable window complying with Section 1011.5.6 shall be accepted as an emergency escape and rescue opening.

8. In Group R-2.1 and I-2 facilities, required guards enclosing the occupiable roof areas shall be permitted to be greater than 48 inches (1219 mm) above the surface of the occupiable roof where the occupants, because of clinical needs, require restraint or containment as part of a function of a psychiatric or cognitive treatment area.

1011.5.2 Means of egress for change of use to an equal or lower-hazard category. Where a change of occupancy classification is made to an equal or lesser-hazard category (higher number) as shown in Table 1011.5, existing elements of the means of egress shall comply with the requirements of Section 905 for the new occupancy classification. Newly constructed or configured means of egress shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 10 of the California Building Code .

Exceptions:

1. Any stairway replacing an existing stairway within a space where the pitch or slope cannot be reduced shall not be required to comply with the maximum riser height and minimum tread depth requirements.
2. In Group R-2.1 and I-2 facilities, required guards enclosing the occupiable roof areas shall be permitted to be greater than 48 inches (1219 mm) above the surface of the occupiable roof where the occupants, because of clinical needs, require restraint or containment as part of a function of a psychiatric or cognitive treatment area.

1011.5.3 Egress capacity. Egress capacity shall meet or exceed the occupant load as specified in the California Building Code for the new occupancy.

1011.5.4 Handrails. Existing stairways shall comply with the handrail requirements of Section 804.13.

1011.5.5 Guards. Existing guards shall comply with the requirements in Section 804.12.

1011.5.6 Existing emergency escape and rescue openings. Where a change of occupancy would require an emergency escape and rescue opening in accordance with Section 1031 of the California Building Code, operable windows serving as the emergency escape and rescue opening shall comply with the following:

1. An existing operable window shall provide a minimum net clear opening of 4 square feet (0.38 m [2] ) with a minimum net clear opening height of 22 inches (559 mm) and a minimum net clear opening width of 20 inches (508 mm).
2. A replacement window where such window complies with both of the following: 2.1. The replacement window meets the size requirements in Item 1. 2.2. The replacement window is the manufacturer’s largest standard size window that will fit within the existing frame or existing rough opening. The replacement window shall be permitted to be of the same operating style as the existing window or a style that provides for an equal or greater window opening area than the existing window.

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CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY

Hazard categories in regard to height and area shall be in accordance with Table 1011.6.

TABLE 1011.6—HEIGHTS AND AREAS HAZARD CATEGORIES

1011.6.1 Height and area for change to a higher-hazard category. Where a change of occupancy classification is made to a higher-hazard category as shown in Table 1011.6, heights and areas of buildings and structures shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 5 of the California Building Code for the new occupancy classification.

Exceptions:

1. For high-rise buildings constructed in compliance with a previously issued permit, the type of construction reduction specified in Section 403.2.1 of the California Building Code is permitted. This shall include the reduction for columns. The high-rise building is required to be equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 of the California Building Code .
2. Buildings that were constructed in compliance with a previously issued permit that have floor assemblies with a 1- [1] / 2 hour fire resistance rating shall not be required to comply with Chapter 5 of the California Building Code where all of the following apply: 2.1. Chapter 5 of the California Building Code requires Type IB construction. 2.2. The building does not include Group H occupancies. 2.3. The building is protected throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance Section 903.3.1.1 of the California Building Code.

1011.6.1.1 Fire wall alternative. In other than Groups H, F-1 and S-1, fire barriers and horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Sections 707 and 711, respectively, of the California Building Code shall be permitted to be used in lieu of fire walls to subdivide the building into separate buildings for the purpose of complying with the area limitations required for the new occupancy where all of the following conditions are met:

1. The buildings are protected throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 of the California Fire Code .

2. The maximum allowable area between fire barriers, horizontal assemblies or any combination thereof shall not exceed the maximum allowable area determined in accordance with Chapter 5 of the California Building Code without an increase allowed for an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 506 of the California Building Code .

3. The fire-resistance rating of the fire barriers and horizontal assemblies shall be not less than that specified for fire walls in Table 706.4 of the California Building Code .

m allowable area determined in accordance with Chapter 5 of the California Building Code without an increase allowed for an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 506 of the California Building Code . 3. The fire-resistance rating of the fire barriers and horizontal assemblies shall be not less than that specified for fire walls in Table 706.4 of the California Building Code .

Exception: Where horizontal assemblies are used to limit the maximum allowable area, the required fire-resistance rating of the horizontal assemblies shall be permitted to be reduced by 1 hour provided that the height and number of stories increases allowed for an automatic sprinkler system by Section 504 of the California Building Code are not used for the buildings.

1011.6.2 Height and area for change to an equal or lesser-hazard category. Where a change of occupancy classification is made to an equal or lesser-hazard category as shown in Table 1011.6, the height and area of the existing buildingshall be deemed acceptable.

1011.6.3 Fire barriers. Where a change of occupancy classification is made to a higher-hazard category as shown in Table 1011.6, fire barriers in separated mixed use buildings shall comply with the fire-resistance requirements of the California Building Code .

Exception: Where the fire barriers are required to have a 1-hour fire-resistance rating, existing wood lath and plaster in good condition or existing [1] / 2 -inch-thick (12.7 mm) gypsum wallboard shall be permitted.

Hazard categories in regard to fire-resistance ratings of exterior walls shall be in accordance with Table 1011.7.

TABLE 1011.7—EXPOSURE OF EXTERIOR WALLS HAZARD CATEGORIES

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CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY

1011.7.1 Exterior wall rating for change of occupancy classification to a higher-hazard category. Where a change of occupancy classification is made to a higher hazard category as shown in Table 1011.7, exterior walls shall have fire-resistance, exterior opening areas and opening protectives as required by the California Building Code .

Exception: A 2-hour fire-resistance rating shall be allowed where the building does not exceed three stories in height and is classified as one of the following groups: A-2 and A-3 with an occupant load of less than 300, B, F, M or S.

1011.7.2 Exterior wall rating for change of occupancy classification to an equal or lesser-hazard category. Where a change of occupancy classification is made to an equal or lesser-hazard category as shown in Table 1011.7, existing exterior walls, including openings, shall be accepted.

1011.7.3 Opening protectives. Openings in exterior walls shall be protected as required by the California Building Code . Where openings in the exterior walls are required to be protected because of their distance from the lot line, the sum of the area of such openings shall not exceed 50 percent of the total area of the wall in each story.

Exceptions:

1. Where the California Building Code permits openings in excess of 50 percent.

2. Protected openings shall not be required in buildings of Group R occupancy that do not exceed three stories in height and that are located not less than 3 feet (914 mm) from the lot line.

3. Exterior opening protectives are not required where an automatic sprinkler system has been installed throughout.

4. Exterior opening protectives are not required where the change of occupancy group is to an equal or lower hazard classification in accordance with Table 1011.7.

Enclosure of vertical shafts shall be in accordance with Sections 1011.8.1 through 1011.8.4.

1011.8.1 Minimum requirements. Vertical shafts shall be designed to meet the California Building Code requirements for atriums or the requirements of this section.

1011.8.2 Stairways. Where a change of occupancy classification is made to a higher-hazard category as shown in Table 1011.5, interior stairways shall be enclosed as required by the California Building Code .

Exceptions:

1. In other than Group I occupancies, an enclosure shall not be required for openings serving only one adjacent floor and that are not connected with corridors or stairways serving other floors.
2. Unenclosed existing stairways need not be enclosed in a continuous vertical shaft if each story is separated from other stories by 1-hour fire-resistance-rated construction and all exit corridors are sprinklered in accordance with the California Building Code . The openings between the corridor and the tenant space shall have not fewer than one sprinkler above the openings on the tenant side.
3. Existing penetrations of stairway enclosures shall be accepted if they are protected in accordance with the California Building Code .

1011.8.3 Other vertical shafts. Interior vertical shafts other than stairways, including but not limited to elevator hoistways and service and utility shafts, shall be enclosed as required by the California Building Code where there is a change of use to a higherhazard category as specified in Table 1011.5.

Exceptions:

1. Existing 1-hour interior shaft enclosures shall be accepted where a higher rating is required.
2. Vertical openings, other than stairways, in buildings of other than Group I occupancy and connecting less than six stories shall not be required to be enclosed if the entire building is provided with an approved automatic sprinkler system.

1011.8.4 Openings. Openings into existing vertical shaft enclosures shall be protected by fire assemblies having a fire protection rating of not less than 1 hour and shall be maintained self-closing or shall be automatic-closing by actuation of a smoke detector. Other openings shall be fire protected in an approved manner. Existing fusible link-type automatic door-closing devices shall be permitted in all shafts except stairways if the fusible link rating does not exceed 135°F (57°C).

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CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE – MATRIX ADOPTION TABLE

CHAPTER 11 – ADDITIONS

(Matrix Adoption Tables are nonregulatory, intended only as an aid to the code user. See Chapter 1 for state agency authority and building applications.)

The state agency does not adopt sections identified with the following symbol: The Office of the State Fire Marshal’s adoption of this chapter or individual sections is applicable to structures regulated by other state agencies pursuant to Section 1.11.

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