Section 316 — [SFM]—EXISTING GROUP L OCCUPANCIES

316.1 Repairs general. ¶

Additions, alterations or repairs may be made to any building or structure without requiring the existing building or structure to comply with all the requirements of this code section, provided the addition, alteration or repair conforms to the requirements of this section.

316.2 Unsafe condition. ¶

Additions, repairs or alterations shall not be made to an existing building or structure that will cause the existing building or structure to be in violation of any of the provisions of this code, nor shall such additions or alterations cause the existing building or structure to become unsafe, or to be in violation of any of the provisions of this code. An unsafe condition shall be deemed to have been created if an addition or alteration will cause the existing building or structure to become structurally unsafe or overloaded; will not provide adequate egress in compliance with the provisions of this code or will obstruct existing exits; will create a fire hazard; will reduce required fire resistance or will otherwise create conditions dangerous to human life.

316.3 Changes in use or occupancy. ¶

Any buildings that have alternations or additions, which involves a change in use or occupancy, shall not exceed the height, number of stories and area permitted for new buildings.

316.4 Buildings not in compliance with code. ¶

Additions or alterations shall not be made to an existing building or structure when such existing building or structure is not in full compliance with the provisions of this code except when such addition or alteration will result in the existing building or structure being no more hazardous, based on life safety, fire safety and sanitation, than before such additions or alterations are undertaken.

316.5 Maintenance of structural and fire resistive integrity. ¶

Alterations or repairs to an existing building or structure that are nonstructural and do not adversely affect any structural member of any part of the building or structure having required fire resistance may be made with the same materials of which the building or structure is constructed. The installation or replacement of glass shall be as required for new installations.

316.6 Continuation of existing use. ¶

Buildings in existence at the time of the adoption of this code may have their existing use or occupancy continued if such use or occupancy was legal at the time of the adoption of this code, provided such continued use is not dangerous to life.

316.7 Maximum allowable quantities. ¶

Laboratory suites approved prior to January 1, 2008 shall not exceed the maximum allowable quantities listed in Tables 316.1 and 316.2.

3-14 2025 CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE

on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

PROVISIONS FOR ALL COMPLIANCE METHODS

TABLE 316.7(1)—EXEMPT AMOUNTS OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS, LIQUIDS AND CHEMICALS
PRESENTING A PHYSICAL HAZARD BASIC QUANTITIES PER LABORATORY SUITE1
When two units are given, values within parentheses are in cubic feet (cu. ft) or pounds (lb)

*CONDITION*	*CONDITION*	*STORAGE*	*STORAGE*	*STORAGE*	*USE CLOSED SYSTEMS*	*USE CLOSED SYSTEMS*	*USE CLOSED SYSTEMS*	*USE OPEN SYSTEMS*	*USE OPEN SYSTEMS*	*USE OPEN SYSTEMS*
*MATERIAL*	*CLASS*	*Solid* *Pounds* *(cu. ft)*	*Liquid* *Gallons* *(lb)*	*Gas* *(cu. ft)*	*Solid* *Pounds* *(cu. ft)*	*Liquid* *Gallons* *(lb)*	*Gas* *(cu. ft)*	*Solid* *Pounds* *(cu. ft)*	*Liquid* *Gallons* *(lb)*	*Gas* *(cu. ft)*
1.1 Combustible liquid	II	—	1202	—	—	120	—		30	—
1.1 Combustible liquid	II-A	—	3302	—	—	330	—		80	—
1.1 Combustible liquid	III-B	—	13,2002	—	—	13,200	—		3,300	—
1.2 Combustible dust lbs./1000 cu. ft.		1	—	—	1	—	—	1	—	—
1.3 Combustible fiber _ (loose) (baled)_		(100) (1,000)	— —	— —	(100) (1,000)	— —	— —	(20) (200)	— —	— —
1.4 Cryogenic, flammable or oxidizing			45	—		45	—		10	—
2.1 Explosives		12	(1)2	—	1/4	(1/4)	—	1/4	(1/4)	—
3.1 Flammable solid		1252	—	—	25	—	—	25	—	—
3.2 Flammable gas _ (gaseous) (liquefied)_		— —	— 152	7502 —	— —	— 152	7502 —	— —	— —	— —
3.3 Flammable liquid Combination I-A, I-B, I-C	I-A	—	302	—	—	30	—	—	10	—
3.3 Flammable liquid Combination I-A, I-B, I-C	I-B	—	602	—	—	60	—	—	15	—
3.3 Flammable liquid Combination I-A, I-B, I-C	I-C	—	902	—	—	90	—	—	20	—
3.3 Flammable liquid Combination I-A, I-B, I-C		—	1202	—	—	120	—	—	30	—
4.1 Organic peroxide, unclassified detonatable		12	(1)2	—	1/4	(1/4)	—	1/4	(1/4)	—
4.2 Organic peroxide	I	52	(5)2	—	(1)	(1)	—	1	1	—
4.2 Organic peroxide	II	502	(50)2	—	50	(50)	—	10	(10)	—
4.2 Organic peroxide	III	1252	(125)2	—	125	(125)	—	25	(25)	—
4.2 Organic peroxide	IV	500	(500)	—	500	(500)	—	100	(100)	—
4.2 Organic peroxide	V	N.L.	N.L.	—	N.L.	N.L.	—	N.L.	N.L.	—
4.3 Oxidizer	4	12	(1)2	—	1/4 2	(1/4)	—	1/4	(1/4)	—
4.3 Oxidizer	3	102	(10)2	—	2	(2)	—	2	(2)	—
4.3 Oxidizer	2	2502	(250)2	—	50	(250)	—	50	(50)	—
4.3 Oxidizer	1	1,0002	(1,000)2	—	1,000	(1,000)	—	200	(200)	—
4.4 Oxidizer.Gas _ (gaseous) (liquefied)_		— —	— 152	1,5002 —	— —	— 152	1,5002 —	— —	— —	— —
5.1 Pyrophoric		42	(4)2	502	1	(1)	102	0	0	0
6.1 Unstable (reactive)	4	12	(1)2	102	1/4	(1/4)	22	1/4	(1/4)	0
6.1 Unstable (reactive)	3	52	(5)2	502	1	(1)	102	1	(1)	0
6.1 Unstable (reactive)	2	502	(50)2	2502	50	(50)	2502	10	(10)	0
6.1 Unstable (reactive)	1	1252	(125)2	7502	125	(125)	7502	25	(25)	0
7.1 Water (reactive)	3	52	(5)2	—	5	(5)	—	1	(1)	—
7.1 Water (reactive)	2	502	(50)2	—	50	(50)	—	10	(10)	—
7.1 Water (reactive)	1	1252	(125)2	—	125	(125)2	—	25	(25)	—

1. A laboratory suite is a space up to 10,000 square feet (929 m2) bounded by not less than a one-hour fire-resistive occupancy separation within which the exempt amounts of hazard-
ous materials may be stored, dispensed, handled or used. Up through the third floor and down through the first basement floor, the quantity in this table shall apply. Fourth, fifth
and sixth floors and the second and third basement floor level quantity shall be reduced to 75 percent of this table. The seventh through 10th floor and below the third basement
floor level quantity shall be reduced to 50 percent of this table.
2. Quantities may be increased 100 percent when stored in approved exhausted gas cabinets, exhausted enclosures or fume hoods.

on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

PROVISIONS FOR ALL COMPLIANCE METHODS

TABLE 316.7(2)—EXEMPT AMOUNTS OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS, LIQUIDS AND CHEMICALS
PRESENTING A PHYSICAL HAZARD BASIC QUANTITIES PER LABORATORY SUITE1
When two units are given, values within parentheses are in pounds (lbs.)

*MATERIAL*	*STORAGE*	*STORAGE*	*STORAGE*	*USE CLOSED SYSTEMS*	*USE CLOSED SYSTEMS*	*USE CLOSED SYSTEMS*	*USE OPEN SYSTEMS*	*USE OPEN SYSTEMS*
*MATERIAL*	*Solid lb*	*Liquid* *Gallons (lb)*	*Gas* *cu. ft*	*Solid lb*	*Liquid* *Gallons (lb)*	*Gas* *(cu. ft)*	*Solid lb*	*Liquid* *Gallons (lb)*
1. Corrosives	5,000	500	6502	5,000	500	650	1,000	100
_2a. Highly toxics2 _	40	10	65	5	1	65	2	1/4
2b. Toxics	500	50	6502	500	50	650	5	1/2
3. Irritants	5,000	500	650	5,000	500	650	1,000	100
4. Sensitizers	5,000	500	650	5,000	500	650	1,000	100
5. Other health hazards	5,000	500	650	5,000	500	650	1,000	100

1. A laboratory suite is a space up to 10,000 square feet (929 m2) bounded by not less than a 1-hour fire-resistive occupancy separation within which the exempt amounts of hazard-
ous materials may be stored, dispensed, handled or used. Up through the third floor and down through the first basement floor, the quantity in this table shall apply. Fourth, fifth
and sixth floors and the second and third basement floor level quantity shall be reduced to 75 percent of this table. The seventh through 10th floor and below the third basement
floor level quantity shall be reduced to 50 percent of this table.
2. Permitted only when stored or used in approved exhausted gas cabinets, exhausted enclosures or fume hoods. Quantities of high toxics in use in open systems need not be reduced
above the third floor or below the first basement floor level. Individual container size shall be limited to 2 pounds (0.91 kg) for solids and1/4 gallon (0.95 L) for liquids.