Section 311A — COMPLIANCE ALTERNATIVES FOR MEANS OF EGRESS

Means of egress through existing buildings shall be in accordance with the California Building Code, except as modified in this section.

311A.1.1 Means of egress. Means of egress shall comply with the requirements of Sections 311A.1.1.1 and 311A.1.1.2.

Exception: The enforcing agency shall be permitted to exempt minor additions, minor alterations and minor remodel projects from these requirements.

311A.1.1.1 Means of egress for hospital buildings. Means of egress for hospital buildings shall comply with the requirements of Sections 311A.1.1.1.1 through 311A.1.1.1.6.

311A.1.1.1.1 New and existing conforming hospital buildings. Means of egress for new hospital buildings and additions to existing conforming hospital buildings shall only pass through buildings that are conforming or comply with the requirements of SPC-3 or higher, and NPC-4/NPC-4D or higher.

Exception: Existing means of egress that pass through hospital buildings that have approved nonstructural performance categories NPC-3, or NPC-2 if the building has an approved extension to the NPC-3 deadline, shall be permitted to remain for the duration of extension. The nonstructural components in the path of egress shall be braced in accordance with the new building provisions of the California Building Code.

311A.1.1.1.2 Existing SPC-2 hospital buildings. Means of egress for additions to existing SPC-2 hospital buildings shall only pass through hospital buildings that have approved performance categories of SPC-2 or higher and NPC-4/NPC-4D or higher.

Exception: The means of egress shall be permitted to pass through hospital buildings that have approved nonstructural performance categories of NPC-3, or NPC-2 if the building has an approved extension to the NPC-3 deadline. Nonstructural components in the path of egress shall be braced in accordance with the new building provisions of the California Building Code.

311A.1.1.1.3 Existing SPC-3 or higher hospital buildings. Means of egress for remodels of existing SPC-3 or higher hospital buildings shall only pass through hospital buildings that have approved performance categories of SPC-2 or higher and NPC-4 / NPC-4D or higher.

Exception: The means of egress shall be permitted to pass through hospital buildings that have approved nonstructural performance categories of NPC-3, or NPC-2 if the building has an approved extension to the NPC-3 deadline. Nonstructural components in the path of egress shall be braced in accordance with the new building provisions of the California Building Code.

311A.1.1.1.4 Existing SPC-1 hospital buildings. Means of egress for remodels of existing SPC-1 hospital buildings shall only pass through hospital buildings that have approved performance categories of SPC-1 or higher and NPC-2 or higher.

Exception: Means of egress for acute care service spaces for hospitals licensed pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 1250 of the Health and Safety Code shall comply with the requirements of Section 311A.1.1.1.2.

311A.1.1.1.5 Other hospital buildings. Hospital buildings that would not otherwise require evaluation for an SPC rating, which are used as a part of the means of egress for hospital buildings, shall be evaluated in accordance with the requirements of Section 1.3, Chapter 6, of the California Administrative Code to determine the appropriate rating, or shall meet the structural requirements of these regulations for conforming hospital buildings. Means of egress shall be in accordance with the require- ments of Sections 311A.1.1.1.1 through 311A.1.1.1.4.

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

PROVISIONS FOR ALL COMPLIANCE METHODS

311A.1.1.1.6 Buildings removed from hospital service. The means of egress for acute care hospitals shall be permitted to pass through buildings that are removed from hospital service only if the buildings remain under the jurisdiction of OSHPD, and only until January 1, 2030, subject to the following:

1. Egress for conforming hospital buildings shall be permitted to pass through buildings that have been removed from acute care hospital service that comply with the requirements of Section 311A.1.1.1.1 or 311A.1.1.1.3.

2. Egress for nonconforming hospital buildings shall be permitted to pass through buildings that have been removed from acute care hospital service that comply with the requirements of Section 311A.1.1.1.2 or 311A.1.1.1.4.

After January 1, 2030, the means of egress for acute care hospital buildings shall only pass through hospital buildings that have approved performance categories of SPC-3 or higher and NPC-5.

311A.1.2 Jurisdiction. Means of egress shall only pass through buildings that are under the jurisdiction of the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD).