Section 802 — BUILDING ELEMENTS AND MATERIALS

The requirements of this section are limited to work areas in which Level 2 alterations are being performed and shall apply beyond the work area where specified.

Existing vertical openings shall comply with the provisions of Sections 802.2.1, 802.2.2 and 802.2.3.

802.2.1 Existing vertical openings. Existing interior vertical openings connecting two or more floors shall be enclosed with approved assemblies having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 hour with approved opening protectives.

Exceptions:

1. Where vertical opening enclosure is not required by the California Building Code or the California Fire Code .
2. Interior vertical openings other than stairways may be blocked at the floor and ceiling of the work area by installation of not less than 2 inches (51 mm) of solid wood or equivalent construction.
3. The enclosure shall not be required where: 3.1. Connecting the main floor and mezzanines; or 3.2. All of the following conditions are met: 3.2.1. The communicating area has a low-hazard occupancy or has a moderate-hazard occupancy that is protected throughout by an automatic sprinkler system.

3.2.2. The lowest or next-to-the-lowest level is a street floor.

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

ALTERATIONS—LEVEL 2

3.2.3. The entire area is open and unobstructed in a manner such that it is reasonable to assume that a fire in any part of the interconnected spaces will be readily obvious to all of the occupants. 3.2.4. Exit capacity is sufficient to provide egress simultaneously for all occupants of all levels by considering all areas to be a single floor area for the determination of required exit capacity. 3.2.5. Each floor level, considered separately, has not less than one-half of its individual required exit capacity provided by an exit or exits leading directly out of that level without having to traverse another communicating floor level or be exposed to the smoke or fire spreading from another communicating floor level.

4. Reserved.

5. In Group B occupancies, a minimum 30-minute enclosure shall be provided to protect all vertical openings not exceeding three stories. This enclosure, or the enclosure specified in Section 802.2.1, shall not be required in the following locations: 5.1. Buildings not exceeding 3,000 square feet (279 m [2] ) per floor. 5.2. Buildings protected throughout by an approved automatic fire sprinkler system.

6. In Group E occupancies, the enclosure shall not be required for vertical openings not exceeding two stories where the building is protected throughout by an approved automatic fire sprinkler system.

7. In Group F occupancies, the enclosure shall not be required in the following locations: 7.1. Vertical openings not exceeding two stories. 7.2. Special-purpose occupancies where necessary for manufacturing operations and direct access is provided to not fewer than one protected stairway. 7.3. Buildings protected throughout by an approved automatic sprinkler system.

8. Reserved.

9. In Group M occupancies, a minimum 30-minute enclosure shall be provided to protect all vertical openings not exceeding three stories. This enclosure, or the enclosure specified in Section 802.2.1, shall not be required in the following locations: 9.1. Openings connecting only two floor levels. 9.2. Occupancies protected throughout by an approved automatic sprinkler system.

10. Reserved.

11. Reserved.

12. One- and two-family dwellings.

13. Group S occupancies where connecting not more than two floor levels or where connecting not more than three floor levels and the structure is equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system.

14. Group S occupancies where vertical opening protection is not required for open parking garages and ramps.

802.2.2 Supplemental shaft and floor opening enclosure requirements. Where the work area on any floor exceeds 50 percent of that floor area, the enclosure requirements of Section 802.2 shall apply to vertical openings other than stairways throughout the floor.

Exception: Vertical openings located in tenant spaces that are entirely outside the work area.

802.2.3 Supplemental stairway enclosure requirements. Where the work area on any floor exceeds 50 percent of that floor area, stairways that are part of the means of egress serving the work area shall, at a minimum, be enclosed with smoketight construction on the highest work area floor and all floors below.

Exception: Where stairway enclosure is not required by the California Building Code or the California Fire Code .

In Group I-2 occupancies where the work area is on a story used for sleeping rooms for more than 30 care recipients, the story shall be divided into not less than two compartments by smoke barrier walls in accordance with Section 407.5 of the California Building Code as required for new construction.

The interior finish and trim of walls and ceilings in exits and corridors in any work area shall comply with the requirements of the California Building Code .

Exception: Existing materials that do not comply with the requirements of the California Building Code shall be permitted to be treated with an approved fire-retardant coating in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions to achieve the required classification. Compliance with this section shall be demonstrated by testing the fire-retardant coating on the same material and achieving the required performance. Where the same material is not available, testing on a similar material shall be permitted.

802.4.1 Supplemental interior finish requirements. Where the work area on any floor exceeds 50 percent of the floor area, Section 802.4 shall apply to the interior finish and trim in exits and corridors serving the work area throughout the floor.

Exception: Interior finish within tenant spaces that are entirely outside the work area.

The requirements of Sections 802.5.1 and 802.5.2 shall apply in all work areas.

8-4 2025 CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE

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

ALTERATIONS—LEVEL 2

802.5.1 Minimum requirement. Every portion of a floor, such as a balcony or a loading dock, that is more than 30 inches (762 mm) above the floor or grade below and is not provided with guards, or those in which the existing guards are judged to be in danger of collapsing, shall be provided with guards.

802.5.2 Design. Where there are no guards or where existing guards must be replaced, the guards shall be designed and installed in accordance with the California Building Code .

Where approved by the code official, buildings where an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2 of the California Building Code has been added, and the building is now sprinklered throughout, the required fire-resistance ratings of building elements and materials shall be permitted to meet the requirements of the current building code. The building is required to meet the other applicable requirements of the California Building Code .

Plans, investigation and evaluation reports, and other data shall be submitted indicating which building elements and materials the applicant is requesting the code official to review and approve for determination of applying the current building code fire-resistance ratings. 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 that impact required fire-resistance ratings shall be identified in the evaluation reports submitted.