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Chapter 5 — PRESCRIPTIVE COMPLIANCE METHOD

Section 505

California Existing Building Code (Title 24, Part 10) · 2019 edition · updated 2026-09-10 · California

Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.

WINDOWS AND EMERGENCY ESCAPE OPENINGS

505.1 Replacement glass. The installation or replacement of

glass shall be as required for new installations.

505.2 Replacement window opening control devices. In

Group R-1, R-2 or R-3 buildings containing dwelling or sleeping units, and one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses regulated by the California Residential Code, window opening control devices complying with ASTM F2090 shall be installed where an existing window is replaced and where all of the following apply to the replacement window:

  1. The window is operable.

  2. The window replacement includes replacement of the sash and the frame.

  3. One of the following applies:

3.1. In Group R-1, R-2 or R-3 buildings containing dwelling or sleeping units, the top of the sill of the window opening is at a height less than 36 inches (915 mm) above the finished floor.

3.2. In one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses regulated by the California Residential Code, the top of the sill of the window opening is at a height less than 24 inches (610 mm) above the finished floor.

  1. The window will permit openings that will allow passage of a 4-inch-diameter (102 mm) sphere when the window is in its largest opened position.
  2. The vertical distance from the top of the sill of the window opening to the finished grade or other surface below, on the exterior of the building, is greater than 72 inches (1829 mm). The window opening control device, after operation to release the control device allowing the window to fully open, shall not reduce the minimum net clear opening area of the window unit to less than the area required by Section 1030.2 of the California Building Code .

Exceptions:

  1. Operable windows where the top of the sill of the window opening is located more than 75 feet (22 860 mm) above the finished grade or other surface below, on the exterior of the room, space or building, and that are provided with window fall prevention devices that comply with ASTM F2006.

and 408.6.2 of the California Building Code shall be maintained.

503.16.2 Ambulatory care. In ambulatory care facilities required to be separated by Section 422.2 of the California Building Code, the required capacity of the refuge areas for smoke compartments in accordance with Section 422.3.2 of the California Building Code shall be maintained.

503.16.3 Horizontal exits. The required capacity of the refuge area for horizontal exits in accordance with Section 1026.4 of the California Building Code shall be maintained.

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▸Contents — California Existing Building Code (Title 24, Part 10)
California Existing Building Code (Title 24, Part 10)
  1. Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS
  2. Appendix A — GUIDELINES FOR
  3. Appendix B — SUPPLEMENTARY
  4. Appendix C — GUIDELINES FOR THE
  5. Chapter 1 — SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATION
  6. Chapter 3 — PROVISIONS FOR ALL COMPLIANCE METHODS
  7. Chapter 4 — REPAIRS
  8. ▸Chapter 5 — PRESCRIPTIVE COMPLIANCE METHOD
    Overview
    1. Section 501
    2. Section 502
    3. Section 503
    4. Section 505
    5. Section 504
    6. Section 506
    7. Section 507
    8. Section 501A
    9. Section 502A
    10. Section 503A
    11. Section 504A
    12. Section 505A
    13. Section 506A
    14. Section 507A
  9. Chapter 6 — CLASSIFICATION OF WORK
  10. Chapter 7 — ALTERATIONS - LEVEL 1
  11. Chapter 8 — ALTERATIONS - LEVEL 2
  12. Chapter 9 — ALTERATIONS - LEVEL 3
  13. Chapter 10 — CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY
  14. Chapter 11 — ADDITIONS
  15. Chapter 12 — HISTORIC BUILDINGS
  16. Chapter 13 — PERFORMANCE COMPLIANCE METHODS
  17. Chapter 14 — RELOCATED OR MOVED BUILDINGS
  18. Chapter 15 — CONSTRUCTION SAFEGUARDS
  19. Chapter 16 — REFERENCED STANDARDS

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