Section 1105 — CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING GROUP I-2

1. The minimum fire safety requirements in Section 1103.
2. The minimum means of egress requirements in Section 1104.
3. The additional egress and construction requirements in Section 1105.

Where the provisions of this chapter conflict with the construction requirements that applied at the time of construction, the most restrictive provision shall apply.

The provisions of Sections 1105.3 through 1105.8, 1105.10 and 1105.11 shall apply to the existing Group I-2 fire area.

Group I-2, Condition 2 shall not be located on a floor level higher than the floor level limitation in Table 1105.3 based on the type of construction.

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CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS

TABLE 1105.3—FLOOR LEVEL LIMITATIONS FOR GROUP I-2, CONDITION 2

Incidental uses associated with and located within existing single-occupancy or mixed-occupancy Group I-2 buildings and that generally pose a greater level of risk to such occupancies shall comply with the provisions of Sections 1105.4.1 through 1105.4.3.2.1. Incidental uses in Group I-2 occupancies are limited to those listed in Table 1105.4.

TABLE 1105.4—INCIDENTAL USES IN EXISTING GROUP I-2 OCCUPANCIES

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CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS

1105.4.1 Occupancy classification. Incidental uses shall not be individually classified in accordance with Section 302.1 of the California Building Code . Incidental uses shall be included in the building occupancies within which they are located.

1105.4.2 Area limitations. Incidental uses shall not occupy more than 10 percent of the building area of the story in which they are located.

1105.4.3 Separation and protection. The incidental uses listed in Table 1105.4 shall be separated from the remainder of the building or equipped with an automatic sprinkler system, or both, in accordance with the provisions of that table.

1105.4.3.1 Separation. Where Table 1105.4 specifies a fire-resistance-rated separation, the incidental uses shall be separated from the remainder of the building in accordance with Section 509.4.1 of the California Building Code .

1105.4.3.2 Protection. Where Table 1105.4 permits an automatic sprinkler system without a fire-resistance-rated separation, the incidental uses shall be separated from the remainder of the building by construction capable of resisting the passage of smoke in accordance with Section 509.4.2 of the California Building Code .

1105.4.3.2.1 Protection limitation. Except as otherwise specified in Table 1105.4 for certain incidental uses, where an automatic sprinkler system is provided in accordance with Table 1105.4, only the space occupied by the incidental use need be equipped with such a system.

In Group I-2, in areas housing patient sleeping or care rooms, corridor walls and the opening protectives therein shall provide a barrier designed to resist the passage of smoke in accordance with Sections 1105.5.1 through 1105.5.7.

1105.5.1 Materials. The walls shall be of materials permitted by the building type of construction.

1105.5.2 Fire-resistance rating. Unless required elsewhere in this code, corridor walls are not required to have a fire-resistance rating. Corridor walls that were installed as fire-resistance-rated assemblies in accordance with the applicable codes under which the building was constructed, remodeled or altered shall be maintained unless modified in accordance with the California Existing Building Code .

1105.5.3 Corridor wall continuity. Corridor walls shall extend from the top of the foundation or floor below to one of the following:

1. The underside of the floor or roof sheathing, deck or slab above.
2. The underside of a ceiling above where the ceiling membrane is constructed to limit the passage of smoke.
3. The underside of a lay-in ceiling system where the ceiling system is constructed to limit the passage of smoke and where the ceiling tiles weigh not less than 1 pound per square foot (4.88 kg/m [2] ) of tile.

1105.5.4 Openings in corridor walls. Openings in corridor walls shall provide protection in accordance with Sections 1105.5.4.1 through 1105.5.4.3.

1105.5.4.1 Windows. Windows in corridor walls shall be sealed to limit the passage of smoke, or the window shall be automatic-closing upon detection of smoke, or the window opening shall be protected by an automatic closing device that closes upon detection of smoke.

Exception: In smoke compartments not containing patient sleeping rooms, pass-through windows or similar openings shall be permitted in accordance with Section 1105.5.4.3.

1105.5.4.2 Doors. Doors in corridor walls shall comply with Sections 1105.5.4.2.1 through 1105.5.4.2.3.

1105.5.4.2.1 Louvers. Doors in corridor walls shall not include louvers, transfer grills or similar openings.

Exception: Doors shall be permitted to have louvers, transfer grills or similar openings at toilet rooms or bathrooms; storage rooms that do not contain storage of flammable or combustible material; and storage rooms that are not required to be separated as incidental uses.

1105.5.4.2.2 Corridor doors. Doors in corridor walls shall limit the transfer of smoke by complying with the following:

1. Doors shall be constructed of not less than 1 [3] / 4 inch-thick (44 mm) solid bonded-core wood or capable of resisting fire not less than [1] / 3 hour.

Exception: Corridor doors in buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system. 2. Frames for side-hinged swinging doors shall have stops on the sides and top to limit transfer of smoke. 3. Where provided, vision panels in doors shall be a fixed glass window assembly installed to limit the passage of smoke. Existing wired glass panels with steel frames shall be permitted to remain in place. 4. The clearance between the bottom of the door and floor shall not exceed 1 inch (25 mm). 5. Doors shall be positive latching with devices that resist not less than 5 pounds (22.2 N). Roller latches are prohibited. 6. Mail slots or similar openings shall be permitted in accordance with Section 1105.5.4.3.

1105.5.4.2.3 Dutch doors. Where provided, Dutch doors shall comply with Section 1105.5.4.2.2. In addition, Dutch doors shall be equipped with latching devices on either the top or bottom leaf to allow leaves to latch together. The space between the leaves shall be protected with devices such as astragals to limit the passage of smoke.

1105.5.4.2.4 Self- or automatic-closing doors. Where self- or automatic-closing doors are required, closers shall be maintained in operational condition. Hold-open devices on doors shall be capable of manual release.

1105.5.4.2.5 Protective plates. Protective plates installed on corridor doors shall not be limited in size.

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1105.5.4.3 Openings in corridor walls and doors. In other than smoke compartments containing patient sleeping rooms, mail slots, pass-through windows or similar openings shall not be required to be protected where the aggregate area of the openings between the corridor and a room are not greater than 80 square inches (51 613 mm [2] ) and are located with the top edge of any opening not higher than 48 inches above the floor.

1105.5.5 Penetrations. The space around penetrating items shall be filled with an approved material to limit the passage of smoke.

1105.5.6 Joints. Joints shall be filled with an approved material to limit the passage of smoke.

1105.5.7 Ducts and air transfer openings. The space around a duct penetrating a smoke partition shall be filled with an approved material to limit the passage of smoke. Air transfer openings in smoke partitions shall be provided with a smoke damper complying with Section 717.3.2.2 of the California Building Code .

Exception: Where the installation of a smoke damper will interfere with the operation of a required smoke control system in accordance with Section 909, approved alternative protection shall be utilized.

In addition to the means of egress requirements in Section 1104, Group I-2 facilities shall meet the means of egress requirements in Sections 1105.6.1 through 1105.6.8.

1105.6.1 Two means of egress. A means of egress shall be provided from each smoke compartment created by smoke barriers without having to return through the smoke compartment from which the means of egress originated. Smoke compartments that do not contain an exit shall be provided with direct access to not less than two adjacent smoke compartments.

1105.6.2 Size of door. Means of egress doors used for the movement of patients in beds shall provide a minimum clear width of 41 [1] / 2 inches (1054 mm). The height of the door opening shall be not less than 80 inches (2032 mm).

Exceptions:

1. Door closers and door stops shall be permitted to be 78 inches (1981 mm) minimum above the floor.
2. In Group I-2, Condition 1, existing means of egress doors used for the movement of patients in beds that provide a minimum clear width of 32 inches (813 mm) shall be permitted to remain.

1105.6.3 Group I-2 occupancies. In Group I-2, where a door serves as an opening protective in a fire barrier, smoke barrier or fire wall and where the door is equipped with a hold-open device, such door shall automatically close upon any of the following conditions:

1. Actuation of smoke detectors initiating the hold-open device.
2. Activation of the fire alarm system within the zone.
3. Activation of an automatic sprinkler system within the zone.

1105.6.4 Ramps. In areas where ramps are used for movement of patients in beds, the clear width of the ramp shall be not less than 48 inches (1219 mm).

1105.6.5 Corridor width. In areas where corridors are used for movement of patients in beds, the clear width of the corridor shall be not less than 48 inches (1219 mm).

1105.6.6 Dead-end corridors. In smoke compartments containing patient sleeping rooms and treatment rooms, dead-end corridors shall not exceed 30 feet (9144 mm) unless approved by the fire code official.

1105.6.7 Separation of exit access doors. Patient sleeping rooms, or any suite that includes patient sleeping rooms, of more than 1,000 square feet (92.9 m [2] ) shall have not less than two exit access doors placed a distance apart equal to not less than onethird of the length of the maximum overall diagonal dimension of the patient sleeping room or suite to be served, measured in a straight line between exit access doors.

1105.6.8 Aisles. In areas where aisles are used for movement of patients in beds, the clear width of the aisle shall be not less than 48 inches (1219 mm).

Smoke compartments shall be provided in existing Group I-2, Condition 2, in accordance with Sections 1105.7.1 through 1105.7.6.

1105.7.1 Design. Smoke barriers shall be provided to subdivide each story used for patients sleeping with an occupant load of more than 30 patients into not fewer than two smoke compartments.

1105.7.1.1 Refuge areas. Refuge areas shall be provided within each smoke compartment. The size of the refuge area shall accommodate the occupants and care recipients from the adjoining smoke compartment. Where a smoke compartment is adjoined by two or more smoke compartments, the minimum area of the refuge area shall accommodate the largest occupant load of the adjoining compartments.

The size of the refuge area shall provide the following:

1. Not less than 30 net square feet (2.8 m [2] ) for each care recipient confined to a bed or stretcher.
2. Not less than 15 square feet (1.4 m [2] ) for each resident in a Group I-2 using mobility assistance devices.
3. Not less than 6 square feet (0.56 m [2] ) for each occupant not addressed in Items 1 and 2.

Areas of spaces permitted to be included in the calculation of the refuge area are corridors, sleeping areas, treatment rooms, lounge or dining areas and other low-hazard areas.

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1105.7.2 Smoke barriers. Smoke barriers shall be constructed in accordance with Section 709 of the California Building Code .

Exceptions:

1. Existing smoke barriers are permitted to remain where the existing smoke barrier has a minimum fire-resistance rating of [1] / 2 hour.
2. Smoke barriers shall be permitted to terminate at an atrium enclosure in accordance with Section 404.6 of the Califor- nia Building Code .

1105.7.3 Opening protectives. Openings in smoke barriers shall be protected in accordance with Section 716 of the California Building Code . Opening protectives shall have a minimum fire protection rating of [1] / 3 hour.

Exceptions:

1. Existing wired glass vision panels in doors shall be permitted to remain.
2. Existing nonlabeled protection plates shall be permitted to remain.

1105.7.4 Penetrations. Penetrations of smoke barriers shall comply with the California Building Code .

Exception: Approved existing materials and methods of construction.

1105.7.5 Joints. Joints made in or between smoke barriers shall comply with the California Building Code .

Exception: Approved existing materials and methods of construction.

1105.7.6 Duct and air transfer openings. Penetrations in a smoke barrier by duct and air transfer openings shall comply with Section 717 of the California Building Code .

Exception: Where existing duct and air transfer openings in smoke barriers exist without smoke dampers, they shall be permitted to remain. Any changes to existing smoke dampers shall be submitted for review and approved in accordance with Section 717 of the California Building Code .

Care suites in existing Group I-2, Condition 2 occupancies shall comply with Sections 407.4.4 through 407.4.4.7.2 of the California Building Code .

An automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 shall be provided throughout the floor containing the Group I-2 fire area. The sprinkler system shall be provided throughout the floor where the Group I-2 occupancy is located, on all floors between the Group I-2 occupancy fire area and the level of exit discharge, the level of exit discharge, and all floors below the level of exit discharge.

Exception: Floors classified as an open parking garage are not required to be sprinklered.

An automatic fire alarm system shall be installed in existing Group I-2 occupancies in accordance with Section 907.2.6.2.

Exception: Manual fire alarm boxes in patient sleeping areas shall not be required at exits if located at all nurses’ control stations or other constantly attended staff locations, provided such that manual fire alarm boxes are visible, are provided with ready access, and travel distances required in Section 907.4.2.1 are not exceeded.

Essential electrical systems in Group I-2, Condition 2 occupancies shall be in accordance with Sections 1105.11.1 and 1105.11.2.

1105.11.1 Where required. Where required by NFPA 99, Group I-2, Condition 2 occupancies shall be provided with an essential electrical system in accordance with NFPA 99.

1105.11.2 Installation and duration. In Group I-2, Condition 2 occupancies, the installation and duration of operation of existing essential electrical systems shall be based on a hazard vulnerability analysis conducted in accordance with NFPA 99.

In an existing Group I-2 occupancy, areas of construction, alteration or demolition shall be separated from occupied portions of the building. Where, in accordance with Section 701.2, the maintenance of fire- resistance-rated construction is not required, separations used to separate areas of construction, alteration, or demolition from occu- pied portions of the building shall be constructed of materials that comply with one of the following: 1. Floors and nonbearing walls and partitions in accordance with California Building Code Chapter 6 and Table 601. 2. Noncombustible nonbearing walls and partitions.

1105.12.1 Minor work . Where minor building work identified in California Building Code Section 105.2, Item 7 is provided with a sepa- ration from occupied portions of the building, materials that provide such separation shall be approved by the fire code official and shall comply with one of the following: 1. Floors and nonbearing walls and partitions in accordance with California Building Code Chapter 6 and Table 601. 2. Noncombustible nonbearing walls and partitions. 3. Materials that exhibit a flame spread index not exceeding 25 when tested in accordance with ASTM E84 or UL 723. 4. Materials exhibiting a heat peak release rate not exceeding 300 kW/m2 when tested in accordance with ASTM E1354 at an incident heat flux of 50 kW/m2 in the horizontal orientation on specimens at the thickness intended for use.