Skip to content

Chapter 11 — CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS

Section 1116

California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9) · 2019 edition · updated 2026-09-10 · California

CBSC: official editions, supplements and errata

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

EXISTING GROUP L OCCUPANCIES [SFM]

1116.1 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 sec- tion.

Exceptions & meaning →

1116.2 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 cre- ated if an addition or alteration will cause the existing build- ing or structure to become structurally unsafe or overloaded; will not provide adequate egress in compliance with the pro- visions of this code or will obstruct existing exits; will create a fire hazard; will reduce required fire resistance or will oth- erwise create conditions dangerous to human life.

Exceptions & meaning →

1116.3 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 sto- ries and area permitted for new buildings.

Exceptions & meaning →

1116.4 Buildings not in compliance with code. Additions or

alterations shall not be made to an existing building or struc- ture 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 alter- ations are undertaken.

Exceptions & meaning →

1116.5 Maintenance of structural and fire resistive integ-

rity. Alterations or repairs to an existing building or structure that are nonstructural and do not adversely affect any struc- tural 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 instal- lation or replacement of glass shall be as required for new installations.

Exceptions & meaning →

1116.6 Continuation of existing use. Buildings in existence

at the time of the adoption of this code may have their exist- ing 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.

Exceptions & meaning →

1116.7 Maximum allowable quantities. Laboratory suites

approved prior to January 1, 2008 shall not exceed the maxi- mum allowable quantities listed in Tables 1116.7(1) and 1116.7(2).

310 2019 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE

Copyright © 2019 ICC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Accessed by Kevin Day (kevin.day@dgs.ca.gov), (California Building Standards Commission) Order Number #100735044 on Jul 24, 2019 03:54 PM (PDT) pursuant to License Agreement with ICC. No further reproduction or distribution authorized. Single user only, copying and networking prohibited. ANY UNAUTHORIZED REPRODUCTION OR DISTRIBUTION IS A VIOLATION OF THE FEDERAL COPYRIGHT ACT AND THE LICENSE AGREEMENT, AND SUBJECT TO CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES THEREUNDER.

100735044

CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS

TABLE 1116.7(1) EXEMPT AMOUNTS OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS, LIQUIDS AND CHEMICALS PRESENTING A PHYSICAL HAZARD BASIC QUANTITIES PER LABORATORY SUITE 1

When two units are given, values within parentheses are in cubic feet (cu. ft) or pounds (lb)

CONDITION STORAGE USE CLOSED 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 III-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 1252 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 m 2 ) bounded by not less than a one-hour fire-resistive occupancy separation within which the exempt amounts of hazardous 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.

Copyright © 2019 ICC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Accessed by Kevin Day (kevin.day@dgs.ca.gov), (California Building Standards Commission) Order Number #100735044 on Jul 24, 2019 03:54 PM (PDT) pursuant to License Agreement with ICC. No further reproduction or distribution authorized. Single user only, copying and networking prohibited. ANY UNAUTHORIZED REPRODUCTION OR DISTRIBUTION IS A VIOLATION OF THE FEDERAL COPYRIGHT ACT AND THE LICENSE AGREEMENT, AND SUBJECT TO CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES THEREUNDER.

100735044

CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS

TABLE 1116.7(2) EXEMPT AMOUNTS OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS, LIQUIDS AND CHEMICALS PRESENTING A HEALTH HAZARD MAXIMUM QUANTITIES PER LABORATORY SUITE 1

When two units are given, values within parentheses are in pounds (lbs.)

MATERIAL STORAGE USE CLOSED 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 m 2 ) bounded by not less than a one-hour fire-resistive occupancy separation within which the exempt amounts of hazardous 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 and 1/4 gallon (0.95 L) for liquids.

312 2019 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE

Copyright © 2019 ICC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Accessed by Kevin Day (kevin.day@dgs.ca.gov), (California Building Standards Commission) Order Number #100735044 on Jul 24, 2019 03:54 PM (PDT) pursuant to License Agreement with ICC. No further reproduction or distribution authorized. Single user only, copying and networking prohibited. ANY UNAUTHORIZED REPRODUCTION OR DISTRIBUTION IS A VIOLATION OF THE FEDERAL COPYRIGHT ACT AND THE LICENSE AGREEMENT, AND SUBJECT TO CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES THEREUNDER.

100735044

CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE – MATRIX ADOPTION TABLE

Exceptions & meaning →

Get a plain-English answer with a citation back to this text.

Ask AI about this code
▸Contents — California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9)

GoCodebook provides public access, search, citation, multilingual explanation, and practical interpretation of legally adopted building regulations. It is not a substitute for the official ICC or California code publications.