CBC · California Building Code
What are the Work Area method rules and implications for upgrades outside the work area?
For homeowners: when you renovate, the Existing Building Code requires the contractor to mark the “work area” on the plans and then follow the Work Area rules — most required upgrades apply only inside that marked area unless the code section says they must go beyond it (or the work area is large enough to trigger floor‑wide upgrades) (§ 601.1.1; § 601.2) .
Last reviewed: July 5, 2026
What the code requires — 2-4 sentences
Under the Work Area compliance method the project must identify the "work area" on the construction documents and then apply the alteration rules that correspond to that classification. The choice of compliance path for an alteration is to use Chapters 7–11 of the California Existing Building Code (the Work Area method) or one of the alternatives in Section 301.3; the work-area itself must be shown on the drawings (§ 601.1.1 and § 601.2) . In short: define the work area, determine the alteration level that applies, then apply the Work Area rules — and some requirements can extend beyond the marked work area where the code explicitly says so (§ 601.1.1; § 601.2) .
Requirements in detail
Which sections control
- Compliance choice: alter using Chapters 7–11 (Work Area method) or an alternative allowed by Section 301.3 (§ 601.1.1) .
- Work-area identification: the work area (as defined in Chapter 2) must be identified on the construction documents (§ 601.2) .
How work-area size drives obligations
The Work Area method uses the defined work area and the project scope to set which Chapter provisions apply (Level 1, 2 or 3). Key decision dimensions are summarized below.
| Decision dimension | Typical threshold / value | What it controls | Code Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Must the designer show the work area on plans? | Yes — always | Required on construction documents | § 601.2 |
| Compliance path | Choice: Chapters 7–11 or alternatives in §301.3 | Determines which Work Area rules apply | § 601.1.1 |
| Level 2 / 50% threshold | Work area ≤ 50% of building area = Level 2 scope; >50% may trigger broader (Level 3 or supplemental) requirements | When reconfiguration/extension of systems is Level 2 vs higher | § 603.1 |
| When Work Area provisions extend beyond the marked area | "Where specified" in chapter sections (many Chapter 8/9 requirements include language that they "apply beyond the work area") | Certain upgrades or protections must be provided outside the work area when the code text so requires | § 802.1 and related sections |
| When supplemental (floor‑wide) rules apply | Work area on a floor exceeds 50% of that floor area — triggers supplemental requirements to apply throughout the floor (e.g., doors, corridor openings, means-of-egress lighting, panic hardware) | Moves some elements from "work-area-only" to "whole-floor" application | See Chapter 8 supplemental sections (e.g., § 804.6.3.1, § 804.7.4, § 804.9.2) |
How and when upgrades outside the work area are required
- The CEBC explicitly limits many requirements to the work area but also includes repeated language that certain provisions “shall apply beyond the work area where specified.” That means the baseline is: upgrades only inside the identified work area unless a section specifically calls for a broader scope (§ 802.1) .
- Several Chapter 8 provisions add "supplemental" requirements that become applicable not only inside the work area but throughout a floor if the work area exceeds 50% of that floor (examples include door-closing, panic hardware, corridor opening sealing, means-of-egress lighting) (§ 804.*) .
- The code also states that the Chapter 8/9 Work Area rules apply within all work areas regardless of whether those work areas include exits and corridors shared by multiple tenants — a reminder that shared egress can still trigger application of the Work Area provisions even if the rest of the tenant space is untouched (§ 901.2 applicability language) .
Exceptions & special cases
- Use of Chapters 6–11 (the Work Area method) is prohibited for certain occupancies and building types (for example, selected Hazard, Institutional, and some residential occupancy designations and high‑rise buildings) — you must check the exceptions to § 601.1 (§ 601.1 Exceptions) .
- If reconfiguration is performed solely to satisfy accessibility requirements referenced in Section 306.7.1, the project may be permitted to comply under Chapter 7 instead of Chapters 8/9 (accessibility‑only reconfiguration exception) — consult § 801.1 Exception language .
- Movable furnishings and low partitions (nonfixed elements under the specified height) may be excluded from Level 2 counting per § 603.1 exception (i.e., they do not always trigger Level 2) .
Common mistakes
- Failing to show the work area on plans — § 601.2 requires the work area be identified on the construction documents and omission creates confusion about scope and compliance .
- Assuming no upgrades outside the work area are ever required — many Chapter 8 sections explicitly extend requirements beyond the work area when specified (or when the work area exceeds 50% of a floor) — read the “supplemental” language in the applicable sections (§ 802.1; § 804.*) .
- Mis‑applying the 50% threshold: the 50% rule is used in several places (Level 2 definition and supplemental triggers) — determine whether the 50% is of the entire building or of a single floor as the text specifies (e.g., some supplemental provisions refer to “the floor”) (§ 603.1; § 804.7.4) .
- Confusing CEBC (Existing Building Code) Work Area rules with new‑construction CBC requirements; the Work Area method and its chapters are in the Existing Building Code (Chapters 6–11) and are the proper reference for alterations under that method (§ 601 et seq.) .
Worked example — concrete scenario with numbers
Scenario: Single‑tenant office building, one floor of 10,000 sq ft. The owner reconfigures 4,500 sq ft of open plan and installs new walls and doors plus new HVAC ducts within that 4,500‑sf area.
Step 1 — Identify the work area on the drawings. The CEBC requires the work area to be shown on documents (§ 601.2) .
Step 2 — Determine alteration level. Because the work area is 4,500 / 10,000 = 45% of the building floor area, this falls at or below the 50% threshold for Level 2 application (Level 2 applies where the work area is equal to or less than 50% of the building area) (§ 603.1) .
Step 3 — Apply Chapter 8 (Level 2) requirements within the identified work area. Many upgrades are limited to the work area, but check each Chapter 8 requirement for “apply beyond the work area where specified” language (§ 802.1) .
Step 4 — Check supplemental triggers. Because the work area is 45% of the building, it does NOT exceed 50% of the floor, so the floor‑wide supplemental requirements that are triggered only when the work area exceeds 50% of the floor do not apply (e.g., the “apply throughout the floor” clauses in § 804.* are not triggered) . If the work area had been 5,500 sq ft (55%), then supplemental requirements such as certain door‑closing, corridor sealing, or means‑of‑egress lighting upgrades could be required throughout that floor (§ 804.6.3.1; § 804.7.4; § 804.9.2) .
Bottom line for this example: because the project is 45% of the building it is Level 2, upgrades are principally limited to the shown work area, and floor‑wide supplemental triggers tied to >50% do not apply — but verify each Chapter 8 requirement for any specific “beyond the work area” language (§ 601.2; § 603.1; § 802.1) .
Related provisions
- § 601.1.1 — Compliance with other alternatives (choice of Chapters 7–11 or other alternatives) .
- § 601.2 — Work area identification requirement on construction documents .
- § 602 — Level 1 alteration scope (replacement/covering only) — relevant when the work is limited to like‑for‑like replacements .
- § 603.1 — Level 2 alteration and the ≤50% threshold for building area; exceptions for movable/low partitions .
- § 802.1 — “apply beyond the work area where specified” language; the section sets how some requirements extend outside the work area .
- Chapter 8 (e.g., § 804.*) — Specific supplemental provisions that may extend obligations beyond the work area, including door closing, panic hardware, corridor openings, means‑of‑egress lighting and floor‑wide triggers when the work area exceeds 50% (§ 804.6.3.1; § 804.7.4; § 804.9.2) .
Note: The Work Area method and the cited sections above appear in the California Existing Building Code (CEBC), Chapters 6–11, which is the code that governs alteration work using the Work Area method. If you intended new‑construction provisions in the California Building Code (CBC) instead, those are different and not the sections cited here. The material cited above is from the CEBC — see § 601.1.1 and § 601.2 in the CEBC text we retrieved .
Code references
Grounded in the retrieved California Building Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:
CBC § 804.5.1.1. High relevance — show source text
Exceptions:
- Storage rooms having a maximum occupant load of 10.
- Where the work area is served by a single exit in accordance with Section 804.5.1.1.
804.6.2 Door swing. In the work area and in the egress path from any work area to the exit discharge, all egress doors serving an occupant load of 50 or more shall swing in the direction of exit travel.
804.6.2.1 Supplemental requirements for door swing. Where the work area exceeds 50 percent of the floor area, door swing shall comply with Section 804.6.2 throughout the floor.
Exception: Means of egress within or serving only a tenant space that is entirely outside the work area.
804.6.3 Door closing. In any work area, all doors opening onto an exit passageway at grade or an exit stairway shall be self-closing or automatic-closing by listed closing devices.
Exception: Where exit enclosure is not required by the California Building Code .
804.6.3.1 Supplemental requirements for door closing. Where the work area exceeds 50 percent of the floor area, doors shall comply with Section 804.6.3 throughout the exit stairway from the work area to, and including, the level of exit discharge.
804.6.4 Panic and fire exit hardware. In any work area, and in the egress path from any work area to the exit discharge, in buildings or portions thereof of Group A assembly occupancies with an occupant load greater than 100, all required exit doors equipped with latching devices shall be equipped with approved panic or fire exit hardware in accordance with Section 1010.2.9 of the California Building Code .
804.6.4.1 Supplemental requirements for panic hardware. Where the work area exceeds 50 percent of the floor area, panic hardware shall comply with Section 804.6.4 throughout the floor.
Exception: Means of egress within a tenant space that is entirely outside the work area.
804.7 Openings in corridor walls. Openings in corridor walls in any work area shall comply with Sections 804.7.1 through 804.7.4.
Exception: Openings in corridors where such corridors are not required to be rated in accordance with the California Building Code .
804.7.1 Corridor doors. Corridor doors in the work area shall not be constructed of hollow core wood and shall not contain louvers. Dwelling unit or sleeping unit corridor doors in work areas in buildings of Groups R-1 and R-2 shall be not less than 1 [3] / 8
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ALTERATIONS—LEVEL 2
inch (35 mm) solid core wood or approved equivalent and shall not have any glass panels, other than approved wired glass or other approved glazing material in metal frames. Dwelling unit or sleeping unit corridor doors in work areas in buildings of Groups R-1 and R-2 shall be equipped with approved door closers. Replacement doors shall be 1 [3] / 4 -inch (44 mm) solid bonded wood core or approved equivalent.
Exceptions:
Corridor doors within a dwelling unit or sleeping unit.
Reserved.
CBC § 1.10.1 High relevance — show source text
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Chapter 3 Provisions for All Compliance Methods.
Chapter 3 guides the use of the three compliance methods of the CEBC and provides requirements that apply globally. The globally applicable requirement include general requirements related to buildings materials and other applicable codes, storm shelters, structural loads, in-situ load tests, accessibility, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detection and exterior wall coverings.
Chapter 3A Provisions for All Compliance Methods.
Chapter 3A controls the compliance options for alteration, repair, addition, evaluation and change of occupancy of existing structures regulated by the Department of Health Care Access and Information/Office of Statewide Hospital Planning and Development, which include hospitals and correctional treatment centers (applications listed in Sections 1.10.1 (OSHPD 1).
Chapter 4 Repairs.
Chapter 4, a chapter independent of the three compliance methods, governs the repair of existing buildings. The provisions define conditions under which repairs may be made using materials and methods like those of the original construction or the extent to which repairs must comply with requirements for new buildings.
Chapter 4A Repairs.
Chapter 4A governs the repair of existing buildings regulated by the Department of Health Care Access and Information/Office of State- wide Hospital Planning and Development, which include hospitals and correctional treatment centers (applications listed in Sections 1.10.1 (OSHPD 1).
Chapter 5 Prescriptive Compliance Method.
Chapter 5 provides one of the three main options of compliance available in the CEBC for buildings and structures undergoing alteration, addition or change of occupancy. The base requirements are more administrative in nature. The structural triggers for upgrades are consistent with the Work Area Method.
Chapter 5A Prescriptive Compliance Method.
Chapter 5A provides details for the prescriptive compliance method for alteration, addition and change of occupancy of existing build- ings and structures regulated by the Department of Health Care Access and Information/Office of Statewide Hospital Planning and Development, which include hospitals and correctional treatment centers (applications listed in Sections 1.10.1 (OSHPD 1).
Chapter 6 Classification of Work.
Chapter 6 provides an overview of the Work Area Method and defines the different classifications of work including alterations, change of occupancy, additions and historic buildings. Detailed requirements for all of these are given in subsequent Chapters 7 through 11.
Chapter 7 Alterations—Level 1.
Chapter 7 provides the technical requirements for those existing buildings that undergo Level 1 alterations as described in Section 602, which includes replacement or covering of existing materials, elements, equipment or fixtures using new materials for the same purpose. This chapter is distinguished from Chapters 8 and 9 by only involving replacement of building components with new components with no reconfiguration of space.
Chapter 8 Alterations—Level 2.
A Level 2 alteration is an alteration involving space reconfiguration that could be up to and including 50 percent of the area of the building or addition of a new building system. Level 2 alterations also include the extension or addition of any system or equipment. The purpose of Chapter 8 is to provide detailed requirements and provisions to identify the required improvements in the existing building elements, means of egress, fire protection, structural systems, energy efficiency, and other building systems include electrical, mechanical and plumbing when a building is being altered.
Chapter 9 Alterations—Level 3.
CBC § 1.11. High relevance — show source text
The state agency does not adopt sections identified with the following symbol: The Office of the State Fire Marshal’s adoption of this chapter or individual sections is applicable to structures regulated by other state agencies pursuant to Section 1.11.
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8 ALTERATIONS—LEVEL 2
User notes:
About this chapter: Like Chapter 7, the purpose of this chapter is to provide detailed requirements and provisions to identify the required improvements in the existing building elements, building spaces and building structural system when a building is being altered. This chapter is distinguished from Chapters 7 and 9 by involving space reconfiguration that could be up to and including 50 percent of the area of the building. In contrast, Level 1 alterations (Chapter 7) do not involve space reconfiguration, and Level 3 alterations (Chapter 9) involve extensive space reconfiguration that exceeds 50 percent of the building area. Depending on the nature of alteration work, its location within the building, and whether it encompasses one or more tenants, improvements and upgrades could be required for the open floor penetrations, sprinkler system or the installation of additional means of egress such as stairs or fire escapes.
SECTION 801—GENERAL
801.1 Scope. Level 2 alterations as described in Section 603 shall comply with the requirements of this chapter.
Exception: Buildings in which the reconfiguration is exclusively the result of compliance with the accessibility requirements of Section 306.7.1 shall be permitted to comply with Chapter 7.
801.2 Alteration Level 1 compliance. In addition to the requirements of this chapter, all work shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 7.
801.3 System installations. Requirements related to work area are not applicable where the Level 2 alterations are limited solely to one or more of the following:
- Mechanical systems, electrical systems, fire protection systems and abatement of hazardous materials.
- Windows, hardware, operating controls, electrical outlets and signs.
- Alterations undertaken for the primary purpose of increasing the accessibility of a facility.
801.4 Compliance. New construction elements, components, systems and spaces shall comply with the requirements of the Califor- nia Building Code .
Exceptions:
Where windows are added they are not required to comply with the light and ventilation requirements of the California Building Code .
Newly installed electrical equipment shall comply with the requirements of Section 806.
The length of dead-end corridors in newly constructed spaces shall only be required to comply with the provisions of Section 804.8.
The minimum ceiling height of the newly created habitable and occupiable spaces and corridors shall be 7 feet (2134 mm).
Where provided in below-grade transportation stations, existing and new escalators shall be permitted to have a clear width of less than 32 inches (815 mm).
New structural members and connections shall be permitted to comply with alternative design criteria in accordance with Section 302.
SECTION 802—BUILDING ELEMENTS AND MATERIALS
802.1 Scope. 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.
CBC § 301 Medium relevance — show source text
This code provides three main options for a designer in dealing with alterations of existing buildings. These are laid out in Section 301 of this code:
Option 1: Work for alteration, change of occupancy or addition of all existing buildings shall be done in accordance with the Prescriptive Compliance Method given in Chapter 5. It should be noted that this method originates from the former Chapter 34 of the IBC (2012 and earlier editions).
Option 2: Work for alteration, change of occupancy or addition of all existing buildings shall be done in accordance with the Work Area Compliance Method given in Chapters 6 through 12.
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Option 3: Work for alteration, change of occupancy or addition of all existing buildings shall be done in accordance with the Performance Compliance Method given in Chapter 13. It should be noted that this option was also provided in the former Chapter 34 of the IBC (2012 and earlier editions).
Under limited circumstances, a building alteration can be made to comply with the laws under which the building was originally built, as long as the accessibility requirements are met, there has been no substantial structural damage and there will be limited structural alteration. Flood hazard provisions also must still be addressed where there is a substantial improvement.
Note that all repairs must comply with Chapter 4 and all relocated buildings are addressed by Chapter 14.
ARRANGEMENT AND FORMAT OF THE 2025 CEBC
The format of the CEBC allows each chapter to be devoted to a particular subject. The following table shows how the CEBC is divided. The subsequent table shows CEBC requirements that are correlated with other California Codes. The chapter synopses detail the scope and intent of the provisions of the CEBC.
CHAPTER TOPICS Col2 CHAPTER SUBJECTS 1, 2 Administrative Requirements and Definitions 3 Provisions for all Compliance Methods 4 Repairs 5 Prescriptive Compliance Method for Existing Buildings 6–11 Work Area Compliance Method for Existing Buildings 13 Performance Compliance Method for Existing Buildings 14 Relocated Buildings 15 Construction Safeguards 16 Referenced Standards Appendix A Guidelines for Seismic Retrofit of Existing Buildings Appendix B Supplementary Accessibility Requirements for Existing Buildings Appendix C Guidelines for Wind Retrofit of Existing Buildings Appendix D Board of Appeals Appendix E Temporary Emergency Uses Resource A Guidelines on Fire Ratings of Archaic Materials and Assemblies CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE CORRELATED TOPICS
The CEBC requirements for construction safeguards are directly correlated to the requirements of the CBC. The following table shows chapters of the CBC that are correlated with the CEBC:
CEBC/CBC CORRELATED TOPICS Col2 Col3 CEBC CHAPTER/SECTION CBC CHAPTER/SECTION SUBJECT Chapter 15 Chapter 33 Construction safeguards Chapter 1 Scope and Administration.
Chapter 1 establishes the limits of applicability of the code and describes how the code is to be applied and enforced. The provisions of Chapter 1 establish the authority and duties of the code official appointed by the authority having jurisdiction and also establish the rights and privileges of the design professional, contractor and property owner.
Chapter 2 Definitions.
CBC § 3.3.44.2 Medium relevance — show source text
Amend Section 3.3.44.2 and amend publications to read as follows:
3.3.44.2 Open Station.* A station that is constructed such that it is directly open to the atmosphere and smoke and heat are allowed to disperse directly into the atmosphere.
The following enclosed areas in open stations are permitted:
1. Ticket/pass booths not exceeding 150 square feet (13.9 m [2] ) in area. 2. Mechanical and electrical spaces typically not used for human occupancy and necessary for the operation of a fixed guideway transit system. Such spaces shall be limited to two per level. 3. Restrooms not exceeding 150 square feet (13.9 m [2] ) in area. A maximum of four restrooms are permitted per level.
Add a new definition as 3.3.44.3 to read as follows:
3.3.44.1.1 Underground Station. A station or portion thereof that is located beneath the surface of the earth or of the water.
Amend Section 5.2.2.1 to read as follows:
5.2.2.1 Building construction for all new enclosed stations shall be not less than Type IA, Type IB or Type IIA construction and shall not exceed in area or height the limits specified in the California Building Code Table 503, for the station configuration or as determined by fire hazard analysis of potential fire exposure hazards to the structure.
Add Section 5.2.2.1.1 –5.2.2.1.3 to read as follows:
5.2.2.1.1 Underground stations shall be a minimum Type IA or Type IB constructions.
5.2.2.1.2 Open stations may be of Type IIB construction and shall not exceed in area or height as required by Table 503 for Type IIA.
5.2.2.1.3 Open at grade stations may be of any construction type allowed by the California Building Code.
Delete Section 5.2.2.2.
Amend Section 5.2.4.3 to read as follows:
5.2.4.3 Ancillary Spaces. Fire resistance ratings of separations between ancillary occupancies shall be established as required by the California Building Code.
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REFERENCED STANDARDS
Amend Section 5.2.4.3.1 to read as follows:
5.2.4.3.1 The following areas shall be separated by a two-hour fire barrier:
1. Electrical control rooms, auxiliary electrical rooms and associated battery rooms
2. Trash rooms
3. Train control rooms and associated battery rooms
4. Fan rooms
5. Emergency generator rooms
Amend Section 5.2.4.5 to read as follows:
5.2.4.5 Separation Between System and Nonsystem Occupancies.* All station public areas shall be fire separated from adjacent non-system occupancies by a one hour fire barrier, unless otherwise required by other provisions of the California Building Code.
Amend Section 5.3.1.1 to read as follows:
CBC § 1224.39.2.3 Medium relevance — show source text
1224.39.2.3 Service areas. Each surgical unit shall provide the service areas required under Section 1224.15.3 as modified by the following:
1224.39.2.3.1 Soiled workroom. A separate soiled workroom separated from any surgical sterilizing facilities. The soiled work- room shall provide 24 square feet (2.2 m [2] ) per operating room up to eight operating rooms and shall have the minimum area of 48 square feet (4.5 m [2] ), with no dimension less than 6 feet (1829 mm).
1224.39.2.3.2 Housekeeping. A housekeeping room shall be provided for the exclusive use of outpatient surgery. It shall be directly accessible from the service area.
1224.39.3 Gastrointestinal endoscopy. If gastrointestinal endoscopy is performed in the outpatient service area, the endoscopy suite shall be divided into a minimum of three major functional areas: the procedure room(s), instrument processing room(s) and patient holding/preparation and recovery room or area and the following shall be provided:
1224.39.3.1 Procedure room(s).
1224.39.3.1.1 Space requirements. Procedure room shall have a minimum clear floor area of 200 square feet (18.6 m [2] ). Room arrangement shall permit a minimum clearance of 3 feet, 6 inches (1067 mm) at each side, head and foot of the gurney/table.
1224.39.3.1.2 Handwashing stations. A separate dedicated handwashing station with hands-free controls shall be provided in the procedure room.
1224.39.3.2 Processing room.
1224.39.3.2.1 Dedicated processing room(s) shall provide distinct areas for cleaning and decontaminating instruments. The cleaning area shall allow for flow of instruments from the contaminated area to the clean assembly area and then to storage.
1224.39.3.2.2 The decontamination area shall be equipped with the following: 1. Utility sink(s) shall be provided as appropriate to the method of decontamination used.
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INTERIOR ENVIRONMENT
2. One freestanding handwashing station. 3. Work counter space(s). 4. Eyewash station.
1224.39.3.3 Preoperative patient holding. A preoperative patient holding area shall be provided in accordance with Section 1224.16.2.
1224.39.3.4 Post-anesthesia recovery area. A post- anesthesia recovery area shall meet the requirements of Section 1224.16.
1224.39.3.5 Communication system. A system for emergency communication shall be provided.
1224.39.3.6 Service areas. Each gastrointestinal endoscopy unit shall provide the support areas required under Section 1226.5.11.6 if not shared within the department.
1224.39.4 CANCER TREATMENT/INFUSION THERAPY SERVICE SPACE.
CRC § 301 Medium relevance — show source text
This change expands the current process from two independent 1-year cycles to a single continuous 3year cycle. There will be two groups of code development committees and they will meet in separate years. The current groups will be reworked. With the energy provisions of the International Energy Conservation Code ® (IECC®) and Chapter 11 of the International Residential Code ® (IRC®) now moved to the Code Council’s Standards Development Process, the reduced volume of code changes will be distributed between Groups A and B.
Code change proposals submitted for code sections that have a letter designation in front of them will be heard by the respective committee responsible for such code sections. Because different committees hold Committee Action Hearings in different years, proposals for most codes will be heard by committees in both the 2024 (Group A) and the 2025 (Group B) code development cycles. It is very important that anyone submitting code change proposals understands which code development committee is responsible for the section of the code that is the subject of the code change proposal.
Please visit the ICC website at iccsafe.org/products-and-services/i-codes/code-development/current-code-development-cycle for further information on the Code Development Committee responsibilities as it becomes available.
Coordination of the I-Codes
The coordination of technical provisions allows the I-Codes to be used as a complete set of complementary documents. Individual codes can also be used in subsets or as stand-alone documents. Some technical provisions that are relevant to more than one subject area are duplicated in multiple model codes.
INTRODUCTION TO THE INTERNATIONAL EXISTING BUILDING CODE
The IEBC establishes minimum requirements for existing buildings using prescriptive and performance-related provisions. It is founded on broad-based principles intended to encourage the use and reuse of existing buildings while requiring reasonable upgrades and improvements.
The IEBC is a model code in the International Code family of codes intended to provide requirements for repair and alternative approaches for alterations, changes of occupancy and additions to existing buildings. A large number of existing buildings and structures do not comply with the current building code requirements for new construction. Although many of these buildings are potentially salvageable, rehabilitation is often cost-prohibitive because compliance with all the requirements for new construction could require extensive changes that go well beyond the value of the building or the original scope of the alteration. At the same time, it is necessary to regulate construction in existing buildings that undergo additions, alterations, extensive repairs or change of occupancy. Such activity represents an opportunity to ensure that new construction complies with the current building codes and that existing conditions are maintained, at a minimum, to their current level of compliance or are improved as required to meet basic safety levels. To accomplish this objective, and to make the alteration process easier, this code allows for options for controlled departure from full compliance with the International Codes dealing with new construction, while maintaining basic levels for fire safety, structural and life safety features of the rehabilitated building.
This code provides three main options for a designer in dealing with alterations of existing buildings. These are laid out in Section 301 of this code:
Option 1: Work for alteration, change of occupancy or addition of all existing buildings shall be done in accordance with the Prescriptive Compliance Method given in Chapter 5. It should be noted that this method originates from the former Chapter 34 of the IBC (2012 and earlier editions).
Option 2: Work for alteration, change of occupancy or addition of all existing buildings shall be done in accordance with the Work Area C
CBC § 5-6 Medium relevance — show source text
For office and retail buildings the maximum allowed kVA to be utilized for EV capable spaces is 25 percent.|
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NONRESIDENTIAL MANDATORY MEASURES
5.106.5.3.6.1 Receptacle configurations. 208/240V EV charging receptacles shall comply with one of the following configurations:
- For 20-ampere receptacles, NEMA 6-20R.
- For 30-ampere receptacles, NEMA 14-30R.
- For 50-ampere receptacles, NEMA 14-50R.
5.106.5.3.6.2 EV Charger connectors. EV chargers shall be equipped with SAE J1772 with a maximum output 240 Volts AC or SAE J3400 connectors. When using level 2 SAE J3400 connectors, supplied by a 480 V 3-phase service, at least 20 percent of the EV charger connectors shall be SAE J1772 with a maximum output 240 Volts AC.
5.106.5.3.6.3 Raceway capacity requirements. To allow for future upgrades to the electrical conductors serving low power Level 2 charging receptacles, the listed raceway serving such receptacles shall be sized to allow the installation of a dedicated 208/240-volt 40-ampere branch circuit. Where no raceway is used, the conductors shall be sized to accommodate a 208/240-volt 40-ampere receptacle.
5.106.5.4 Additions or alterations to existing buildings or parking facilities [A]. [BSC-CG] Existing buildings or parking facilities being modified by one of the following shall comply with Section 5.106.5.4.1 or 5.106.5.4.2. When EVSE is installed, accessible EVCS shall be provided in accordance with the California Building Code, Chapter 11B, Section 11B-228.3.
- When the scope of construction work includes an increase in power supply to an electric service panel as part of a parking facility addition or alteration.
- When a new photovoltaic system is installed covering existing parking spaces.
- When additions or alterations to existing buildings are triggered pursuant to code Section 301.3 and the scope of work includes an increase in power supply to an electric service panel.
Exceptions:
- On a case-by-case basis where the local enforcing agency has determined compliance with this section is not feasible based upon one of the following conditions: a. Where there is no local utility power supply. b. Where the local utility is unable to supply adequate power. c. Where there is evidence suitable to the local enforcement agency substantiating that additional local utility infrastructure design requirements, directly related to the implementation of Section 5.106.5.3, may adversely impact the construction cost of the project. d. Where demonstrated as impracticable excluding local utility service or utility infrastructure issues.
- Remote parking facilities that do not have access to the building service panel.
- Parking area lighting upgrades where no trenching is part of the scope of work.
- Emergency repairs, including but not limited to water line break in parking facilities, natural disaster repairs, etc.
CBC § 901.1 Medium relevance — show source text
In contrast, Level 1 alterations do not involve space reconfiguration, and Level 2 alterations involve extensive space reconfiguration that does not exceed 50 percent of the building area. Depending on the nature of alteration work, its location within the building, and whether it encompasses one or more tenants, improvements and upgrades could be required for the open floor penetrations, sprinkler system or the installation of additional means of egress such as stairs or fire escapes. At times and under certain situations, this chapter also is intended to improve the safety of certain building features beyond the work area and in other parts of the building where no alteration work might be taking place.
SECTION 901—GENERAL
901.1 Scope. Level 3 alterations as described in Section 604 shall comply with the requirements of this chapter.
901.2 Compliance. In addition to the provisions of this chapter, work shall comply with all of the requirements of Chapters 7 and 8. The requirements of Sections 802, 803, 804 and 805 shall apply within all work areas whether or not they include exits and corridors shared by more than one tenant and regardless of the occupant load.
Exception: Buildings in which the reconfiguration of space affecting exits or shared egress access is exclusively the result of compliance with the accessibility requirements of Section 306.7.1 shall not be required to comply with this chapter.
SECTION 902—SPECIAL USE AND OCCUPANCY
902.1 Reserved.
902.2 Group R-2.1 occupancies. Group R-2.1 occupancies shall be classified in accordance with Section 308.2 of the California Build- ing Code .
902.2.1 Smoke barriers in Group R-2.1 . In Group R-2.1 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 fewer than two compartments by smoke barrier walls in accordance with Section 420.6 of the California Building Code .
902.3 Ambulatory care facilities. Where a Level 3 work area includes an existing ambulatory care facility, the following shall be provided:
- A smoke compartment in accordance with Section 422.3 of the California Building Code, where the alteration results in an ambulatory care facility greater than 10,000 square feet on one story.
- Separation from adjacent spaces in accordance with Section 422.2 of the California Building Code, where any such facility has the potential for four or more care recipients incapable of self-preservation at any time.
SECTION 903—BUILDING ELEMENTS AND MATERIALS
903.1 Existing shafts and vertical openings. Existing stairways that are part of the means of egress shall be enclosed in accordance with Section 802.2.1 from the highest work area floor to, and including, the level of exit discharge and all floors below.
903.2 Fire partitions in Group R-3. Fire separation in Group R-3 occupancies shall be in accordance with Section 903.2.1.
CBC § 903.3.1.1. Medium relevance — show source text
Exceptions: 1. Windowless buildings or portions of a building that meet all of the following requirements:
1.1. Are Type IA or IB construction. 1.2. Are protected with sprinklers throughout in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1. 1.3. Include a fire alarm system with smoke detection in accordance with NFPA 72 in the dayroom and/or corridor serving as exit access from the cells, reporting to a 24 hour central control at the institution. 1.4. Include at least one exit from each housing unit direct to the exterior where smoke will not accumulate or to the exterior through a 1-hour-rated corridor serving only that unit. 1.5. The building is divided into at least two smoke compartments per Section 408.6.1. 1.6. As approved by the enforcing agency, an egress analysis shows that inmates can be evacuated within 6 minutes from the smoke compartment of origin 24 hours per day or when inmates are present. 2. No venting or smoke control is required when an engineering analysis shows an acceptable safe egress time compared to the onset of untenable conditions within a windowless building or portion of a windowless building and approved by the enforcing agency. (See Section 909.4.)
[F] 408.10 Fire alarm system. A fire alarm system shall be provided in accordance with Section 907.2.6.3.
[F] 408.11 Automatic sprinkler system. Group I-3 occupancies shall be equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.2.6.
408.12 Emergency and standby power systems. Special electrical systems, exit illumination, power installations and alternate on-site electrical supplies shall be provided for every building or portion of a building housing 10 or more inmates in a detention or correctional facility in accordance with the provisions of the California Electrical Code. There shall be a source of emergency power in all detention facilities capable of providing minimal lighting in all housing units, activity areas, corridors, stairs and central control points, and to maintain fire and life safety, security, communications and alarm systems.
408.13 Windows. In security areas within cell complexes sprinklered throughout, the area of glazing in one-hour corridor walls and smoke barrier walls shall not be restricted, provided: 1. All openings are protected by fixed glazing listed and labeled for a fire-protection of at least [3] / 4 hour; or 2. Fixed security glazing set in noncombustible frames. Shall comply with the minimum requirements of one of the following test standards: ASTM F1915 Grade 3 glass or H.P. White Laboratory, Inc., HPW-TP- 0500.02, Forced Entry Level III. 2. In lieu of the sizes set forth in CBC, the size and area of glazed assemblies shall conform to the following: Windows required to have a three-fourths-hour fire-resistive rating or windows protected by fixed security glazing, as delineated in Items 1 and 2 above, may have an area not greater than 84 square feet (7.8 m [2] ) with neither width nor height exceeding 12 feet (3658 mm).
CBC § 902.1 Medium relevance — show source text
2 Exception||||†|†|||||||||||||||||||| |902.1_Reserved_|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |902.2 – 902.2.1|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |902.2 – 902.3||||†|†|||||||||||||||||||| |903.4||||†|†|||||||||||||||||||| |904.1|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |904.2|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |904.2.1|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |908||||†|†||||||||||||||||||||
The state agency does not adopt sections identified with the following symbol: The Office of the State Fire Marshal’s adoption of this chapter or individual sections is applicable to structures regulated by other state agencies pursuant to Section 1.11.
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9 ALTERATIONS—LEVEL 3
User notes:
About this chapter : Chapter 9 provides the technical requirements for those existing buildings that undergo Level 3 alterations. The purpose of this chapter is to provide detailed requirements and provisions to identify the required improvements in the existing building elements, building spaces and building structural system. This chapter is distinguished from Chapters 7 and 8 by involving alterations that cover 50 percent or more of the aggregate area of the building. In contrast, Level 1 alterations do not involve space reconfiguration, and Level 2 alterations involve extensive space reconfiguration that does not exceed 50 percent of the building area. Depending on the nature of alteration work, its location within the building, and whether it encompasses one or more tenants, improvements and upgrades could be required for the open floor penetrations, sprinkler system or the installation of additional means of egress such as stairs or fire escapes. At times and under certain situations, this chapter also is intended to improve the safety of certain building features beyond the work area and in other parts of the building where no alteration work might be taking place.
SECTION 901—GENERAL
901.1 Scope. Level 3 alterations as described in Section 604 shall comply with the requirements of this chapter.
901.2 Compliance. In addition to the provisions of this chapter, work shall comply with all of the requirements of Chapters 7 and 8. The requirements of Sections 802, 803, 804 and 805 shall apply within all work areas whether or not they include exits and corridors shared by more than one tenant and regardless of the occupant load.
Exception: Buildings in which the reconfiguration of space affecting exits or shared egress access is exclusively the result of compliance with the accessibility requirements of Section 306.7.1 shall not be required to comply with this chapter.
SECTION 902—SPECIAL USE AND OCCUPANCY
902.1 Reserved.
902.2 Group R-2.1 occupancies. Group R-2.1 occupancies shall be classified in accordance with Section 308.2 of the California Build- ing Code .
CBC § 1.10.1 Medium relevance — show source text
CHAPTER TOPICS Col2 CHAPTER SUBJECTS 1, 2 Administrative Requirements and Definitions 3 Provisions for all Compliance Methods 4 Repairs 5 Prescriptive Compliance Method for Existing Buildings 6–11 Work Area Compliance Method for Existing Buildings 13 Performance Compliance Method for Existing Buildings 14 Relocated Buildings 15 Construction Safeguards 16 Referenced Standards Appendix A Guidelines for Seismic Retrofit of Existing Buildings Appendix B Supplementary Accessibility Requirements for Existing Buildings Appendix C Guidelines for Wind Retrofit of Existing Buildings Appendix D Board of Appeals Appendix E Temporary Emergency Uses Resource A Guidelines on Fire Ratings of Archaic Materials and Assemblies CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE CORRELATED TOPICS
The CEBC requirements for construction safeguards are directly correlated to the requirements of the CBC. The following table shows chapters of the CBC that are correlated with the CEBC:
CEBC/CBC CORRELATED TOPICS Col2 Col3 CEBC CHAPTER/SECTION CBC CHAPTER/SECTION SUBJECT Chapter 15 Chapter 33 Construction safeguards Chapter 1 Scope and Administration.
Chapter 1 establishes the limits of applicability of the code and describes how the code is to be applied and enforced. The provisions of Chapter 1 establish the authority and duties of the code official appointed by the authority having jurisdiction and also establish the rights and privileges of the design professional, contractor and property owner.
Chapter 2 Definitions.
Chapter 2 is the repository of the definitions of terms used in the body of the code. The user of the code should be familiar with and consult this chapter because the definitions are essential to the correct interpretation of the code and because the user may not be aware that a term is defined.
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Chapter 3 Provisions for All Compliance Methods.
Chapter 3 guides the use of the three compliance methods of the CEBC and provides requirements that apply globally. The globally applicable requirement include general requirements related to buildings materials and other applicable codes, storm shelters, structural loads, in-situ load tests, accessibility, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detection and exterior wall coverings.
Chapter 3A Provisions for All Compliance Methods.
Chapter 3A controls the compliance options for alteration, repair, addition, evaluation and change of occupancy of existing structures regulated by the Department of Health Care Access and Information/Office of Statewide Hospital Planning and Development, which include hospitals and correctional treatment centers (applications listed in Sections 1.10.1 (OSHPD 1).
Chapter 4 Repairs.
Chapter 4, a chapter independent of the three compliance methods, governs the repair of existing buildings. The provisions define conditions under which repairs may be made using materials and methods like those of the original construction or the extent to which repairs must comply with requirements for new buildings.
Chapter 4A Repairs.
Chapter 4A governs the repair of existing buildings regulated by the Department of Health Care Access and Information/Office of State- wide Hospital Planning and Development, which include hospitals and correctional treatment centers (applications listed in Sections 1.10.1 (OSHPD 1).
Frequently asked questions
Do I always have to upgrade elements outside the work area?
Not automatically. The baseline is that CEBC upgrades apply inside the identified work area; only where a chapter section explicitly says a requirement “applies beyond the work area” or when a supplemental trigger (for example work area >50% of the floor) is met, will upgrades be required outside the work area (§ 802.1; § 804.*) .
What does the 50% threshold mean in practice?
Several provisions use a 50% threshold: Level 2 alterations are those where the work area is equal to or less than 50% of the building area (§ 603.1). Separate supplemental rules in Chapter 8 sometimes trigger when the work area exceeds 50% of a floor, causing certain protections to be required throughout that floor (§ 603.1; § 804.7.4) .
What if my project is only accessibility work?
If reconfiguration is done exclusively to meet accessibility requirements referenced in Section 306.7.1, the CEBC allows the project to be handled under Chapter 7 (Level 1) in some circumstances instead of Chapters 8/9 — check the exception language in § 801.1 .
Who decides whether a “beyond the work area” requirement applies?
The code text must be read section‑by‑section. The enforcing agency (local code official) will interpret whether a particular Chapter provision applies beyond the work area for your project, so show the work area clearly on the plans and call out which CEBC chapters and sections you are using (§ 601.2; § 601.1.1) .
If the work area includes shared exits, does that change anything?
Yes — the CEBC notes that many work‑area requirements apply within all work areas even if the work area includes exits or corridors shared by more than one tenant; shared egress elements can thus trigger application of Work Area rules (§ 901.2 applicability language) .
More in California Building Code
- Administration & Permits
- Energy Efficiency
- Existing Buildings
- Occupancy Classification & Use
- Hazardous Materials & Occupancies
- Types of Construction
- Fire-Resistance & Fire Safety
- Interior Finishes
- Means of Egress
- Accessibility
- Exterior Walls
- Roofing & Roof Assemblies
- Structural Design
- Special Inspections & Tests
- Foundations & Soils
- Concrete
- Masonry
- Steel
- Wood
- Elevators & Conveying Systems
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