CEBC · California Existing Building Code
Performance method — scope, scoring system, and acceptance
The Performance method allows an existing building to be altered or change use by scoring it in three safety categories (fire safety, means of egress, general safety). You must submit an investigation, fill out the code’s summary sheet (Table 1306.1), and show each category meets the occupancy-specific mandatory score in Table 1306.2; each final score (category total minus mandatory value) must be zero or positive for acceptance by the code official.
Last reviewed: July 6, 2026
What the code requires — plain English
The Performance method lets an existing building be altered, added to, or changed in occupancy by demonstrating that the work will maintain or increase current safety without full new-construction compliance. The method applies to alterations, additions and changes of occupancy for existing structures (including historic buildings) under § 1301.1.
A formal investigation and evaluation must be submitted, the building is scored across three safety categories, and the building must meet mandatory category scores (and final score formulas) in order to be accepted by the code official under § 1303 and the evaluation provisions in §§ 1305–1307.
The single most important rule: demonstrate via the prescribed scoring tables that the building’s category scores minus the mandatory scores are each ≥ 0; if so, the building complies for that category (see § 1307.1).
Requirements in detail
Scope and where it can be used
- The Performance method covers alteration, addition, and change of occupancy for existing buildings (including historic) — § 1301.1. It is an alternative to the Prescriptive and Work-Area methods; a project must use this chapter or one of the methods referenced in Section 301.3. § 1301.1.1.
Investigation and submittal
- The owner must cause the building to be investigated and evaluated and submit the investigation results and proposed compliance alternatives to the code official (see § 1304.1–1304.1.2). Structural analysis by a registered design professional is required to demonstrate adequacy for loads in the IBC when applicable.
How scoring works (big picture)
Evaluation is made across three safety categories: Fire safety, Means of egress, and General safety — § 1305.1 (and subsections). Each category is composed of multiple, specific safety parameters (the code organizes these as up to 21 parameters) whose values are determined per Section 1305.2 and entered onto the summary sheet (Table 1306.1).
The building score is the total of the parameter values entered into Table 1306.1 and totaled as the building’s FS, ME, and GS values (Fire Safety, Means of Egress, General Safety). § 1306.1.
Mandatory minimums and pass/fail rule
- Each occupancy group has mandatory safety scores for the three categories in Table 1306.2 (MFS, MME, MGS). The evaluator subtracts those mandatory scores from the building’s category scores using the formulas in Table 1307.1; a category passes if the final value is ≥ 0. See § 1306.2 and § 1307.1.
Decision-relevant dimensions and values (summary)
| Decision dimension | Typical values / thresholds | Code Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Applicability (what work) | Alteration, addition, change of occupancy (including historic) | § 1301.1 |
| Categories evaluated | Fire safety (FS), Means of egress (ME), General safety (GS) | § 1305.1 |
| Where parameters recorded | Table 1306.1 — summary sheet; evaluator enters parameter values and totals | § 1306.1 |
| Mandatory category scores | Numeric MFS / MME / MGS by occupancy (see Table 1306.2) — e.g., B: MFS 30, MME 40, MGS 40 | § 1306.2 and Table 1306.2 |
| Pass/fail formula | Final = (Category score from Table 1306.1) − (Mandatory from Table 1306.2); pass if ≥ 0 | § 1307.1 and Table 1307.1 |
| Acceptance by official | Compliance demonstrated per this chapter is accepted by the code official; unsafe conditions still abated under Section 115 | § 1303.1 and § 1303.1.1 |
Key defined terms (first mention bolded)
- Performance method — the evaluation approach in Chapter 13 (see § 1301.1).
- Building score — the totals derived from Table 1306.1 for FS, ME, GS; used to compare to mandatory scores. § 1306.1.
- Mandatory Fire/Means/General Safety (MFS/MME/MGS) — required baseline scores from Table 1306.2 by occupancy. § 1306.2.
Exceptions & special cases
- The chapter is not adopted statewide in some cases; local adoption or agency-specific adoption may differ. (See Chapter preface notes.)
- Where the code official finds an unsafe condition as defined in Section 115, that condition must be abated regardless of the performance evaluation — § 1303.1.1.
- Flood-hazard provisions: if the work is a substantial improvement, flood design must comply with IBC Section 1612 or IRC R306 as applicable — § 1303.1.3.
- When only a portion of a building changes occupancy and is separated by rated assemblies, only the separated portion need be evaluated under this chapter — § 1302.1.2.
Common mistakes
- Treating the Performance method as a relaxation instead of an alternative compliance path: it requires documented evaluation and may still require upgrades (not a “do-nothing” route). See § 1301.1 and the requirement to submit evaluations in § 1304.1.2.
- Forgetting to enter all required parameter values on Table 1306.1 — incomplete tables produce incorrect FS/ME/GS totals (see § 1306.1).
- Using the wrong Mandatory scores for the occupancy class — Table 1306.2 must be used for the project’s occupancy (see § 1306.2).
- Misapplying the pass/fail: you must compute each category separately using the formula in Table 1307.1; passing two categories does not permit failure in the third (see § 1307.1).
- Omitting structural analysis where required — the owner must provide a structural analysis demonstrating adequacy for Chapter 16 loads when applicable (see § 1304.1.1).
Worked example — concrete numbers
Scenario: Existing office building (Group B) undergoing a change of occupancy to a similar business use; evaluator completes Table 1306.1 and totals the three category scores.
From Table 1306.2 (mandatory scores for Group B): MFS = 30, MME = 40, MGS = 40. § 1306.2.
Assume the evaluator’s totals from Table 1306.1 are:
- Fire safety score (FS) = 35
- Means of egress score (ME) = 42
- General safety score (GS) = 37
Apply the formulas in Table 1307.1 / § 1307.1 (Final = Category score − Mandatory score).
Calculations:
- FS − MFS = 35 − 30 = +5 → Pass (≥ 0).
- ME − MME = 42 − 40 = +2 → Pass (≥ 0).
- GS − MGS = 37 − 40 = −3 → Fail (< 0).
Result: The building passes Fire safety and Means of egress but fails General safety. Because one category fails, the building does not comply under the Performance method as-is; the owner must improve elements that raise the GS to at least 40 (or otherwise propose acceptable compliance alternatives) and resubmit the evaluation for the code official’s acceptance. See § 1307.1 and § 1306.2.
Related provisions
- § 1301.1 — Scope of Performance method (alteration, addition, change of occupancy) and linkage to other methods.
- § 1302.1 — Applicability rules for specific occupancy groups and partial changes in occupancy.
- § 1303.1 — Acceptance by the code official and abatement of unsafe conditions.
- § 1304.1–1304.1.2 — Required investigation, structural analysis, and submittal of evaluation results.
- § 1305.1 — Definition of the three safety categories used in scoring.
- § 1306.1–1306.2 — Scoring process (Table 1306.1) and mandatory safety scores (Table 1306.2).
- § 1307.1 — Final safety score formulas and pass/fail determination (Table 1307.1).
Code references
Grounded in the retrieved California Existing Building Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:
CEBC § 1305.2.21.1.1 Medium relevance — show source text
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
PERFORMANCE COMPLIANCE METHODS
1305.2.21.1.1 Categories. The categories for care recipient ability for self-preservation are:
- Category a—(mobile) Care recipients are capable of self-preservation without assistance.
- Category b—(not mobile) Care recipients rely on assistance for evacuation or relocation.
- Category c—(not movable) Care recipients cannot be evacuated or relocated.
1305.2.21.2 Care recipient concentration. Evaluate the concentration of care recipients in each smoke compartment under Section 1305.2.21.2. Under the categories and occupancies in Table 1305.2.21.2 determine the appropriate value and enter that value in Table 1306.1 under Safety Parameter 1305.2.21.2, Care Recipient Concentration, for means of egress and general safety.
TABLE 1305.2.21.2—CARE RECIPIENT CONCENTRATION VALUES Col2 Col3 Col4 OCCUPANCY CATEGORIES CATEGORIES CATEGORIES OCCUPANCY a b c I-2 3 2 1 1305.2.21.2.1 Categories: The categories for care recipient concentration are:
- Category a—smoke compartment has 1 to 10 care recipients.
- Category b—smoke compartment has more than 10 to 40 care recipients.
- Category c—smoke compartment has more than 40 care recipients.
1305.2.21.3 Attendant-to-care recipients ratio. Evaluate the attendant-to-care recipients ratio for each compartment under Section 1305.2.21.3. Under the categories and occupancies in Table 1305.2.21.3 determine the appropriate value and enter that value in Table 1306.1 under Safety Parameter 1305.2.21.3, Attendant-to-Care Recipients Ratio, for means of egress and general safety.
TABLE 1305.2.21.3—ATTENDANT-TO-CARE RECIPIENTS RATIO VALUES Col2 Col3 Col4 OCCUPANCY CATEGORIES CATEGORIES CATEGORIES OCCUPANCY a b c I-2 3 2 1 1305.2.21.3.1 Categories. The categories for attendant-to-care recipient concentrations are:
- Category a—attendant-to-care recipients concentration is 1:5 or no care recipients.
- Category b—attendant-to-care recipients concentration is 1:6 to 1:10.
- Category c—attendant-to-care recipients concentration is greater than 1:10.
SECTION 1306—BUILDING SCORE
1306.1 Scoring process. After determining the appropriate data from Section 1305.2, enter those data in Table 1306.1 and total the building score.
TABLE 1306.1—SUMMARY SHEET—BUILDING CODE Col2 Col3 Col4 Existing occupancy:______________________________________ Existing occupancy:______________________________________ Proposed occupancy: ____________________________________ Proposed occupancy: CEBC § 11-3 Medium relevance — show source text
1101 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-3
1102 Heights and Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-3
1103 Structural. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-4
1104 Energy Conservation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-4
CHAPTER 12 HISTORIC BUILDINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-1
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CHAPTER 13 PERFORMANCE COMPLIANCE METHODS. . 13-3
1301 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-3
1302 Applicability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-3
1303 Acceptance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-4
1304 Investigation and Evaluation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-4
1305 Scoring and Evaluation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-4
1306 Building Score . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-14
1307 Evaluation of Building Safety. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-16
CHAPTER 14 RELOCATED OR MOVED BUILDINGS . . . . . . 14-3
1401 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-3
1402 Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-3
CHAPTER 15 CONSTRUCTION SAFEGUARDS . . . . . . . . . . 15-3
1501 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-3
1502 Owner’s Responsibility for Fire Protection . . . . . . . 15-3
1503 Sanitary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-4
CEBC § 1305.2.21.3 Medium relevance — show source text
TABLE 1305.2.21.3—ATTENDANT-TO-CARE RECIPIENTS RATIO VALUES Col2 Col3 Col4 OCCUPANCY CATEGORIES CATEGORIES CATEGORIES OCCUPANCY a b c I-2 3 2 1 1305.2.21.3.1 Categories. The categories for attendant-to-care recipient concentrations are:
- Category a—attendant-to-care recipients concentration is 1:5 or no care recipients.
- Category b—attendant-to-care recipients concentration is 1:6 to 1:10.
- Category c—attendant-to-care recipients concentration is greater than 1:10.
SECTION 1306—BUILDING SCORE
1306.1 Scoring process. After determining the appropriate data from Section 1305.2, enter those data in Table 1306.1 and total the building score.
TABLE 1306.1—SUMMARY SHEET—BUILDING CODE Col2 Col3 Col4 Existing occupancy:______________________________________ Existing occupancy:______________________________________ Proposed occupancy: ____________________________________ Proposed occupancy: ____________________________________ Year building was constructed: ____________________________ Year building was constructed: ____________________________ Number of stories: ___________ Height in feet: _______________ Number of stories: ___________ Height in feet: _______________ Type of construction: ____________________________________ Type of construction: ____________________________________ Area per floor: __________________________________________ Area per floor: __________________________________________ Percentage of open perimeter increase: ________ % Percentage of open perimeter increase: ________ % Completely suppressed: Yes _______No _______ Corridor wall rating:______________________________________ Corridor wall rating:______________________________________ Type:__________________________________________________ Type:__________________________________________________ Compartmentation: Yes _______No _______ Required door closers: Yes _______No _______ Fire-resistance rating of vertical opening enclosures: ________________________________________________________________________ Fire-resistance rating of vertical opening enclosures: ________________________________________________________________________ Fire-resistance rating of vertical opening enclosures: ________________________________________________________________________ Fire-resistance rating of vertical opening enclosures: ________________________________________________________________________ Type of HVAC system:___________________________________________, serving number of floors: _________________________________ Type of HVAC system:___________________________________________, serving number of floors: _________________________________ Type of HVAC system:___________________________________________, serving number of floors: _________________________________ Type of HVAC system:___________________________________________, serving number of floors: _________________________________ Automatic fire detection: Yes _______No _______ Type and location: _______________________________________ Type and location: _______________________________________ Fire alarm system: Yes _______No _______ Type: __________________________________________________ Type: __________________________________________________ Smoke control: Yes _______No _______ Type: __________________________________________________ Type: __________________________________________________ 13-14 2025 CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE
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PERFORMANCE COMPLIANCE METHODS
TABLE 1306.1—SUMMARY SHEET—BUILDING CODE—continued Col2 Col3 Col4 Adequate exit routes: Yes _______No _______ Dead ends: ______________ Yes _______No _______ Maximum exit access travel CEBC § 104.2.3 Medium relevance — show source text
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MARGINAL MARKINGS
Symbols in the margin indicate the status of code changes as follows:
This symbol indicates that a change has been made to a California amendment.
�
This symbol indicates deletion of California amendment language.
This symbol indicates that a change has been made to International Code Council model language.
This symbol indicates deletion of International Code Council model language.
A single asterisk [*] placed in the margin indicates that text or a table has been relocated within the code. A double asterisk [**] placed in the margin indicates that the text or table immediately following it has been relocated there from elsewhere in the code.
RELOCATION OF TEXT OR TABLES
The following table indicates relocation of sections and tables in the 2024 edition of the IEBC from the 2021 edition.
RELOCATIONS Col2 2024 LOCATION 2021 LOCATION 104.2.3 104.11 104.2.3.5 104.11.2 104.2.3.6 104.11.1 104.2.4 104.10 1041.2.4.1 104.10.1 104.6 104.3 104.7.2 104.4 503.2 503.18 804.4 804.11 804.1 804.9 804.13 804.1 1302 Applicability New 1302.1-1302.1.6 1301.2-1301.2.6 Section 1303 Acceptance New 1303.1-1303.1.3 1301.3-1301.3.3 Section 1304 Investigation and Evaluation New 1304.1-1304.1.3 1301.4-1301.4.3 Section 1305 Scoring and Evaluation New 1305.1-1305.2.21.3 1301.5-1301.6.21.3.1 Section 1306 Building Score New 1306.1-1306.2 1301.7-1301.8 Section 1307 Evaluation of Building Safety New 1307.1-1307.1.1 1301.9-1301.9.1 1503.1 1501.7 1504.1 1501.6 1504.1.1 1501.6.1 1504.1.2 1501.6.2 1504.1.3 1501.6.3 1504.1.4 1501.6.4 1504.1.4.1 1501.6.4.1 1504.1.5 1501.6.5 1504.1.6 1501.6.6 1504.1.7 1501.6. 1505 1502 1506 1503 1507 1504 1508 1505 1509 1506 1510 1507 1511 508 1512 1509 2025 CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE ix
CBC § 2025 Medium relevance — show source text
; deck:
1″ T&G; filler: 3″ of ashes on1/2″ boards nailed to
joist sides 2″ from bottom; 2″ air space;
membrane:3/8″ gypsum board.|60 psf|36 min|||7|1, 2|1/2| |F/C-W-2|1/2″|12′ clear span, 2″ × 7″ joists 15″ o.c.; deck: 1″
nominal lumber; membrane:1/2″ fiberboard.|60 psf|22 min|||7|1–3|1/4| |F/C-W-3|1/2″|12′ clear span, 2″ × 7″ wood joists 16″ o.c.;
2″ × 11/2″ bridging at center; deck: 1″ T&G;
membrane:1/2″ fiberboard; 2 coats “distemper”
paint.|30 psf|28 min|||7|1, 3,
15|1/3| |F/C-W-4|3/16″|12′ clear span, 2″ × 7″ wood joists 16″ o.c.; 2″ ×
11/2″ bridging at center span; deck: 1″ nominal
lumber; membrane:1/2″ fiberboard under3/16″
gypsum plaster.|30 psf|32 min|||7|1, 2|1/2| |F/C-W-5|5/8″|As per F/C-W-4, except membrane is
5/8″ lime plaster.|70 psf|48 min|||7|1, 2|3/4| |F/C-W-6|5/8″|As per F/C-W-5, except membrane is
5/8″ gypsum plaster on 22 gage3/8″ metal lath.|70 psf|49 min|||7|1, 2|3/4| |F/C-W-7|1/2″|As per F/C-W-6, except membrane is1/2″ fiber-
board under1/2″ gypsum plaster.|60 psf|43 min|||7|1–3|2/3| |F/C-W-8|1/2″|As per F/C-W-7, except membrane is1/2″ gypsum
board.|60 psf|33 min|||7|1–3|1/2| |F/C-W-9|9/16″|12′ clear span, 2″ × 7″ wood joists 15″ o.c.;
2″ × 11/2″ bridging at center; deck: 1″ nominal
lumber; membrane:3/8″ gypsum board;
3/16″ gypsum plaster.|60 psf|24 min|||7|1–3|1/3|2025 CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE RESOURCE A-101
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RESOURCE A—GUIDELINES ON FIRE RATINGS OF ARCHAIC MATERIALS AND ASSEMBLIES
CEBC § 2-6 Medium relevance — show source text
If the structure has sustained substantial damage, any repairs are considered substantial improvement regardless of the actual repair work performed. The term does not, however, include either of the following:
- Any project for improvement of a building required to correct existing health, sanitary or safety code violations identified by the code official and that is the minimum necessary to ensure safe living conditions.
- Any alteration of a historic structure, provided that the alteration will not preclude the structure’s continued designation as a historic structure.
[BS] SUBSTANTIAL STRUCTURAL ALTERATION. An alteration in which the gravity load-carrying structural elements altered within a 5-year period support more than 30 percent of the total floor and roof area of the building or structure. The areas to be counted toward the 30 percent shall include mezzanines, penthouses, and in-filled courts and shafts tributary to the altered structural elements.
[BS] SUBSTANTIAL STRUCTURAL DAMAGE. A condition where any of the following apply:
- The vertical elements of the lateral force-resisting system have suffered damage such that the lateral load-carrying capacity of any story in any horizontal direction has been reduced by more than 33 percent from its predamage condition.
- The capacity of any vertical component carrying gravity load, or any group of such components, that has a tributary area more than 30 percent of the total area of the structure’s floor(s) and roof(s) has been reduced more than 20 percent from its predamage condition, and the remaining capacity of such affected elements, with respect to all dead and live loads, is less than 75 percent of that required by the California Building Code for new buildings of similar structure, purpose and location.
- The capacity of any structural component carrying snow load, or any group of such components, that supports more than 30 percent of the roof area of similar construction has been reduced more than 20 percent from its predamage condition, and the remaining capacity with respect to dead, live and snow loads is less than 75 percent of that required by the Califor- nia Building Code for new buildings of similar structure, purpose and location.
For purposes of this definition, work done to implement repairs shall not be considered damage that reduces structural capacity.
SUBSTANTIAL STRUCTURAL DAMAGE. [OSHPD 1 & 1R] A condition where any of the following apply: 1. The vertical elements of the lateral force-resisting system have suffered damage such that the lateral load carrying capacity of any story in any horizontal direction has been reduced by more than 10 percent from its predamage condition. 2. The capacity of any vertical component carrying gravity load, or any group of such components, has a tributary area more than 15 percent of the total area of the structure’s floor(s) and roof(s), has been reduced more than 10 percent from its predamage condition, and the remaining capacity of such affected elements, with respect to all dead and live loads, is less than 75 percent of that required by the California Building Code for new buildings of similar structure, purpose and location. 3. The capacity of any structural component carrying snow load, or any group of such components, that supports more than 15 percent of the roof area of similar construction, has been reduced more than 10 percent from its predamage condition, and the
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DEFINITIONS
CEBC § 4.1.3 Medium relevance — show source text
Col1 Col2 81~~/81~~/2025 CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE RESOURCE A-109
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RESOURCE A—GUIDELINES ON FIRE RATINGS OF ARCHAIC MATERIALS AND ASSEMBLIES
TABLE 4.1.3
REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAMS
DEPTH 14″ TO LESS THAN 16″Col2 Col3 Col4 Col5 Col6 Col7 Col8 Col9 Col10 ITEM
CODEDEPTH CONSTRUCTION DETAILS PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE REFERENCE NUMBER REFERENCE NUMBER REFERENCE NUMBER NOTES REC. HOURS ITEM
CODEDEPTH CONSTRUCTION DETAILS LOAD TIME PRE-BMS-92 BMS-92 POST-BMS-92 POST-BMS-92 POST-BMS-92 B-15-RC-1 15″ Concrete flange: 4″ deep × 2' wide (3290 psi)
concrete; concrete beam: 10″ deep × 81/2″
wide; “I” beam reinforcement: 10″ × 41/2″ × 25
lbs R.S.J.; 4″ cover on bottom flange; 1″ cover
on top flange; flange reinforcement:3/8″ diam-
eter bars at 6″ pitch parallel to “T”;1/4″
diameter bars perpendicular to “T”; beam
reinforcement: 4″ × 6″ No. 13 SWG wire mesh;
span: 11′ restrained.10 tons 6 hrs 7 1–3,
5, 64 B-15-RC-2 15″ Concrete flange: 4″ deep × 2' wide (4820 psi)
concrete; concrete beam: 10″ deep × 81/2″
wide; “I” beam reinforcement: 10″ × 41/2″ × 25
lbs R.S.J.; 1″ cover over wire mesh on bottom
flange; 1″ cover on top flange; flange rein-
forcement:3/8″ diameter bars at 6″ pitch
parallel to “T”;1/4″ diameter bars perpendicu-
lar to “T”; beam reinforcement: 4″ × 6″ No. 13
SWG wire mesh; span: 11′ restrained.10 tons 6 hrs 7 1, 2,
4–64 For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 305 mm, 1 pound = 0.004448 kN, 1 pound per square inch = 0.00689 MPa, 1 ton = 8.896 kN.
Notes:
- Load concentrated at mid-span.
- Achieved 6-hour fire rating (Grade “A,” British).
CEBC § 1.1.1 Medium relevance — show source text
- Performance. This heading is subdivided into two columns. The column labeled “Load” will either list the load that the building element was subjected to during the fire test or it will contain a note number which will list the load and any other significant details. If the building element was not subjected to a load during the test, this column will contain “n/a,” which means “not applicable.”
The second column under performance is labeled “Time” and denotes the actual fire endurance time observed in the fire test.
- Reference Number. This heading is subdivided into three columns: Pre-BMS-92; BMS-92; and Post-BMS-92. The table entry under this column is the number in the Bibliography of the original source reference for the test data.
- Notes. Notes are provided at the end of each table to allow a more detailed explanation of certain aspects of the test. In certain tables the notes given to this column have also been listed under the “Construction Details” and/or “Load” columns.
- Rec. Hours. This column lists the recommended fire endurance rating, in hours, of a building element. In some cases, the recommended fire endurance will be less than that listed under the “Time” column. In no case is the “Rec. Hours” greater than given in the “Time” column.
EXAMPLE ENTRY Col2 Col3 Col4 Col5 Col6 Col7 Col8 Col9 Col10 ITEM
CODETHICKNESS CONSTRUCTION DETAILS PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE REFERENCE NUMBER REFERENCE NUMBER REFERENCE NUMBER NOTES REC.
HOURSITEM
CODETHICKNESS CONSTRUCTION DETAILS LOAD TIME PRE-
BMS-92BMS-92 POST-
BMS-92POST-
BMS-92POST-
BMS-92W-4-
M-5045/8″ Core: structural clay tile, see Notes 12,
16, 21; facings on unexposed side
only, see Note 18.N/A 25 min 1 3, 4, 24 1/3 2025 CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE RESOURCE A-19
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RESOURCE A—GUIDELINES ON FIRE RATINGS OF ARCHAIC MATERIALS AND ASSEMBLIES
SECTION I—WALLS
FIGURE 1.1.1
MASONRY WALLS 0 ″ TO LESS THAN 4 ″ THICK
10
5
0
CEBC § 3.3 Medium relevance — show source text
;
2″ × 11/2″ bridging at center; deck: 1″ T&G;
membrane:7/8″ gypsum plaster on wood lath.|60 psf|36 min|||7|1, 2|1/2| |F/C-W-19|7/8″|As per F/C-W-18, except with lime plaster
membrane and deck is 1″ nominal boards (plain
edge).|60 psf|19 min|||7|1, 2|1/4| |F/C-W-20|7/8″|As per F/C-W-19, except deck is 1″ T&G boards.|60 psf|43 min|||7|1, 2|2/3| |F/C-W-21|1″|12′ clear span, 2″ × 9″ wood joists 16″ o.c.;
2″ × 11/2″ center bridging; deck: 1″ T&G;
membrane:3/8″ gypsum base board;5/8″
gypsum plaster.|70 psf|29 min|||7|1, 2|1/3| |F/C-W-22|11/8″|12′ clear span, 2″ × 9″ wood joists 16″ o.c.;
2″ × 2″ wood bridging at center; deck: 1″ T&G;
membrane: hangers, channel with3/8″ gypsum
baseboard affixed under3 /4″ gypsum plaster.|60 psf|1 hr|||7|1–3|1| |F/C-W-23|3/8″|Deck: 1″ nominal lumber; joists 2″ × 7″, 15″ o.c.;
membrane:3/8″ plasterboard with plaster skim
coat.|60 psf|111/2
min|||12|2, 6|1/6| |F/C-W-24|1/2″|Deck: 1″ T&G lumber; joists 2″ × 9″, 16″ o.c.;
membrane:1/2″ plasterboard.|60 psf|18 min|||12|2, 7|1/4| |F/C-W-25|1/2″|Deck: 1″ T&G lumber; joists 2″ × 7″, 16″ o.c.;
membrane:1/2″ fiber insulation board.|30 psf|8 min|||12|2, 8|2/15|RESOURCE A-102 2025 CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE
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RESOURCE A—GUIDELINES ON FIRE RATINGS OF ARCHAIC MATERIALS AND ASSEMBLIES
TABLE 3.3—continued
FLOOR/CEILING ASSEMBLIES—WOOD JOISTCol2 Col3 Col4 Col5 Col6 Col7 Col8 Col9 Col10 ITEM
CODEMEMBRANE
** THICKNESS**CONSTRUCTION DETAILS PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE REFERENCE NUMBER REFERENCE NUMBER REFERENCE NUMBER NOTES **REC. CEBC § 13-4 Medium relevance — show source text
1304 Investigation and Evaluation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-4
1305 Scoring and Evaluation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-4
1306 Building Score . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-14
1307 Evaluation of Building Safety. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-16
CHAPTER 14 RELOCATED OR MOVED BUILDINGS . . . . . . 14-3
1401 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-3
1402 Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-3
CHAPTER 15 CONSTRUCTION SAFEGUARDS . . . . . . . . . . 15-3
1501 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-3
1502 Owner’s Responsibility for Fire Protection . . . . . . . 15-3
1503 Sanitary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-4
1504 Protection of Pedestrians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-4
1505 Protection of Adjoining Property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-5
1506 Temporary Use of Streets, Alleys and Public Property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-6
1507 Fire Extinguishers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-6
1508 Means of Egress. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-6
1509 Standpipes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-6
1510 Automatic Sprinkler System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-6
1511 Accessibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-7
1512 Water Supply for Fire Protection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-7
CHAPTER 16 REFERENCED STANDARDS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-3
APPENDIX A GUIDELINES FOR THE SEISMIC RETROFIT
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.
CEBC § 319.8. Medium relevance — show source text
unless it can be demonstrated that_ reduced capacity meets the requirements of Section 319.8. 2. The lateral loading to or strength requirement of existing structural components is not increased beyond their capacity. 3. New structural components are detailed and connected to the existing structural components as required by the California Building Code. 4. New or relocated nonstructural components are detailed and connected to existing or new structural components as required by the California Building Code. 5. A dangerous condition is not created.
Use of ASCE 41 Tier 1 and Tier 2 deficiency only retrofit procedures are pre-approved for use where Section 317.3 does not require an
assessment.
319.12.1 State-owned buildings. [BSC] Voluntary modifications to lateral force-resisting systems conducted in accordance with Appendix A of this code and the referenced standards of the California Building Code shall be permitted.
319.12.1.1 Design documents. [BSC] When Section 319.12 is the basis for structural modifications, the approved design documents must clearly state the scope of the seismic modifications and the accepted criteria for the design. The approved design documents must clearly have the phrase “The seismic requirements of the California Existing Building Code have not been checked to determine if these structural modifications meet the full seismic evaluation and strengthening requirements of Sections 317-322: the modifications proposed are to a different seismic performance standard than would be required in Section 319 if they were not voluntary as allowed in Section 319.12.”
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PROVISIONS FOR ALL COMPLIANCE METHODS
319.12.2 Public schools and community colleges. [DSA-SS, DSA-SS/CC] When Section 319.12 is the basis for structural modifications, the approved design documents must clearly indicate the scope of modifications and the acceptance criteria for the design.
SECTION 320 [BSC, DSA-SS & DSA-SS/CC]—METHOD A
320.1 General. The retrofit design shall employ the Linear Static or Linear Dynamic Procedures of ASCE 41, Section 7.4.1 or 7.4.2, and comply with the applicable general requirements of ASCE 41, Chapters 6 and 7. The earthquake hazard level and performance level given specified in Section 317.5 for the building’s risk category shall be used. Structures shall be designed for seismic forces coming from any horizontal direction.
SECTION 321 [BSC, DSA-SS & DSA-SS/CC]—METHOD B
321.1 The existing or retrofitted structure shall be demonstrated to have the capability to sustain the deformation response due to the specified earthquake ground motions and meet the seismic performance requirements of Section 317. The registered design professional shall provide an evaluation of the response of the existing structure in its modified configuration and condition to the ground motions specified. If the building’s seismic performance is evaluated as satisfactory and the peer reviewer(s) and the enforcement agency concurs, then no further structural retrofit and/or repair of the lateral load-resisting system is required.
CEBC § 3-20 Medium relevance — show source text
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PROVISIONS FOR ALL COMPLIANCE METHODS
319.12.2 Public schools and community colleges. [DSA-SS, DSA-SS/CC] When Section 319.12 is the basis for structural modifications, the approved design documents must clearly indicate the scope of modifications and the acceptance criteria for the design.
SECTION 320 [BSC, DSA-SS & DSA-SS/CC]—METHOD A
320.1 General. The retrofit design shall employ the Linear Static or Linear Dynamic Procedures of ASCE 41, Section 7.4.1 or 7.4.2, and comply with the applicable general requirements of ASCE 41, Chapters 6 and 7. The earthquake hazard level and performance level given specified in Section 317.5 for the building’s risk category shall be used. Structures shall be designed for seismic forces coming from any horizontal direction.
SECTION 321 [BSC, DSA-SS & DSA-SS/CC]—METHOD B
321.1 The existing or retrofitted structure shall be demonstrated to have the capability to sustain the deformation response due to the specified earthquake ground motions and meet the seismic performance requirements of Section 317. The registered design professional shall provide an evaluation of the response of the existing structure in its modified configuration and condition to the ground motions specified. If the building’s seismic performance is evaluated as satisfactory and the peer reviewer(s) and the enforcement agency concurs, then no further structural retrofit and/or repair of the lateral load-resisting system is required.
When the evaluation indicates the building does not meet the required performance levels given in Table 317.5 for the risk category, then a retrofit and/or repair design shall be prepared that provides a structure that meets these performance objectives and reflects the appropriate consideration of existing conditions. Any approach to analysis and design is permitted to be used, provided that the approach shall be rational, shall be consistent with the established principals of mechanics and shall use the known performance characteristics of materials and assemblages under reversing loads typical of severe earthquake ground motions.
Exception: Further consideration of the structure’s seismic performance may be waived by the enforcement agency if both the registered design professional and peer reviewer(s) conclude that the structural system can be expected to perform at least as well as required by the provisions of this section without completing an analysis of the structure’s compliance with these requirements. A detailed report shall be submitted to the responsible building official that presents the reasons and basis for this conclusion. This report shall be prepared by the registered design professional. The peer reviewer(s) shall concur in this conclusion and affirm to it in writing. The building official shall either approve this decision or require completion of the indicated work specified in this section prior to approval.
321.2 The approach, models, analysis procedures, assumptions on material and system behavior and conclusions shall be peer reviewed in accordance with the requirements of Section 322 and accepted by the peer reviewer(s).
Exceptions: 1. The enforcement agency may perform the work of peer review when qualified staff is available within the jurisdiction. 2. The enforcement agency may modify or waive the requirements for peer review when appropriate.
CEBC § 1.11. Medium 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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13 PERFORMANCE COMPLIANCE METHODS
Not adopted by the State of California (May be available for adoption by local ordinance. See Section 1.1.11.) (See Section 104.11 for consideration of alternative means of compliance.)
User notes:
About this chapter: Chapter 13 allows for existing buildings to be evaluated so as to show that alterations, while not meeting new construction requirements, will improve the current existing situation. Provisions are based on a numerical scoring system involving 21 various safety parameters and the degree of code compliance for each issue.
SECTION 1301—GENERAL
1301.1 Scope. The provisions of this chapter shall apply to the alteration, addition and change of occupancy of existing structures, including historic structures, as referenced in Section 301.3.3. The provisions of this chapter are intended to maintain or increase the current degree of public safety, health and general welfare in existing buildings while permitting, alteration, addition and change of occupancy without requiring full compliance with Chapters 6 through 12, except where compliance with the prescriptive method of Chapter 5 or the work area method of other provisions of this code is specifically required in this chapter.
1301.1.1 Compliance with other methods. Alterations, additions and changes of occupancy to existing structures shall comply with the provisions of this chapter or with one of the methods provided in Section 301.3.
SECTION 1302—APPLICABILITY
1302.1 General. Existing buildings in which there is work involving additions, alterations or changes of occupancy shall be made to conform to the requirements of this chapter or the provisions of Chapters 6 through 12. The provisions of Sections 1302.1.1 through 1302.1.6 shall apply to existing occupancies that will continue to be, or are proposed to be, in Groups A, B, E, F, I-2, M, R and S. These provisions shall also apply to Group U occupancies where such occupancies are undergoing a change of occupancy or a partial change in occupancy with separations in accordance with Section 1302.1.2. These provisions shall not apply to buildings with occupancies in Group H, I-1, I-3 or I-4.
1302.1.1 Change in occupancy. Where an existing building is changed to a new occupancy classification and this section is applicable, the provisions of this section for the new occupancy shall be used to determine compliance with this code.
1302.1.2 Partial change in occupancy. Where a portion of the building is changed to a new occupancy classification and that portion is separated from the remainder of the building with fire barrier or horizontal assemblies having a fire-resistance rating as required by Table 508.4 of the International Building Code or Section R302 of the International Residential Code for the separate occupancies, or with approved compliance alternatives, the portion changed shall be made to conform to the provisions of this section. Only the portion separated shall be required to be evaluated for compliance.
CEBC § 10-3 Medium relevance — show source text
1003 Building Elements and Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
1004 Fire Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
1005 Means of Egress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
1006 Structural. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
1007 Electrical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
1008 Mechanical. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
1009 Plumbing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
1010 Other Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5
1011 Change of Occupancy Classification . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5
CHAPTER 11 ADDITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-3
1101 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-3
1102 Heights and Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-3
1103 Structural. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-4
1104 Energy Conservation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-4
CHAPTER 12 HISTORIC BUILDINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-1
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CHAPTER 13 PERFORMANCE COMPLIANCE METHODS. . 13-3
1301 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-3
1302 Applicability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-3
1303 Acceptance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-4
Frequently asked questions
Who decides if the Performance method may be used for my project?
The Performance method is an allowed compliance option under Chapter 13; use is subject to the project’s applicability rules in § 1301.1 and § 1302, and final acceptance is by the code official under § 1303.
What must I submit to the building department?
You must submit the investigation and evaluation required by § 1304.1, including the completed Table 1306.1 summary sheet, structural analysis if required, and any proposed compliance alternatives.
How do I know if my building “passes”?
Compute FS, ME and GS from Table 1306.1, subtract the occupancy-specific mandatory values from Table 1306.2, and confirm each final value is ≥ 0 per § 1307.1 / Table 1307.1.
If one category fails, can I still get approval?
No — each category (FS, ME, GS) must meet its mandatory requirement (final ≥ 0). If any category is less than zero, the building does not comply under this method until corrective measures or acceptable alternatives are provided. § 1307.1.
Does finding an unsafe condition change the process?
Yes — if the code official finds an unsafe condition per Section 115, that condition must be abated regardless of the performance evaluation, per § 1303.1.1.
More in California Existing Building Code
- Administration and Definitions (Scope, enforcement, code official duties, definitions)
- Provisions for All Compliance Methods (general requirements that apply to all compliance options; Chapter 3 / 3A)
- Seismic retrofit and evaluation (Appendix A and seismic provisions/sections for evaluation and retrofit)
- Referenced Standards and Appendices (Chapter 16 and Appendices A–E, Resource A)
- Repairs (Chapter 4 — repair-specific rules for materials, means of egress, structural, MEP, etc.)
- Alterations — Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 (technical requirements for each alteration level; Chapters 7–9)
- Change of Occupancy and Additions (requirements for occupancy changes and additions; Chapters 10–11)
- Compliance Methods — Prescriptive, Work Area, Performance (Chapters 5, 6–11, 13)
- Relocated Buildings (requirements for buildings moved or relocated; Chapter 14)
- Construction Safeguards (site safety, means of egress and life-safety during construction; Chapter 15)
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