CEBC · California Existing Building Code
Services/systems, utilities and means-of-egress alternatives
CEBC Sections §310A, §311A and §312A set the rules, SPC/NPC thresholds, timelines and exceptions for services, utilities and egress through existing (especially OSHPD) buildings.
Last reviewed: July 6, 2026
Overview
This area of the California Existing Building Code (CEBC) provides the compliance alternatives that govern services/systems and utilities and means‑of‑egress through existing buildings — with particular focus on OSHPD‑regulated health care facilities. The CEBC sets where building services may originate or pass, how means‑of‑egress for existing hospitals are treated relative to the California Building Code, and special rules that apply when hospital buildings are removed from general acute care service (see §310A, §311A and §312A).
These provisions matter because they balance safety (public, patient and firefighter safety during alterations) with practical paths for repair, alteration, addition and change of occupancy. For hospital systems the code ties allowable service routes and egress paths to approved Structural Performance Category (SPC) and Nonstructural Performance Category (NPC) ratings, and it sets time‑based limits and exceptions (for example, the post‑2030 restriction on services originating in or passing through nonconforming buildings).
Key places to look in the CEBC are the compliance‑alternatives sections for services/systems and utilities (Section §310A / §310), the compliance‑alternatives sections for means‑of‑egress (Section §311A / §311), and the provisions addressing buildings removed from general acute care service (Section §312A). These sections modify or refer back to the California Building Code where appropriate and list the SPC/NPC thresholds, exceptions, and jurisdictional rules enforced by OSHPD.
In this section
Code references
Grounded in the retrieved California Existing Building Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:
CEBC § 3A-9 High relevance — show source text
305A In-Situ Load Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3A-9
306A Accessibility for Existing Buildings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3A-9
307A Smoke Alarms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3A-9
308A Carbon Monoxide Detection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3A-9
309A Reserved . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3A-10
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CONTENTS
310A Compliance Alternatives for Services/Systems and Utilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3A-10
311A Compliance Alternatives for Means of Egress. . . . . 3A-11
312A Removal of Hospital SPC and Freestanding Buildings from General Acute Care Service. . . 3A-12
313A Earthquake Monitoring Instruments for Existing Buildings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3A-14
CHAPTER 4 REPAIRS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
401 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
402 Building Elements and Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
403 Fire Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
404 Means of Egress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
405 Structural . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
406 Electrical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4
407 Mechanical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4
408 Plumbing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4
CEBC § 310.1 High relevance — show source text
SECTION 310 [OSHPD 1R, 2 AND 5]—SERVICES/SYSTEMS AND UTILITIES
310.1 Services/systems and utilities. Services/systems and utilities shall only originate in, pass through or under structures which are under the jurisdiction of the Office of Statewide Hospital Planning and Development (OSHPD).
SECTION 311 [OSHPD 1R, 2 AND 5]—MEANS OF EGRESS
311.1 General. Means of egress through existing buildings shall be in accordance with the California Building Code, except as modified in this section.
311.1.1 Jurisdiction. Means of egress shall only pass through buildings that are under the jurisdiction of the Office of Statewide Hospital Planning and Development (OSHPD).
SECTION 312 [OSHPD 1R]—HOSPITAL SPC AND FREESTANDING BUILDINGS REMOVED FROM
GENERAL ACUTE CARE SERVICE REMAINING UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF OSHPD
312.1 General. The provisions of this section shall apply to hospital SPC and freestanding buildings that have been removed from Acute Care Service in accordance with California Existing Building Code Section 312A but remain under the jurisdiction of the Office of Statewide Hospital Planning and Development (OSHPD). These buildings may house various occupancies, uses and functions in accordance with this section. The requirements for those various occupancies, uses and functions shall be in accordance with the provisions of the California Building Standards Code, specific to each. The designation OSHPD 1R shall be limited to provisions applicable to the overall hospital SPC or freestanding building.
312.1.1 Non-general acute care hospital (non-GACH) SPC buildings. Non-GACH SPC buildings shall conform to the requirements of Section 1.10.1 [OSHPD 1R].
312.1.2 Freestanding buildings. Application and enforcement of freestanding buildings removed from general acute care services but remaining under OSHPD jurisdiction shall be in accordance with Section 1.10.1 [OSHPD 1R].
Freestanding hospital-owned clinics shall be permitted to be under the jurisdiction of OSHPD in accordance with the California Administrative Code Sections 7-2104, 7-2105 and 7-2106.
312.1.3 Non-General Acute Care Building (non-GACH SPC building) access. All access points into hospital SPC buildings removed from general acute care service shall prominently display signage at each access point stating “NO GENERAL ACUTE CARE SERVICES BEYOND THIS POINT.”
312.2 Definitions.
FREESTANDING. Refer to Part 1, California Administrative Code, Chapter 7.
SPC BUILDING. Refer to Part 2, California Building Code, Chapter 2.
312.3 Buildings to remain under OSHPD jurisdiction.
CEBC § 3A-9 High relevance — show source text
305 A .1 General. Where used, in-situ load tests shall be conducted in accordance with Section 1708 A of the California Building Code .
SECTION 306 A —ACCESSIBILITY FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS
306 A .1 Scope. Accessibility requirements for existing buildings shall comply with the California Building Code, Part 2, Volume 1, Chapter 11B.
SECTION 307 A —SMOKE ALARMS
Shall comply with the California Building Standards Code.
SECTION 308 A —CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTION
Shall comply with the California Building Standards Code.
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PROVISIONS FOR ALL COMPLIANCE METHODS
SECTION 309 A — RESERVED
SECTION 310A — COMPLIANCE ALTERNATIVES FOR SERVICES/SYSTEMS AND UTILITIES
310A.1 General. The provisions of this section are intended to maintain or increase the current degree of public safety, health and general welfare in existing buildings while permitting repair, alteration, addition and change of occupancy without requiring full compli- ance with California Building Code Chapters 2 through 33, or Sections 302A.3 and 502A through 506A, except where compliance with other provisions of this code is specifically required in this section.
Services/systems and utilities that originate in and pass through or under buildings and are necessary to the operation of the hospital buildings shall meet the structural requirements of this section. Examples of services/systems and utilities include but are not limited to normal power; emergency power; nurse call; fire alarm; communication and data systems; space-heating systems; process load systems; cooling systems; domestic hot and cold water systems; means of egress systems; fire-suppression systems; building drain and sewer systems; and medical gas systems that support basic and supplemental services.
After January 1, 2030, services/systems and utilities for acute care hospital buildings shall not originate in or pass through or under a nonhospital or hospital building unless it has approved performance categories of SPC-3 or higher and NPC-5.
310A.1.1 Services/systems and utilities. Services/systems and utilities that are necessary to the operation of the hospital buildings shall meet the structural requirements of this section, based upon the approved Structural Performance Category (SPC) of the build- ing receiving the services/systems and utilities.
Services from a conforming building shall be permitted to serve a nonconforming building with prior approval of the Office. The services/systems and utilities in the nonconforming building shall be equipped with fail safe valves, switches or other equivalent devices that allow the nonconforming building to be isolated from the conforming building.
Exception: Remodel projects that use available existing services/systems and utilities are exempted from the requirements of this section. The enforcing agency shall be permitted to exempt minor addition, minor alteration and minor remodel projects and proj- ects to upgrade existing services/systems and utilities from the requirements of this section.
310A.1.1.1 Services/systems and utilities for hospital buildings.
CEBC § 310A.1.1 High relevance — show source text
After January 1, 2030, services/systems and utilities for acute care hospital buildings shall not originate in or pass through or under a nonhospital or hospital building unless it has approved performance categories of SPC-3 or higher and NPC-5.
310A.1.1 Services/systems and utilities. Services/systems and utilities that are necessary to the operation of the hospital buildings shall meet the structural requirements of this section, based upon the approved Structural Performance Category (SPC) of the build- ing receiving the services/systems and utilities.
Services from a conforming building shall be permitted to serve a nonconforming building with prior approval of the Office. The services/systems and utilities in the nonconforming building shall be equipped with fail safe valves, switches or other equivalent devices that allow the nonconforming building to be isolated from the conforming building.
Exception: Remodel projects that use available existing services/systems and utilities are exempted from the requirements of this section. The enforcing agency shall be permitted to exempt minor addition, minor alteration and minor remodel projects and proj- ects to upgrade existing services/systems and utilities from the requirements of this section.
310A.1.1.1 Services/systems and utilities for hospital buildings.
310A.1.1.1.1 New hospital buildings, additions, alterations and remodels of conforming (SPC-3, -4, -4D or -5) hospital buildings. Services/systems and utilities for new hospital buildings and additions, alterations or remodels to existing conform- ing buildings shall originate in hospital buildings that are conforming or have approved performance categories of SPC-3 or higher, and NPC-4/NPC-4D or higher. The services/systems and utilities shall not pass through or under buildings that do not have approved performance categories of SPC-2 or higher and NPC-4/NPC-4D or higher.
Exceptions:
Services/systems and utilities shall be permitted to pass through or under buildings that have approved nonstructural performance categories of NPC-3 or higher or NPC-2, provided that the building has an approved extension to the NPC-3 deadline. The services/systems and utilities feeding the new building addition, alteration or remodel shall conform to the new building provisions of this code and shall be deemed by OSHPD to be free of adverse seismic interactions that could be caused by potential failure of overhead or adjacent components.
310A.1.1.1.2 Additions, alterations and remodels of SPC-2 hospital buildings. Services/systems and utilities for additions, alterations or remodels of SPC-2 hospital buildings shall be permitted to originate in and pass through or under SPC-2 or higher buildings that have an approved nonstructural performance category of NPC-3 or higher.
Exception: Services/systems and utilities shall be permitted to pass through or under buildings that have approved nonstructural performance categories of NPC-2, provided that the building has an approved extension to the NPC-3 dead- line. Services/systems and utilities feeding the addition, alteration or remodel shall conform to the nonstructural bracing requirements for new buildings.
310A.1.1.1.3 Alterations and remodels of SPC-1 hospital buildings. Services/systems and utilities for alterations or remod- els of SPC-1 hospital buildings shall be permitted to originate in and pass through or under SPC-1 or higher buildings that have an approved nonstructural performance category of NPC-2 or higher.
CEBC § 3-21 High relevance — show source text
321 [BSC, DSA-SS & DSA-SS/CC] Method B. . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-21
322 [BSC, DSA-SS & DSA-SS/CC] Peer Review Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-21
323 [DSA-SS, DSA-SS/CC] Additional Requirements for Public Schools and Community Colleges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-22
CHAPTER 3A [OSHPD 1] PROVISIONS FOR
ALL COMPLIANCE METHODS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3A-3
301A Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3A-3
302A General Provisions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3A-3
303A Reserved . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3A-4
304A Structural Design Loads and Evaluation and Design Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3A-4
305A In-Situ Load Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3A-9
306A Accessibility for Existing Buildings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3A-9
307A Smoke Alarms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3A-9
308A Carbon Monoxide Detection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3A-9
309A Reserved . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3A-10
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CONTENTS
310A Compliance Alternatives for Services/Systems and Utilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3A-10
311A Compliance Alternatives for Means of Egress. . . . . 3A-11
312A Removal of Hospital SPC and Freestanding Buildings from General Acute Care Service. . . 3A-12
CEBC § 308.2.1 High relevance — show source text
308.2.1 Carbon monoxide detection in existing Group E occupancy buildings. Where the new addition includes any of the conditions identified in the California Fire Code Sections 915.1.2 through 915.1.6, carbon monoxide detection shall be installed in accordance with Section 915 of the California Fire Code. No person shall install, market, distribute, offer for sale, or sell any carbon monoxide device in the State of California unless the device and instructions have been approved and listed by the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
SECTION 309—ADDITIONS AND REPLACEMENTS OF EXTERIOR WALL COVERINGS AND EXTERIOR WALL ENVELOPES
309.1 General. The provisions of Section 309 apply to all alterations, repairs, additions, relocations of structures and changes of occupancy regardless of compliance method.
309.2 Additions and replacements. Where an exterior wall covering or exterior wall envelope is added or replaced, the materials and methods used shall comply with the requirements for new construction in Chapter 14 and Chapter 26 of the California Building Code if the added or replaced exterior wall covering or exterior wall envelope involves two or more contiguous stories and comprises more than 15 percent of the total wall area on any side of the building.
309.2.1 Automatic sprinkler systems. Combustible exterior wall covering or combustible exterior wall envelopes shall not be added to an existing high-rise building that is not protected throughout with an automatic sprinkler system.
Exceptions:
- Where such material is located on a single story and is less than 15 percent of the wall area on any side of the building.
- Water-resistive barriers installed in accordance with Section 1402.6 of the California Building Code .
SECTION 310 [OSHPD 1R, 2 AND 5]—SERVICES/SYSTEMS AND UTILITIES
310.1 Services/systems and utilities. Services/systems and utilities shall only originate in, pass through or under structures which are under the jurisdiction of the Office of Statewide Hospital Planning and Development (OSHPD).
SECTION 311 [OSHPD 1R, 2 AND 5]—MEANS OF EGRESS
311.1 General. Means of egress through existing buildings shall be in accordance with the California Building Code, except as modified in this section.
311.1.1 Jurisdiction. Means of egress shall only pass through buildings that are under the jurisdiction of the Office of Statewide Hospital Planning and Development (OSHPD).
SECTION 312 [OSHPD 1R]—HOSPITAL SPC AND FREESTANDING BUILDINGS REMOVED FROM
GENERAL ACUTE CARE SERVICE REMAINING UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF OSHPD
312.1 General. The provisions of this section shall apply to hospital SPC and freestanding buildings that have been removed from Acute Care Service in accordance with California Existing Building Code Section 312A but remain under the jurisdiction of the Office of Statewide Hospital Planning and Development (OSHPD). These buildings may house various occupancies, uses and functions in accordance with this section. The requirements for those various occupancies, uses and functions shall be in accordance with the provisions of the California Building Standards Code, specific to each. The designation OSHPD 1R shall be limited to provisions applicable to the overall hospital SPC or freestanding building.
CEBC § 310A.1.1.1.4 High relevance — show source text
310A.1.1.1.4 Buildings without SPC/NPC ratings. When services/systems and utilities for new buildings, additions, alter- ations or remodels pass through or under hospital buildings which would not otherwise require evaluation for an SPC rating, such buildings shall be evaluated in accordance with the requirements of Section 1.3, Chapter 6, of the California Administrative Code, to determine the appropriate ratings, or shall be shown to meet the structural requirements of these regulations for new hospital buildings. The services/systems and utilities feeding the new building addition, alteration or remodel shall conform with new building provisions of this code and shall be deemed by OSHPD to be free of adverse seismic interactions that could be caused by potential failure of overhead or adjacent components.
310A.1.1.1.5 Buildings removed from acute-care hospital service. Services/systems and utilities for conforming acute care hospital buildings shall be permitted to pass through or under a building that has been removed from acute care hospital service until January 1, 2030, if the building removed from service meets the performance requirements of Section 310A.1.1.1.1. Services/systems and utilities for nonconforming nonacute care hospital buildings shall be permitted to pass
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PROVISIONS FOR ALL COMPLIANCE METHODS
through or under a building that has been removed from acute care hospital service only if the building removed from service meets the performance requirements of Section 310A.1.1.1.2.
Exception : Service/system and utilities for acute care hospital buildings may pass through or under the buildings that have been removed from acute care service and which do not meet the performance requirements of Section 310A.1.1.1.1 or Section 310A.1.1.1.2, provided all the following are met:
1. The building removed from acute care service remains under the jurisdiction of OSHPD.
2. The service/system and utilities only support acute care services in SPC-1 or SPC-2 buildings, and where no critical
care areas occur.
3. The SPC-1 or SPC-2 buildings supported by the service/system and utilities meet the nonstructural requirements of NPC-2, as defined in the California Administrative Code, Article 11, Table 11.1 and are served with essential power from a conforming building or source which does not pass through or under a building removed from acute care services.
4. The SPC-2 buildings supported by the service/system and utilities are removed from acute care service no later than January 1, 2026.
310A.1.2 Jurisdiction. Services/systems and utilities shall originate in and only pass through or under buildings that are under the jurisdiction of the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD).
SECTION 311A—COMPLIANCE ALTERNATIVES FOR MEANS OF EGRESS
311A.1 General. Means of egress through existing buildings shall be in accordance with the California Building Code, except as modified in this section.
311A.1.1 Means of egress. Means of egress shall comply with the requirements of Sections 311A.1.1.1 and 311A.1.1.2.
CEBC § 3.2 High relevance — show source text
301 A .3.2 Nonconforming buildings . Alterations, additions and changes of occupancy to existing buildings or structures designed in accordance with the Pre-1973 building code complying with Section 304A.3.1 and the applicable requirements herein shall be considered in compliance with the provisions of this code.
301 A .3.3 Performance- based method. Alterations, additions and changes of occupancy to existing buildings or structures complying with Sections 304A.3.4 and 304A.3.5 of this code shall be considered in compliance with the provisions of this code.
301 A .4 Moved structures . Structures moved into or within the jurisdiction shall comply with the provisions of the California Building Code for new structures.
301A.5 Reserved.
301A.6 Peer review requirements. Peer review requirements shall comply with California Building Code Section 1617A.1.41.
301A.7 Earthquake monitoring instruments for existing buildings. Earthquake monitoring instrumentation of existing buildings shall comply with Section 313A.
301A.8 Compliance alternatives for services/systems and utilities . Compliance alternatives for services/systems and utilities shall comply with Section 310A.
301A.9 Compliance alternatives for means of egress. Means of egress through existing buildings shall comply with Section 311A.
301A.10 Removal of hospital buildings from general acute care services. Removal of hospital buildings from General Acute Care Services shall comply with Section 312A.
SECTION 302 A —GENERAL PROVISIONS
302 A .1 Dangerous conditions. The code official shall have the authority to require the elimination of conditions deemed dangerous.
302 A .2 Additional codes. Alterations, repairs, additions and changes of occupancy to, or relocation of, existing buildings and struc- tures shall comply with the provisions for alterations, repairs, additions and changes of occupancy or relocation, respectively, in the California Fire Code, California Mechanical Code, California Plumbing Code and California Electrical Code. Where provisions of the other codes conflict with provisions of this chapter, the provisions of this chapter shall take precedence.
302 A .2.1 Additional codes in health care. In existing Group I-2 occupancies, ambulatory health care facilities, outpatient clinics and hyperbaric facilities, alterations, repairs, additions and changes of occupancy to, or relocation of, existing buildings and structures shall also comply with NFPA 99.
302 A .3 Existing materials and equipment. Materials and equipment already in use in a building in compliance with requirements or approvals in effect at the time of their erection or installation shall be permitted to remain in use unless determined by the code official to be unsafe in accordance with California Building Code Section 116.
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PROVISIONS FOR ALL COMPLIANCE METHODS
CEBC § 1224.4 High relevance — show source text
SURGICAL SERVICE SPACE. A space that includes the operating room(s) and service areas.
TREATMENT ROOM. A room designated for the performance of patient care activities that may require high-level disinfected or sterile instruments but do not require the environmental controls of a procedure room. A treatment room may be used for a variety of functions, patient examination and various treatments or procedures, including wound packing, suture placement, or casting. This room may contain specialized equipment as identified in the functional program.
UNRESTRICTED AREA. Applies to any area of the surgery or medical department that is not defined as semi-restricted or restricted. These areas may include a central control point for designated personnel to monitor the entrance of patients, personnel and materials into the semi-restricted areas; staff changing areas; a staff lounge; offices; waiting rooms or area; pre- and postoperative patient care areas; or access to procedure rooms. Public access may be limited.
1224.4 GENERAL CONSTRUCTION.
1224.4.1 Jurisdiction.
1224.4.1.1 Services/systems and utilities.
[OSHPD 1] Services/systems and utilities shall comply with California Existing Building Code Section 310A.
[OSHPD 1R] Services/systems and utilities shall only originate in, or pass through or under structures which are under the juris- diction of the Office of Statewide Hospital Planning and Development (OSHPD).
1224.4.1.2 Means of egress.
[OSHPD 1 ] Means of egress shall comply with Part 10, California Existing Building Code, Section 308A.
[OSHPD 1R] Means of egress shall only pass through structures that are under the jurisdiction of the Office of Statewide Hospital Planning and Development (OSHPD).
1224.4.2 Environmental engineering and support service spaces. Spaces for dietary, laundry, morgue, ambulance entrance, receiving areas, power plants, mechanical equipment, incinerator, garbage can cleaning, automobile parking and storage areas for garbage, trash and medical gases shall be located and constructed to minimize noise, steam, odors, hazards and unsightliness in patient-care areas and bedrooms.
1224.4.3 Treatment spaces. Radiology, laboratory, pharmacy, physical therapy and service spaces serving only outpatients and similar outpatient service departments shall not be located in nursing units, surgical units, perinatal units, nursery areas, central sterilization rooms, food-service' areas, power plants, mechanical equipment rooms, maintenance shops, general storage, laundry, employees’ dressing or housekeeping facilities.
Exception: Physical and occupational therapy spaces of a rehabilitation service may serve both outpatients and inpatients.
1224.4.4 Support areas for patient care. Identifiable spaces shall be provided for each function indicated in all Basic and applicable Supplemental Service Space sections with requirements for support areas. The following rooms and spaces are common to most types of health care facilities and the requirements associated with each, as listed below, shall be used unless modified under a specific Service Space section.
1224.4.4.1 Examination, treatment and procedure rooms.
CEBC § 11.1 High relevance — show source text
1. The building removed from acute care service remains under the jurisdiction of OSHPD.
2. The service/system and utilities only support acute care services in SPC-1 or SPC-2 buildings, and where no critical
care areas occur.
3. The SPC-1 or SPC-2 buildings supported by the service/system and utilities meet the nonstructural requirements of NPC-2, as defined in the California Administrative Code, Article 11, Table 11.1 and are served with essential power from a conforming building or source which does not pass through or under a building removed from acute care services.
4. The SPC-2 buildings supported by the service/system and utilities are removed from acute care service no later than January 1, 2026.
310A.1.2 Jurisdiction. Services/systems and utilities shall originate in and only pass through or under buildings that are under the jurisdiction of the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD).
SECTION 311A—COMPLIANCE ALTERNATIVES FOR MEANS OF EGRESS
311A.1 General. Means of egress through existing buildings shall be in accordance with the California Building Code, except as modified in this section.
311A.1.1 Means of egress. Means of egress shall comply with the requirements of Sections 311A.1.1.1 and 311A.1.1.2.
Exception: The enforcing agency shall be permitted to exempt minor additions, minor alterations and minor remodel projects from these requirements.
311A.1.1.1 Means of egress for hospital buildings. Means of egress for hospital buildings shall comply with the requirements of Sections 311A.1.1.1.1 through 311A.1.1.1.6.
311A.1.1.1.1 New and existing conforming hospital buildings. Means of egress for new hospital buildings and additions to existing conforming hospital buildings shall only pass through buildings that are conforming or comply with the requirements of SPC-3 or higher, and NPC-4/NPC-4D or higher.
Exception: Existing means of egress that pass through hospital buildings that have approved nonstructural performance categories NPC-3, or NPC-2 if the building has an approved extension to the NPC-3 deadline, shall be permitted to remain for the duration of extension. The nonstructural components in the path of egress shall be braced in accordance with the new building provisions of the California Building Code.
311A.1.1.1.2 Existing SPC-2 hospital buildings. Means of egress for additions to existing SPC-2 hospital buildings shall only pass through hospital buildings that have approved performance categories of SPC-2 or higher and NPC-4/NPC-4D or higher.
Exception: The means of egress shall be permitted to pass through hospital buildings that have approved nonstructural performance categories of NPC-3, or NPC-2 if the building has an approved extension to the NPC-3 deadline. Nonstructural components in the path of egress shall be braced in accordance with the new building provisions of the California Building Code.
CEBC § 12-13 Medium relevance — show source text
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INTERIOR ENVIRONMENT
staff changing areas; pre- and postoperative patient care areas; and sterile processing facilities. The semi-restricted area of the surgical suite is entered directly from the unrestricted area past a nurse station or from other areas. Public access is controlled.
SERVICE SINK. A sink located in a housekeeping room and designed for the purpose of cleaning mops and the disposal of waste water.
SERVICE SPACE. Service Space refers to the distinct area of a health facility where a licensed Basic Service or Supplemental Service is provided. The Service Space shall include all the functional area requirements required to deliver the specific Service. Basic Service Spaces are identified in Sections 1224.14 through 1224.27. Supplemental Service Spaces are identified in Sections 1224.28 through 1224.42. Similar distinctions are made between Basic and Supplemental or Optional Services in Section 1225 through Section 1228. Required functional areas may be a portion of a larger space, one or more Patient Care Locations, support areas or separate Rooms as defined in Section 1224.3. See departmental boundary requirements under Section 1224.4.7.6.
SUB-ACUTE CARE. A segment within a continuum of levels of care determined by patient acuity, clinical stability and resource needs.
SUPPLEMENTAL SERVICE. An inpatient or outpatient service which is not required to be provided by law or regulation for licensure. A supplemental service, when provided, must accommodate the provisions of this section.
Note: See “BASIC SERVICES.”
SURGICAL SERVICE SPACE. A space that includes the operating room(s) and service areas.
TREATMENT ROOM. A room designated for the performance of patient care activities that may require high-level disinfected or sterile instruments but do not require the environmental controls of a procedure room. A treatment room may be used for a variety of functions, patient examination and various treatments or procedures, including wound packing, suture placement, or casting. This room may contain specialized equipment as identified in the functional program.
UNRESTRICTED AREA. Applies to any area of the surgery or medical department that is not defined as semi-restricted or restricted. These areas may include a central control point for designated personnel to monitor the entrance of patients, personnel and materials into the semi-restricted areas; staff changing areas; a staff lounge; offices; waiting rooms or area; pre- and postoperative patient care areas; or access to procedure rooms. Public access may be limited.
1224.4 GENERAL CONSTRUCTION.
1224.4.1 Jurisdiction.
1224.4.1.1 Services/systems and utilities.
[OSHPD 1] Services/systems and utilities shall comply with California Existing Building Code Section 310A.
[OSHPD 1R] Services/systems and utilities shall only originate in, or pass through or under structures which are under the juris- diction of the Office of Statewide Hospital Planning and Development (OSHPD).
1224.4.1.2 Means of egress.
[OSHPD 1 ] Means of egress shall comply with Part 10, California Existing Building Code, Section 308A.
CEBC § 1508.1 Medium relevance — show source text
[BE] 1508.1 Stairways required. Where building construction exceeds 40 feet (12 192 mm) in height above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access, a temporary or permanent stairway shall be provided. As construction progresses, such stairway shall be extended to within one floor of the highest point of construction having secured decking or flooring.
[F] 1508.2 Maintenance of means of egress. Means of egress and required accessible means of egress shall be maintained at all times during construction, demolition, remodeling or alterations and additions to any building.
Exception: Existing means of egress need not be maintained where approved temporary means of egress and accessible means of egress systems and facilities are provided.
SECTION 1509—STANDPIPES
[F] 1509.1 Where required. In buildings required to have standpipes by Section 905.3.1 of the California Building Code, not less than one standpipe shall be provided for use during construction. Such standpipes shall be installed prior to construction exceeding 40 feet (12 192 mm) in height above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access. Such standpipes shall be provided with fire department hose connections at locations adjacent to stairways, complying with Section 1508.1. As construction progresses, such standpipes shall be extended to within one floor of the highest point of construction having secured decking or flooring.
[F] 1509.2 Buildings being demolished. Where a building or portion of a building is being demolished and a standpipe is existing within such a building, such standpipe shall be maintained in an operable condition so as to be available for use by the fire department. Such standpipe shall be demolished with the building but shall not be demolished more than one floor below the floor being demolished.
[F] 1509.3 Detailed requirements. Standpipes shall be installed in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 9 of the California Building Code .
Exception: Standpipes shall be either temporary or permanent in nature, and with or without a water supply, provided that such standpipes conform to the requirements of Section 905 of the California Building Code as to capacity, outlets and materials.
SECTION 1510—AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM
[F] 1510.1 Completion before occupancy. In buildings where an automatic sprinkler system is required by this code or the California Building Code, it shall be unlawful to occupy any portions of a building or structure until the automatic sprinkler system installation has been tested and approved, except as provided in Section 110.3.
[F] 1510.2 Operation of valves. Operation of sprinkler control valves shall be permitted only by properly authorized personnel and shall be accompanied by notification of duly designated parties. When the sprinkler protection is being regularly turned off and on to
15-6 2025 CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
CONSTRUCTION SAFEGUARDS
facilitate connection of newly completed segments, the sprinkler control valves shall be checked at the end of each work period to ascertain that protection is in service.
SECTION 1511—ACCESSIBILITY
[BE] 1511.1 Construction sites. Structures, sites and equipment directly associated with the actual process of construction, including, but not limited to, scaffolding, bridging, material hoists, material storage or construction trailers, are not required to be accessible.
Frequently asked questions
When are services and utilities prohibited from originating in or passing through non‑hospital buildings?
For acute care hospital buildings, services/systems and utilities may not originate in or pass through a nonhospital (or a hospital) building that lacks required performance categories after January 1, 2030; the CEBC establishes timelines and performance thresholds to phase out higher‑risk service routings.
What SPC/NPC ratings govern whether a path for services or egress is permitted?
The code ties allowable service and egress paths to SPC and NPC ratings. For example, services for new or conforming hospital buildings must originate in buildings with SPC‑3 or higher and NPC‑4/NPC‑4D or higher, while different allowances and exceptions apply for SPC‑2 and SPC‑1 conditions (with specific bracing and isolation requirements). See the CEBC for the detailed thresholds and exceptions.
Can existing services or egress routes remain in place during a remodel?
Yes — remodel projects that use available existing services/systems and utilities are generally exempt from some requirements of the CEBC compliance‑alternatives sections, and the enforcing agency may exempt minor additions/alterations/remodels; however, specific isolation, bracing or fail‑safe device requirements may still apply depending on the building’s SPC/NPC and the scope of work.
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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