CEBC · California Existing Building Code
What compliance alternatives exist for services, systems and utilities in existing buildings?
If your project routes power, medical gas, or other building systems through another building, the CEBC limits that routing to buildings under OSHPD jurisdiction and ties allowance to the receiving and passing building’s seismic performance ratings (SPC/NPC). Check the SPC/NPC thresholds, the 1/1/2030 acute‑care deadline, and isolation/device requirements before you plan service routing.
Last reviewed: July 6, 2026
What the code requires — plain English
The California Existing Building Code allows limited alternatives so that services/systems and utilities needed to operate buildings (especially hospitals) can be repaired, altered, added or changed without forcing full new‑building compliance — but those alternatives are tied to the receiving building’s seismic Structural Performance Category (SPC) and Nonstructural Performance Category (NPC) and to jurisdictional limits. See § 310 (general jurisdiction) and the detailed hospital/service rules in § 310A.1 and its subsections for how SPC/NPC thresholds and dates control where services may originate or pass through.
The single most important rule: If a service originates, passes through, or goes under another building it generally must be in buildings under OSHPD jurisdiction and meet the SPC/NPC performance thresholds required for the type of hospital work being done.
Requirements in detail
Key defined terms (first use): Services/systems and utilities, SPC, NPC, OSHPD. All are used in § 310 and § 310A.1.
Who has jurisdiction
- Services/systems and utilities must originate in and only pass through or under buildings that are under the jurisdiction of the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD). See § 310 and § 310A.1.2.
SPC/NPC thresholds that control where services may come from or pass through
The CEBC ties allowed service routing to the SPC/NPC ratings of the buildings involved. The most decision‑relevant rules are:
New hospital buildings and additions to conforming hospitals: services must originate in conforming buildings or buildings with SPC‑3 or higher and NPC‑4/NPC‑4D or higher; services shall not pass through/under buildings with lower approved categories unless specific exceptions apply. See § 310A.1.1.1.1.
Additions/alterations/remodels to SPC‑2 hospitals: services may originate in and pass through buildings that are SPC‑2 or higher with NPC‑3 or higher (exceptions for NPC‑2 extensions exist). See § 310A.1.1.1.2.
Alterations/remodels of SPC‑1 hospitals: services may originate in and pass through buildings that are SPC‑1 or higher with NPC‑2 or higher. See § 310A.1.1.1.3.
Long‑term restriction for acute care hospital services: after January 1, 2030, services for acute care hospital buildings shall not originate in or pass through a nonhospital or hospital building unless that building has SPC‑3 or higher and NPC‑5. See § 310A.1 (deadline and thresholds).
Use the table below for a quick decision matrix.
| Decision factor | Required value / threshold | Requirement summary | Code Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Building must be under OSHPD | Services must originate in / pass through only OSHPD‑jurisdiction buildings | § 310; § 310A.1.2 |
| New hospital / conforming building | SPC‑3 or higher; NPC‑4 / NPC‑4D or higher | Services must originate in conforming / SPC‑3+ & NPC‑4+ buildings; cannot pass through weaker buildings (except narrow exceptions) | § 310A.1.1.1.1 |
| SPC‑2 additions/alterations | SPC‑2 or higher; NPC‑3 or higher (NPC‑2 extension possible) | Services may originate in/pass through SPC‑2+ with NPC‑3+; limited exceptions allow NPC‑2 with approved extension and bracing | § 310A.1.1.1.2 |
| SPC‑1 alterations/remodels | SPC‑1 or higher; NPC‑2 or higher | Lower threshold for SPC‑1 work; NPC‑2 minimum for passing through | § 310A.1.1.1.3 |
| Acute care services after 1/1/2030 | SPC‑3 or higher; NPC‑5 | Acute care hospital services cannot originate/pass through buildings that do not meet SPC‑3 & NPC‑5 after the deadline | § 310A.1 (date & requirement) |
| Remodel projects using existing services | N/A | Remodel projects that use available existing services are exempt from these § 310A requirements; enforcing agency may exempt small projects | § 310A.1.1 (Exception) |
| Services from conforming → nonconforming building | With Office approval and isolation devices | Allowed if nonconforming building can be isolated by fail‑safe valves/switches or equivalent | § 310A.1.1 |
Required protections when services feed nonconforming buildings
- Services from a conforming building may serve a nonconforming building only with prior Office approval, and the nonconforming building must be equipped with fail‑safe valves, switches or equivalent to isolate it from the conforming building. See § 310A.1.1.
Evaluation for buildings without SPC/NPC ratings
- If a building wouldn’t otherwise require an SPC/NPC rating but services pass through it, that building must be evaluated per the California Administrative Code (Chapter 6, Section 1.3) or shown to meet new‑building structural requirements; OSHPD must find no adverse seismic interactions. See § 310A.1.1.1.4.
Exceptions & special cases
- Remodel projects that simply use existing services are explicitly exempt from § 310A requirements; enforcing agencies may also exempt minor additions/alterations/remodels or upgrades. See § 310A.1.1.
- Temporary allowances exist for buildings removed from acute care service: services for conforming acute‑care buildings may pass through a building removed from service until January 1, 2030 if that removed building meets certain performance requirements; additional limited exceptions are listed in § 310A.1.1.1.5.
- Nonstructural NPC deadline extensions: some passages permit NPC‑2 buildings with approved extensions to act temporarily in place of NPC‑3 (see the exceptions under § 310A.1.1.1.1 and § 310A.1.1.1.2).
Common mistakes
- Assuming any building may house service routing: the code requires OSHPD jurisdiction — services cannot originate or pass through arbitrary local buildings. Check § 310 and § 310A.1.2.
- Forgetting the 2030 acute‑care deadline: after January 1, 2030 acute care service routing is more restrictive (SPC‑3 & NPC‑5). See § 310A.1.
- Treating SPC and NPC as interchangeable: they are distinct — SPC governs the building’s structural seismic performance; NPC covers nonstructural performance/bracing. The code requires both in combination at specific thresholds depending on the work. See the various § 310A.1.1.1.x provisions.
- Overlooking isolation requirements: when services feed a nonconforming building, fail‑safe isolation devices are required unless otherwise approved. See § 310A.1.1.
Worked example — concrete scenario with numbers
Scenario: A hospital plans an addition to an existing conforming hospital building (the receiving building is SPC‑3). The owner wants emergency power and medical gas lines to originate in an adjacent building and run under that building to the addition.
Apply the rules:
Because this is a new hospital addition to a conforming building, services must originate in conforming buildings or buildings with SPC‑3 or higher and NPC‑4/NPC‑4D or higher. If the adjacent building is only SPC‑2 with NPC‑3, it does NOT meet the requirement for new conforming hospital additions unless an exception applies. See § 310A.1.1.1.1.
If the adjacent building is SPC‑3 and NPC‑4, services may originate there and pass under it. Confirm that the adjacent building is under OSHPD jurisdiction per § 310A.1.2.
If the adjacent building is nonconforming and the Office approves, the hospital may route services into it only if the nonconforming building has fail‑safe isolation devices (valves/switches) to isolate it from the conforming hospital building. See § 310A.1.1.
If this were an acute‑care service and the adjacent building did not meet SPC‑3 & NPC‑5 after 1/1/2030, the routing would be prohibited. See § 310A.1 (2030 deadline).
Summary: Confirm the adjacent building’s SPC/NPC ratings and OSHPD jurisdiction, and if the adjacent building is weaker, plan either to upgrade the route building or relocate the service origin, or obtain Office approval with required fail‑safe isolation.
Related provisions (CEBC sections)
- § 310 — Services/systems and utilities (general jurisdictional rule).
- § 310A.1 — General and hospital‑specific service/system/utility compliance rules (SPC/NPC thresholds, 2030 deadline).
- § 310A.1.1 — Services from conforming to nonconforming buildings; exemptions for remodels.
- § 310A.1.1.1.1 – .1.1.5 — Detailed hospital SPC/NPC subrules and exceptions (new buildings, SPC‑2, SPC‑1, unrated buildings, removed‑from‑service rules).
- § 311A / § 311A.1 — Compliance alternatives for means of egress (related routing and NPC/SPC limits).
- § 312A — Removal of hospital SPC and freestanding buildings from general acute care services (related special cases and service independence).
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
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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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 § 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 § 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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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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CEBC § 2.1 High relevance — show source text
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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302A.3.1 Existing seismic force-resisting systems. Where the existing seismic force-resisting system is a type that can be designated ordinary or is a welded steel moment frame constructed under a permit issued prior to October 25, 1994, values of R, W0 and Cd for the existing seismic force-resisting system shall be those specified by the California Building Code for an ordinary system unless it is demonstrated that the existing system will provide performance equivalent to that of a detailed, intermediate or special system.
302 A .4 New and replacement materials. Except as otherwise required or permitted by this code, materials and equipment permitted by the applicable code for new construction shall be used. Like materials shall be permitted for repairs and alterations, provided no hazard to life, health or property is c reated. Hazardous materials shall not be used where the code for new construction would not permit their use in buildings of similar occupancy, purpose and location.
302 A .4.1 New structural members and connections. New structural members and connections shall comply with the detailing provisions of the California Building Code for new buildings of similar structure, purpose and location.
Exception: Where alternative design criteria are specifically permitted.
302 A .5 Occupancy and use. Where determining the appropriate application of the referenced sections of this code, the occupancy and use of a building shall be determined in accordance with Chapter 3 of the California Building Code .
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 § 310A.1.1.1.2 High relevance — show source text
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.
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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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.
CEBC § 12-25 High relevance — show source text
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INTERIOR ENVIRONMENT
1224.5.3.2 Size.
1. Technology distribution rooms shall be sized based on the area of the floor being served, with minimum clear dimensions as follows:
Area Served in Square Feet (m [2] ) Minimum Technology Distribution Room Size
≤ 8,000 square feet (740 m [2] ) 10 feet by 10 feet (3.05 m by 3.05 m)
8,001 – 15,000 square feet (1400 m [2] ) 10 feet by 12 feet (3.05 m by 3.66 m)
15,001 – 25,000 square feet (2325 m [2] ) 10 feet by 14 feet (3.05 m by 4.27 m)
> 25,000 square feet (2325 m [2] ) 12 feet by 14 feet (3.66 m by 4.27 m)
2. Where ceilings are provided, the minimum clear height shall be 9 feet (2.75 m). Exception: Existing buildings shall be permitted to have a minimum clear height of 8 feet (2.44 m).
1224.5.3.3 Location. Technology distribution rooms shall be provided throughout the facility as necessary to meet the maximum cable distance requirement for the cabling system specified.
1224.5.4 SPC/NPC compliance. The location of spaces required by this section shall meet the requirements of California Existing Building Code, Section 310A, Compliance Alternatives for Services/Systems and Utilities.
1224.5.5 Access. Access to the spaces required by this section shall be controlled and not require passage through patient-care or sterile space.
1224.5.6 Combining spaces. The combining of the telecommunications service entrance room, technology equipment center and technology distribution room shall be permitted, provided that the requirements for each of the individual spaces are met.
BASIC SERVICES
1224.6 Reserved.
1224.7 Reserved.
1224.8 Reserved.
1224.9 Reserved.
1224.10 Reserved.
1224.11 Reserved.
1224.12 Reserved.
1224.13 Reserved.
1224.14 NURSING SERVICE SPACE.
1224.14.1 Patient rooms.
1224.14.1.1 Capacity. No patient room shall be designed to accommodate more than four beds.
Exception: Where renovation of existing individual patient rooms is undertaken in facilities built under the 2013, or prior, Cali- fornia Building Code, maximum room capacity shall be no more than the present capacity, to a maximum of eight patients per patient room. Placement of beds shall not be more than three deep from the exterior window. _**1224.14.1.2 Space requirements.
CEBC § 1224.4.7.5 High relevance — show source text
8. Patient access as required by California Building Code Section 1224.4.7.5 does not pass through an SPC building removed from general acute care service or through buildings that are not under the jurisdiction of OSHPD.
9. The primary accessible entrance to the hospital is not through an SPC building removed from general acute care service or through buildings that are not under the jurisdiction of OSHPD.
10. No utilities servicing acute care hospital buildings originate in or pass through, over or under, an SPC building removed from general acute care service, except as permitted by Section 310A.1.1.1.5, or a building not under OSHPD jurisdiction.
11. If utilities originating in an acute care hospital building feed an SPC building removed from general acute care hospital service, fail safe shutoff valves and/or disconnects shall be provided that permit isolation of the SPC building removed from general acute care service from the hospital utilities. Flexible connections shall be provided for all utilities crossing structural or SPC seismic separation joints.
Exception: Flexible connections for seismic separation joints and fail safe shutoff valves, and disconnects for utilities between an SPC building removed from general acute care service and adjacent SPC-1 or SPC-2 buildings may be omitted, provided util- ities in the adjacent SPC-1 and SPC-2 buildings have no connection to any SPC-3, SPC-4, SPC-4D and SPC-5 buildings providing general acute care service.
312A.4 Buildings remaining under OSHPD jurisdiction. SPC and freestanding buildings removed from acute care service while remain- ing under the jurisdiction of OSHPD shall be subject to the provisions of Section 312.3.
312A.5 Change in jurisdiction for buildings removed from general acute care service. Except as provided by Section 312A.5.3, at the hospital’s discretion, a building removed from general acute care service shall be permitted to be placed under the jurisdiction of the local enforcement agency. To be eligible for a change in jurisdiction, the building removed from general acute care service shall satisfy the requirements of Section 312A.5.1.
312A.5.1 Eligibility for change in jurisdiction. For a building removed from general acute care service to be eligible for a change in jurisdiction to the local enforcing agency, all the following criteria shall be satisfied:
a. The building removed from general acute care service shall be freestanding, as defined in the California Administrative Code, Section 7-111.
b. Any hospital support services located in the building removed from general acute care service, including administrative services, central sterile supply, storage, morgue and autopsy, employee dressing rooms and lockers, janitorial and house- keeping service, and laundry, shall be in excess of the minimum requirements for licensure and operation. Prior approval by the California Department of Public Health shall be obtained by hospital to locate these services in the building removed from general acute care service.
c. Services/systems and utilities (e.g., power, emergency power, communication/data/nurse-call systems, space-heating systems, fire alarm system, fire-sprinkler system, medical gas & plumbing systems) shall be separate and independent from those serving any buildings under OSHPD jurisdiction.
CEBC § 1224.39 High relevance — show source text
These services require compliance with the_ current functional requirements for that service as defined in California Building Code, Section 1224.39, subject to the provisions of Section 506.1. d. New nonacute care services listed in Section 312.3.1, Item c shall be permitted provided they are in excess of the minimum services required for licensure and operation of the general acute care hospital. If patients are served by this service, it must meet the current functional requirements for that service as defined in California Building Code, Section 1224.39, subject to the provisions of Section 506.1.
312.3.3 SPC non-GACH buildings containing a change of licensed nursing services under existing license. A change of service or function for all, or a portion, of the SPC building removed from general acute care service requires compliance with the current functional requirements for that service as defined in California Building Code, Section 1224, subject to the provisions of Section 506.1.
312.3.3.1 Intermediate care and/or skilled nursing services. When general acute care services are removed from an SPC building which is intended to be used for separate and distinct intermediate care and/or skilled nursing services, and the new services will be licensed under the existing license of the general acute care hospital, these new services shall comply with current functional requirements as defined in California Building Code, Section 1224.38 and/or 1224.40, and Section 310A.1.1.1.5 of this code for a nonconforming hospital building.
312.3.3.2 Psychiatric nursing service. When general acute care services are removed from an SPC building which is intended to be used for separate and distinct psychiatric nursing services, and the new services will be licensed under the existing license of the general acute care hospital, these new services shall comply with current functional requirements for that service as defined in California Building Code, Section 1228, and Section 310A.1.1.1.5 of this code for a nonconforming hospital building.
312.3.4 SPC non-GACH buildings containing other occupancies and/or uses. Other occupancies and/or uses shall comply with the occupancy/use requirements of the California Building Standards Code for that occupancy or use. Subject to the approval of the building official, the use or occupancy of existing buildings is allowed to be occupied for purposes in other groups, or within the same group, provided the new or proposed use is less hazardous, based on life and fire risk, than the existing use.
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PROVISIONS FOR ALL COMPLIANCE METHODS
312.3.5 Vacant space. Spaces vacated through the removal of general acute care services that are intended to remain vacant must be in conformance with California Building Code, Section 116.1. The hospital shall submit a project to the Office to demonstrate remediation of potential unsafe and insanitary conditions.
312.3.6 Chemical dependency recovery services. Chemical dependency recovery services shall be permitted to be provided within a hospital building that has been removed from general acute care use.
SECTION 313 [SFM]—EXISTING GROUP R-1 AND GROUP R-2 OCCUPANCIES
CEBC § 1.1 High relevance — show source text
California Energy Commission, State Fire Marshal and DSA-AC requirements for existing structures shall be enforced by the Department of Health Care Access and Information/Office of Statewide Hospital Planning and Development (OSHPD).
301 A .1.1 Bleachers, grandstands and folding and telescopic seating. Existing bleachers, grandstands and folding and telescopic seating shall comply with ICC 300.
301 A .2 Repairs. Repairs shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 4 A .
301 A .3 Alteration, addition or change of occupancy. The alteration, addition or change of occupancy of all existing buildings or structures shall comply with one of the methods or categories listed in Section 301 A .3.1, 301 A .3.2 or 301 A .3.3. Section 304A.3.2 applies to all methods or categories. Sections 301 A .3.1 through 301 A .3.3 shall not be applied in combination with each other , except when permitted by the enforcement agency.
Exception: Subject to the approval of the enforcement agency, alterations complying with the laws in existence at the time the building or the affected portion of the building was built shall be considered in compliance with the provisions of this code. New structural members added as part of the alteration shall comply with the California Building Code .
301 A .3.1 Prescriptive compliance method. Alterations, additions and changes of occupancy complying with Chapter 5 A of this code for existing buildings or structures shall be considered in compliance with the provisions of this code.
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.
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
Frequently asked questions
What counts as "services/systems and utilities" under § 310A.1?
The code lists examples including normal and emergency power, nurse call, fire alarm, communication/data, heating and cooling, domestic water, drains/sewers, fire‑suppression and medical gas systems — essentially building systems necessary for hospital operation. See § 310A.1.
Can a remodel that uses existing piping be exempt from SPC/NPC routing rules?
Yes. Remodel projects that simply use available existing services/systems and utilities are exempt from the § 310A requirements; enforcing agencies may also exempt minor projects or upgrades. See § 310A.1.1.
If services must pass through a nonconforming building, what is required?
Prior Office approval is required and the nonconforming building’s services must have fail‑safe valves, switches or equivalent to allow isolation from the conforming building. See § 310A.1.1.
What is the significance of the January 1, 2030 date?
After January 1, 2030, services for acute care hospital buildings may not originate in or pass through a nonhospital or hospital building unless that building has SPC‑3 or higher and NPC‑5. This tightens routing options for acute care services. See § 310A.1.
Who enforces these routing and performance‑category rules?
Services must originate/pass through buildings under OSHPD jurisdiction; OSHPD (the Office) reviews approvals, SPC/NPC ratings, and exceptions. See § 310 and § 310A.1.2.
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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