CEBC · California Existing Building Code
When can means-of-egress requirements be modified for existing buildings?
If you change an existing building, the CEBC says you generally must meet the California Building Code for egress unless CEBC **§ 311** or hospital‑specific **§ 311A** provide an alternate. For hospitals, egress through another building is only allowed when that building meets specific **SPC/NPC** ratings or limited exceptions (with required bracing), and only when jurisdictional and time limits (e.g., OSHPD control; Jan 1, 2030 deadlines) are satisfied.
Last reviewed: July 6, 2026
What the code requires — plain English
- The baseline rule is that means of egress through existing buildings must follow the California Building Code, except where the CEBC modifies those rules for existing buildings in § 311 and the hospital-specific compliance alternatives in § 311A. § 311.1 and § 311A.1 set the controlling scope and general limits.
- For hospitals, means of egress passage through other buildings is tightly limited by the building’s SPC (structural performance category) and NPC (nonstructural performance category) ratings, with explicit thresholds and time‑limited exceptions (including a key deadline of January 1, 2030 for some removed‑from‑service buildings). See § 311A.1.1 and the subparts § 311A.1.1.1.1–.1.1.6.
The single most important rule: if you’re changing an existing building, you must meet the CBC means-of-egress rules unless CEBC § 311/§ 311A specifically allow a modification — and for hospitals those allowances are governed by explicit SPC/NPC thresholds and jurisdictional limits (OSHPD).
Requirements in detail
Applicability and jurisdiction
- What’s covered: CEBC § 311.1 says means of egress through existing buildings follow the CBC except as modified in § 311; § 311.1.1 requires egress to only pass through buildings under OSHPD jurisdiction where those OSHPD amendments apply.
- Hospital special rules: CEBC § 311A.1 and § 311A.1.1 create a set of alternative (less or more restrictive) requirements specific to hospital buildings; these must be followed in addition to CBC Chapter 10 for hospital egress.
Key decision dimensions (who / where / when / rating)
| Decision dimension | Values / thresholds you must check | Code Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Governing section (general) | Means of egress for existing buildings: follow CBC unless CEBC § 311 modifies it | § 311.1 |
| Hospital compliance alternative | Hospital egress must meet § 311A requirements (additional to CBC) | § 311A.1 / § 311A.1.1 |
| Where egress can pass | Only through buildings under OSHPD jurisdiction (for OSHPD-regulated cases) | § 311.1.1 and § 311A.1.2 |
| SPC / NPC thresholds (conforming, additions, remodels) | See rows below — thresholds differ by hospital SPC level (SPC‑1, SPC‑2, SPC‑3+) and required NPC (NPC‑2 through NPC‑5) | § 311A.1.1.1.1–.1.1.1.6 |
| Time-limited allowance | Means of egress may pass through buildings removed from acute care only until Jan 1, 2030 under specified conditions | § 311A.1.1.1.6 |
| Nonstructural bracing requirement | When exception allows egress through lower NPC ratings, nonstructural components in the path of egress must be braced per new‑building CBC provisions | Exceptions in § 311A.1.1.1.x |
SPC / NPC summary (hospital egress rules)
- New or conforming hospitals: egress may only pass through buildings that are SPC‑3 or higher and NPC‑4/NPC‑4D or higher. § 311A.1.1.1.1.
- Additions to existing SPC‑2 hospitals: egress may pass only through buildings SPC‑2 or higher and NPC‑4/NPC‑4D or higher (exception allows NPC‑3 or NPC‑2 with approved extension). § 311A.1.1.1.2.
- Remodels of SPC‑3+ hospitals: egress may pass through SPC‑2 or higher and NPC‑4/NPC‑4D or higher (with similar NPC exception). § 311A.1.1.1.3.
- Remodels of SPC‑1 hospitals: egress may pass only through SPC‑1 or higher and NPC‑2 or higher. § 311A.1.1.1.4.
Exceptions & special cases
- Minor projects: the enforcing agency may exempt minor additions, minor alterations and minor remodel projects from § 311A egress requirements. § 311A.1.1 Exception.
- NPC‑based temporary allowance: existing egress that currently passes through a hospital building with NPC‑3 (or NPC‑2 if an approved extension to the NPC‑3 deadline exists) may remain for the duration of the extension; but nonstructural components along the egress path must be braced to new‑building CBC standards. See the exception language repeated in § 311A.1.1.1.1–.1.1.1.4.
- Buildings removed from hospital service: egress from acute care hospitals may pass through buildings removed from service only if those buildings remain under OSHPD jurisdiction and only until Jan 1, 2030, and subject to the specific compliance bullets in § 311A.1.1.1.6. After Jan 1, 2030 stricter SPC/NPC minimums apply.
- Jurisdictional limit: means of egress may only pass through buildings under OSHPD jurisdiction (this prevents using non‑OSHPD local buildings as permitted egress paths for OSHPD‑regulated hospitals). § 311.1.1 and § 311A.1.2.
If the CEBC text you need is not present in the uploaded excerpts, say so — do not assume additional allowances beyond these sections.
Common mistakes
- Treating CEBC hospital exceptions as general. The SPC/NPC allowances are hospital‑specific (§ 311A) and do not apply to non‑hospital occupancies. Many practitioners wrongly apply the NPC exception to other occupancies.
- Forgetting jurisdiction. Assuming any adjacent building can be used for egress without confirming the building is under OSHPD jurisdiction (required for the hospital rules). § 311.1.1 and § 311A.1.2.
- Ignoring bracing requirements. Relying on the NPC exception but failing to provide the required nonstructural bracing to CBC new‑building provisions along the egress path — the exception requires it. § 311A.1.1.1.x exceptions.
- Overlooking time limits. Using a building removed from acute care as a permanent egress route when the allowance is time limited (to Jan 1, 2030 in some cases). § 311A.1.1.1.6.
Worked example
Scenario: A hospital owner has an existing SPC‑2 hospital. They plan an addition that would require occupant egress to pass through an adjacent hospital building that is SPC‑1 with NPC‑3, and that adjacent building remains under OSHPD jurisdiction.
How the CEBC applies:
- For additions to an SPC‑2 hospital, § 311A.1.1.1.2 requires egress to pass through buildings that are SPC‑2 or higher and NPC‑4/NPC‑4D or higher. On the face of it, the adjacent SPC‑1 / NPC‑3 building does not meet the SPC/NPC thresholds.
- However, the same subsection includes an exception: egress is permitted to pass through buildings with NPC‑3, or NPC‑2 if the building has an approved extension to the NPC‑3 deadline — provided that nonstructural components in the path of egress are braced to the new‑building CBC provisions. Since the adjacent building is NPC‑3, the exception allows the existing egress to continue so long as the required bracing is provided and the enforcing agency accepts the minor‑project exemption status if applicable.
- Also confirm OSHPD jurisdiction (per § 311.1.1 / § 311A.1.2). If the adjacent building is no longer under OSHPD jurisdiction, the allowance does not apply.
Conclusion for the example: The addition can likely use the adjacent SPC‑1 / NPC‑3 building for egress only if the nonstructural bracing required by the CBC is completed and OSHPD accepts the arrangement under the CEBC exceptions in § 311A.1.1.1.2.
Related provisions (quick list)
- § 311.1 — Means of egress through existing buildings; general rule and jurisdiction.
- § 311.1.1 — Jurisdiction: egress shall only pass through buildings under OSHPD (hospital context).
- § 311A.1 — General statement: hospital means of egress alternative compliance method; scope.
- § 311A.1.1 — Means of egress compliance for hospitals; directs to subsections for SPC/NPC rules.
- § 311A.1.1.1.1–.1.1.1.6 — Specific SPC/NPC thresholds and the time‑limited/removed‑from‑service rules (including Jan 1, 2030).
- § 312 / § 312A — Requirements when hospital SPC or freestanding buildings are removed from general acute care service but remain under OSHPD jurisdiction.
- CBC Chapter 10 references — CBC means-of-egress technical requirements that apply unless modified by CEBC § 311/311A. (See CBC Chapter 10 duplication in CFC and CEBC cross‑references.)
Code references
Grounded in the retrieved California Existing Building Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:
CEBC § 311A.1.1.1.4 High relevance — show source text
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.
311A.1.1.1.4 Existing SPC-1 hospital buildings. Means of egress for remodels of existing SPC-1 hospital buildings shall only pass through hospital buildings that have approved performance categories of SPC-1 or higher and NPC-2 or higher.
Exception: Means of egress for acute care service spaces for hospitals licensed pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 1250 of the Health and Safety Code shall comply with the requirements of Section 311A.1.1.1.2.
311A.1.1.1.5 Other hospital buildings. Hospital buildings that would not otherwise require evaluation for an SPC rating, which are used as a part of the means of egress for hospital buildings, shall be evaluated in accordance with the requirements of Section 1.3, Chapter 6, of the California Administrative Code to determine the appropriate rating, or shall meet the structural requirements of these regulations for conforming hospital buildings. Means of egress shall be in accordance with the require- ments of Sections 311A.1.1.1.1 through 311A.1.1.1.4.
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311A.1.1.1.6 Buildings removed from hospital service. The means of egress for acute care hospitals shall be permitted to pass through buildings that are removed from hospital service only if the buildings remain under the jurisdiction of OSHPD, and only until January 1, 2030, subject to the following:
1. Egress for conforming hospital buildings shall be permitted to pass through buildings that have been removed from acute care hospital service that comply with the requirements of Section 311A.1.1.1.1 or 311A.1.1.1.3.
2. Egress for nonconforming hospital buildings shall be permitted to pass through buildings that have been removed from acute care hospital service that comply with the requirements of Section 311A.1.1.1.2 or 311A.1.1.1.4.
After January 1, 2030, the means of egress for acute care hospital buildings shall only pass through hospital buildings that have approved performance categories of SPC-3 or higher and NPC-5.
311A.1.2 Jurisdiction. Means of egress shall only pass through buildings that are under the jurisdiction of the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD).
SECTION 312A—REMOVAL OF HOSPITAL
SPC AND FREESTANDING BUILDINGS FROM GENERAL ACUTE CARE SERVICE
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 § 1001.1 High relevance — show source text
The requirements detail the size, arrangement, number and protection of means of egress components. Functional and operational characteristics that will permit the safe use of components without special knowledge or effort are specified.
The means of egress protection requirements work in coordination with other sections of the code, such as protection of vertical openings (see Chapter 7), interior finish (see Chapter 8), fire suppression and detection systems (see Chapter 9) and numerous others, all having an impact on life safety. Sections 1003 through 1031 are duplicated text from Chapter 10 of the California Building Code ; however, the California Fire Code contains an additional Section 1032 on maintenance of the means of egress system in existing buildings. Retroactive minimum means of egress requirements for existing buildings are found in Chapter 11.
SECTION 1001—ADMINISTRATION
1001.1 General. Buildings or portions thereof shall be provided with a means of egress system as required by this chapter. The provisions of this chapter shall control the design, construction and arrangement of means of egress components required to provide an approved means of egress from structures and portions thereof. Sections 1003 through 1031 shall apply to new construction. Section 1032 shall apply to existing buildings.
Exception: Detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses not more than three stories above grade plane in height with a separate means of egress and their accessory structures shall comply with the California Residential Code .
[BE] 1001.2 Minimum requirements. It shall be unlawful to alter a building or structure in a manner that will reduce the number of exits or the capacity of the means of egress to less than required by this code.
SECTION 1002—DEFINITIONS
[BE] 1002.1 Definitions. The following terms are defined in Chapter 2:
ACCESSIBLE MEANS OF EGRESS.
AISLE.
AISLE ACCESSWAY.
ALTERNATING TREAD DEVICE.
AREA OF REFUGE.
AUTOMATIC FLUSH BOLT.
BLEACHERS.
BREAKOUT.
CIRCULATION PATH.
COMMON PATH OF EGRESS TRAVEL.
CONSTANT LATCHING BOLT.
CORRIDOR.
DEAD BOLT.
DEFEND-IN-PLACE.
DOOR, BALANCED.
EGRESS COURT.
EMERGENCY ESCAPE AND RESCUE OPENING.
EXIT.
EXIT ACCESS.
EXIT ACCESS DOORWAY.
EXIT ACCESS RAMP.
EXIT ACCESS STAIRWAY.
EXIT DISCHARGE.
EXIT DISCHARGE, LEVEL OF.
EXIT PASSAGEWAY.
EXTERIOR EXIT RAMP.
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MEANS OF EGRESS
EXTERIOR EXIT STAIRWAY.
FIRE EXIT HARDWARE.
FIXED SEATING.
FLIGHT.
FLOOR AREA, GROSS.
FLOOR AREA, NET.
FOLDING AND TELESCOPIC SEATING.
GRADE FLOOR EMERGENCY ESCAPE AND RESCUE OPENINGS.
GRANDSTAND.
GUARD.
HANDRAIL.
HORIZONTAL EXIT.
INTERIOR EXIT RAMP.
INTERIOR EXIT STAIRWAY.
LOW ENERGY POWER-OPERATED DOOR.
MANUAL BOLT.
MEANS OF EGRESS.
MERCHANDISE PAD.
NOSING.
OCCUPANT LOAD.
OPEN-AIR ASSEMBLY SEATING.
OPEN-ENDED CORRIDOR.
CEBC § 1508.1 High 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
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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.
CEBC § 4.4 High relevance — show source text
3 (a-c)]||||X|||||||||||||||||||| |[T-19 §4.4]||||X|||||||||||||||||||| |[T-19 §4.5 (a)]||||X|||||||||||||||||||| |[T-19 §4.6 (a)(b)]||||X|||||||||||||||||||| |[T-19 §3.11 (a-d)]_||||X||||||||||||||||||||
- The California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 19, Division 1 provisions that are found in the California Fire Code are a reprint from the current CCR, Title 19, Division 1 text for the code user’s convenience only. The scope, applicability and appeals procedures of CCR, Title 19, Division I remain the same. The state agency does not adopt sections identified by 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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10 MEANS OF EGRESS
User note:
About this chapter: Chapter 10 provides the general criteria for designing the means of egress established as the primary method for protection of people in buildings by allowing timely relocation or evacuation of building occupants. Both prescriptive and performance language is utilized in this chapter to provide for a basic approach in the determination of a safe exiting system for all occupancies. This chapter addresses all portions of the egress system (exit access, exits and exit discharge) and includes design requirements as well as provisions regulating individual components. The requirements detail the size, arrangement, number and protection of means of egress components. Functional and operational characteristics that will permit the safe use of components without special knowledge or effort are specified.
The means of egress protection requirements work in coordination with other sections of the code, such as protection of vertical openings (see Chapter 7), interior finish (see Chapter 8), fire suppression and detection systems (see Chapter 9) and numerous others, all having an impact on life safety. Sections 1003 through 1031 are duplicated text from Chapter 10 of the California Building Code ; however, the California Fire Code contains an additional Section 1032 on maintenance of the means of egress system in existing buildings. Retroactive minimum means of egress requirements for existing buildings are found in Chapter 11.
SECTION 1001—ADMINISTRATION
1001.1 General. Buildings or portions thereof shall be provided with a means of egress system as required by this chapter. The provisions of this chapter shall control the design, construction and arrangement of means of egress components required to provide an approved means of egress from structures and portions thereof. Sections 1003 through 1031 shall apply to new construction. Section 1032 shall apply to existing buildings.
Exception: Detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses not more than three stories above grade plane in height with a separate means of egress and their accessory structures shall comply with the California Residential Code .
[BE] 1001.2 Minimum requirements. It shall be unlawful to alter a building or structure in a manner that will reduce the number of exits or the capacity of the means of egress to less than required by this code.
CEBC § 3A-11 High relevance — show source text
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311A.1.1.1.6 Buildings removed from hospital service. The means of egress for acute care hospitals shall be permitted to pass through buildings that are removed from hospital service only if the buildings remain under the jurisdiction of OSHPD, and only until January 1, 2030, subject to the following:
1. Egress for conforming hospital buildings shall be permitted to pass through buildings that have been removed from acute care hospital service that comply with the requirements of Section 311A.1.1.1.1 or 311A.1.1.1.3.
2. Egress for nonconforming hospital buildings shall be permitted to pass through buildings that have been removed from acute care hospital service that comply with the requirements of Section 311A.1.1.1.2 or 311A.1.1.1.4.
After January 1, 2030, the means of egress for acute care hospital buildings shall only pass through hospital buildings that have approved performance categories of SPC-3 or higher and NPC-5.
311A.1.2 Jurisdiction. Means of egress shall only pass through buildings that are under the jurisdiction of the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD).
SECTION 312A—REMOVAL OF HOSPITAL
SPC AND FREESTANDING BUILDINGS FROM GENERAL ACUTE CARE SERVICE
312A.1 General. The provisions of this section shall apply when hospital SPC or freestanding buildings are being removed from general acute care service, including when freestanding buildings are removed from OSHPD jurisdiction. Removal of these buildings shall satisfy the requirements of this section and the California Building Standards Code. OSHPD approval of construction documents and a building permit are required for removal.
312A.1.1 Buildings without approved extensions. An SPC-1 hospital building without an approved delay in compliance require- ments in accordance with the California Administrative Code (CAC) Chapter 6 Section 1.5.2 or past the extension date granted in accordance with the CAC Chapter 6 Section 1.5.2 shall not be issued a building permit until a project to remove the subject SPC-1 building from general acute care services has been approved, permitted and closed in compliance by the Office.
Exception: Building permits for seismic compliance, maintenance and repair shall be permitted to be issued.
312A.2 Definitions. The following words and terms are applicable to this section only:
BUILDING. The area included within surrounding exterior walls or any combination of exterior walls and fire walls (as described in Cali- fornia Building Code Sections 202 and 706) exclusive of vent shafts and courts. Areas of the building not provided with surrounding walls shall be included in the building area if such areas are included within the horizontal projection of the roof or floor above. A building may consist of one or more adjacent SPC buildings.
CEBC § 311A.1.1.1.6. Medium relevance — show source text
3. The hospital complies with all egress requirements, including occupant load, number of required exits and travel distance to exits, and provides evidence that no egress from any acute care hospital building passes through the SPC buildings removed from general acute care service, SPC-1 buildings, or through buildings not under OSHPD jurisdiction.
Exceptions:
1. If the SPC building has an approved extension to the SPC-2 deadline, existing egress through the SPC-1 building shall be permitted for the duration of the extension or until the SPC-1 building is removed from general acute care service, which- ever comes first.
2. When permitted by Section 311A.1.1.1.6.
4. No SPC building removed from general acute care service is used as a smoke compartment for any acute care hospital build- ing. Buildings not under OSHPD jurisdiction shall not be used as a smoke compartment for any acute care hospital building.
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5. Structural separation shall satisfy the requirements of the California Building Standards Code and fire walls shall be constructed in accordance with the California Building Code, Section 706.
Exception: A fire barrier constructed in accordance with the California Building Code, Section 707, and an SPC seismic separa- tion in accordance with the California Administrative Code, Chapter 6, Section 3.4 shall be deemed to satisfy the building structural/seismic separation requirement in this section for SPC buildings that will remain under OSHPD jurisdiction.
6. If the SPC building removed from general acute care service shares a common fire alarm system with the acute care hospital, the main fire alarm control panel shall be located in an acute care hospital building. The SPC building removed from general acute care service shall be in a separate zone monitored by the main fire alarm control panel. Flexible connections shall be provided for conduits/conductors crossing structural or SPC seismic separation joints. If the intent is to place the SPC building under local jurisdiction, the building shall satisfy Section 312A.5.1.
Exception: Flexible connections for fire alarm conduits/conductors crossing seismic separation joints between an SPC building removed from general acute care service and adjacent SPC-1 or SPC-2 buildings may be omitted, provided the fire alarm 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.
7. If the SPC building removed from general acute care service shares the fire sprinkler system with the acute care hospital, an isolation valve with a tamper switch shall be provided to isolate the portion of the system serving the SPC building removed from acute care service. Flexible connections shall be provided in piping that crosses structural or SPC seismic separation joints. The fire sprinkler system shall not originate in the SPC building removed from general acute care service. If the intent is to place the building under local jurisdiction, the building shall satisfy Section 312A.5.1.
CEBC § 1001.1 Medium relevance — show source text
Chapter 10 of this code is duplicated in Chapter 10 the California Fire Code; however, the California Fire Code contains one additional section on maintenance of the means of egress system in existing buildings.
SECTION 1001—ADMINISTRATION
1001.1 General. Buildings or portions thereof shall be provided with a means of egress system as required by this chapter. The provisions of this chapter shall control the design, construction and arrangement of means of egress components required to provide an approved means of egress from structures and portions thereof.
1001.2 Minimum requirements. It shall be unlawful to alter a building or structure in a manner that will reduce the number of exits or the minimum width or required capacity of the means of egress to less than required by this code.
SECTION 1002—MAINTENANCE AND PLANS
[F] 1002.1 Maintenance. Means of egress shall be maintained in accordance with the California Fire Code .
[F] 1002.2 Fire safety and evacuation plans. Fire safety and evacuation plans shall be provided for all occupancies and buildings where required by the California Fire Code . Such fire safety and evacuation plans shall comply with the applicable provisions of Sections 401.2 and 404 of the California Fire Code .
SECTION 1003—GENERAL MEANS OF EGRESS
1003.1 Applicability. The general requirements specified in Sections 1003 through 1015 shall apply to all three elements of the means of egress system, in addition to those specific requirements for the exit access, the exit and the exit discharge detailed elsewhere in this chapter.
[DSA-AC & HCD 1-AC] In addition to the requirement of this chapter, means of egress, which provide access to, or egress from, build- ings or facilities where accessibility is required for applications listed in Section 1.8.2.1.2 regulated by the Department of Housing and Community Development, or Section 1.9.1 regulated by the Division of the State Architect—Access Compliance, shall also comply with Chapter 11A or Chapter 11B, as applicable.
Exception: [SFM] Exiting requirements for Fixed Guideway Transit Systems shall be as per Section 443.
1003.1.1 Means of egress for hospitals. [OSHPD 1] In addition to the requirements of this chapter, means of egress for hospitals shall comply with Part 10 California Existing Building Code Section 311A.
1003.1.2 Means of egress for hospital buildings removed from acute care service, skilled nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities and acute psychiatric hospitals. [OSHPD 1R, 2 & 5] In addition to the requirements of this chapter, means of egress for hospital buildings removed from acute care service, skilled nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities and acute psychiatric hospi- tals shall comply with OSHPD amendments to Part 10 California Existing Building Code Section 311.
1003.2 Ceiling height. The means of egress shall have a ceiling height of not less than 7 feet 6 inches (2286 mm) above the finished floor.
Exceptions:
Sloped ceilings in accordance with Section 1208.2.
Ceilings of dwelling units and sleeping units within residential occupancies in accordance with Section 1208.2.
Allowable projections in accordance with Section 1003.3.
Stair headroom in accordance with Section 1011.3.
CEBC § 1.1.2 Medium relevance — show source text
1.1.2 Purpose. The purpose of this code is to establish the minimum requirements to safeguard the public health, safety and general welfare through structural strength, means of egress facilities, stability, access to persons with disabilities, sanitation, adequate lighting and ventilation and energy conservation; safety to life and property from fire and other hazards attributed to the built environment; and to provide safety to firefighters and emergency responders during emergency operations.
1.1.3 Scope. The provisions of this code shall apply to the construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, maintenance, removal and demolition of every building or structure or any appurtenances connected or attached to such buildings or structures throughout the State of California. [HCD 1 & 2] The provisions of this code shall apply to repair, alteration, change of occupancy, addition to and relocation of every existing building or structure or any appurtenances connected or attached to such buildings or structures throughout the State of California.
1.1.3.1 Nonstate-regulated buildings, structures and applications. Except as modified by local ordinance pursuant to Section 1.1.8, the following standards in the California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Parts 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 and 11 shall apply to all occupancies and applications not regulated by a state agency.
1.1.3.2 State-regulated buildings, structures and applications. The model code, state amendments to the model code and/or state amendments where there are no relevant model code provisions shall apply to the following buildings, structures and applications regulated by state agencies as specified in Sections 1.2 through 1.14, except where modified by local ordinance pursuant to Section 1.1.8. When adopted by a state agency, the provisions of this code shall be enforced by the appropriate enforcing agency, but only to the extent of authority granted to such agency by the state legislature.
Note: See “How to Distinguish Between Model Code Language and California Amendments” in the front of the code. 1. State-owned buildings, including buildings constructed by the Trustees of the California State University, and to the extent permitted by California laws, buildings designed and constructed by the Regents of the University of California, and regulated by the Building Standards Commission. See Section 1.2 for additional scope provisions. 2. Section 1.3 is reserved for the Board of State Community Corrections. 3. Section 1.4 is reserved for the Department of Consumer Affairs. 4. Section 1.5 is reserved for the California Energy Commission. 5. Section 1.6 is reserved for the Department of Food and Agriculture. 6. Section 1.7 is reserved for the Department of Public Health. 7. Hotels, motels, lodging houses, apartments, dwellings, dormitories, condominiums, shelters for homeless persons, congregate residences, employee housing, factory-built housing and other types of dwellings containing sleeping _accommodations with or without common toilets or cooking facilities.
CEBC § 310.1 Medium 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.
CFC § 1207 Medium relevance — show source text
The criteria in Chapter 10 regulating the design of the means of egress system are established as the primary method for protection of occupants by allowing timely relocation or evacuation. Both prescriptive and performance language is utilized for determination of a safe exiting system. It addresses all portions of the means of egress system (i.e., exit access, exits and exit discharge) and includes design requirements as well as provisions regulating individual components. The requirements detail the size, arrangement, number and protection of means of egress components. The means of egress protection requirements work in coordination with other sections of the code, such as protection of vertical openings (see Chapter 7 of the CBC), interior finish (see Chapter 8 of the CBC), fire suppression and detection systems (see Chapter 9) and numerous others, all having an impact on life safety. Chapter 10 of the CBC is duplicated in Chapter 10 of the CFC; however, the CFC contains one additional section on the maintenance of the means of egress system in existing buildings.
Chapter 11 Construction Requirements for Existing Buildings
Chapter 11 applies to existing buildings constructed prior to the adoption of the code and intends to provide a minimum degree of fire and life safety to persons occupying existing buildings by providing for retroactive requirements to install or upgrade fire safety features to such buildings that do not comply with the minimum requirements of the CBC. Prior to the 2009 edition, its content existed in the CFC but in a random manner that was neither efficient nor user-friendly. In the 2007/2008 International Code Council (ICC) code development cycle, a code change (F294-07/ 08) was approved that consolidated the retroactive elements of CFC into a single chapter for easier and more efficient reference and application to existing buildings.
Chapter 12 Energy Systems
Chapter 12 addresses any provisions related to energy systems found in the CFC. The expansion of such energy systems is related to meeting today’s energy, environmental and economic challenges. Ensuring appropriate criteria to address the safety of such systems in building and fire codes is an important part of protecting the public at large, building occupants and emergency responders. These requirements also facilitate the successful implementation of new technologies.
All text in Section 1207 of the 2024 CFC with the following designation (Material based on NFPA 855 2023 Ed.) is reproduced with permission from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and is based upon NFPA 855, Standard for the Installation of Station- ary Energy Storage Systems, Copyright © 2023 NFPA. All designated text is either directly copied from the 2023 edition of NFPA 855 or as modified by the ICC Code Development Process. This material is not the complete and official position of NFPA on the referenced subject, which is represented solely by the standard in its entirety. NFPA shall not be responsible for the manner in which this information is presented, nor for any interpretations thereof.
Chapters 13 through 19 Reserved for future use.
PART IV—SPECIAL OCCUPANCIES AND OPERATIONS
Chapter 20 Aviation Facilities
Chapter 20 specifies minimum requirements for the fire-safe operation of airports, heliports and helistops. The principal nonflight operational hazards associated with aviation involve fuel, facilities and operations. Therefore, safe use of flammable and combustible liquids during fueling and maintenance operations is emphasized. Availability of portable Class B:C-rated fire extinguishers for prompt control or suppression of incipient fires is required.
Chapter 21 Dry Cleaning
CEBC § 1103.10 Medium relevance — show source text
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.
1103.10 Medical gases. Medical gases stored and transferred in health-care-related facilities shall be in accordance with Chapter 53.
SECTION 1104—MEANS OF EGRESS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS
1104.1 General. Means of egress in existing buildings shall comply with the minimum egress requirements where specified in Table 1103.1 as further enumerated in Sections 1104.2 through 1104.25, and the building code that applied at the time of construction. Where the provisions of this chapter conflict with the building code that applied at the time of construction, the most restrictive provision shall apply. Existing buildings that were not required to comply with a building code at the time of construction shall comply with the minimum egress requirements where specified in Table 1103.1 as further enumerated in Sections 1104.2 through 1104.25.
1104.2 Elevators, escalators and moving walks. Elevators, escalators and moving walks shall not be used as a component of a required means of egress.
Exceptions:
- Elevators used as an accessible means of egress where allowed by Section 1009.4.
- Previously approved elevators, escalators and moving walks in existing buildings.
1104.3 Exit sign illumination. Exit signs shall be internally or externally illuminated. The face of an exit sign illuminated from an external source shall have an intensity of not less than 5 footcandles (54 lux). Internally illuminated signs shall provide equivalent luminance and be listed for the purpose.
Exception: Approved self-luminous signs that provide evenly illuminated letters shall have a minimum luminance of 0.06 footlamberts (0.21 cd/m [2] ).
1104.4 Power source. Where emergency illumination is required in Section 1104.5, exit signs shall be visible under emergency illumination conditions.
Exception: Approved signs that provide continuous illumination independent of external power sources are not required to be connected to an emergency electrical system.
1104.5 Illumination emergency power. Where means of egress illumination is provided, the power supply for means of egress illumination shall normally be provided by the premises’ electrical supply. In the event of power supply failure, illumination shall be automatically provided from an emergency system for the following occupancies where such occupancies require two or more means of egress:
- Group A having 50 or more occupants.
Exception: Assembly occupancies used exclusively as a place of worship and having an occupant load of less than 300.
2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE 11-13
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
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CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS
Group B buildings three or more stories in height, buildings with 100 or more occupants above or below a level of exit discharge serving the occupants or buildings with 1,000 or more total occupants.
Group E in interior exit access and exit stairways and ramps, corridors, windowless areas with student occupancy, shops and laboratories.
Group F having more than 100 occupants.
Exception: Buildings used only during daylight hours and that are provided with windows for natural light in accordance with the California Building Code .
- Group I.
Frequently asked questions
When does the CEBC allow a different egress standard than the CBC?
Only where CEBC § 311 modifies CBC requirements for existing buildings, and for hospitals where § 311A provides explicit compliance alternatives. Otherwise the CBC requirements control.
Can non‑OSHPD buildings be used as an egress route for an OSHPD‑regulated hospital?
No. CEBC requires egress to pass only through buildings under OSHPD jurisdiction for the hospital rules to apply. § 311.1.1 / § 311A.1.2.
What if my building has an NPC‑3 rating — can egress still pass?
Yes, there is a recurring exception that permits existing egress to pass through buildings with NPC‑3 (or NPC‑2 with approved extension) provided nonstructural components in the egress path are braced per new‑building CBC provisions and other jurisdictional conditions are met. See the exceptions in § 311A.1.1.1.x.
Is the allowance to use buildings removed from acute care permanent?
No. CEBC § 311A.1.1.1.6 allows passage through removed‑from‑service buildings only under specified conditions and only until January 1, 2030 in many cases; after that date stricter SPC/NPC minimums apply.
Who can exempt a small project from the CEBC hospital egress rules?
The enforcing agency may exempt minor additions, minor alterations and minor remodel projects from the § 311A requirements under the stated exception. § 311A.1.1 Exception.
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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