CEBC · California Existing Building Code
Means of egress, fire protection, electrical, mechanical and plumbing
This hub explains how the CEBC treats means of egress, fire protection, electrical, mechanical and plumbing across repairs, alterations, additions and performance compliance methods.
Last reviewed: July 6, 2026
Overview
This area of the California Existing Building Code (CEBC) governs life‑safety paths and the building service systems that protect, detect and support safe occupancy of existing buildings — specifically means of egress, passive and active fire protection, and the electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems that serve them. The CEBC embeds these requirements across the repair and alteration chapters and identifies where existing elements must be maintained, restored or upgraded to preserve occupant and firefighter safety (see the Chapter 10 topics listing and Chapter headings for change of occupancy and related systems) .
Requirements for these topics are expressed both as chapter/section prescriptive rules and as triggers within the CEBC compliance methods. For repairs you will find the repair‑level provisions (fire protection §703 and means of egress §704, among others) in Chapter 4; Sections 406–408 address electrical, mechanical and plumbing repairs and reference the applicable California specialty codes (CEC, CMC, CPC) and, where applicable, NFPA requirements for health‑care systems . For alterations, additions and change‑of‑occupancy work the same topics recur in Chapters 7–11 and Chapter 13 (performance methods), so expect to see means‑of‑egress and system upgrade triggers in those chapters as you scope work under Level 1–3 alteration or addition rules .
The CEBC coordinates closely with the California Building Code and California Fire Code: active fire protection and egress design/performance often reference the Fire Code and the Building Code chapters for detailed technical criteria, while the CEBC frames what must be maintained or retrofitted for existing buildings (see the cross‑references to CBC/CFC chapters on means of egress and fire protection) .
In this section
Code references
Grounded in the retrieved California Existing Building Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:
CEBC § 10-3 High relevance — show source text
1003 Building Elements and Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
1004 Fire Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
1005 Means of Egress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
1006 Structural. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
1007 Electrical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
1008 Mechanical. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
1009 Plumbing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
1010 Other Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5
1011 Change of Occupancy Classification . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5
CHAPTER 11 ADDITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-3
1101 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-3
1102 Heights and Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-3
1103 Structural. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-4
1104 Energy Conservation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-4
CHAPTER 12 HISTORIC BUILDINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-1
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CHAPTER 13 PERFORMANCE COMPLIANCE METHODS. . 13-3
1301 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-3
1302 Applicability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-3
1303 Acceptance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-4
CEBC § 9-3 High relevance — show source text
902 Special Use and Occupancy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
903 Building Elements and Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
904 Fire Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
905 Means of Egress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
906 Structural. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
907 Energy Conservation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
908 Emergency Responder Communications Enhancement System Coverage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
CHAPTER 10 CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-3
1001 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
1002 Special Use and Occupancy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
1003 Building Elements and Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
1004 Fire Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
1005 Means of Egress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
1006 Structural. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
1007 Electrical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
1008 Mechanical. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
1009 Plumbing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
1010 Other Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5
1011 Change of Occupancy Classification . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5
CHAPTER 11 ADDITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-3
CEBC § 4-3 High relevance — show source text
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
CHAPTER 4A [OSHPD 1] REPAIRS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4A-3
401A General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4A-3
402A Building Elements and Materials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4A-3
403A Fire Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4A-3
404A Means of Egress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4A-3
405A Structural. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4A-3
406A Electrical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4A-4
407A Mechanical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4A-4
CEBC § 7-3 High relevance — show source text
702 Building Elements and Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3
703 Fire Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4
704 Means of Egress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4
705 Reroofing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4
706 Structural. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5
707 Reserved . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-6
708 Energy Conservation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-6
CHAPTER 8 ALTERATIONS—LEVEL 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-3
801 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3
802 Building Elements and Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3
803 Fire Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-5
804 Means of Egress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-5
805 Structural. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
806 Electrical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-10
807 Mechanical. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-10
808 Reserved . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-10
809 Energy Conservation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-10
CHAPTER 9 ALTERATIONS—LEVEL 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-3
901 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
CEBC § 8-5 High relevance — show source text
803 Fire Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-5
804 Means of Egress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-5
805 Structural. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
806 Electrical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-10
807 Mechanical. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-10
808 Reserved . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-10
809 Energy Conservation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-10
CHAPTER 9 ALTERATIONS—LEVEL 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-3
901 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
902 Special Use and Occupancy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
903 Building Elements and Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
904 Fire Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
905 Means of Egress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
906 Structural. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
907 Energy Conservation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
908 Emergency Responder Communications Enhancement System Coverage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
CHAPTER 10 CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-3
1001 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
1002 Special Use and Occupancy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
1003 Building Elements and Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
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 § 101.1 High relevance — show source text
PART 1—SCOPE AND APPLICATION
SECTION 101—SCOPE AND GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
[A] 101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the Building Code of [ NAME OF JURISDICTION ], hereinafter referred to as “this code.”
[A] 101.2 Scope. The provisions of this code shall apply to the construction, alteration, relocation, 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.
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 not more than three stories above grade plane in height, shall comply with this code or the California Residential Code .
[A] 101.2.1 Appendices. Provisions in the appendices shall not apply unless specifically adopted.
[A] 101.3 Purpose. The purpose of this code is to establish the minimum requirements to provide a reasonable level of safety, health and general welfare through structural strength, means of egress, stability, sanitation, light and ventilation, energy conservation, and for providing a reasonable level of life safety and property protection from the hazards of fire, explosion or dangerous conditions, and to provide a reasonable level of safety to firefighters and emergency responders during emergency operations.
[A] 101.4 Referenced codes. The other codes specified in Sections 101.4.1 through 101.4.7 and referenced elsewhere in this code shall be considered to be part of the requirements of this code to the prescribed extent of each such reference.
[A] 101.4.1 Gas. The provisions of the California Plumbing Code and/or the California Mechanical Code shall apply to the installation of gas piping from the point of delivery, gas appliances and related accessories as covered in this code. These requirements apply to gas piping systems extending from the point of delivery to the inlet connections of appliances and the installation and operation of residential and commercial gas appliances and related accessories.
[A] 101.4.2 Mechanical. The provisions of the California Mechanical Code shall apply to the installation, alterations, repairs and replacement of mechanical systems, including equipment, appliances, fixtures, fittings and appurtenances, including ventilating, heating, cooling, air-conditioning and refrigeration systems, incinerators and other energy-related systems.
[A] 101.4.3 Plumbing. The provisions of the California Plumbing Code shall apply to the installation, alteration, repair and replacement of plumbing systems, including equipment, appliances, fixtures, fittings and appurtenances, and where connected to a water or sewage system and all aspects of a medical gas system. The provisions of the California Plumbing Code shall apply to private sewage disposal systems.
[A] 101.4.4 Property maintenance. The provisions of the California Existing Building Code shall apply to existing structures and premises; equipment and facilities; light, ventilation, space heating, sanitation, life and fire safety hazards; responsibilities of owners, operators and occupants; and occupancy of existing premises and structures.
CFC § 701 High relevance — show source text
Chapter 7 Fire and Smoke Protection Features
The maintenance of assemblies required to be fire-resistance rated is a key component in a passive fire protection philosophy. Chapter 7 sets forth requirements to maintain required fire-resistance ratings of building elements and limit fire spread. Section 701 addresses the basics of what construction elements such as fire barriers and smoke barriers need to be maintained as well as defining the owner’s responsibility. Sections 703 through 708, deals with various fire and smoke protection features that must also be maintained.
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Chapter 8 Interior Finish, Decorative Materials and Furnishings
The overall purpose of Chapter 8 is to regulate interior finishes, decorative materials and furnishings in new and existing buildings so that they do not significantly add to or create fire hazards within buildings. This chapter is consistent with Chapter 8 of the CBC, which regulates the interior finishes of new buildings.
Chapter 9 Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems
Chapter 9 prescribes the minimum requirements for active systems of fire protection equipment to perform the following functions: detect a fire, alert the occupants or fire department of a fire emergency, and control smoke and control or extinguish the fire. Generally, the requirements are based on the occupancy, the height and the area of the building because these are the factors that most affect firefighting capabilities and the relative hazard of a specific building or portion thereof. This chapter parallels and is substantially duplicated in Chapter 9 of the CBC; however, this chapter also contains periodic testing criteria that are not contained in the CBC. In addition, the special fire protection system requirements based on use and occupancy found in CBC Chapter 4 are duplicated in CFC Chapter 9 as a user convenience.
Chapter 10 Means of Egress
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
CEBC § 702.7 High relevance — show source text
702.7 Materials and methods. New work shall comply with the materials and methods requirements in the California Building Code, California Energy Code, California Mechanical Code and California Plumbing Code, as applicable, that specify material standards, detail of installation and connection, joints, penetrations and continuity of any element, component or system in the building.
SECTION 703—FIRE PROTECTION
703.1 General. Alterations shall be done in a manner that maintains the level of fire protection provided.
703.2 Fire alarm and detection.
703.2.1 Replacement devices, combinations of devices, appliances, and equipment shall be listed and approved.
703.2.2 Systems out of service. Existing fire alarm and detection systems shall be maintained in accordance with Section 901.7 of the California Fire Code, C.C.R. Title 24, Part 9.
703.3 Construction in existing buildings. On-site fire protection during construction shall be in accordance with Chapter 33 of the Cali- fornia Building Code, C.C.R. Title 24, Part 2, and California Fire Code, C.C.R. Title 24, Part 9.
SECTION 704—MEANS OF EGRESS
704.1 General. Alterations shall be done in a manner that maintains the level of protection provided for the means of egress.
704.2 Casework. Addition, alteration or reconfiguration of nonfixed and movable cases, counters and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches (1753 mm) in height shall maintain the required means of egress path.
704.3 Locking arrangements in educational occupancies. In Group E occupancies, Group B educational occupancies and Group I4 occupancies, egress doors with locking arrangements designed to keep intruders from entering the room shall comply with Section 1010.2.7 of the California Building Code .
SECTION 705—REROOFING
[BS] 705.1 General. Materials and methods of application used for recovering or replacing an existing roof covering shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 15 of the California Building Code .
Exceptions:
- Roof replacement or roof recover of existing low-slope roof coverings shall not be required to meet the minimum design slope requirement of [1] / 4 unit vertical in 12 units horizontal (2-percent slope) in Section 1507 of the California Building Code for roofs that provide positive roof drainage and meet the requirements of Sections 1608.3 and 1611.2 of the Cali- fornia Building Code .
- Recovering or replacing an existing roof covering shall not be required to meet the requirement for secondary (emergency overflow) drains or scuppers in Section 1502 of the California Building Code for roofs that provide for positive roof drainage and meet the requirements of Sections 1608.3 and 1611.2 of the California Building Code . For the purposes of this exception, existing secondary drainage or scupper systems required in accordance with this code shall not be removed unless they are replaced by secondary drains or scuppers designed and installed in accordance with Section 1502 of the California Building Code .
[BS] 705.2 Roof replacement. Roof replacement shall include the removal of all existing layers of roof coverings down to the roof deck.
CEBC § 412.4 High relevance — show source text
412.4 Residential aircraft hangars. Residential aircraft hangars shall comply with Sections 412.4.1 through 412.4.5.
412.4.1 Fire separation. A hangar shall not be attached to a dwelling unless separated by a fire barrier having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 hour. Such separation shall be continuous from the foundation to the underside of the roof and unpierced except for doors leading to the dwelling unit. Doors into the dwelling unit shall be equipped with self-closing devices and conform to the requirements of Section 716 with a noncombustible raised sill not less than 4 inches (102 mm) in height. Openings from a hangar directly into a room used for sleeping purposes shall not be permitted.
[BE] 412.4.2 Egress. A hangar shall provide two means of egress. One of the doors into the dwelling shall be considered as meeting only one of the two means of egress.
[F] 412.4.3 Smoke alarms. Smoke alarms shall be provided within the hangar in accordance with Section 907.2.22.
412.4.4 Independent systems. Electrical, mechanical and plumbing drain, waste and vent (DWV) systems installed within the hangar shall be independent of the systems installed within the dwelling. Building sewer lines shall be permitted to be connected outside the structures.
Exception: Smoke detector wiring and feed for electrical subpanels in the hangar. 412.4.5 Height and area limits. Residential aircraft hangars shall be not greater than 2,000 square feet (186 m [2] ) in area and 20 feet (6096 mm) in building height.
[F] 412.5 Aircraft paint hangars. Aircraft painting operations shall be conducted in an aircraft paint hangar that complies with the provisions of Sections 412.5.1 through 412.5.8. Buildings and structures, or parts thereof, used for the application of flammable finishes shall comply with the applicable provisions of Section 416.
[F] 412.5.1 Occupancy classification. Aircraft paint hangars shall be classified in accordance with the provisions of Section 307.1. Aircraft paint hangars shall comply with the applicable requirements of this code and the California Fire Code for such
occupancy.
412.5.2 Construction. Aircraft paint hangars shall be of Type I or II construction.
[F] 412.5.3 Spray equipment cleaning operations. Spray equipment cleaning operations shall be conducted in a liquid use, dispensing and mixing room.
[F] 412.5.4 Operations. Only those flammable liquids necessary for painting operations shall be permitted in quantities less than the maximum allowable quantities per control area in Table 307.1(1). Spray equipment cleaning operations exceeding the maximum allowable quantities per control area in Table 307.1(1) shall be conducted in a liquid use, dispensing and mixing room.
[F] 412.5.5 Storage. Storage of flammable or combustible liquids exceeding the maximum allowable quantities per control area in Table 307.1(1) shall be in a liquid storage room.
[F] 412.5.6 Fire suppression. Aircraft paint hangars shall be provided with fire suppression as required by NFPA 409.
[F] 412.5.7 Ventilation. Aircraft paint hangars shall be provided with ventilation as required in the California Mechanical Code .
CEBC § 4.2 High relevance — show source text
E106.4.2 Training and practice drills. Training of staff and practice drills shall comply with Sections 405 and 406 of the California Fire Code . Structures in place for longer than 30 days shall conduct evacuation drills in accordance with Section 405.3 of the Cali- fornia Fire Code based on the temporary use.
E106.4.3 Fire protection. An evaluation shall be performed to decide on fire protection needed utilizing NFPA 550.
E106.4.4 Emergency access. Emergency vehicle access roads shall be approved by the fire code official.
E106.4.5 Fire watch. A fire watch in accordance with Section 403.11.1 of the California Fire Code shall be permitted to be provided in lieu of other fire protection systems.
E106.5 Means of egress. Means of egress shall comply with Section 1011.5, in addition to Sections E106.5.1 through E106.5.3.
Exception: In Group I-2 occupancies, in areas where corridors are used for movement of care recipients in beds, the clear width of ramps and corridors shall be not less than 48 inches (1219 mm).
E106.5.1 Exit discharge. Exit discharge shall provide access to a public way or to a safe dispersal area in accordance with Section 1028.5 of the California Building Code.
E106.5.2 Means of egress lighting. The means of egress shall be illuminated when the space is occupied.
Exception: Sleeping areas.
E106.5.3 Exit signs. Exit signs shall be provided where the means of egress is not readily identifiable. Exit signs shall be permitted to be illuminated by the lighting provided in the structure.
E106.6 Accessibility. A facility that is constructed to be accessible shall be maintained accessible during occupancy.
E106.7 Temporary connection. The code official shall have the authority to authorize the temporary connection of the building or system to the utility, the source of energy, fuel or power, or the water system or sewer system in accordance with Section 111. Water closets and lavatories shall be either permanent plumbing fixtures installed within the structure or temporary water closets or lavatories, such as chemical toilets or other means approved by the code official.
E106.7.1 Portable heating, cooling and cooking equipment. Portable heating, cooling and cooking equipment shall be used in accordance with the California Fire Code, their listing and manufacturer’s instructions.
SECTION E107—USE OF SPECIFIC STANDARDS
E107.1 Increased occupant load. Allowing for additional occupants in existing buildings shall comply with Sections E107.1.1 through E107.1.3.
E107.1.1 Authorization. The code official is authorized to allow for an increase in the number of occupants or a change of use in a building or portion of a building during an emergency.
E107.1.2 Maintenance of the means of egress. The existing means of egress shall be maintained.
E107.1.3 Sleeping areas. Where a space is used for sleeping purposes, the space shall be equipped with smoke alarms in accordance with Sections 907.2.6.2 and 907.2.11 of the California Fire Code or be provided with a fire watch in accordance with Section 403.11.1 of the California Fire Code . Carbon monoxide alarms shall be installed in accordance with Section 915 of the California Fire Code where the structure uses any fossil fuel or wood burning appliances.
CEBC § 4.1 High relevance — show source text
SECTION E106—GENERAL STANDARDS FOR EMERGENCY USES
E106.1 Scope. The provisions of Sections E106.2 through E106.7 shall apply to all existing structures being repurposed and to all structures relocated to support the response to an emergency.
E106.2 Intent. The intent of this section is to provide a reasonable level of safety in a structure repurposed for emergency use.
E106.3 Change of use or occupancy. Existing buildings used in a way that was not originally intended by occupancy class or use shall be allowed without formally changing the occupancy. The previous occupancy and use shall resume upon the conclusion of the emergency . Where the temporary live load of the floor is more than that required by Section 1607 of the California Building Code for the original use, the area designated for the temporary live load shall be posted with placards for the approved live load.
E106.4 Fire safety provisions. Determination of the fire safety requirements by the code official shall be in accordance with Section E106.4.1 through E106.4.5 in order to make determinations of safe conditions rather than strict adherence to the provisions of the California Fire Code .
2025 CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE APPENDIX E-3
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
APPENDIX E—TEMPORARY EMERGENCY USES
E106.4.1 Fire safety and evacuation plans. Fire safety and evacuation plans shall be provided in accordance with Sections 403 and 404 of the California Fire Code . Submittal documents shall be updated where there are any physical changes to the layout of the structure.
E106.4.2 Training and practice drills. Training of staff and practice drills shall comply with Sections 405 and 406 of the California Fire Code . Structures in place for longer than 30 days shall conduct evacuation drills in accordance with Section 405.3 of the Cali- fornia Fire Code based on the temporary use.
E106.4.3 Fire protection. An evaluation shall be performed to decide on fire protection needed utilizing NFPA 550.
E106.4.4 Emergency access. Emergency vehicle access roads shall be approved by the fire code official.
E106.4.5 Fire watch. A fire watch in accordance with Section 403.11.1 of the California Fire Code shall be permitted to be provided in lieu of other fire protection systems.
E106.5 Means of egress. Means of egress shall comply with Section 1011.5, in addition to Sections E106.5.1 through E106.5.3.
Exception: In Group I-2 occupancies, in areas where corridors are used for movement of care recipients in beds, the clear width of ramps and corridors shall be not less than 48 inches (1219 mm).
E106.5.1 Exit discharge. Exit discharge shall provide access to a public way or to a safe dispersal area in accordance with Section 1028.5 of the California Building Code.
E106.5.2 Means of egress lighting. The means of egress shall be illuminated when the space is occupied.
Exception: Sleeping areas.
E106.5.3 Exit signs. Exit signs shall be provided where the means of egress is not readily identifiable. Exit signs shall be permitted to be illuminated by the lighting provided in the structure.
Frequently asked questions
Where in the CEBC are means‑of‑egress requirements for alterations found?
Means‑of‑egress provisions appear repeatedly in the alteration chapters. See the alteration chapters (Chapter 7, §704 for Level 1; Chapter 8 §§803–804 for Level 2/space reconfiguration) — the CEBC requires that alterations maintain or restore the existing level of egress protection and identifies specific locking, width and path requirements in those sections .
Do electrical, mechanical or plumbing repairs have to meet new‑construction code text?
Repairs must comply with the applicable California specialty codes as referenced by the CEBC: Section 406 refers repairs to the California Electrical Code, Section 407 to the California Mechanical Code and Section 408 to the California Plumbing Code, with special provisions (for example, NFPA 99) for certain health‑care work .
How does the CEBC interact with the California Fire Code on egress and fire systems?
The CEBC relies on the California Fire Code and the CBC for technical fire‑protection and egress criteria; the Fire Code also contains maintenance and existing‑building provisions (and duplications of CBC egress rules) that are applied when evaluating existing fire‑safety systems and egress maintenance under the CEBC .
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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