CFC · California Fire Code

Construction Requirements for Existing Buildings (retrofit rules)

The CFC consolidates retrofit fire‑safety requirements in Chapter 11 and coordinates with the California Existing Building Code (CEBC) compliance methods and seismic retrofit sections.

Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

The California Fire Code centralizes retrofit and retroactive fire-safety requirements for older buildings in Chapter 11 (CFC — “Construction Requirements for Existing Buildings”), which sets minimum fire- and life‑safety upgrades for buildings that predate current code requirements. Chapter 11 collects the retroactive elements of the CFC to make enforcement and application more consistent across occupancies and jurisdictions.

The CFC retrofit requirements are applied alongside complementary existing‑building rules in the California Existing Building Code (CEBC). The CEBC lays out the three compliance pathways (Prescriptive, Work‑Area, and Performance) under § 301 and provides detailed triggers and procedures for alterations, additions and change‑of‑occupancy work; seismic evaluation and retrofit requirements appear in CEBC §§ 317 and related sections. These cross‑references are commonly used when a fire‑safety upgrade is part of broader alteration or seismic retrofit work.

Certain retrofit topics are addressed by CFC appendices or optional adoptions — for example, Appendix M offers a template for jurisdictions that require retroactive sprinkler protection in existing high‑rise buildings. Where local adoption or state agency authority applies, jurisdictions may adopt all or part of those retrofit options.

In this section

Code references

Grounded in the retrieved California Fire Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:

  • CFC § 1.5. High relevance — show source text

    Exception: Components required for life-safety purposes after an earthquake, including emergency and standby power systems, mechanical smoke removal systems, fire protection sprinkler systems, fire alarm control panels and egress stairways shall have a component importance factor (I p ) of 1.5.

    304A.3.1.2 Major structural alteration, additions or repairs. Major structural alterations, additions or repairs shall be in accor- dance with Section 304A.3.4.1 or 304A.3.4.3 as applicable.

    304A.3.2 Seismic evaluation and retrofit of general acute care hospitals for compliance with the California Administrative Code, Chapter 6. Notwithstanding any other requirements of this code, existing general acute care hospitals shall comply with the seismic evaluation requirements specified in Chapter 6, of the California Administrative Code, when applicable. Seismic retrofit to comply with requirements specified in Chapter 6 of the California Administrative Code shall be permitted to be in accordance with these provisions. When load combinations which do not include seismic forces are required, the new building provisions of this code shall be applicable.

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    PROVISIONS FOR ALL COMPLIANCE METHODS

    304A.3.3 SPC-4D. Nonconforming hospital buildings satisfying the following requirements and one of Sections 501A.3.1, 501A.3.2 or 304A.3.4.5, but not a combination thereof, shall be considered to satisfy the requirements of SPC-4D. 1. Approval of construction documents based on building characterization in accordance with the California Administrative Code (CAC) Chapter 6 Section 2.1.2.1, material properties in accordance with the CAC Chapter 6 Section 2.1.2.2 and Section 304A.5.3 of this code, and a complete rational structural analysis shall be required. 2. Where the SPC-4D upgrade involves construction, a building permit prior to construction shall be required. 3. Where multiple building permits are used to upgrade a building to SPC-4D, a complete rational structural analysis to justify compliance with SPC-4D, for the building in its final configuration, shall be submitted as part of the construction documents submittal to the Office for the last project. 4. Where the SPC-4D upgrade involves construction, buildings shall be assigned to SPC-4D after all projects required for SPC- 4D are closed in compliance.

    304A.3.4 Performance objectives of performance-based methods. Except for the modifications as set forth in Sections 304A.3.4, 304A.3.5 (for ASCE 41-13), and 304A.3.6 (for ASCE 41-23) of this code, all additions, alterations, repairs and seismic retrofit to existing structures or portions thereof shall be permitted to be designed in accordance with the provisions of ASCE 41-23.

    Use of ASCE 41-13 shall be limited to SPC-2 and SPC-4D buildings only.

  • CFC § 701 Medium 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

  • CFC § 102.4 Medium relevance — show source text

    Chapter 14 is applicable to any building that is moved or relocated. This chapter is independent of any of the three compliance methods and focuses on the structural loads where the building is being relocated.

    Chapter 15 Construction Safeguards.

    Chapter 15 establishes specific regulations in order to minimize the risk to the public and adjacent property during construction. Additionally, this chapter addresses fire and life safety and means of egress during the construction process. This includes requirements for a site safety plan. This chapter is also consistent with Chapter 33 of the CBC and Chapter 33 of the California Fire Code (CFC).

    Chapter 16 Referenced Standards.

    Chapter 16 lists all of the product and installation standards and codes that are referenced throughout Chapters 1 through 15 and includes identification of the promulgators and the section numbers in which the standards and codes are referenced. As stated in Section 102.4, these standards and codes become an enforceable part of the code (to the prescribed extent of the reference) as if printed in the body of the code.

    Appendix A Guidelines for the Seismic Retrofit of Existing Buildings.

    Appendix A provides guidelines for upgrading the seismic resistance capacity of different types of existing buildings. It is organized into separate chapters which deal with buildings of different types, including unreinforced masonry buildings, reinforced concrete and reinforced masonry wall buildings, and lightframe wood buildings. This appendix includes its own referenced standards.

    Appendix B Supplementary Accessibility Requirements for Existing Buildings and Facilities.

    Chapters 11A and 11B of the CBC contain provisions that set forth requirements for accessibility to buildings and their associated sites and facilities for people with physical disabilities. Appendix B was added to address accessibility in construction for items that are not typically enforceable through the traditional building code enforcement process.

    Appendix C Guidelines for the Wind Retrofit of Existing Buildings.

    The purpose of Appendix C is to provide voluntary prescriptive alternatives for addressing the retrofit of buildings in high-wind areas. Currently, there are two chapters which deal with the retrofit of gable ends and the fastening of roof decks, Appendix Chapters C1 and C2, respectively. This appendix includes its own referenced standards.

    Appendix D Board of Appeals.

    Appendix D contains the provisions for appeal and the establishment of a board of appeals. The provisions include the application for an appeal, the makeup of the board of appeals and the conduct of the appeal process.

    Appendix E Temporary Emergency Uses.

    Appendix E is intended to provide guidance for designers, engineers, architects and fire and building officials on allowing temporary emergency uses of existing buildings with respect to the minimum code requirements. This appendix is a template or checklist that references the relevant code requirement of concerns.

    Resource A Guidelines on Fire Ratings of Archaic Materials and Assemblies.

    In the process of repair and alteration of existing buildings, based on the nature and the extent of the work, the CEBC might require certain upgrades in the fire-resistance rating of building elements, at which time it becomes critical for the designers and the code

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    officials to be able to determine the fire-resistance rating of the existing building elements as part of the overall evaluation for the assessment of the need for improvements. These guidelines are based upon the Guideline on Fire Ratings of Archaic Materials published by the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS).

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  • CBC § 301 Medium relevance — show source text

    This code provides three main options for a designer in dealing with alterations of existing buildings. These are laid out in Section 301 of this code:

    Option 1: Work for alteration, change of occupancy or addition of all existing buildings shall be done in accordance with the Prescriptive Compliance Method given in Chapter 5. It should be noted that this method originates from the former Chapter 34 of the IBC (2012 and earlier editions).

    Option 2: Work for alteration, change of occupancy or addition of all existing buildings shall be done in accordance with the Work Area Compliance Method given in Chapters 6 through 12.

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    Option 3: Work for alteration, change of occupancy or addition of all existing buildings shall be done in accordance with the Performance Compliance Method given in Chapter 13. It should be noted that this option was also provided in the former Chapter 34 of the IBC (2012 and earlier editions).

    Under limited circumstances, a building alteration can be made to comply with the laws under which the building was originally built, as long as the accessibility requirements are met, there has been no substantial structural damage and there will be limited structural alteration. Flood hazard provisions also must still be addressed where there is a substantial improvement.

    Note that all repairs must comply with Chapter 4 and all relocated buildings are addressed by Chapter 14.

    ARRANGEMENT AND FORMAT OF THE 2025 CEBC

    The format of the CEBC allows each chapter to be devoted to a particular subject. The following table shows how the CEBC is divided. The subsequent table shows CEBC requirements that are correlated with other California Codes. The chapter synopses detail the scope and intent of the provisions of the CEBC.

    CHAPTER TOPICS Col2
    CHAPTER SUBJECTS
    1, 2 Administrative Requirements and Definitions
    3 Provisions for all Compliance Methods
    4 Repairs
    5 Prescriptive Compliance Method for Existing Buildings
    6–11 Work Area Compliance Method for Existing Buildings
    13 Performance Compliance Method for Existing Buildings
    14 Relocated Buildings
    15 Construction Safeguards
    16 Referenced Standards
    Appendix A Guidelines for Seismic Retrofit of Existing Buildings
    Appendix B Supplementary Accessibility Requirements for Existing Buildings
    Appendix C Guidelines for Wind Retrofit of Existing Buildings
    Appendix D Board of Appeals
    Appendix E Temporary Emergency Uses
    Resource A Guidelines on Fire Ratings of Archaic Materials and Assemblies

    CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE CORRELATED TOPICS

    The CEBC requirements for construction safeguards are directly correlated to the requirements of the CBC. The following table shows chapters of the CBC that are correlated with the CEBC:

    CEBC/CBC CORRELATED TOPICS Col2 Col3
    CEBC CHAPTER/SECTION CBC CHAPTER/SECTION SUBJECT
    Chapter 15 Chapter 33 Construction safeguards

    Chapter 1 Scope and Administration.

    Chapter 1 establishes the limits of applicability of the code and describes how the code is to be applied and enforced. The provisions of Chapter 1 establish the authority and duties of the code official appointed by the authority having jurisdiction and also establish the rights and privileges of the design professional, contractor and property owner.

    Chapter 2 Definitions.

  • CFC § 1.1 Medium 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.

  • CBC § 2025 Medium relevance — show source text

    A403 Analysis and Design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A-45

    A404 Prescriptive Measures for Weak Story. . APPENDIX A-47

    A405 Materials of Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A-48

    A406 Construction Documents. . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A-48

    A407 Quality Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A-49

    CHAPTER A5 REFERENCED STANDARDS . . . . APPENDIX A-53

    A501 Referenced Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A-53

    APPENDIX B SUPPLEMENTARY ACCESSIBILITY

    REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS

    AND FACILITIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX B-3

    B101 Qualified Historic Buildings and Facilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX B-3

    B102 Fixed Transportation Facilities and Stations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX B-3

    B103 Dwelling Units and Sleeping Units. . . . . . APPENDIX B-4

    B104 Referenced Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX B-4

    APPENDIX C GUIDELINES FOR THE WIND RETROFIT

    OF EXISTING BUILDINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX C-3

    CHAPTER C1 GABLE END RETROFIT FOR

    HIGH-WIND AREAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX C-3

    C101 General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX C-3

    C102 Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX C-3

    C103 Materials of Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX C-4

    C104 Retrofitting Gable End Walls to Enhance Wind Resistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX C-5

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    CONTENTS

    CHAPTER C2 ROOF DECK FASTENING FOR

    HIGH-WIND AREAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX C-27

    C201 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX C-27

    C202 Roof Deck Attachment for

    Wood Roofs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX C-27

  • CFC § 1.1.11. Medium relevance — show source text

    Chapter 10 Change of Occupancy.

    The purpose of Chapter 10 is to address existing buildings that are subject to a change of occupancy. This chapter is an assembly of requirements to upgrade safety without having to comply fully as a new building. A change of occupancy classification is considered a change of occupancy, however, it will involve a higher level of regulation since the use of the building has made a more significant change.

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    Chapter 11 Additions.

    Chapter 11 provides the requirements for additions, which are considered new construction. The requirements focus on safely integrating the addition with the existing building. This includes issues such as limiting the overall height and area of the building where the addition is not separated by a fire wall.

    Chapter 12 Historic Buildings —Reserved

    Chapter 12 is not adopted by the State of California. Historic buildings and structures shall comply with Part 8, Title 24, California Code of Regulations.

    Chapter 13 Performance Compliance Methods.

    Chapter 13 allows for existing buildings to be evaluated to show that alterations or a change of occupancy, while not meeting new construction requirements, will provide a level of safety to demonstrate compliance. Provisions are based on a numerical scoring system involving 21 safety parameters where, when evaluated, such buildings must meet a minimum overall safety score.

    Chapter 13 is not adopted by the State of California but may be available for adoption by local ordinance, see Section 1.1.11. See Section 104.11 for consideration of alternative means of compliance.

    Chapter 14 Relocated or Moved Buildings.

    Chapter 14 is applicable to any building that is moved or relocated. This chapter is independent of any of the three compliance methods and focuses on the structural loads where the building is being relocated.

    Chapter 15 Construction Safeguards.

    Chapter 15 establishes specific regulations in order to minimize the risk to the public and adjacent property during construction. Additionally, this chapter addresses fire and life safety and means of egress during the construction process. This includes requirements for a site safety plan. This chapter is also consistent with Chapter 33 of the CBC and Chapter 33 of the California Fire Code (CFC).

    Chapter 16 Referenced Standards.

    Chapter 16 lists all of the product and installation standards and codes that are referenced throughout Chapters 1 through 15 and includes identification of the promulgators and the section numbers in which the standards and codes are referenced. As stated in Section 102.4, these standards and codes become an enforceable part of the code (to the prescribed extent of the reference) as if printed in the body of the code.

    Appendix A Guidelines for the Seismic Retrofit of Existing Buildings.

    Appendix A provides guidelines for upgrading the seismic resistance capacity of different types of existing buildings. It is organized into separate chapters which deal with buildings of different types, including unreinforced masonry buildings, reinforced concrete and reinforced masonry wall buildings, and lightframe wood buildings. This appendix includes its own referenced standards.

    Appendix B Supplementary Accessibility Requirements for Existing Buildings and Facilities.

    Chapters 11A and 11B of the CBC contain provisions that set forth requirements for accessibility to buildings and their associated sites and facilities for people with physical disabilities. Appendix B was added to address accessibility in construction for items that are not typically enforceable through the traditional building code enforcement process.

    Appendix C Guidelines for the Wind Retrofit of Existing Buildings.

  • CFC § 1.10.1 Medium relevance — show source text

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    Chapter 3 Provisions for All Compliance Methods.

    Chapter 3 guides the use of the three compliance methods of the CEBC and provides requirements that apply globally. The globally applicable requirement include general requirements related to buildings materials and other applicable codes, storm shelters, structural loads, in-situ load tests, accessibility, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detection and exterior wall coverings.

    Chapter 3A Provisions for All Compliance Methods.

    Chapter 3A controls the compliance options for alteration, repair, addition, evaluation and change of occupancy of existing structures regulated by the Department of Health Care Access and Information/Office of Statewide Hospital Planning and Development, which include hospitals and correctional treatment centers (applications listed in Sections 1.10.1 (OSHPD 1).

    Chapter 4 Repairs.

    Chapter 4, a chapter independent of the three compliance methods, governs the repair of existing buildings. The provisions define conditions under which repairs may be made using materials and methods like those of the original construction or the extent to which repairs must comply with requirements for new buildings.

    Chapter 4A Repairs.

    Chapter 4A governs the repair of existing buildings regulated by the Department of Health Care Access and Information/Office of State- wide Hospital Planning and Development, which include hospitals and correctional treatment centers (applications listed in Sections 1.10.1 (OSHPD 1).

    Chapter 5 Prescriptive Compliance Method.

    Chapter 5 provides one of the three main options of compliance available in the CEBC for buildings and structures undergoing alteration, addition or change of occupancy. The base requirements are more administrative in nature. The structural triggers for upgrades are consistent with the Work Area Method.

    Chapter 5A Prescriptive Compliance Method.

    Chapter 5A provides details for the prescriptive compliance method for alteration, addition and change of occupancy of existing build- ings and structures regulated by the Department of Health Care Access and Information/Office of Statewide Hospital Planning and Development, which include hospitals and correctional treatment centers (applications listed in Sections 1.10.1 (OSHPD 1).

    Chapter 6 Classification of Work.

    Chapter 6 provides an overview of the Work Area Method and defines the different classifications of work including alterations, change of occupancy, additions and historic buildings. Detailed requirements for all of these are given in subsequent Chapters 7 through 11.

    Chapter 7 Alterations—Level 1.

    Chapter 7 provides the technical requirements for those existing buildings that undergo Level 1 alterations as described in Section 602, which includes replacement or covering of existing materials, elements, equipment or fixtures using new materials for the same purpose. This chapter is distinguished from Chapters 8 and 9 by only involving replacement of building components with new components with no reconfiguration of space.

    Chapter 8 Alterations—Level 2.

    A Level 2 alteration is an alteration involving space reconfiguration that could be up to and including 50 percent of the area of the building or addition of a new building system. Level 2 alterations also include the extension or addition of any system or equipment. The purpose of Chapter 8 is to provide detailed requirements and provisions to identify the required improvements in the existing building elements, means of egress, fire protection, structural systems, energy efficiency, and other building systems include electrical, mechanical and plumbing when a building is being altered.

    Chapter 9 Alterations—Level 3.

  • CFC § 319.1 Medium relevance — show source text

    Buildings complying with the requirements of the exception in Section 319.1 are deemed to meet the seismic performance requirements of this section._
    4. State-owned and state-leased essential services buildings are subject to the regulatory authority of DSA-SS per Section 1.9.2.1.|

    317.6 Retrofit required. Where the evaluation indicates the building does not meet the required performance objectives of this section, the owner shall take appropriate steps to ensure that the building’s structural system is retrofitted in accordance with the provisions of Section 317. Appropriate steps are either: 1) undertake the seismic retrofit as part of the additions, alterations and/or repairs of the structure; or 2) provide a plan, acceptable to the building official, to complete the seismic retrofit in a timely manner. The relocation or moving of an existing building is considered to be an alteration requiring filing of the plans and specifications approved by the building official.

    317.7 The additions, alteration or repair to any existing building are permitted to be prepared in accordance with the structural and nonstructural requirements for a new building as given in the California Building Code, applied to the entire building.

    317.8 The requirements of ASCE 41 Chapters 14 and 15 are to apply to the use of seismic isolation and passive energy systems, respectively, for the repair, voluntary lateral-force-resisting system modification or retrofit of an existing structure. When seismic isolation or passive energy dissipation is used, the project must have project peer review as prescribed in Section 322.

    317.9 Any construction required by this chapter shall include structural observation by the registered design professional who is responsible for the structural design in accordance with Section 319.10.

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    PROVISIONS FOR ALL COMPLIANCE METHODS

    317.10 Where Method B of Section 321 is used or is required by Section 319.7, the proposed method of building evaluation and design procedures must be accepted by the building official prior to the commencement of the work.

    317.11 Voluntary lateral-force-resisting system modifications. Where the exception of Section 317.2 applies, modifications of existing structural components and additions of new structural components that are initiated for the purpose of improving the seismic performance of an existing structure and that are not required by other portions of this chapter are permitted under the requirements of Section 319.12.

    SECTION 318 [BSC, DSA-SS & DSA-SS/CC]—DEFINITIONS

    318.1 In addition to the definitions given in Section 202, for the purposes of Sections 317 through 323, certain terms are defined as follows:

    [DSA-SS & DSA-SS/CC] For the purposes of Section 317 through 323, definitions of terms given in Section 4-207 or 4-314 of the California Administrative Code govern over those in Section 202.

    ADDITION [BSC] means any work that increases the floor or roof area or the volume of enclosed space of an existing building, and is structurally attached to the existing building by connections that are required for transmitting vertical or horizontal loads between the addition and the existing structure.

  • CFC § 1.10.1 Medium relevance — show source text
    CHAPTER TOPICS Col2
    CHAPTER SUBJECTS
    1, 2 Administrative Requirements and Definitions
    3 Provisions for all Compliance Methods
    4 Repairs
    5 Prescriptive Compliance Method for Existing Buildings
    6–11 Work Area Compliance Method for Existing Buildings
    13 Performance Compliance Method for Existing Buildings
    14 Relocated Buildings
    15 Construction Safeguards
    16 Referenced Standards
    Appendix A Guidelines for Seismic Retrofit of Existing Buildings
    Appendix B Supplementary Accessibility Requirements for Existing Buildings
    Appendix C Guidelines for Wind Retrofit of Existing Buildings
    Appendix D Board of Appeals
    Appendix E Temporary Emergency Uses
    Resource A Guidelines on Fire Ratings of Archaic Materials and Assemblies

    CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE CORRELATED TOPICS

    The CEBC requirements for construction safeguards are directly correlated to the requirements of the CBC. The following table shows chapters of the CBC that are correlated with the CEBC:

    CEBC/CBC CORRELATED TOPICS Col2 Col3
    CEBC CHAPTER/SECTION CBC CHAPTER/SECTION SUBJECT
    Chapter 15 Chapter 33 Construction safeguards

    Chapter 1 Scope and Administration.

    Chapter 1 establishes the limits of applicability of the code and describes how the code is to be applied and enforced. The provisions of Chapter 1 establish the authority and duties of the code official appointed by the authority having jurisdiction and also establish the rights and privileges of the design professional, contractor and property owner.

    Chapter 2 Definitions.

    Chapter 2 is the repository of the definitions of terms used in the body of the code. The user of the code should be familiar with and consult this chapter because the definitions are essential to the correct interpretation of the code and because the user may not be aware that a term is defined.

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    Chapter 3 Provisions for All Compliance Methods.

    Chapter 3 guides the use of the three compliance methods of the CEBC and provides requirements that apply globally. The globally applicable requirement include general requirements related to buildings materials and other applicable codes, storm shelters, structural loads, in-situ load tests, accessibility, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detection and exterior wall coverings.

    Chapter 3A Provisions for All Compliance Methods.

    Chapter 3A controls the compliance options for alteration, repair, addition, evaluation and change of occupancy of existing structures regulated by the Department of Health Care Access and Information/Office of Statewide Hospital Planning and Development, which include hospitals and correctional treatment centers (applications listed in Sections 1.10.1 (OSHPD 1).

    Chapter 4 Repairs.

    Chapter 4, a chapter independent of the three compliance methods, governs the repair of existing buildings. The provisions define conditions under which repairs may be made using materials and methods like those of the original construction or the extent to which repairs must comply with requirements for new buildings.

    Chapter 4A Repairs.

    Chapter 4A governs the repair of existing buildings regulated by the Department of Health Care Access and Information/Office of State- wide Hospital Planning and Development, which include hospitals and correctional treatment centers (applications listed in Sections 1.10.1 (OSHPD 1).

  • CFC § 7.12 Medium relevance — show source text

    SECTION 303 A RESERVED

    SECTION 304 A —STRUCTURAL DESIGN LOADS AND EVALUATION AND DESIGN PROCEDURES

    304 A .1 Live loads. Where an addition or alteration does not result in increased design live load, existing gravity load-carrying structural elements shall be permitted to be evaluated and designed for live loads approved prior to the addition or alteration. If the approved live load is less than that required by Section 1607 A of the California Building Code, the area designated for the nonconforming live load shall be posted with placards of approved design indicating the approved live load. Where the addition or alteration results in increased design live load, the live load required by Section 1607 A of the California Building Code shall be used.

    304 A .2 Snow loads on adjacent buildings. Where an alteration or addition changes the potential snow drift effects on an adjacent building, the code official is authorized to enforce Section 7.12 of ASCE 7.

    304 A .3 Additions, alterations, repairs and seismic retrofit to existing buildings or structures.

    304 A .3.1 Structures designed in accordance with pre-1973 building code. Provisions of this section shall apply to hospital build- ings which were originally designed to pre-1973 building codes and not designated as SPC 3 or higher in accordance with Chapter 6 of the California Administrative Code.

    304A.3.1.1 Incidental and minor structural alteration, additions, or repairs. Incidental and minor structural additions shall be permitted, provided the additions meet the California Building Code for new construction using importance factor, I e , equal to or greater than 1.0. Alterations or repair to existing gravity and lateral force-resisting systems shall be made to conform to the requirements of Section 503A or Chapter 4A, respectively, using importance factor, I e , equal to or greater than 1.0. 1. Nonstructural components. Component importance factor, I p , shall be permitted to be 1.0.

    Exception: Components required for life-safety purposes after an earthquake, including emergency and standby power systems, mechanical smoke removal systems, fire protection sprinkler systems, fire alarm control panels and egress stairways shall have a component importance factor (I p ) of 1.5.

    304A.3.1.2 Major structural alteration, additions or repairs. Major structural alterations, additions or repairs shall be in accor- dance with Section 304A.3.4.1 or 304A.3.4.3 as applicable.

    304A.3.2 Seismic evaluation and retrofit of general acute care hospitals for compliance with the California Administrative Code, Chapter 6. Notwithstanding any other requirements of this code, existing general acute care hospitals shall comply with the seismic evaluation requirements specified in Chapter 6, of the California Administrative Code, when applicable. Seismic retrofit to comply with requirements specified in Chapter 6 of the California Administrative Code shall be permitted to be in accordance with these provisions. When load combinations which do not include seismic forces are required, the new building provisions of this code shall be applicable.

  • CFC § 301.3.2 Medium relevance — show source text

    301.3.2 Work area compliance method. A lterations, additions and changes of occupancy complying with the applicable requirements of Chapters 6 through 12 of this code shall be considered in compliance with the provisions of this code.

    301.3.3 Performance compliance method. Alterations, additions and changes of occupancy complying with Chapter 13 of this code shall be considered in compliance with the provisions of this code.

    Note: [HCD 1 & HCD 2] The provisions contained in Chapter 13 are not adopted by HCD, but may be available for adoption by a local ordinance. (See Section 1.1.11.)

    301.4 Relocated or moved buildings. Relocated or moved buildings shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 14.

    SECTION 302—GENERAL PROVISIONS

    302.1 Dangerous conditions. The code official shall have the authority to require the elimination of conditions deemed dangerous.

    302.1.1 Dangerous conditions. [BSC] Regardless of the extent of structural or nonstructural damage, the code official shall have the authority to require the elimination of conditions deemed dangerous.

    302.2 Additional codes. Alterations, repairs, additions and changes of occupancy to, or relocation of, existing buildings and structures shall comply with the provisions for alterations, repairs, additions and changes of occupancy or relocation, respectively, in this code and the California Energy Code, California Fire Code, California Mechanical Code, California Plumbing Code, California Residential Code and California Electrical Code . Where provisions of the other codes conflict with provisions of this code, the provisions of this code shall take precedence.

    302.2.1 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.

    302.3 Existing materials. Materials 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.

    302.4 New and replacement materials. Except as otherwise required or permitted by this code, materials permitted by the applicable code for new construction shall be used. Like materials shall be permitted for repairs and alterations, provided that unsafe conditions are not created. 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. [HCD 1] Local ordinances or regulations shall permit the replacement, retention and extension of original materials, and the use of original methods of construction, for any building or accessory structure, provided such building or structure complied with the building code provisions in effect at the time of original construction and the building or accessory structure does not become or continue to be a substandard building. For additional information, see Health and Safety Code Sections 17912, 17920.3, 17922(d), 17922.3, 17958.8 and 17958.9.

    Exception: No replacement residential garage door shall be installed to connect the replacement door to an existing residential automatic garage door opener that does not have a battery backup function designed to keep the garage door operational without interruption during an electrical outage. See Health and Safety Code Section 19892.

Frequently asked questions

What part of the CFC governs retroactive sprinkler requirements for older high‑rise buildings?

Retroactive sprinkler adoption for high‑rises is provided as Appendix M of the CFC; jurisdictions may adopt Appendix M (in whole or in part) to require automatic sprinklers in existing high‑rise buildings.

How do CFC retrofit rules interact with the California Existing Building Code?

The CFC’s Chapter 11 defines retrofit expectations for fire and life safety, and those requirements are applied together with the CEBC compliance methods and chapters (for example, CEBC § 301 for method selection and § 317 for seismic retrofit triggers). Practically, fire upgrades required by Chapter 11 are coordinated with the CEBC path selected for the alteration or addition.

Who decides which retrofit path applies?

The enforcing agency (local fire or building official) determines applicability and which compliance method is required or acceptable, consistent with Chapter 11 of the CFC and the CEBC compliance routes. When in doubt, consult the authority having jurisdiction early in project planning.

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