Alternatives & equivalent facilitation

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

• CHBC § 8-604 High relevance — show source text

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  ACCESSIBILITY

  SECTION 8-604 — EQUIVALENT FACILITATION

  Use of other designs and technologies, or deviation from particular technical and scoping requirements, are permitted if the application of the alternative provisions contained in Section 8-603 would threaten or destroy the historical significance or characterdefining features of the historical building or property.

  1. Such alternatives shall be applied only on an item-by- item or a case-by-case basis.
  2. Access provided by experiences, services, functions, materials and resources through methods including, but not limited to, maps, plans, videos, virtual reality and related equipment, at accessible levels. The alternative design and/or technologies used will provide substantially equivalent or greater accessibility to, and usability of, the facility.
  3. The official charged with the enforcement of the standards shall document the reasons for the application of the design and/or technologies and their effect on the historical significance or character-defining features. Such documentation shall be in accordance with Section 8-602.2, Item 2, and shall include the opinion and comments of state or local accessibility officials, and the opinion and comments of representative local groups of people with disabilities. Such documentation shall be retained in the permanent file of the enforcing agency. Copies of the required documentation should be available at the facility upon request.

  Note: For commercial facilities and places of public accommodation (Title III entities).

  Equivalent facilitation for an element of a building or property when applied as a waiver of an ADA accessibility requirement will not be entitled to the Federal Department of Justice certification of this code as rebuttable evidence of compliance for that element.

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  8-7 STRUCTURAL REGULATIONS

  SECTION 8-701 — PURPOSE, INTENT AND SCOPE

  8-701.1 Purpose. The purpose of the CHBC is to provide alternative regulations to the regular code for the structural safety of buildings designated as qualified historical buildings or properties. The CHBC requires enforcing agencies to accept any reasonably equivalent alternatives to the regular code when dealing with qualified historical buildings or properties.

  8-701.2 Intent. The intent of this chapter is to encourage the preservation of qualified historical buildings or structures while providing standards for a minimum level of building performance with the objective of preventing partial or total structural collapse such that the overall risk of life-threatening injury as a result of structural collapse is low.

  8-701.3 Application. The alternative structural regulations provided by Section 8-705 are to be applied in conjunction with the regular code whenever a structural upgrade or reconstruction is undertaken for qualified historical buildings or properties.

  SECTION 8-702 — GENERAL

  8-702.1 The CHBC shall not be construed to allow the enforcing agency to approve or permit a lower level of safety of structural design and construction than that which is reasonably equivalent to the regular code provisions in occupancies which are critical to the safety and welfare of the public at large, including, but not limited to, public and private schools, hospitals, municipal police and fire stations and essential services facilities.

  8-702.2 Nothing in these regulations shall prevent voluntary and partial seismic upgrades when it is demonstrated that such upgrades will improve life safety and when a full upgrade would not otherwise be required.

• CHBC § 8-603.5 High relevance — show source text

  **Power-assisted door or doors may be considered an
  equivalent alternative to level landings, strikeside clearance and door-opening forces
  required by regular code.
  8-603.5 Toilet rooms. In lieu of separate-gender toilet facilities as required in the regular
  code, an accessible unisex toilet may be designated.
  **8-603.6 Exterior and interior ramps and lifts.**Alternatives listed in order of priority are:
  1.A lift or a ramp of greater than standard slope but no greater than 1:10, for horizontal
  distances not to exceed 5 feet (1525 mm). Signs shall be posted at upper and lower
  levels to indicate steepness of the slope.
  2.Access by ramps of 1:6 slope for horizontal distance not to exceed 13 inches (330 mm).
  Signs shall be posted at upper and lower levels to indicate steepness of the slope.|Applies|Applies|Applies| |SECTION 8-604 — EQUIVALENT FACILITATION
  Use of other designs and technologies, or deviation from particular technical and scoping
  requirements, are permitted if the application of the alternative provisions contained in
  Section 8-603 would threaten or destroy the historical significance or character-defining
  features of the qualified historical building or property.
  1.Such alternatives shall be applied only on an item-by-item or case-by-case basis.
  2.Access provided by experiences, services, functions, materials and resources through
  methods including, but not limited to, maps, plans, videos, virtual reality and related
  equipment, at accessible levels. The alternative design and/or technologies used will
  provide substantially equivalent or greater accessibility to, and usability of, the
  facility.
  3.The official charged with the enforcement of the standards shall document the reasons
  for the application of the design and/or technologies and their effect on the historical
  significance or character-defining features. Such documentation shall be in accordance
  with Section 8-602.2, Item 2, and shall include the opinion and comments of state or
  local accessibility officials, and the opinion and comments of representative local
  groups of people with disabilities. Such documentation shall be retained in the
  permanent file of the enforcing agency. Copies of the required documentation should
  be available at the facility upon request.
  ** Note:**For commercial facilities and places of public accommodation
  (Title III entities).
  Equivalent facilitation for an element of a building or property when applied as a waiver
  of an ADA accessibility requirement will not be entitled to the Federal Department of
  Justice certification of this code as rebuttable evidence of compliance for that element.|Applies|Waivers
  If a builder
  applies for a
  waiver of an ADA
  accessibility
  requirement for
  an element of a
  building, he or
  she will not be
  entitled to
  certification’s
  rebuttable
  evidence of
  compliance for
  that element. This
  limitation on the
  certification
  determination
  should be noted
  in any publication
  of Chapter 8-6 if
  certification is
  granted.|Applies| |**Notes:**The regular code for Chapter 8-6 is contained in Title 24, Part 2, Vol.1, Chapter 11B, which contain standards for new construction.
  Provisions of this chapter may be used in conjunction with all other provisions of the regular code and ADA regulations.

• CHBC § 8-7 High relevance — show source text

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  8-7 STRUCTURAL REGULATIONS

  SECTION 8-701 — PURPOSE, INTENT AND SCOPE

  8-701.1 Purpose. The purpose of the CHBC is to provide alternative regulations to the regular code for the structural safety of buildings designated as qualified historical buildings or properties. The CHBC requires enforcing agencies to accept any reasonably equivalent alternatives to the regular code when dealing with qualified historical buildings or properties.

  8-701.2 Intent. The intent of this chapter is to encourage the preservation of qualified historical buildings or structures while providing standards for a minimum level of building performance with the objective of preventing partial or total structural collapse such that the overall risk of life-threatening injury as a result of structural collapse is low.

  8-701.3 Application. The alternative structural regulations provided by Section 8-705 are to be applied in conjunction with the regular code whenever a structural upgrade or reconstruction is undertaken for qualified historical buildings or properties.

  SECTION 8-702 — GENERAL

  8-702.1 The CHBC shall not be construed to allow the enforcing agency to approve or permit a lower level of safety of structural design and construction than that which is reasonably equivalent to the regular code provisions in occupancies which are critical to the safety and welfare of the public at large, including, but not limited to, public and private schools, hospitals, municipal police and fire stations and essential services facilities.

  8-702.2 Nothing in these regulations shall prevent voluntary and partial seismic upgrades when it is demonstrated that such upgrades will improve life safety and when a full upgrade would not otherwise be required.

  SECTION 8-703 — STRUCTURAL SURVEY

  8-703.1 Scope. When a structure or portion of a structure is to be evaluated for structural capacity under the CHBC, it shall be surveyed for structural conditions by an architect or engineer knowledgeable in historical structures. The survey shall evaluate deterioration or signs of distress. The survey shall determine the details of the structural framing and the system for resistance of gravity and lateral loads. Details, reinforcement and anchorage of structural systems and veneers shall be determined and documented where these members are relied on for seismic lateral resistance.

  8-703.2 The results of the survey shall be utilized for evaluating the structural capacity and for designing modifications to the structural system to reach compliance with this code.

  8-703.3 Historical records. Past historical records of the structure or similar structures may be used in the evaluation, including the effects of subsequent alterations.

  SECTION 8-704 — NONHISTORICAL ADDITIONS AND NONHISTORICAL ALTERATIONS

  8-704.1 New nonhistorical additions and nonhistorical alterations which are structurally separated from an existing historical building or structure shall comply with regular code requirements.

  8-704.2 New nonhistorical additions which impose vertical or lateral loads on an existing structure shall not be permitted unless the affected part of the supporting structure is evaluated and strengthened, if necessary, to meet regular code requirements.

  Note: For use of archaic materials, see Chapter 8-8.

  SECTION 8-705 — STRUCTURAL REGULATIONS

• CHBC § 8-601.3 High relevance — show source text

  8-601.3 Scope. The CHBC shall apply to every qualified historical building or property that is required to provide access to persons with disabilities.

  1. Provisions of this chapter do not apply to new construction or reconstruction/replicas of historical buildings.
  2. Where provisions of this chapter apply to alteration of qualified historical buildings or properties, alteration is defined in California Building Code (CBC), Chapter 2.

  8-601.4 General application. The provisions in the CHBC apply to local, state and federal governments (Title II entities); alteration of commercial facilities and places of public accommodation (Title III entities); and barrier removal in commercial facilities and places of public accommodation (Title III entities). Except as noted in this chapter.

  SECTION 8-602 — BASIC PROVISIONS

  8-602.1 Regular code. The regular code for access for people with disabilities (Title 24, Part 2, Vol. 1, Chapter 11B) shall be applied to qualified historical buildings or properties unless strict compliance with the regular code will threaten or destroy the historical significance or character-defining features of the building or property.

  8-602.2 Alternative provisions. If the historical significance or character-defining features are threatened, alternative provisions for access may be applied pursuant to this chapter, provided the following conditions are met:

  1. These provisions shall be applied only on an item-by-item or a case-by-case basis.
  2. Documentation is provided, including meeting minutes or letters, stating the reasons for the application of the alternative provisions. Such documentation shall be retained in the permanent file of the enforcing agency.

  SECTION 8-603 — ALTERNATIVES

  8-603.1 Alternative minimum standards. The alternative minimum standards for alterations of qualified historical buildings or facilities are referenced in Section 202.5 of the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, as incorporated and set forth in federal regulation 28 CFR Pt. 36.

  8-603.2 Entry. These alternatives do not allow exceptions for the requirement of level landings in front of doors, except as provided in Section 8-603.4.

  1. Access to any entrance used by the general public and no further than 200 feet (60 960 mm) from the primary entrance.
  2. Access at any entrance not used by the general public but open and unlocked with directional signs at the primary entrance and as close as possible to, but no further than 200 feet (60 960 mm) from, the primary entrance.
  3. The accessible entrance shall have a notification system. Where security is a problem, remote monitoring may be used.

  8-603.3 Doors. Alternatives listed in order of priority are:

  1. Single-leaf door which provides a minimum 30 inches (762 mm) of clear opening.
  2. Single-leaf door which provides a minimum 29 [1] / 2 inches (749 mm) clear opening
  3. Double door, one leaf of which provides a minimum 29 [1] / 2 inches (749 mm) clear opening.
  4. Double doors operable with a power-assist device to provide a minimum 29 [1] / 2 inches (749 mm) clear opening when both doors are in the open position.

  8-603.4 Power-assisted doors. Power-assisted door or doors may be considered an equivalent alternative to level landings, strikeside clearance and door-opening forces required by the regular code.

  8-603.5 Toilet rooms. In lieu of separate-gender toilet facilities as required in the regular code, an accessible unisex toilet facility may be designated.

• CHBC § 8-603.2 High relevance — show source text

  36.
  **8-603.2 Entry.**These alternatives do not allow exceptions for the requirement of level land-
  ings in front of doors, except as provided in Section 8-603.4.
  1.Access to any entrance used by the general public and no further than 200 feet (60 960
  mm) from the primary entrance.
  2.Access at any entrance not used by general public but open and unlocked with
  directional signs at the primary entrance and as close as possible to, but no further than
  200 feet (60 960 mm) from, the primary entrance.
  3.The accessible entrance shall have a notification system. Where security is a problem,
  remote monitoring may be used.|Applies|Applies|Applies| |**8-603.3 Doors.**Alternatives listed in order of priority are:
  1.Single-leaf door which provides a minimum 30 inches (762 mm) of clear opening.
  2.Single-leaf door which provides a minimum 291/2 inches (749 mm) clear opening.
  3.Double door, one leaf of which provides a minimum 291/2 inches (749 mm) clear
  opening.
  4.Double doors operable with a power-assist device to provide a minimum 291/2 inches
  (749 mm) clear opening when both doors are in the open position.
  **Exception:**Alternatives in this section do not apply to alteration of commercial facilities
  and places of public accommodation (Title III entities).|Does not
  apply|Does not
  apply|Applies|

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  APPENDIX A

  TABLE 1—PROVISION APPLICABILITY—continued	Col2	Col3	Col4
  	Title II Public Entities	Title III Private Entities	Title III Barrier Removal
  **8-603.4 Power-assisted doors.**Power-assisted door or doors may be considered an equivalent alternative to level landings, strikeside clearance and door-opening forces required by regular code. 8-603.5 Toilet rooms. In lieu of separate-gender toilet facilities as required in the regular code, an accessible unisex toilet may be designated. **8-603.6 Exterior and interior ramps and lifts.**Alternatives listed in order of priority are: 1.A lift or a ramp of greater than standard slope but no greater than 1:10, for horizontal distances not to exceed 5 feet (1525 mm). Signs shall be posted at upper and lower levels to indicate steepness of the slope. 2.Access by ramps of 1:6 slope for horizontal distance not to exceed 13 inches (330 mm). Signs shall be posted at upper and lower levels to indicate steepness of the slope.	Applies	Applies	Applies
  SECTION 8-604 — EQUIVALENT FACILITATION Use of other designs and technologies, or deviation from particular technical and scoping requirements, are permitted if the application of the alternative provisions contained in Section 8-603 would threaten or destroy the historical significance or character-defining features of the qualified historical building or property. 1.Such alternatives shall be applied only on an item-by-item or case-by-case basis. 2.Access provided by experiences, services, functions,

• CHBC § 8-6 High relevance — show source text

  CHAPTER 8-6 ACCESSIBILITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

  Section

  8-601 Purpose, Intent and Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

  8-602 Basic Provisions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

  8-603 Alternatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

  8-604 Equivalent Facilitation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

  CHAPTER 8-7 STRUCTURAL REGULATIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

  Section

  8-701 Purpose, Intent and Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 8-702 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

  8-703 Structural Survey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 8-704 Nonhistorical Additions and

  Nonhistorical Alterations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

  8-705 Structural Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 8-706 Lateral Load Regulations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

  CHAPTER 8-8 ARCHAIC MATERIALS AND METHODS OF

  CONSTRUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

  Section

  8-801 Purpose, Intent and Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 8-802 General Engineering Approaches. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 8-803 Nonstructural Archaic Materials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

  8-804 Allowable Conditions for Specific Materials . . . . . . . 15 8-805 Masonry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 8-806 Adobe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

  8-807 Wood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

  8-808 Concrete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

• CHBC § 8-603.2 High relevance — show source text

  8-603.2 Entry. These alternatives do not allow exceptions for the requirement of level landings in front of doors, except as provided in Section 8-603.4.

  1. Access to any entrance used by the general public and no further than 200 feet (60 960 mm) from the primary entrance.
  2. Access at any entrance not used by the general public but open and unlocked with directional signs at the primary entrance and as close as possible to, but no further than 200 feet (60 960 mm) from, the primary entrance.
  3. The accessible entrance shall have a notification system. Where security is a problem, remote monitoring may be used.

  8-603.3 Doors. Alternatives listed in order of priority are:

  1. Single-leaf door which provides a minimum 30 inches (762 mm) of clear opening.
  2. Single-leaf door which provides a minimum 29 [1] / 2 inches (749 mm) clear opening
  3. Double door, one leaf of which provides a minimum 29 [1] / 2 inches (749 mm) clear opening.
  4. Double doors operable with a power-assist device to provide a minimum 29 [1] / 2 inches (749 mm) clear opening when both doors are in the open position.

  8-603.4 Power-assisted doors. Power-assisted door or doors may be considered an equivalent alternative to level landings, strikeside clearance and door-opening forces required by the regular code.

  8-603.5 Toilet rooms. In lieu of separate-gender toilet facilities as required in the regular code, an accessible unisex toilet facility may be designated.

  8-603.6 Exterior and interior ramps and lifts. Alternatives listed in order of priority are:

  1. A lift or a ramp of greater than standard slope but no greater than 1:10, for horizontal distances not to exceed 5 feet (1525 mm). Signs shall be posted at upper and lower levels to indicate steepness of the slope.
  2. Access by ramps of 1:6 slope for horizontal distance not to exceed 13 inches (330 mm). Signs shall be posted at upper and lower levels to indicate steepness of the slope.

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  ACCESSIBILITY

  SECTION 8-604 — EQUIVALENT FACILITATION

  Use of other designs and technologies, or deviation from particular technical and scoping requirements, are permitted if the application of the alternative provisions contained in Section 8-603 would threaten or destroy the historical significance or characterdefining features of the historical building or property.

  1. Such alternatives shall be applied only on an item-by- item or a case-by-case basis.
  2. Access provided by experiences, services, functions, materials and resources through methods including, but not limited to, maps, plans, videos, virtual reality and related equipment, at accessible levels. The alternative design and/or technologies used will provide substantially equivalent or greater accessibility to, and usability of, the facility.
  3. The official charged with the enforcement of the standards shall document the reasons for the application of the design and/or technologies and their effect on the historical significance or character-defining features. Such documentation shall be in accordance with Section 8-602.2, Item 2, and shall include the opinion and comments of state or local accessibility officials, and the opinion and comments of representative local groups of people with disabilities. Such documentation shall be retained in the permanent file of the enforcing agency.
• CHBC § 8-302.6 Medium relevance — show source text

  8-302.6 Fire-resistive construction. See Chapter 8-4.

  8-302.7 Light and ventilation. Existing provisions for light and ventilation which do not, in the opinion of the enforcing agency, constitute a safety hazard may remain. See Section 8-303.6 for residential requirements. See Section 8-503 for Escape or Rescue Windows and Doors.

  SECTION 8-303 — RESIDENTIAL OCCUPANCIES

  8-303.1 Purpose. The purpose of this section is to provide regulations for those buildings designated as qualified historical buildings or properties and classified as residential occupancies. The CHBC requires enforcing agencies to accept any reasonably equivalent alternative to the regular code when dealing with qualified historical buildings and properties.

  8-303.2 Intent. The intent of the CHBC is to preserve the integrity of qualified historical buildings and properties while maintaining a reasonable degree of protection of life, health and safety for the occupants.

  8-303.3 Application and scope. The provisions of this section shall apply to all qualified historical buildings used for human habitation. Those dwelling units intended only for display, or public use with no residential use involved, need not comply with the requirements of this section.

  8-303.4 Fire escapes. See Chapter 8-5.

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  USE AND OCCUPANCY

  8-303.5 Room dimensions. Rooms used for sleeping purposes may contain a minimum of 50 square feet (4.6 m [2] ) floor area, provided there is maintained an average ceiling height of 7 feet (2134 mm). Other habitable rooms need only be of adequate size to be functional for the purpose intended.

  8-303.6 Light and ventilation. Windows in habitable rooms shall have an area of 6 percent of the floor area, or 6 square feet (0.56 m [2] ), whichever is greater. Windows in sleeping rooms shall be openable (see Section 8-503). Residential occupancies need not be provided with electrical lighting.

  8-303.7 Alteration and repair. The alteration and repair of qualified historical buildings or properties may permit the replacement, retention and extension of original materials and the continued use of original methods of construction, provided a life safety hazard is not created or continued. Alterations and repairs shall be consistent with the CHBC.

  The amount of alterations and repairs is not limited, provided there is no nonhistorical increase in floor area, volume or size of the building or property.

  8-303.8 Exiting. See Chapter 8-5.

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  8-4 FIRE PROTECTION

  SECTION 8-401 — PURPOSE, INTENT AND SCOPE

  8-401.1 Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to provide regulations for fire protection of qualified historical buildings or properties. The CHBC requires enforcing agencies to accept any reasonably equivalent alternatives to the regular code when dealing with qualified historical buildings or properties.

  8-401.2 Intent. The intent of the CHBC is to preserve the integrity of qualified historical buildings or properties while maintaining a reasonable degree of fire protection based primarily on the life safety of the occupants and firefighting personnel.

• CHBC § 4-207 Medium relevance — show source text

  communications and operations centers, and other facilities required for emer-_ gency response of state-owned essential services buildings, as defined in the California Administrative Code (Title 24, Part 1, CCR) Section 4-207, and all structures required for their continuous operation or access/egress. (3) FIXED EQUIPMENT [DSA-SS, DSA-SS/CC, OSHPD 1, 2, 4 & 5] means equipment that is directly attached to the building or directly connected to a service distribution system/utility and that typically remains in one fixed location during its service life

  or use.

  (4) INTERIM EQUIPMENT [OSHPD 1, 2, 4 & 5] means equipment that will be in use for the duration of the need for the equipment, not to exceed the duration of the construction project that it is related to. (5) MOBILE EQUIPMENT [DSA-SS, DSA-SS/CC, OSHPD 1, 2, 4 & 5] means equipment, with or without wheels or rollers, that is typi- cally used in a different location than where it is stored and moved from one location in the building to another during ordinary

  use.

  (6) MOVABLE EQUIPMENT [DSA-SS, DSA-SS/CC, OSHPD 1, 2, 4 & 5] means fixed equipment that is directly attached to the build- ing and/or directly connected to a service distribution system/utility, with or without wheels or rollers, that typically remains in one fixed location during its service life or use but is required to be periodically moved to facilitate cleaning or maintenance. (7) OTHER EQUIPMENT [DSA-SS, DSA-SS/CC, OSHPD 1, 2, 4 & 5] means equipment that is not directly connected to a building service distribution system, with or without wheels or rollers, and is typically used at a single location during its service life. (8) TEMPORARY EQUIPMENT [OSHPD 1, 2, 4 & 5] means fixed, movable, countertop or other equipment that is used during replacement, maintenance or repair for a time of service as defined in Section 108.

  EQUIPMENT AREA. An area used for pool recirculation and purification equipment and related piping appurtenances.

  [BG] EQUIPMENT PLATFORM. An unoccupied, elevated platform used exclusively for mechanical systems or industrial process equipment, including the associated elevated walkways, stairways, alternating tread devices and ladders necessary to access the platform (see Section 505.3).

  EQUIVALENT FACILITATION. The use of designs, products or technologies as alternatives to those prescribed, resulting in substantially equivalent or greater accessibility and usability.

  Note: In determining equivalent facilitation, consideration shall be given to means that provide for the maximum independence of persons with disabilities while presenting the least risk of harm, injury or other hazard to such persons or others.

  [BS] ESSENTIAL FACILITIES. Buildings and other structures that are intended to remain operational in the event of extreme environmental loading from flood, wind, snow or earthquakes.

• CHBC § 505.3 Medium relevance — show source text

  with or without wheels or rollers, that typically remains in_ one fixed location during its service life or use but is required to be periodically moved to facilitate cleaning or maintenance. (7) OTHER EQUIPMENT [DSA-SS, DSA-SS/CC, OSHPD 1, 2, 4 & 5] means equipment that is not directly connected to a building service distribution system, with or without wheels or rollers, and is typically used at a single location during its service life. (8) TEMPORARY EQUIPMENT [OSHPD 1, 2, 4 & 5] means fixed, movable, countertop or other equipment that is used during replacement, maintenance or repair for a time of service as defined in Section 108.

  EQUIPMENT AREA. An area used for pool recirculation and purification equipment and related piping appurtenances.

  [BG] EQUIPMENT PLATFORM. An unoccupied, elevated platform used exclusively for mechanical systems or industrial process equipment, including the associated elevated walkways, stairways, alternating tread devices and ladders necessary to access the platform (see Section 505.3).

  EQUIVALENT FACILITATION. The use of designs, products or technologies as alternatives to those prescribed, resulting in substantially equivalent or greater accessibility and usability.

  Note: In determining equivalent facilitation, consideration shall be given to means that provide for the maximum independence of persons with disabilities while presenting the least risk of harm, injury or other hazard to such persons or others.

  [BS] ESSENTIAL FACILITIES. Buildings and other structures that are intended to remain operational in the event of extreme environmental loading from flood, wind, snow or earthquakes.

  [F] EXHAUSTED ENCLOSURE. An appliance or piece of equipment that consists of a top, a back and two sides providing a means of local exhaust for capturing gases, fumes, vapors and mists. Such enclosures include laboratory hoods, exhaust fume hoods and similar appliances and equipment used to locally retain and exhaust the gases, fumes, vapors and mists that could be released. Rooms or areas provided with general ventilation, in themselves, are not exhausted enclosures.

  [A] EXISTING BUILDING. A building erected prior to the date of adoption of the appropriate code, or one for which a legal building permit has been issued.

  EXISTING BUILDING OR FACILITY. [DSA-AC] A facility in existence on any given date, without regard to whether the facility may also be considered newly constructed or altered under this code.

  [A] EXISTING STRUCTURE. A structure erected prior to the date of adoption of the appropriate code, or one for which a legal building permit has been issued.

  [BE] EXIT. That portion of a means of egress system between the exit access and the exit discharge or public way. Exit components include exterior exit doors at the level of exit discharge, interior exit stairways and ramps, exit passageways, exterior exit stairways and ramps and horizontal exits.

  EXIT, HORIZONTAL. See “Horizontal exit.”

  [BE] EXIT ACCESS. That portion of a means of egress system that leads from any occupied portion of a building or structure to an exit.

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  DEFINITIONS

• CHBC § 11B-1 Medium relevance — show source text

  2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE 11B-1

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  11B-2 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE

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  11B ACCESSIBILITY TO PUBLIC BUILDINGS, PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS,

  COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS AND PUBLIC HOUSING

  DIVISION 1: APPLICATION AND ADMINISTRATION

  SECTION 11B -101—PURPOSE

  11B- 101.1 General. This chapter contains scoping and technical requirements for accessibility to sites, facilities, buildings and elements by individuals with disabilities. The requirements are to be applied during the design, construction, additions to, and alteration of sites, facilities, buildings and elements to the extent required by Chapter 1, Section 1.9.

  11B- 101.2 Reserved.

  11B- 102 Dimensions for adults and children. The technical requirements are based on adult dimensions and anthropometrics. In addition, this chapter includes technical requirements based on children’s dimensions and anthropometrics for drinking fountains, water closets, toilet compartments, lavatories and sinks, dining surfaces and work surfaces. 11B- 103 Equivalent facilitation. Nothing in these requirements prevents the use of designs, products or technologies as alternatives to those prescribed, provided they result in substantially equivalent or greater accessibility and usability.

  SECTION 11B- 104—CONVENTIONS

  11B- 104.1 Dimensions. Dimensions that are not stated as “maximum” or “minimum” are absolute.

  11B- 104.1.1 Construction and manufacturing tolerances. All dimensions are subject to conventional industry tolerances except where the requirement is stated as a range with specific minimum and maximum end points.

  11B- 104.2 Calculation of percentages. Where the required number of elements or facilities to be provided is determined by calculations of ratios or percentages and remainders or fractions result, the next greater whole number of such elements or facilities shall be provided. Where the determination of the required size or dimension of an element or facility involves ratios or percentages, rounding down for values less than one half shall be permitted.

  11B- 104.3 Figures. Unless specifically stated otherwise, figures are provided for informational purposes only.

  FIGURE 11B -104—GRAPHIC CONVENTION FOR FIGURES

  2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE 11B-3

  on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

  ACCESSIBILITY TO PUBLIC BUILDINGS, PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS, COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS AND PUBLIC HOUSING

  SECTION 11B- 105—REFERENCED STANDARDS

  11B- 105.1 General. See Chapter 35.

  SECTION 11B- 106—DEFINITIONS

  11B- 106.1 General. For the purpose of this chapter, the terms listed in Section 11B- 106.5 and defined in Chapter 2 have the indicated meaning.

• CHBC § 11B-3 Medium relevance — show source text

  DIVISION 1 – APPLICATION AND ADMINISTRATION . . . . . . .11B-3

  11B-101 Purpose. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11B-3

  11B-102 Dimensions for Adults and Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11B-3

  11B-103 Equivalent Facilitation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11B-3

  11B-104 Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11B-3

  11B-105 Referenced Standards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11B-4

  11B-106 Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11B-4

  11B-107 Special Conditions Appeals Action. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11B-7

  11B-108 Maintenance of Accessible Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11B-7

  DIVISION 2 – SCOPING REQUIREMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11B-8

  11B-201 Application. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11B-8

  11B-202 Existing Buildings and Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11B-8

  11B-203 General Exceptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11B-10

  11B-204 Protruding Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11B-11

  11B-205 Operable Parts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11B-11

  11B-206 Accessible Routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11B-12

  11B-207 Accessible Means of Egress. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11B-16

  11B-208 Parking Spaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11B-16