CHBC · California Historical Building Code
Scope & Fire‑resistive Construction
This page orients users to CHBC rules that allow performance‑based and preservation‑sensitive alternatives for fire‑resistive construction in qualified historical buildings.
Last reviewed: July 6, 2026
Overview
This area of the California Historical Building Code (CHBC) focuses on fire protection and fire-resistive construction for qualified historical buildings and properties — balancing preservation of historic fabric with life‑safety objectives. The CHBC frames the purpose, intent and applicability for fire protection in Chapter 8-4 (see §8-401) and directs enforcing agencies to accept reasonably equivalent alternatives to regular‑code requirements where appropriate.
Key provisions let owners and designers use performance‑based or building‑specific alternatives instead of wholesale reconstruction to modern fire‑resistive standards. For example, the code allows exterior wall/opening protection to be satisfied by an exposure‑protection automatic sprinkler system (§8-402.1), and it expressly states upgrading to one‑hour construction is not mandatory where sprinklers, an approved life‑safety evaluation, or other approved measures exist (§8-402.2). The CHBC also treats interior finishes, historic glazing and archaic assemblies (see §§8-403, 8-404 and §8-402.3) and ties into the occupancy provisions that affect separations and area/height limits in Chapter 8-3.
In this section
Code references
Grounded in the retrieved California Historical Building Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:
CHBC § 8-303.6 High relevance — show source text
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.
8-401.3 Scope. This chapter shall apply when required by the provisions of Section 8-102.
SECTION 8-402 — FIRE-RESISTIVE CONSTRUCTION
8-402.1 Exterior wall construction. The fire-resistance requirement for existing exterior walls and existing opening protection may be satisfied when an automatic sprinkler system designed for exposure protection is installed per the CHBC. The automatic sprinklers may be installed on the exterior with at least one sprinkler located over each opening required to be protected. Additional sprinklers shall also be distributed along combustible walls under the roof lines that do not meet the fire-resistive requirement due to relationship to property lines as required by regular code. Such sprinkler systems may be connected to the domestic water supply on the supply-main side of the building shut-off valve. A shut-off valve may be installed for the sprinkler system, provided it is locked in an open position.
8-402.2 One-hour construction. Upgrading an existing qualified historical building or property to one-hour fire-resistive construction and one-hour fire-resistive corridors shall not be required regardless of construction or occupancy when one of the following is provided:
- An automatic sprinkler system throughout. See Section 8-410 for automatic sprinkler systems.
- An approved life safety evaluation.
- Other alternative measures as approved by the enforcing agency.
8-402.3 Openings in fire-rated systems. Historical glazing materials and solid wood unrated doors in interior walls required to have one-hour fire rating may be approved when operable windows and doors are provided with appropriate smoke seals and when the area affected is provided with an automatic sprinkler system. See Section 8-410 for automatic sprinkler systems.
SECTION 8-403 — INTERIOR FINISH MATERIALS
CHBC § 8-302.3 Medium relevance — show source text
8-302.3 Occupancy separations. Required occupancy separations of more than one hour may be reduced to one-hour fire-resistive construction with all openings protected by not less than three-fourths-hour fire-resistive assemblies of the self-closing or automatic-closing type when the building is provided with an automatic sprinkler system throughout the entire building in accordance with Section 8-410.2. Doors equipped with automatic-closing devices shall be of a type which will function upon activation of a device which responds to products of combustion other than heat.
Required occupancy separations of one hour may be omitted when the building is provided with an automatic sprinkler system throughout.
8-302.4 Maximum floor area. Regardless of the use or character of occupancy, the area of a one-story qualified historical building or property may have, but shall not exceed, a floor area of 15,000 square feet (1393.5 m [2] ) unless such an increase is otherwise permitted in regular code. Multistory qualified historical buildings (including basements and cellars) shall be in accordance with regular code requirements.
Exception: Historical buildings may be unlimited in floor area without fire-resistive area separation walls:
- When provided with an automatic sprinkler, or
- Residential occupancies of two stories or less when provided with a complete fire alarm and annunciation system and where the exiting system conforms to regular code.
8-302.5 Maximum height. The maximum height and number of stories of a qualified historical building or property shall not be limited because of construction type, provided such height or number of stories does not exceed that of its historical design.
8-302.5.1 High-rise buildings. Occupancies B, F-1, F-2 or S in high-rise buildings with floors located more than 75 feet above the lowest floor level having building access may be permitted with only the stories over 75 feet provided with an automatic fire sprinkler system if:
- The building construction type and the exits conform to regular code, and
- A complete building fire alarm and annunciation system is installed, and
- A fire barrier is provided between the sprinklered and nonsprinklered floors.
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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CHBC § 8-301 Medium relevance — show source text
Section
8-301 Purpose and Scope. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 8-302 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
8-303 Residential Occupancies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
CHAPTER 8-4 FIRE PROTECTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Section
8-401 Purpose, Intent and Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
8-402 Fire-resistive Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
8-403 Interior Finish Materials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
8-404 Wood Lath and Plaster. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
8-405 Occupancy Separation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 8-406 Maximum Floor Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
8-407 Vertical Shafts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
8-408 Roof Covering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 8-409 Fire Alarm Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 8-410 Automatic Sprinkler Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 8-411 Other Technologies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 8-412 High-rise Buildings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
CHAPTER 8-5 MEANS OF EGRESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Section
8-501 Purpose, Intent and Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 8-502 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
8-503 Escape or Rescue Windows and Doors. . . . . . . . . . . . 10 8-504 Railings and Guardrails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
CHBC § 8-3 Medium relevance — show source text
TREATMENT. An act of work to carry out preservation, restoration, stabilization, rehabilitation or reconstruction.
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8-3 USE AND OCCUPANCY
SECTION 8-301 — PURPOSE AND SCOPE
8-301.1 Purpose. The purpose of the CHBC is to provide regulations for the determination of occupancy classifications and conditions of use for qualified historical buildings or properties.
8-301.2 Scope. Every qualified historical building or property for which a permit or approval has been requested shall be classified prior to permit issuance according to its use or the character of its occupancy in accordance with the regular code and applicable provisions of this chapter.
SECTION 8-302 — GENERAL
8-302.1 Existing use. The use or character of occupancy of a qualified historical building or property, or portion thereof, shall be permitted to continue in use regardless of any period of time in which it may have remained unoccupied or in other uses, provided such building or property otherwise conforms to all applicable requirements of the CHBC.
8-302.2 Change in occupancy. The use or character of the occupancy of a qualified historical building or property may be changed from or returned to its historical use or character, provided the qualified historical building or property conforms to the requirements applicable to the new use or character of occupancy as set forth in the CHBC. Such change in occupancy shall not mandate conformance with new construction requirements as set forth in regular code.
8-302.3 Occupancy separations. Required occupancy separations of more than one hour may be reduced to one-hour fire-resistive construction with all openings protected by not less than three-fourths-hour fire-resistive assemblies of the self-closing or automatic-closing type when the building is provided with an automatic sprinkler system throughout the entire building in accordance with Section 8-410.2. Doors equipped with automatic-closing devices shall be of a type which will function upon activation of a device which responds to products of combustion other than heat.
Required occupancy separations of one hour may be omitted when the building is provided with an automatic sprinkler system throughout.
8-302.4 Maximum floor area. Regardless of the use or character of occupancy, the area of a one-story qualified historical building or property may have, but shall not exceed, a floor area of 15,000 square feet (1393.5 m [2] ) unless such an increase is otherwise permitted in regular code. Multistory qualified historical buildings (including basements and cellars) shall be in accordance with regular code requirements.
Exception: Historical buildings may be unlimited in floor area without fire-resistive area separation walls:
- When provided with an automatic sprinkler, or
- Residential occupancies of two stories or less when provided with a complete fire alarm and annunciation system and where the exiting system conforms to regular code.
8-302.5 Maximum height. The maximum height and number of stories of a qualified historical building or property shall not be limited because of construction type, provided such height or number of stories does not exceed that of its historical design.
CHBC § 8-5 Medium relevance — show source text
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
8-5 MEANS OF EGRESS
SECTION 8-501 — PURPOSE, INTENT AND SCOPE
8-501.1 Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to establish minimum means of egress regulations for qualified historical buildings or properties. The CHBC requires enforcing agencies to accept reasonably equivalent alternatives to the means of egress requirements in the regular code.
8-501.2 Intent. The intent of these regulations is to provide an adequate means of egress.
8-501.3 Scope. Every qualified historical building or portion thereof shall be provided with exits as required by the CHBC when required by the provisions of Section 8-102.
SECTION 8-502 — GENERAL
8-502.1 General. The enforcing agency shall grant reasonable exceptions to the specific provisions of applicable egress regulations where such exceptions will not adversely affect life safety.
8-502.2. Existing door openings and corridor widths of less than dimensions required by regular code shall be permitted where there is sufficient width and height for the occupants to pass through the opening or traverse the exit.
8-502.3 Stairs. Existing stairs having risers and treads or width at variance with the regular code are allowed if determined by the enforcing agency to not constitute a distinct hazard. Handrails with nonconforming grip size or extensions are allowed if determined by the enforcing agency to not constitute a distinct hazard.
8-502.4 Main entry doors. The front or main entry doors need not be rehung to swing in the direction of exit travel, provided other means or conditions of exiting, as necessary to serve the total occupant load, are provided.
8-502.5 Existing fire escapes. Existing previously approved fire escapes and fire escape ladders shall be acceptable as one of the required means of egress, provided they extend to the ground and are easily negotiated, adequately signed and in good working order. Access shall be by an opening having a minimum width of 29 inches (737 mm) when open with a sill no more than 30 inches (762 mm) above the adjacent floor, landing or approved step.
8-502.6 New fire escapes and fire escape ladders. New fire escapes and fire escape ladders which comply with this section shall be acceptable as one of the required means of egress. New fire escapes and new fire escape ladders shall comply with the following:
- Access from a corridor shall not be through an intervening room.
- All openings within 10 feet (3048 mm) shall be protected by three-fourths-hour fire assemblies. When located within a recess or vestibule, adjacent enclosure walls shall be of not less than one-hour fire-resistive construction.
- Egress from the building shall be by a clear opening having a minimum dimension of not less than 29 inches (737 mm). Such openings shall be openable from the inside without the use of a key or special knowledge or effort. The sill of an opening giving access shall not be more than 30 inches (737 mm) above the floor, step or landing of the building or balcony.
- Fire escape stairways and balconies shall support the dead load plus a live load of not less than 100 pounds per square foot (4.79 kN/m [2] ) and shall be provided with a top and intermediate handrail on each side. The pitch of the stairway shall not exceed 72 degrees with a minimum width of 18 inches (457 mm).
CHBC § 8-1 Medium relevance — show source text
CONTENTS
CHAPTER 8-1 ADMINISTRATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Section
8-101 Title, Purpose and Intent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 8-102 Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 8-103 Organization and Enforcement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 8-104 Review and Appeals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 8-105 Construction Methods and Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
8-106 SHBSB Rulings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
CHAPTER 8-2 DEFINITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Section
8-201 Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
CHAPTER 8-3 USE AND OCCUPANCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Section
8-301 Purpose and Scope. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 8-302 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
8-303 Residential Occupancies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
CHAPTER 8-4 FIRE PROTECTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Section
8-401 Purpose, Intent and Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
8-402 Fire-resistive Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
8-403 Interior Finish Materials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
8-404 Wood Lath and Plaster. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
8-405 Occupancy Separation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 8-406 Maximum Floor Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
CHBC § 0-60 Medium relevance — show source text
The nose of all ridge, hip and rake tiles shall be set in a bead
of roofer’s mastic.|The head of all tiles shall be nailed. The nose of all eave tiles shall be fastened with approved clips.
Rake5 tiles shall be nailed with two nails. The nose of all ridge, hip and rake tiles shall be set in a bead
of roofer’s mastic.| |110|0-60|The fastening system shall resist the wind forces in Section 1609.6.3.1.|The fastening system shall resist the wind forces in Section 1609.6.3.1.|The fastening system shall resist the wind forces in Section 1609.6.3.1.| |120|0-60|The fastening system shall resist the wind forces in Section 1609.6.3.1.|The fastening system shall resist the wind forces in Section 1609.6.3.1.|The fastening system shall resist the wind forces in Section 1609.6.3.1.| |130|0-60|The fastening system shall resist the wind forces in Section 1609.6.3.1.|The fastening system shall resist the wind forces in Section 1609.6.3.1.|The fastening system shall resist the wind forces in Section 1609.6.3.1.| |All|> 60|The fastening system shall resist the wind forces in Section 1609.6.3.1.|The fastening system shall resist the wind forces in Section 1609.6.3.1.|The fastening system shall resist the wind forces in Section 1609.6.3.1.| |INTERLOCKING CLAY OR CONCRETE ROOF TILE WITH PROJECTING ANCHOR LUGS
(Installations on solid sheathing without battens)|INTERLOCKING CLAY OR CONCRETE ROOF TILE WITH PROJECTING ANCHOR LUGS
(Installations on solid sheathing without battens)|INTERLOCKING CLAY OR CONCRETE ROOF TILE WITH PROJECTING ANCHOR LUGS
(Installations on solid sheathing without battens)|INTERLOCKING CLAY OR CONCRETE ROOF TILE WITH PROJECTING ANCHOR LUGS
(Installations on solid sheathing without battens)|INTERLOCKING CLAY OR CONCRETE ROOF TILE WITH PROJECTING ANCHOR LUGS
(Installations on solid sheathing without battens)| |Maximum Allow-
able Stress Wind
Speed,****Vasd
f (mph)|Mean roof
height (feet)|All roof slopes|All roof slopes|All roof slopes| |85|0-60|One fastener per tile.|One fastener per tile.|One fastener per tile.| |100|0-40|One fastener per tile.|One fastener per tile.|One fastener per tile.| |100|> 40-60|The head of all tiles shall be nailed. The nose of all eave tiles shall be fastened with approved clips. Rake tiles
shall be nailed with two nails. The nose of all ridge, hip and rake tiles shall be set in a bead of roofer’s mastic.|The head of all tiles shall be nailed. The nose of all eave tiles shall be fastened with approved clips.CHBC § 1.11. Medium relevance — show source text
- The California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 19, Division 1 provisions that are found in the California Fire Code are a reprint from the current CCR, Title 19, Division 1 text for the code user’s convenience only. The scope, applicability and appeals procedures of CCR, Title 19, Division I remain the same. The state agency does not adopt sections identified by the following symbol: The Office of the State Fire Marshal’s adoption of this chapter or individual sections is applicable to structures regulated by other state agencies pursuant to Section 1.11.
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7-2 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE
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7 FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
User notes:
About this chapter: Chapter 7 provides requirements to maintain the fire-resistance ratings of building elements and to limit fire spread. Section 701 addresses the maintenance of and owner’s responsibility for construction elements such as fire barriers and smoke barriers. The rest of the chapter deals with various aspects that also must be maintained to achieve overall fire resistance of the main fire- and smoke-resistive features. These include penetrations, joint protection, door and window openings, and duct and air transfer opening protection.
SECTION 701—GENERAL
701.1 Scope. The provisions of this chapter shall govern the inspection and maintenance of the materials, systems and assemblies used for structural fire resistance, fire-resistance-rated construction separation of adjacent spaces and construction installed to resist the passage of smoke to safeguard against the spread of fire and smoke within a building and the spread of fire to or from buildings. New buildings shall comply with the California Building Code.
701.2 Fire-resistance-rated construction. The fire-resistance rating of the following fire-resistance-rated construction shall be maintained:
Structural members.
Exterior walls.
Fire walls, fire barriers, fire partitions.
Horizontal assemblies.
Shaft enclosures.
701.2.1 Hanging displays. The hanging and displaying of salable goods and other decorative materials from acoustical ceiling systems that are part of a fire-resistance-rated horizontal assembly shall be prohibited.
701.3 Smoke barriers. The fire-resistance rating and smoke-resistant characteristics of smoke barriers shall be maintained.
701.4 Smoke partitions. The smoke-resistant characteristics of smoke partitions shall be maintained.
701.5 Maintaining protection. Materials, systems and devices used to repair or protect breaches and openings in fire-resistance-rated construction and construction installed to resist the passage of smoke shall be maintained in accordance with Sections 703 through 707.
701.6 Owner’s responsibility. The owner shall maintain an inventory of all required fire-resistance-rated construction, construction installed to resist the passage of smoke and the construction included in Sections 703 through 707 and Sections 602.4.1 and 602.4.2 of the California Building Code . Such construction shall be visually inspected by the owner annually and properly repaired, restored or replaced where damaged, altered, breached or penetrated. Where concealed, such elements shall not be required to be visually inspected by the owner unless the concealed space is accessible by the removal or movement of a panel, access door, ceiling tile or similar movable entry to the space.
CHBC § 8-402 Medium relevance — show source text
SECTION 8-402 — FIRE-RESISTIVE CONSTRUCTION
8-402.1 Exterior wall construction. The fire-resistance requirement for existing exterior walls and existing opening protection may be satisfied when an automatic sprinkler system designed for exposure protection is installed per the CHBC. The automatic sprinklers may be installed on the exterior with at least one sprinkler located over each opening required to be protected. Additional sprinklers shall also be distributed along combustible walls under the roof lines that do not meet the fire-resistive requirement due to relationship to property lines as required by regular code. Such sprinkler systems may be connected to the domestic water supply on the supply-main side of the building shut-off valve. A shut-off valve may be installed for the sprinkler system, provided it is locked in an open position.
8-402.2 One-hour construction. Upgrading an existing qualified historical building or property to one-hour fire-resistive construction and one-hour fire-resistive corridors shall not be required regardless of construction or occupancy when one of the following is provided:
- An automatic sprinkler system throughout. See Section 8-410 for automatic sprinkler systems.
- An approved life safety evaluation.
- Other alternative measures as approved by the enforcing agency.
8-402.3 Openings in fire-rated systems. Historical glazing materials and solid wood unrated doors in interior walls required to have one-hour fire rating may be approved when operable windows and doors are provided with appropriate smoke seals and when the area affected is provided with an automatic sprinkler system. See Section 8-410 for automatic sprinkler systems.
SECTION 8-403 — INTERIOR FINISH MATERIALS
New non-historical interior wall and ceiling finishes shall conform to the provisions of the regular code. Existing non-conforming materials used in interior walls and finishes may be surfaced with an approved fire-retardant to increase the rating of the natural finish to within reasonable proximity of the required rating. For wood lath and plaster walls, see Section 8-404.
Exception: When an automatic sprinkler system is provided throughout the building, existing finishes shall be approved.
SECTION 8-404 — WOOD LATH AND PLASTER
Wood lath and plaster walls may be considered in accordance with codes, standards and listings published prior to 1943 whereby a wood stud wall assembly with gypsum or lime plaster on hand split or sawn wooden lath obtains a one-half-hour fire-resistive rating. This rating may be increased for interior walls to as much as one hour by filling the wall with mineral fiber or glass fiber.
SECTION 8-405 — OCCUPANCY SEPARATION
See Chapter 8-3.
SECTION 8-406 — MAXIMUM FLOOR AREA
See Chapter 8-3.
SECTION 8-407 — VERTICAL SHAFTS
Vertical shafts need not be enclosed when such shafts are blocked at every floor level by the installation of not less than 2 full inches (51 mm) of solid wood or equivalent construction to prevent the initial passage of smoke and flame. Automatic sprinkler systems or other solutions may be considered on a case-by-case basis, in lieu of enclosure of vertical shafts and stairwells.
SECTION 8-408 — ROOF COVERING
Existing or original roofing materials may be repaired or reconstructed subject to the following requirements:
- The original or historical roofing system shall be detailed or modified as necessary in order to be capable of providing shelter while preserving the historical materials and appearance of the roof.
CHBC § 722.3.2.4 Medium relevance — show source text
Exception: For exterior walls with a fire separation distance greater than 5 feet (1524 mm), the fire shall be assumed to occur on the interior side only.
722.3.2.4 Minimum concrete masonry fire-resistance rating. Where the finish applied to a concrete masonry wall contributes to its fire-resistance rating, the masonry alone shall provide not less than one-half the total required fire-resistance rating.
722.3.2.5 Attachment of finishes. Installation of finishes shall be as follows:
Gypsum wallboard and gypsum lath applied to concrete masonry or concrete walls shall be secured to wood or steel furring members spaced not more than 16 inches (406 mm) on center (o.c.).
Gypsum wallboard shall be installed with the long dimension parallel to the furring members and shall have all joints finished.
Other aspects of the installation of finishes shall comply with the applicable provisions of Chapters 7 and 25.
722.3.3 Multiwythe masonry walls. The fire-resistance rating of wall assemblies constructed of multiple wythes of masonry materials shall be permitted to be based on the fire-resistance rating period of each wythe and the continuous airspace between each wythe in accordance with the following formula: Equation 7-7 R A = ( R 10.59 + R 20.59 + ... + R n 0.59 + A 1 + A 2 + ... + A n ) 1.7
where:
R A = F ire-resistance rating of the assembly (hours).
R 1, R 2, ..., R n = Fire-resistance rating of wythes for 1, 2, n (hours), respectively. A 1, A 2, ..., A n = 0.30, factor for each continuous airspace for 1, 2, ... n, respectively, having a depth of [1] / 2 inch (12.7 mm) or more between wythes.
722.3.4 Concrete masonry lintels. Fire-resistance ratings for concrete masonry lintels shall be determined based on the nominal thickness of the lintel and the minimum thickness of concrete masonry or concrete, or any combination thereof, covering the main reinforcing bars, as determined in accordance with Table 722.3.4, or by approved alternate methods.
CHBC § 6.3.1. Medium relevance — show source text
6.3.1.|The fastening system shall resist the wind forces in Section 1609.6.3.1.| |130|0-60|The fastening system shall resist the wind forces in Section 1609.6.3.1.|The fastening system shall resist the wind forces in Section 1609.6.3.1.|The fastening system shall resist the wind forces in Section 1609.6.3.1.| |All|> 60|The fastening system shall resist the wind forces in Section 1609.6.3.1.|The fastening system shall resist the wind forces in Section 1609.6.3.1.|The fastening system shall resist the wind forces in Section 1609.6.3.1.| |INTERLOCKING CLAY OR CONCRETE ROOF TILE WITH PROJECTING ANCHOR LUGSd, e
(Installations on spaced/solid sheathing with battens or spaced sheathing)|INTERLOCKING CLAY OR CONCRETE ROOF TILE WITH PROJECTING ANCHOR LUGSd, e
(Installations on spaced/solid sheathing with battens or spaced sheathing)|INTERLOCKING CLAY OR CONCRETE ROOF TILE WITH PROJECTING ANCHOR LUGSd, e
(Installations on spaced/solid sheathing with battens or spaced sheathing)|INTERLOCKING CLAY OR CONCRETE ROOF TILE WITH PROJECTING ANCHOR LUGSd, e
(Installations on spaced/solid sheathing with battens or spaced sheathing)|INTERLOCKING CLAY OR CONCRETE ROOF TILE WITH PROJECTING ANCHOR LUGSd, e
(Installations on spaced/solid sheathing with battens or spaced sheathing)| |Maximum Allow-
able Stress Design
Wind Speed,****Vasd
f
(mph)|Mean roof
height (feet)|Roof slope < 5:12|Roof slope 5:12 < 12:12|Roof slope 12:12 and over| |85|0-60|Fasteners are not required.
Tiles with installed weight less
than 9 lbs./sq. ft. require not
fewer than one fastener per tile.|One fastener per tile every other
row. Perimeter tiles require one
fastener. Tiles with installed weight
less than 9 lbs./sq. ft. require not
fewer than one fastener per tile.|One fastener required for
every tile. Tiles with
installed weight less than 9
lbs./sq. ft. require not fewer
than one fastener per tile.| |100|0-40|0-40|0-40|0-40| |100|> 40-60|The head of all tiles shall be nailed. The nose of all eave tiles shall be fastened with approved clips.
Rake5 tiles shall be nailed with two nails. The nose of all ridge, hip and rake tiles shall be set in a bead
of roofer’s mastic.|The head of all tiles shall be nailed. The nose of all eave tiles shall be fastened with approved clips.
Rake5 tiles shall be nailed with two nails.CHBC § 1.0 Medium relevance — show source text
Parapet height is measured vertically from the top surface of the coping down to the surface of the roof covering in the field of the roof adjacent to the parapet and outbound
of any cant strip.
b. Interpolation shall be permitted for wind speed, mean roof height and parapet height. Extrapolation is not permitted.
c. Basic wind speed,V, and wind exposure shall be determined in accordance with Section 1609.
d. Where the minimum required parapet height is indicated to be 2 inches (51 mm), a gravel stop shall be permitted and shall extend not less than 2 inches (51 mm) from the roof
surface and not less than the height of the aggregate.
e. The tabulated values apply only to conditions where the topographic factor (Kzt) determined in accordance with Chapter 26 of ASCE 7 is 1.0 or where_Kzt_ is incorporated in the
basic wind speed in Section 1609.
f. For Exposure D, add 8 inches (203 mm) to the parapet height required for Exposure C and the parapet height shall not be less than 12 inches (305 mm).|For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 mile per hour = 0.447 m/s.
a. Parapet height is measured vertically from the top surface of the coping down to the surface of the roof covering in the field of the roof adjacent to the parapet and outbound
of any cant strip.
b. Interpolation shall be permitted for wind speed, mean roof height and parapet height. Extrapolation is not permitted.
c. Basic wind speed,V, and wind exposure shall be determined in accordance with Section 1609.
d. Where the minimum required parapet height is indicated to be 2 inches (51 mm), a gravel stop shall be permitted and shall extend not less than 2 inches (51 mm) from the roof
surface and not less than the height of the aggregate.
e. The tabulated values apply only to conditions where the topographic factor (Kzt) determined in accordance with Chapter 26 of ASCE 7 is 1.0 or where_Kzt_ is incorporated in the
basic wind speed in Section 1609.
f. For Exposure D, add 8 inches (203 mm) to the parapet height required for Exposure C and the parapet height shall not be less than 12 inches (305 mm).|For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 mile per hour = 0.447 m/s.
a. Parapet height is measured vertically from the top surface of the coping down to the surface of the roof covering in the field of the roof adjacent to the parapet and outbound
of any cant strip.
b. Interpolation shall be permitted for wind speed, mean roof height and parapet height. Extrapolation is not permitted.
c. Basic wind speed,V, and wind exposure shall be determined in accordance with Section 1609.
d. Where the minimum required parapet height is indicated to be 2 inches (51 mm), a gravel stop shall be permitted and shall extend not less than 2 inches (51 mm) from the roof
surface and not less than the height of the aggregate.
e.
Frequently asked questions
Does the CHBC force one‑hour fire‑resistive upgrades for historic buildings?
No — upgrading to one‑hour fire‑resistive construction is not automatically required. The CHBC allows alternatives when an automatic sprinkler system is installed throughout, when an approved life‑safety evaluation is provided, or when other measures are approved by the enforcing agency (§8-402.2).
Can original windows, glazing and doors remain in fire‑rated interior walls?
Yes. Historical glazing materials and solid wood unrated doors may be approved in interior walls that would otherwise require one‑hour ratings if operable windows/doors are fitted with appropriate smoke seals and the area is sprinklered (§8-402.3).
Do existing historic interior finishes need to meet new‑construction finish requirements?
New non‑historical finishes must meet regular code requirements, but existing nonconforming historic finishes may be treated with approved fire‑retardant treatments or accepted when the building is fully sprinklered (§8-403).
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