Level 1 alterations as described in Section 503 shall comply with the requirements of this chapter. Level 1 alterations to historic buildings shall comply with this chapter, except as modified in Chapter 12.
An existing building or portion thereof shall not be altered such that the building becomes less safe than its existing condition.
Exception: Where the current level of safety or sanitation is proposed to be reduced, the portion altered shall conform to the requirements of the International Building Code.
In flood hazard areas, alterations that constitute substantial improvement shall require that the building comply with Section 1612 of the International Building Code.
All newly installed interior wall and ceiling finishes shall comply with Chapter 8 of the International Building Code.
New interior floor finish, including new carpeting used as an interior floor finish material, shall comply with Section 804 of the International Building Code.
All newly installed interior trim materials shall comply with Section 806 of the International Building Code.
All new work shall comply with the materials and methods requirements in the International Building Code, International Energy Conservation Code, International Mechanical Code, and International Plumbing Code, as applicable, that specify material standards, detail of installation and connection, joints, penetrations, and continuity of any element, component, or system in the building.
The following sections of the International Fuel Gas Code shall constitute the fuel gas materials and methods requirements for Level 1 alterations.
- All of Chapter 3 , entitled "General Regulations," except Sections 303.7 and 306.
- All of Chapter 4 , entitled "Gas Piping Installations," except Sections 401.8 and 402.3.
- Sections 401.8 and 402.3 shall apply when the work being performed increases the load on the system such that the existing pipe does not meet the size required by code. Existing systems that are modified shall not require resizing as long as the load on the system is not increased and the system length is not increased even if the altered system does not meet code minimums.
- All of Chapter 5 , entitled "Chimneys and Vents."
- All of Chapter 6 , entitled "Specific Appliances."
Alterations shall be done in a manner that maintains the level of fire protection provided.
Alterations shall be done in a manner that maintains the level of protection provided for the means of egress.
A facility that is altered shall comply with the applicable provisions in Sections 705.1.1 through 705.1.14, and Chapter 11 of the International Building Code unless it is technically infeasible. Where compliance with this section is technically infeasible, the alteration shall provide access to the maximum extent that is technically feasible.
A facility that is constructed or altered to be accessible shall be maintained accessible during occupancy.
Exceptions:
- The altered element or space is not required to be on an accessible route unless required by Section 705.2.
- Accessible means of egress required by Chapter 10 of the International Building Code are not required to be provided in existing facilities.
- Type B dwelling or sleeping units required by Section 1107 of the International Building Code are not required to be provided in existing facilities undergoing less than a Level 3 alteration.
- The alteration to Type A individually owned dwelling units within a Group R-2 occupancy shall meet the provisions for Type B dwelling units.
Where an alteration includes alterations to an entrance, and the facility has an accessible entrance on an accessible route, the altered entrance is not required to be accessible unless required by Section 705.2. Signs complying with Section 1110 of the International Building Code shall be provided.
Altered elements of existing elevators shall comply with ASME A17.1/CSA B44 and ICC A117.1. Such elements shall also be altered in elevators programmed to respond to the same hall call control as the altered elevator.
Platform (wheelchair) lifts complying with ICC A117.1 and installed in accordance with ASME A18.1 shall be permitted as a component of an accessible route.
Where steeper slopes than allowed by Section 1010.3 of the International Building Code are necessitated by space limitations, the slope of ramps in or providing access to existing facilities shall comply with Table 705.1.4.
| SLOPE | MAXIMUM RISE |
| Steeper than 1:10 but not steeper than 1:8 | 3 inches |
| Steeper than 1:12 but not steeper than 1:10 | 6 inches |
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
An accessible route to raised or sunken dining areas or to outdoor seating areas is not required provided that the same services and decor are provided in an accessible space usable by any occupant and not restricted to use by people with a disability.
Where it is technically infeasible to alter performance areas to be on an accessible route, at least one of each type of performance area shall be made accessible.
In alterations, accessible wheelchair spaces are not required to be located within the defined area of raised jury boxes or witness stands and shall be permitted to be located outside these spaces where ramp or lift access poses a hazard by restricting or projecting into a required means of egress.
Where Group I-1, I-2, I-3, R-1, R-2 or R-4 dwelling or sleeping units are being altered, the requirements of Section 1107 of the International Building Code for accessible units and Chapter 9 of the International Building Code for visible alarms apply only to the quantity of the spaces being altered.
Where more than 20 Group R-2 dwelling or sleeping units are being altered, the requirements of Section 1107 of the International Building Code for Type A units and Chapter 9 of the International Building Code for visible alarms apply only to the quantity of the spaces being altered.
Where it is technically infeasible to alter existing toilet and bathing rooms to be accessible, an accessible family or assisted-use toilet or bathing room constructed in accordance with Section 1109.2.1 of the International Building Code is permitted. The family or assisted-use toilet or bathing room shall be located on the same floor and in the same area as the existing toilet or bathing rooms.
Where it is technically infeasible to provide accessible dressing, fitting, or locker rooms at the same location as similar types of rooms, one accessible room on the same level shall be provided. Where separate sex facilities are provided, accessible rooms for each sex shall be provided. Separate sex facilities are not required where only unisex rooms are provided.
Operable parts of replacement fuel dispensers shall be permitted to be 54 inches (1370 mm) maximum measured from the surface of the vehicular way where fuel dispensers are installed on existing curbs.
The maximum height of thresholds at doorways shall be 3/4 inch (19.1 mm). Such thresholds shall have beveled edges on each side.
An alteration of an existing element, space, or area of a facility shall not impose a requirement for greater accessibility than that which would be required for new construction. Alterations shall not reduce or have the effect of reducing accessibility of a facility or portion of a facility.
Where an alteration affects the accessibility to a, or contains an area of, primary function, the route to the primary function area shall be accessible. The accessible route to the primary function area shall include toilet facilities or drinking fountains serving the area of primary function.
Exceptions:
- The costs of providing the accessible route are not required to exceed 20 percent of the costs of the alterations affecting the area of primary function.
- This provision does not apply to alterations limited solely to windows, hardware, operating controls, electrical outlets and signs.
- This provision does not apply to alterations limited solely to mechanical systems, electrical systems, installation or alteration of fire protection systems and abatement of hazardous materials.
- This provision does not apply to alterations undertaken for the primary purpose of increasing the accessibility of a facility.
- This provision does not apply to altered areas limited to Type B dwelling and sleeping units.
Where alteration work includes replacement of equipment that is supported by the building or where a reroofing permit is required, the provisions of this section shall apply.
Where addition or replacement of roofing or replacement of equipment results in additional dead loads, structural components supporting such reroofing or equipment shall comply with the gravity load requirements of the International Building Code.
Exceptions:
- Structural elements where the additional dead load from the roofing or equipment does not increase the force in the element by more than 5 percent.
- Buildings constructed in accordance with the International Residential Code or the conventional lightframe construction methods of the International Building Code and where the dead load from the roofing or equipment is not increased by more than 5 percent.
- Addition of a second layer of roof covering weighing 3 pounds per square foot (0.1437 kN/m2) or less over an existing, single layer of roof covering.
The requirements of this section shall apply to alteration work requiring reroof permits.
Where a permit is issued for reroofing for more than 25 percent of the roof area of a building assigned to Seismic Design Category D, E or F that has parapets constructed of unreinforced masonry, the work shall include installation of parapet bracing to resist the reduced International Building Code level seismic forces as specified in Section 301.1.4.2 of this code, unless an evaluation demonstrates compliance of such items.
Where roofing materials are removed from more than 50 percent of the roof diaphragm or section of a building located where the basic wind speed is greater than 90 mph or in a special wind region, as defined in Section 1609 of the International Building Code, roof diaphragms, connections of the roof diaphragm to roof framing members, and roof-to-wall connections shall be evaluated for the wind loads specified in the International Building Code, including wind uplift. If the diaphragms and connections in their current condition are not capable of resisting at least 75 percent of those wind loads, they shall be replaced or strengthened in accordance with the loads specified in the International Building Code.
Level 1 alterations to existing buildings or structures are permitted without requiring the entire building or structure to comply with the energy requirements of the International Energy Conservation Code or International Residential Code. The alterations shall conform to the energy requirements of the International Energy Conservation Code or International Residential Code as they relate to new construction only.