It is the intent of this chapter to provide means for the preservation of historic buildings. Historical buildings shall comply with the provisions of this chapter relating to their repair, alteration, relocation and change of occupancy.
A historic building undergoing alteration, or change of occupancy shall be investigated and evaluated. If it is intended that the building meet the requirements of this chapter, a written report shall be prepared and filed with the code enforcement official by a registered design professional when such a report is necessary in the opinion of the code enforcement official. Such report shall identify:
- Each required safety feature that is in compliance with the provisions of this chapter
- Where compliance with provisions of other chapters would damage the contributing historic character or contributing historic features.
For purposes of compliance with Section 103.3, NFPA 914 and NFPA 101A may be used.
Historic buildings used for purposes such as museums, libraries, exhibits and similar uses less than 3,500 square feet (325.5 m2) per floor and under four stories in height, shall be regulated as a Group B occupancy. Adequate means of egress shall be provided and shall, as applicable, include:
- a means of maintaining doors in an open position to permit egress,
- a limit on building occupancy to an occupant load permitted by the means of egress capacity,
- a limit on occupancy of certain areas or floors, or
- supervision by a person knowledgeable in the emergency exiting procedures.
In flood hazard areas, if all proposed work, including repairs, work required because of a change of occupancy, and alterations, constitutes substantial improvement, then the existing building shall comply with Section 1612 of the Building Code of New York State.
Exception: If a historic building will continue to be a historic building after the proposed work is completed, then the proposed work is not considered a substantial improvement.
Exception: If a historic building will continue to be a historic building after the proposed work is completed, then the proposed work is not considered a substantial improvement.
Repairs to any portion of a historic building or structure shall be permitted with original or like materials and original methods of construction, subject to the provisions of this chapter.
When a historic building is determined to be dangerous, no work shall be required except as necessary to correct identified unsafe conditions.
Foundations of relocated historic buildings and structures shall comply with the Building Code of New York State. Relocated historic buildings shall otherwise be considered a historic building for the purposes of this code. Relocated historic buildings and structures shall be sited so that exterior wall and opening requirements comply with the Building Code of New York State or with the compliance alternatives of this code.
Historic buildings undergoing repairs shall comply with all of the applicable requirements of Chapter 5, except as specifically permitted in this chapter.
Replacement of existing or missing features using original materials shall be permitted. Partial replacement for repairs that match the original in configuration, height, and size shall be permitted. Such replacements shall not be required to meet the materials and methods requirements of Section 501.2.
Exception: Replacement glazing in hazardous locations shall comply with the safety glazing requirements of the Building Code of New York State, except for historic glazing identified in Section 1101.2 which is permitted to remain, or may be installed to match historic conditions.
Exception: Replacement glazing in hazardous locations shall comply with the safety glazing requirements of the Building Code of New York State, except for historic glazing identified in Section 1101.2 which is permitted to remain, or may be installed to match historic conditions.
Historic buildings undergoing alterations, changes of occupancy, or that are moved shall comply with Section 1103.
Every historic building that does not conform to the construction requirements specified in this code for the occupancy or use and that does not safeguard occupancy or use from the hazard of fire and explosion shall be provided with an approved automatic fire-extinguishing system as determined appropriate by the code enforcement official. However, an automatic fire-extinguishing system shall not be used to substitute for, or act as an alternative to, the required number of exits from any facility.
Existing door openings and corridor and stairway widths less than those specified elsewhere in this code may be approved, provided that there is sufficient width and height for a person to pass through the opening or traverse the means of egress. When approved by the code enforcement official, the front or main exit doors need not swing in the direction of the path of exit travel, provided that other approved means of egress having sufficient capacity to serve the total occupant load are provided.
In fully sprinklered buildings of Group R-1, R-2, R-3, or B occupancy, existing transoms in corridors and other fire-resistance-rated walls may be maintained if fixed in the closed position. A sprinkler shall be installed on each side of the transom.
Exception: Transoms conforming to Section 1105.8 shall be accepted in unsprinklered buildings.
Exception: Transoms conforming to Section 1105.8 shall be accepted in unsprinklered buildings.
Historic wall and ceiling finishes identified in Section 1101.2 shall be accepted.
In buildings of less than four stories, exit enclosure construction shall limit the spread of smoke by the use of tight-fitting doors and solid elements. Such elements are not required to have a fire-resistance rating.
Exception: An enclosure for one existing stair in the building may be omitted where such stair:
Exception: An enclosure for one existing stair in the building may be omitted where such stair:
- is identified in Section 1101.2 and
- serves only one adjacent floor, and
- is limited to connecting two levels.
Where 1-hour fire-resistance-rated construction is required by these provisions, it need not be provided, where the existing wall and ceiling finish is wood or metal lath and plaster.
Historic glazing materials in interior walls required to have a 1-hour fire-resistance rating may be permitted when provided with approved smoke seals and when the area affected is provided with an automatic sprinkler system.
Grand stairways shall be permitted to remain without complying with the handrail and guard requirements. Existing handrails and guards at all stairs shall be permitted to remain, provided they are not structurally dangerous.
Existing guards shall comply with the requirements of Section 505.
The spacing between existing intermediate railings or openings in existing ornamental patterns shall be permitted to remain. Missing elements or members of a guard may be replaced to match historic features.
Where exit sign or egress path marking location would damage the historic character or contributing historic features identified in Section 1101.2, alternative exit signs are permitted with approval of the code enforcement official or the State Historic Preservation Officer. Alternative signs shall identify the exits and egress path.
Every historical building that does not conform to the construction requirements specified in the Building Code of New York State for the occupancy or use and that does not safeguard the occupancy from the hazard of fire and explosion shall be deemed to be in compliance if provided with an approved automatic fire-extinguishing system in accordance with Section 903 of the Building Code of New York State.
However, an automatic fire-extinguishing system shall not be used to substitute for, or act as an alternative to, the required number of exits or total capacity from any facility.
However, an automatic fire-extinguishing system shall not be used to substitute for, or act as an alternative to, the required number of exits or total capacity from any facility.
Existing paneled doors that are a contributing historic feature and are located in corridors required to have a one-hour rating may remain provided that:
- the doors are tight-fitting and
- the building is equipped with a quick response automatic sprinkler system and
- a quick response sprinkler head is located at each side of the door.
In buildings less than 3, 500 square feet/floor (325 m2) and less than four stories in height, an existing historic wall or floor/ceiling assembly identified in Section 1101.2 may remain, provided that all vertical and horizontal penetrations are protected and the entire building is equipped with an approved automatic fire alarm and smoke or heat detection system in accordance with Section 907 of the Building Code of New York State.
Exception: Group A-2 and H occupancies and areas where open flames are used or commercial cooking occurs as defined in the Fire Code of New York State.
Exception: Group A-2 and H occupancies and areas where open flames are used or commercial cooking occurs as defined in the Fire Code of New York State.
Carbon monoxide alarms and detectors shall comply with the Fire Code of New York State.
The provisions of Section 605 shall apply to buildings and facilities designated as historic structures that undergo alterations, unless technically infeasible. Where compliance with the requirements for accessible routes, entrances, or toilet facilities would threaten or destroy the historic significance of the building or facility, as determined by the code enforcement official or the State Historic Preservation Officer, the alternative requirements of Sections 1104.1.1 through 1104.1.4 for that element shall be permitted.
At least one main entrance shall be accessible.
An accessible route from an accessible entrance to public spaces on the level of the accessible entrance shall be provided.
At least one main entrance shall be accessible.
Exceptions:
- If a main entrance cannot be made accessible, an accessible nonpublic entrance that is unlocked while the building is occupied shall be provided; or
- If a main entrance cannot be made accessible, a locked accessible entrance with a notification system or remote monitoring shall be provided.
Where toilet rooms are provided, at least one accessible toilet room shall be provided for each sex, or a unisex toilet room complying with Section 1109.2.1 of the Building Codeof New York State shall be provided.
Historic buildings undergoing a change of occupancy shall comply with the applicable provisions of Chapter 9, except as specifically permitted in this chapter. When Chapter 9 requires compliance with specific requirements of Chapter 5, Chapter 6, or Chapter 7 and when those requirements are subject to the exceptions in Section 1102, the same exceptions shall apply to this section.
The allowable floor area for historic buildings undergoing a change of occupancy shall be permitted to exceed by 20 percent the allowable areas specified in the Building Code of New York State.
Historic structures undergoing a change of use to a higher hazard category in accordance with Section 912.6 may use Section 103.3 to comply with the fire-resistance and exterior opening protective requirements.
Required occupancy separations of 1 hour may be omitted when the building is provided with an approved automatic sprinkler system throughout.
Regardless of occupancy or use group, roof-covering materials not less than Class C shall be permitted where a fire-retardant roof covering is required.
Existing door openings and corridor and stairway widths less than those specified elsewhere in this code shall be approved, provided that, in the opinion of the code enforcement official, there is sufficient width and height for a person to pass through the opening or traverse the exit and that the capacity of the exit system is adequate for the occupant load, or where other operational controls to limit occupancy are approved.
When approved by the code enforcement official, existing front doors need not swing in the direction of exit travel, provided that other approved exits having sufficient capacity to serve the total occupant load are provided.
In corridor walls required by these provisions to be fire-resistance rated, existing transoms may be maintained if fixed in the closed position, and fixed wired glass set in a steel frame or other approved glazing shall be installed on one side of the transom.
Exception: Transoms conforming to Section 1103.4 shall be accepted.
Exception: Transoms conforming to Section 1103.4 shall be accepted.
Where finish materials are required to have a flame-spread classification of Class III or better, existing nonconforming materials shall be surfaced with an approved fire-retardant paint or finish.
Exception: Existing nonconforming materials need not be surfaced with an approved fire-retardant paint or finish where the building is equipped throughout with an automatic fire-suppression system installed in accordance with the Building Code of New York State and the nonconforming materials are identified as historic per Section 1101.2.
Exception: Existing nonconforming materials need not be surfaced with an approved fire-retardant paint or finish where the building is equipped throughout with an automatic fire-suppression system installed in accordance with the Building Code of New York State and the nonconforming materials are identified as historic per Section 1101.2.
Where 1-hour fire-resistance-rated construction is required by these provisions, it need not be provided, regardless of construction or occupancy, where the existing wall and ceiling finish is wood or metal lath and plaster.
Existing stairways shall comply with the requirements of these provisions. The code enforcement official shall grant alternatives for stairways and railings if alternative stairways are found to be acceptable or are judged to meet the intent of these provisions.
Exception: For buildings less than 3,500 square feet (325.5 m2) per floor and less than four stories in height, existing conditions are permitted to remain at all stairs and rails.
Exception: For buildings less than 3,500 square feet (325.5 m2) per floor and less than four stories in height, existing conditions are permitted to remain at all stairs and rails.
The code enforcement official may accept alternative exit sign locations where such signs would damage the historic character of the building or structure. Such signs shall identify the exits and exit path.
Existing historic stairways identified in Section 1101.2 in buildings changed to a Group B, R-1 or R-2 occupancy shall be accepted where it can be shown that the stairway can support a 75-pounds-per-square-foot (366 kg/m2) live load.
When compliance with the natural light requirements of this code will damage historic features or historic character, as determined by the code enforcement official or the State Historic Preservation Officer, the existing level of natural lighting shall be considered acceptable.
The provisions of Section 912.8 shall apply to buildings and facilities designated as historic structures that undergo a change of occupancy, unless technically infeasible. Where compliance with the requirements for accessible routes, ramps, entrances, or toilet facilities would threaten or destroy the historic significance of the building or facility, as determined by the code enforcement official or the State Historic Preservation Officer, the alternative requirements of Sections 1104.1.1 through 1104.1.4 for those elements shall be permitted.
Historic buildings shall comply with the applicable structural provisions for the work as classified in Chapter 4.
Exception: The code enforcement official may accept existing floors and approve operational controls that limit the live load on any such floor.
Exception: The code enforcement official may accept existing floors and approve operational controls that limit the live load on any such floor.
Where the code enforcement official determines that a component or a portion of a building or structure is dangerous as defined in this code and is in need of repair, strengthening, or replacement by provisions of this code, only that specific component or portion shall be required to be repaired, strengthened or replaced.
Where compliance with the provisions of this code would damage historic character or contributing historic features identified in Section 1101.2, alternative methods per Section 103.3 may be used.