User note:
About this chapter: Chapter 3 explains the three compliance options for alterations and additions available in the code. In addition, this chapter also lays out the methods to be used for seismic design and evaluation throughout this code. Finally, this chapter clarifies that provisions in other I-Codes® related to repairs, alterations, additions, relocation and changes of occupancy must also be addressed unless they conflict with this code. In that case, this code takes precedence.
The repair, alteration, change of occupancy, addition or relocation of all existing buildings shall comply with Section 301.2, 301.3, or 301.4.
The alteration, addition or change of occupancy of all existing buildings shall comply with one of the methods listed in Section 301.3.1, 301.3.2 or 301.3.3 as selected by the applicant. Sections 301.3.1 through 301.3.3 shall not be applied in combination with each other.
Exception: Subject to the approval of the code official, alterations complying with the laws in existence at the time the building or the affected portion of the building was built shall be considered in compliance with the provisions of this code. New structural members added as part of the alteration shall comply with the International Building Code. This exception shall not apply to alterations that constitute substantial improvement in flood hazard areas, which shall comply with Section 503.2, 701.3 or 1301.3.3. This exception shall not apply to the structural provisions of Chapter 5 or to the structural provisions of Sections 706, 806 and 906.
Alterations, additions and changes of occupancy complying with Chapter 5 of this code in buildings complying with the International Fire Code shall be considered in compliance with the provisions of this code.
Alterations, additions and changes of occupancy complying with the applicable requirements of Chapters 6 through 12 of this code shall be considered in compliance with the provisions of this code.
Alterations, additions and changes of occupancy complying with Chapter 13 of this code shall be considered in compliance with the provisions of this code.
Relocated buildings shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 14.
Accessibility requirements for existing buildings shall comply with the 2009 edition of ICC A117.1.
Alterations, additions and changes of occupancy complying with Section 301.3.1, 301.3.2 or 301.3.3 of this code in buildings complying with the Philadelphia Fire Code shall be considered in compliance with the provisions of this code.
The provisions of Section 302 apply to all alterations, repairs, additions, relocations of structures and changes of occupancy regardless of compliance method.
The code official shall have the authority to require the elimination of conditions deemed dangerous.
Alterations, repairs, additions and changes of occupancy to, or relocation of, existing buildings and structures shall comply with the provisions for alterations, repairs, additions and changes of occupancy or relocation, respectively, in this code and the International Energy Conservation Code, International Fire Code, International Fuel Gas Code, International Mechanical Code, International Plumbing Code, International Private Sewage Disposal Code, International Property Maintenance Code, International Residential Code and NFPA 70. Where provisions of the other codes conflict with provisions of this code, the provisions of this code shall take precedence.
Materials already in use in a building in compliance with requirements or approvals in effect at the time of their erection or installation shall be permitted to remain in use unless determined by the building official to be unsafe.
Except as otherwise required or permitted by this code, materials permitted by the applicable code for new construction shall be used. Like materials shall be permitted for repairs and alterations, provided that unsafe conditions are not created. Hazardous materials shall not be used where the code for new construction would not permit their use in buildings of similar occupancy, purpose and location.
New structural members and connections shall comply with the detailing provisions of the International Building Code for new buildings of similar structure, purpose and location.
Exception: Where alternative design criteria are specifically permitted.
Where determining the appropriate application of the referenced sections of this code, the occupancy and use of a building shall be determined in accordance with Chapter 3 of the International Building Code.
Where an addition or alteration does not result in increased design live load, existing gravity load-carrying structural elements shall be permitted to be evaluated and designed for live loads approved prior to the addition or alteration. If the approved live load is less than that required by Section 1607 of the International Building Code, the area designated for the nonconforming live load shall be posted with placards of approved design indicating the approved live load. Where the addition or alteration results in increased design live load, the live load required by Section 1607 of the International Building Code shall be used.
Where an alteration or addition changes the potential snow drift effects on an adjacent building, the code official is authorized to enforce Section 7.12 of ASCE 7.
Where required, seismic evaluation or design shall be based on the procedures and criteria in this section, regardless of which compliance method is used.
Where compliance requires the use of full seismic forces, the criteria shall be in accordance with one of the following:
- One-hundred percent of the values in the International Building Code. Where the existing seismic force-resisting system is a type that can be designated as "Ordinary," values of R, Ω0 and Cd used for analysis in accordance with Chapter 16 of the International Building Code shall be those specified for structural systems classified as "Ordinary" in accordance with Table 12.2-1 of ASCE 7, unless it can be demonstrated that the structural system will provide performance equivalent to that of a "Detailed," "Intermediate" or "Special" system.
- ASCE 41, using a Tier 3 procedure and the two-level performance objective in Table 303.3.1 for the applicable risk category.
[BS] TABLE 303.3.1
PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES FOR USE IN ASCE 41 FOR COMPLIANCE WITH FULL SEISMIC FORCES
| RISK CATEGORY (Based on IBC Table 1604.5) |
STRUCTURAL PERFORMANCE LEVEL FOR USE WITH BSE-1N EARTHQUAKE HAZARD LEVEL |
STRUCTURAL PERFORMANCE LEVEL FOR USE WITH BSE-2N EARTHQUAKE HAZARD LEVEL |
| I | Life Safety (S-3) | Collapse Prevention (S-5) |
| II | Life Safety (S-3) | Collapse Prevention (S-5) |
| III | Damage Control (S-2) | Limited Safety (S-4) |
| IV | Immediate Occupancy (S-1) | Life Safety (S-3) |
Where seismic evaluation and design is permitted to use reduced seismic forces, the criteria used shall be in accordance with one of the following:
- The International Building Code using 75 percent of the prescribed forces. Values of R, Ω0 and Cd used for analysis shall be as specified in Section 303.3.1 of this code.
-
Structures or portions of structures that comply with the requirements of the applicable chapter in Appendix A as specified in Items 2.1 through 2.4 and subject to the limitations of the respective Appendix A chapters shall be deemed to comply with this section.
- 2.1. The seismic evaluation and design of unreinforced masonry bearing wall buildings in Risk Category I or II are permitted to be based on the procedures specified in Appendix Chapter A1.
- 2.2. Seismic evaluation and design of the wall anchorage system in reinforced concrete and reinforced masonry wall buildings with flexible diaphragms in Risk Category I or II are permitted to be based on the procedures specified in Chapter A2.
- 2.3. Seismic evaluation and design of cripple walls and sill plate anchorage in residential buildings of light-frame wood construction in Risk Category I or II are permitted to be based on the procedures specified in Chapter A3.
- 2.4. Seismic evaluation and design of soft, weak, or open-front wall conditions in multiple-unit residential buildings of wood construction in Risk Category I or II are permitted to be based on the procedures specified in Chapter A4.
- ASCE 41, using the performance objective in Table 303.3.2 for the applicable risk category.
[BS] TABLE 303.3.2
PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES FOR USE IN ASCE 41 FOR COMPLIANCE WITH REDUCED SEISMIC FORCES
| RISK CATEGORY (Based on IBC Table 1604.5) |
STRUCTURAL PERFORMANCE LEVEL FOR USE WITH BSE-1E EARTHQUAKE HAZARD LEVEL |
STRUCTURAL PERFORMANCE LEVEL FOR USE WITH BSE-2E EARTHQUAKE HAZARD LEVEL |
| I | Life Safety (S-3). See Note a | Collapse Prevention (S-5) |
| II | Life Safety (S-3). See Note a | Collapse Prevention (S-5) |
| III | Damage Control (S-2). See Note a | Limited Safety (S-4). See Note b |
| IV | Immediate Occupancy (S-1) | Life Safety (S-3). See Note c |
- For Risk Categories I, II and III, the Tier 1 and Tier 2 procedures need not be considered for the BSE-1E earthquake hazard level.
- For Risk Category III, the Tier 1 screening checklists shall be based on the Collapse Prevention, except that checklist statements using the Quick Check provisions shall be based on MS-factors that are the average of the values for Collapse Prevention and Life Safety.
- For Risk Category IV, the Tier 1 screening checklists shall be based on Collapse Prevention, except that checklist statements using the Quick Check provisions shall be based on MS-factors for Life Safety.
Where used, in-situ load tests shall be conducted in accordance with Section 1708 of the International Building Code.
The provisions of Sections 305.1 through 305.9 apply to maintenance, change of occupancy, additions and alterations to existing buildings, including those identified as historic buildings.
A facility that is constructed or altered to be accessible shall be maintained accessible during occupancy.
An alteration of an existing 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.
Existing buildings that undergo a change of group or occupancy shall comply with this section.
Exception: Type B dwelling or sleeping units required by Section 1107 of the International Building Code are not required to be provided in existing buildings and facilities undergoing a change of occupancy in conjunction with alterations where the work area is 50 percent or less of the aggregate area of the building.
Where a portion of the building is changed to a new occupancy classification, any alterations shall comply with Sections 305.6, 305.7 and 305.8.
Where an entire building undergoes a change of occupancy, it shall comply with Section 305.4.1 and shall have all of the following accessible features:
- Not fewer than one accessible building entrance.
- Not fewer than one accessible route from an accessible building entrance to primary function areas.
- Signage complying with Section 1111 of the International Building Code.
- Accessible parking, where parking is being provided.
- Not fewer than one accessible passenger loading zone, where loading zones are provided.
- Not fewer than one accessible route connecting accessible parking and accessible passenger loading zones to an accessible entrance.
Where it is technically infeasible to comply with the new construction standards for any of these requirements for a change of group or occupancy, Items 1 through 6 shall conform to the requirements to the maximum extent technically feasible.
Exception: The accessible features listed in Items 1 through 6 are not required for an accessible route to Type B units.
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Provisions for new construction shall apply to additions. An addition that affects the accessibility to, or contains an area of, a primary function shall comply with the requirements in Section 305.7.
A facility that is altered shall comply with the applicable provisions in Chapter 11 of the International Building Code, unless technically infeasible. Where compliance with this section is technically infeasible, the alteration shall provide access to the maximum extent technically feasible.
Exceptions:
- The altered element or space is not required to be on an accessible route, unless required by Section 305.7.
- Accessible means of egress required by Chapter 10 of the International Building Code are not required to be provided in existing facilities.
- The alteration to Type A individually owned dwelling units within a Group R-2 occupancy shall be permitted to meet the provision for a Type B dwelling unit.
- Type B dwelling or sleeping units required by Section 1107 of the International Building Code are not required to be provided in existing buildings and facilities undergoing alterations where the work area is 50 percent or less of the aggregate area of the building.
Where an alteration affects the accessibility to, 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 and 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.
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The provisions of Sections 305.8.1 through 305.8.15 shall apply to alterations to existing buildings and facilities.
Where an alteration includes alterations to an entrance that is not accessible, and the facility has an accessible entrance, the altered entrance is not required to be accessible unless required by Section 305.7. Signs complying with Section 1111 of the International Building Code shall be provided.
Altered elements of existing elevators shall comply with ASME A17.1 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 an escalator or stairway is added where none existed previously and major structural modifications are necessary for installation, an accessible route shall be provided between the levels served by the escalator or stairways in accordance with Section 1104.4 of the International Building Code.
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Where slopes steeper than allowed by Section 1012.2 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 305.8.5.
RAMPS
| 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.
Where Group I-1, I-2, I-3, R-1, R-2 or R-4 dwelling or sleeping units are being altered or added, the requirements of Section 1107 of the International Building Code for Accessible units apply only to the quantity of spaces being altered or added.
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Where more than 20 Group R-2 dwelling or sleeping units are being altered or added, the requirements of Section 1107 of the International Building Code for Type A units apply only to the quantity of the spaces being altered or added.
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Where four or more Group I-1, I-2, R-1, R-2, R-3 or R-4 dwelling or sleeping units are being added, the requirements of Section 1107 of the International Building Code for Type B units apply only to the quantity of the spaces being added. Where Group I-1, I-2, R-1, R-2, R-3 or R-4 dwelling or sleeping units are being altered and where the work area is greater than 50 percent of the aggregate area of the building, the requirements of Section 1107 of the International Building Code for Type B units apply only to the quantity of the spaces being altered.
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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 the ramp or lift access restricts or projects into the required means of egress.
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. At the inaccessible toilet and bathing rooms, directional signs indicating the location of the nearest family or assisted-use toilet room or bathing room shall be provided. These directional signs shall include the International Symbol of Accessibility and sign characters shall meet the visual character requirements in accordance with ICC A117.1.
In assembly and mercantile occupancies, where additional toilet fixtures are added, not fewer than one accessible family or assisted-use toilet room shall be provided where required by Section 1109.2.1 of the International Building Code. In recreational facilities, where additional bathing rooms are being added, not fewer than one family or assisted-use bathing room shall be provided where required by Section 1109.2.1 of the International Building Code.
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, measuring 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.
Where the structural or operational characteristics of an amusement ride are altered to the extent that the amusement ride's performance differs from that specified by the manufacturer or the original design, the amusement ride shall comply with requirements for new construction in Section 1110.4.8 of the International Building Code.
These provisions shall apply to facilities designated as historic structures that undergo alterations or a change of occupancy, unless technically infeasible. Where compliance with the requirements for accessible routes, entrances or toilet rooms would threaten or destroy the historic significance of the facility, as determined by the authority having jurisdiction, the alternative requirements of Sections 305.9.1 through 305.9.4 for that element shall be permitted.
Exception: Type B dwelling or sleeping units required by Section 1107 of the International Building Code are not required to be provided in historic buildings.
Upcodes Diagrams
Not fewer than one accessible route from a site arrival point to an accessible entrance shall be provided.
An accessible route from an accessible entrance to public spaces on the level of the accessible entrance shall be provided.
Not fewer than one main entrance shall be accessible.
Exception:
If a public entrance cannot be made accessible, an accessible entrance that is unlocked while the building is occupied shall be provided; or, a locked accessible entrance with a notification system or remote monitoring shall be provided.
Signs complying with Section 1111 of the International Building Code shall be provided at the public entrance and the accessible entrance.
Where toilet rooms are provided, not fewer than one accessible family or assisted-use toilet room complying with Section 1109.2.1 of the International Building Code shall be provided.
Provisions for storage of refuse in existing buildings shall comply with the requirements of this Section.
An area for the storage of refuse shall be provided where there is a change of occupancy group of an existing building where the use will generate refuse, as defined in Section 9-604 of The Philadelphia Code, and where such refuse is to be disposed of by use of a dumpster, as defined in Section 10-722 of The Philadelphia Code. The area of storage shall be located either inside the building or on the premises and enclosed on all sides.
All buildings which contain uses in existence, shall maintain indoor storage of refuse required by Section EB-306.2 as established on December 19, 1989. Uses in existence prior to this date shall, where there is sufficient space available on the premises, keep all dumpsters within enclosures constructed in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Department of Licenses and Inspections. In the event that a dumpster is maintained off the building premises on December 19, 1989, such dumpster shall not be enclosed and is permitted to be so maintained provided that there is no change in use of the building for which the dumpster is employed and for so long as it is placed and maintained in accordance with the provisions of Section 10-722 of The Philadelphia Code.
The alteration, addition or change of occupancy of all existing buildings, including those identified as historic buildings, shall comply with the provisions of Sections EB-307.2 through EB-307.4.
Assembly Group A occupancies classified as Special Assembly Occupancies shall comply with the additional provisions of this Section.
An Assembly Group A occupancy shall also be classified as a Special Assembly Occupancy if 50 or more people congregate primarily for social entertainment purposes as defined in Section 9-703 of The Philadelphia Code at such location at one or more times during the course of any year. Such facilities shall include but not be limited to any of the following: nightclub; discotheque; cabaret; tavern; bar; restaurant; private club; banquet hall; and similar place of assembly without primarily fixed seating.
A manual fire alarm system that activates the occupant notification system in accordance with Section 907.5 of the Philadelphia Building Code shall be installed in all Special Assembly Occupancies.
Exception: Manual fire alarm boxes are not required in Special Assembly Occupancies where the occupancy is protected throughout with a rate-of-rise heat detection system, provided one manual fire alarm box is installed in a location that is constantly attended by staff during periods of occupancy by the public.
In Special Assembly Occupancies, a shut-off (shunt trip) device shall be provided to automatically shut off electricity to circuits controlling audio equipment in the facility upon activation of the fire alarm system or automatic sprinkler system.