NATL INST OF STAND & TECH

1 A11107 l'=ifiD74

NBS

PUBLICATIONS

REMOVING REGULATORY

RESTRAINTS TO

BUILDING

REHABILITATION:

The Massachusetts

Experience

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Bureau of Standards SP623

REMOVING REGULATORY RESTRAINTS

TO BUILDING REHABILITATION:

The Massachusetts Experience

JAMES H. PIELERT

Edited and Illustrated by Forrest Wilson

Massachusetts Project Documented by Charles Dinezio and Pauline Stanton

Case Study Docunnentation by Maximilian Ferro

Center for Building Technology

National Engineering Laboratory

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, DC 20234

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, Malcolm Baldrige, Secretary

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS, Ernest Ambler, Director

Issued October 1 981

i

IIATIONAL BUREAt' or STANPABDS

LTBBABT OCT 2 0 1981

, . ^,

/^?/

J. ^-
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 81-600141

National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 623

Nat. Bur Stand. (U.S ), Spec. Publ 623, 57 Pages (Oct 1981) CODEN: XNBSAV

U S GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

Washington, 1981
Preface

There is an increasing awareness of the need to more fully utilize

existing buildings. The re-use of old buildings has grown far beyond

the historic preservation movement which originally emphasized the need

to preserve buildings as part of our national heritage. Current economic

realities force us to view existing structures as assets that can be

renewed creatively to provide shelter for people, commerce and industry.

This is all to the good, for it avoids the dislocations of razing structures and building from the ground up, and additionally provides urban

variety and continuity with our past.

Building regulations and the regulatory process have a powerful

effect on building rehabilitation, often determining success or failure.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, recognizing problems in the application of its building code to rehabilitation, has created a new regulatory

approach which appears to work quite well and could have wider application.

This report documents the process that was begun in late 1977 and

has continued to the present. Regulatory problems affecting building

rehabilitation were identified, a regulatory response to these problems

was developed, and the new approach was tested in the rehabilitation of a number of buildings - four of which are included herein as case studies.

The process outlined in the report can serve as a guide to other

State and local jurisdictions that have similar problems with efficient

re-use of existing buildings. Also included as an appendix is the text

of Article 22, "Repair, Alterations, Additions, and Change of Use of

Existing Buildings" of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Building Code.

This publication is a joint product of the Design and Construction

Technology Application Program (DACTAP) and the Building Economics and

Regulatory Technology Division, both in the Center for Building Technology

at the National Bureau of Standards. Your comments and suggestions are invited.

Porter Driscoll, AIA

DACTAP Coordinator

Center for Building Technology

iii
THRUST OF REPORT 1

BACKGROUND 2.

REGULATORY CONSTRAINTS ^

PROMJLGATION OF ARTICLE 22 BY MSSACHUSETTS H

CASE STUDY 1 - 144 Pleasant Street, Weymouth 15

CASE STUDY 2 - 177 State Street, Boston 20

CASE STUDY 3 - 175 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston 24

CASE STUDY 4 - Prime Park, Boston 28

REFERENCES 31

ARTICLE 22 33

APPENDIX T

38

^ETRIC CONVERSION UNITS 53

iv
Thrust of Report

An .innovative regulatory approach has been

implemented in the State of Massachusetts to

encourage the reuse of the existing building

stock. Technical support was provided by the

National Bureau of Standards and other interested

national organizations and individuals. This publication is intended to provide background information on the process that was followed in developing new code provisions, outline the scope of

the provisions, and to illustrate their impact on actual buildings being rehabilitated.

This publication is organized in the followi ng way

o Backgrond information on the level of

building rehabilitation in the United

States, impact of regulations and the

regulatory process, and related activities

at the national level

o Formulation of a new regulatory concept to

replace the "25-50 percent rule"

o Events leading to publication of Article

22 of the Massachusetts State Building

Code

o Implementation and monitoring of Article

22

o Case studies illustrating the impact of

Article 22

I
BUILDINGS THAT HAVE STOOD THE TEST OF TIME ARE NOW

BEING RECOGNIZED AS PROVIDING UNIQUE AMENITIES ...

A naLiuiial concern is emerging for the

full utilization of the existing building

stock. Buildings that have stood the test of

time are now being recognized as providing

unique amenities important to the stabilization of a neighborhood. It is becoming apparent that pleasing architectural characteristics can unify and preserve the fabric of

the neighborhood which can be devastated by

demolition and construction of new buildings.

Established neighborhoods provide social and

economic anchors against a tide of alienation

caused by constant displacement of an increasingly mobile population. Reversing the trend

of urban decay through building and neighborhood revitalization is a crucial and necessary undertaking if the quality of life in our inner cities is to be improved and a tax

base created to make that quality possible.

There are many economic factors v^7hich are stimulating the growth of the building

rehabilitation industry. Increasing costs of

materials , labor , land acquisition, utilities,

and financing have caused overall building

costs to exceed the rapid general increase

in the cost of living. The disproportiouai".e

increase in these costs aggravates the tio.is- ing shortage which already exists. Even .luring periods of economic stability the industry has found it difficult to provide new building stock in sufficient quantity to meet

the Nation's needs. An alarming fact- emerged

from the 1977 Annual Housing Survey [1]^

1 References are listed on page 31. FACADE OF 17 5 COMMONWEALTH AVE. (SEE CASE STUDY 3)
AN INCREASING AWARENESS OF THE NEED TO CONSERVE AND REUSE

EXISTING BUILDINGS IS APPARENT AT ALL LEVELS OF GOVEPvNMENT

ALTERATIONS TO 175 COMMONWEALTH AVE.

which revealed that more than one-half of the 82

million homes in this country are 25 years old or older and each year about one percent of this

inventory is lost to demolition, change in use,

fire, and abandonment. Statistics from this

study suggest that the number of people that are inadequately housed in this country remains large

An increasing awareness of the need to conserve and reuse existing buildings is apparent at

all levels of government, - Congress, Federal

agencies. State government and city and local

jurisdictions. The private sector is actively

involved in alleviating the social problems of

housing shortages and urban decay through rehabilitation.

This widespread concern is resulting in a major building effort on a national level. The Department of

Commerce reports that $A2.2 billion was spent in 1979 on what is classified as "maintenance, repair and con- struction improvements to residential properties,"

compared to $77.1 billion spent on construction of new housing units [2]. Architectural Record has re- ported that expenditures for nonresidential additions,

al terations ,and major replacements are expected to

increase from an estimated $15 billion in 1978 to as much as $30 billion annually by the mid 1980's [3].

A recent F. W. Dodge report estimated that 77 percent

of all construction activity in 1981 will involve preservation, adaptive use, and renovation.

3
BUILDING CODES DEVELOPED FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION C'ONSTICAIINTS

The building code is the primary regulatory

device used to assure that minimum requirements for

public health, safety , and welfare are met in the

design and construction of buildings. However, the

building code and its enforcement have been identified as impeding the essential work of rehabilitation. This was addressed in Senate hearings held

in 1978 [4].

"In May 24, 1978, the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs (96th Congress,

2nd Session) received testimony from architects,

trade associations, building officials, and

other interested parties to the effect that new construction oriented building codes impede re- habilitation projects in four ways:

a. They add additional unnecessary project

costs (estimated at 10 to 20 percent of

total project costs);

b. They add unnecessary project approval times

(in some reported cases) as much as 16

months over comparable new construction projects;

c. They discourage otherwise feasible rehabilitation projects; and

d. They produce an environment which permits

and encourages payoffs of building officials .

The lack of effective regulations for building

rehabilitation forces the use of codes created for new construction. This frequently impedes those who

attempt rehabilitation, and increases costs. The

4
THE BUILDING CODE AND ITS ENFORCEMENT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED

AS IMPEDING THE ESSENTIAL WORK OF REHABILITATION ... ^IMMMMMMMMMMMlMMMIMlMMMlMMfMMMMMlMMMMMMlMlMMiM

language and format of these codes tend to delineate

and model the construction process with appropriate

regulatory controls; i.e., a synthesis process, as contrasted to the analytic process needed in building

rehabilitation. These codes tend to be less effective, or even inappropriate, when applied to the process required to determine rehabilitation needs of

existing structures. The physical status of an existing building must be assessed in order to determine

the impact of building regulations , and quite often

required techniques or technical data are not available .

The application of these codes for new construction to building rehabilitation is based on the amount

of work planned. An example of this requirement is

the "25-50 percent rule." The application of these

administrative provisions is based on the following

economic hierarchy, which is sometimes awkward and

difficult to enforce in actual practice.

a. The alteration must be restored to at least

its original condition for renovations which

cost less than 25 percent of the value of

the building.

2

b. The extent to which the portion of the building altered or repaired conforms to new con- struction requirements is left to the discretion of the building official when the cost

Is between 25-50 percent of the building's

value, or

The definition of "value" is not agreed upon. It has been interpreted as assessed value, market

value, or replacement value of the building.

5
...THERE IS A CONSIDERABLE PERIOD OF TIME WHEN A BUILDING IS NOT WORTH THE

EXPENSE OF REHABILITATION DEMANDED BY CURRENT CODES FOR NEW BUILDINGS

MM

c. the entire building must comply with the

building code for new construction when

alterations exceed 50 percent of the building's value.

It has been shown tliat these provisions exert a negative effect on both public safety and the quality

and the size of the building stock. There is a con- siderable period of time when it is not economical to

rehabilitate a building to the level required by codes

for new buildings, yet the building has not deteriorated sufficiently to warrant condemnation and demolition. Extending the life of such badly deteriorated

buildings contributes to social and economic problems

in many urban neighborhoods, since such deterioration

has an areawide effect and is not confined solely to

individual structures.

ALTERATIONS TO 17/ STAII:; STREET

(See Case Study 2)

11 if ill

nTHOL.'".PHi- ENGRAVINi,!

ira^^i'W* r5Si p*>#- rm^

!!! Eisli s:! Iii ;;! —a ^iB I JUB
WESTFIELD STATE NORMAL SCHOOL, Westfield Mass.

Erex;ted circa 1848, demolition date unknown.

CONTEMPORARY CODES AND STANDARDS MAY NOT ADDRESS THE

MATERIALS AND METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION FOUND IN OLDER

BUILDINGS

All model building codes and most code documents based on these models contain clauses stating

that alternative materials and methods of construction will not be excluded from consideration. In

actual practice many building officials hesitate to

approve innovative systems because they lack a technical basis to make such decisions. Potential legal liability can result when such systems are approved without regulatory precedence.

CODE ENFORCEMENT FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS

DIFFERS FROM THAT FOR NEW BUILDINGS

Some enforcement agencies have established ad

hoc processes for regulation of additions and alterations to existing buildings with such projects

forced into a model established for new building

construction. Also, they may not be as familiar with

condition assessment of existing building systems or have necessary data for making other technical decisions .

NEW CODE CONCEPTS TO REPLACE 2 5-50 PERCENT RULE

The National Bureau of Standards (NBS) began a study in late 1977 to determine the needs of model

building code organizations and selected State and

major city building regulatory agencies, regarding

improved regulations for rehabilitation of existing

buildings. The National Conference of States on Building Codes and . Standards , Inc. (NCSBCS) assisted

NBS in collecting data for this study.
A REGULATORY APPROACH HAS BEEN FORMJLATED AS A POSSIBLE

REPLACEMENT FOR THE "25-50 PERCENT RULE"

This study reported on in NBS Technical Note 998

[5] resulted in the development of a matrix shown in

Table 1 which identifies: (a) participants in the rehabilitation process (e.g., owner, designer, developer,

code official, etc.); (b) regulatory problems impinging

on each participant; and (c) technical input needed to

alleviate the problem.

The study concluded that the following eight technical inputs are required for improved regulations:

1. Validation of technical constraints in current

codes for various occupancies

2. Technical basis for elimination or modification of the "25-50 percent rule"

3. Performance requirements for materials, components, and systems in existing buildings

4. Catalog of systems found in existing buildings

but no longer in current use

5. Destructive and nondestructive building condition assessment methods

6. Improved regulatory process for existing

buildi ng s

7. A definitive code statement which explicitly

states the intent of the code regarding building performance

8. Legally defensible code requirements and

enforcement processes
5^1 REGULATORY REHABILITATION PROBLEMS, RELATIONSHIP TO

PARTICIPANTS IN THE PROCESS AND THEIR TECHNICAL NEEDS

TECHNICAL INPUT (See Key Below)

REGULATORY PROBLEM PARTICIPANT T

Limitation on options for occupancies Owner /Developer

2

Application of 25-50 percent rule Owner/Developer, Code Official

3 Difficult to establish requirements

from prescriptive solutions

Owner /Developer

Architect/Engineer, Code

Official, Material Supplier

4

Evaluation of existing condition of

building (in relation to code)

Architect/Engineer, Code

Official, Builder,

Finance /Insurance

5

Impediment to innovation Architect /Engineer

,

Materials Supplier

6

Lack of intent guideline in existing

code

Architect/Engineer, Code

Official, Materials Supplier

7

More judgment required, therefore,

more liability

Architect/Engineer, Code

Official

8

Inability to relate performance of

archaic designs to modern reg's.

Architect/Engineer, Code

Official

9

Ad hoc regulatory process Architect/Engineer, Code

Official, Builder

Key to Technical Inputs

1. Establish validity of technical constraints

2. Technical bases for elimination of 25-50 percent rule

3. Performance Requirements for materials, components, and systems

4. Catalog of building systems no longer in use

5. Nondestructive Evaluative Methods

6. Improved Regulatory Process

7. Definitive code intent statements

8. Legally defensible requirements

9
Conclusions concerning the development of a regulatory document for building rehabilitation relate to

the following four issues:

1. A document is needed which will encompass

all occupany building types, including mixed

and multiple occupancies.

2. A systems approach should be utilized covering the building as a whole, including all

subsystems (e.g., plumbing, electrical, mechanical) .

3. The "25-50 percent rule" does not appear to

be a workable solution in regard to the

application of regulations for new construction to existing structures.

4. Technical data should be developed to provide

a basis for rehabilitation decision making.

A regulatory approach was then formulated as a possible replacement for the "25-50 percent rule." It was based on the concept of allowing repairs, alterations and additions to existing buildings without

necessarily meeting new construction requirements

under the following general conditions.

a. all hazardous conditions must be corrected

b. the building must be occupiable under current

requirements

c. the existing building becomes the minimum

performance requirement

d. the performance level of the building after

rehabilitation must not be below that existing before the change

HEkU CDnSTRUCTlDH CODE

Existing Building
BACKGROUND OF EVENTS LEADING TO PROMULGATION OF ARTICLE 22

IN THE MASSACHUSETTS STATE BUILDING CODE

e. additions must meet code requirements for new construction or equivalent

f. compliance with the building code for new construction

or its equivalent may be required when the change is

to a more hazardous occupancy or use group.

After reviewing the NBS study, former Massachusetts Governor, Michael S. Dukakis, and the State Building Code Commission,

determined that the State could benefit from a review of its

existing building code and from the adoption of interim building

rehabilitation regulations. Massachusetts has a mandatory

statewide building code applicable to all buildings and structures which the local municipalities cannot modify.

In March 1978, representatives of major organizations

involved in rehabilitation were invited to a meeting in Boston

to gain their assistance in developing such as interim code.

Participants included representatives of the Building Officials

and Code Administrators International, Inc. (BOCA), the International Conference of Building Officials, (ICBO), the Southern

Building Code Congress International, Inc. (SBCCI), the Association of Major City Building Officials (AMCBO), the National

Academy of Code Administration (NACA) . the National Association

of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO), NCSBCS, and

NBS. Governor Dukakis outlined for these representatives a plan for undertaking the Massachusetts rehabilitation project

and pledged his personal support to that effort.

Following discussion of the plan the eight organizations

pledged, together with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a total of approximately $206,000 in cash and in-kind services

to the State building rehabilitation code project and agreed

ARTICLE 22

1 1
NEW REHABILITATION CODE PUBLISHED BY THE STATE OF ^[^

MASSACHUSETTS IN JUNE 197 9 b^i^

to form a project team. The scope of the project called for

NCSBCS, as the prime contractor, to produce with the other members of the project team, an interim code document containing code provisions for alterations and additions to existing

baildings which the State Building Code Commission v;ould consider for adoption. In addition to new code provisions, guidelines would be established for the designer, building owner,

and enforcement officials to evaluate an existing building for

possible rehabilitation.

In addition, the State Building Code Commission formed an Advisory Council comprised of affected parties in Massachusetts

and interested representatives from throughout the country to

review and provide constructive comments to the draft provisions and guidelines during the projects developmental stages.

The final draft of the interim code provisions was completed by the project team in August 1973, and was forwarded

to the members of the State Building Code Commission for their

review and comment. These comments were received by the project team and were incorporated into the rehabilitation document. A national conference was held on October 30, 1978 to

discuss this code development activity [6]

In late September 1978, three one-day workshops were held

in Massachusetts for local and State building officials to

explain the interim code provisions and to receive their com- ments for possible changes in the document. The project was presented to the local officials by representatives of the

State Building Code Commission and various members of the

rehabilitation project team.

The major concerns raised by the building officials and

reviewed by the Advisory Council ware incorporated into a revised draft, which was approved by the State Building Code

Commission late in the fall of 1978. The document was incorporated as Article 22 of the Massachusetts State Building Code

and became effective in June 1979. The Article was revised in

12

KEY DATES IN THE HISTORY OF ARTICLE 2

March 1978 Initial Meeting of

Massachusetts Project Team

August 1978 Final Draft of Article 22

Submitted to State Building

Code Commission

September 1978 Workshops held for local and

state building officials

November 197 8

June 1979

Revised Article 22 approved

by State Building Code

Commission

Article 22 added to Third

Edition of Massachusetts

State Building Code

September 1980 Article 22 revised for

Fourth Edition of Massachusetts State Building Code
ARTICLE 22 WILL ALLOW INDIVIDUAL BUILDING OFFICIALS MUCH MORE LEEWAY

IN REQUIRING FULL CODE COMPLIANCE AND ACCEPTING ALTERNATIVES ...

1980 to include energy conservation provisions; recognition of

types of construction, and the extension from two to five years

for a building to quality under Article 22 [7]. The Article

is reprinted in this document beginning on page 33. In addition

to Article 22, Appendix T (see page 39) was added to the State

Building Code containing:

Part One - Guidelines for Application

Part Two - Suggested Compliance Alternatives

Part Three - Detailed Classification of Occupancy by

Hazard Index Number and Use Group

Part Four - Archaic Construction Systems

NBS technical support, in addition to the conceptualization

of the regulatory approach discussed earlier, included the development of guidelines for the evaluation of existing buildings

and application of performance based provisions based on regulatory appeal data from the State, and cataloging of data on outmoded structural systems.

ARTICLE 22 AND POTENTIAL IMPACT ON REHABILITATION

In order to test the validity of the concepts in Article 22

the State Building Code Commission set up a panel of nine building officials from the State to review plans and specifications

of six existing buildings being considered for rehabilitation.

The panel members were asked to individually analyze each building in regard to the impact of Article 22 as compared to the

provisions of the existing code.

are

The preliminary conclusions that were drawn from this study

Article 22 will allow individual building officials more leeway in lieu of requiring full code compliance and provides a basis for accepting compliance alternatives.

13
DECISIONS ARE BEING MADE WITHOUT RESORTING TO THE

COSTLY AND TIME CONSUMING APPEAL PROCEDURES ...

° Interpretation may not be consistent among the communities involved. They will reflect the building officials 's interpretations (and presumably community

values) regarding degree of code compliance and specific

requirements.

° Building officials will exercise their prerogative under

Article 22 and generally accept lesser requirements than

under the "25-50 percent rule."

° Responsibility of the building officials will generally

increase under Article 22, but will be no more than when

the cost of rehabilitation fell within the 25 and 50

percent range under the old rule where building officials discretion is allowed.

IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING OF ARTICLE 22

The State of Massachusetts has set up an Advisory Committee on Code Provisions for Existing Buildings to assit the

State Building Code Commission in monitorinng implementation of

Article 22 and in considering changes. NBS is participating on

this Advisory Committee. In addition to changes in Article 22,

it is important that compliance alternatives in Appendix T are updated to reflect the latest technology. These possible

changes are being identified by analysis of Board of Appeals

decisions and by reviewing compliance alternatives being allowed by local building officials.

In regard to the impact of Article 22, an 80 percent re- duction in appeals on existing buildings has been reported in

Boston during the first six months that it was in effect [8].

Decisions are being made without resorting to the costly and

time consuming appeal procedures.

Article 22 and the previous code (1978) governing rehabilitation in Massachusetts are compared in the following four

case studies of buildings rehabilitated since 1979.

FEDERAL STREET CHURCH- BOSTON , MASS.

Erected 1744, demolished circa 1807

14
CBSE STUDY 1

^^"^ pleasant STRKET, WEYM.nilTH

A 2500 square foot two-family dwelling (use group

R-3) originally built in the early 1800' s of timber

post and beam construction in Weymouth, ?-1assachusetts was converted to an office building (group B). The

rehabilitated building shown above contained two full

stories and an utilized attic space. It was converted

in 1979 under the provisions of Article 22 by Walter

A. McKinnon Associates, Consulting Engineers.

IMPACT OF 1978 CODE ON REHABILITATION

The value of the building was estimated at $70,000,

approximately the cost of the proposed improvements.

Since the cost of the rehabilitation was 100 percent

of the physical value of the building, the entire

building would have been required to meet the code for new construction under the following provisions of the

the Building Code of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

(1978 edition).

SECTION 106.0 ALTERATIONS AND REPAIRS

"Except as provided in this section, existing

buildings or structures when altered or repaired as herein specified shall be wade to conform to the full

requirements of the Basic Code for new buildings

106.1 ALTERATIONS EXCEEDING FIFTY PERCENT: If

alterations or repairs are made within any period of

twelve (12) months, costing in excess of fifty (50)

percent of the physical value of the building;"

Additionally, since a change in use was involved,

this type of post and beam construction would not have

been allowed in Fire District I under provisions 302.5

and 303.0. In its place type 3B, ordinary protected

or non-combustible construction would have been re- quired.

"Section 302.5 Frame Construction: No building

of frame construction (type 4) shall be erected

within the fire districts ... and no building of

otherwise lawful construction shall be extended

in height or area within the fire districts by

frame construction; except that one and twofamily frame dwellings may he extended in area

by not more than three hundred ( 300) square

feet and to a height of not more than two and one half (2 1/2) stories nor more than thirtyfive (35) feet.

15
Case Studj 1 144 PLEASANT STREET, WEYMOUTH

Section 303.3 RESTRICTIONS OF FIRE DISTRICT

NO. 1: All buildings and structures , and all

additions to existing buildings and structures, hereafter erected within the boundaries

of Fire District No. 1 shall be of fireproof

(type 1) , protected non-combustible (types 2-A

and 2-B), heavy timber (type 3-A) or ordinary

protected (type 3-B) contruction as defined in

article 2 and regulated in table 2-6, and

shall be constructed within the height and area 1 imitations of table 2-6; except as herein provided ."

Since the building use was being changed from

residential to office, the exception in Section

302.5 which allowed for an extension in area of

frame dwellings would no longer have applied. The

building would have been forced to conform to the more stringent construction requirements of Section

303.0, which would have required the upgrading of

both fire resistance and load carrying capacity.

Further, there is a 2-story limitation on unprotected frame office structures.

Even if possible, the provisions of increased

fire separation and resistance in existing buildings are always very costly, and this project would

most likely have been abandoned. A special variance could perhaps have permitted the project to

proceed, but only after long and inevitable delays.

Article 22 shortcuts the variance process by allowing the discussion of compliance alternatives early

in the project.

Entry

EXISTING FIRST FLOOR PLAN

16
TWO FAMILY DWELLING CONVERTED TO OFFICE BUILDING Case Stud; 1

Entry

from

Parking Lot

^^KITCHEN

>

1—

'^EW ENCLOSURE

j

ALTERATIONS TO FIRST FLOOR PLAN

ACTIONS TAKEN UNDER ARTICLE 22

Although there was a change in use group from

residential (R-3) to business (B), the hazard index

shown in Table 2205 of Article 22 remained the same

(2 for each use), and Article 22 makes only modest

demands when there is no increased threat to public

safety

.

The building official required the following

features in the rehabilitated building:

1. One of the two unprotected interior stairways to be replaced by a rated stair tower

providing a safe egress from the second

floor. This was considered necessary since

the building exceeded two stories, and con- stituted a significant upgrading in terras of public safety.

2. Solid core doors with closers to be installed at the new stairs, leading into

each office.

3. Two toilets to be installed on the second

floor.

4. The basement furnace room to be enclosed

with a 3/4 hour rated enclosure and a fresh

air supply to be added.

5. Chimneys to be repaired and fireplaces

blocked off. They were previously con-

.lected to the furnace flue and the code

prohibits connecting any appliance to flues

serving operating fireplaces.

17
Case Studj 1

6. Smoke detectors to be installed.

7. The existing interior stairway to be modified. The winder was changed to a platform leading to an egress.

8. Compliance with Article 20 relating to

energy provisions was required.

9. k ramp to be installed for the physically

handicapped and additional emergency

lights and exit signs added.

In addition to required alterations, the electrical system in the building was almost entirely

changed, with additional power brought into the

building to supply the anticipated needs of office

functions. New wiring met code requirements for new construction.

The addition of two bathrooms constituted the

major plumbing alteration. These were located on

the second floor in the space formerly occupied by

the stairway. The kitchen on the first floor was retained and reused without modification.

A modern oil-fired hot air system with central

air-conditioning was substituted for the old two

boiler system. After inspection by the local fire

prevention official, the existing fireplace flues were deemed safe as airshafts for the new HVAC

system.

18

144 PLEASANT STKEiiT, WEYMOUTH

EXISTIMG SECOND FLOOR PLAN
Case Study 1

Structural changes were made on the first

floor at the rear of the building where a former

exterior wall of pegged construction, with crossbracing, was removed. Two 4" x 4" wall posts were

left in place and a new post added between them,

with new foundations poured under all three. The

original wood beam above these posts was exposed,

inspected and determined to be structurally sound.

It was left in place intact.

A new enclosed porch was added at the rear of

the building to serve as the main entry from the

parking lot with the front door no longer used.

A covered side porch was added to serve the door

at the foot of the interior stairs and another

door at the rear of the building. As previously

discussed, the other structural changes were the

removal of one interior stair and the addition of an exterior stair tower.

Existing interior finishes, including lath

and plaster walls, plaster ceilings and some more

recent suspended ceilings were removed. Walls

were inspected for deterioration, insulated, and

gypsum wallboard was installed over existing

studs. New suspended ceilings were installed

throughout the building. The existing wood floors

were maintained throughout, except where the stair

was removed.

ALTERATIONS TO SECOND FLOOR PLAN
(^^^J^ STUDY ^ ^-^^-^^ STREET, BOSTON

1 construction. The exterior envelope consists of a granite facing over brick walls.

The proposed new use was similar to the use prior to renovation: the restaurant was moved to a different location, and the remainder of the building

converted to condominimum office occupancy. Office

renovation was undertaken by the Boston architectural

firm of Dyer/Brown and the restaurant designed by

Jerrel Angell.

IMPACT OF 1978 CODE ON REHABILITATION

The existing building at 177 State Street in

Boston contained offices and a restaurant (use groups

B and A-3). The seven story, 85-foot high building

reached its present height around 1910 when the twostory mansard was added. While originally built of

type 3A, heavy timber construction, the building was sold to a printing company in the 1930's, and this new owner stripped the entire interior and replaced

the existing wood floors with reinforced concrete

The replacement cost of the building, which the

City of Boston uses rather than the assessed cost, was estimated at $1,411,760. The rehabilitation cost was estimated at approximately $1,000,000, well over 50

percent of the replacement cost; therefore, the owner

would have had to comply with the requirements of the

code for new construction for the entire building.

The code provisions which would have been mandatory included new earthquake design standards (Section

718) and mortar requirements (Section 816). Not only

would it have been very difficult to upgrade the seismic resistance of the building, but, since the building was constructed daring the 19th century, it could

not possibly conform to modern code requirements for

mortar, which specify such materials as Portland

Cement and hydrated lime or lime putty. The existing

stairway width was thirty-six inches which war less

than the forty-four inches required by the code.

Additionally, Article 12 and section 431.0 of the

Code, relating to high rise buildings (over 70 feet),

would have required compliance with provisions for

smoke proof towers, smoke evacuation systems, emergence fire alarm systems, emergency generators, and

additional elevators.
SEVEN STORY OFFICE BUILDING WITH RESTAURANT - RESTAURANT REMODELED

AND RELOCATED; OFFICE SPACE REMODELED AND CONVERTED TO CONDOMINUM

SPACE

Case §tudy 2

ALTERATIONS TO TYPICAL FLOOR

ACTIONS TAKEN UNDER ARTICLE 22

Waiver of the earthquake, mortar and stairway

width requirements was allowed without filing an appeal

with the State Appeals Board, thus saving months of

valuable time. The restaurant was required to meet the

code provisions for new construction with respect to

emergency lights and exit signs, and Class 2 flame

spread rating for interior finish was approved. (Class

I would have been required if the owner had not been

required under another state law to install a sprinkler

system.

)

The reason for waivers under Article 22 can be

derived from the rationale for the establishment of

the article itself. The building, as it existed, had

served well in the past, and with reasonable modifications and improvements, fire and safety hazards could

be minimized without requiring total conformity to the

code for new construction. Since the building was examined by an architect and an engineer who determined

that it was structurally sound and adequate for anticipated loading, compliance with the exact requirements

of the earthquake and mortar sections of the code for new construction was considered unnecessary. As the

basement level was not occupied, but only used to house

the mechanical services and general storage space, the

fact that the existing stair was too narrow to meet the

code for new construction was deemed irrelevant. This

may seem obvious but is a fine example of how the broad

wording of Article 22 permits common sense to prevail.
Cb.sC ^tndy 2 .... state street, boston

~7

V

V (1 d b d b d b d b I \ --Jl q p q p q p q p I

Restaurant

In addition to mandated requirements, the project included:

1. total stripping of the interior, leaving

only floors, bare walls, stair shaft and

elevator shaft;

2. installation of new electrical and HVAC

systems, meeting codes for new construction;

3. the refurbishing of two toilets per floor; Office Space During Rehabilitation v
Case §tudy 2

A. checking and repairing of all existing standpipes;

5. reglazing of the entire structure with insulating glass;

6. levelling floors;

7. installation of new interior partitions, and

8. the installation of a sprinkler system which,

while not required under Article 22, is

required by State Statues (MGLA - C 26A,

Massachusetts General Laws Annotated).

The existing plumbing was reused throughout the

building, with only the replacement of sinks. New

plumbing was only required in the restaurant kitchen

and rest rooms.

Most of the surface coverings over the concrete

floors were removed and replaced, but wood floors in

the restaurant area were saved, and some existing

terrazzo was also cleaned and reused. The vaulted

plaster-on-brick ceilings on the first floor were exposed, cleaned and patched. A variety of finishes

were used since each office floor was planned b}' the

individual tenants.

Completed Office Space

23
CnSE STUDU 3

24

175 COMMONWEALTH AVENUE, BOSTON

A single-family residence which had been converted to a church (use group A-4) in 1952 was reconverted to a five

unit dwelling (use group R-2). A partial fifth floor addition was made to the building during the conversion. The

architect for the renovation was Stephen Tise.

The building was erected in the late 1800' s and is

located in a designated historic district. The four-story

structure is 47 feet high, 29 feet wide and 78 feet deep,

and has approximately 11,000 square feet including the basem.ent. The building had a front stairs and connecting balconies to an adjacent building which were used as a second means of egress.

The building is type 3-C ordinary unprotected construction with 12 inches thick exterior masonry walls supported

by a granite foundation on piles. Brick party walls are

load bearing while front and rear walls are not. The structure contained a complex system of cast iron columns and

beams within v^/alls and ceilings, and was in deteriorated

condition before renovation.

IMPACT OF 1978 CODE ON REHABILITATION

Replacement cost estimates for the building were between $330,000 and $500,000 with renovation costs figured

at $350,000. These figures would have required compliance

with the code for new construction under the "25-50 percent

rule." Additionally, the following code requirements would

have been applied.

1. The building would have exceeded the height and area limitation for type 3-C construction which is

three stories or forty feet. (Table 305 of the

code )
SINGLE-FA^IILY RESIDENCE PREVIOUSLY CONVERTED

TO CHURCH RECONVERTED TO FIVE UNIT DWELLING Case Studq 3

SAIS/AGE MANTLE'

REMOVE ALL FINISHES AS

DIRECTED-PROTECT POCKET

DOORS AND TRIM

REMOVE EXISTING

STAIRS AND PATCH

FLOOR

NEW STAIR Atl^<::^'- ELEVATOnSHAFT

PROVIDE NEW

OPENING FOR

SPIRAL STAIR

REMOVE EXISTING PLATFORM

RE^'E EXISTING STAIRS^

AND CLOSE OPENING

.

rt

ALTERATIONS 175 Comm. Ave,

2. Type 3-C construction would not be permitted

in the fire district for buildings exceeding

the three story, forty foot or 9,600 square

foot limitations of Table 305. Further limitations are placed on this type of construction by Table 302 entitled, "Exterior Fire

Resistance Rating Requirements."

3. The existing connnecting balconies could not

have been retained, since the former code disallowed them as a means of egress. The alternative - a fire escape - is expressly disallowed by the special commission which has

4.

jurisdiction over all exterior modifications in

this historic district, and the only other solution - an interior stair tower - would have further reduced the already very cramped interior

area in this typically narrow row house, making

rehabilitation unlikely and very uneconomical.

All earthquake provisions of the Code would have

been enforced, and the cost of rebuilding the

structure prohibitive. It would also have been

excessively expensive, and inappropriate, for a historic structure to be modified to conform to

modern mortar requirements in the code
Case Studu 3

175 COMMONWEALTH AVENUE, BOSTON

EXISTING SECOND FLOOR PLAN

ACTIONS TAKEN UNDER ARTICLE 22

This conversion from a church with a hazard Lndex

of 4 (Table 2205) to a multi-family residence with a hazard index of 2 represents a net decrease in hazard,

as covered under Section 2203.0 of Article 22. In such

cases, Article 22 is particularly lenient., and even the

connecting balconies were accepted as a second means of

egress, as suggested in Section T202.1.1 of Appendix T. A variance from the city of Boston was required to

allow the partial 5th floor addition, after the commission governing the architectural district determined

that it would be acceptable since it would not be

visible from a public way. A new interior stairway

was added. Had this not been done, the building official would have required enclosure of the existing

stair to provide a smoke barrier (Article 22-Section

2203.12) or some unspecified compliance alternative

(Appendix T-202.3.1). Also, the building official

required that the floor plan be changed to allow

direct access to the stairway from the front of the

building rather than only from the rear, as had previously been the case.
Case Studu 3

m

11

Dining

SECOND FLOOR AFTER ALTERATIONS

Under Article 22, compliance with the code for new construction was only required with respect to exit

signs and emergency lights (2203.9), fire alarms

(2203.11), and the new interior partitions (2203.3).

Compliance was not required, on the other hand, with

respect to fire district requirements (302.1) or with

respect to area and height limitations (305.2 and

305.3), all of which would have required lengthy variance hearings under the old code.

Further, no corapIi.dnce was required with seismic

or mortar requirements, but code compliance was re- quired for the electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems.

A new gas-fired boiler was installed with individual

hot vjater fan coil units in each living space. The

air conditioning system utilized 14 inch diameter vertical ducts concealed behind wallboard and horizontal

ducts over dropped ceilings, as required for each

living space. Extreme care was taken to disrupt as little historic fabric of tlie building as possible

during these modifications.

Had Article 22 not been in force, the architects

estimate that code compliance would have cost an additional $50-$100,000 as well as months of extra time,

and the resulting building spaces might have been less

satisfactory.

27
An unoccupied brewery (use group F) was converted

to offices for the headquarters of a computer company

(use group B). Beckstoffer and Associates were the

architects for the conversion.

The largest building in the complex, completed in

1955, was the former Carling Brewery bottling plant

which was a one-story space, 240 by 613 feet with a clear 24 feet height. The structure was steel frame

with exterior non-bearing masonry and glass walls. The

floor area was approximately 150,000 square feet, and

the roofing system consisted of four inch precast con28

PRIME PARK, BOSTON

crete channel roof planks covering approximately one- third of the roof area with the balance consisting of

two inch thick precast reinforced solid gypsum plank

decking with a two inch covering of gypsum fill.

The proposed new use for the building was as the

World Corporate Headquarters of Prime Computer, Inc.,

planned to consolidate the corporations executive

offices scattered over the Boston area. The use group

was changed to B, and fire resistance rating upgraded

to IB.
UNOCCUPIED BREWERY CONVERTED TO OFFICE BUILDING ©A§E S^'C^D^ ^

A new floor was designed to fit within the 24

foot high structure, thus doubling usable floor area. Seventy-five percent of the existing building walls

were retained. Pre-cast insulated panels were added on

the exterior, and insulated metal stud walls with drywall were used on the interior. A large skylight was

cut into the roof to create a central sunlit multilevel interior court.

IMPACT OF 1978 CODE ON REHABILITATION

Before Article 22 the building would have been

required to meet all provisions of the code for new construction through application of the "25-50 percent

rule," including full complaince with earthquake provisions. The roof would have required additional fire

proofing to meet a IB rating, as Section 928.1 of the

code requires that the "ren.iir of ^:ixi3tinj roofs shdll

cornplj with the provisions of section 106 hut in no case shall more than twenty-five (25) percent of the

roof covering of any building be replaced in a period

of twelve ( 12) months unless the entire roof covering

is made to conform to the requirements for new roofing."

ACTIONS TAKEN UNDER ARTICLE 22

The hazard index, as indicated by table 2205, was decreased by one number, so that the requirements of

Section 2203.0 for change in use to equal or lesser

hazard and other pertinent sections of Article 22 were applicable. The building official could then approve

the existing roof as having an adequate fire resistance rating, and the Appendix T listing of archaic

construction systems provided favorable equivalency

guidelines

.
As Section 2203.3 only requires new systems to conform to the Code for new construction, "to the

fullest extent practical," some compliance alternatives

were accepted under Section 2206.1. Egress requirements in the large space were met by dividing the floor area into four quadrants with a minimum of two approved

means of egress from each quadrant with no exitway

being greater than 150 feet away from any point in the

building

After the required structural investigation, the

existing steel frame structure was deemed adequate to

support the new floor, which was allowed under section

2200.3 and 2203.5 covering additions and increase in

floor loads.

The building was strengthened against possible

earthquake damage, but it was not specifically brought

up to the full earthquake load requirements of the

code

The owner's optional additions included sprinklers

throughout the building because of the large open area. Additional precautions were taken by spraying the roof

system with mineral fiber fireproof ing . Additional

thermal insulation was also added to maximize energy

performance of the building envelope.

30

PRIME PARK, BO^'^On

AERIAL VIEW OF PRIME PARK
References

1. U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Bureau of the Census, Annual

Housing Survey: 1977 , September 1979.

2. U.S. Department of Commerce Construction Reports,. Residential

Alterations and Repairs, Annual 1979 , issued April 1980.

3. Philip E. Kidd, Value of Nonresidential Rehabilitation Will Double

By Mid-1980's , Architectural Record (pg. 61), October 1979.

4. Impact of Building Codes on Housing Rehabilitation, Hearings Before

the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs —United States

Senate, March 24, 1978.

5. James G. Gross, James H. Pielert and Patrick W. Cooke, Impact of

Building Regulations on Rehabilitation - Status and Technical Needs , National Bureau of Standards, Technical Note 998, May 1979.

6. Sandra A. Berry, Ed., Proceedings of the National Conference on Regulatory Aspects of Building Rehabilitation , National Bureau of

Standards, Special Publication 549, August 1979.

7. State of Massachusetts, Article 22 - Repair, Alteration, Addition

and Changes in Use of Existing Buildings , Massachusetts State Building Code Commission, October 1980.

8. Charles J. Dinezio, Update on Massachusetts Rehabilitation Guidelines , Proceedings of Conference on Building Rehabilitation Research and

Technology for the 1980's, National Conference of States on Building

Codes and Standards, 1980.

31
REPAIR, ALTERATIONS, ADDITION", AND CHANGE OF USE OF EXISTING BUILDINGS
ARTICLE 22 REPAIR, ALTERATION, ADDITION, AND

CHANGE OF USE OF EXISTING BUILDINGS

SECTION 2200.0 SCOPE

2200.1 General: The provisions of this article are intended to maintain

or increase public safety, health, and general welfare in existing build- ings by permitting repair, alteration, addition, and/or change of use without requiring full compliance with the code for new construction except where otherwise specified in this article.

2200.2 Compliance: Repairs, alterations, additions, and changes of use shall conform to the requirements of this article. Where compliance

with the provisions of this code for new construction, required by this

article, is impractical because of structural or construction difficulties or regulatory conflicts, compliance alternatives as described in Section 2206.0 may be accepted by the building official.

Note: Specialized codes, rules, regulations, and laws pertaining to repair, alteration, addition., or change of use of existing buildings

promulgated by various authorized agencies may impact upon the provisions of this article. Specialized state codes, rules, regulations, and

laws include, but are not limited to those listed in Appendix P.

2200.3 Applicability: The provisions of this article apply to repair,

alteration and/or addition to existing buildings which qualify to use this

article (see Section 2200.3.1), based on the proposed continuation of or change in use group, as follows:

1. Continuation of the same use group, or a change in use group to a use group of an equal or lesser hazard index number (as listed in Table 2204) shall comply with Section 2203.0.

2. Change in use group to a use group of one (1) or greater hazard

index number (as listed in Table 2204) shall comply with Section

2204.0.

3. Change in use group to a use group of two (2) or greater hazard index numbers (as listed in Table 2204) shall comply with the re- quirements of Section 2205.0 and the code for new construction.

4. Part change in use; If a portion of the building is changed to a new use group, and that portion is separated from the remainder of the buUding with vertical and horizontal fire separation assemblies complying with the fire grading required in Table 902, or with approved compliance alternatives, then the portion changed shall be made to conform to the provisions of this article.

If a portion of the building is changed to a new use group, and

that portion Is not separated from the remainder of the building with vertical and horizontal fire separation assemblies complying

with the fire grading required in Table 902, or with approved

compliance alternatives, then the provisions of this article applying

to each use shall apply to the entire building. If there are conflicr- ing provisions, then those requirements which secure the greater

public safety shall apply.

5. Additions: Additions to existing buildings shall comply with all code requirements for new construction. The combined height and

area of the existing building and new addition shall not exceed that allowed by Table 305 and Sections 305.0 and 306.0. Where a fire wall complying with Section 907.0 is provided, the addition may be

considered as a separate building.

Exception: One story vertical additions to a dwelling unit shall be permitted providing that the floor area of the addition does

not exceed that of the floor area immediately below. Such additions shall be of the same or better type of construction as the

existing building.

No addition shall impose loads which would cause the existing building to be subject to stresses exceeding those permitted by the code

for new construction.

6. Ordinary repairs: Ordinary repairs conforming to Section 102.0 may be performed without a building permit.

7. Institutional use groups: When there is no change in occupancy

within the institutional use group (I), the provisions of Section 2203.0 shall apply.

Any change to an institutional use group (I) or any change in occupancy within an institutional use group shall comply with the requirements of the code for new construction.

8. Places of assembly: Nothing contained herein shall prohibit the

alteration of a building heretofore occupied as a place of assembly

for such continued use, provided that the seats, aisles, passage- ways, balconies, stages, appurtenant rooms, and all special permanent equipment comply with the provisions of Sections 417.0 and

418.0.

All buildings changed to an assembly use group (A) or changed

within the assembly use groups shall comply with the requirements

of Section 417.0 and 418.0 and the applicable provisions of this

article.

9. Historic buildings: Buildings which qualify as historic under Section 435.0 need only meet the provisions set forth in that section. The provisions of this article shall apply to historic buildings only

when specifically cited m Section 436.0.

2200.3.1 Buildings which qualify: The provisions of this article shall apply to existing buildings which have been legally occupied and. or used

for a period of at least five (5) years. No building for which there

exists an outstanding notice of violation or other order of the building

official shall qualify to use this article unless such proposed work in- cludes correction of all outstanding violations and compliance with all out- standing orders of the building official. Structures which fail to qualify

for use of the provisions of this article shall comply fully with the code

for new construction

.
Article 22

2200.4 Hazardous exitways: The following exitway conditions shall- be deemed to be hazardous when so cited by the building official. The

owner of any building where such conditions are cited shall be required

to correct such condition immediately:

1. Less than two (2) acceptable exitways serving every story.

Exceptions: One- or two-family dwellings and buildings subject

to Sections 417.0, 418 0, or 609.3.

2. Any required door, aisle, passageway, stairway, or other required means of egress which is not of sufficient width to comply with

Section 608.0 or is not so arranged as to provide safe and adequate means of egress.SECTION 2201.0 DEFINITIONS

2201.1 General: Definitions shall be construed as being the same as defined in Article 2, except as follows:

Building system: Any mechanical, structural, egress, electrical, plumbing, building enclosure and/or fire protection system, or fire resistive construction system, or portion thereof.

Existing buildina or structure: Any completed building or structure.

Hazard index: The rating of a use group for relative hazard ss listed

in Table 2204. SECTION 2202.0 IMPLEMENTATION

2202.1 Investigation and evaluation: For any proposed work covered by

this article, the building owner shall cause the existing building to be

investigated and evaluated in accordance with the provisions of this Article (see Appendix T).

2202.2 Submittal: The results of the investigation and evaluation, along

with any proposed compliance alternatives, shall be submitted to the building official.

2202.3 Determination of compliance: The building official shall deter- mine whether the existing building, with the proposed work incorporated,

complies with the provisions of this article.

2202.4 Permit application: In addition to the requirements specified in Article 1, the application for a building permit shall include items of non

or partial compliance with the requirements of this article, and compliance

alternatives, if any are proposed, for approval by the building official. The building official shall respond to the acceptability of any proposed

compliance alternatives within thirty (30) days of the filing of the building permit application.

34

Pages 687-688

2202.5 Documentation of compliance alternatives: Whenever action is taken on any building permit application to repair, make alterations or additions or change the use or occupancy of an existing building, and when said application proposes the use of compliance alternatives, the building official shall ensure that one (1) copy of the proposed compliance

alternatives, including applicable plans, test data, or other data for evaluation, be submitted to the Commission, along with a copy of the building permit application and the building official's decision regarding

the proposed compliance alternatives. SECTION 2203.0 REQUIREMENTS FOR CONTINUATION OF THE

SAME USE GROUP OR CHANGE TO A USE GROUP

OF EQUAL OR LESSER HAZARD INDEX

2203.1 General: The requirements of this section shall apply to all repairs and alterations to existing buildings having a continuation of the same use group or to existing buildings changed in use group to an equal

or lesser hazard index number (Table 2204).

2203-2 Requirements exceeding those required for new construction:

Existing buildings which, in part or as a whole, exceed the requirements

of this code may, in the course of compliance with this article, reduce or remove, in part or completely, features not required by this code for new

construction

2203.3 New systems: Any new building system or portion thereof shall conform to this code for new construction to the fullest extent practical.

However, individual components of an existing building system may be repaired or replaced without requiring that system to comply fully with

the code for new construction.

2203.4 Alterations and repairs: Alterations or repairs to existing

buildings which maintain or improve the performance of the building may

be made with the same or like materials. Full compliance to the provisions of Section 2203.0 is not required unless there is a change in use.

2203.5 Floor loads: All floors shall be specifically investigated to de- termine the adequacy of the existing floor system to support the proposed

specific floor loads, which shall not be less than those provided in Article

7 for the proposed use group. However, the loads specified in Article 7 may be reduced by a registered professional engineer based on the specific occupancy loads to be encountered, provided such reduction is ap- proved by the building official.

2203.6 Structural loads: Any portion of the existing building which will not safely support the loads of the proposed use group as specified in Article 7 or Section 2203.5 shall be replaced or strengthened to provide such support.

2203.7 Number of exits: Any existing building shall provide at least two (2) means of egress serving every story which are acceptable to the building official.
Page 689-690

Exception: One- and two-family dwellings and buildings as modified in Sections 417.0, 418.0 (places of assembly), or 609.3 (two-story busi- ness buildings).

2203.8 Capacity of exits: All required means of egress shall comply

with Section 608.0. Existing means of egress may be used to contribute

to the total egress capacity requirement based on the unit egress widths

of Section 608.0.

2203.9 Exit signs and lights: Exit signs and lighting shall be provided

in accordance with Section 623.0.

2203.10 Means of egress lighting: Means of egress oighting shall be provided in accordance with Section 624.0.

2203.11 Fire alarm systems: Fire alarm systems shall be provided in accordance with Sections 1216.0 and 1217.0.

2203.12 Enclosure of stairways: Open stairways are prohibited except in one- and two-family dwellings or unless otherwise permitted by Article 6. There shall be no minimum fireresistance rating required for an existing enclosure of a stairway. Partitions or other new construction which is added in order to fully and solidly enclose a stairway shall provide a minimim fireresistance rating of one (1) hour. All doors in the enclosure

shall be self-closing and tight-fitting with approved hardware. All doors

in those portions of the stairway which are fireresistance rated shall comply to the applicable portions of Article 9.

2203.13 Places of assembly: Nothing herein contained shall prohibit the

alteration of a building heretofore occupied as a place of public assembly

for such continued use provided the seats, aisles, passageways, balconies, stages, appurtenant rooms, and all special permanent equipment comply

with the requirements of Sections 417.0 and 418.0.

All buildings changed to an assembly use group (A) or changed within

the assembly use groups shall comply with the requirements of Sections 417.0 and 418.0 and the applicable provisions of this article.

2203.14 Fire hazard to adjacent buildings: Any proposed change to the occupancy of an existing building shall not increase the fire hazard to adjacent buildings. If the fire hazard to adjacent buildings is substantially increased, then the requirements of Table 214 for exterior walls

shall apply.

2203.15 Increase in the number of dwelling units: In buildings classified

in residential use groups (R), the number of dwelling units may be increased up to fifteen (15) per cent without full compliance to the provisions of Section 2203.9 through 2203.11 inclusive. If an increase of greater than fifteen (15) per cent in the number of dwelling units is involved, the building shall comply with the requirements of Section

Article 22

2203.0. For the purposes of this section only, the base number of dwelling units, which shall be used to calculate percentages of all increases in numbers of dwelling units, shall be that number of dwelling units legally occupied on June 1, 1979.

Exception: Buildings classified in residential use groups (R) containing less than seven (7) dwelling units may be altered to add one (1) dwelling unit without requiring full compliance with the provisions of Section 2203.0.

2203.16 Institutional uses: When there is no change in use or occupancy

within the institutional us^ group (I), the provisions of Section 2203.0

shall apply.

Any change to an institutional use group (I) or any change within an

institutional use group shall comply with the requirements of the code for new construction. SECTION 2204.0 REQUIREMENTS FOR CHANGE IN USE GROUP

TO ONE HAZARD INDEX GREATER

2204.1 General: When the existing use group is changed to a new use group of one (1) hazard index higher (as provided in Table 2204), the

existing building shall conform to the requirements of the code for new- construction, except as further provided in this section.

2204.2 Mixed use: Compliance is required with Section 213.0 and Table

902 except that floors and walls providing horizontal and vertical separation in buildings of Types 3 and 4 construction shall have a fire-resis- tance rating of not less than one (1) hour and shall be equipped with a

fire suppression system.

2204.3 Restrictions within fire limits: No further compliance is required

with Section 302.0. However, if the fire hazard to adjacent buildings is substantially increased due to an increased fire loading, then the require- ments of Section 302.0 shall apply.

2204.4 Area and height limitations: No further compliance is required

with Sections 305.2 and 305.3 (e.g., a change in use is allowed in an

existing building even if it exceeds the area and height limits of Table

305).

2004.5 Accessibility for physically handicapped: Nc further compliance

is required with Section 315.1.

2204.6 Exitway stairs: Compliance is required with Section 616.0, except that existing exitway stairways may be used as part of the required

egress for the new use, provided that the width is of sufficient capacity

for the occupancy load, they are structurally sound, and that the enclo- sures in buildings of Types 3 and 4 construction shall have a fireresis35
Article 22 Pages 691-692

tance rating of not less than one (1) hour. Stairway enclosures in build- ings of Type 1 and 2 construction shall have a fire resistance rating of not less than two (2) hours. Where stair exitway doors are doors to an apartment or office they need not swing onto the landing. Such doors

shall be self-closing and tight-fitting with approved hardware.

2204.7 Earthquake resistance and liquefaction: No further compliance to Sections 716.0 and 720.0 is required. Structural alterations may be made

to existing buildings, but the resistance to lateral forces shall not be less than before such alterations were made, unless the building as altered meets the requirements of this code for earthquake loads.

2204.8 Mortar; No further compliance is required with Section 815.0.

2204.9 Fire and party walls: No further compliance is required with

Section 907.0. The height above the roof of existing fire, party and

exterior walls need not comply with this section.

Notes to Table 2205:

*See Section 203.0 thru 212.0 and Appendix T.

**Hazard Index Modifier for selected construction t^Ties.

UTien a building is classified in Construction T>'pe lA, IB, 2A , or 2B, subtract one

(1) from the Hazard Index number shown in Table 220A for the applicable proposed new use group only .

When a building is classified in construction Type 3C or 4B, add one (1) to the Index number shown in Table 220<i for the applicable proposed new use group onlv.

Table 2205' HAZAH) INDEX

Scale: 1-6 (1 is lowest, 8 is highest hazard)

Use Group*

A-1-

A-1- A-2

A

BF

HI-l

1-2 M

R-1

R-2

R-3

S-1

S-2

Description Index No.**

Theatre with stage Theatre rithout stage

Night club Restaurant

Lecture halls, recreation centers, museums, libraries, similar af- secbly buildings Churches and schools Business Factory and industrial

High hazard Institutional restrained Institutional incapacitated Mercantile

Hotels, motels Multi-family

One and two family

Storage, moderate hazard

Storage, low hazard

SECTION 2205.0 REQUIREMENT FOR CHANGE IN USE

TO TWO OR MORE HAZARD INDICES GREATER

GROUP

2205.1 General: When the existing use group is changed to a new use group of two (2) or more hazard indices higher (as provided in Table

2204), the existing building shall conform to the requirements of the code

for new construction. SECTION 2206.0 COMPLIANCE ALTERNATIVES

2206.1 General: Where compliance with the provisions of the code for new construction, required by this article, is impractical because of structural or construction difficulties or regulatory conflicts, compliance

alternatives may be accepted by the building official.

1 Table 1 of Appendix T shows a much more detailed

listing of use group and related hazard inde>c.

36
Pages 693-694 Article 22

Some compliance alternatives which have been used are provided in Appendix T. The building official may accept these compliance alternatives or others proposed.

2206.2 Documentation: In accordance with Section 2202.5, the building

official shall ensure that the Commission is provided with information re- garding compliance alternatives accepted or rejected by him. SECTION 2207.0 ENERGY PROVISIONS

FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS

2207.4.3 Roofs: Compliance of the roof/ceiling assembly is not required

unless the existing roofing material is stripped off the roof deck. However, if a structural analysis by a registered professional engineer shows

that the roof will not support the additional live loads imposed by compli- ance of the roof/ceiling assembly, or, if such analysis shows that addition

of the required amount of insulation will cause ponding of water, then

compliance of the roof/ceiling assembly is not required.

TABLE 2207 COMPONENT VALUES FOR ALTERED ELEMENTS

2207.1 General; This section establishes the energy provisions for existing buildings governed by Section 2203.0. Existing buildings gov- erned by Sections 2204.0, 2205.0, or by the code for new construction

shall comply with the requirements of Article 20 for new construction.

2207.2 Compliance alternatives: Alterations to any of the building elements of an existing building must comply with Table 2207 on either a component basis; or an equivalent energy usage analysis basis; or a system analysis basis.

2207.2.1 Component basis: Alterations to any of the building elements

(walls, windows, doors, roofs or mechanical systems) shall comply with Table 2207 and the applicable subsections of Article 20 for the altered elements only.

2207.2.2 Equivalent energy usage analysis: Alterations to any of the

building envelope elements (walls, windows, doors, or roof) may be adjusted so that the energy losses of any element may be increased or de- creased as long as the total does not exceed that which would have been

calculated for the individual components

.

2207.2.3 Systems analysis: Refer to design criteria for systems analysis. Section 2013.0 of this code for

2207.3 Exempt buildings: Refer to Section 2001.4 for thermally exempt

buildings and Section 2015.0 for lighting exemptions.

2207.4 Compliance exceptions ; 2207.4.1 Fenestration: When alterations to a wall assembly include only

altering the fenestration component, the areas of fenestration may be de- creased or replaced with an opaque wall element made to comply with the thermal transmittance value of the existing wall.

2207.4.2 Ordinary repairs: energy provisions.Ordinary repairs need not comply with the

Walls All wall construction containing heated or mechanically

cooled space 0.08 6, 8

Foundation Walls

Tnrli]Hinn R;^nH Containing heated or mechaniContaining unheated space

0.08

0.17

4

Roof/Ceiling Assembly Wood plank and beam construction

containing heated or mechanically

cooled space 0.08 1

Roof/Ceiling Assembly Construction other than wood plank and beam containing heated or mechanically cooled space 0.05

Doors, Skylights and Windows

All construction enclosing heated

or mechanically cooled space

0.65

0.65

2, 7

56

Floors Floor sections over areas exposed

to outside air or unheated areas

Unheated slab on grade

Heated slab on grade

0.08

5.50 (R)

7.75 (R)

3

Mechanical Equipment

Heating, cooling, sizing and efficiency

Sect. 2010. thru 2010.7

1 9

Equipment

Controls Humidstats, thermostats and

zoning Sect. 2010. 8 9

Duct and Pipe

Insulation and

Construction

Located in unconditioned areas

Sect. 2010.9

2010.10, 2010.13

37
REFERENCE DATA FOR REPAIR, ALTERATION ADDITION AND

CHANGE OF USE OF EXISTING BL'ILDINGS PART ONE-GUIDELINES FOR APPLICATION

T-101 0 Purpose

T-101 1 Intent of Article 22: The purpose of this guideline is to provide guidance to users of the Massachusetts State Building Code as to techniques of acceptable practice which can be used to assess the acceptability of various methods of meeting the intent of the code provnsions of Article 22 on a case-by-case basis. The purpose of the code provisions

in Article 22 and this guideline is to allow repair, alteration, addiiior. and change of use of exjsting buildings without requiring the entire building

lo be brought up to new construction requirements, while still providing

for the public health, safety and genera! welfare. The provisions of Article 22 and this guideline recognize that the provisions of th? Massachusetts State Building Code for new construction reflect the latest im- provements in materials, construction techniques, standards of living and

safety and, therefore, may preclude the repair, alteration, addition, or change of use of existing buildings that have demonstrated their use- fulness and safety.

T-102.0 Scope

T-102 1 Techniques: This guideline is intended to demonstrate

techniques of analysis and compliance with Article 22 of the Massachusetts

State Building Code in the repair, alteration, addition, and change of use

of existing buildings.

T-103.0 Statement of concept

T-103.1 General conditions: Conceptually, ii is the intent of Article 22 and these guidelines to allow repair, alteration, addiiion, or change of use of existing buildings vsithout meeting all nevs construction require- ments under the following general conditions:

1. all hazardous conditions must be corrected;

2. the existing building becomes the minLmurr performance standard, and

3. the degree of compliance of the building after changes must not be

belcv, that existing before the changes, except that nothing in this section will require compliance with requirements more stringent than that required for neu construction.

Pages 828-829

T-104 0 Implementation

T-lCM.l Framework: Implementation of the above concept requires

that a iramework be established for evaluating the condition of the building; determining the potential for modification; and establishing th' acceptability of proposed changes.

T-104. 2 Evaluation of existing building: Evaluation of existing conditions in a structure Is required to determine the existence of any- hazardous conditions, which must be corrected; and to provide a basis

for evaluating the Impact of the proposed changes on the performance of the building.

The following list of evaluation tools described in Sections T-104. 2,1 through T-104. 2. 7 of this appendix can be used for determining the condition of the structure. However, this, list is not necessarily complete and the use of other methods should not be precluded.

T-104. 2.1 Available documentation of existing building: Prime sources

of design Information for existing buildings are the architectural and en- gineering drawings and specifications used in the construction of the building. Although the passing of time often obscures the identifies of depositaries of such documents, the following are likely prospects in attempting to locate such Information:

1. If the building is currently in use, an Individual or office responsible for its management may have retained drawings and specifications to facilitate maintenance. A building manager, resident engi- neer, superintendant , custodian, stationary engineer or plant engi- neer may be the most direct contact at the building site.

2. Other potential sources (especially if the building is not m use) in- clude the original designer-architect or engineer.

3. The building department which issued the permit for construction may have documentation.

4. Documentation may have been retained by the general contractor or numerous subcontractors. This presents the mason, carpenter,

plumber, electrician, HV'AC installer, steel erector, etc., as well as manufacturers of component parts, as potential sources of documentation . 5. In the case of large corporations or government agencies, a separate contracting officer may have developed a technical file on the erection of a building.

6. In some cases. Individual consultants are contracted to serve as "clerk-of-the-works" and pursue the inspection of a building pro)ect

from, start to finish with the keeping of a file likely.

7. Insurance companies sometimes maintain drawings or records of their insured buildings.

8. Historical or archaeological societies may have considered a building

to be important enough to develop a file of documentation.
Pages 830-831

T-104.2.2 Field surveys; Having drav.Ti upon available documentaUon

to help evaluate a building's condition, such documentation may be aug- mented by on-site data acquired through field survey. The most obvious approach is to make use of detailed visual examination to conflrni and/or

alter any previously available Information pertaining to the building.

T104.2.3 Testing: Testing is a tool that may be used m evaluating

the condition of a building or structure or parts thereof when other methods of evaluation will not suffice. Testing may be Initialed voluntarily on the part of the permit applicant or may be required by the building official in the absence of approved rules as indicated in Section 800.6 of the code. This section points out that ". . .the building official shall make or cause to be made the necessary tests and Investigations, or he shall accept duly authenticated reports from recognized authoritative sources." The costs of all such tests are to be borne by the permit applicant and should, therefore, be required by the building official only

when other methods of evaluation prove inadequate or insufficient. Such

testing should be conducted by an approved testing agency under the supervision of a registered architect or engineer. The report of the

tests shall be submitted to the building official and shall Include the

details of test procedures, references to any accepted test standards

used, the results of the tests and any conclusions drawn f'^om the test results -

T-104.2.4 Field tests: Both nondestructive and destructive test pro- cedures can be applied to evaluate the condition of a building.

T-104.2.5 Nondestructive testing: This Includes techniques where the structural integrity of the building is not affected, such as the following:

1. analyzing various portions of the building to determine dimensions,

types and condition of materials, etc.;

2. portable apparatus for Impact testing;

3. load application short of failure to determine capacity of materials and components;

4. magnetic methods for detecting flaws in ferrous metals;

5. proximity magnetometers (locating rebars In concrete, concealed ferrous fasteners, etc.);

6. electronic means for measuring the sonic modulus of elasticity of concrete and masonry in assessing its soundness;

7. ultrasonic transmission or reflective methods in detecting flaws m

various materials; and

8. x-ray or infrared-ray photographic techniques used to evaiute portions of elements whose integrity is questionable.

T-104.2.6 Destructive testing: In destructive testing a sample of the

building could be removed and tested (e.g., concrete core), or components of the building could be reconstructed and tested m the l^bcraiory

Appendix T

T-104.2.7 Laboratory analysis: In some cases, tests can be performed

in the laboratory. Such tests might include the following:

1. chemical or metallurgical tests,

2. optical or electronic microscopic examination which can help identify ana evaluate the soundness of materials where decay or other molecular degradation Is involved,

3. conventional laboratory tests for determining physical properties

(strength, ductility, absorption, solubility, permeability, stiffness,

etc . ; and/or

4. testing of a scale model of the building (computer mode;, wind

tunnel model , etc . )

.

T-104.3 Evaluation of change in performance level: It is necessa.'v

to determine if the level of performance of the building after alteration is below that which existed before the change. The hazard level could be Increased for certain attributes (such as fire safety,'' while decreased for other attributes (such as floor loads) for a given alteration. The eval.ation of the change in hazard levels of each attribute can be accorr.piishe'i using various tools singly or in combination as described below m Sections 104.3.1 through 104.3.5.

T-104.3.1 Data on archaic systems: Performance data on architecture! and structural systems being encountered in existing buildings in the Commonwealth are tabulated in part four of this appendix. This data car. be compared to the proposed altered systems to determine if the perfor- mance is being adversely affected.

T-104.3.2 Compliance alternatives: Alternate solutions tab-lated in part two of this appendix were developed from appeal data and from

accepted practice. The list is not all-inclusive and should not preclude

consideration of other alternatives

T-104.3.3 Analysis methods: Analytical methods based on good engineering practice may be used to determine changes in performance levels

T-104 3 4 Test methods: Test procedures as discussed in Sections T-104.2.3 through T-104 2.6 of this appendix can be used to evaluate the performance of existing construction.

T-104. 3. 5 Professional judgment: Professional judgement based or previous experience with similar buildings should be used to the fuiies; extent possible.

PART TWO-SUGGESTED COMPLIANCE ALTERNATIVES

T-201.0 Purpose and scope

T-201.] Purpose: The purpose of this reference is to assist the building official and those regulated by this code in judging the accep'.a39
Appendix T

bility of compliance alternatives to specific code provisions required by

the code

T-201.2 Application; This reference contains generally acceptable

compliance alternatives and examples. The examples are solely for thf purpose of illustrating principles which can be applied to the solution of code compliance problems and are not necessarily acceptable under all circumstances. It is recognized that all building systems interact with each other. Therefore, any consideration of compliance alternatives must

take into account all existing and proposed conditions to determine their acceptability. The principles applied can be used for the solution of similar compliance problems in other buildings and occupancy groups. Commentaries are provided where the philosophy in establishing the alternatives Is not obvious. The examples were developed from appeal

data and accepted practice. They are not all-inclusive and should not preclude consideration of other alternatives.

Note: It IS anticipated that additional compliance alternatives will be added to this reference through the mechanism of appeal decisions and

from resul's of research being conducted by various organizations m

the field oi relative performance of life safety systems.

T-202.0 Compliance alternatives for egress requirements

T -202.1 Number of exits

T-202.1.1 General compliance alternatives:

1 Provide connecting fire balconies.

2. Provide alternate egress facilities (windows, etc.).

3. Provide a fire escape

4. Provide fire-rated areas of refuge.

T-202,1.2 Examples: Example 1 involves a five-story "row house" of occupancy group B without a fire suppression systerri and with only one

(1 ) means of egress

Solution A. Add one (1) or more fire escapes as may be necessary to provide all tenants with reasonable access to two (2) means of egress in separate directions. Access to a street, public way or area of refuge

shall be provided at the termination of the fire escape.

Section B. Add connecting fire balconies across fire walls if the abo\ e solution IS impractical due to construction difficulties Example 2 involves a building of group R-2 occupancy with an apart- ment in the basement There is only one (1) means of egress from the basement

Solution A. Provide egress windows in each apartment that comply with

Section 609.4.

40

Pages 832-833

T-202.2 Travel distance

T-202.2.1 General compliance alternatives:

1. Add detection system.

2. Add a partial fire suppression system.

3. Add smoke doors.

4. Increase fireresistance rating of corridor walls and doors.

T-202.2. 2 Example: This example involves a four (4) story building of occupancy group R-2 without a fire suppression system. The length of exitway access travel is one hundred fifty (150) feet. Solution A. Add a partial fire suppression system off the domestic water supply (if adequate) in the exit access corridor.

Solution B. Subdivide corridor into segments of less than one hundred

100 feet with smoke doors.

Solution C. If not required by other sections of the code, install smoke and fire detectors with audible alarms in the corridor.

Solution D. Increase the fireresistance rating of the exit access corri- dor from one (1) hour to two (2) hours and provide one-half hour (1/2) hour "B" label self-closing or automatic closing fire doors in all openings

into the corridor.

T-202.3 Enclosure of exitways

T-202.3.1 General Compliance alternatives

1. Improve enclosure of exitway.

2. Add a partial fire suppression system.

3. Add a detection system.

T-202.3. 2 Examples: This example involves a four (4) story row

building of occupancy group R-2 with connecting fire balconies and an

interior stair. The stair is enclosed with wood lath and plaster on wood

stud partitions and paneled doors.

Solution A. Cover partitions on the apartment side with 5/8" Type X gypsum wallboard or its equivalent. Replace or build up panel doors

until minimum solid portion is one and three-eights (1 3/8") and install self-closers

Solution B. Provide a heat and smoke detection system m the stairwell with an alarm audible to all tenants. Provide self-closers on all stairwell doors

Solution C. Provide a oartial fire suppression system in the stairwell

off the domestic water supply (if adequate). Provide self-closers on all stairwell doors.

T-202.3. 3 Commentary: The above example, while pertaining to a four

(4) story group R-2 building, can also be applied to other buildings of various heights and occupancies. The principle that the degree of compliance may not be reduced should be remembered. If the existing enclo-
Pages 834-835

sure is of flreresistlve construction. It must be maintained. The primary

principle to remember, In the required enclosure of exltway, is that an

enclosure must be provided, whether flreresistlve or not, so as to provide a smoke barrier. The purpose of providing a smoke barrier is to prevent the passage of smoke from a fire on one (1) floor to the exjtways and exit access corridors of other floors and thus render them unusable

for for egress. This principle Is Illustrated by solutions A, B, and C In the above example.

T-203.0 Compliance alternatives for fire hazards

T-203.1 Fire separations and partitions

T-203.1.1 General compliance alternatives:

1. Improve fire separation.

2. Add a fire suppression system.

3. Add a detection system.

T-203.1. 2 Examples. Example 1 involves a three G) story Type 3A

building, of occupancy gr 'up M, on the first floor and occupancy group B on the second and third floors. The required separation is three (3) hours

.

Solution A. Add a fire suppression system to the first and second

floors

.

SoluUon B. Add five-eighths (5/8) inch Type X gypsum wallboard or

its equivalent to the underside of the second floor and install a system of smoke and heat detectors with audible alarms on the first and second

floors

.

Example 2 involves the separation between two (2) tenants of wood lath and plaster on a wood studs partition. The required spearation is one

(1) hour.

Solution A. Add five-eights (5/8) inch Type X gypsum wallboard or its equivalent to either side of the existing partition.

Example 3 involves a building of occupancy B wnth unrated exit access

corridors

.

Solution A. Install a partial fire suppression system In the exit access

corridors

.

Solution B. Add five-eighths (5/8) inch Type X gypsum wallboard or

its equivalent to either side of the corridor partition and install self- closers on all corridor doors.

Solution C. Install a smoke and heat detection system in the corridor with an alarm audible to all tenants on the floor and install self-closers on

all corridor doors.

T-203.2 Openings and exterior wall protection

Appendix T

T-203.2.1 General compliance alternatives:

1. Add fire suppression system.

2. Improve fireresistance

.

3. Remove or improve openings.

T-203.2, 2 Examples: Example 1 Involves a two (2) story Type 4E

building, of occupancy M, on the first floor with the basement and upper

floors used for storage. The distance between the building and the side

lot line is five (5) feet and between it and the adjacent building is ten

(10) feet The adjacent building is of Type 4B construction and of occupancy group R-2. The former occupant was a grocery store; the new

occupant is a hardware store. Solution A. Install a deluge sprinkler system along the interior side of the wall affected

.

Solution B. Add five-eighths (5/8) Inch Type X gypsum wallboard to Interior side of the wall affected. Example 2 Is the same as example 1 but with double-hung wood windows

in affected wall. Solution A. Remove windows and close opening with one (1) hour

flreresistlve construction.

Solution B. Remove windows and install fire windows.

Solution C. Install a deluge sprinkler system as in solution A to example 1. PART THREE-DETAILED CLASSIFICATION OF OCCUPANCY BY

HAZARD INDEX NUMBER AND USE GROUP

This part provides a more detailed guide for users of the code to deter- mine hazard Index numbers and use groups for various types of occupancies. It supplements Article 2 and Table 220? contained in Article 22. Table T-1 (Not reproduced here)

PART FOUR-ARCHAIC CONSTRUCTION SYSTEMS

T-401.0 Purpose and Scope

T-401.1 Purpose: The purpose of this part of Appendix T is to assist the building official and those regulated by this code in evaluating

the properties of archaic construction systems.

T-401.2 Scope: This part of Appendix T contains data on construction systems no longer in general use but which may be encountered ir older existing buildings. It is meant to be used for assessing existing conditions when evaluating how proposed changes will impact upon the performance of the building.

T-401.3 Application: In any given problem, all available data sho'>:ld be collected and professional judgment exercised in arriving at decisions.

41
Appendix T

Evaluative judgment should be used when test data does not exist or when applying the data contained In this standard

T-402.0 Archaic fireresistive systems

T-402.1 General: This part of Appendix T contains a list of fire- resistive materials and construction which are not necessarily currently in common use. Some of the hourly ratings contained m the listing predate

ASTM E-119 that is in current use. The hourly ratings may be higher or lower if tested according to ASTM E-119. In addition to the data contained herein, see Report BMS92, Building Mate'-ials and Structures, dated October 7, 1942, National Bureau of Standards The data listed

belov\ is extracted from the Boston Building Code, circa 1943.

T-402.2 Fireresistive materials and construction

T-402.2.1 Minimum qualities: Materials, to be given the fireresistive rating? specified in this part, shall have the following rrunimum quaiit;e?

set forth in Sections T-402.2. 2 through T-402.2. 19.

T-402.2. 2 Class 1 concrete: Concrete of Class 1 shall be so proportioned as to ha\'e a strength of at least fifteen hundred (150C, pou-^df per square inch (psi.i and the coarse aggregate shall consist of limestone, trap rock, blast furnace slag, cinders containing not more than twenty

(20) per cent of combustible material, burned clay or shale.

T-402 2.3 Class 2 concrete. Concrete of Class 2 shall be sc proportioned a? to have a strength of at least fifteen hundred (1500) pounds

psi, the coarse aggregate consisting of sandstone, granite, quartzite,

siliceous grave! or other similar material not over one (1 > inch in size

T-402. 2. 4 Masonry: Masonry shall be laid m lune-cement or cement

mortar, or approved masonry cement mortar, except that masonry of gyp- sum tile shall, and masonry of structural clay tile may, be laid in gypsum

mortar Masonry shall be thoroughly bonded by breaking )oints in successA'e courses or by the use of metal ties.

T-402. 2. 5 Brick: Brick shall be burned clay or shale, concrete or sand-hme brick of Grade C or better.

T-402. 2. 6 Stone: Stone shall be limestone, marble, slate or equally

fireresistive natural stone. Sandstone, granite or other stone which, be- cause of its crystalline structure or for other reason, is less fireresistive, shall not be considered fire protection for structural metal, but may

be used in a masonry wall not less than twelve (12) inches thick required

to have fireresistance . Stone masonry shall have the- same fireresistA e rating as brick masonry.

42

Pages 836-837

T-402. 2. 7 Cast stone: Cast stone masonry shall have the same fire- resistive rating as brick masonry.

T-402. 2. 8 Concrete blocks: Concrete blocks, whether solid or hollow,

shall have as coarse aggregate limestone, trap rock, blast furnace slag, cinders containing not more than twenty (20) per cent of combustible material, burned clay or shale.

T-402. 2. 9 Structural clay Ule: Structural clay tile shall conform to the specifications for load-bearing tile, floor tile or partition tile. Where

partition tile is specified, load-bearing tile may be used.

T-402. 2. 10 Gypsum: Gypsum tile or pre-cast gypsum concrete, whether

solid or hollow, shall conform to Standard Specifications for Gypsum

Partition Tile or Block of the American Society for Testing Materials and

shall not contain more than three (3) per cent by weight of wood or other combustible binder or filler.

T-402. 2. 11 Gypsum concrete: Gypsum concrete shall not contain more

than twelve and one-half (12 l,/2) percent by weight of wood or other combustible binder or filler and shall have a compressive strength of at least five hundred (500) psi. It shall not be used where exposed to the elements

T-402 2.12 Lath: Expanded metal or wire lath as a base or reinforce- ment for plastering shall weigh not less than two and two-tenths (2 .2

pounds per square yard and shall have not less than two and one-half

(2S) meshes per inch.

T-402. 2. 13 Metal mesh for masonry: Metal mesh reinforcement specified

for masonry fire protection of structural metal shall consist of vMre lath strips the full thickness of the masonry, laid in the beds thereof, or its approved equivalent.

T-402. 2. 14 Metal mesh for concrete: Metal mesh reinforcement specified

for concrete fire protection of structural metal shall consist of wire mesh

weighing not less than one and one-half (1'^) pounds per square yard

wnth wire spaced not over four (4) inches, or not less than No. 11 gauge

steel wire spaced not over four (4) inches apart, or its approved equivalent .

T-402. 2. 15 Cement plaster: Cement plaster shall be proportioned of one

(1) part Portland cement, and not more than two (2) parts of sand mea- sured by volume dry and loose to which may be added lime putty or hydrated lime not exceeaing fifteen (15) per cent of the cement.

T-402. 2. 16 Gypsum plaster: Gypsum plaster: Gypsum, plaster, except

where otherwise specified, may contain sand, not in excess of three (3) times the weight of the gypsum.
Pages 838-839

T-402.2.17 Lime plaster: Lime plaster shall consist of a mixtu e of one

(1) part lime, not over three (3) parts sand, and water.

T-402.2.18 Pneumatically projected mortar; Pneumatically projected mortar made of Portland cement, sand and water shall be rated for fire protection the same as Class 1 concrete.

T-402.2.19 Concrete fill: Concrete fill, where specified in this appendix in connection with hollow masonry units shall consist of Class 1 or Class 2 concrete poured in the hollow spaces of the units as they are

laid.

T-402.2.20 Reinforced concrete: Portland cement concrete or gypsum

concrete poured in place as fire protection for beams, trusses and other

horizontal or Inclined members of structural steel and pneumatically projected mortar applied to structural steel as fire protection shall be rein- forced with metal mesh reinforcement. Concrete protection for vertical columns of structural metal shall have reinforcing consisting of No. 5 wire spaced not over eight (8) inches apart or its equivalent. Reinforcement

shall be wrapped around the structural member and so arranged as to be completely embedded in the fire protection material and to ensure its integrity

.

T-402.2.21 Reinforced plaster: Plaster used as fire proteclior or to resist the spread of fire shall be reinforced with metal lath, except plaster less than one (1) inch thick or masonry or concrete.

T-402.2.22 Replacement material: In the protection of structural metal including reinforcement, one-half ('-5) inch of cement or gypsum plaster may replace an equal thickness of poured concrete or pneumatically projected mortar as protective material; and one (1) inch of cement or gyp- sum plaster reinforced with metal lath may replace an equal thickness of poured concrete, pneumatically projected mortar or masonry protection.

T-402.2.23 Plaster: Where plaster is required without other specification, it shall consist of one-half ('-5) inch of cement or gypsum plaster,

except that only gypsum plaster shall be used on gypsum masonry.

T-402.2.24 Thickness: In this appendix, except where otherwise specifically stated, the thickness given in a list of materials applies to the next following item only, and not to the total thickness where additional materials are specified.

T-402.2.25 Embedding limitations: Pipes, wires, conduits and ducts

shall not be embedded In or placed behind the fire-protective material? required for the protection of structural steel or iron except as otherwise provided in this paragraph. Above fire-protective hung ceilings and

within the enclosed space in buildings of Type 1 and Type 2 construeAppendix T

tion, within which, other than the enclosure, fire protection of steel is not required, pipes, wires, conduits and ducts may be placed, provided

they are so arranged and so secured that they will not, either by ex- panding in the event of fire, or otherwise impair, the effectiveness of the enclosing protective materials. Electric conduits and wires and gas pipes may be embedded in concrete or masonry fire protection of structural

steel where the protective material is reinforced with wire mesh, provided

they shall have protective covering except over the tops of beams and

girders, at least as thick as required for the steel.

T-402.2.26 Damage protection: In factories, garages, warehouses and

other buildings in which the flre-protective covering required for stee! or

iron columns may be damaged by the movement of vehicles, materials or equipment, such covering shall be protected by metal or other material in a manner satisfactory to the building official,

T-402.2.27 Firestopping : Firestopping shall mean the stopping off or enclosure at the ends and wherever else specified of the spaces between

studs of partitions, joists of floors and roofs and other similar spaces to prevent drafts of air and the communication of fire from one (1) such

space to another. Fire-stopping shall consist of wood not less than one and one-half (1^) inches thick, of sheet metal not less than No. 24 gauge

or of masonry, or a combination of such materials. Firestopping shall be

tightly fitted in the space to be filled, about pipes, wires and ducts and,

if cut or disturbed in the placement of pipes, wires and ducts, shall be

repaired

.

T-402.3 Fire protection of steel columns

T-402.3.1 Protective thickness: Structural steel columns required to have fire protection of a given rating shall be covered on all sides with

protective material having not less than the thickness necessary for the required rating. Except where "no fill" is specified, re-entrant and

other accessible spaces behind the specified outer protection shall be

filled with concrete or brick masonry or the material of the outer protection .

T-402.3. 2 Fireresistance rating: Materials shall be assumed to afford

to steel columns fire protection of the rating indicated in the following Sections T-402.3. 3 through T-402.3. 6:

T-402.3. 3 Four (4) hour rating:

1. Two (2) inches Class 1 concrete.

2. Three (3) inches Class 2 concrete, metal mesh reinforcement.

3. Three and one-half (3*^) inches brick masonry.

4. Two (2) layers two (2) inch structural clay partition tile masonry,

metal mesh in beds.

5. Two (2) inches structural clay partition tile masonry, concrete fill, metal mesh in beds, three-fourths (3/4) inch gypsum plaster.

43
Appendix T

9. 10.

11

12.

Four (4) Inches structural clay partition tile masonry, concrete fill, metal mesh in beds, five-eighths (5/8) inch lime plaster Four (4) Inches structural clay partition tJle or concrete block masonry, concrete fill, plaster. Three (3) inches hollov. gypsum tile masonry and plaster

Two (2) inches gypsum concrete, metal mesh reinforcement. Two (2) inches solid gypsum tile masonry and plaster. Three (3) inches solid cinder concrete block masonry and plaster. Four (4) inches hollow cinder concrete block masonry and plaster

T-402 3.4 Three (3) hour rating:

Pages 840-841

quired rating. Re-entrant spaces, if any, on the exterior of cast iron columns, and other accessible spaces behind the specified protection,

shall be filled with Class 1 concrete or brick masonry or the material of the outer protection.

T-402. 4. 2 Fireresistance rating Materials shall be assumed to afford

to cast iron columns fire protection of the rating indicating in the follow- ing Sections T-402. 4. 3 through T-402. 4. 5;

T-402. 4. 3 Four (4) hour rating: Cast iron columns shall not be used where the protection of a four 4) hour rating is required.

1. One and three-fourths (1 3/4) inches Class 1 concrete.

2. Two (2) inches Class 2 concrete, metal mesh reinforcement

3. Two (2) inches gypsum concrete.

4. Two (2) inches solid cinder concrete block masonry and plaster.

5. Two (2) inches structural clay partition tile masonry, concrete fill 6. Four (4) inches structural clay partition tile masonry, concrete fill, metal mesh in beds, five-eighths (5/8) inch lime plaster.

T-402. 3. 5 Two (2) hour rating;

1. One and one-half (1'-^) Inches Class 1 concrete.

2. Two (2) inches Class 2 concrete, metal mesh reini'orcement

3. One (1) inch Class 1 or Class 2 concrete encased in standard

weight steel or wrought iron pipe.

4. Two (2) inches structural clay partition tile masonry and plaster

5. Two (2) layers plaster, each on metal lath, with three-fourths (3/4)

inch air space between, two (2) inchcr total thickness

6. Two (2) inches gypsum concrete.

7. Two (2) inches solid or three (3) inches hollow gypsum tile masonry

T-402. 3, 6 One (1) hour rating:

1. One (1) inch Class 1 concrete.

2. One and one-half (1'-^) inches Class 2 concrete with meta! mesh rein- forcement . 3. Twc and one-fourth (2-,) inches brick masonry.

4. Two (2) inches structural clay partition tile or concrete block masonry

5. One (1) inch cement or gypsum plaster on metal lath.

T-402. 3. 7 Thickness: The thickness of protection on the outer edges

of lugs or brackets need not exceed one (1) inch.

T-402. 4 Fire protection of cast iron columns

T-402 4.1 Protective thickness: Cast iron columns required to havr

fire protection of a given rating shall be covered on all sides with protective materials having not less than the thickness necess'ary for the reT-402 4.4 Three (3) hour rating

1. Two (2) inches Class 2 concrete.

2. Three (3) inches Class 2 concrete, metal mesh reinforcement.

3. Two (2) inches structural clay partition tile or concrete block masonry conrete fill. 4. One and one-half {\\) Inches cement or gypsum plaster on metal

lath and metal furring to form one-half (4) inch air space.

5. One and one-half (1^) inches Class 1 concrete.

6 Two (2) inches Class 2 concrete with metal mesh reinforcement.

T-402. 4. 5 One (1) hour rating

1. One (1) inch Class 1 concrete.

2. One and one-half (IS) inches Class 2 concrete with metal mesh

reinforcement

3. One (1) inch cement or gypsum plaster on metal lath.

T-402. 5 Fire protection of steel in reinforced concrete columns

T-402. 5.1 Protection thickness: The main stee! reinforcement, includ- ing spiral reinforcement and ties larger than one-half (4) inch, in rein- forced concrete columns required to have fire protection of a given rating

shall be covered with concrete having not less than the thickness listed

in this section for the rating indicating in the following Sections T-402

.5.2 through T-402. 5. 6:

T-402. 5. 2 Four (4) hour rating

1. One and one-half (1^) inches Class 1 concrete.

2. Two (2) inches Class 2 concrete.

T-402. 5. 3 Three (3) hour rating: One and one-half (I'l) inches Class

1 or Class 2 concrete.

44
Pages 842-843

T-402.5.4 Two (2) hour rating

1. One (1) Inch Class 1 concrete.

2. One and one-half (l^s) Inches Class 2 concrete.

T-402.5.5 One (1) hour rating; One (1) Inch Class 1 or Class 2 concrete

.

T-402.5.6 Ties less than one-half (S) Inch: The thickness of protection on column ties not larger than one-half (\) inch may be one-half (S) inch thinner than that listed above.

Appendix T

T-402.6.5 Two (2) hour rating One and one-half (1^) Inches Class 2 concrete. Two (2) Inches gypsum concrete.

T-402.6.6 One (1) hour rating

1. One (1) inch Class 1 concrete.

2. One and one-half (1^) inches Class 2 concrete.

3. Seven-eighths (7/8) inch or cement or gypsum plaster on

lath.

T-402.6 Fire protection of steel beams, girders, and trusses

T-402.6.1 Protective thickness: Steel beams, girders i.r\d trusses or the members of trusses, required to have fire protection of a given

rating, shall be covered on all sides with material having not less than

the thickness necessary for the requtred rating.

T-402.6. 2 Flreresistance rating; Materials shall be assumed to afford

steel beams, girders and trusses, or the members thereof, fire protection

of the rating indicated in the following Sections T-402.6. 3 through T-402

.6.6;

T-402. 6. 3 Four (4) hour rating

1. Two (2) inches Class 1 concrete.

2. Three (3) inches Class 2 concrete.

3. Three (3) inches structural clay partition tile or concrete block masonry and plaster.

4. Three (3) inches hollow gypsum tile masonr-y and plaster.

5. Two (2) inches gypsum concrete.

6. Two (2) inches solid gypsum tile masonry and plaster.

T-402. 6.4 Three (3) hour rating

1. One and three-quarters (1 3/4) inches Class 1 concrete.

2. Two and one-half (2S) inches Class 2 concrete.

3. Two (2) inches gypsum concrete.

4. Two (2) Inches structural clay partition tile, or concrete block

masonr-y and plaster.

5. Two (2) inches solid, or three (3) inches hollow gypsum tile masonry

.

T-402. 7 Fire protection of steel in reinforced concrete beams

T-402. 7.1 Protective thickness; The mam steel reinforcement, inci-ding stirrups larger than one-half (S) inch, in reinforced concrete bea.v:;

.

girders and trusses, including the ribs of reinforced concrete ribbed

floors or roofs where one (1) or both sides of the ribs, in add;*!on to the

soffit, are exposed to fire, required to have fire proterticn of a giver, rating, shall be covered on all sides with concrete ha\nng net less thethe thickness listed in this section for the required rating. Where a re- inforced concrete floor or roof has a flush ceiling formed with approves

permanent masonry fillers between ribs, the reinforcement shali .have thr protection required for reinforcing steel of floors and roofs m Secticr T-40:.8.

T-402. 7. 2 Four (4) hour rating;

1. One and one-half (IH) inches Class 1 concrete,

2. Two (2) inches Class 2 concrete.

T-402. 7. 3 Three (3) hour rating: One and one-half (14) inches Class

1 or Class 2 concrete

T-402, 7. 4 Two (2) hour rating:

1. One (j) inch Class 1 concrete.

2. One and one-half (I'-j) inches Class 2 concrete.

T-402. 7. 5 One (1) hour rating One (1) inch Class 1 or Class 2 concrete

,

T-402 7.6 Stirrups less than one-half ('-) inch: The thickness o: protection on stirrups not larger than one-lialf Cz' inch may be iess than

that listed by not more than one-half C-^) inch.

45
T-402 8 Fire protection of steel reinforcing in floors and roofs

T-402-8.1 Protection thickness: The steel reinforcement in reinforced concrete floors and roofs with flush or plane ceilings, such that the ex- posure to fire is on the soffit only, required to have fire protection of a given rating, shall be covered witii concrete having not less than the thickness listed In this section for the required rating. In floors or roofs having reinforced concrete ribs where the concrete surrounding the

steel reinforcement is exposed to fire on one (1) or both sides in addition

to the soffit, such reinforcement shall have the protection specified in Section T-402. 7 for steel in reinforced concrete beams.

T-402. 8. 2 Four (4) hour rating:

1. One (1) inch Class 1 concrete

2. One and one-fourth (I'-s) inches Class 2 concrete.

T-402. 8. 3 Three (3) hour rating; One (1) inch Class 1 or Class 2 concrete

T-402. 8. 4 Two (2) hour rating:

1. Three-fourths (3/4) Inch Class 1 concrete.

2. One (1) inch Class 2 concrete.

T-402, 8. 5 One (1) hour rating: Three-fourths (3/4) inch Class 1 or Class 2 concrete.

T-402. 9 Fireresistive floor and roof construction

T-402 9.1 Protective thickness: Floors and roofs required to have re- sistance of a given rating to the spread of fire shall have such thickness

of the materials of which it is constructed, as shall be necessary for the required rating, and structural metal forming a part of such floors or

roofs shall have protection against fire of such required rating. Floors and roofs required to have two (2) hour or longer resistance to fire shall be constructed of noncombustible materials. Granolithic, burned clay tile, ceramic tile or other similar incombustible floor finish of a given thickness may be substituted for an equal thickness, and sand, cinder or other incombustible filling material, with or without embedded wooden screeds, may be substituted for two-thirds (2/3) its thickness, of the floor or roof construction material specified in this section, pro\'ided that such floors and roofs shall have adequate thickness for structural purposes. T-402 9 2 Fireresis,tance rating: Floor or roof construction shall be assumed to afford resistance to the spread of fire of the rating indicated

in the following Sections T-402. 9, 3 through T-402. 9. 6:

46

Pages 844-845

T-402. 9. 3 Four (4) hour rating

1. Four (4) Inches solid slab of reinforced Portland cement concrete or reinforced precast gypsum concrete

2. Four (4) inches solid masonry arches or slabs.

3. Four (4) inches structural clay floor tile masonry arches or slabs with top covering of not less than two (2) inches of solid masonry

or reinforced concrete.

4. Five (5) inches combination reinforced Portland cement concrete slab consisting of permanent fillers of concrete block, gypsum or structural clay tile and one and one-half (IS' inches of concrete topping, but if structural clay partition Ules are used for fillers, they shall be plastered on the soffit.

T-402. 9. 4 Three (3) hour rating

1. Three (3) inches solid slab of reinforced Portland cement concrete

or reinforced precast gypsum concrete.

2. Three (3) inches solid masonry arches or slabs.

3. Four (4) inches structural clay floor tile masonry, arches or slabs with top covering of not less than one and one-half fl'-i) inches oi solid masonry or reinforced concrete,

4. Four (4) inches combination reinforced Portland cement concrete

slab consisting of permanent fillers of concrete block, gypsum or structural clay tile and one (1) inch concrete topping: but if structural clay partition tiles are used for fillers, they shall be plastered on the soffit.

T-402. 9. 5 Two (2) hour rating

1. Two and one-half (2\) inches solid :;!ab of reinforced Portland ce- ment concrete or reinforced precast gypsum concrete.

2. Two and one-half (2S) inches solid masonry arches or slabs.

3. Three (3) inches structural clay floor tile masonry, arches or slabs with top covering of not less than one (1) inch of solid masonry or reinforced concrete.

T-402. 9. 6 One (1) hour rating

1. Three (3) inches structural clay floor tile masonry, arches or slabs with all Joints thoroughly filled with cement or gypsum mortar

2. Wood floor or roof construction with joists not less than one and

five-eighths (1 5/8) inches in least dimension, firestopped, double board floor, approved asbestos felt between layers of boards, and

with a ceiling of at least three-quarters (3/4) inch cement or gypsura plaster on metal lath.

3. Steel beams or steel joists not more than thirty-six (36) inches apart on centers with noncombustible floor and a ceiling of at least three-quarters (3/4) inch cement or gy- 'Sum plaster on meta! latn metal furring.
Pages 846-847

T-402.10 rireresistive celling construcUon

T-402.10.1 Protective thickness: Ceilings required to afford fire protection of a given rating to the floor or roof framing under which It Is supported shall be of fireresistlve materials of at least the thickness neces- sary for the given rating. A fireresistlve celling and all hangers and

fastenings necessary for Its support to the protected framing shall be of noncombustible materials. It shall be capable of sustaining Its own weight

without exceeding allowable stresses. Metal reinforcement In such a ceiling shall be protected from fire as specified In Section T-402 8 for reinforcing in a floor.

T-402. 10. 2 Fireresistance rating: Ceiling construction shall be assumed

to afford to floor or roof framing fire protection of the rating indicated in the following Sections T-402. 10. 3 through T-402. 10. 6.

T-402. 10.3 Four (4) hour rating

1. Two and one-half (2S) Inches solid slab of reinforced Portland ce- ment concrete or reinforced precast gypsum concrete.

2. Two (2) Inches precast reinforced gypsum concrete, plastered.

T-402. 10.4 Three (3) hour rating

1. Two (2) inches solid slab of reinforced Portland cement concrete or reinforced precast gypsum concrete.

2. Two (2) inches precast reinforced gypsum concrete, lapped or rab- beted joints.

T-402. 10. 5 Two (2.~i hour rating: One and one-half (IS) inches solid slab of reinforced Portland cement concrete or reinforced precast gypsum

concrete.

T-4C2.10.6 One (1) hour rating: Three quarter (3/4) Inch cement or crypsum plaster on metal lath.

r-402.11 rireresistive bearing walls and partitions

T-402. 11.1 Protective thickness: Bearing walls and partitions required

to have resistance to fire or the spread of fire cf a given rating shall be constructed of fireresistlve materials and shall have at least the thickness necessary for the required rating. Walls required to have two (2' hour

or longer rating shaU be of noncombustible materials. Steel reinforcement

in reinforced concrete walls shall have the same protection for the given

rating as Is required In Section T-402. 9 for floors.

T-402. 11. 2 Fireresistance rating: Bearing walls and partitions shall be assumed to have resistance to fire and the spread of fire of the rating indicated in the following SecUons T-402. 11. 3 through T-402. 11. 6:

Appendix T

T-402-11.3 Four (4) hour rating:

1. Eight (8) inches solid brick masonry.

2. Twelve (12) Inches hollow wall of brick masonry, minimum eight (8) inch masonry thickness.

3. Twelve (12) inches structural clay load-bearing tile masonry with two (2) units and not less than three (3) cells in the thickness of the wall.

4. Eight (8) Inches structural clay load-bearing tile rtvasonry with one

(1) unit and not less than two (2) cells in the thickness of the

wall, plastered both sides.

5. Twelve (12) Inches concrete block masonry with one (1) unit and

not less than two (2) cells in the thickness of the wall

6. Eight (8) inches one (1) piece concrete block masonry wnth shells and webs at least one and one-half (I'-j) inches thick, plastered both sides.

7. Twelve (12) inches total thickness of brick masonry facing bonded

to structural clay load-bearing Uie masonry backing.

8. Eight (8) inches solid concrete.

9. Six (6) Inches solid reinforced concrete.

10. A steel or reinforced concrete frame bearing wall in which the steel has fire protection of four (4) hour rating, with pane! filling as specified in Section T-402. 12 for a nonbearing wall of four (4) hour

rating

T-402, 11. 4 Three (3) hour rating:

1. Eight (8) inches structural clay load-bearing tile masonry w-.th two

(2) units and not less than four (4) cells m the thickness of the

wall

.

2. Twelve (12) inches structural clay load-bearing tile masonry w-:h one (1) unit and not less than three (3) cells m the thickness of the wall

.

3. Eight (8) inches one (1) piece concrete block masonry with shells and webs not less than one and one-half (IS) inches thick, plas- tered both sides.

4. Eight (8) inches one (1) piece concrete block masonry wnth shells and webs not less than two (2) inches thick.

5. Five (5) inches solid reinforced concrete.

6. A steel or reinforced concrete frame bearing wall in which the stee! has fire protection of three (3) hour rating, with panel filling as specified in Section T-402. 12 for a nonbearing wall of three (3) hour rating

.

T-402. 11. 5 Two (2) hour rating:

1. Eight (8) inches structural clay load-bearing ule masonry vsiLh not

less than three (3) cells in the thickness of the wall.

2. Eight (8) inches concrete block masonry with shells and webs net

less than one and one-half (1^^) inches thick.

47
Appendix T

3. A steel or reinforced concrete frame bearing wall In which the steel has fire protection of two (2) hour rating, with panel filling as specified in Section T-402.12 for a nonbearing wall of two (2) hour

rating

T-402.11.6 One (1) hour rating:

1. A steel or wooden stud bearing wall covered on both sides with one

(1) inch cement or gypsum plaster on metal lath, firestopped if of wood

2. A steel or reinforced concrete frame bearing wall Ln which the steel has fire protection of one (1) hour rating, with panel filling as specified in Section T-402.12 for a nonbearing wall of one (1) hour

rating

T-402.12 Flreresistive nonbearing walls and partitions

T-402 12.1 Protective thickness: Nonbearing walls and partitions re- quired to have resistance to fire and the spread of fire of a given rating

shall be constructed of flreresistive materials and shall have at least the thickness necessary for the required rating. Walls required to have two

(2) hour or longer rating shall be of incombustible materials. Steel rein- forcement in reinforced concrete walls shall have the same protection for the given rating as is required in Section T-402. 8.

T-402. 12. 2 Fireresistance rating; Nonbearing walls and partitions shall be assumed to have resistance to fire and the spread of fire of the rating Indicated in the following Sections T-402. 12 .3 through T-402. 12. 6:

T-402.12 3 Four (4) hour rating:

1. Eight (8) inches solid brick masonry.

2. Three and one-half (3^) inches solid brick masonry, plastered both

sides.

3. Six (6) inches structural clay load-bearing tile, plastered both

sides

4. Six (6) inches solid concrete.

5. Four (4) inches solid reinforced concrete.

6. Any wall which, as a bearing wall, has a three (3) hour or four

(4) hour rating in Section T-402. 11, except the steel or reinforced concrete frame bearing wall.

T-402. 12.4 Three (3) hour rating:

1. Three and one-half (3S) inches solid brick masonry

2. Four (4) inches structural clay load-bearing tile, plastered both

sides

3. Four (4) inches solid concrete.

4. Three (3) Inches reinforced concrete.

48

Page.s 848-849

5. Any wall which, as a bearing wall, has a two (2) hour rating in Section T-402. 11 except the steel or reinforced concrete frame bearing wall

T-402. 12. 5 Two (2) hour rating:

1. Three (3) Inches gypsum tile masonry plastered both sides except

In exterior walls

2. Eight (8) inches structural clay partition tile masonry, plastered both sides.

3. Eight (8) inches structural clay load-bearing tile, with three (3)

cells in the thickness of the wall

4. Four (4) Inches concrete block plastered both sides.

5. Two (2) inches solid neat, flbered, gypsum plaster on metal lath and noncombustible studding.

T-402. 12. 6 One (1) hour rating:

1. Three (3) Inches gypsum tile masonry.

2. Two (2) Inches solid gypsum tile masonry plastered both sides

3. Three (3) inches structural clay partition tile plastered both sides.

4. Two and one-half (2!^) inches solid cement or sanded gypsum plaster on metal lath and noncombustible studding.

5. Three (3) inches total thickness of hollow wall, three-quarter (3 "3) inch cement or gypsum plaster on metal lath and noncombustible studding

6. Three (3) Inches total thickness of hollow wall, three-quarter (3.4) Inch cement or gypsum plaster on metal lath and wooden studding,

firestopped

T-402. 13 Flreresistive doors

T-402. 13.1 General: Doors which are required to be fire doors, fire- resistive doors, or of flreresistive construction shall conform to the re- quirements of this section and Section T-4C2.14.

T-402. 13. 2 Classification: Fire doors shall be classified for the purposes of this code as Class A, Class B, and Class C.

T-402. 13.3 Class A fire doors: Class A fire doors shall be doors of the foUownng construction and as specified in Section T-402. 14;

1. Tin-clad, three (3) ply wood core, sliding.

2. Tm-clad, three (3) ply wood core, swinging single leaf, doorway

not over six (6) feet wide.

3. Tin-clad, three (3) ply wood core, swinging in pairs, doorway not over (4) feet wide.
Pages 85U-851

4. Hollow metal, swinging single leaf, doorway not over four (4) feet wide

.

5. Hollow metal, swinging in pairs, doorway not over eight (8) feet wide

.

6. Sheet metal, sliding, single, doorway not over ten (10) feet wide.

7. Sheet metal, sliding in pairs, doorway not over twelve (12) feet wide

.

8. Sheet metal, swinging single leaf, doorway not over six (6) feet wide - 9. Sheet metal, swinging in pairs, doorway not over ten (10) feet wide

.

10. Steel rolling doorway not over twelve (12) feet wide.

11. Steel plate, doorway not over four (4) feet wide.

12. Any other construction equal or superior to a tin-clad three (3) ply

wood core door in a standard fire test, for resistance to fire, the spread of fire and smoke, and transmission of heat.

T-402.13.4 Class B fire doors: Class B fire doors shall be doors of the

following construction and as specified in Section T-402.14:

1. Tin-clad, three (3) ply wood core.

2. Tin-clad, two (2) ply wood core, sliding, doorway not over ten (10) feet wide.

3. Tm-clad, two (2) ply wood core, swinging single leaf, doorway not over six (6) feet wide.

4. Tin-clad, two (2) ply wood core, swinging in pairs, doorway not over ten (10) feet wide.

5. Hollow metal, sliding, doorway not over eight (8) feet wide.

6. Meta!-clad, paneled, swinging single leaf, doorway not over three

(3) feet wide.

7. Metal-clad, paneled, swinging in pairs, doorway not over six (6)

feet wide.

8. Any other construction equal or superior to a tin-clad two (2) ply

wood core door in a standard fire test, for resistance to fire, the spread of fire and smoke, and transmission of heat.

T-402.13.5 Class C fire doors: Class C Fire doors shall be doors of the following construction and as specified in Section T-402.14:

1. Metal-clad, paneled, swanging single leaf, doorway not over four

(4) feet wide.

2. Metal-clad, paneled, swinging in pairs, doorway not over eight (8)

feet wnde.

T-402.13,6 Substitution: A Class A door may be used where Class B

or Class C is specified; a Class B door may be used where Class C is specified. Two (2) Class B or Class C doors on opposite sides of the

wall may be used where a single Class A or Class B door is specified.

Appendix T

T-402,13.7 Overlap: Fireresistive doors, when closed, shall completely cover the doorways In the walls and partitions or the openings in Lhe

floors or roofs to which they are fitted. A swinging fire door shall either overlap both jambs and the head of the opening not less tha.-, four

(4) inches or be fitted to a fireresistive frame with a rabbet the full thickness of the door and with not less than one half (^) inch overlap on

the door. A sliding fire door, except In enclosures about passenger

elevators, shall overlap both jambs and the head of the opening not less than four (4) Inches. A sliding fire door in an enclosure about a passenger elevator shall overlap jambs, head and adjoining panels not less than

one half (S) inch. Fire doors shall fit closely at the floor with clearance

of not over one quarter (H) inch.

T-402.13.8 Thresholds: In buildings with combusuble floors, doorways

required to have fire doors shall have noncombustible thresholds the full thickness of the wall, extending at least four (4) inches from the face of the wall where a door Is hung and extending laterally at least six (6) inches behind each jamb of the doorway. Thresholds may be flush with

the floor.

T-402.13.9 Rabbeted frame: The rabbeted frame of a swinging fire door shall be constructed of structural steel built into the concrete, masonry or other fireresistive material of the wall about the opening and

secured thereto, except that the rabbeted frame of a Class B or C door may be of wood, covered with sheet metal not less than No. 26 gauge m

thickness, secured to the wall in the opening.

T-402.13.10 Fit: Fire doors when closed shall fit tightly against the wall or frame so as to provide an effective stop for fire and smoke. Except

for the metal-covered wooden frame specified in this section, combustible

material shall not intervene between the door and the fireresistive materia!

of the wall, floor or roof to which it is fitted.

T-402.13.11 Hardware: Hinge hardware for fire doors shall be of malle- able iron or rolled structural steel not less than one quarter (^) inch

thick except that tubular steel track for sliding doors may be not less than one eighth (1/8) inch thick. Equivalent thickness of solid bronze or brass may be used. Fire doors shall not depend upon cords, cables or chains to support them in closed position except In elevator shafts.

T-402.13.12 Tracks: Tracks for sliding fire doors shall be so supported

that a track hanger comes at each door hanger when the doer is closed. Track hangers shall be secured to wood stud walls by screws or bolts, to steel stud walls by bolts or rivets, to masonry walls by through bolts and

to concrete walls by through bolts or approved built-m inserts. Expansion shields shall not be used to support fire doors.

T-402.13.13 Hinges: Hinges for swinging fire doors, except in wooden

stud walls, shall be riveted or through-bolted to the structural steel frame of the opening, through-bolted to the wall if of masonry or con49
Appendix T

Crete or secured by approved inserts In the concrete or built Into masonry In an approved manner.

T-402.13.14 Strap hinges: Strap hinges and sliding door hangers shall be secured to fire doors by through-bolting, riveting or welding Swinging fire doors in rabbeted frames, except tin-clad, wood core doors, may

be hung on butts. Other swinging fire doors shall have strap hinges.

T-402.13.15 Straps, locks and latches: Sliding fire doors shall have

adequate stops for the closed position. Swinging Class A fire doors shall have surface latches or unit locks. Class B and C doors shall have surface latches, unit or mortise locks. The latch bolts of unit or mortise

locks on fire doors shall have a throw of three quarters (3/4) inch When mounted in pairs, fire doors shall be rabbeted by means of an

astragal or otherwise where they come together. One of a pair of swinging fire doors shall have push bolts at top and bottom with a throw of three quarters (3/4) inch and the other shall be held by latch to the

first.

T-402.13.16 Opening hardware: Except In detention buildings, fire doors hung in required exits shall be so fitted with hardware that they

can be opened from Inside without use of a key when the building is occupied

T-402.14 Fire door construction

T-402.14.1 Fastening: In the construction of fire doors, solder shall not be used except for filling Joints. Sheet metal shall be fastened to wood by nailing and to metal frame by bolting, riveting or welding

T-402.14. 2 Glass: Class A doors shall not have glass panels. Class B

doors may have glass panels not larger than one hundred (100) square

inches in exposed area nor more than twelve (12) inches In width or height. Class C doors may have glass panels not larger than two thou- sand and sixteen (2,016) square Inches In total exposed area, and any

single light shall not have an exposed area exceeding twelve hundred and

ninety-six (1,296) square inches. Glass m fire doors shall be wire glass not less than one quarter (H) inch thick and shall be set five eighths

(5/8) inch In grooves three quarters (3/4) of an inch deep,

T-402.14. 4 Tin-clay, two (2) ply: In-clad, two (2) ply wood core doors shall be constructed in accordance with the specifications of the

National Board of Fire Underwriters for such doors in Class B openings and shall bear the label of the Underwriters' Laboratories to this effect.

T-402.14. 5 Hollow metals: Hollow metal doors shall have substantial

stiles and rails of heavy pressed steel, reinforced for hinges and other hardware Panels shall be of sheet filled with asbestos board or other approved insulating materials. The door shall be assembled by welding or riveting.

50

Pages 852-853

T-402.14. 6 Sheet metals: Sheet metal doors shall be constructed with a rolled steel rigid frame covered both sides with one sixteenth (1/16) Inch asbestos board and No 26 gauge corrugated sheet metal, with corrugations vertical on one (1) side and horizontal on the other, bound on the edges with rolled steel or pressed steel shapes.

T-402.14.7 Steel rolling: A steel rolling fire door shall be constructed

of sheet steel interlocking slats, sliding in grooves, counterweighted by

springs, with the roller and mechanism enclosed In heavy sheet metal.

T-402.14.8 Steel plate: A steel plate fire door shall be constructed of not less than No. 12 gauge steel plate mounted on a rolled steel frame, assembled by welding or riveting

T-402.14.9 Metal clad: A metal clad, paneled fire door shall have a wood core with stiles and rails not less than one and three quarters (1 3/4) inches thick covered with No. 26 gauge sheet steel, panels three quarters (3/4) Inch thick covered with No. 26 gauge sheet steel, set three quarters (3/4) inch In grooves; joints of metal lapped and well nailed

T-402.14. 10 Class A label: A door properly bearing the Underwriters'

label certifying that It is suitable for the protection of a Class A opening

shall be acceptable as a Class A door.

T-402.14. 11 Class B label: A door properly bearing the Underwriters'

label certifying that it is suitable for the protection of a Class B opening

shall be acceptable as a Class B door, except that metal clad doors wider

than three (3) feet shall not be accepted as Class B doors.

T-402.14. 12 Class C label: A door properly bearing the Underwiters'

label certifying that it is suitable for the protection of a Class C opening

shall be acceptable as a Class C door.

T-402.15 Fireresistive shutters: Shutters required to be fire shutters or fireresistive shutters shall be constructed and hung as specified

for Class B fireresistive doors in Sections T-402.13 and T-402.14.

T-402.16 Fireresistive windows

T-402.16.1 General: Windows which are required to be fire windows,

fireresistive windows, or of fireresistive construction shall conform to the requirements of this section.

T-402.16.2 Moveable: Fireresistive windows may be fixed or arranged

to open and close. Fixed fireresistive windows shall be so secured in the

walls in which they are placed that they may expand in case of fire with- out buckling. Moveable fireresistive windows shall be opened or closed in one (1) of the following manners:
Pages 854-855

1. One (1) or more sashes may slide horizontally In a flrereslstJve frame.

2. One (1) or more sashes may slide vertically with counterweights or with two (2) sashes counterbalanced and hung on chains If a sash

Is closed in raised position, it shall have a fastening.

3. A sash may be hinged at top, bottom, or either side.

4. A sash may be pivoted at top and bottom or at the sides.

5. A sash may be arranged to open and close in any other approved

manner, with approved hardware

T-402.16.3 Sash: Moveable sashes in fireresistive windows shall be

fitted to fireresistive frames of the same or similar construction. Both sashes and frames, and metal mullions between window units, shall be so

fitted in the walls in which they are placed as to be continuous with the

fireresistive material of the wall and so secured that they may expand In case of fire without buckling.

T-402.16.4 Glass: Glass in fireresistive windows shall be wired glass not less than one quarter (H) inch thlci< and the area of a single light shall not exceed seven hundred and twenty (720) square inches. Glass

shall be set three eighths (3/8) inch in grooves at least one half (\) inch deep. Glass shall be secured by glazing angles or moldings screwed to the sash and forming continuous grooves for the glass.

T-402.16.5 Construction: Fireresistive windows shall be of the follow- ing construction:

1. Hollow sheet metal sashes and frames fabricated by pressing, welding, riveting or crimping without the use of solder or other fusible

alloy, except for filling joints, and bearing the label of Underwriters' Laboratories.

2. Rolled steel or pressed steel sashes fabricated by pressing, welding, riveting or crimping, of a make and style approved by the commissioner

.

3. Any other approved constructions as fireresistive as that specified

In Item 1 above

.

T-402.16.6 Hollow sheet metal: Fired fireresistive windows of hollow sheet metal construction shall not exceed seven (7) feet in width nor ten (10) feet in height. Fireresistive windows of hollow sheet metal construction with moveable sashes shall not exceed six (6) feet in width nor ten (10) feet in height.

T-402.16.7 Rolled steel: Fireresistive windows of rolled steel construction shall not exceed eighty-four (84) square feet in area nor twelve (12)

feet in either height or width.

T-402.16.8 Wind pressure: Fireresistive windows and their fastenings

shall be capable of resisting the wind pressure on the wall of the building

Appendix T

applied either on the inside or the outside of the window without exceeding allowable stresses.

T-402.16.9 Substitution: Where fireresistive windows are required,

wooden windows and plain glass may be substituted provided the openings

are protected by fireresistive doors or shutters, or, in buildings of ap- proved occupancy and construction, by an approved system of open

sprinklers

.

T-402.17 Fireresistive roof covering

T-402.17,1 Classification: Roof covering allowed under this code shall be classified as fire-retardani or ordinary, according to resistance tc fire outside, as provided in this section. Fire-retardant roof covering is the more fireresistive and may be used on any building . Ordinary roof covering shall not be used where fire-retardant roofing is specified Roof covering less fireresistive than ordinary roof covering shall not be used on any building.

T-402.17. 2 Fire-retardant roofing: Fire-retardant roofing shall be any

roof covering that meets the requirements of Class A or Class B roofing

under the specifications of the Underv-riters' Laboratories, Inc. The

following roof covering shall be assumed to meet the requirements for fire-retardant roofing:

1. Built-up roofing consisting of successive layers of roofing felt im- pregnated with asphalt; a final layer of asphalt in which, whiie molten, is embedded a continuous layer of roofing gravel or slag.

2. Built-up roofing consisting of successive layers of roofing felt im- pregnated with coal tar; a final layer of tar m which, whiie molten,

is embedded a continuous layer of roofing gravel or slag.

3. Built-up roofing consisting of successive layers of roofing felt im- pregnated with asphalt; a final layer of asbestos roofing felt impregnated with asphalt weighing not less than fourteen (14) pounds per hundred (100) square feet, or a final layer of asphalt-saturated

prepared roofing coated with granulated slate or other similar material

.

4. Built-up roofing consisting of successive layers of roofing fell im- pregnated with tar or asphalt and a finish of burned clay floor tile, stone flagging, cement concrete or other similar material.

5. Sheet metal with locked and soldered join*- r" less than No. 26 gauge in thickness.

6. Shingles of natural slate.

7. Shingles of burned clay tile 8. Shingles of sheet metal not less than No. 26 gauge in thickness.

9. Shingles of asbestos board not less than one-eighth (i,'8) inch

thick

.

10. Shingles of asphalt saturated felt surfaced wth granulated siate or other similar materia! and carrying the Underwriters Class "C"

label.

51
Appendix T

11. Corrugated sheet metal with lapped Joints not less than No. 26 gauge in thickness.

12. Corrugated asbestos board not less than three-sixteenths (3/lG;

inch thick.

T-402 17.3 Ordinary roofing: Ordinary roofing shall be of any roof covering which meets the requirements of Class C roofing under the specifications of the Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc. The following roof covering shall be assumed to meet the requirements for ordinary roofing;

1. Built-up roofing consisting of successive layers of roofing felt im- pregnated with asphalt, coal tar or other approved material, not equal in fireresistance to a fire-retardant roofing.

2. Prepared roofing consisting of felt or fabric Impregnated or coated,

or both, with asphalt, tar or other approved material or shingles of such prepared roofing, not equal in fireresistance to fire-retardant

roofing

3. Canvas stretched tightly and coated with paint.

T-402. 17. 4 Means of securing: Built-up roofing shall be secured to the roof deck in the following manner:

1. Over masonry slab, the first layer shall be laid m molten asphalt or

tar mopped on the roof deck, after the deck is properly primed, or by nailing a layer of building paper to nailing inserts other than wood placed in the deck.

2. Over wood decks, the built-up roofing shall be securea by nailing a layer of building paper to the roof deck over which the prepared

roofing is to be laid with the first layer laid in molten asphalt or

tar.

3. Roofings other than built-up roofings, such as shingles, slates, and

tile roll roofing shall be well secured to the deck by nailing, bolt- ing, wiring, or other approved methods.

52
SI UNITS. AND THEIR EQUIVALENT

VALUES IN CUSTOMARY UNITS

Internat ional

SI (unit)

meter (ra)

millimeter (mm)

square meter (m^)

kilopascal (kPa)

square millimeter

(mm^)

Customary

Unit

foot (ft)

inch (in)

square foot (ft-)

pounds per square

inch (lb/in2)

square inch (in^)

Approximate Conv^ersion

1 m = 3.2804 ft

1 mm = 0.0394 in

1 m2 = 10.764 ft2

1 kPa = 0.1450 lb/in2

1 mm^ = 1.5500 x 10""^ in^

:>U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 19 8 1-340-997/1842








U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Bureau of Standards

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