13-200-160 Requirements for change to residential occupancy.

   When the occupancy of an existing building is changed from any occupancy classification to residential, the following requirements shall be met:

   (a)   The existing stairways and elevators may remain but shall be enclosed, in accordance with the requirements of Sections 15-8-140 and 15-8-150. Stairs, passenger elevators, and escalators may be all placed in the same enclosure.

   (b)   Boiler rooms and heating plants shall be enclosed, in accordance with Section 15-8-190.

   (c)   Exit signs and lights shall be provided, in accordance with Section 13-160-700.

   (d)   Means of egress lighting shall be provided, in accordance with Section 13-160-660.

   (e)   Fire alarm and extinguishing systems shall be provided, in accordance with Chapter 15-16.

   (f)   Height and area limitations shall be in accordance with Chapter 13-48 for all additions. If the existing building already exceeds the height or area limitations for the new use, it may be changed to residential occupancy but it shall not be increased in height or area. If the height of the existing building exceeds 80 feet, the existing building shall comply with the High-Rise Code, Chapter 13-76.

   (g)   Pipe shafts and ducts shall be enclosed, in accordance with Section 15-8-160.

   (h)   All residential buildings shall be provided with smoke alarms, as required for new construction in Chapter 13-64.

   (i)   All residential buildings over four stories in height shall be provided with self-closing devices on doors opening upon public corridors or stairs.

(Prior code § 78.1-16; Amend Coun. J. 6-14-95, p. 2841; Amend Coun. J. 9-6-17, p. 55278, Art. VI, § 32)

13-200-170 Requirements for a change of occupancy to any other than residential.

   When the occupancy of an existing building is so changed as to transfer it from one occupancy classification to another, the building commissioner shall first determine whether the change results in a lesser, equal, or greater hazard in accordance with Table 13-200-170. The occupancy classification shall be evaluated relative to the last known legal occupancy of the building.

Table 13-200-170
Hazard Index

Occupancy	Class	Index Number
Residential	A	2
Institutional	B	6
Large assembly	C-1	6
Small assembly	C-2	4
Schools (Type I, IB and III)	C-3	4
Adult education (School Type II)	C-3	2
Business	E	2
Mercantile	F	3
Industrial	G-1	1
Industrial	G-2	3
Storage	H-1	1
Storage	H-2	3
Garages (other than private)	H-3	4
Hazardous	I	6

 

(Prior code § 78.1-17; Amend Coun. J. 9-13-89, p. 4604; Amend Coun. J. 3-5-03, p. 104990, § 40; Amend Coun. J. 11-13-07, p. 14999, Art. II, § 1)

13-200-180 Equal or lesser hazard requirements.

   When the proposed use is of equal or lesser hazard, further compliance with the code for new construction is not required, except as specified below:

   (a)   Exit signs and lights shall be provided, in accordance with Section 13-160-700.

   (b)   Means of egress lighting shall be provided, in accordance with Section 13-160-660.

   (c)   Fire alarm and extinguishing systems shall be provided, in accordance with Chapter 15-16.

(Prior code § 78.1-18)

13-200-190 Increase in one hazard index number.

   When the proposed change in use results in an occupancy class one hazard index number higher than its present occupancy class as defined in Table 13-200-170, the entire building must meet all the requirements of the code for new construction, with the following exceptions:

   (a)   Existing stairways and elevators may remain but shall be upgraded by one of the following alternative methods:

      (1)   Stairs and elevators shall be fully enclosed in accordance with the requirements of Sections 15-8-140 and 15-8-150.

      (2)   Noncombustible doors and assemblies shall be installed in the corridors between exit stairs. Such assemblies need not be rated but shall be constructed, as provided by Section 15-8-140(a).

      (3)   The entire building served by the existing stairs shall be provided with a standard sprinkler system, complying with the requirements of Chapter 15-16.

   (b)   Compliance is not required with all the provisions of Chapter 13-48 for height and area limitations, however, no existing building may be increased in area or height beyond the limitations of Chapter 13-48.

   (c)   Compliance is not required with Sections 15-8-050 and 15-8-100 for existing parapets.

(Prior code § 78.1-19)

13-200-200 Increase of two or more hazard index numbers.

   When the proposed change in use results in an occupancy class two or more hazard index numbers higher than its present occupancy class, as defined in Table 13-200-170, the entire building shall meet the requirements of Chapters 13-160, 15-8, 15-12 and 15-16, providing however that fire sprinklers shall not be required in any existing Type I building accommodating a day care center classified as a Type III school.

(Prior code § 78.1-20; Amend Coun. J. 6-14-95, p. 2841; Amend Coun. J. 4-16-96, p. 20112)