Page 906 - 2018_IRC

APPENDIX J
EXISTING BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES

The provisions contained in this appendix are not mandatory unless specifically referenced in the adopting ordinance.

User note:
About this appendix: Appendix J regulates the repair, renovation alteration and reconstruction of existing buildings that are within the scope
of this code. It is intended to encourage the continued safe use of existing buildings and ensure that new work conforms to the intent of the
code and that exiting conditions remain at their current level of compliance or are improved.

SECTION AJ101 AJ102.3 Smoke detectors. Regardless of the category of
PURPOSE AND INTENT work, smoke detectors shall be provided where required by
AJ101.1 General. The purpose of these provisions is to Section R314.2.2.
encourage the continued use or reuse of legally existing AJ102.4 Replacement windows. Regardless of the category
buildings and structures. These provisions are intended to of work, where an existing window, including the sash and
permit work in existing buildings that is consistent with the glazed portion, or safety glazing is replaced, the replacement
purpose of this code. Compliance with these provisions shall window or safety glazing shall comply with the requirements
be deemed to meet the requirements of this code. of Sections AJ102.4.1 through AJ102.4.4, as applicable.
AJ101.2 Classification of work. For purposes of this appen- AJ102.4.1 Energy efficiency. Replacement windows
dix, work in existing buildings shall be classified into the cat- shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 11.
egories of repair, renovation, alteration and reconstruction. AJ102.4.2 Safety glazing. Replacement glazing in haz-
Specific requirements are established for each category of ardous locations shall comply with the safety glazing
work in these provisions. requirements of Section R308.
AJ101.3 Multiple categories of work. Work of more than AJ102.4.3 Emergency escape and rescue openings.
one category shall be part of a single work project. Related Where windows are required to provide emergency escape
work permitted within a 12-month period shall be considered and rescue openings, replacement windows shall be
to be a single work project. Where a project includes one cat- exempt from the maximum sill height requirements of Sec-
egory of work in one building area and another category of tion R310.2.2 and the requirements of Sections R310.2.1
work in a separate and unrelated area of the building, each and R310.2.3 provided that the replacement window meets
project area shall comply with the requirements of the respec- the following conditions:
tive category of work. Where a project with more than one
category of work is performed in the same area or in related 1. The replacement window is the manufacturer’s larg-
areas of the building, the project shall comply with the est standard size window that will fit within the
requirements of the more stringent category of work. existing frame or existing rough opening. The
replacement window shall be permitted to be of the
same operating style as the existing window or a
SECTION AJ102 style that provides for an equal or greater window
COMPLIANCE opening area than the existing window.
AJ102.1 General. Regardless of the category of work being 2. The replacement window is not part of a change of
performed, the work shall not cause the structure to become occupancy.
unsafe or adversely affect the performance of the building; 3. Window opening control devices complying with
shall not cause an existing mechanical or plumbing system to ASTM F2090 shall be permitted for use on windows
become unsafe, hazardous, insanitary or overloaded; and required to provide emergency escape and rescue
unless expressly permitted by these provisions, shall not openings.
make the building any less compliant with this code or to any
previously approved alternative arrangements than it was AJ102.4.4 Window control devices. Where window fall
before the work was undertaken. prevention devices complying with ASTM F2090 are not
provided, window opening control devices complying
AJ102.2 Requirements by category of work. Repairs shall with ASTM F2090 shall be installed where an existing
conform to the requirements of Section AJ301. Renovations window is replaced and where all of the following apply to
shall conform to the requirements of Section AJ401. Alter- the replacement window:
ations shall conform to the requirements of Section AJ501
and the requirements for renovations. Reconstructions shall 1. The window is operable.
conform to the requirements of Section AJ601 and the 2. The window replacement includes replacement of
requirements for alterations and renovations. the sash and the frame.

2018 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE ® 881
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