Page 907 - 2018_IRC

APPENDIX J

3. The top of the sill of the window opening is at a an understanding of the prospective applicant’s intentions for
height less than 24 inches (610 mm) above the fin- the proposed work, and to determine, together with the pro-
ished floor. spective applicant, the specific applicability of these provi-
sions.
4. The window will permit openings that will allow pas-
sage of a 4-inch-diameter (102 mm) sphere where the
window is in its largest opened position. SECTION AJ104
5. The vertical distance from the top of the sill of the EVALUATION OF AN EXISTING BUILDING
window opening to the finished grade or other sur- AJ104.1 General. The building official shall have the author-
face below, on the exterior of the building, is greater ity to require an existing building to be investigated and eval-
than 72 inches (1829 mm). uated by a registered design professional in the case of
The window opening control device, after operation to proposed reconstruction of any portion of a building. The
release the control device allowing the window to fully evaluation shall determine the existence of any potential non-
open, shall not reduce the minimum net clear opening area conformities to these provisions, and shall provide a basis for
of the window unit. determining the impact of the proposed changes on the per-
formance of the building. The evaluation shall use the follow-
AJ102.5 Flood hazard areas. Work performed in existing
buildings located in a flood hazard area as established by ing sources of information, as applicable:
Table R301.2(1) shall be subject to the provisions of Section 1. Available documentation of the existing building.
R105.3.1.1. 1.1. Field surveys.
AJ102.6 Equivalent alternatives. Work performed in accor- 1.2. Tests (nondestructive and destructive).
dance with the International Existing Building Code shall be
deemed to comply with the provisions of this appendix. 1.3. Laboratory analysis.
These provisions are not intended to prevent the use of any Exception: Detached one- or two-family dwellings that
alternative material, alternative design or alternative method are not irregular buildings under Section R301.2.2.2.5 and
of construction not specifically prescribed herein, provided are not undergoing an extensive reconstruction shall not be
that any alternative has been deemed to be equivalent and its required to be evaluated.
use authorized by the building official.
AJ102.7 Other alternatives. Where compliance with these SECTION AJ105
provisions or with this code as required by these provisions is PERMIT
technically infeasible or would impose disproportionate costs
because of construction or dimensional difficulties, the build- AJ105.1 Identification of work area. The work area shall be
ing official shall have the authority to accept alternatives. clearly identified on the permits issued under these provisions.
These alternatives include materials, design features and
operational features. SECTION AJ201
AJ102.8 More restrictive requirements. Buildings or sys- DEFINITIONS
tems in compliance with the requirements of this code for AJ201.1 General. For purposes of this appendix, the terms
new construction shall not be required to comply with any used are defined as follows.
more restrictive requirement of these provisions.
ALTERATION. The reconfiguration of any space; the addi-
AJ102.9 Features exceeding code requirements. Elements, tion or elimination of any door or window; the reconfigura-
components and systems of existing buildings with features tion or extension of any system; or the installation of any
that exceed the requirements of this code for new construc- additional equipment.
tion, and are not otherwise required as part of approved alter-
native arrangements or deemed by the building official to be CATEGORIES OF WORK. The nature and extent of con-
required to balance other building elements not complying struction work undertaken in an existing building. The cate-
with this code for new construction, shall not be prevented by gories of work covered in this appendix, listed in increasing
these provisions from being modified as long as they remain order of stringency of requirements, are repair, renovation,
in compliance with the applicable requirements for new con- alteration and reconstruction.
struction. DANGEROUS. Where the stresses in any member; the con-
dition of the building, or any of its components or elements or
attachments; or other condition that results in an overload
SECTION AJ103 exceeding 150 percent of the stress allowed for the member
PRELIMINARY MEETING or material in this code.
AJ103.1 General. If a building permit is required at the EQUIPMENT OR FIXTURE. Any plumbing, heating,
request of the prospective permit applicant, the building offi- electrical, ventilating, air-conditioning, refrigerating and fire
cial or his or her designee shall meet with the prospective protection equipment; and elevators, dumb waiters, boilers,
applicant to discuss plans for any proposed work under these pressure vessels, and other mechanical facilities or installa-
provisions prior to the application for the permit. The purpose tions that are related to building services.
of this preliminary meeting is for the building official to gain

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