Alterations
2011-12-05
The 2010 Florida Building Code (FBC), Existing Building applies “to the repair, alteration, change of occupancy, addition, and relocation of existing buildings”. Chapter 4 of this code is entitled "Classification of Work" and categorizes alterations into Levels 1, 2, and 3 (in increasing order of work significance). The specific requirements that apply to Alterations Level 1, 2, and 3 are found in Chapters 6, 7, and 8, respectively. Excerpts from some of these code provisions are provided below.
Level 1 Alterations______________________________________________________________
403.1 Scope. Level 1 alterations include the removal and replacement or the covering of existing materials, elements, equipment, or fixtures that serve the same purpose. Level 1 alterations shall not include any removal, replacement or covering of existing materials, elements, equipment or fixtures undertaken for purpose of repair as defined in Chapter 2 and described in Section 402.
403.2 Application. Level 1 alterations shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 6.
Chapter 6 of the FBC, Existing Building is entitled "Alterations, Level 1". This chapter contains several provisions relating to structural requirements of Level 1 Alterations. Some of these are itemized below, most of these require no further explanation:
- 606.1.1 Nonstructural alteration. Nonstructural alterations exclusive of fixtures and furniture, the cost of which does not exceed 25% of the replacement value of the existing building or structure, with the approval of the building official may be made of the same material of which the building or structure is constructed.
- 606.2 Addition or replacement of roofing or replacement of equipment. Where addition or replacement of roofing or replacement of equipment results in additional dead loads, structural components supporting such reroofing or equipment shall comply with the gravity load requirements of the FBC, Building. Exceptions:
- Structural elements where the additional dead load from the roofing or equipment does not increase the force in the element by more than 5 percent.
- Buildings constructed in accordance with the FBC, Residential or the conventional light-frame construction methods of the FBC, Building and where the dead load from the roofing or equipment is not increased by more than 5 percent.
- Addition of a second layer of roof covering weighing 3 pounds per square foot or less over an existing, single layer of roof covering."
- 606.3.2 Roof diaphragms resisting wind loads in high-wind regions. Where roofing materials are removed from more than 50 percent of the roof diaphragm of a building or section of a building located where the basic wind speed is greater than 115 mph or in a special wind region...roof diaphragms and connections that are part of the main wind-force resisting system shall be evaluated...if diaphragms and connections in their current condition do not comply...they shall be replaced or strengthened..."
- 606.4 "The replacement of garage doors, exterior doors, skylight, operative and inoperative windows shall be designed and constructed to comply with Chapter 16 of the FBC, Building. Exceptions:
- Opening protection exception for High Velocity Hurricane Zones (Miami-Dade and Broward Counties only): For one and two-family dwellings constructed under codes prior to September 1, 1994 the replacement of exterior doors with glazing..."