20
Existing Structures

The requirements for existing buildings, which previously were located in Chapter 34 of the IBC, have been removed. Existing buildings are now addressed by a separate code, the International Existing Building Code (IEBC). There are no longer any existing building provisions contained in the IBC. Additions and alterations made to existing buildings are to comply with the provisions of the International Building Code in the areas where new work occurs.

The IEBC Prescriptive Compliance Method contains what was previously in Chapter 34 of the IBC. Other compliance methods—the Work Area Method and the Performance Compliance Method—provide additional methods of addressing work in existing buildings, such as alterations, repairs, additions, the moving or relocation of buildings, and projects in historic buildings. Other provisions of the IEBC and its compliance options are intended to provide flexibility in addressing the complexities of projects in existing buildings.

The scope of the IEBC as stated in Chapter 1 is: “The intent of this code is to provide flexibility to permit the use of alternative approaches to achieve compliance with minimum requirements to safeguard the public health, safety, and welfare insofar as they are affected by the repair, alteration, change of occupancy, addition, and relocation of existing buildings.”

The IEBC is applicable to commercial buildings. An exception, however, allows residential buildings to comply with either the IEBC or the International Residential Code. The exception reads as follows: “Exception: Detached one- and two-family dwellings and multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses) not more than three stories above grade plane in height with a separate means of egress, and their accessory structures not more than three stories above grade plane in height, shall comply with this code or the International Residential Code.”