Level 2 alteration and plumbing fixture counts

[Tim Mailloux]

Say you have a level 2 alterations under the IEBC, as long as you don’t increase the occupant load by more than 20% under the renovation you don’t have to bring the plumbing fixture counts up to current code. What if you decide to completely demolish the existing toilet rooms under the renovation and rebuilt them new. Do these new toilet rooms need to meet new code plumbing counts or would it be acceptable to rebuilt and match the existing plumbing fixture count?

 

[steveray]

Tricky......General says "as new" ...specific says no.....

801.3 Compliance. All new construction elements, components,
systems, and spaces shall comply with the requirements
of the International Building Code.

810.1 Minimum fixtures. Where the occupant load of the
story is increased by more than 20 percent, plumbing fixtures
for the story shall be provided in quantities specified in the
International Plumbing Code based on the increased occupant
load.

 

[Sifu]

Agree, tricky. 801.3 says new elements must meet the IBC, new components must meet the IBC, ditto new systems and new spaces. If not creating a new space I could see where the 20% rule applies. New toilet, the toilet meets code. New element (grab-bar?) gotta meet code, new exhaust fan...gotta meet code, but if the toilet room isn't new, just everything in it....it might not be considered a new space. I guess it depends on what you mean by "completely demolish". Enlarge or move it...then it might be a new space. In a way it makes sense. If you are reconfiguring the space, then good reasons to not meet code start to go away.

 

[steveray]

If you are reconfiguring the space, then good reasons to not meet code start to go away.

But at the same time it is not new, so IEBC it is.......

 

[Paul Sweet]

Are the toilet rooms being changed in size, or are you just replacing finishes & fixtures (and maybe some piping)?

 

[Tim Mailloux]

Are the toilet rooms being changed in size, or are you just replacing finishes & fixtures (and maybe some piping)?

complete demo if the exiting toilet core and building new.