Can someone explain Chapter 9?

[Code Neophyte]

(of the IEBC - Change of Occupancy). I'm having difficulty seeing how the provisions of this chapter fit into the IEBC. From my understanding and reading of the Administrative chapter, one of the three compliance methods (Prescriptive, Work Area, or Performance) must be selected by the applicant for "the repair, alteration, change of occupancy, addition or relocation of all existing buildings...."(IEBC §101.5).

Now, let's say we have a 100-year-old, two story building that was originally an 'M' on the main level, and 'R-2' on the second floor. If I understand this correctly, if it is proposed to convert the main floor to 'R-2' use, in accordance with Chapter 9, the building will have to be sprinklered; whereas, the second floor - if a 'Level 2' alteration, would otherwise (were it not for the main floor change of occupancy) not be required to be sprinklered, under the exception in §704.2.2.

I suppose another way of asking this is: Can 'Level of Repair' not be used for any change of occupancy?

 

[JBI]

Re: Can someone explain Chapter 9?

Short answer: Yes, provided there is no 'repair' work involved.

(Although I think you meant 'Level of Alteration', not 'Level of Repair', in which case you can substitute 'alteration' for 'repair' in my response... )

There are 'repairs'.

There are 'alterations' (multiple levels thereof).

There are 'changes in occupancy'.

There are 'additions'

There are 'historic buildings'.

There are 'relocated buildings'.

Each having its' own place in the EBC. The project could involve more than one 'work area', and properly segregated in the design drawings, might offer the owner options not readily seen at first glance. Each seperate 'work area' gets reviewed for what it is.