Our initial intention was to argue for repair. The last fire job like this I did was considered a repair by a different code official in a different jurisdiction. In the current project, when the owner decided to revise the kitchen layout in the affected units and not build back the wall separating the kitchen from the living area, the project became an alteration per the definition, so that's what we approached the BO with. He agreed until the point the fire marshal decided the exclusion for sprinkling in the IEBC was inconvenient, so they declared this a new build.Sometimes it is in the definitions
2012
[A] ALTERATION. Any construction or renovation to an existing structure other than repair or addition.
[A] REPAIR. The reconstruction or renewal of any part of an existing building for the purpose of its maintenance.
2015 IEBC
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2018 IEBC
[A] ALTERATION. Any construction or renovation to an existing structure other than a repair or addition.
[A] REPAIR. The reconstruction, replacement or renewal of any part of an existing building for the purpose of its maintenance or to correct damage.
Thank you everyone who contributed to this thread. As expected, I saw several viewpoints expressed in the comments. Whether you came to the same conclusion regarding this project as I did or not, I appreciate the input.