International Existing Building Code – 2015 Edition:

Changes from the 2012 Edition

Note: items in red need additional review.
State Amendments to 2012 edition are shown in green. Amendments from IBC Chapter 34 should be
inserted in the IEBC. Those amendments are listed at the end of this document.

Chapter 1 Scope and Administration

101.4 Applicability. When requested by the permit applicant, this code shall apply to the repair, alteration,
change of occupancy, addition and relocation of existing buildings existing on the date of adoption of this code,
regardless of occupancy, subject to the criteria of Sections 101.4.1 and 101.4.2. When compliance with this
code has not been requested, compliance with the State Building Code as adopted in Title 51 WAC shall be
demonstrated.

Recommend that amendments be deleted. They aren’t needed since IBC Chapter 34 isn’t available.

101.4.1 Buildings not previously occupied. A building or portion of a building that has not been previously
occupied or used for its intended purpose in accordance with the laws in existence at the time of its completion
shall comply with the provisions of the International Building Code or International Residential Code, as
applicable, State Building Code adopted in Title 51 WAC, for new construction or with any current permit for
such occupancy.

Recommend either delete the amendment or add a reference to the State Residential Code.

101.4.2 Buildings previously occupied. The legal occupancy of any building existing on the date of adoption
of this code shall be permitted to continue without change, except as is specifically covered in this code, the
International Fire Code or the International Property Maintenance Code, or as deemed necessary by the code
official for the general safety and welfare of the occupants and the public. to mitigate an unsafe building. For
the purpose of this section, "unsafe building" is not to be construed as mere lack of compliance with the current
code.

Recommend: Maintain amendment.

101.6 Appendices. The code official is authorized to require rehabilitation and retrofit of buildings, structures,
or individual structural members in accordance with the appendices of this code if such appendices have been
individually adopted. Appendix A, Guidelines for the Seismic Retrofit of Existing Buildings, is hereby adopted
as part of this code without any specific adoption by the local jurisdiction.

Recommend: Maintain amendment.

102.4.1.1 Fire prevention. The provisions of the International Fire Code shall apply to matters affecting or
relating to structures, processes and premises regarding: The hazard of fire and explosion arising from the
storage, handling or use of structures, materials or devices; conditions hazardous to life, property or public
welfare in the occupancy of structures or premises; and the construction, extension, repair, alteration or
removal of fire suppression and alarm systems or fire hazards in the structure or on the premises from
occupancy or operation except as specifically provided for in this Code.

Recommend: Further discussion about whether to maintain amendment as is. Is it consistent with
101.4.2 and 302.2? Should it be moved to Section 302?
104.11 Alternative materials, design and methods of construction, and equipment.
New language requires that the building official respond in writing as to why an alternate is not approved. The same language
is found in the IBC and other codes.

Chapter 2 Definitions
New definitions:
Approved (identical to IBC definition)
Deferred submittal (text identical to the definition was found in Chapter 1 of the 2012 IEBC)
Relocatable building
Reroofing (roofing definitions are identical to IBC definitions)
Roof recover
Roof repair
Roof replacement

Revised definitions:
Change of occupancy. Revised as part of a proposal that clarified the rules for change of occupancy. Changes of
occupancy are organized into 3 hierarchical categories:
o Classification (A, B, E, etc.)
o Group (numbered subset within some classifications A-1, F-2, etc.)
o Use (B animal hospital vs. B post office)
Historic building. Minor changes.
Repair. “to correct damage” is added to the definition.

Chapter 3 Provisions for All Compliance Methods

301 Administration
It would be helpful to have additional structural engineer review of the changes to Section 301.

301.1.4 Seismic evaluation and design procedures. Several changes are made that coordinate the IEBC with the 2013 edition of
ASCE 41, “Seismic Evaluation and Retrofit of Existing Buildings.” ASCE 31, one of the earlier standards for seismic retrofit, was
merged into ASCE 41-13.

301.1.4.1 item 2 is revised to refer to ASCE 41 Tier 3 instead of BSE-1 and BSE-2.

Tables 301.1.4.1 and 301.1.4.2 are revised to reflect the performance objectives identified in ASCE 41-13.

301.1.4.2 #2.5 is revised so that concrete buildings assigned to Risk Category IV are not allowed to use Appendix Chapter A5
procedures.

302 General Provisions

Section 302.3 Existing materials, is a duplication of Section 401.2.1; Section 302.4 is a duplication of Section 401.2.2; 302.5
was moved from Section 501.3. They were added so that there would be consistency among all 3 compliance methods.

Chapter 4 Prescriptive Compliance Method

406.1 Replacement glass
There is no change in this section but it requires that installation or replacement of glass in existing buildings comply with the
requirements for new construction. When the TAG reviewed IBC chapter 24, the requirements for installation of glass in Section
2407.1 were identified as needing further discussion. This section should also be considered.

406 Glass replacement window and replacement windows

406.2 New section that requires window opening control devices in dwelling units when a window is replaced with an operable
window and certain other conditions are met. The requirements parallel IBC Sec. 1015.8.

406.3 New section stating that emergency escape and rescue openings aren’t required when a window is replaced if the
replacement window is the largest one that will fit the rough opening, and it’s not part of a change of occupancy.
407 Change of occupancy
407.1 was revised to state that changes of occupancy and use can’t make a building less compliant. A new exception refers to
Section 407.4 to determine whether a change of occupancy is required to comply with seismic requirements.

State amendment: “The hazard tables of Chapter 10 may be used to demonstrate the relative fire and life risk of the existing
and the new proposed uses.” Recommend maintain amendment, although it’s not necessary—the code doesn’t prohibit referring
to Chapter 10.

Section 407.1.1 requires changes in building use that would subject the building to special provisions of the other International
codes must be approved by the code official. The code official can require compliance with the other codes only “as necessary to
meet the specific provisions” and isn’t supposed to make the whole building comply.

407.4 adds a sentence explaining how compliance with ASCE 41 can be deemed to be compliance with IBC Section 1613.

408 Historic buildings

408.1 is revised and 408.2 is added without changing the meaning of the section.

408.2 reference to the IRC for flood hazard requirements is added.

410 Accessibility for existing structures

410.8 the section that required performance areas to be made accessible is deleted (2012 IEBC 410.8.6). The rationale was
that existing performance areas not addressed in ADA, and that the exception for performance area is confusing because there
usually aren’t multiple performance areas of the same type.

410.8.10 is revised to require directional signage requirements for family/assisted-use bathrooms when the existing bathrooms
are not fully accessible. The same change was made to IBC Section IEBC 705.1.9, and coordinates with ADA.

410.8.14 is a new section requiring amusement rides to be accessible in certain circumstances. The change coordinates with
2010 ADA Standard for Accessible Design.

Chapter 13 Relocated or Moved Buildings

1301 General
1301.1 “including relocatable buildings as defined in chapter 2” is added.

1302.6 reference to the IRC for flood hazard requirements is added.

Chapter 14 Performance Compliance Methods

Many sections in this chapter were modified to incorporate I and H occupancies into the performance compliance method by
code change proposal G244-12. This review doesn’t call out the specific changes but there may be issues. In the 2015 IBC, I-2
was split into Conditions 1 and 2, and the IEBC change couldn’t have taken that into account. For example, a new I-2 Condition 2
occupancy could fail Table 1401.6.20.

1401 General
1401.3.3 reference to the IRC for flood hazard requirements is added.

1401.6.1 “number of stories” is added to coordinate with the equation that is currently referenced.

1401.6.2 is revised to coordinate with changes to IBC Chapter 5.

1401.6.20 a new section “Smoke compartmentation” is added as part of the I-2 change mentioned above.

Chapter 15 Construction Safeguards

There are no significant changes in the chapter.

Chapter 16 Referenced Standards

There are no significant changes in the chapter.

Appendix A: Guidelines for Seismic Retrofit of Existing Buildings

Chapter A1 Seismic Strengthening Provisions for Unreinforced Masonry Bearing Wall
Buildings.
There are several changes in Chapter A1 that delete references to an outdated Uniform Building Code Standard and inserts
provisions of the standard into the IEBC. Seattle has been using these changes since 2013.

Chapter A3 Prescriptive Provisions for Seismic Strengthening of Cripple Walls and Sill Plate
Anchorage of Light, Wood-frame Residential Buildings
A302 Definitions
Definitions of types of wood products are added, deleted, revised for consistency with the IBC.

A304 Strengthening Requirements

A304.2.6 A provision is added addressing anchors in preservative-treated wood.

Chapter A4 Earthquake Risk Reduction in Wood-frame Residential Buildings with Soft, Weak
or Open Front Walls
A403 Analysis and Design
A403.5 “The stress analysis of cantilever columns shall use a buckling factor of 2.1 for the direction normal to the axis of the
beam.” is deleted because it’s unclear whether it refers to columns carrying lateral or gravity loads. The sentence “Increased
demand due to P∆ effects and story sidesway stability shall be considered in retrofit stories that rely on the strength and stiffness
of cantilever columns for lateral resistance.” is added. It clarifies that increased demands on columns that resist lateral loads must
be considered as determined by the engineer of record.

Chapter A5 Earthquake Hazard Reduction in Existing Concrete Buildings

As in Chapter 3, several changes are made that coordinate with the 2013 edition of ASCE 41
Appendix C: Guidelines for the Wind Retrofit of Existing Buildings
Chapter C1 Gable End Retrofit for High-wind Areas
Section C101 General
This section was rewritten to clarify the relationship of this chapter to the rest of the IEBC and to other I-codes. It states that
Chapter C1 does not necessarily satisfy requirements for structural evaluations and retrofit from other parts of the code. The
revised section C101.2 specifies which buildings are allowed to use the chapter more clearly.
Item 1: The proposed three-story limit is new, but it states the previously-unwritten intent that Chapter C1 apply to 1-2 unit
dwellings of conventional wood frame construction.
Item 2: Limits the occupancies that are allowed, but also states the previously-unwritten intent that Chapter C1 apply to 1-2 unit
dwellings.
Item 3: Specifies that the chapter applies to buildings with wood-framed gable end walls.
Item 4: Specifies that the chapter applies to buildings with gable end walls with studs or vertical webs spaced no more than 24
inch.
Item 5: Specifies that the chapter applies to buildings with wood-framed gable end walls no more than16 feet high, consistent
with current Table C104.2.
C101.3 is new, and states that retrofits that don’t comply with the chapter must comply with the IRC or IBC.
Chapter C2 Roof Deck Fastening for High-wind Areas
Section C201 General
C201.1is rewritten similar to C101 to state that the Chapter does not necessarily satisfy requirements for structural evaluations
and retrofit from other parts of the code.
C201.2 is rewritten to clarify which buildings are eligible to use the Chapter.
 Existing WSBC Chapter 34 Amendments
51-50-3401 Section 3401—General.
3401.5 Alternative compliance. Work performed in accordance with the 2012 International Existing Building
Code as amended in WAC 51-50-480000 shall be deemed to comply with the provisions of this chapter.

3401.6 Dangerous conditions. The building official shall have the authority to require the elimination of
conditions deemed dangerous.

These amendments are not needed for the 2015 codes.

51-50-3404 Section 3404—Alterations.

3404.1 General. Except as provided by Section 3401.4 or this section, alterations to any building or structure
shall comply with the requirements of the Code for new construction. Alterations shall be such that the existing
building or structure is no less conforming with the provisions of this Code than the existing building or
structure was prior to the alteration.

EXCEPTIONS:1. An existing stairway shall not be required to comply with the requirements of Section 1009
where the existing space and construction does not allow a reduction in pitch or slope.

2. Handrails otherwise required to comply with Section 1009.12 shall not be required to comply
with the requirements of Section 1012.6 regarding full extension of the handrails where such
extensions would be hazardous due to plan configuration.

3. In buildings considered existing structures on July 1, 2010, dwelling units shall be permitted to
have a ceiling height of not less than 7 feet (2134 mm).
This amendment should be added to IEBC Section 403.1. Section 801.3, in the work area level 2 alterations
chapter, allows newly created habitable and occupiable spaces and corridors to have 7 foot ceilings. Chapters
8 & 9 don’t seem to require changes in ceiling height.

51-50-3410 Section 3410—Moved structures.

3410.1 Conformance. Buildings or structures moved into or within the jurisdiction shall comply with the
provisions of this code, the International Residential Code (chapter 51-51 WAC), the International Mechanical
Code (chapter 51-52 WAC), the International Fire Code (chapter 51-54 WAC), the Uniform Plumbing Code and
Standards (chapters 51-56 and 51-57 WAC), the Washington State Energy Code (chapter 51-11 WAC) and
the Washington State Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality Code (chapter 51-13 WAC) for new buildings or
structures.
EXCEPTION: Group R-3 buildings or structures are not required to comply if:

1. The original occupancy classification is not changed; and

2. The original building is not substantially remodeled or

rehabilitated.
For the purposes of this section, a building shall be considered to be substantially remodeled when the
costs of remodeling exceed 60 percent of the value of the building exclusive of the costs relating to
preparation, construction, demolition or renovation of foundations.

This amendment should replace Section 409 and Chapter 13.

51-50-3411 Section 3411—Accessibility for existing buildings.

3411.7 Alterations affecting an area containing a primary function. Where an alteration affects the
accessibility to, or contains an area of primary function, the route to the primary function area shall be
accessible. The accessible route to the primary function area shall include toilet facilities, telephones or
drinking fountains serving the area of primary function.

EXCEPTIONS:1. The costs of providing the accessible route are not required to exceed 20 percent of the costs of
the alteration affecting the area of primary function.

2. This provision does not apply to alterations limited solely to windows, hardware, operating
controls, electrical outlets and signs.

3. This provision does not apply to alterations limited solely to mechanical systems, electrical
systems, installation or alteration of fire protection systems and abatement of hazardous materials.

4. This provision does not apply to alterations undertaken for the primary purpose of increasing the
accessibility of a facility.

5. This provision does not apply to altered areas limited to Type B dwellings and sleeping units.
3411.8.11 Toilet rooms. Where it is technically infeasible to alter existing toilet and bathing rooms to be
accessible, an accessible family or assisted use toilet or bathing room constructed in accordance with Section
1109.2.1 is permitted. The family or assisted-use toilet or bathing room shall be located on the same floor and
in the same area as the existing toilet or bathing rooms. The number of toilet or bathing rooms and water
closets required by the State Building Code is permitted to be reduced by one, in order to provide accessible
features.

This amendment should be added to Sections 410.8.10 and 705.1.9.