CHAPTER 2. DEFINITIONS

201.0 General
202.0 Definitions

201.0 General

The words and terms used in these provisions shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Any term not defined herein which is defined in any other code applicable to these provisions shall have the meaning as defined in that code. Where a term is defined in these provisions and is also defined in another code, then the term shall have the meaning as defined herein wherever it is used in these provisions. Words used in the present tense include the future. Words in the masculine gender include the feminine and neuter. The singular number includes the plural and the plural number includes the singular.

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202.0 Definitions

Building Code:  The currently adopted building code of the jurisdiction.

Note that where reference is made to a particular chapter or section of the "Building code", the reference is based on the current uniform format of the three model codes, which in some cases will not match the format of the adopted building code of the jurisdiction.

Categories of work:  The nature and extent of construction work undertaken in an existing building. The following categories of work entail increased requirements respectively:

Repair:  The patching, restoration, and/or minor replacement of materials, elements, components, equipment and/or fixtures for the purposes of maintaining such materials, elements, components, equipment and/or fixtures in good or sound condition.

Renovation:  The change, strengthening or addition of load bearing elements, the refinishing, replacement, bracing, strengthening, upgrading or extensive repair of existing materials, elements, components, equipment and/or fixtures. Renovation involves no reconfiguration of spaces. Interior and exterior painting are not considered refinishing for purposes of this definition, and are not renovation.

Alteration:  The reconfiguration of any space, the addition or elimination of any door or window, the reconfiguration or extension of any system, or the installation of any additional equipment.

Reconstruction:  The reconfiguration of a space which affects an exit, or element of the egress access shared by more than a single tenant; or renovation and/or alteration when the work area is not permitted to be occupied because existing means of egress and fire protection systems, or their equivalent, are not in place or continuously maintained; and/or extensive alterations as defined in Chapter 5 of these provisions.

Change of occupancy:  A change in the purpose or level of activity within a structure that involves a change in application of the requirements of the Building Code or of these provisions.

Addition:  An increase in building area, aggregate floor area, height or number of stories of a structure.

"Repair" and "renovation" involve no reconfiguration of any space. The difference between the two is one of quantity (i.e., an extensive repair becomes a renovation) and the demarking line between them is left to the interpretation of users of the NARRP and ultimately the building official. See the Introduction for a detailed discussion of the categories of work.

Dangerous:  Where the stresses in any member, the condition of the building or any of its components or elements or attachments, or other condition that results in an overload exceeding 150% of the stress allowed for the member or material in the Building Code.

This definition is extracted from the Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings, where it is one of several conditions that cause a building to be deemed dangerous. The term is used in these provisions in relation to structural loads. In other contexts, the term "hazardous" is used.

Equipment or fixture:  Any plumbing, heating, electrical, ventilating, air conditioning, refrigerating and fire protection equipment, and elevators, dumb waiters, escalators, boilers, pressure vessels and other mechanical facilities or installations, which are related to building services. Equipment or fixture shall not include manufacturing, production or process equipment, but shall include connections from building service to process equipment.

Existing building:  Any building or structure erected prior to the adoption of the current Building Code of the jurisdiction and that has been issued a certificate of occupancy or has been legally occupied.

This definition is from the Uniform Code for Building Conservation.

Historic building:  Any building or structure classified as historic by the federal, state or local government authority, or deemed eligible for such classification.

Load bearing element:  Any column, girder, beam, joist, truss, rafter, wall, floor or roof sheathing which supports any vertical load in addition to its own weight, and/or any lateral load.

Materials and methods requirements:  Those requirements in the building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical and fire codes that specify material standards, details of installation and connection, joints, penetrations and continuity of any element, component or system in the building. The required quantity, fire resistance, flame spread, acoustic or thermal performance, or other performance attribute is specifically excluded from materials and methods requirements.

The phrase "materials and methods requirements" is critical to understanding the requirements applicable to Renovations, Chapter 4, and appears elsewhere as well.

Rehabilitation:  Any work, as described by the categories of work defined herein, undertaken in an existing building.

Technically infeasible:  A change to a building that has little likelihood of being accomplished because the existing structural conditions require the removal or alteration of a loadbearing member that is an essential part of the structural frame, or because other existing physical or site constraints prohibit modification or addition of elements, spaces or features which are in full and strict compliance with applicable requirements.

Use group:  The classification of an occupancy in accordance with the Building Code.

Work area:  That portion of a building affected by any renovation, alteration or reconstruction work as initially intended by the owner and indicated as such in the permit. Work area excludes other portions of the building where incidental work entailed by the intended work must be performed, and portions of the building where work not initially intended by the owner is specifically required for a renovation, alteration or reconstruction as per Chapters 4, 5 and 6 of these provisions, respectively.

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