CHAPTER 3. REPAIRS

301.0 General
302.0 Requirements

301.0 General

301.1 -- Repairs, as defined in Chapter 2, shall comply with the requirements of this Chapter.

Exception:

1. As modified in Chapter 9 for repairs in historic buildings.

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302.0 Requirements

302.1 -- Except as is otherwise required herein, work shall be done using like materials, or materials permitted by the applicable Code for new construction.

302.1.1 -- Hazardous materials no longer permitted, such as asbestos and lead-based paint, shall not be used.

302.1.2 -- The following plumbing materials and supplies shall not be used:

1. All purpose solvent cement;
2. Flexible traps and tailpieces;
3. Sheet and tubular copper and brass trap and tailpiece fittings less than B&S 17 gauge (.045 inch); and
4. Solder having more than 0.2% lead in the repair of potable water systems.

"All purpose solvent cement", which may also be called "transition glue", is used to join different plastics to each other. Its prohibition is to avoid joining incompatible plastic pipes.

302.1.3 -- When any water closet is replaced, the replacement water closet shall comply with all applicable regulations governing water conservation.

302.1.4---Replacement glazing in hazardous locations shall comply with the Safety Glazing requirements of the Building Code.

302.2---The work shall cause no diminution of structural strength.

302.3 -- The work shall not make the building less conforming with the building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical or fire codes, or with any previously approved alternative arrangements, than it was before the repair was undertaken.

302.4 Electrical -- Existing electrical wiring and equipment undergoing repair shall be allowed to be repaired or replaced with like material.

Exceptions:

1. Replacement of electrical receptacles shall comply with the applicable requirements of the Electrical Code.

2. Plug fuses of the Edison-base type shall be used for replacements only where there is no evidence of over fusing or tampering per applicable requirements of the Electrical Code.

3. For replacement of non-grounding-type receptacles with grounding-type receptacles and for branch circuits that do not have an equipment grounding conductor in the branch circuitry, the grounding conductor of a grounding type receptacle outlet shall be permitted to be grounded to any accessible point on the grounding electrode system, or to any accessible point on the grounding electrode conductor, as allowed and described in applicable sections of the Electrical Code.

4. Non-"hospital grade" receptacles in patient bed locations of Use Group I-2 shall be replaced with "hospital grade" receptacles, as required by NFPA 99.

5. Frames of electric ranges, wall-mounted ovens, counter-mounted cooking units, clothes dryers, and outlet or junction boxes that are part of the existing branch circuit for these appliances shall be permitted to be grounded to the grounded circuit conductor if all the applicable conditions of the Electrical Code are met.

The difference between "repairs" and "renovations", as these terms are defined in Chapter 2, is mostly one of quantity. An extensive repair becomes a renovation, and a minor renovation may become a repair. Judgement is required in defining the precise demarkation line. The following examples of work may help clarify the difference: 1. The removal or replacement of any wall, partition, or extensive portion thereof, which is a renovation if the wall is replaced, an alteration if it is removed and space is reconfigured, or a reconstruction if it is in a shared means of egress and is removed; 2. The removal or cutting of any load bearing element, which is a renovation; 3. The removal or rearrangement of any part of a means of egress, or rearrangement of parts of a structure affecting egress requirements, which is an alteration if it affects egress within a tenant space, or a reconstruction if it affects shared egress; 4. Any work reducing structural or fire safety, if otherwise allowed by these provisions, which is a renovation; 5. Replacement or upgrading (which is a renovation), and addition to, or relocation (which is an alteration) of: i. Any fire protection piping; ii. Water supply, sewer, drainage, gas, oil, waste, vent, or similar piping; iii. Electrical wiring, other than wiring for a low voltage communication system in a one-or two-family dwelling. iv. Mechanical or other work affecting public health or general safety.

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