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# Chapter 2: Evaluation and Compliance

## 2.1 EVALUATION

The evaluation of the existing building with the proposed additions, alterations or change of use, shall take into consideration the planning requirements as well as those relating to public safety.

### 2.1.1 Planning Requirements

The Building Official shall determine if any of the provisions of this Code are violated by the proposed works.

The general requirements for buildings in various occupancy classes and types of construction are specified in Part 3 and Part 8 of this Code. These include :

a) Land use classification and permitted uses (Sec 1.4; Part 3);

b) Requirement of plots (Sec 1.5 Part 3);

c) Means of access (Sec 1.6, Part 3); and staircase (Sec 1.12, Part 3);

d) Open spaces within a plot; minimum separation of buildings in the same plot; road front, side and rear open spaces (Sec 1.7, Part 3);

e) General height and area limitations (Sec 1.8, Part 3);

f) Off street parking spaces (Sec 1.9, Part 3);

g) Street encroachment (Sec 1.10, Part 3);

h) Community open space and amenities for various types of buildings (Sec 1.11, Part 3);

i) Ventilation requirements (natural : Sec 1.17, Part 3; artificial : Chapter 3, Part 8);

j) Lighting and illumination requirements (Chapter 1, Part 8);

k) Sanitation requirements (Chapters 6 and 7, Part 8);

l) Minimum dimension of habitable and non-habitable parts of buildings (Sec 1.12, Part 3).

The existing building with the proposed alteration or addition shall conform to the requirements of new buildings in the proposed occupancy classification. The proposed alteration or addition shall not make the building less sanitary than at present.

### 2.1.2 Safety Requirements

Additions or alterations to an existing building or structure is not to be made if such additions or alterations cause the building or structure to be unsafe or more hazardous based on fire safety and life safety.

The fire safety requirements shall take into consideration the structural fire resistance, smoke and fire detection, fire protective signalling and fire suppression system features of the facility and satisfy the requirements of buildings in the relevant occupancy classification as set forth in this Code.

The fire resistance ratings of building elements for various types of construction shall satisfy the requirements specified in Chapter 3 of Part 3 of this Code. The construction requirements of various elements for Types 1, 2 and 3 fire resistive buildings shall be satisfied.

The fire resistance of the wall used for compartmentation of a building shall not be less than that specified in Sec 2.4, Part 3 of this Code. Duct penetrations of this wall shall not be permitted. Ferrous or copper piping and conduit shall be allowed to penetrate or pass through the wall if the openings around such piping and conduit are sealed with incombustible materials sufficiently tight to prevent transfer of smoke or combustible gases from one side of the wall to the other side and are so maintained. The fire door between compartments serving as a horizontal exit shall be so installed, fitted and provided with gaskets that such fire door will provide a substantial barrier to the passage of smoke. The floor/ceiling shall be of such construction that the fire resistive integrity between storeys is maintained.

The smoke detection capability within the facility based on the location and operation of automatic fire detectors shall be evaluated with respect to the requirements of Chapter 3 and 4 of Part 4 for the various occupancies in this Code. Where a fire protective alarm and signalling system is provided, the capability of the system shall also be evaluated (Sec 3.3 and 4.1, Part 4). The ability of the natural or mechanical venting, exhaust or pressurization system to control the movement of smoke from a fire shall be evaluated.

The shaft and exit enclosures shall satisfy the requirements specified in Chapter 3, Part 4 of this Code.

The configuration, characteristics and support features for means of egress in the facility including the capacity of and the number of exit routes available to the building occupants shall be evaluated and the adequacy of the means of egress routes leading to a safe area shall be examined. The length of the exit access travel path in which building occupants are confined to a single path of travel shall be evaluated. Similarly the length of exit access travel to an approved exit shall be evaluated with respect to exit requirements for various occupancies as detailed in Part 4 of this Code.

The efficiency and effectiveness of the elevator equipment and controls that are available to the fire department to rescue building occupants from upper floors during a fire when such an equipment is installed, shall be evaluated.

The presence of and reliability of means of egress emergency lighting system shall also be evaluated.

The ability to suppress fire based on the installation of automatic sprinkler and stand pipe systems shall be evaluated (Chapters 4 and 5, Part 4).

The lightning protection of the building shall satisfy the requirements specified in Chapter 2 of Part 8.

### 2.1.3 Egress Requirements

Addition to or alteration or change of use of a building shall not be permitted if such addition or alteration or change of use creates violation of the egress requirements specified in Chapter 3, Part 4. Permission shall not be granted for any such work that will obstruct or block or hamper the existing means of egress of the building or any other building unless an equivalent and adequate means of egress is provided.

### 2.1.4 Structural Requirements

Addition to, alteration or change of use of an existing building or structure shall not be permitted if they cause an overloading of the structural elements including the foundation.

## 2.2 COMPLIANCE

When an evaluation is carried out as described above and the existing building with the proposed alteration, addition and/or change of use satisfy the requirements specified for the relevant occupancy classification, the results of the evaluation shall be accepted by the Building Official.