3.17.2.2 — Performance Level and Compensating Construction

(1) The performance level of an existing building is reduced where after proposed construction in all or part of an existing building, (a) the major occupancy will change to a different major occupancy, (b) the occupant load will increase by more than 15%, or (c) the live load will increase due to change in use within the same major occupancy, and the existing structural floor and roof framing systems and their supporting members after the construction are not adequate to support the proposed dead loads and live loads.

(1) Except as provided in Sentence 11.4.2.5. (4), the performance level of an existing building is reduced where proposed construction will result in, (a) the change of the major occupancy of all or part of an existing building to another major occupancy of a greater hazard index, (b) the conversion of a suite of a Group C major occupancy into more than one suite of Group C major occupancy, (c) the conversion of a suite or part of a suite of a Group A, Division 2 or a Group A, Division 4 major occupancy into a gaming premises, (d) the change of a farm building or part of a farm building to a major occupancy, (e) the change of a building or part of a building to a post-disaster building, (f) the change of a building or part of a building to a retirement home, or (g) the change in use of a building or part of a building where the previous major occupancy of the building or part of the building cannot be determined. (2) For the purpose of this Article and Sentences 11.4.2.1. (1) and 11.4.2.5. (4), the change of use set out in Clauses (1)(b) to (g) is also deemed to constitute a change in major occupancy. (3) The performance level of an existing building is reduced where the early warning and evacuation systems requirements of other Parts for the proposed major occupancy exceed those of the existing building. (4) The performance level of an existing building is reduced where the proposed major occupancy in the building is not separated from the adjoining major occupancies by fire separations having fire-resistance ratings conforming to Tables 3.1.3.1. and 11.4.3.4.B. (5) The performance level of an existing building is reduced where the occupancy of all or part of an existing building of combustible construction is changed to a new major occupancy that would require the building, if it were a new building, to be of noncombustible construction or to be constructed in accordance with Article 3.2.2.43A. or 3.2.2.50A. (6) Despite Clause (1)(a), the performance level of an existing building is reduced where proposed construction will result in the change of the major occupancy of all or part of an existing building to a Group C major occupancy in a building over 3 storeys in building height, except in a building conforming to Subclause 3.2.2.44. (1)(a)(ii) and having an egress facility conforming to Sentence 3.3.4.4. (8).

(1) The performance level of an existing building is reduced where the existing building is extended or subject to material alteration or repair and a sewage system serving the existing building is adversely affected by the extension, alteration or repair of the existing building. (2) Except as provided in Sentence (3), the performance level of an existing building is reduced where proposed construction will increase the occupant load of an existing building, and the new occupant load will result in the total daily design sanitary sewage flow of the building, calculated in accordance with Article 8.2.1.3., exceeding the capacity of any component of a sewage system serving the building. (3) The performance level of an existing dwelling unit is reduced where proposed construction that, (a) increases the number of bedrooms in the dwelling unit, (b) exceeds 15% of the finished area of the dwelling unit, or (c) adds new plumbing fixtures to the dwelling unit, will result in the total daily design sanitary sewage flow of the dwelling unit, calculated in accordance with Article 8.2.1.3., exceeding the capacity of any component of a sewage system serving the dwelling unit. (4) The performance level of an existing building is reduced where proposed construction will result in the change of a major occupancy of all or part of the existing building to another major occupancy and, (a) the total daily design sanitary sewage flow of the proposed major occupancy, calculated in accordance with Article 8.2.1.3., exceeds the capacity of any component of a sewage system serving the building, or (b) the type or amount of sanitary sewage which will, under the proposed major occupancy, be discharged to a sewage system serving the building, is prohibited by Article 8.1.3.1.

(1) The performance level of an existing building of combustible construction is reduced where the existing building is extended by adding a storey or storeys such that the extended building will be more than four storeys in building height.

(1) Where the performance level of an existing building is reduced under Subsection 11.4.2., compensating construction shall be carried out in accordance with this Subsection. (2) Except as provided in Sentence (3), compensating construction required under this Subsection applies to the part of the building being altered and shall include, (a) fire separations, with the required fire-resistance ratings, separating the part being altered from the floor areas immediately above and below and from the immediate adjacent areas, and (b) access to exits and exits from the building, where the alteration adversely affects the exit system of the building. (3) Compensating construction required under this Subsection applies to the existing building systems that are adversely affected by the proposed construction.

(1) Where the performance level of an existing building is reduced under Sentence 11.4.2.1. (1), (a) remedial measures shall be taken to support the proposed loads, or (b) the portion of the floor affected by the proposed loads shall be restricted to the loading it will support and signs stating the restrictions shall be posted.

(1) Where the performance level of an existing building is reduced under Clause 11.4.2.3. (1)(a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (g), additional upgrading shall be required in conformance with Table 11.4.3.4.A. and so that the construction index of the building is increased to at least equal the hazard index of the new major occupancy that the building is to support. (2) A building or part of the building subject to a change of major occupancy shall conform to the requirements of Subsection 3.2.6., Sections 3.7., 3.11., 3.12., Sentences 6.2.2.1. (2), 6.2.3.9. (1) and 6.2.4.7. (10), Subsections 9.5.1. and 9.5.3. to 9.5.10., Section 9.7., Subsection 9.10.17., Sections 9.31. and 9.32., and Subsections 9.34.1. to 9.34.3. as they apply to the new major occupancy that the building or part of the building is to support. (3) Where the performance level of an existing building is reduced under Sentence 11.4.2.3. (3), the building shall be evaluated, and the early warning and evacuation systems shall be upgraded, in conformance with the applicable requirements of Table 11.4.3.3. (4) Where the performance level of an existing building is reduced under Sentence 11.4.2.3. (4), upgrading of the fire separations shall be required in conformance with the applicable requirements of Article 3.1.3.1. and Table 11.4.3.4.B. (5) Where the performance level is reduced under Sentence 11.4.2.3. (5), the requirement for the building to be of noncombustible construction or to be constructed in accordance with Article 3.2.2.43A. or 3.2.2.50A. is satisfied if the building is sprinklered. (6) Where the performance level is reduced under Sentence 11.4.2.3. (6), the storey subject to the change shall be sprinklered. (7) Where the performance level of an existing building is reduced under Clause 11.4.2.3. (1)(f), the following requirements apply: (a) the retirement home shall be sprinklered, (b) a voice communication system conforming to Article 3.2.4.23. shall be provided in the building, and (c) doors to suites and sleeping rooms not within suites in the retirement home, other than doors leading directly to the exterior, shall be equipped with self-closing devices.

(1) Where the performance level of an existing building is reduced under Article 11.4.2.5., upgrading of a sewage system which is adversely affected by the construction, increase in occupant load, increase in the total daily design sanitary sewage flow or change in amount or type of sanitary sewage shall be required in conformance with Part 8.

(1) Where the performance level of an existing building is reduced under Article 11.4.2.6., the building shall be sprinklered.