Honolulu adopts the state existing building code with local changes

The Hawaii State Existing Building Code adopted by the State of Hawaii on November 17, 2020, which adopts with modifications the 2018 edition of the International Existing Building Code as published by the International Code Council, Inc., 500 New Jersey Avenue, NW, 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20001, is adopted by reference and made a part hereof, subject to the following amendments. (1) Amending Section 101.2. Section 101.2 is amended by deleting the Exception. (2) Amending Section 101.4.2. Section 101.4.2 is amended to read: [A] 101.4.2 Buildings previously occupied. The legal occupancy of an existing building currently in existence on the date of the adoption of this code shall be permitted to continue without change, except as covered in this code, the Fire Code, or as deemed necessary by the code official for the general safety and welfare of the occupants and the public. (3) Amending Section 101.7. Section 101.7 is amended to read: [A] 101. 7 Correction of violations of other codes. Repairs or alterations mandated by the Building, Housing, or Fire Codes or mandated by any ordinance adopted pursuant to law shall conform only to the requirements of that code, or ordinance and shall not be required to conform to this code unless the code requiring such repair or alteration so provides. (4) Deleting Sections 103 through 115. Sections 103 through 115 are deleted. (5) Adding Section 116. A new Section 116 is added to read: Section 116 EMERGENCY MEASURES. See ROH Section 16-1.1, Amendment (21) - UNSAFE STRUCTURES AND EQUIPMENT. (6) Amending Section 117.2. Section 117.2 is amended to read: Section 117.2 DEMOLITION. Section 117.2. See ROH Chapter 16A, Article 10. (7) Amending Section 202. Section 202 is amended to read: (A) Adding the following definition to read: “ CITY .” The City and County of Honolulu. (B) Amending the definition of “CODE OFFICIAL” to read: “ CODE OFFICIAL .” The director of planning and permitting of the City or the director’s authorized representative. (C) Amending the definition of “SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT” to read: “ SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT .” Has the same meaning as defined in ROH Chapter 21A. (8) Amending Section 301.3.1. Section 301.3.1 is amended to read: 301.3.1 Prescriptive compliance method. Repairs, alterations, additions and changes of occupancy complying with International Existing Building Code Chapter 5 and the International Fire Code shall be considered in compliance with the provisions of this code. (9) Amending Section 302.3. Section 302.3 is amended to read: 302.3 Additional codes. Alterations, repairs, additions and changes of occupancy to, or relocation of, existing buildings and structures shall comply with the provisions for alterations, repairs, additions and changes of occupancy or relocation, respectively, in this code and ROH Chapter 16B Building Energy Conservation Code, ROH Chapter 20, Fire Code of the City and County of Honolulu, ROH Chapter 19, Plumbing Code, and ROH Chapter 17, Electrical Code. Where provisions of the other codes conflict with provisions of this code, the provisions of this code shall take precedence. (10) Amending Section 502.6. Section 502.6 is amended to read: 502.6 Smoke alarms in existing portions of a building. Where an addition is made to a building or structure of a Group R or 1-1 occupancy, the existing building shall be provided with smoke alarms in accordance with Section 502.6.1 through 502.6.3 of this code. (11) Amending Section 502.6. Section 502.6 is amended by adding Sections 502.6.1 through 502.6.3 to read: 502.6.1 Single- and multi-station smoke alarms. Existing Group 1-1 and R occupancies shall be provided with single-station smoke alarms. Exceptions: 1. Where the code that was in effect at the time of construction required smoke alarms and smoke alarms complying with those requirements are already provided. 2. Where smoke alarms have been installed in occupancies and dwellings that were not required to have them at the time of construction, additional smoke alarms shall not be required; provided that the existing smoke alarms comply with requirements that were in effect at the time of installation. 3. Where smoke detectors connected to a fire alarm system have been installed as a substitute for smoke alarms. 502.6.2 Interconnection. Where more than one smoke alarm is required to be installed within an individual dwelling or sleeping unit , the smoke alarms shall be interconnected in such a manner that the activation of one alarm shall activate all of the alarms in the individual unit. Physical interconnection of smoke alarms shall not be required where listed wireless alarms are installed and all alarms sound upon activation of one alarm. The alarm shall be clearly audible in all bedrooms over background noise levels with all intervening doors closed. Exceptions: 1. Interconnection is not required in buildings that are not undergoing alterations , repairs or construction of any kind. 2. Smoke alarms in existing areas are not required to be interconnected where alterations or repairs do not result in the removal of interior wall or ceiling finishes exposing the structure, unless there is an attic, crawl space or basement available which could provide access for interconnection without the removal of interior finishes. 502.6.3 Power source. Single-station smoke alarms shall receive their primary power from the building wiring; provided that such wiring is served from a commercial source and shall be equipped with a battery backup. Smoke alarms with integral strobes that are not equipped with battery backup shall be connected to an emergency electrical system. Smoke alarms shall emit a signal when the batteries are low. Wiring shall be permanent and without a disconnecting switch other than as required for overcurrent protection. Exceptions: 1. Smoke alarms are permitted to be solely battery operated in existing buildings where no construction is taking place. 2. Smoke alarms are permitted to be solely battery operated in buildings that are not served from a commercial power source. 3. Smoke alarms are permitted to be solely battery operated in existing areas of buildings undergoing alterations or repairs that do not result in the removal of interior walls or ceiling finishes exposing the structure, unless there is an attic, crawl space or basement available which could provide access for building wiring without the removal of interior finishes. (12) Deleted Chapters 12 through 23. Chapters 12 through 23 are deleted in their entirety.