N.J. Admin. Code § 5:23-6.6

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 5:23-6.6 - Alterations

(a) Alterations, as defined in N.J.A.C. 5:23-6.3, shall comply with the requirements of this section.

(b) All work shall be done in a workmanlike manner.

(c) The work shall not cause any diminution of existing structural strength, system capacity or mechanical ventilation below that which exists at the time of application for a permit or that which is required by the applicable subcodes of the Uniform Construction Code, whichever is lower. The replacement or addition of fixtures, equipment or appliances shall not increase loads on these systems unless the system is upgraded in accordance with the applicable subcode of the UCC to accommodate the increased load.

1. Newly introduced fixed loads shall not exceed the uniformly distributed live loads or concentrated live load criteria of Table 1607.1 of the building subcode or Table R301.5 of the one- and two-family dwelling subcode, as applicable, and shall not create deflection that exceeds the standards set forth below. As used in this section, fixed loads shall mean uniform or concentrated loads and shall include, but not be limited to, equipment, files, library stacks, or similar loading conditions. (Building)

i. For wood frame construction, deflection shall not exceed L/180 for roofs with a slope of 3 in 12 or less or L/120 for roofs with a slope of greater than 3 in 12 and for floors.

ii. For steel frame construction, deflection shall not exceed L/240 for roofs with a slope of 3 in 12 or less or L/180 for roofs with a slope of greater than 3 in 12 and for floors.

iii. For concrete construction, deflection shall not exceed L/180 for roofs or L/240 for floors.

2. Fire protection system removal: Any fire protection system providing partial or redundant protection originally installed to protect a special hazard that no longer exists and that is not required in accordance with the current Uniform Construction Code, is allowed to be removed with the written approval of the fire subcode official and fire official. All disconnected equipment and devices, such as pull stations, nozzles, detectors, sprinklers, sensors, panels and hose connections, shall be removed so as not to give a false indication that the structure, area or space is protected. (Fire)

3. No work shall be undertaken that diminishes accessibility below that which is required by Chapter 11 of the building subcode. (Building)

4. Construction materials used as part of an alteration project shall be consistent with the existing construction type or the allowable construction type, whichever is less restrictive. (Plan review - Building, Fire. Inspection -Building)

(d) The following products and practices shall not be used:

1. Wood paneling being used as an interior finish not in conformance with Table 2 of N.J.A.C. 5:23-6.11 of this subcode; (Building)

2. Carpet used for floor covering that fails to meet the DOC FF-1 "Pill Test" (Consumer Product Safety Commission 16 CFR 1630); (Plan review - Building, Fire. Inspection - Building)

3. Electrical materials/supplies: Unlisted or unapproved electrical products. As stated in the National Electrical Code (sections 90.7, 110.2, 110.3, and article 100), only electrical products listed, labeled, approved, and identified are acceptable. Approval is to be based on tests and listings of testing laboratories such as Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL), Factory Mutual (FM) or Canadian Standards Association/Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (CSA/NRTL), etc.; and (Electrical)

4. Plumbing materials and supplies:

i. All purpose solvent cement;

ii. Clear PB (polybutylene) piping;

iii. Flexible traps and tailpieces;

iv. Sheet and tubular copper and brass trap and tailpiece fittings less than B&S (Brown & Sharpe) 17 gauge (.045 inch); and

v. Solder having more than 0.2 percent lead shall not be used in the repair of potable water systems. (Plumbing)

5. Bars, grilles and screens shall not be placed over emergency escape windows or doors in Groups R or I-1 unless they are releasable or removable from the inside without the use of a key, tool or force greater than that which is required for the normal operation of the window or door. (Building)

6. The following practices shall not be used on painted surfaces in all buildings of Group R that were constructed before 1978, Group E and Group I-4 buildings used as child-care facilities unless the painted surface has been tested and found to be free of lead-based paint:

i. Open flame burning or the use of high temperature (in excess of 1100 degrees Fahrenheit) heat guns;

ii. Power sanding or sandblasting, unless a special HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter equipped vacuum attachment is used to contain dust;

iii. Uncontained water blasting or power washing; or

iv. Dry scraping or sanding more than two square feet per room (interior) or 10 square feet or more per building (exterior). (Building)

7. A mirror shall not be placed in or adjacent to any means of egress so as to confuse the direction of egress or give the appearance of a doorway, exit, or passageway. Draperies or similar hangings shall not obscure an exit. (Plan review - Building, Fire. Inspection - Building)

i. Exception: Within dwelling units of Groups R-2, R-3, R-4 and R-5.

(e) The following products and practices shall be required, when applicable:

1. When any water closet is replaced, the replacement water closet shall require not more than 1.6 gallons of water per flush as required by the plumbing subcode. (Plumbing)

2. In buildings required by Chapter 11 of the building subcode to be accessible, when bathrooms or toilet rooms are altered, the following requirements for providing accessibility shall apply unless the requirements of Chapter 11 of the building subcode have been met:

i. When toilet partitions are moved or installed, but existing fixtures are not being moved, an accessible stall complying with ICC A117.1, Section 604.9, shall be created provided that this can be accomplished without moving fixtures. (Building)

ii. When bathroom fixtures or hardware are replaced, the replacement fixtures or hardware shall comply with ICC A117.1, Sections 603 through 608, as applicable, for nonresidential buildings or ICC A117.1, Chapter 11, for residential buildings required by Chapter 11 of the building subcode to be accessible. (Plumbing)

iii. Where full compliance is technically infeasible, a single fixture unisex accessible bathroom shall be permitted. This may be accomplished by providing two unisex bathrooms, one of which is accessible. (Building)

iv. Where it is technically infeasible to gain compliance with the altered bathroom, signage to the closest accessible bathroom (if any) shall be provided at the altered bathroom. (Building)

3. In buildings required by Chapter 11 of the building subcode to be accessible, when space is reconfigured, the altered space shall comply with Chapter 11 of the building subcode. Where full compliance is technically infeasible, compliance shall be achieved to the maximum extent feasible. (Building)

4. Replacement doors shall comply with the following: (Building)

i. In buildings required by Chapter 11 of the building subcode to be accessible, when new door openings are created, existing door openings are enlarged or door assemblies are replaced and the required door width can be achieved within the existing opening, the new door shall comply with ICC A117.1, Section 404.

(1) If the door being added, enlarged, or replaced is a building entrance and at least 60 percent of the entrance doors are accessible, then the door being added, enlarged, or replaced is not required to comply with ICC A117.1, Section 404.

ii. Replacement dwelling unit, guest room or rooming unit corridor doors in Groups I-1, R-1 or R-2 shall be 13/4 inch solid core wood or approved equal with approved door closers and shall not have any glass panels, other than approved wire glass in metal frames.

(1) 13/8 inch solid core replacement doors shall be accepted if the existing frame is not being replaced and will accommodate only a 13/8 inch door.

5. In buildings required by Chapter 11 of the building subcode to be accessible, when entrance steps are being replaced, an accessible entrance shall be provided if this does not add more than 20 percent to the cost of replacing the steps. (Building)

i. If at least 60 percent of the other building entrances are accessible, then the installation of a ramp shall not be required.

6. When providing vertical access is part of the scope of work, a limited use limited application elevator or platform lift may be installed as permitted by Chapter 11 of the building subcode. (Building)

7. Replacement glass shall comply with the "Safety Glazing" requirements of the building subcode and shall be installed in the "Hazardous Locations" as specified by Sections 2406.4 and 2406.5 of the building subcode or by Section R308.4 of the one- and two-family dwelling subcode, as applicable. (Building)

8. Where a fireproofing material is removed that is integral to the rating of an existing fire-rated assembly, the material shall be replaced so that the rating is preserved. (Building)

9. Plug fuses of the Edison-base type shall be used only for replacements where there is no evidence of over fusing or tampering per Section 240.51 (B) of the electrical subcode. (Electrical)

10. Any replacement to the electrical service equipment shall require that the grounding electrode system be updated to the requirements of Article 250 Part III of the electrical subcode. (Electrical)

11. Non-"hospital grade" receptacles in patient bed locations of health care facilities, Group I-2, shall be replaced with "hospital grade" receptacles. (Electrical)

12. In buildings of Group R or I-1, when the work being performed creates a bedroom, the following shall be provided:

i. A hard-wired smoke alarm shall be installed within each new bedroom and a second, hard-wired smoke alarm shall be installed within the immediate vicinity of the bedroom in accordance with NFPA 72. (Fire)

ii. A bedroom window or exterior door that meets the requirements at N.J.A.C. 5:23-6.9(b)16 shall be provided when the bedroom created is below the fourth floor. (Building)

(1) This requirement shall not apply in buildings where the sleeping room is provided with a door to a corridor having access to two remote exits or in buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system.

13. In buildings of Use Groups R-3, R-4, and R-5:

i. When the work being performed creates living space over a private garage, the private garage shall comply with Section 406.3.2 of the building subcode or R302.6 of the one- and two-family dwelling subcode, as applicable, for fire resistance rating.

ii. When the work being performed creates an additional dwelling unit within the building, the new dwelling unit shall be separated from the existing dwelling unit(s) with fire partitions or horizontal assemblies having a fire resistance rating of not less than one hour constructed in accordance with Sections 708 and 711 of the building subcode or R302 of the one- and two-family dwelling subcode, as applicable.

iii. When finished space is created in previously unfinished space, receptacle and lighting outlets shall comply with Section 210.52 and 210.70, respectively, of the electrical subcode.

14. In buildings of Group R-1, in at least one sleeping room or suite of every 25 or fewer that are part of the scope of work, the work being performed shall comply with the applicable provisions of ICC A117.1, unless the facility already provides the number of accessible sleeping rooms required by Chapter 11 of the building subcode. In addition, at least one sleeping room or suite of every 25 or fewer that are part of the scope of work shall be equipped with a visual alarm and notification device for the hearing impaired unless the facility already provides the number required by Chapter 11 of the building subcode. (Building)

15. In buildings of Groups R-1 and R-2:

i. When habitable space is created in previously unoccupied space, the minimum clear ceiling height shall be seven feet. For rooms with a sloped ceiling, the minimum clear ceiling height shall be seven feet for at least 35 square feet of the floor area of the room. Any portion of the room measuring less than five feet from the finished floor to the finished ceiling shall not be considered usable floor area. (Plan review - Building, Fire. Inspection - Building)

ii. Group R-2 only: When finished space is created in previously unfinished space, receptacle and lighting outlets shall comply with Section 210.52 and 210.70, respectively, of the electrical subcode.

16. When a new refrigerant is introduced, the requirements of the mechanical subcode applicable to that refrigerant, if any, shall be met. This shall apply to the installation of new equipment, the replacement of existing equipment with equipment using a different refrigerant, or the replacement of the refrigerant in existing equipment with a different refrigerant. (Plumbing)

17. When the work being performed creates or exposes wood framing of any wall, floor, ceiling, or roof, fireblocking shall be provided as required by section 718.2 of the building subcode or section R302.11 of the one- and two-family dwelling subcode, as applicable. The fireblocking material shall comply with section 718.2.1 of the building subcode or section R302.11.1 of the one- and two-family dwelling subcode, as applicable.

18. When the work being performed creates or exposes the roof decking/sheathing or the framing of any wall, floor, ceiling, or roof assembly that is part of the building thermal envelope (encloses conditioned space), any accessible voids in insulation shall be filled using insulation meeting the R-values of Table R402.1.3 (N1102.1.3) of the residential energy code for wood framing and of Table R402.2.6 (N1102.2.6) of the residential energy code for metal framing equivalents or of Table 5.5-4 or 5.5-5 of the commercial energy code, as applicable.

i. In the event that insulation meeting the R-values above cannot be installed due to space constraints, and the equivalency exceptions of Sections R402.2.1 and R402.2.2 (N1102.2.1 and N1102.2.2) cannot be applied for residential buildings, insulation that fills the cavities of the framed assembly shall be installed.

19. When fenestration (windows, skylights, or doors) is newly installed or replaced, the U-factor (thermal transmittance) shall not exceed the U-factor of Table R402.1.2 (N1102.1.2) of the residential energy code or of Table 5.5-4 or 5.5-5 of the commercial energy code, as applicable.

i. Exception: In residential buildings, fenestration that meets Sections R402.3.3 (N1102.3.3) and R402.3.4 (N1102.3.4), as applicable.

20. Ducts that are newly installed or replaced shall be installed with insulation meeting the R-values of Section R403.3.1 (N1103.3.1) of the residential energy code or of Section 6.4.4.1.2 of the commercial energy code, as applicable.

21. The total replacement of a building lighting system or a newly installed building lighting system shall meet Section R404 (N1104) of the residential energy code or Section 9.1.2 of the commercial energy code, as applicable. (A "lighting system" is defined by the commercial energy code as "a group of luminaires circuited or controlled to perform a specific function.")

i. Exception: The total replacement of a lighting system within a room, space or tenancy shall be required to meet Section 9.1.2 for the room, space, or tenancy only.

22. When the work being performed results in an indoor or outdoor gas meter, related regulator or piping becoming subject to vehicle impact, which work includes, but is not limited to, new installation, relocation or other construction, the gas meter, related regulator or piping shall be protected by barriers meeting the requirements of Section 312 of the International Fire Code. For the purpose of applying this provision, "subject to vehicle impact" shall mean located within three feet of any garage door opening, driveway or designated parking area and not separated by a building wall from the space where a vehicle may be operated. (Plumbing) i. Exception: If verification of the installation of an excess flow valve is provided by the gas utility, vehicle impact barriers shall not be required.

23. Where work, other than ordinary maintenance or minor work, is being performed on an elevator, the elevator shall be equipped to operate with a standardized fire service key. (Fire)

24. The work shall not cause an exit enclosure to be used for any purpose other than means of egress, except those penetrations permitted by Section 1023.5 of the building subcode.

25. Existing openings that become part of an exit or exit access and newly created openings to be used as an exit or exit access shall meet Section 1008.3 and Section 1013 of the building subcode when more than one exit or exit access is required. This shall apply only to the portion of the building served by the new exit or exit access.

(f) In buildings of Groups R-3, R-4, and R-5 and in dwelling units of Group R-2, smoke alarms shall be installed and maintained on each level of the structure, outside each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms, and located on or near the ceiling. Battery-operated units shall be permitted, but shall not replace any AC-powered smoke alarms or a household fire alarm system. (Fire)

(g) In buildings containing a fuel burning appliance or having an attached garage, carbon monoxide detection equipment shall be installed in accordance with Section 915 of the building subcode or Section R315 of the one- and two-family dwelling subcode, as applicable. (Fire)

1. Exception: Battery-powered or plug-in devices shall be accepted for purposes of meeting the requirements of this section.

(h) The work shall not make the building less conforming with the basic requirements of this subchapter than it was when the alteration was undertaken.

1. Where the building currently exceeds the basic requirements, the extent to which it exceeds shall not be reduced unless the building also exceeds the requirements of the corresponding subcode of the UCC. In this case, the extent of compliance with the basic requirements may be reduced, but not below the requirements of the corresponding subcode of the UCC.

2. Where the scope of work consists of an item for which requirements are established in the basic requirements of this subcode, the work shall comply with the basic requirements.

(i) All materials and methods used shall comply with the requirements specified in N.J.A.C. 5:23-6.8, Materials and methods.

1. Exception: Windows may be replaced with windows like those existing without meeting the size requirements of the building subcode.

i. In sleeping rooms below the fourth story in occupancies of Groups R or I-1, where new window openings are being created or the size of window openings is being changed, at least one window shall:

(1) Be operable;

(2) Have a sill height of not more than 44 inches;

(3) Have a width of at least 20 inches, a height of at least 24 inches and a minimum total area of 5.7 square feet measured from head to sill and from side to side.

(4) New window openings in sleeping rooms shall not be required to meet these requirements in buildings where the sleeping room is provided with a door to a corridor having access to two remote exits or in buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system.

ii. Basement windows in buildings of Group R-2 shall comply with the requirements of N.J.A.C. 5:23-6.26(b)3 where the window serves as the second means of egress from the dwelling unit (Plan review - Building, Fire. Inspection - Building).

2. Newly installed and replacement handrails and guardrails shall comply with Sections 1011.11, 1012.8, 1014, and 1015 of the building subcode, respectively, or Sections R311.7.8, R311.8.3, and R312.1 of the one- and two-family dwelling subcode, respectively, as applicable. Where 50 percent or more of a handrail or guardrail on a flight or on a level is replaced, then this shall be considered a complete replacement and shall comply with the above referenced sections. The repair or replacement of less than 50 percent of a handrail or guardrail shall be permitted to match the existing handrail or guardrail. (Building)

(j) All new building elements, as listed in N.J.A.C. 5:23-6.9, shall comply with the requirements of that section.

(k) In a building required by Chapter 11 of the building subcode to be accessible, where the space altered is a primary function space, an accessible path of travel to the altered space shall be provided up to the point at which the cost of providing accessibility is disproportionate to the cost of the overall alteration project; a cost is disproportionate if it exceeds 20 percent of the cost of the alteration work. (Building)

1. The accessible path of travel shall include, but not be limited to, an accessible parking space, an accessible exterior route, an accessible building entrance, an accessible interior route to the altered area, accessible restrooms, accessible drinking fountains, and accessible telephones serving the altered primary function space. Priority shall be given to providing an accessible entrance or accessible restrooms where possible.

2. In determining disproportionate cost, the following materials may be deducted from the overall cost of the project:

i. Windows, hardware, operating controls, electrical outlets and signage;

ii. Mechanical systems, electrical systems, installations or alterations of fire protection systems or abatement of hazardous materials; or

iii. The repair or installation of roofing, siding, or other exterior wall facade.

3. Where the work consists solely of the alteration of materials or systems listed in (k)2 above, the path of travel requirements shall not apply.

4. Where the alteration work is for the primary purpose of increasing the accessibility of the building or tenancy, the requirement to further improve the path of travel shall not apply.

5. Where it is technically infeasible to comply with the technical standards in Chapter 11 of the building subcode, the work must comply to the maximum extent feasible.

(l) When work is performed in a Class 1 structure or when work is performed on a smoke control system, a list of all materials and work requiring special inspections, and a list of agencies, qualified licensed professionals or firms intended to be retained for conducting those inspections in accordance with the requirements of the building subcode shall be submitted as part of the permit application. (Building, except smoke control systems - Fire)

N.J. Admin. Code § 5:23-6.6

Amended by 49 N.J.R. 1020(a), effective 5/1/2017

Amended by 49 N.J.R. 1381(b), effective 6/5/2017

Administrative Change, 49 N.J.R. 3423(a).

Amended by 53 N.J.R. 245(a), effective 2/16/2021

Amended by 54 N.J.R. 263(a) effective 2/7/2022

Amended by 54 N.J.R. 2371(c), effective 12/19/2022

Amended by 55 N.J.R. 349(a), effective 3/6/2023

Administrative Change, 55 N.J.R. 1875(a), effective 8/9/2023

Administrative Change, 56 N.J.R. 35(c), effective 12/6/2023

Administrative Change, 56 N.J.R. 1708(a), effective 7/23/2024