§ 8-2-200. Short Title
This article shall be known and may be cited as “The Uniform Act for the Application of Building and Fire Related Codes to Existing Buildings.” History. Code 1981, § 8-2-200 , enacted by Ga. L. 1984, p. 1160, § 1.
§ 8-2-201. Purpose and Applicability of Article
It is a purpose of this article to encourage the sensitive rehabilitation, restoration, stabilization, or preservation of existing buildings throughout this state and to encourage the preservation of buildings and structures deemed to be historic in total or in part; provided, however, that such rehabilitation and preservation efforts should provide for the upgrading of the […]
§ 8-2-202. Definitions
As used in this article, the term: “Enforcement authority” means the Safety Fire Commissioner, the state fire marshal, local building officials, local fire marshals, or any other state or local officials responsible for the implementation, application, or enforcement of any state law or local ordinance relating to building construction, or any state or local rule […]
§ 8-2-203. Effect of Article on State and Local Enforcement Authorities
The provisions of this article shall be mandatory and binding on the state fire marshal, the Safety Fire Commissioner, and other state officials responsible for state building code, fire code, life safety code, or other construction code enforcement. This article is not mandatory or binding on local enforcement authorities; provided, however, that any local building, […]
§ 8-2-204. Alteration or Repair Without Total Compliance With New Construction Requirements
The provisions of this article shall require any state code enforcement authority and shall permit any authorized local code enforcement authority to permit the repair, alteration, addition, or change of use or occupancy of existing buildings without total compliance with any state or local rule, regulation, code, or standard for new construction requirements under the […]
§ 8-2-205. Identification and Correction of Certain Conditions or Defects
With reference to existing buildings, authorized enforcement authorities should give special attention to the conditions or defects described in this Code section in accordance with the provisions of Code Section 8-2-204, so as to assure any such conditions or defects are identified and corrected as deemed appropriate by the enforcement authority having jurisdiction based on […]
§ 8-2-206. Consideration of Compliance Alternatives
Code Sections 8-2-207 through 8-2-211 contain generally acceptable compliance alternatives illustrating principles which shall be applied to the rehabilitation of existing buildings by state enforcement authorities and which may be applied by authorized local enforcement authorities in Georgia. It is recognized for purposes of this article that all building systems interact with each other; therefore, […]
§ 8-2-207. Compliance Alternatives for Inadequate Number of Exits
Compliance alternatives for an inadequate number of exits include, but are not limited to, the following: Provide connecting fire-exit balconies acceptable to the enforcement authority between buildings; Provide alternate exit or egress facilities leading to safety outside the building or to a place of safe refuge in the building or an adjoining building as acceptable […]
§ 8-2-208. Compliance Alternatives for Excessive Travel Distances to Approved Exit
Compliance alternatives for excessive travel distances to an approved exit include, but are not limited to, the following: Install an approved smoke detection system throughout the building; Install an approved complete automatic fire suppression system; Subdivide the exit travel route with smoke-stop doors acceptable to the enforcement authority; Increase the fire resistance rating of corridor […]
§ 8-2-209. Compliance Alternatives for Unenclosed or Improperly Enclosed Exit Stairways or Vertical Shafts
Compliance alternatives for unenclosed or improperly enclosed exit stairways or vertical shafts include, but are not limited to, the following: Improve enclosure of exit stairway; Add a partial fire suppression system; Add a sprinkler draft curtain; or Add a smoke detection system. History. Code 1981, § 8-2-209 , enacted by Ga. L. 1984, p. 1160, […]
§ 8-2-210. Compliance Alternatives for Inadequate Fire Partitions or Walls
Compliance alternatives for inadequate or a total lack of fire partitions or fire separation walls shall be as set forth in Code Section 8-2-209. History. Code 1981, § 8-2-210 , enacted by Ga. L. 1984, p. 1160, § 1.
§ 8-2-211. Compliance Alternatives for Lack of Required Protection of Openings in Exterior Walls
Compliance alternatives for a lack of required protection of openings in exterior walls where a fire exposure is a risk include, but are not limited to, the following: Improve fire resistance of existing openings and protect them with fire-rated windows or doors as appropriate; Seal the openings with fire-rated construction as approved by the enforcement […]
§ 8-2-212. Filing of Approved Compliance Alternatives
Whenever action is taken on any existing building to repair, make alterations, or change the use or occupancy of an existing structure and, when said action proposes the use of compliance alternatives, the authorized enforcement authority shall ensure that at least one copy of the accepted compliance alternatives approved, including applicable plans, test data, or […]
§ 8-2-213. Final Review of Projects; Agreement of Local Authorities
Where an existing building or structure falls within the jurisdiction of both state level and local level enforcement authorities, the final review of any part of the project which is under the jurisdiction of both such enforcement authorities shall occur with the state authority; provided, however, that the local fire and building authorities must agree […]
§ 8-2-214. Additions
Additions to an existing building shall comply with the applicable requirements of state and local laws, rules, regulations, codes, and standards for new construction. Such additions shall not impose loads either vertical or horizontal which would cause the existing building to be subjected to stresses exceeding those permitted under new construction. If the existing building […]
§ 8-2-215. Minor Alterations or Repairs; Reduction or Removal of Features; Alteration or Repair Without Further Compliance; Installation of Mechanical Systems
Minor alterations or repairs to an existing building which do not adversely affect the performance or safety of the building may be made with the same or like materials. Existing buildings which, in part or as a whole, exceed the requirements of any applicable construction or fire safety code, may, in the course of compliance […]
§ 8-2-216. Continuation of Legal Use and Occupancy
The legal use and occupancy of any building or structure may be continued without change, except as may be provided otherwise by this article or as may be legally provided for by any applicable state or local law, ordinance, rule, regulation, code, or standard. History. Code 1981, § 8-2-216 , enacted by Ga. L. 1984, […]
§ 8-2-217. Total Change in Use or Occupancy
A total change in the use or occupancy of an existing building which would cause a greater hazard to the public shall not be made unless such building is made to comply with the requirements of the applicable state and local rules, regulations, codes, and standards for the new use or occupancy; provided, however, the […]
§ 8-2-218. Change of Portion of Building to New Use or Occupancy
If a portion of a building is changed to a new use or occupancy and that portion is separated from the remainder of the building with vertical or horizontal fire separations complying with applicable state or local rules, regulations, codes, or standards or with compliance alternatives, then the portion changed shall be made to comply […]
§ 8-2-219. Changes Which Increase Floor Loading
Any proposed change in the use or occupancy of an existing building or portion thereof which could increase the floor loading should be investigated by a Georgia registered professional engineer to determine the adequacy of the existing floor system to support the increased loads. If the existing floor system is found to be inadequate, it […]