The provisions of this article are to provide
a reasonable degree of safety to persons occupying existing buildings
that do not conform with the minimum requirements of the building
code by requiring the following alterations to such existing buildings.
All alterations to an existing building which
are caused directly or indirectly by the enforcement of this code
shall be done in accordance with the applicable procedures and provisions
of the building, plumbing, mechanical and electrical codes.
All service equipment, means of egress devices
and safeguards which are required by this article or which were required
by a previous statute or another code in a building or structure when
erected, altered or repaired shall be maintained in good working order.
The requirements of this article are not to provide the basis for
removal or abrogation of fire-protection and firesafety systems and
devices in existing buildings. These requirements are intended to
require that existing buildings which do not comply with these provisions
be altered to provide a minimum level of safety as required herein.
The provisions of this article are not to exclude
the acceptance and approval of alternative methods and systems if
such alternative methods and systems provide equivalent safety to
the occupant of the existing building.
