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.
The owner of the existing building or structure shall provide and maintain such facilities, equipment and systems in compliance with these requirements and the fire prevention code.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 149, Fire Prevention.