The provisions of this article are intended
to provide a reasonable degree of safety to persons occupying existing
buildings that do not conform to the minimum requirements of the building
code[1] by requiring alterations to such existing buildings as
provided for in the section.
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 rehabilitation building code, plumbing code, electrical code
and mechanical code.
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 intended to provide the basis
for removal or abrogation fire protection and safety systems and devices
in existing buildings. These requirements are intended to require
existing buildings that do not comply with this provision to be altered
to provide a minimum level of safety as required herein.
The provision of this article are not intended
to exclude the acceptance and approval of alternative methods and
systems where such alternative methods and systems provide equivalent
safety to the occupants of the existing buildings
