Strike Section 403.3.1 of the International Existing Building Code in its entirety and insert new Section 403.3.1 to the Existing Building Code in its place to read as follows:

403.3.1 Design live load. Where the alteration does not result in increased design live load, existing gravity load-carrying structural elements shall be permitted to be evaluated and designed for live loads approved prior to the alteration. If the approved live load is less than that required by Section 1607 of the Building Code, 12 DCMR A, the area designed for the nonconforming live load shall be posted with placards of approved design indicating the approved live load. Where the alteration does result in increased design live load, the live load required by Section 1607 of the Building Code shall be used.

Exception: In buildings erected before July 1, 1925, the code official is authorized to allow a maximum reduction of 30 percent of the specified minimum live loads in Table 1607.1 of the Building Code, with a minimum live load for other than residential buildings of 40 psf (1.92 kN/m2), provided official live load placards are posted showing this reduced live load.

SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 61 DCR 3336 (March 28, 2014 – Part 2).

The District of Columbia Existing Building Code (2013), referred to as the “Existing Building Code,” consists of the 2012 edition of the International Existing Building Code as amended by the District of Columbia Existing Building Code Supplement (2013)(12 DCMR J). The International Existing Building Code is copyrighted by the International Code Council and therefore is not republished here. However, a copy of the text may be obtained at: http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icod/iebc/2012/index.htm?bu=IC-P-2012-000006&bu2=IC-P-2012-000019.