Seismic Upgrade

[ajk1]

In a church designed in 1965, and not designed for seismic, we are investigating removing a column and installing a beam to pick up the load. Of course we would stringently limit deflection, pre-load the beam, check all elements including the foundations, base plate, and columns which would pick up the load.

Question:

Given that the current Ontario Building Code requires new buildings to be designed for seismic, is there any requirement that this 1965 building be upgrade for seisimic because of the column removal? Or can the existing structure still be grandfathered in?

 

[JAE]

I'm not familiar with Canadian policies but it seems that a discussion with the local authority (building department) might be in order.

In many cases, bringing a building up to current codes kicks in when you are remodeling/renovating over a certain percentage of the value of the building. In California, I've been involved in a few projects where the upgrade was essentially up to the owner after we briefed them on the relative merits/risks/costs etc.

 

[ajk1]

To JAE - yes I was planning on calling the buildign department during the week.

 

[Forensic74]

In the IBC there is a section that discusses the percentage of stress increase on ANY element will require an entire building retrofit. I believe it is 5% or 10%. I would be surprised if the canadian code doesn't have a section on retrofits.

 

[dik]

Does the renovation fall under Part 11 of the OBC... I'm not sure what the current OBC requires, but the code approx 8 years ago would likely require compliance with Part 11...

Dik