ABSTRACT
There are many reasons to retrofit an existing building. These include providing a needed cultural resource, restoring a historic building, or providing intangible value to a community. Factors to weigh in selecting a candidate retrofit project are location, inherent value, structural condition, future use potential, and a solid funding source. This chapter discusses structural integrity in greater detail. If the building is on a historic register, the primary objective will be to preserve and restore its structural integrity, without damaging the historic fabric. The 1927 Uniform Building Code was the first major code that required seismic design—mainly applicable in the western states. The 2012 International Code Council requirements related to building modifications are contained in the International Building Code and the International Existing Building Code. The 2010 Americans with Disabilities Act requires accessibility upgrades for major building renovations.
