N.Y.C. Admin. Code § EBC A101: Section EBC A101: Scope

A101.1 General.

This Appendix gives requirements for connecting walls to floors and parapets and chimneys to roofs for existing unreinforced masonry buildings with wood framed floors or roofs, where required by Chapter 7.

The provisions of this Appendix are intended as minimum standards for incrementally improving structural seismic resistance and are established primarily to reduce the risk of loss, damage to property, or injury to persons. Compliance with these provisions will not necessarily prevent loss of life or injury or prevent earthquake damage to retrofitted buildings.

This Appendix is based on a seismic design criteria limit of Sd1 £ .133, and wind conditions of Exposure D. This Appendix does not apply to essential or hazardous facilities.

A101.2 Definitions.

UNREINFORCED MASONRY (URM). Includes burned clay, concrete, or sand-lime brick; hollow clay or concrete block; plain concrete; and hollow clay tile.

UNREINFORCED MASONRY WALL. A masonry wall that:

1. Relies solely on the tensile strength of masonry units, mortar, and grout in resisting design loads. Any area of reinforcement that may be present is neglected in determining resistance to loads; and

2. Carries a minimum service load of 100 pounds per lineal foot (1459 N/m) of roof and/or floor loads.