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HomeHealth and Safety CodeDiv. 13Pt. 3Ch. 2Art. 4§ 19164 Local Material Stress Standards

§ 19164 Local Material Stress Standards

Health and Safety Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 19164 Local Material Stress Standards

Key Takeaways

  • •Cities or counties can decide how much stress old building materials can handle, using research or expert advice.
  • •They must use a safety factor—like a buffer—to make sure the material is safe for its job.
  • •If the city or county can’t figure it out, they can ask the State Architect for help.
  • •The State Architect’s decision must be approved by the Seismic Safety Commission.

Example

A city wants to reuse old steel beams in a new bridge.

The city checks if the old steel is strong enough. If they’re not sure, they ask the State Architect. The State Architect says yes, but the Seismic Safety Commission must agree before the beams can be used.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 19164 Local Material Stress Standards

Any city, city and county, or county may assign allowable working stresses to existing materials based on substantiating research data or engineering judgment. Such allowable working stresses shall be limited by a safety factor which is reasonably commensurate with the importance of the element in which the material is used. In the event the local jurisdiction does not have the ability to assign such allowable working stresses, it may employ as a consultant the office of the State Architect. Allowable working stresses prepared by the office of the State Architect for any city, city and county, or county shall be subject to approval by the Seismic Safety Commission. (Added by Stats. 1979, Ch. 510.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

judgmentcommissionportsafetystate architectjurisdictionability

Related Statutes

  • § 16022 State Architect Duties
  • § 118505 Public Restroom Requirements
  • § 16020 Construction Progress Verification Reports
  • § 51614 Insurance Fund Agency Authority
  • § 40448.5 Clean-Burning Fuels Program

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Health and Safety Code. Section 19164.
View Official Source