HomeKnowledgeCBC 1604.5 — Risk Category IV (Essential Facilities & Towers)
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CBC 1604.5 — Risk Category IV (Essential Facilities & Towers)

Updated May 18, 2026
Risk Cat IV requires 1.5x design loads and continuous-operation seismic detailing.

CBC Table 1604.5 assigns Risk Category IV to essential facilities (hospitals, EOCs, fire stations) and any building over 240 ft with mixed-use. Effects: importance factor I_e = 1.5 for seismic, 1.15 for wind; mandatory base-isolation or moment-frame ductility for tall structures in SDC D+; continuous-operation drift limit of 0.010 h_sx vs 0.020 for Cat II; independent peer review by SE required per §1604.6 in California. SF DBI additionally requires SETC review for any project above 160 ft.

TAGS
skyscraperhigh-riserisk-category-ivseismic
DETAILS
edition
2022
use case
["skyscraper","high-rise","essential-facility"]
adopted by
["ca-sf","ca-oakland","ca-san-jose","ca-statewide"]
code system
CBC
confidence tier
primary
SOURCES
🔗https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes/california/CABC2022P1
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