36” minimum, if serving elements are on only one side; otherwise 44” minimum.

The clear width of walking surfaces must be 36 inches minimum

30” x 48” is the minimum width. 

In A and E occupancies the occupant load is required on the CofO for the number of people allowed.

Tel: (323) 224-2168
Fax: (323) 224-2161

For A, E, I, H, B, the fees are $98.00 per floor and R2 occ $189.00 per floor.

The process to obtain a Los Angeles City Mechanical Research Report consists of the following steps:

1. Submit an “Application for Testing or Evaluating Mechanical Equipment” to the LADBS-MTL and pay the fees.
2. Attach product literature that shows materials and dimensions, and describes the intended use, installation and maintenance instructions. Also, you may include pictures or other materials that will help to evaluate the product. A product sample or a field visit maybe required.
3. Provide substantiating data such as test reports from an approved third party testing agency and/or engineering analysis in support of the requested approval.
4. Attach a typed list of sizes and models, as applicable, of the product to be approved.
5. After reviewing the submitted documents, an approval letter or a correction notice will be issued by an LADBS-MTL engineer and sent to the applicant.
6. Upon approval of a Mechanical Research Report, the approval letter will be posted on the Los Angeles City Department of Building and Safety web site. The approval letter will contain conditions of approval specifying the proper use and installation of the product.
7. The application package (PC-MECH.App14) can be found here or on the "Mechanical Test Lab (MTL)" page.

Submit the following:

1. A completed application form (PC-ELEC-App.12). Original signature is required.
2. Application fee as marked on application form. Make check payable to “The Department of Building and Safety, City of Los Angeles.”
3. Current product literature (brochure, operational instruction, maintenance manual, owner’s manual).
4. Photographs or drawings showing the exterior views and internal views of the equipment.
5. Schematic wiring diagrams. Diagrams should identify the sizes of wires, ratings of fuses, circuit breakers, and other components.
6. The parts list for the components operating at or above 30 VAC or 24.8 VDC in dry locations or 15 VAC or 12.4 VDC in wet locations. Include the part's function, name of manufacturer, catalog number, electrical ratings, and testing agency component recognition or listing number.
7. Production sample of the equipment as follows:
   1. For General or Laboratory Approval: Submit a current production sample (complete and operable) with all appurtenances to operate the equipment. If the equipment is too heavy or large to ship to the laboratory, arrange for a field location in the City of Los Angeles or at the factory where a complete testing can be performed without on-site restrictions (call the laboratory for a prior arrangement) and pay for the field trip charges.
   2. For One-Time Approval of field installed equipment: Provide the field location where the equipment is intended to be installed insuring that it can be evaluated and tested without on-site restrictions. Provide the complete address, phone number, and contact person. Pay for the field trip charges.
8. For equipment with unlisted transformers, drivers or power supplies with a rating of less than 1KVA, provide two samples with schematic wiring diagrams and specification sheets.

• Structural calculations
• certificates
• plot plan
• reports
• Any other relevant, non drawing project documentation. 
• Structural calculations
• certificates
• plot plan
• reports
• Any other relevant, non drawing project documentation. 

This program applies to all existing buildings with the following criteria:

1. Two or more stories wood frame construction wood frame construction
2. Built under the building code standards enacted before January 1, 1978
3. Contains ground or other similar open floor space that causes soft, weak or open wall lines.

• Two or more stories wood frame construction wood frame construction
• Built under the building code standards enacted before January 1, 1978
• Contains ground or other similar open floor space that causes soft, weak or open wall lines.

Exception: The program does not apply to residential buildings with 3 or less units.