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Thread 'Door swing and Exit sign'

Thread 'Door swing and Exit sign'

In the diagram below, both Area A and Area B are divided by exit access door (which is required by program), and require two means of egress due to common path of travel. Since the occupant load (O.L.) in Area A is fewer than 50, the door swing is not required to follow the direction of egress travel. However, for Area B, with an occupant load greater than 50, the door must swing in the direction of egress travel. My question is: In this case, is it code compliant for the exit access door...
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Thread 'Enclosure under interior stairways'

Can someone clarify section 1011.7.3 BCNYS. I have a metal stair with a utility closet underneath it. I think the closet walls need to be 1 hour, and the underside of the stair needs to be 1 hour?
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Thread 'Rated Coiling Door in an existing exterior wall'

Hey there gurus - I have a condition in a project I am struggling with and was hoping someone here might be able to offer some guidance/ interpretation. I’m working on a project involving an addition to an existing building. The new addition is classified as A-3, while the existing building contains a mix of A-3, B, and a small S-1 occupancy. The addition is connected to the existing structure via a corridor created by utilizing an existing exterior door. The existing building is fully...
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Thread 'California building code accessible routes'

I'm a beginner and I'm getting caught up in the wording of some means of egress requirements in the california building codes. In a building required to be accessible by Chapter 11A or Chapter 11B, not all routes need to be accessible routes. Can routes that are not accessible routes, but are in a building required to be accessible, be considered "not required to be accessible" in relevant sections in the code? For example: 1003.5 Elevation change. Where changes in elevation of less than 12...
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Thread 'Is a "barrier" allowed within a stair landing? IBC 1023.8'

Thread 'Is a "barrier" allowed within a stair landing? IBC 1023.8'

For stair systems that extend above and below the level of exit discharge, IBC 1023.8 requires an "approved barrier" to prevent people from unintentionally missing the exit discharge door and continuing down into lower levels (such as down into the basement) instead of exiting the building. I know IBC 1010.1.4 and 1010.1.5 have limitations on doors encroaching onto stair landings, and ADAS 404 requires level maneuvering clearances at doors and gates. But I've often seen barriers like...
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Thread 'High school outdoor bleacher accessible means of egress'

Will 2 accessible means of egress (ramps) required for an outdoor bleacher? Project is filed under 2012 IBC.
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Thread 'Privacy Added From Plumbing IBC 2024'

[P] 1210.3 Privacy Public restrooms shall be visually screened from outside entry or exit doorways to ensure user privacy within the restroom. This provision shall also apply where mirrors would compromise personal privacy. Privacy at water closets and urinals shall be provided in accordance with Sections 1210.3.1 and 1210.3.2. Exception: Visual screening shall not be required for single-occupant toilet rooms with a lockable door.
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Thread 'Changes in Sound Transmission IBC 2024 Section 1207'

SECTION 1207.1 This section shall apply to common interior walls, partitions and floor/ceiling assemblies between adjacent dwelling units and sleeping units or between dwelling units and sleeping units and adjacent public areas such as halls, corridors, stairways or service areas. 1207.2 Walls, partitions and floor/ceiling assemblies separating dwelling units and sleeping units from each other or from public or service areas shall have a sound transmission class of not less than 50 where...
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Thread 'Change of Occupancy 2024 IBC'

It says this: CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY. Either of the following shall be considered as a change of occupancy where this code requires a greater degree of safety, accessibility, structural strength, fire protection, means of egress, ventilation or sanitation than is existing in the current building or structure: Any change in the occupancy classification of a building or structure. Any change in the purpose of, or a change in the level of activity within, a building or structure.
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Thread 'Automatic Flush Bolt'

2024 IBC definition: AUTOMATIC FLUSH BOLT. Door-locking hardware, installed on the inactive leaf of a pair of doors, which has a bolt that is extended automatically into the door frame or floor when the active leaf is closed after the inactive leaf, and which holds the inactive leaf in a closed position. When the active leaf is opened, the automatic flush bolt retracts the bolt or rod allowing the inactive leaf to be opened (see CONSTANT LATCHING BOLT, DEAD BOLT, MANUAL BOLT).
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Thread 'Egress through Sprinkler Room?'

Existing F-2 & S-2 occupancy. New addition to house sprinkler service and risers. 2018 and 2021 Virginia Building Code (An S-2 addition was permitted under the 2018 code and is under construction. I do not know which code the sprinkler addition must follow.) The GC and / or owner want to utilize an existing exit door in the F-2 & S-2 occupancy to access the new sprinkler room, place an exit door in the sprinkler room exterior wall, and then have F-2 & S-2 occupants travel through the...
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Thread 'Number of exits'

Thread 'Number of exits'

Discussed before but this always gets me. Given an interior assembly space with an occupant load of 900. It has 4 exits, 2 on the east side, 2 on the west side. Number and capacity is adequate from the assembly space. On the west side, the occupants empty into a means of egress system with multiple exit paths. On the east side the occupants empty into a corridor with only a single exit discharge, with adequate capacity. The corridor is not a protected exit path. The corridor exceeds...
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Thread 'Code narrative worthwhile for plans examiners?'

Question for the examiners. The firm I work for does complex projects and we always provide a summary of the project w/typicals such as building type, area,egress both load and capacities. Wondering if, in addition to, the summary I/we should provide an additional letter that might include scope of compliance of flammables use/storage or hazards. Recently submitted a vo-tech facility and ended up with a bunch of questions for their automotive repair and bodyshop areas. Also did a weed...
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Thread 'Sizing exit door at existing unenclosed stairs'

I have a project in a 2 story building. My client and most of our work is on the 1st floor. The building owner occupies the second floor. The building is existing and has unenclosed 2 story stairs. The building owner would like to add a smoke barrier and door at the top of the stairs. Can we size the door based on the egress capacity of the stairs (width)? Generating a life safety plan for the second floor would be a pain -it's a 25,000 SF church. The best course of action would be to...
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Thread 'Interesting problem'

Thread 'Interesting problem'

Permit application currently under review. I won't identify the chain involved, but a national fast food restaurant wants to erect a permanent, gas station type canopy over the two drive-thru ordering lanes. The technical (legal) issue is that although they apparently have a lease agreement for a specific chunk of ground coverage, the "parcel" they show on the site/civil drawings as bounded by a "lease line" actually encompasses a major portion of one deeded parcel and portions of two other...
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Thread 'R-2 Elevator Building with Steps at Unit Entries?'

Hi all, been thinking on this and could use some outside perspectives. Concept: R-2 multi-story building. Pretty typical podium construction, apartments on upper floors, commercial on first, elevator provided. Project in OK. All upper floor dwellings would be Type A or B compliant, as typical. From the perspective of the IBC (let's say 2018) and the FHA: Is there any instance in which you would be allowed to have some additional dwelling units on the ground floor with direct exterior...
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Thread 'Hotel common path of travel'

Hi all I'm working on a hotel in Colorado where the building code official is asking that we calculate the common path of travel from the furthest point within each single-exit guest room. This runs contrary to how I've been accustomed to this calculation, as I've always done it from the guest room entry door rather than from from the furthest point within the room. This ends up messing with our plan considerably, as while we never have more than 75 feet to the room door, and never more...
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Thread 'How to measure door opening height? To threshold?'

IBC 1010.1 says: "The minimum CLEAR OPENING HEIGHT of doors shall not be less than 80 inches." If my door has a threshold, does the phrase CLEAR OPENING HEIGHT mean I must measure the 80 inches from the bottom of the head to the top of the threshold? If "yes", then most of the standard 80" doors I've installed with a threshold would not comply. There is an exception in 1010.1.1.1 that allows door closers and door stops to encroach down to 78" above finish floor. But there is nothing in...
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Thread 'Roof access ladder location'

Where can the ladder to the roof be located? Is it required to be in a stairwell? Can I locate it in a small room? I have a 3 story apartment building in Vermont. The roof will only have the HVAC units. In the stairwell the roof hatch would be right at the roof edge. I have an unused alcove of space that could be closed off where the ladder could be placed. This would move it away from the roof edge. I am unable to find in the IBC 2015 (current version in VT) a requirement or a prohibition...
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Thread 'Steel Column for Wood Framed balcony (V-A)'

2018 IBC, Type V-A construction, R-2. I have some corner balconies that we are using a steel column to support the corner. At first I thought I may have to apply fire-proofing to the column per table 601, but IBC 705.2.3.1 exception 3 states balconies of Type V construction "shall be permitted to be of Type V construction and shall not be required to have a fire-resistance rating where sprinkler protection is extended to these areas". We will have spinkler protection at balconies. Is...
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Thread 'Horizontal Exit'

Hi all, Running into some code interpretation challenges and would appreciate your input. Project Overview: 5-story, 19-unit apartment building 4 levels of R-2 above 1 level of enclosed carport (U) Fully sprinklered (NFPA 13) Occupied rooftop terrace 2022 California Building Code Issue: Per CBC/CFC 1009.2.1, standby power for the elevator is required unless a 2-hour horizontal exit is provided on every floor (excluding the exit discharge level), assuming full sprinklers. Since the roof...
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Thread 'Sticky complaince issue needing input from experts'

I am a trustee for a township in a great lakes state. There is an issue currently under review and discussion and I need some knowledgable input. Here are the facts: 1. 2019 a factory whose property already abuts a residential neighborhood (developed decades after the factory was first built) gets a building permit to expand on it's property parallel to the residential property line on land already owned by the factory. 2. The site plan calls for a visual/sound barrier including deciduous...
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Thread 'Corridor Ceiling Rating'

Hello All! I am aware of how to get to the required fire partition rating for a corridor wall between dwelling units in an R-2 setting (VB)... 420.2 and 708.3 from the IBC. However, how are you all arriving at the rating of the ceiling in the corridor? Let's say there are dwelling units directly over the corridor. The corridor is part of the exit access system. Supporting construction for these fire partitions is not required to be rated per 2021 IBC 708.4.1, but I'm talking specifically...
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Thread 'Means of egress question'

Thread 'Means of egress question'

This could go under accessibility codes or here. The project is an addition to an existing building and it's a means of egress issue, so I'm posting here. On the first round of plan reviews, we flagged that the entire warehouse portion of a large industrial building (roughly 600 feet long) had only one accessible means of egress -- through the office area at one end. Two means of egress are required, so two accessible means of egress are required. They have responded by putting an enlarged...
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Thread 'Building Area vs Fire Area'

Hello, All. I have a somewhat basic question about the 2021 SC BC. I am looking for some clarification on the definitions portion of the code. Area, Building (from the official commentary)... "Allowable building areas (as established by the provisions of Chapter 5 and Table 506.2) are a function of the potential fire hazard and the level of fire endurance of the building’s structural elements, as established for the types of construction in Chapter 6. A building area is the “footprint” of...
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