Francis Vineyard
REGISTERED
Reference 2012 or 2015 IBC
Compliant proposal?
All these exterior balconies would be connected and served by at least two stairs that leads to an exit.
The travel distance from each interior space to the interior exit stairway is in compliance. The exterior balcony provides a 2nd means of egress that is access from each tenant space. The balcony begins from the 6th floor on the exterior side of an interior exit stairway. Each balcony continues across each story to a stair to the next balcony on the story below until it reaches the level of exit discharge.
Notice the exception to Section 1019.2 for separation requires “at least two stairs” but the exception to 1026.6 also permits balcony that connects “other approved exits.” The code apparently does not require an up or down direction to an exit.
1016.3 Measurement. Exit access travel distance shall be measured from the most remote point within a story along the natural and unobstructed path of horizontal and vertical egress travel to the entrance to an exit.
In accordance with the 2015 IBC Handbook; "A travel limit is only imposed to the nearest exit component, not to all required exits from the room, floor, or building."
1019.1 General. Balconies used for egress purposes shall conform to the same requirements as corridors for width, headroom, dead ends and projections.
1019.2 Wall separation. Exterior egress balconies shall be separated from the interior of the building by walls and opening protectives as required for corridors.
Exception: Separation is not required where the exterior egress balcony is served by at least two stairs and a deadend travel condition does not require travel past an unprotected opening to reach a stair.
1026.2 Use in a means of egress. Exterior exit stairways shall not be used as an element of a required means of egress for Group I-2 occupancies. For occupancies in other than
Group I-2, exterior exit stairways and ramps shall be permitted as an element of a required means of egress for buildings not exceeding six stories above grade plane or which are not high-rise buildings.
1026.6 Exterior stairway and ramp protection. Exterior exit stairways and ramps shall be separated from the interior of the building as required in Section 1022.2. Openings shall be limited to those necessary for egress from normally occupied spaces.
Exceptions:
2. Separation from the interior of the building is not required where the exterior stairway or ramp is served by an exterior ramp or balcony that connects two remote exterior stairways or other approved exits with a perimeter that is not less than 50 percent open. To be considered open, the opening shall be a minimum of 50 percent of the height of the enclosing wall, with the top of the openings no less than 7 feet above the top of the balcony.
Compliant proposal?
All these exterior balconies would be connected and served by at least two stairs that leads to an exit.
The travel distance from each interior space to the interior exit stairway is in compliance. The exterior balcony provides a 2nd means of egress that is access from each tenant space. The balcony begins from the 6th floor on the exterior side of an interior exit stairway. Each balcony continues across each story to a stair to the next balcony on the story below until it reaches the level of exit discharge.
Notice the exception to Section 1019.2 for separation requires “at least two stairs” but the exception to 1026.6 also permits balcony that connects “other approved exits.” The code apparently does not require an up or down direction to an exit.
1016.3 Measurement. Exit access travel distance shall be measured from the most remote point within a story along the natural and unobstructed path of horizontal and vertical egress travel to the entrance to an exit.
In accordance with the 2015 IBC Handbook; "A travel limit is only imposed to the nearest exit component, not to all required exits from the room, floor, or building."
1019.1 General. Balconies used for egress purposes shall conform to the same requirements as corridors for width, headroom, dead ends and projections.
1019.2 Wall separation. Exterior egress balconies shall be separated from the interior of the building by walls and opening protectives as required for corridors.
Exception: Separation is not required where the exterior egress balcony is served by at least two stairs and a deadend travel condition does not require travel past an unprotected opening to reach a stair.
1026.2 Use in a means of egress. Exterior exit stairways shall not be used as an element of a required means of egress for Group I-2 occupancies. For occupancies in other than
Group I-2, exterior exit stairways and ramps shall be permitted as an element of a required means of egress for buildings not exceeding six stories above grade plane or which are not high-rise buildings.
1026.6 Exterior stairway and ramp protection. Exterior exit stairways and ramps shall be separated from the interior of the building as required in Section 1022.2. Openings shall be limited to those necessary for egress from normally occupied spaces.
Exceptions:
2. Separation from the interior of the building is not required where the exterior stairway or ramp is served by an exterior ramp or balcony that connects two remote exterior stairways or other approved exits with a perimeter that is not less than 50 percent open. To be considered open, the opening shall be a minimum of 50 percent of the height of the enclosing wall, with the top of the openings no less than 7 feet above the top of the balcony.
