Here you go:
August 9, 2019
Code Section: Section 1107.6.1.1 in the 2015 IBC
Mr. XXXXXXXXXX
This e-mail is in response to your email of July 31, 2019. You have indicated that the appliances in question are not located in a dwelling unit.
1. Does 306.2 mean any kind or size of room?
Yes. The code regulates the size of the unobstructed passageway, not the size of the room.
2. Are appliances that are in a suspended ceiling to be considered in a room?
No. For the purposes of this section, the appliance is not considered to be in a room.
3. Do rooms that have appliances need to comply with 306.2 no matter how small they are, i. e. unit heater, duct fan, electric baseboard heater, instant water heater, exhaust fan, or the inside part of a split AC?
A room that contains an appliance in accordance with the definition of “appliance” must provide an unobstructed passageway in accordance with Section 306.2.
4. Where there is a small appliance in any room is the doorway considered to be part of the passageway and needs to have an unobstructed not less than 36” wide and 80” high. I’m asking because nowhere else in the ICC codes requires a doorway to have this large of a size of an doorway opening and stock doorways do not come this large of an unobstructed opening (because of the space the door jamb and the space of the pivoting door takes) and custom size doorways and doors would have to be made.
The door into the room were the appliance is located and the unobstructed passageway must not be less than 36 inches wide and 80 inches high.
5. Where there is any appliance in a room does the room actually have to have a door? They build a lot of rooms without doors and the IBC only requires doors in certain places.
No. The room where the appliance is located could have a cased opening without a door. It should be noted that if the room is required to be fire-resistance rated in accordance with the IBC a fire rated door will be required.
6. If the room with the small appliance can only be entered through another room does this 2nd door need to comply with the requirements of 306.2?
Section 306.2 only regulates the door and the passageway in the room where the appliance is located.
7. Do all of the doors including the exterior door that lead to a room with an appliance no matter what size need to comply with 306.2?
No. See the answer to #6 above.
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Sincerely,
Chris Holland
Senior Technical Staff
Architectural & Engineering Services
International Code Council, Inc.
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