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R-2 Occupancy with one exit

VLADIMIR LEVIN

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Joined
Jun 11, 2019
Messages
141
Location
NY
Table 1006.3.3(1) allows one exit in R-2 occupancies from (1st, 2nd, and 3rd) stories where there are 4 or less dwelling units.

If a 2 story apartment building has a mixture of single story and 2 story dwelling units, does the 2nd story of the 2 story dwelling unit count as a dwelling unit on the 2nd story of the building if it does not have exit access on that story?

In other words, if the 2nd story of the building has 4 dwelling units with exit access doorways on that story, and 4 other dwelling units that do not have exit access doorways on that story, is that story allowed to have one exit?
 
The short answer to your first question is, no. The answer to your second question is, yes. The means of egress contained wholly within a dwelling unit is a part of that dwelling and not part of the larger building's means of egress.
 
The short answer to your first question is, no. The answer to your second question is, yes. The means of egress contained wholly within a dwelling unit is a part of that dwelling and not part of the larger building's means of egress.
That makes sense... I suppose the intent of the code (in this situation) is to limit the occupant load for 1-exit, and the 2 story dwelling unit in this case does not have access to that 1-exit.
 
Also true....Which could not be the case if this is that historic bank project......Good call MT....I ran across this awhile back and the issue was there is/was no table for nonsprinklered R2...
 
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If the project is new or is an alteration with a change of occupancy, a sprinkler system will be required.
 
We screw with that a bit:

(Amd) 903.2.8 Group R. An automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3
shall be provided throughout all newly constructed buildings with a Group R fire area or in existing
buildings that have a Group R fire area newly introduced by change of occupancy, occupancy
group designation or by an addition.
Exceptions:
1. Group R-1 bed and breakfast establishments.
2. Existing buildings four stories or less in height undergoing a change of occupancy from a
one- or two-family building or Group R-3 to Group R-2 containing not more than four
dwelling units that does not involve an increase in height or area and where each dwelling
unit has either:

2.1 An exit door directly to the exterior at a level of exit discharge,
2.2 Direct access to an exterior stair serving a maximum of two dwelling units on the same
story, or
2.3 Direct access to an interior stair serving only that dwelling unit and separated from all
other portions of the building with 1-hour fire-resistance-rated fire barriers.
3. Existing buildings converted prior to June 15, 1994, from a one- or two-family building or
Group R-3 to Group R-2 containing not more than four dwelling units.
4. Horizontal additions containing a newly introduced Group R occupancy that are added to
existing buildings shall be required to have an automatic sprinkler system installed in the
addition only if the addition is completely separated from the existing building by fire
barriers with a minimum 1-hour fire-resistance rating.
5. In a building with a maximum of two dwelling units where:
5.1 Each dwelling unit has a direct independent exit to grade.
5.2 The exit(s) and dwelling units are separated from any nonresidential occupancy by a
minimum 1-hour fire-resistance-rated separation.
5.3 The nonresidential occupancy is protected by an automatic fire detection and alarm
system with notification in the dwelling unit(s).
 
Montana has exceptions to the sprinkler requirements for R-1 and R-2 occupancies and unfortunately they over looked the travel distance increase when they did this. So we allow them to use the 2009 Table 1021.2 travel distances for the buildings that are exempt from the sprinkler requirements or they sprinkle it if they need the extra travel distance
 
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