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

[Yikes]

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 the one in the images and video above that are installed right at the top riser. IBC 202 provides no specific definition of "door" or "gate" vs. "barrier". So, the phrase "approved barrier" sounds like it leaves some subjective grey area / wiggle room as to how to achieve the code intent.

QUESTIONS: Would you allow this kind of barrier over the 1010.1 required landing? Would you consider it as exempt from gate clearances in ADAS 404?
If "yes", how do you reconcile this with the landing requirements?
Are there any issues with this kind of barrier interfering with access to continuous handrail?

1023.8 Barrier at Level of Exit Discharge​

An interior exit stairway and ramp shall not continue below its level of exit discharge unless an approved barrier is provided at the level of exit discharge to prevent persons from unintentionally continuing into levels below. Directional exit signs shall be provided as specified in Section 1013.​

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

I don't understand what you're asking. Can you post a plan showing the potential problem?

 

[Yikes]

I don't understand what you're asking. Can you post a plan showing the potential problem?

The stair from the basement below is required to have a landing at the top riser, let's say it is 44" long.

Q1: Are the barriers allowed by code where shown on the photo, in location "A"? Why isn't this considered to be a type of doorway or gateway interfering with the stair top landing? (IBC 1011.6 "Doors opening onto a landing shall not reduce the landing to less than one-half the required width.")

Q2: Should the barriers be relocated away from position "A", perhaps placed at "B" instead? Do the barriers require door maneuvering clearances per ADAS/CBC 11B-404?

Q3: In this image, do the barriers interfere with handrail clearances required by ADAS/CBC 11B-505.6?

 

[steveray]

I personally wouldn't worry about it as none of the shown barriers seem to impede egress in any way........But if the intent isn't to egress to the lower level, the handrail extension C should not wrap.....

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

I interpret "doors opening onto a landing" as being doors separating the stair enclosure from rooms or spaces outside the stair enclosure. The purpose of those gates is specifically to prevent people from going down the stairs to egress -- so even if a person who needs the approach clearances for doors were to get onto that landing, they won't be going down that flight.

I have never considered that provision in the code to apply to the stair barrier gates.

Q3: In this image, do the barriers interfere with handrail clearances required by ADAS/CBC 11B-505.6?

Technically, yes. I would never cite it.

 

[tbz]

I personally wouldn't worry about it as none of the shown barriers seem to impede egress in any way........But if the intent isn't to egress to the lower level, the handrail extension C should not wrap.....

We try to no avail to get the architects to not wrap the handrails at the exit level, and to align the exit door straight ahead of the upper level stair flight.

You know designers and sqr footage.

 

[Yikes]

We try to no avail to get the architects to not wrap the handrails at the exit level, and to align the exit door straight ahead of the upper level stair flight.

You know designers and sqr footage.

Once a decision has been made to do a switchback stair entered upstairs off a double-loaded corridor, it can be hard to get the stair flight to end right in front of an exterior exit door.

 

[Mr. Inspector]

I interpret "doors opening onto a landing" as being doors separating the stair enclosure from rooms or spaces outside the stair enclosure. The purpose of those gates is specifically to prevent people from going down the stairs to egress -- so even if a person who needs the approach clearances for doors were to get onto that landing, they won't be going down that flight.

I have never considered that provision in the code to apply to the stair barrier gates.



Technically, yes. I would never cite it.

Would you cite it if the stairway going up to the gate was part of an accessible egress?
I would have failed it either way. Should have been caught at the plan review.

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

Would you cite it if the stairway going up to the gate was part of an accessible egress?
I would have failed it either way. Should have been caught at the plan review.

No, I wouldn't cite it.

What does an accessible egress stair mean? Door maneuvering (approach) clearances are primarily to accommodate wheelchair occupants. The only way a wheelchair occupant is going down a stair is when three firemen are carrying the wheelchair -- in which case the wheelchair occupant won't have to worry about opening the door at the discharge landing.