1104.4

[fatboy]

1104.4 Multilevel buildings and facilities. At least one accessible route shall connect each accessible level, including mezzanines, in multilevel buildings and facilities.



Exceptions:



1. An accessible route is not required to stories and mezzanines that have an aggregate area of not more than 3,000 square feet (278.7 m2) and are located above and below accessible levels. This exception shall not apply to:

Ok, here is the question:

Q: When applying the exception noted in 1104.4 (1) regarding 3000 s.f. would stairwells be included or excluded in the "aggregate" area?

 

[north star]

+ + + +

fatboy,



IMO, I would say "no!" The requirement applies to [ floor / area ] "levels",

not the means to get to them.

+ + + +

 

[fatboy]

I take that to mean you saying the stairwells should be excluded from the floor area for the purposes of the exception?

I really thought this would create a bit more activity..........30+ looks, and 1 response?

 

[georgia plans exam]

Good question fatboy. The code defines net area and gross area but, I haven't found a good definition of aggregate yet. I would tend to not count the stairwell until I'm proven wrong.

GPE

 

[north star]

= = = =

I take that to mean you saying the stairwells should be excluded from the floor area for the purposes of the exception??

Correct!From the 2006 IBC - Ch. 10 - Definitions: "FLOOR AREA, NET. The actual occupied area

not including unoccupied accessory areas such as corridors, stairways, toilet rooms, mechanical

rooms and closets."

Wouldn't the Accessible levels stated in Section 1104.4 mean "habitable levels"?

= = = =

 

[Architect1281]

Very Interesting Question

when this term first appeared I did some soul searching and decided it did not mean what the dictionary said

–noun

4. a sum, mass, or assemblage of particulars; a total or gross amount: the aggregate of all past experience.

or per code

R201.4 Terms not defined.

Where terms are not defined through the methods authorized by this section, such terms shall have ordinarily accepted meanings such as the context implies.

because it could be interpereted as a 1000 sf basement a 1000 sf first floor and a 1000 sf second floor = aggregate 3000 sf

my questioning arose from the fact that throughout my code applying experiences the codes UBC BOCA and even ICC had reference to

Area per floor and total allowable building area but the new reference to Aggregate raised my curiosity, Does it mean what it says

{a sum} {a total or gross amount}

I thought, "no they wouldn't do that", so I went with floor area which in my interp includes path of egress

That is a question as a designer I did not want to ask and as an official I did not want to enforce

 

[mark handler]

ag·gre·gat·e, ag·gre·gat·ing, ag·gre·gates

1. To gather into a mass, sum, or whole.

2. To amount to; total.

Yes the total or whole area includes the Stairways.

 

[Code Neophyte]

This is almost completely irrelevant, but....in Illinois we have our own Accessibility Code. The wording regarding mezzanines is similar, and also exempts closets / storage areas located in the mezzanine. I asked for an interpretation a while back regarding exactly what you've put forth here, and was told the stairs should be excluded. In addition, I was advised that, if the floor area got dangerously close to 3,000 s.f., a closet could be enlarged or added in order to keep the floor area of 'primary activity' (or whatever the wording - don't have the code with me) below 3,000 s.f.

 

[Simonsays]

Definition of mezzanine: An intermediate level or levels; therefore, don't include the stairs.

Aggregate: for the extremely rare case when there are multiple mezzanines (see 1109.2.1, "an aggregate of six or more water closets") so you are expected to add JUST the mezzanines together.

BTW, I'm involved in a project with a single floor building with a mezzanine and the field inspector demands that the (non-required) elevator shaft be rated - guess he doesn't remember/understand the exceptions in the code!

 

[Builder Bob]

Do stairs have an occupant load???? No they have an egress width requirement base don the number of occupants using the stairs or as estblished by prescriptive means of the code. But stairs do not add restrooms, floor occupant loads, etc. the stairs are designed for egress only.

 

[brudgers]

Q: When applying the exception noted in 1104.4 (1) regarding 3000 s.f. would stairwells be included or excluded in the "aggregate" area?

I hate to ask the obvious question but...would you require the stairs to be served by an elevator?

 

[Gene Boecker]

Excellent point! (And you know I don't always agree with you, Ben - )

If I build a stair up and over a partition in the room (say from my cubicle to the next) does that count as added floor area? No.

The 3,000 SF is the area that can be used for some activity. The "aggregate" has to do with the fact that there may be multiple levels or multiple segments of a mezzanine. The point being, once you get more than 3,000 SF of floor area to do "stuff" then access is required.

 

[fatboy]

Well...........been interesting. To me, aggregate means just that, the entire area, of the floor. And, that is what we had been saying in regards to a 2nd floor of 3300 s.f. without accessability. (including stairwells)

But, after meeting with them, we ended up accepting the applicants proposal to isolate 300+ s.f. from the second floor, only accessing it through the first floor, a shop (S-1) area, everyone walked away from the meeting OK with the result.

But this thread has been one of those times that you have to stand back and say........hmmmmm, I thought I was so right on the money. Thanks for the posts.........although it took a while for ya'll to get an opinion.......a little odd for this crowd.