Access / exit gate at public restroom

[Yikes]

I have a municipal client that is building a multi-user park restroom. The want the main entry into the restroom to not be a conventional door, but rather be a 5' wide metal gate/grille that is controlled solely by park staff: locked into the fully open position during the day, and locked into the closed position at night.

If that is the case, how does CBC chapter 10 apply for door width, etc. - - or does it apply at all?

Same question for accessibility features: does it need a kickplate, lever handle, etc., when the owner only wants a padlock hasp in the open and closed position?

 

[cda]

I would say allow the gate as is.

Is there a gate across the men's and one across the women's

Or some other set up?

How big is each room

 

[cda]

1008.2 Gates. Gates serving the means of egress system shall comply with the requirements of this section. Gates used as a component in a means of egress shall conform to the applicable requirements for doors.

Exception: Horizontal sliding or swinging gates exceeding the 4-foot (1219 mm) maximum leaf width limitation are permitted in fences and walls surrounding a stadium.

1008.1.4.5 Security grilles. In Groups B, F, M and S, horizontal sliding or vertical security grilles are permitted at the main exit and shall be openable from the inside without the use of a key or special knowledge or effort during periods that the space is occupied. The grilles shall remain secured in the full-open position during the period of occupancy by the general public. Where two or more means of egress are required, not more than one-half of the exits or exit access doorways shall be equipped with horizontal sliding or vertical security grilles.

This section really functions as an exception to several sections, including Sections 1008.1.2 (Door swing) and 1008.1.9.3 (Locks and latches) and permits the use of these security grilles under conditions that are similar to those found in Section 402 for covered mall buildings. These security grilles will be open when the space is occupied and will, therefore, not obstruct any egress path.

 

[mark handler]

You still need the clearances in case the next administration wants doors.

Technically you don't need them but will save costs in the long run

Make sure you meet the 11B access requirements

 

[Yikes]

Thanks for the quick responses, everyone. The project has already been plan-checked / approved by the city. My own office asked me to do a quality control check.

cda, section 1008.1.4.5 appears to most closely resemble our situation, except that:

(a) it is a swinging grille, not a sliding or vertical grille

(b) the building official classified the restrooms as "U" occupancy.

Other than that, it appears to me that the intent of the code in 1008.1.4.5 is similar to the issues faced in this particular situation.

mark, your point about future use is well-taken, however this does seem similar to many park restrooms and beach restrooms throughout southern California, and unless crime disappears from our streets tomorrow, it appears that municipalities want restrooms either totally open or totally locked, with no door that blocks visual security. That said, they could remove the grilles and retrofit with doors and we've left enough clearances around the nearby walls so that it would still meet 11B.

Lastly, yes there is one 5' wide swinging grille across the men's room entrance and one 5' swinging security grille across the women's entrance.