Access to Owner's private office on second floor

[Meadowbend99]

I have a small hair salon space, first floor salon space is roughly 1,500 SF and then there are stairs leading to an owner's private office/tlt on the second floor, approx. 300 sf. I'm trying to figure out the best solution for how to access the space. Currently the base of stairs is open to the salon below. It's walled in on the sides and has room for the handrails to extend 1'-0" and then you enter the salon. At the top of the stairs there is a vestible with a 5' turnaround before entering the office. The downside to this is the vestibule takes up a lot of space. They need to be able to keep the upstairs space locked with a door.

Can I put in a pocket door at the base of the stairs? It would be just past the handrail extensions, but it wouldn't allow for a "landing" if the door is in the closed position.

Since this is a private office upstairs, do I need a 5' turnaround at the top of the stairs?

Using 2015 IBS and Texas TAS

 

[Msradell]

I don't believe you will need the 5 foot turnaround at the top of the stairs because that area if not accessible anyway. I do think you put a sliding door at the bottom of the stairway however you will need a landing.

 

[Christine]

I have a few concerns about this. Please read Chapter 10 of the IBC. I think that you could interpret the stair as an exit access stairway, since you would be exiting through the salon. As such, any door you provide at the end of the stairway cannot be a pocket door, see Section 1010.1.2. You will be required to have a landing, see section 1011.

As to whether or not the stairway has to be accessible, that scope would be defined in the ADA. I believe there are exceptions for certain types of workspaces that do not require accessibility.

Sorry, just noticed the post date was in 2017. Hopefully you have resolved this by now.

 

[Christine]

Oops, I misread the 2017 - that's when you joined. Hope this helps.