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Accessible means of egress in existing barn

Mr. Inspector

SAWHORSE
Joined
Nov 28, 2009
Messages
4,695
Location
Poconos/eastern PA
An existing old barn is being converted to a restaurant. Of course the barn never had a C. O. Code says accessible egress is not required for an existing building.
So does it need an accessible egress?
It will have an accessible entrance but becuse they are studing the inside of the exterior walls the doors will be recessed over 8" and will not meet the maneuvering clearace of 12" required for push side of the door with a latch and closer.
 
No C of O you say, then it doesn't exist (smiling). Need to treat it as a new building.
Is it on the County tax accessor roles as an improvement?
Center the door in the wall thickness.
 
An accessible entrance typically gets you at least one accessible egress.....But sadly, existing buildings get a pretty big pass in this area. Although I have had the fight that if they are adding egress, then it has to be accessible....

Read it again...See the problem....But if it is a new door it would have to be accessible and you also have the "you can't make it less accessible" argument...
 
How big?
A2 or B?
Does it need two exits?
Do you have space for a "Area of refuse"?
Are there sprinklers?
 
Note, when studding the interior you could hold back the studs from the door latchside a minimum 0f 18" on the interior to achieve the required clearance.
 
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