Area of Refuge in R-2 occupancy (NFPA VS IBC)

[admiralArchArch]

I apologies in advanced for what seems like the ramblings of a madman. NFPA turns my brain to mush and this is the result.
I have a multistory R-2 building, 5 stories above grade sprinklered.

From what I understand NFPA allows the entire floor to be considered an area of refuge if sprinklered. Does that mean 7.2.12 still needs to be followed for Areas of Refuge?

When you get to 7.2.12.12:

An area of refuge used as part of a required accessible means of egress in accordance with 7.5.4 in other than a building that is protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 9.7 shall meet both of the following criteria:

• (1)
  The area of refuge shall meet the general requirements of Section 7.1.
• (2)
  The area of refuge shall meet the requirements of 7.2.12.2 and 7.2.12.3.

"...in other than a building that is protected..." The way I am interpreting this is that since this building is protected by a sprinkler system the general requirements of 7.1 and requirements of 7.2.12.2 and 7.2.12.3 do not apply? Thus an AoR is not required at all? Or is that incorrect.

If we jump to 30.2.2.12.2 for new apartment occupancies"

30.2.2.12 Areas of Refuge.

30.2.2.12.1

Areas of refuge complying with 7.2.12 shall be permitted, as modified by 30.2.2.12.2.

30.2.2.12.2*

In buildings protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 30.3.5, the two accessible rooms or spaces separated from each other by smoke-resistive partitions in accordance with the definition of area of refuge in 3.3.22 shall not be required.

To me that doesn't sound like a blanket exception for areas of refuge. Let's go back to the definition:

3.3.22 * Area of Refuge.​

An area that is either (1) a story in a building where the building is protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system and has not less than two accessible rooms or spaces separated from each other by smoke-resisting partitions; or (2) a space located in a path of travel leading to a public way that is protected from the effects of fire, either by means of separation from other spaces in the same building or by virtue of location, thereby permitting a delay in egress travel from any level.

SO by definition, and area of refuge is a story that is simply protected by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system (ASASS from now on), And 30.2.2.12.2 simply exempts needing to have two rooms or spaces. Ok I guess that makes sense if you go way back and look at the definition (You would think they would put the exemption directly at 7.2.12.1). So I ask again, do the requirements of 7.1 and requirements of 7.2.12.2 and 7.2.12.3 still apply?

Since my floor is my area of refuge, what is my clear stair width minimum requirement?

Do I refer to 7.2.2.2.1.2 Minimum New Stair Width? At or below handrail height should be 36" min for occupant is fewer than 50, or 44" for fewer than 2000 persons.

In order to be considered part of an accessible means of egress, per IBC 1009.3, a stairway between stories shall comply with 1009.3.1 through 1009.3.3

1009.3 requires 48" min between handrails.
IBC 2018 1009.3.2 exemption 1 removes the 48" clear width minimum between handrails if protected by a ASASS.

1009.3.3 Removes area of refuge requirements for ASASS. Good.

Back to NFPA 101. If 7.2.12.2 applies then my minimum clear width between handrails must be 48".

7.2.12.2.3*
Where the exit providing egress from an area of refuge to a public way that is in accordance with 7.2.12.2.2 includes stairs, the clear width of landings and stair flights, measured between handrails and at all points below handrail height, shall be not less than 48 in. (1220 mm), unless otherwise permitted by the following:

(1)
The minimum 48 in. (1220 mm) clear width shall not be required where the area of refuge is separated from the remainder of the story by a horizontal exit meeting the requirements of 7.2.4. (See also 7.2.12.3.4.)

No horizontal exits are being provided (as of now).
Back to my question. Depending on my occupant load is the minimum clear width 36" (or 44") or is it 48"? I think it all depends on if 7.2.12.2 and 7.2.12.3 apply or not.

I will say 7.2.12.1.1 applies.

7.2.12 Areas of Refuge

7.2.12.1.1

An area of refuge used as part of a required accessible means of egress in accordance with 7.5.4; consisting of a story in a building that is protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 9.7; and having an accessible story that is one or more stories above or below a story of exit discharge shall meet the following criteria:

• (1)
  Each elevator landing shall be provided with a two-way communication system for communication between the elevator landing and the fire command center or a central control point approved by the authority having jurisdiction.
• (2)
  Directions for the use of the two-way communication system, instructions for summoning assistance via the two-way communication system, and written identification of the location shall be posted adjacent to the two-way communication system.
• (3)
  The two-way communication system shall include both audible and visible signals.

Thank you and I hope my ramblings and question makes sense.

 

[mtlogcabin]

I am not familiar with NFPA 101 so my first question is what section in NFPA 101 requires an area of refuge for an R-2 occupancy?

I have a multistory R-2 building, 5 stories above grade sprinklered.
An area of refuge used as part of a required accessible means of egress in accordance with 7.5.4

What does 7.5.4 state?

 

[admiralArchArch]

I am not familiar with NFPA 101 so my first question is what section in NFPA 101 requires an area of refuge for an R-2 occupancy?

It doesn't state specifically for this occupancy, however there is the requirement of not less than two accessible means of egress, area of refuge being one:

7.5.4 Accessible Means of Egress.

7.5.4.1*

Areas accessible to people with severe mobility impairment, other than in existing buildings, shall have not less than two accessible means of egress, unless otherwise provided in 7.5.4.1.2 through 7.5.4.1.4.

And the last bit of 7.5.4:

7.5.4.9

An area of refuge used as part of a required accessible means of egress shall be in accordance with 7.2.12.

 

[mtlogcabin]

in other than a building that is protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system

Thus an AoR is not required at all? Or is that incorrect.

Yes

the entire floor to be considered an area of refuge if sprinklered.

No the whole floor is not considered an area of refuge under the code. An area of refuge is not required in a sprinkled building.