Areas of Refuge

[George McGerd]

I'm working in a jurisdiction which utilizes IBC 2012, NFPA 101 (2012) and ADA. It is a fully-sprinklered commercial building. Looks like Area of Refuge is not required under IBC 1007.3 Exception #2. Am I missing something? Thanx.

 

[cda]

One story two, three more less?

 

[mark handler]

I'm working in a jurisdiction which utilizes IBC 2012, NFPA 101 (2012) and ADA. It is a fully-sprinklered commercial building. Looks like Area of Refuge is not required under IBC 1007.3 Exception #2. Am I missing something? Thanx.

Yes, but ADASAD refers to

International Building Code, 2000 Edition (see 207.1, 207.2, 216.4.2, 216.4.3, and 1005.2.1).

International Building Code, 2001 Supplement (see 207.1 and 207.2).

International Building Code, 2003 Edition (see 207.1, 207.2, 216.4.2, 216.4.3, and 1005.2.1).

and

NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm Code, 1999 Edition (see 702.1 and 809.5.2)

NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm Code, 2002 Edition (see 702.1 and 809.5.2).

You need to see if that exception is in the 2000, or have the AHJ bless the newer code.

 

[George McGerd]

Two stories

 

[George McGerd]

I looked at IBC 2000 and 2003 and they both appear to have the same exception for sprinklered buildings: IBC 2000 is under section 1000.2.13 and IBC 2003 is under 1007.3. I also checked NFPA 101 (2012) and there appears to be no exception for sprinklered buildings under section 7.5.4.4: "Where an exit stair is used in an accessible mans of egress, it shall comply with 7.2.12 and shall incorporate an area of refuge within an enlarged story-level landing or shall be accessed from an area of refuge. If this is true, this particular jurisdiction will probably require the areas of refuge since the most restrictive adopted code will govern. Am I interpreting the NFPA 101 section correctly?

 

[Jim B]

It will need a two-way com device and signage at non-grade level floors at elevator landings: IBC 2012: 1007.8

 

[Jean Tessmer-HI]

Page 218 - 2000 IBC 1003.2.13.2 Enclosed stairways. An enclosed stair-way, to be considered part of an accessible means of egress, shall have a clear width of 48 inches (1219 mm) miJ1imum between handrails and shall either incorporate an area of refuge within an enlarged floor-level landing or shall be accessed from either an area of

refuge complying with Section 1003.2.13.5 or a horizontal exit. '

Exceptions: 2. Stairways in buildings or facilities equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2.



Page 198 – 2003 IBC 1007.3 Enclosed exit stairways. An enclosed exit stairway, to be considered part of an accessible means of egress, shall have a clear width of 48 inches (1219 mm) minimum between handrails

and shall either incorporate an area of refuge within an enlarged floor-level landing or shall be accessed from either an area of refuge complying with Section 1007.6 or a horizontal exit.

Exceptions:

1. Open exit stairways as permitted by Section 1019.1 are permitted to be considered part of an accessible

means of egress.

2. The area of refuge is not required at open stairways that are permitted by Section 1019.1 in buildings or

facilities that are equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with

Section 903.3.1.1.

3. The clear width of 48 inches (1219 mm) between handrails and the area of refuge is not required at exit

stairways in buildings or facilities equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in ac-cordance

with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2.

According to the ICC the exception applies to current ICC codes no AoR required if fully fire sprinkled. Only the ICC 2006 required it. DOJ says they have incorporated the 2000 and 2003 into the ADA and that is the code you need to use.