California building code accessible routes

[evanjen]

I'm a beginner and I'm getting caught up in the wording of some means of egress requirements in the california building codes. In a building required to be accessible by Chapter 11A or Chapter 11B, not all routes need to be accessible routes. Can routes that are not accessible routes, but are in a building required to be accessible, be considered "not required to be accessible" in relevant sections in the code? For example:

1003.5 Elevation change. Where changes in elevation of less than 12 inches (305 mm) exist in the means of egress, sloped surfaces shall be used. Where the slope is greater than one unit vertical in 20 units horizontal (5-percent slope), ramps complying with Section 1010 shall be used. Where the difference in elevation is 6 inches (152 mm) or less, the ramp shall be equipped with either handrails or floor finish materials that contrast with adjacent floor finish materials.
Exceptions:
1 . A single step with a maximum riser height of 7 inches (178 mm) is permitted for buildings with occupancies in Groups F, H, R-2, R-3, S and U at exterior doors not required to be accessible by Chapter 11A or 11B.
2. A stair with a single riser or with two risers and a tread is permitted at locations not required to be accessible by Chapter 11A or 11B, provided that the risers and treads comply with Section 1009.3, the minimum depth of the tread is 13 inches (330 mm) and at least one handrail complying with Section 1012 is provided within 30 inches (762 mm) of the centerline of the normal path of egress travel on the stair.
3. A step is permitted in aisles serving seating that has a difference in elevation less than 12 inches (305 mm) at locations not required to be accessible by Chapter llA or IIB, provided that the risers and treads comply with Section 1025.11 and the aisle is provided with a handrail complying with Section 1025.13.

Let's say I have a building that is required to be accessible. If I have one accessible route, and a separate route that has a single step of 5", would exception 2 apply to that second route? Or is this at a "location" required to be accessible?

 

[Joe.B]

I think the first thing you need to determine is whether your project would be required to comply with 11A, or 11B, or both. 11a and 11B are very different, they are essentially their own separate code books inserted into the building code. For sake of discussion, I will assume it's 11B. Review 11B-206 and 207. Once you have clearly defined the accessible routes and the accessible means of egress, then move onto reviewing division 3 and 4 for how to build those required elements. If it's not specifically scoped in division 2, it does not need to comply with 11B, therefor I would say that exception 2 could apply.

 

[arwat23]

Welcome to the forum!

Like @Joe.B said, the important words in 1003.5 ex.2 are "at locations not required to be accessible by Chapter 11A or 11B...". If Ch 11B is applicable, look at Division 2 to determine if the space the step serves is required to be accessible. If it is, then the exception won't work. If Ch 11A is applicable, you're probably going to look at Division III in that chapter to determine if the space needs to be accessible (Division IV if within a dwelling unit). Again, if the space that step serves is required to be accessible, then 1003.5 ex.2 won't work. If there's no mention of that space in those divisions of 11A and 11B, or if the space is explicitly allowed to not be accessible, then 1003.5 ex.2 could apply.

There's also 1009.1, but I'm not sure if that would interact with 1003.5.