Mr. Inspector
SAWHORSE
If there is a canopy attached to a building and since the canopy is part of the building is the exit travel distance measured to the edge of the canopy?
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Canopy at exit
- Thread starter Mr. Inspector
- Start date
I do not include the canopy when measuring the egress distance. The exterior door is considered to be the exit in most cases.
As a caveat, I would say that if the exterior exit door is recessed within an alcove, I'd treat it similar to an egress court per 1028.4.
1017.3 Measurement
Exit access travel distance shall be measured from the most remote point within a story along the natural and unobstructed path of horizontal and vertical egress travel to the entrance to an exit.
If an alcove or a court....
1028.3 Exit Discharge Components
Exit discharge components shall be sufficiently open to the exterior so as to minimize the accumulation of smoke and toxic gases.
1028.4 Egress Courts
Egress courts serving as a portion of the exit discharge in the means of egress system shall comply with the requirements of Sections 1028.4.1 and 1028.4.2.
1028.4.2 Construction and Openings
Where an egress court serving a building or portion thereof is less than 10 feet (3048 mm) in width, the egress court walls shall have not less than 1-hour fire-resistance-rated construction for a distance of 10 feet (3048 mm) above the floor of the egress court. Openings within such walls shall be protected by opening protectives having a fire protection rating of not less than 3/4 hour.
Exceptions:
As a caveat, I would say that if the exterior exit door is recessed within an alcove, I'd treat it similar to an egress court per 1028.4.
1017.3 Measurement
Exit access travel distance shall be measured from the most remote point within a story along the natural and unobstructed path of horizontal and vertical egress travel to the entrance to an exit.
Exception: In open parking garages, exit access travel distance is permitted to be measured to the closest riser of an exit access stairway or the closest slope of an exit access ramp.
1017.3.1 Exit Access Stairways and Ramps
Travel distance on exit access stairways or ramps shall be included in the exit access travel distance measurement. The measurement along stairways shall be made on a plane parallel and tangent to the stair tread nosings in the center of the stair and landings. The measurement along ramps shall be made on the walking surface in the center of the ramp and landings.
EXIT. That portion of a means of egress system between the exit access and the exit discharge or public way. Exit components include exterior exit doors at the level of exit discharge, interior exit stairways and ramps, exit passageways, exterior exit stairways and ramps and horizontal exits.Travel distance on exit access stairways or ramps shall be included in the exit access travel distance measurement. The measurement along stairways shall be made on a plane parallel and tangent to the stair tread nosings in the center of the stair and landings. The measurement along ramps shall be made on the walking surface in the center of the ramp and landings.
If an alcove or a court....
1028.3 Exit Discharge Components
Exit discharge components shall be sufficiently open to the exterior so as to minimize the accumulation of smoke and toxic gases.
1028.4 Egress Courts
Egress courts serving as a portion of the exit discharge in the means of egress system shall comply with the requirements of Sections 1028.4.1 and 1028.4.2.
1028.4.1 Width or Capacity
The required capacity of egress courts shall be determined as specified in Section 1005.1, but the minimum width shall be not less than 44 inches (1,118 mm), except as specified herein. Egress courts serving Group R-3 and U occupancies shall be not less than 36 inches (914 mm) in width. The required capacity and width of egress courts shall be unobstructed to a height of 7 feet (2,134 mm).
The required capacity of egress courts shall be determined as specified in Section 1005.1, but the minimum width shall be not less than 44 inches (1,118 mm), except as specified herein. Egress courts serving Group R-3 and U occupancies shall be not less than 36 inches (914 mm) in width. The required capacity and width of egress courts shall be unobstructed to a height of 7 feet (2,134 mm).
Exception: Encroachments complying with Section 1005.7.
1028.4.2 Construction and Openings
Where an egress court serving a building or portion thereof is less than 10 feet (3048 mm) in width, the egress court walls shall have not less than 1-hour fire-resistance-rated construction for a distance of 10 feet (3048 mm) above the floor of the egress court. Openings within such walls shall be protected by opening protectives having a fire protection rating of not less than 3/4 hour.
Exceptions:
- Egress courts serving an occupant load of less than 10.
- Egress courts serving Group R-3.
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Technically, an egress court is either a court or yard used for access to the public way from the exit. A court or yard must be unobstructed to the sky, so a recessed door could not be considered an egress court.
The exit discharge begins at the termination of an exit and ends at the public way. By requirement, the exit discharge must "be sufficiently open to the exterior as to minimize the accumulation of smoke and toxic gases." Recessed doors, canopies, and awnings, in my opinion, are "sufficiently open." If an exterior stair can be considered an exit with only 35 sq. ft. of required open area on one side at each floor level and landing, then I think even greater openness with a canopy, awning, or recessed door meets the exit discharge requirement of being "sufficiently open."
The exit discharge begins at the termination of an exit and ends at the public way. By requirement, the exit discharge must "be sufficiently open to the exterior as to minimize the accumulation of smoke and toxic gases." Recessed doors, canopies, and awnings, in my opinion, are "sufficiently open." If an exterior stair can be considered an exit with only 35 sq. ft. of required open area on one side at each floor level and landing, then I think even greater openness with a canopy, awning, or recessed door meets the exit discharge requirement of being "sufficiently open."
Ron.... take the following sketch as an example. Let's say that the out-swing door discharges to an alcove that is open to the sky.
I would not call this an egress court or yard, but a recessed doorway. If it is open to the sky, where is the exit discharge? It is still the doorway. One may still want to apply the requirements of 1028.4 depending upon the construction (fire resistant, openings, etc.) and fire risk (use and occupancy) of the alcove walls.
As an example, I'd have no problem if the alcove is 8-ft deep for a type II-B const. school.
I would have a problem if this alcove is deep, has openings, and has a use with a higher fire hazard (i.e. S-1, H, etc.). In this case, I'd be inclined to say that it is an egress court and subject to the requirements of 1028.4.2.
I would not call this an egress court or yard, but a recessed doorway. If it is open to the sky, where is the exit discharge? It is still the doorway. One may still want to apply the requirements of 1028.4 depending upon the construction (fire resistant, openings, etc.) and fire risk (use and occupancy) of the alcove walls.
As an example, I'd have no problem if the alcove is 8-ft deep for a type II-B const. school.
I would have a problem if this alcove is deep, has openings, and has a use with a higher fire hazard (i.e. S-1, H, etc.). In this case, I'd be inclined to say that it is an egress court and subject to the requirements of 1028.4.2.
And here is another take on this....
Per CH. 2...
EGRESS COURT. A court or yard which provides access to a public way for one or more exits.
Given the definition and the image from ICC, the applicability of Section 1028.4.2 is much more extensive, and any inset door way (door within an alcove or inset behind face of building) would be subject to classification as an egress court. If the exterior pathway is less than 10-ft in width, 1-hr walls are required.
1028.4.2 Construction and Openings
Where an egress court serving a building or portion thereof is less than 10 feet (3048 mm) in width, the egress court walls shall have not less than 1-hour fire-resistance-rated construction for a distance of 10 feet (3048 mm) above the floor of the egress court. Openings within such walls shall be protected by opening protectives having a fire protection rating of not less than 3/4 hour.
Exceptions:
Per CH. 2...
EGRESS COURT. A court or yard which provides access to a public way for one or more exits.
Given the definition and the image from ICC, the applicability of Section 1028.4.2 is much more extensive, and any inset door way (door within an alcove or inset behind face of building) would be subject to classification as an egress court. If the exterior pathway is less than 10-ft in width, 1-hr walls are required.
1028.4.2 Construction and Openings
Where an egress court serving a building or portion thereof is less than 10 feet (3048 mm) in width, the egress court walls shall have not less than 1-hour fire-resistance-rated construction for a distance of 10 feet (3048 mm) above the floor of the egress court. Openings within such walls shall be protected by opening protectives having a fire protection rating of not less than 3/4 hour.
Exceptions:
- Egress courts serving an occupant load of less than 10.
- Egress courts serving Group R-3.
If open to the sky, then, yes, you could consider it an egress court--if it's covered...hmmm.
Although length (or depth, if you will) is not considered in the requirements for an egress court, I would take into consideration how far back the door is recessed. Covered or not, if the door is recessed enough to provide weather protection for the doorway and occupants exiting or entering, then I wouldn't consider the recess anything more than just an exit door and the beginning of the exit discharge. If the length or depth exceeds the width of the recess, then I agree it would be an egress court (if open to the sky) or an exterior corridor if covered.
Although length (or depth, if you will) is not considered in the requirements for an egress court, I would take into consideration how far back the door is recessed. Covered or not, if the door is recessed enough to provide weather protection for the doorway and occupants exiting or entering, then I wouldn't consider the recess anything more than just an exit door and the beginning of the exit discharge. If the length or depth exceeds the width of the recess, then I agree it would be an egress court (if open to the sky) or an exterior corridor if covered.
Ok, perfect. I think that you and I are in agreement then.