CBC R-2 Exit Discharge to Egress Court

[tgaresource]

U-shaped condos centered around courtyard with 11'-0" wide direct access entry from public way(open to sky). 13 units at rear of story building exit into 2 stairs and empty into center exterior courtyard; 8 townhomes at front half exit directly to exterior courtyard. Each unit requires 1 exit. Code states number of exit to be continuous to exit discharge. We are arguing that the building only needs 1 exit through Egress courtyard to public way. City states we need 2 exits to public way for cumulative occupants of building even though the width is provided per the total occupant load.

Anyone addresses this issue and resolved to exit through egress courtyard with 1 exit to public way?

 

[cda]

Welcome another Californian

Sound like your logic is correct

 

[kilitact]

What's the cumulative occupant load?? travel distance? Sounds like two exits are required.

 

[fatboy]

Not in CBC land, but welcome to the forum!

 

[Coug Dad]

The exit court is an exit discharge, not an exit. The code requires two exits to reach the exit discharge. There is no requirement for separation of exits at that point.

Figure 1027.5 in the 2009 IBC Commentary depicts a good example of two exits into a single exit court as an exit discharge.

 

[RLGA]

Agree with Coug Dad...an egress court is part of the exit discharge and does not require exits.

 

[Coug Dad]

Another point to consider though is the means of egress from the court itself. If it is a patio type space used for gatherings then it would need two exits if the calculated occupant load is greater than 50.

 

[north star]

= =

tgaresource,

Welcome to The Building Codes Forum !

What is your calculated occ. load that will utilize the Exit

Discharge ?.........Also, if you cannot get the occupants to

the public way, then Section 1027.6, `10 CBC, Vol. 1

...allows for a safe dispersal area to be created in the

Courtyard Area.

= =

 

[Missionbrew1]

Another point to consider though is the means of egress from the court itself. If it is a patio type space used for gatherings then it would need two exits if the calculated occupant load is greater than 50.

If an ‘open air court’ OL combined with the OL exiting the building INTO that courtyard is surrounded on 3 sides by building(s) and the exit gates is in a fence along the 4th side, you would need 2 exits and those exit gates need to have exit hardware, be self closing and be separated by 1/2 (or 1/3?) the distance of the area served and also have to comply with the Common Path of Travel restrictions as well. This would vary based on the intended use. This is a residential occupancy, but keep all of that in mind as well…when working on a mixed use project for example as each occupancy, and associated requirements will change the OL.
…. But I digress …

 

[Missionbrew1]

If an ‘open air court’ OL combined with the OL exiting the building INTO that courtyard is surrounded on 3 sides by building(s) and the exit gates is in a fence along the 4th side, you would need 2 exits and those exit gates need to have exit hardware, be self closing and be separated by 1/2 (or 1/3?) the distance of the area served and also have to comply with the Common Path of Travel restrictions as well. This would vary based on the intended use. This is a residential occupancy, but keep all of that in mind as well…when working on a mixed use project for example as each occupancy, and associated requirements will change the OL.
…. But I digress …

…. If the combined OL exceeds 49…

 

[bill1952]

Why would gates have to be self closing? Hardly a fire door.

 

[Missionbrew1]

Why would gates have to be self closing? Hardly a fire door.

A exit door is typically in a rated wall, and needs to close to maintain the rating of the assembly. In the case of a gate, it also serves to maintain the security.

 

[bill1952]

A exit door is typically in a rated wall, and needs to close to maintain the rating of the assembly. In the case of a gate, it also serves to maintain the security.

I do understand the principals of fire doors, having been on the NFPA 80 committee for 20+ years.

Is it a code requirement the gates be closed and latched to maintain security?