Chapter 9 Change of Occupancy - can ANY existing stair doors remain in the work area?

[BillS]

IEBC 2009 912.7.4 Openings states that "All openings into existing vertical shaft enclosures shall be protected by fire assemblies having a fire-protection rating of not less than 1 hour and shall be maintained self-closing..."

Based on this statement, my takeaway is that with any change of occupancy ALL existing stair doors within the work area must be revised to be one-hour, correct? In other words, there's no way an existing stair door in a work area undergoing a change of occupancy could remain?

Thanks

Bill

 

[fatboy]

I'll bite, that's what that code section says Code says. If it is in the work area, and in a vertical shaft, then yes, 1-hour, self-closing. Seems clear.

 

[BillS]

Thanks for the reply! But isn't the intent of the existing code to offer means of keeping existing building elements that might not have been allowed to remain simply using IBC code requirements? Seems like this just blanket negates that opportunity.

 

[steveray]

The intent is to not require full compliance in an existing building...I'd rather put in rated doors than sprinklers....Look on the bright side. Protecting stairs or exits should be top priority IMO, not to mention the hazard of unprotected openings spreading fire to other levels in a hurry. We just had a fire in a 3 story (Atrium), VB, unsprinklered office building; it is amazing what a rated door will hold vs. the wings where the tenants propped them open....

COU does drive the most upgrades for life safety, energy, and accessibility. I imagine some of these will start making it cost prohibitive to reuse a commercial building in a COU.

101.4.4 Change in occupancy or use. Spaces undergoing a change in occupancy that would result in an increase in demand for either fossil fuel or electrical energy SHALL COMPLY WITH THIS CODE. Where the use in a space changes from one use in Table 505.5.2 to another use in Table 505.5.2, the installed lighting wattage shall comply with Section 505.5.

912.8.2 Complete change of occupancy. Where an entire building undergoes a change of occupancy, it shall comply with Section 912.8.1 and shall have all of the following accessible features:1. At least one accessible building entrance.2. At least one accessible route from an accessible building entrance to primary function areas.3. Signage complying with Section 1110 of the International Building Code.4. Accessible parking, where parking is provided.5. At least one accessible passenger loading zone, where loading zones are provided.6. At least one accessible route connecting accessible parking and accessible passenger loading zones to an accessible entrance.

Where it is technically infeasible to comply with the new construction standards for any of these requirements for a change of group or occupancy, the above items shall conform to the requirements to the maximum extent technically feasible.