Common path of travel & accessible means of egress

[Codegeek]

I'm looking at Section 1007.1 in the 2009 IBC for accessible means of egress. I'm working with a movie theatre which has sloped and/or stepped aisles, so I'm looking specifically at Exception #3. For this use group, the common path of travel is 30 feet per Section 1028.8. If I read Section 1007.1 correctly, only one accessible means of egress must be provided within the theatre, provided the common path of travel of 30 feet can be met, correct?If that's true, then where do you measure the common path of travel to in the diagram below? Is it the green line or the yellow line or is it one I don't have identified? (I hope the color comes through)Thanks for your input, as always. View attachment 1290

View attachment 1675

View attachment 1675

/monthly_2012_04/theatre.JPG.436d9e8936f8b26f16baea913d58055d.JPG

 

[mtlogcabin]

Yellow if it terminates into a rated exit enclosure

Green if it is not a rated exit enclosure

 

[steveray]

New building or existing?......CPOT should be yellow I believe....it is the choice of 2 exits...not necessarily a rated enclosure.....

 

[Codegeek]

It's an existing building. They are modifying the interior of the theatre by removing the existing seats and replacing them with larger seats as well as some other interior work.

 

[mtlogcabin]

3411.6 Alterations.

A building, facility or element that is altered shall comply with the applicable provisions in Chapter 11 of this code and ICC A117.1, unless technically infeasible . Where compliance with this section is technically infeasible , the alteration shall provide access to the maximum extent technically feasible.

Exceptions:

1. The altered element or space is not required to be on an accessible route, unless required by Section 3411.7.

2. Accessible means of egress required by Chapter 10 are not required to be provided in existing buildings and facilities.

 

[Codegeek]

3411.6 Alterations.A building, facility or element that is altered shall comply with the applicable provisions in Chapter 11 of this code and ICC A117.1, unless technically infeasible . Where compliance with this section is technically infeasible , the alteration shall provide access to the maximum extent technically feasible.

Exceptions:

1. The altered element or space is not required to be on an accessible route, unless required by Section 3411.7.

2. Accessible means of egress required by Chapter 10 are not required to be provided in existing buildings and facilities.

Agreed. However, this space met accessibility requirements prior to the remodel so we're trying to keep the same level of accessibility.

If this were new construction, it appears that the yellow line would be the common path, correct?

 

[steveray]

"Agreed. However, this space met accessibility requirements prior to the remodel so we're trying to keep the same level of accessibility."

If those theaters need 2 MOE, then they should have had 2 AMOE...and what about dispersion of accessible seating? (1108)

 

[Codegeek]

and what about dispersion of accessible seating? (1108)

I don't see how that applies as they only require one accessible seat if the seating capacity is less than 150. Also per the A117.1 provisions, if the theatre occupant load is less than 300, the "variety of distances from the event" provisions do not apply and for horizontal provisions, two wheelchair spaces are permitted to be located side-by-side.

 

[mtlogcabin]

CPOT and accessible means of egress are new requirements of the I-Codes. If this structure was built prior to that and you are not reducing the number of accessible egress paths then you are compliant. IMHO the CPOT would not be a requirement for accessible egress in an existing facilty.

 

[RLGA]

If the elevator qualifies as an accessible means of egress per 1007.4 (2009 IBC), then that would be the required second AMOE and the CPET would be the yellow line.

 

[Codegeek]

Thank you all for your feedback. My assessment was that the yellow line serves as the CPOT but I wanted to verify I was going in the right direction with that assessment.

 

[steveray]

Just a question, thank you for your reply, I see that missed here a bunch and wanted to make sure it was adressed......

I don't see how that applies as they only require one accessible seat if the seating capacity is less than 150. Also per the A117.1 provisions, if the theatre occupant load is less than 300, the "variety of distances from the event" provisions do not apply and for horizontal provisions, two wheelchair spaces are permitted to be located side-by-side.

 

[Papio Bldg Dept]

Thank you all for your feedback. My assessment was that the yellow line serves as the CPOT but I wanted to verify I was going in the right direction with that assessment.

maybe I missed it, but is the corridor rated?

 

[Codegeek]

UPDATE - I was able to contact the individual who developed this code language (forum member Gene Boecker) and discovered that the green line would be the CPOT in this situation.

 

[Papio Bldg Dept]

UPDATE - I was able to contact the individual who developed this code language (forum member Gene Boecker) and discovered that the green line would be the CPOT in this situation.

That is my understanding as well, if the corridor is not rated. The key is the distance until two separate and distinct means of egress are realized. In the 2006, that does not include the elevator, but we would consider it per newer codes as an alternative design.