• Welcome to The Building Code Forum

    Your premier resource for building code knowledge.

    This forum remains free to the public thanks to the generous support of our Sawhorse Members and Corporate Sponsors. Their contributions help keep this community thriving and accessible.

    Want enhanced access to expert discussions and exclusive features? Learn more about the benefits here.

    Ready to upgrade? Log in and upgrade now.

delivery door requirements

elcoarch

Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2009
Messages
5
I would like to install a door in an existing building for deliveries. It is not to be an egress door for the public; the egress route and doors are already accounted for in the building. The code interpretation has been this door must have a level landing on each side. My contention is that this is a requirement for only egress doors - since it is in the egress chapter, and not every door would require a level landing on each side. Any comments?
 
Re: delivery door requirements

I'd think that the code would have written it to read "There shall be a floor or landing on each side of an egress door." if your theory was correct. Take a look at section 1008.1.2 for Door swings. It's specific to only egress doors. Not the case in section 1008.1.4 Floor elevation.

Now why would you want the floor to not be level for deliveries? I'd think this is one of those places where it makes really good sense.
 
Re: delivery door requirements

Now why would you want the floor to not be level for deliveries? I'd think this is one of those places where it makes really good sense.
I have to agree with the above. However here are the code sections that might allow a step at the exterior door of a S or U occupancy group.

1008.1.4 Floor elevation.

There shall be a floor or landing on each side of a door. Such floor or landing shall be at the same elevation on each side of the door. Landings shall be level except for exterior landings, which are permitted to have a slope not to exceed 0.25 unit vertical in 12 units horizontal (2-percent slope).

Exceptions:

2. Exterior doors as provided for in Section 1003.5, Exception 1, and Section 1018.2, which are not on an accessible route.

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 and R-3 and Groups S and U at exterior doors not required to be accessible by Chapter 11.
 
Re: delivery door requirements

The tenant will use the door only for deliveries that require a 2-wheeler; so there will be an inclined surface on one side of the door to the threshold.
 
Re: delivery door requirements

elcoarch - Don't you mean there will be a 'sloped surface' (ramp?) on one side up to 60" away from the threshold? You will need a 'landing' at the top and bottom of that sloped surface...
 
Re: delivery door requirements

Understand the landing comment - I'll have a landing on one side of the door and at the end of the "ramp", but not a landing at each side of the door threshold.
 
Re: delivery door requirements

elcoarch; is it a ramp :?:

RAMP. A walking surface that has a running slope steeper than one unit vertical in 20 units horizontal (5-percent slope).
 
Re: delivery door requirements

elcroach wrote

Understand the landing comment - I'll have a landing on one side of the door and at the end of the "ramp", but not a landing at each side of the door threshold
what code section allows a landing on one side of an egress door??
 
Re: delivery door requirements

Why would a landing be required at a door that is not a means of egress?? If you wanted to, you could have a loading dock with a roll-up door - so why would a side-hinged swinging door have to have a landing on both sides. As long as it is not required for egress and it is not marked as an egress, then it would not be required to comply with the code sections in Chapter 10 of the IBC because Chapter 10 only applies to means of egress.
 
Re: delivery door requirements

IJH that is food for thought

If it is a side-hinge swinging door there would be a lot of assumptions made by people unfamilar with that paticular door that may not be there such as a landing. Most people walk right thru a side hinge swinging door without a second thought and when something is out of the ordinary then injuries may occur. But back to what's code, If it where a rollup or sliding door then it is definately not an exit door under the code. I would want to see a floor plan before I could make a decision that it is just a delivery door and not an exit door.
 
Re: delivery door requirements

1008.1.4 is very clear on which doors, be it a part of the means of egress or not, will have landings and which are the exceptions. Do any of the exceptions apply? If not then a landing is required.
 
Re: delivery door requirements

when you go through the door your using it as a means of egress. A roll up door, would be as mtlogcabin described, except some sliding doors can also be used as a means of egress.
 
Re: delivery door requirements

"when you go through the door your using it as a means of egress"

Unless you're using for INgress? :D
 
Re: delivery door requirements

My premise is that it is not an egress door - the required means of egress are provided for on public routes elsewhere in the facility. This door is only to be used by employees loading and unloading equipment. This would be an automatic sliding door that is operated by card reader - only the employees. My contention with the code officials is that Chapter 10 specifies the requirements for egress doors, and if this is not an egress door the landing requirements would not apply. The door would not be signed as an exit, would not have typical hardware that you'd fine on an egress door (knobs, panic, pulls, etc.), is not close to the public entry, and would be used by those with familiarity of the conditions. This has all been very helpful! Thanks.
 
Re: delivery door requirements

Just to examine things more with my local guys - I proposed a sliding "window" that went to the floor level.
 
Re: delivery door requirements

Doors provided for egress purposes in numbers greater than required by this code SHALL meet the requirements of this section. Section 1008.1.

This does not say:

required egress

accessible means of egress

it simply states egress

Is anyone ever going to go out this door? I believe that would be considered an act of "egress"
 
Back
Top