Delivery ramp = means of egress?

[brudgers]

If I walk out the door, and there's no exit sign present, is it still a means of egress?

[socratic Question] What is a means of egress?

 

[mark handler]

2006 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®

1010.2 Slope. Ramps used as part of a means of egress shall have a running slope not steeper than one unit vertical in 12 units horizontal (8-percent slope). The slope of other pedestrian ramps shall not be steeper than one unit vertical in eight units horizontal (12.5-percent slope).

Exception: An aisle ramp slope in occupancies of Group A shall comply with Section 1025.11.

 

[Darren Emery]

[socratic Question] What is a means of egress?

Smart alec student answer:

MEANS OF EGRESS. A continuous and unobstructed path

of vertical and horizontal egress travel from any occupied portion

of a building or structure to a public way. A means of

egress consists of three separate and distinct parts: the exit

access, the exit and the exit discharge

Having now spent time reading and re-reading 1010 I'm convinced the authors of that section were not all on the same page. The charging paragraph tells us this section applies to ramps used a means of egress, and then the section is peppered with statements about "other "ramps, ramps not used as means of egress, and "all ramps." The commentary (I know, not enforceable, but usefull at times) says that all ramps, even those not used as means of egress shall comply.

Bottom line question: should a 45' long ramp with over 3 feet of elevation change have handrails?

 

[texasbo]

You are right that the code language is not consistent. All over the code, the term "required means of egress" is used, and in other places, the word "required" is left out . This leads one to believe that there is an intentional distinction made between required and other means of egress. For ramps (and as I said earlier, for additional doors), the word required is left out, leading one to believe that if they are used for egress at all, they must comply.

In other discussions, there have been those who have said if an exit sign is over the door, then it has to comply, and if not, it doesn't. I think this is making up code as you go. If the door/ramp/stair etc is provided and meant for egress, whether required or not, then in my opinion, they must comply.

 

[Mr. Inspector]

This seems simple to me,

MEANS OF EGRESS. a continuous and unobstructed path of vertical and horizontal egress travel from any occupied portion of a building or structure to a public way. A means of egress consists of three separate and distinct parts: the exit access, the exit and the exit discharge.

Don't see the word "required" here.

Does the ramp fit this description? Does it have the three parts? then it is a means of eggress and must be built to code.

Ramp. a walking surface that has a running slope steeper than one unit in 20 units horizontal (5% slope).

Does the ramp fit this desription? Then it is a ramp and must be built to code.

 

[brudgers]

Smart alec student answer: MEANS OF EGRESS. A continuous and unobstructed path

of vertical and horizontal egress travel from any occupied portion

of a building or structure to a public way. A means of

egress consists of three separate and distinct parts: the exit

access, the exit and the exit discharge

Having now spent time reading and re-reading 1010 I'm convinced the authors of that section were not all on the same page. The charging paragraph tells us this section applies to ramps used a means of egress, and then the section is peppered with statements about "other "ramps, ramps not used as means of egress, and "all ramps." The commentary (I know, not enforceable, but usefull at times) says that all ramps, even those not used as means of egress shall comply.

Bottom line question: should a 45' long ramp with over 3 feet of elevation change have handrails?

That's not smart alec, it's exactly what is needed - looking at the basics to determine how to classify it.

The commentary is just plain wrong in using the platonic "all" because the code is intended to be applied in a case by case manner (for example, ramps in parking structures often do not conform to the requirements even though people must walk on them to reach their cars (in case you didn't like my previous example using sidewalks)).

Bottom line, where does it fall between an egress ramp and Robbie Knievel's ramp?

 

[steveray]

Smart alec student answer: MEANS OF EGRESS. A continuous and unobstructed path

of vertical and horizontal egress travel from any occupied portion

of a building or structure to a public way. A means of

egress consists of three separate and distinct parts: the exit

access, the exit and the exit discharge

Having now spent time reading and re-reading 1010 I'm convinced the authors of that section were not all on the same page. The charging paragraph tells us this section applies to ramps used a means of egress, and then the section is peppered with statements about "other "ramps, ramps not used as means of egress, and "all ramps." The commentary (I know, not enforceable, but usefull at times) says that all ramps, even those not used as means of egress shall comply.

Bottom line question: should a 45' long ramp with over 3 feet of elevation change have handrails?

And then edge protection, and landings every 30', and......