Diagonal and separation

[BayPointArchitect]

Given:

Basement within a non-sprinkled building.
Office occupancy.
Type IIIB construction.
Calculated occupant load: 20 people
Just going off of memory here but... a basement with a common path of travel less than 75 feet may have only one exit if the occupant load is 29 people or less. So this basement can get by with only one exit. The common path of travel is approximately 46 feet. Even if this were basement storage, we are less than the 50' common path of travel limit. Should be okay anyway you look at it.

Question #1:

If the building owner VOLUNTARILY provides a second exit, does it need to be separated from the first exit by 1/2 the diagonal?

Question #2:

For this given example, is that separation measured to the bottom of the stairways or the exterior doors located at the top of the stairways?

As always... thank you!

ICC Certified Plan Reviewer
NFPA Certified Fire Plan Examiner

 

[cda]

I will go with

No

And

To the door of the stair in the basement

 

[RLGA]

You only need to have separation when two or more exits or access to exits are required (Section 1007.1.1, 2018 IBC). If one exit or exit access satisfies the code requirements, then the second exit or exit access is not required and, therefore, does not need to be separated by the minimum distance.

For enclosed stairs, it is measured to any point along the width of the door leading to the stairs. If the stairs are open, then it is measured to any point along the width of the first riser.