Discharge of exterior stair from exterior deck

[jteselle]

I am working on a deck addition to a clubhouse at a residential subdivision. The deck is 1 story above grade. Primary access is through the clubhouse, but there will also be an exterior stair on the deck as secondary access and egress.

One of the possible stair designs is a switchback that terminates under the deck. From there people could clearly see where to go (in any of three directions) to get out into open space. Is this a problem with the building code? I suppose it could be interpreted as the exit discharge "re-entering the building" but in another way not really since it is under the deck and other exits (such as on the lower level) also discharge into the below-deck space.

Any experience with this?

 

[steveray]

If you need 2 means of egress, they both need to be accessible...

 

[jteselle]

It is not a question of accessibility, but rather if one can discharge below the deck. I don't see anything in the code prohibiting this but wondering if others have seen such a provision.

Thanks.

 

[Sifu]

It is not a question of accessibility, but rather if one can discharge below the deck. I don't see anything in the code prohibiting this but wondering if others have seen such a provision.

Thanks.

I have not, never considered it either. I wouldn't view that as re-entering the building.

 

[steveray]

I was questioning the use of stairs......But....

1028.4 Exit discharge components. Exit discharge components
shall be sufficiently open to the exterior so as to
minimize the accumulation of smoke and toxic gases.

 

[jteselle]

Thanks for those comments. We would definitely be open enough for discharge of toxic gases. And if there are no obvious prohibitions to this in the code I will proceed if the owner likes this design and see how it goes with codes. We do have an alternate stair design that stays outside the deck and could always fall back to that if needed.

 

[steveray]

but there will also be an exterior stair on the deck as secondary access and egress.

And again....if it is access and REQUIRED egress, it would be required to be accessible......

 

[jteselle]

The accessible entrance to this deck is from inside. I don't believe that the exterior stair/egress would be required to be accessible.

 

[my250r11]

The code does allow egress from under a porch/deck in the IRC from basements. I do not see how open air under a deck with plenty of room would be a problem. It may not be the best design but I do believe it would be code compliant.

 

[jteselle]

Thanks!

 

[Genduct]

Your description begins to sound like an old time Exterior FIRE ESCAPE!

problem with Fire Escapes is their proximity to the fire. Like a fire escape that is too close to the windows or with your description, to the deck.

So, I think the key question is, will this exterior stair (without the benefit of walls to shield you from the flames) really do the job?

 

[bill1952]

Is this stair required, or is there adequate egress without it?

 

[Genduct]

Your description begins to sound like an old time Exterior FIRE ESCAPE!

problem with Fire Escapes is their proximity to the fire. Like a fire escape that is too close to the windows or with your description, to the deck.

So, I think the key question is, will this exterior stair (without the benefit of walls to shield you from the flames) really do the job?

opps respnse to wrong post