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Egress from Mechanical Platforms

M

Mech

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Joined
Oct 30, 2009
Messages
1,054
Location
Eastern PA
2015 IBC

Access is provided by a permanent ladder to mechanical equipment on an equipment platform. Does common path of travel start at the most remote piece of equipment or once maintenance personnel is off the ladder and back in normally occupied space?

Similarly, is maximum travel distance measured from the most remote point on the equipment platform or once someone is back in normally occupied space?

Thanks
 
Is your mechanical platform actually an equipment platform? If so, see the following IBC Section.

505.3 Equipment Platforms
Equipment platforms in buildings shall not be considered as a portion of the floor below. Such equipment platforms shall not contribute to either the building area or the number of stories as regulated by Section 503.1. The area of the equipment platform shall not be included in determining the fire area in accordance with Section 903. Equipment platforms shall not be a part of any mezzanine and such platforms and the walkways, stairways, alternating tread devices and ladders providing access to an equipment platform shall not serve as a part of the means of egress from the building.
 
Thanks Ty.

One is definitely an equipment platform - access to ceiling hung evaporators and also access to the unoccupied roof.

". . . the walkways, stairways, alternating tread devices and ladders providing access to an equipment platform shall not serve as a part of the means of egress from the building."

I always interpreted that line to mean the rest of the building cannot use any part of the Equipment Platform, walkways, stairways, etc. as part of the means of egress. I did not interpret that to mean that common path of travel and maximum egress travel distance does not apply while on the equipment platform.


The second scenario I have is maintenance personnel climbing down a ladder from the third floor to access the 5 ft to 6 ft high mechanical space directly above the second floor ceiling. (The ceiling will be insulated metal panels that can be walked upon.)
 
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