slthomas
Member
I am currently renovating a small four-plex property in Richmond, VA. There are four one bedroom apartments (two stories, 2 up, 2 down) symmetrically arranged around a central stairwell/lobby. All units have an entrance from the stairwell/lobby and rear exits from a two story porch with exterior stairs. The rear stairs lead to a small backyard which is open to a sidestreet.
We are having an *epic* battle with the city over whether or not we can put a washer and dryer in a closet under the stairs in the lobby. (The apartments are only 600 sq. ft. with a linear/railway layout and there is no logical place to put them inside the units). The inspector (using 2009 code) is insistent that the hallway is an exit enclosure and that there cannot be any other "functions" in the same space.
My question is this: If the units are only required to have ONE means of egress and the rear stairwell satisfies this requirement, why does the front staircase need to meet the requirements for an exit enclosure at all?
(Also, historic building, contributing to a historic district/on a national register, built in 1923. We have had a lot of trouble meeting code)
We are having an *epic* battle with the city over whether or not we can put a washer and dryer in a closet under the stairs in the lobby. (The apartments are only 600 sq. ft. with a linear/railway layout and there is no logical place to put them inside the units). The inspector (using 2009 code) is insistent that the hallway is an exit enclosure and that there cannot be any other "functions" in the same space.
My question is this: If the units are only required to have ONE means of egress and the rear stairwell satisfies this requirement, why does the front staircase need to meet the requirements for an exit enclosure at all?
(Also, historic building, contributing to a historic district/on a national register, built in 1923. We have had a lot of trouble meeting code)