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Egress

G

GREEN

Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2009
Messages
25
Location
Maryland
I have a space for an assembly occupancy which requires 2 exits. Both exits meet the requirement for distance apart. The common path is 75' and then the occupants can go to either exit. Good so far. The issue is the 75' common path point is right in front of the one exit due to table layout. So you go by one exit to get to the second. I think its code compliant from a technical standpoint but may not from an intension standpoint.
 
Re: Egress

A drawing would be helpful. It is hard to picture a condition where you have two exits separated by 1/2 or 1/3 of the diagonal yet use the full 75 feet of CPT.
 
Re: Egress

Yes they do meet 1015. Both exits are located on the front wall in opposite corners of the space. The tables are all pushed to one side of the space therefore requiring you to go by the one exit to get to the other.
 
Re: Egress

GREEN said:
Yes they do meet 1015. Both exits are located on the front wall in opposite corners of the space. The tables are all pushed to one side of the space therefore requiring you to go by the one exit to get to the other.
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I would say no because an incident blocking the first exit would block the second exit. This is assuming there is only one path of travel to the two exits.
 
Re: Egress

The arrangement sounds as if it could become an enforcement concern - can the offending tables be relocated?
 
Re: Egress

1014.4.3.3 Table and seating aisle accessway length.

The length of travel along the aisle accessway shall not exceed 30 feet (9144 mm) from any seat to the point where a person has a choice of two or more paths of egress travel to separate exits.

Hard to imagine not being able to meet this in a small restaurant...
 
Re: Egress

1014.4.3.3 permits only 30 feet of CPT within configurations of tables and chairs. Is the CPT 75 feet or 30 feet.
 
Re: Egress

We've have considered suggesting that but doesn't appear to be an option. I guess maybe the real question may be whether to enforce the intent of the code vs. the actual writing of the code.
 
Re: Egress

GREEN said:
We've have considered suggesting that but doesn't appear to be an option. I guess maybe the real question may be whether to enforce the intent of the code vs. the actual writing of the code.
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You are reviewing for code compliance, but the code is there for public safety. Public safety should be your paramount consideration.
 
Re: Egress

I'm not sure how you can meet this as previously pointed out by Coug Dad:

1014.4.3.3 Table and seating aisle accessway length.

The length of travel along the aisle accessway shall not exceed 30 feet (9144 mm) from any seat to the point where a person has a choice of two or more paths of egress travel to separate exits.

From your description, you do not have two or more paths of egress travel to separate exits. Not approved.
 
Re: Egress

I'm glad we're not trying to design codes against guys with guns, anti-tank missiles and such.

The 75 feet cpt is for the folks in the kitchen but the 30 feet cpt still applies for the seated folks. Unless that person in the last seat can get up to the front and opt for door number one or door number two, I'd say he's in jeopardy! That's my opinion anyway - They can face up to that Truth or face the Consequences. :mrgreen:

(frippin', frackin' spellcheckin'. . . wait. . . WHERE's the spellchecker?!)
 
Re: Egress

I do not believe it meets code. You are only allowed a 30 foot CPT before you can exit in two different directions. Exiting from the seating may not pass through the kitchen
 
Re: Egress

The only exits are out the front of the building. I think 1014.4.3.3 only applys to the aisle created between the seating not the common area leading from the bathrooms to the front of the space. If you counted it as 30' then that would mean a space that only required one exit wouldnt be able to have any tables and chairs if your travel distance was over 30'
 
Re: Egress

The aisle created by the rows of seating is the general idea, but the limit on cpt is still 30 feet. If I have to move more than 30 feet to a point that I can find an option - that's too far. This is a unique assembly occupancy issue; the kitchen is OK. I'm not convinced that 30 feet is teh right number and have seen plenty of conditions where the 30 feet seems to be a burden - but that's what it says.

The person in that far seat has too far to go before the option is available. 30 feet is the max cpt.
 
Re: Egress

Green wrote;

The only exits are out the front of the building. I think 1014.4.3.3 only applys to the aisle created between the seating not the common area leading from the bathrooms to the front of the space. If you counted it as 30' then that would mean a space that only required one exit wouldnt be able to have any tables and chairs if your travel distance was over 30'
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I agree, Green thats what this section is referring to.
 
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