Elevator requirement in IBC

[omahawildcat]

Is there any requirement in the IBC that 2 story buildings with 3000 sf or larger floor plates require an elevator? I cannot find anywhere that even says when an elevator is required other than section 1009.2.1 which calls for elevators to be used as accessible egress with exceptions on 4 story locations.

The ADA says that buildings with 3 or more floors but the floors are less than 3000sf do not need an elevator as long as the building is not one of the prescribed occupancy types.

 

[RLGA]

Refer to IBC Section 1104.4.

 

[omahawildcat]

Seriously, Damn ridiculous that the ADA code goes one way and the IBC goes another.

 

[rbk-ny]

Refer to IBC Section 1104.4.

Does 1104.4 exception 2 exempt floors from an accessible route if the floor does not contain elements of spaces per 1107 (dwelling units) or 1108 (assembly, self service storage, or judicial facilities)? If a floor does not have these elements, can it be any size and still not require an elevator?

 

[mtlogcabin]

At least the IBC is more restrictive with the term "aggregate". The ADA does not require an elevator no matter how tall the building is as long as each floor is less than 3,000 sq. ft.

ADA

• Exemptions: Elevators are not required in facilities under three stories or with fewer than 3000 square feet per floor, unless the building is a shopping center or mall; professional office of a health care provider; public transit station; or airport passenger terminal.

2018 IBC
1104.4 Multistory buildings and facilities.
At least one accessible route shall connect each accessible story, mezzanine and occupied roofs in multilevel buildings and facilities.

Exceptions:

1. An accessible route is not required to stories, mezzanines and occupied roofs that have an aggregate area of not more than 3,000 square feet (278.7 m2) and are located above and below accessible levels.

 

[RLGA]

Does 1104.4 exception 2 exempt floors from an accessible route if the floor does not contain elements of spaces per 1107 (dwelling units) or 1108 (assembly, self service storage, or judicial facilities)? If a floor does not have these elements, can it be any size and still not require an elevator?

No; if the building does not have accessible elements or spaces on stories with those uses, and the aggregate area of stories exceeds 3,000 sq. ft., then an accessible route (i.e., an elevator or ramp) is required to those stories unless Exceptions 3 or 4 apply.

 

[rktect 1]

Seriously, Damn ridiculous that the ADA code goes one way and the IBC goes another.

Last time I checked, the ADA was created prior to the IBC code. Seems like ICC needs to better coordinate this aspect.

 

[rbk-ny]

No; if the building does not have accessible elements or spaces on stories with those uses, and the aggregate area of stories exceeds 3,000 sq. ft., then an accessible route (i.e., an elevator or ramp) is required to those stories unless Exceptions 3 or 4 apply.

RLGA: thanks! But still not sure, then, what is the purpose of exception 2? If the 3000 sf limit applies it would be practically the same as exception 1?

 

[RLGA]

RLGA: thanks! But still not sure, then, what is the purpose of exception 2? If the 3000 sf limit applies it would be practically the same as exception 1?

Either I misunderstood your earlier comment, or you did not write the question as you intended.

Only one exception must be true to exempt an accessible route to multiple stories.

For example, if a building has a story with an aggregate area of 3,000 sq. ft. or less, and none of the five other conditions apply, no accessible route is required (Exception 1). If the story exceeds an aggregate area of 3,000 sq. ft. but includes dwelling or sleeping units, assembly seating, self-service storage facilities, or judicial facilities and contains no accessible elements as exempted by those applicable sections, then no accessible route is required (Exception 2).

Exception 2, although grammatically correct, could be rewritten to be less ambiguous.

 

[rbk-ny]

Either I misunderstood your earlier comment, or you did not write the question as you intended.

Only one exception must be true to exempt an accessible route to multiple stories.

For example, if a building has a story with an aggregate area of 3,000 sq. ft. or less, and none of the five other conditions apply, no accessible route is required (Exception 1). If the story exceeds an aggregate area of 3,000 sq. ft. but includes dwelling or sleeping units, assembly seating, self-service storage facilities, or judicial facilities and contains no accessible elements as exempted by those applicable sections, then no accessible route is required (Exception 2).

Exception 2, although grammatically correct, could be rewritten to be less ambiguous.

Ron: I did get caught up in the wording of exception 2...yes, a little ambiguous! But your last explanation cleared it up....thanks for your help!