Prairie Dog
Member
Having a debate within the office about the code worthiness of this egress scheme. Curious what the forum thinks.
3 story building. 1st floor commercial with 2 stories R-2 above. Sprinkled. Current design has 2 open exit access stairs within the level 2 and 3 corridors providing egress from the R-2 stories. At level 1 the stairs are separated from the rest of the floor by rated construction, though they are open from the 1st floor landing up to the 3rd floor. We’re fine on exit travel distance from 3rd floor to the 1st floor exit. Is this possible?
712.1.9 Two-story openings. In other than Groups I-2 and I-3, a vertical opening that is not used as one of the applications listed in this section shall be permitted if the opening complies with all of the following items:
1019.3 Occupancies other than Groups I-2 and I-3. In other than Group I-2 and I-3 occupancies, floor openings containing exit access stairways or ramps that do not comply with one of the conditions listed in this section shall be enclosed with a shaft enclosure constructed in accordance with Section 713.
But then there’s 1006.3.1:
1006.3.1 Adjacent story. The path of egress travel to an exit shall not pass through more than one adjacent story.
If the stairs and landings from 2nd floor to 1st floor are separated from the rest of the floor by 1 hour rated construction does the path of egress actually pass through the story? I tend to think that yes- this qualifies as “passing through a story” and thus this scheme is not allowed. Sure they’re not atmospherically connected but this scheme requires you to walk 3 stories of stairs from the top floor before you hit an exit (the exterior door).
But then again, I can’t explain why 1019.3 allows 4 story exit access stairs if 1006.3.1 effectively prohibits them.
3 story building. 1st floor commercial with 2 stories R-2 above. Sprinkled. Current design has 2 open exit access stairs within the level 2 and 3 corridors providing egress from the R-2 stories. At level 1 the stairs are separated from the rest of the floor by rated construction, though they are open from the 1st floor landing up to the 3rd floor. We’re fine on exit travel distance from 3rd floor to the 1st floor exit. Is this possible?
712.1.9 Two-story openings. In other than Groups I-2 and I-3, a vertical opening that is not used as one of the applications listed in this section shall be permitted if the opening complies with all of the following items:
- Does not connect more than two stories.
- Does not penetrate a horizontal assembly that separates fire areas or smoke barriers that separate smoke compartments.
- Is not concealed within the construction of a wall or a floor/ceiling assembly.
- Is not open to a corridor in Group I and R occupancies.
- Is not open to a corridor on nonsprinklered floors.
- Is separated from floor openings and air transfer openings serving other floors by construction conforming to required shaft enclosures.
1019.3 Occupancies other than Groups I-2 and I-3. In other than Group I-2 and I-3 occupancies, floor openings containing exit access stairways or ramps that do not comply with one of the conditions listed in this section shall be enclosed with a shaft enclosure constructed in accordance with Section 713.
- Exit access stairways and ramps that serve or atmospherically communicate between only two stories. Such interconnected stories shall not be open to other stories.
- In Group R-1, R-2 or R-3 occupancies, exit access stairways and ramps connecting four stories or less serving and contained within an individual dwelling unit or sleeping unit or live/work unit.
- Exit access stairways serving and contained within a Group R-3 congregate residence or a Group R-4 facility are not required to be enclosed.
- Exit access stairways and ramps in buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, where the area of the vertical opening between stories does not exceed twice the horizontal projected area of the stairway or ramp and the opening is protected by a draft curtain and closely spaced sprinklers in accordance with NFPA 13. In other than Group B and M occupancies, this provision is limited to openings that do not connect more than four stories.
- Exit access stairways and ramps within an atrium complying with the provisions of Section 404.
- Exit access stairways and ramps in open parking garages that serve only the parking garage.
- Exit access stairways and ramps serving smoke-protected or open-air assembly seating complying with the exit access travel distance requirements of Section 1029.7.
- Exit access stairways and ramps between the balcony, gallery or press box and the main assembly floor in occupancies such as theaters, places of religious worship, auditoriums and sports facilities.
But then there’s 1006.3.1:
1006.3.1 Adjacent story. The path of egress travel to an exit shall not pass through more than one adjacent story.
If the stairs and landings from 2nd floor to 1st floor are separated from the rest of the floor by 1 hour rated construction does the path of egress actually pass through the story? I tend to think that yes- this qualifies as “passing through a story” and thus this scheme is not allowed. Sure they’re not atmospherically connected but this scheme requires you to walk 3 stories of stairs from the top floor before you hit an exit (the exterior door).
But then again, I can’t explain why 1019.3 allows 4 story exit access stairs if 1006.3.1 effectively prohibits them.