Exit access stairs

[Sifu]

I know I am wearing this forum out but I have some funky things going on all at once.

When calculating the horizontal projection of the stair for a 3 story open exit access stair (IBC 1019.3 condition #4) how is the are determined when the stairs are switchback stairs? The commentary illustrates a straight stair. With the switchback configuration there are two flights and a landing, and in my situation they take up nearly the entire opening. If I count all of the horizontal projection (essentially straighten them out) then the area is almost as large as the area of the opening, but if I only count one flight and 1/2 the landing, then the opening is more than twice that projected area.

 

[RLGA]

The definition of a stairway in Chapter 2 includes the stairs and the "necessary landings and platforms connecting them..."

Therefore, the area of the vertical opening can be twice that area of the stairs including the landings.