• Welcome to The Building Code Forum

    Your premier resource for building code knowledge.

    This forum remains free to the public thanks to the generous support of our Sawhorse Members and Corporate Sponsors. Their contributions help keep this community thriving and accessible.

    Want enhanced access to expert discussions and exclusive features? Learn more about the benefits here.

    Ready to upgrade? Log in and upgrade now.

Exiting through an adjoining room

retire09

Silver Member
Joined
Feb 19, 2010
Messages
365
Location
Alaska
If you have a classroom with an occupant load of 49 and an office that exists through the classroom with a load of 2, do you add the loads together and now require two exit doors for the classroom that now is over 50 occupant load?
 
A sketch would be helpful, but if I'm understanding correctly, if the office's only exit is through the classroom, then yes you add that occupancy to the classroom which in this case occupancy now exceeds 50 requiring two exits. If the office has other exits, then you would not have to add it to the classroom load.
 
What if. With to many variables

Or is this an existing condition or a remodel coming up

And what type of classroom. Day care. High school. Tech school college etc
 
If the offices are for the teacher then they are either in the classroom or the office. Can't be in two places at the same time. If this is new and sprinkelred, I would not be too concerned. Another door adds a whole new concern for security.
 
Although I might see your logic in trying to bypass the requirement, teacher(s) in one or the other place, I disagree about the additional door being a security issue. On the contrary, an additional door could give all occupants a well needed second exit should they have unwelcome visitors. We have looked this issue in our own city buildings, occupants possibly being trapped by only having access to one exit.
 
Back
Top