exits from self storage facilities and s-2 aircraft hangars.

[DNA]

Greetings everyone.
In my local, we are under the 2015 IBC. I have an aircraft hangar structure (less than 10,000 s.f.) with a total of 8 individual hangars within the one structure. S.F. for 6 of the hangars is around 1,200 s.f. with then end two hangars of around 1,500 s.f. each.
I am classifying this structure as an S-2 occupancy,
The hangers are designed and provided by a company that specializes in air craft related steel buildings. They have hangars in all 50 states.
The design uses aircraft hanger doors that fold horizontally in the middle of the door. The door is the full width of the hangar bay with a 3060 man door built into the hangar door (all one unit). There is 8" of hangar door frame below the man door. This 8" is necessary for the hangar door structural system.
The local plan reviewer is not accepting the project based on section 1010.1.7 pertaining to thresholds.
I believe that section 1010.1.2 applies and that the hangar door itself is the exit door.
In my opinion this structure is no different than a self storage facility.
NFPA 101, section 42.6.1.4. also allows for the " dwarf, or smash" to be permitted.
The plan reviewers reason for not accepting the NFPA section is that " the County has not adopted NFPA and that he must rely on the adopted 2015 IBC.
There is plenty of precedent at the airport for structures as described above.
The plan reviewers remarked that those were accepted prior to his employment.


Any addition al information or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you all in advance for any assistance.

Dan

 

[TheCommish]

I agree that the coded section for threshold is correct.
Just because it has been done before does not make it right now.
is there another man door in the unit that can serve as the exit?
NFPA 101 is not a building code and is a reference document only in play if the jurisdiction adopts it.

 

[tmurray]

In general, exit doors have to operate without specialized tools or knowledge. I'm not sure the average person would be able to open the hanger doors.

There is an exception for self-storage facilities as the doors are likely open when there is a person in the unit. I'm not sure I could agree that the same assumption is true of an aircraft hanger.

 

[e hilton]

There is 8" of hangar door frame below the man door. This 8" is necessary for the hangar door structural system.

I believe that section 1010.1.2 applies and that the hangar door itself is the exit door.

Seems like an 8” high stepover would be a problem. And how quickly could you open the hanger door from the inside in an emergency?

 

[DNA]

Thank you all for your replies. I understand the perspectives given. The Good State of Colorado has adopted NFPA. I am not sure that overrides County Codes.
I agree that NFPA is a reference utilized by the ICC Codes similar to ANSI requirements for accessibility. Most of the Private aircraft hangars I have looked at for precedent have similar door configurations (not all). I will be providing standard, side hinged exit doors on the end units. It is the internal units that only have the Hangar door with built-in man door. There will be a back-up power supply (min. 90 minutes) for emergency power to the doors if normal power is lost.
I believe the requirements of section 1010.1.2 and meet the requirements of 1010.1.4.2 will have been met.
What say you?