I am working on a commercial site in the state of New York and need a second form of egress from a historical building in an historical district. The ideal solution is an exterior stairway in the back of the building but I am getting hung up on IBC Section 1024.3 Exit Discharge Location. It states that a stairway "shall be located at least 10' from adjacent lot lines and from other buildings on the same lot line unless the adjacent building exterior walls and openings are protected in accordance with Section 704 based on fire separation distance". Does this mean the stairway can be within 10' of the lot line as long as the neighboring building is protected? OR is the 10' setback sacred and the fire protection allowance applies only to buildings on the same lot line?