Furniture in exit access corridors

[blugosi]

Sometimes common sense is not enough...

Does anybody know of a Code reference on prohibiting furniture in exit access corridors in a class B occupancy?

Sometimes there is a couple of chairs in a corridor opening like a lobby, other times some "temporary" relocation of wooden closets full of paper and stuff, sometimes a plotter or a large printer....

They do not reduce the corridor width to unacceptable levels, still I find no reason to control wall, ceiling and floor finishes if the corridor is packed with combustibles....

Fighting with secretaries can be tough.

 

[steveray]

Good concerns, but as a corridor is exit access, "stuff " is not prohibited...

 

[Inspector Gadget]

Dunno about your Codes down south, but in Canada, you have a whole host of ways to tackle this:
a) Exits are not to be used for any other purpose than exiting. Chairs are not conducive to exiting.
b) Exit widths have to be preserved.
c) All items in an exit have to have a defined flame-spread rating/smoke developed classification.

 

[Paul Sweet]

"still I find no reason to control wall, ceiling and floor finishes if the corridor is packed with combustibles...."

Control the finishes and let the fire marshal worry about other things in the corridor.

 

[JPohling]

California:

 

[Paul Sweet]

A corridor is exit access, not an exit.

 

[JPohling]

I do not see code language restricting some of these conditions. Need to look further. We typically have not been allowed to place workstations in corridors. No actual occupants allowed in the corridors. here is something from Oregon but no code sections noted.

https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bds/article/68578

 

[Plumb-bob]

Building codes are relevant while the building code is under construction, fire codes are after construction. So as mentioned above, let the fire department or fire marshal deal with it.

 

[Inspector Gadget]

Building codes are relevant while the building code is under construction, fire codes are after construction. So as mentioned above, let the fire department or fire marshal deal with it.

OP said "codes" not "building codes."
I assumed that OP meant fire codes.
Which would be fire marshal - fire safety folks' domain.

 

[tmurray]

The other pertinent question touched on by Paul is if we are talking about an exit or an access to an exit.

 

[SCBO1]

What if the exit access corridor code required 48-inches and you have 60-inches? Would'nt you need to know that information to enforce the required widths?