Grandstand EXITS

[Examiner]

Given: Outdoor grandstands.

Occupant load: 2500

Required # of EXITS: 4

Description of EXIT locations:

There are two end stair EXITS (not to be confused with enclosed towers) which are located at each end of the Grandstands on the last bottom elevated row/catchment walkway. Two ramp landings are located along the bottom elevated row/catchment walkway between the two end stairs; therefore, four possible EXITS. However, the two ramps run parallel with the bottom elevated row/catchment walkway from their landings to the same Exit Discharge as the end stairs. The Stair and Ramp are not sharing the same landing but they are side by sdie. If the Exit Discharge is at the same end locations as the Stairs but beside each other is this really 4 separate EXITS at the Exit Discharge? It seems to me it is only two EXITS at the ground.

 

[TJacobs]

I don't have ICC 300. It sounds like you could block the access to more than 1 exit with an incident, so I would say redesign necessary.

 

[AegisFPE]

Stairs and ramps with accesses immediately adjacent to each other may not necessarily be considered separate exits, regardless of how they are routed.

IBC 1502, as referenced by 1028.3, is concerned about occupant access to separate exits in the event of an incident blocking an exit, though maintaining the separation to the exit discharge is also appropriate.

 

[AegisFPE]

Stairs and ramps with accesses immediately adjacent to each other may not necessarily be considered separate exits, regardless of how they are routed.

IBC 1502, as referenced by 1028.3, is concerned about occupant access to separate exits in the event of an incident blocking an exit, though maintaining the separation to the exit discharge is also appropriate.

 

[Examiner]

2006 IBC Section “1025.1.1 Bleachers. Bleachers, grandstands, and folding and telescopic seating shall comply with ICC 300.”

ICC 300

404.1 Minimum number of exits. This section requires 4 means of egress for an occupant load over 2,500.

404.3 Exterior installations. For exterior installations where the means of egress converges, a minimum of two egress paths shall be provided, sized to accommodate the occupant load served. Where the exit discharge does not lead directly to a street or public way, it shall lead to an area of refuge sized to contain the full capacity and located a minimum of 50-feet from the structure.

That is all I can find regarding exit discharge or exit requirements. It appears that four are required and can converge to a minimum of two egress paths. Do you all concur?

AegistFPE, I do not see IBC 1502 or 1208.3 in the 2006 IBC. Are you addressing another year? I am sorry I did not list the year of the Code this project is under earlier.

 

[AegisFPE]

1502 was a typo, should have been 1015.2. The cited Section 1028.3 is from the 2009 IBC, which does have a change bar next to it; the 2006 IBC contains similar language in 1025.3.

That said, you may never get to 1025.3, as 1025.1.1 states, "seating shall comply with ICC 300," not shall also comply. As new as ICC-300 is, there may be some wrinkles to work out, and 1015.2 seems like prudent practice with regard to exit access.

However, 300-404.3 states that the "means of egress" may converge. The aisles leading to the exits are a portion of the means of egress. Therefore, it would seem that where the conditions of 404.3 are satisfied, that convergence is permitted anywhere along the means of egress.

It appears that four are required and can converge to a minimum of two egress paths. Do you all concur?

That's how I read that section of ICC-300, which must anticipate an inherent level of safety in such an outdoor open seating area. Application of IBC 1015.2 and 1019.1 to those two means of egress still seems prudent.