H.S. Stadium Press Box

[dcray627]

We have a press box that's 52' long and an exterior door at each end. Currently, there are no exit signs above the doors. The school wants to add two swinging doors at existing interior partitions which will block visibility to the exterior doors. Are exit signs required then?
Thanks.

 

[Msradell]

I would certainly think so and actually I believe that if you came down to the actual code requirements they should be Req now with you and the additional doors or not.

 

[bill1952]

Wouldn't occupant load be a factor? I thought rooms requiring only one exit or exit access were excepted from exit signs. And at 52' and probably under 500 sf to avoid elevator, I'd guess only one means of egress is required. Just a thought. One of those issues where local authorities sometimes ask for more than the letter of the model code.

 

[mtlogcabin]

Are exit signs required then?

Yes and the reason why is they are creating intervening rooms within the exit access

1013.1 Where required.
Exits and exit access doors shall be marked by an approved exit sign readily visible from any direction of egress travel. The path of egress travel to exits and within exits shall be marked by readily visible exit signs to clearly indicate the direction of egress travel in cases where the exit or the path of egress travel is not immediately visible to the occupants. Intervening means of egress doors within exits shall be marked by exit signs. Exit sign placement shall be such that any point in an exit access corridor or exit passageway is within 100 feet (30 480 mm) or the listed viewing distance of the sign, whichever is less, from the nearest visible exit sign.

 

[bill1952]

. Intervening means of egress doors within exits shall be marked by exit signs.

Is this door "within (an) exit"? (note "exit" is italicized in the IBC )

And does that overule 1013.1 exception 1 "Exit signs are not required in rooms or areas that require only one exit or exit access."

 

[steveray]

Exceptions:
1. Exit signs are not required in rooms or areas that require only one exit or exit access.

 

[mtlogcabin]

Is this door "within (an) exit"? (note "exit" is italicized in the IBC )

Italicized Terms

Selected words and terms defined in Chapter 2, Definitions, are italicized where they appear in code text and the Chapter 2 definition applies. Where such words and terms are not italicized, common use definitions apply. The words and terms selected have code-specific definitions that the user should read carefully to facilitate better understanding of the code. Note: In Sections 1903 through 1905, italics indicate provisions that differ from ACI 318.


[BE] EXIT ACCESS. That portion of a means of egress system that leads from any occupied portion of a building or structure to an exit.

[BE] EXIT ACCESS DOORWAY. A door or access point along the path of egress travel from an occupied room, area or space where the path of egress enters an intervening room, corridor, exit access stairway or ramp.

Personally I have no problem with no exit signs installed and the state gives me the authority to determine they are not "needed" for egress purposes based on the size of the press box and the small limited number of people that will occupy the press box during events

 

[mtlogcabin]

And at 52' and probably under 500 sf to avoid elevator

The OP did not indicate where the press box is located and if it is for an assembly occupancy. If it is then he may have bigger issues with the doors and their ability to meet accessibility requirements.

Required accessible route to a press box is determined by

1104.3.2 Press boxes.
Press boxes in a building, room or space used for assembly purposes shall be on an accessible route.

Exceptions:

1. An accessible route shall not be required to press boxes in bleachers that have a single point of entry from the bleachers, provided that the aggregate area of all press boxes for each playing field is not more than 500 square feet (46 m2).

2. An accessible route shall not be required to free-standing press boxes that are more than 12 feet (3660 mm) above grade provided that the aggregate area of all press boxes for each playing field is not more than 500 square feet (46 m2).

 

[bill1952]

The OP did not indicate where the press box is located and if it is for an assembly occupancy. If it is then he may have bigger issues with the doors and their ability to meet accessibility requirements.

Required accessible route to a press box is determined by

1104.3.2 Press boxes.
Press boxes in a building, room or space used for assembly purposes shall be on an accessible route.

Exceptions:

1. An accessible route shall not be required to press boxes in bleachers that have a single point of entry from the bleachers, provided that the aggregate area of all press boxes for each playing field is not more than 500 square feet (46 m2).

2. An accessible route shall not be required to free-standing press boxes that are more than 12 feet (3660 mm) above grade provided that the aggregate area of all press boxes for each playing field is not more than 500 square feet (46 m2).

Yeah. That's why I said probably under 500 sf.

 

[ADAguy]

Use of <500 sf disallows disabled students and others from working in the box as score keepers and photographers.

 

[bill1952]

Use of <500 sf disallows disabled students and others from working in the box as score keepers and photographers.

True, but it's the exception in the code.

Very similar issues to control rooms in theatres, my specialty. I've long advocated they be accessible and all but one of my projects in last 20 years are. (I lost debate to architect.) On the other hand, I have not once found one or heard of one where someone using a wheelchair entered the control room. Same with orchestra pits - not one report.

Worked on one all new HS where they built the press box a little bigger than 500 sf. BIG change order to make it accessible - hundreds of thousands - 15 years ago.