Handrail Extensions and Assembly Seating?

[tbz]

See floor plan below: I noted on the sketch
LL = Lower Level
L1 = 1 up from LL
L2 = 1 up from L1
L3 = 1 up from L2
UL = Upper Level

The designer has noted the entire floor plan area as assembly seating and is applying 1029.16 Exception 3

the main area in question is the top of the ramp and the 2 stair flights, so "A", "B" & "C" intersect.

I maintain that the bottom of the Ramp at "A" needs compliant Handrail extensions 12" min.
The top of "C" also needs full handrail extensions & the Bottom of "A" needs full handrails extensions.
First question in the layout below does exception 3 apply to the merge point at the top of the ramp, the placement of the seating & stair flights "A" & "B", which will reduce the passing point of a wheelchair very close to the edge.

2nd question becomes are full 12" extensions required on the handrail only portions of the stair flight for the cross landing of the stairs and the ramp, for the handrails not continuous to the ramp?

 

[bill1952]

Those stairs and ramps are not assembly seating aisles, so exception does not apply. In no case do the extensions not permit crossovers. " Handrail extensions are not required at the top and bottom of stepped aisles and ramped aisles to permit crossovers within the aisles." If you want to see this more clearly written, look at NFPA 101. I think the definition of aisles has been changed since this was written, but the exception was intended for aisles serving seating. The language is definitely lacking that clarity.