DTBarch
SAWHORSE
I know this topic has been through the forum on multiple occasions in one form or another, but I'm seeking clarity on one point.
Situation:
2019 California Building Code
Commercial Office Building has a Group B tenant who wants to build a small fenced outside yard of approximately 250sf directly outside their ground floor office space to be used as an outdoor break area in a secured area. The area would be accessed from the building via a typical aluminum and glass storefront type door. They specifically do NOT want to add another independent exit gate from the fenced yard for operational reasons.
From previous forum discussions, due to the size of the outdoor space, it only requires a single exit, and since the existing door into the outdoor area would also be considered an exit from the yard, and not an exit discharge, the path of egress from this outdoor area IS allowed to re-enter the building per 1004.5. The additional occupant load is not a factor since the patio would only be used by the tenant's occupants, not the public.
The question is about the door locking hardware. Locking hardware that allows completely free egress from the outdoor fenced area back into the building would be a security concern after hours if someone jumped the fence. Does the "doors to remain unlocked while the building is occupied" provision of Section 1010.1.9.4 apply ONLY to the Main Entry doors to the Suite? Would this exit door from the outdoor yard be eligible to use this exception? Any other suggested solutions?
Thank you in advance for your input.
Situation:
2019 California Building Code
Commercial Office Building has a Group B tenant who wants to build a small fenced outside yard of approximately 250sf directly outside their ground floor office space to be used as an outdoor break area in a secured area. The area would be accessed from the building via a typical aluminum and glass storefront type door. They specifically do NOT want to add another independent exit gate from the fenced yard for operational reasons.
From previous forum discussions, due to the size of the outdoor space, it only requires a single exit, and since the existing door into the outdoor area would also be considered an exit from the yard, and not an exit discharge, the path of egress from this outdoor area IS allowed to re-enter the building per 1004.5. The additional occupant load is not a factor since the patio would only be used by the tenant's occupants, not the public.
The question is about the door locking hardware. Locking hardware that allows completely free egress from the outdoor fenced area back into the building would be a security concern after hours if someone jumped the fence. Does the "doors to remain unlocked while the building is occupied" provision of Section 1010.1.9.4 apply ONLY to the Main Entry doors to the Suite? Would this exit door from the outdoor yard be eligible to use this exception? Any other suggested solutions?
Thank you in advance for your input.