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High-Rise Sliding Door...Egress?

mtlogcabin said:
The balcony is not an occupiable space by definition since it is not a room or enclosed space
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So a porch is also not an occupiable space? I don't see this balcony as any different than a porch (without a m.o.e. to exterior, common in early 1990s - like sleeping porches for another example).
 
mtlogcabin said:
The balcony is not an occupiable space by definition since it is not a room or enclosed space and therefore the door is not part of a MOE. Also the 7 3/4" threshold is limited where it can be located
[BG] OCCUPIABLE SPACE. A room or enclosed space designed for human occupancy

The only required MOE exit is the front door in an R-2 and R-3 dwelling unit
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bill1952 said:
So a porch is also not an occupiable space? I don't see this balcony as any different than a porch (without a m.o.e. to exterior, common in early 1990s - like sleeping porches for another example).
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Again, devils advocate here....

IBC does not define enclosed. Therefore, per Oxford Dictionary, "ENCLOSED - surrounded or closed off on all sides."

So if the balcony is surrounded by a guard rail and has another balcony or roof projection above, is it enclosed? The space is not open to free movement in all directions. One could argue that as being enclosed space designed for human occupancy. The space has defined boundaries; yes, some of those boundaries are not full height and one could escape the confines (i.e. fall off the balcony). What is the allowable limit of openings in the enclosure?

Think like you are lawyer who's trying their best to sway a jury. Better yet, imagine being on the stand and a lawyer challenges you on the definition of enclosed space. Reads the Oxford definition and asks you if the balcony was surrounded on all sides? Surrounded by a guard? Can you definitively get the jury to see it your way? Do you want to have that day in court when the lawyer is splitting these hairs.

Again, just the devils advocate here.;)
 
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jar546 said:
If you have to step over an 11" threshold to get outside,
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I think we have all been looking at this wrong. No where does the code refer to stepping over an 11" or 7.75" threshold. I believe it is refering to when you are stepping up or down. I also believe the 7.75" threshold height is measured from only one side of the threshold and that would be from the lower landing level to the top of the threshold. This interpretation would be consistent with 1010.1.5 Exception 3
Does this make more sense?:rolleyes:

1010.1.5 Floor elevation.
There shall be a floor or landing on each side of a door. Such floor or landing shall be at the same elevation on each side of the door. Landings shall be level except for exterior landings, which are permitted to have a slope not to exceed 0.25 unit vertical in 12 units horizontal (2-percent slope).

Exceptions:

1. Doors serving individual dwelling units in Groups R-2 and R-3 where the following apply:

1.1. A door is permitted to open at the top step of an interior flight of stairs, provided that the door does not swing over the top step.

1.2. Screen doors and storm doors are permitted to swing over stairs or landings.

2. Exterior doors as provided for in Section 1003.5, Exception 1, and Section 1022.2, which are not on an accessible route.

3. In Group R-3 occupancies not required to be Accessible units, Type A units or Type B units, the landing at an exterior doorway shall be not more than 73/4 inches (197 mm) below the top of the threshold, provided the door, other than an exterior storm or screen door, does not swing over the landing.
 
mtlogcabin said:
The balcony is not an occupiable space by definition since it is not a room or enclosed space and therefore the door is not part of a MOE. Also the 7 3/4" threshold is limited where it can be located
[BG] OCCUPIABLE SPACE. A room or enclosed space designed for human occupancy

The only required MOE exit is the front door in an R-2 and R-3 dwelling unit
Click to expand...
Imma call BS on that definition.....Otherwise there is no OL/ MOE required for commercial decks or rooftop occupancies and possibly courtyards/ courts, when we clearly have a section for that....Dammnit, have to wait till 2027 for a fix on that now...

1004.5 Outdoor areas. Yards, patios, courts and similar outdoor areas accessible to and usable by the building occupants shall be provided with means of egress as required by this chapter. The occupant load of such outdoor areas shall be assigned by the building official in accordance with the anticipated use. Where outdoor areas are to be used by persons in addition to the occupants of the building, and the path of egress travel from the outdoor areas passes through the building, means of egress requirements for the building shall be based on the sum of the occupant loads of the building plus the outdoor areas

Way cleaner to call it a window....
 
brokenkeys said:
FHA limits you to 4" step (if it's apartments). 11" is a helluva threshold... at that point isn't it a window?
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Since there is no requirement for a slider or balcony, it can be a window but since it is a slider, it is still a slider and a door that must be compliant. The problem is that the original design of the building had this bottom "curb" built in to stop water intrusion from working its way into the condo. With a simple impact slider R&R, it is considered a Level 1 alteration........

The owner now wants it to be flush but the job was just completed and the contractor states they went over this with the owner in advance and specifically discussed this issue.
 
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