Provided the following criteria, I am sure that a feasible exemption/explanation for not requiring an enclosed shaft exists. Hoping that someone can reaffirm my thought process....
Type II-B Building
3-stories
Fully Sprinkled
Ground level atrium that communicates 3-stories via stairwell (storefront glazing and doors at each landing isolate stairwell/atrium, however non-rated)
Aprox. OL of 150 on 2nd and 3rd, 300 on ground level
Building has two stairwells, one an enclosed interior exit stairway.
Other is shown as an interior exit access stairway.
Absolute worst case for exit travel distance is via the interior exit access at 288-ft. Common path is less than 75-ft.
My struggle is with 1006.3 and 1019.3. Per 1006.3, it seems that the path of egress travel is limited to travel between a maximum of two levels before an exit is reached. Per 1019.3, the building complies with option #5 (atrium option), which would appear to permit the use of an exit access as long as one complies with the maximum exit travel distance (300-ft).
Am I reading 1006.3 wrong? The path of egress travel to an exit shall not pass through more than one adjacent story. So the 3rd floor can only go to the 2nd as part of the exit access pathway?
1006.3 Egress From Stories or Occupied Roofs
The means of egress system serving any story or occupied roof shall be provided with the number of exits or access to exits based on the aggregate occupant load served in accordance with this section. The path of egress travel to an exit shall not pass through more than one adjacent story.
Section 1019 Exit Access Stairways and Ramps
...
1019.3 Occupancies Other Than Groups I-2 and I-3
In other than Group I-2 and I-3 occupancies, floor openings containing exit access stairways or ramps that do not comply with one of the conditions listed in this section shall be enclosed with a shaft enclosure constructed in accordance with Section 713.
Type II-B Building
3-stories
Fully Sprinkled
Ground level atrium that communicates 3-stories via stairwell (storefront glazing and doors at each landing isolate stairwell/atrium, however non-rated)
Aprox. OL of 150 on 2nd and 3rd, 300 on ground level
Building has two stairwells, one an enclosed interior exit stairway.
Other is shown as an interior exit access stairway.
Absolute worst case for exit travel distance is via the interior exit access at 288-ft. Common path is less than 75-ft.
My struggle is with 1006.3 and 1019.3. Per 1006.3, it seems that the path of egress travel is limited to travel between a maximum of two levels before an exit is reached. Per 1019.3, the building complies with option #5 (atrium option), which would appear to permit the use of an exit access as long as one complies with the maximum exit travel distance (300-ft).
Am I reading 1006.3 wrong? The path of egress travel to an exit shall not pass through more than one adjacent story. So the 3rd floor can only go to the 2nd as part of the exit access pathway?
1006.3 Egress From Stories or Occupied Roofs
The means of egress system serving any story or occupied roof shall be provided with the number of exits or access to exits based on the aggregate occupant load served in accordance with this section. The path of egress travel to an exit shall not pass through more than one adjacent story.
Section 1019 Exit Access Stairways and Ramps
...
1019.3 Occupancies Other Than Groups I-2 and I-3
In other than Group I-2 and I-3 occupancies, floor openings containing exit access stairways or ramps that do not comply with one of the conditions listed in this section shall be enclosed with a shaft enclosure constructed in accordance with Section 713.
1. Exit access stairways and ramps that serve or atmospherically communicate between only two stories. Such interconnected stories shall not be open to other stories.
2. In Group R-1, R-2 or R-3 occupancies, exit access stairways and ramps connecting four stories or less serving and contained within an individual dwelling unit or sleeping unit or live/work unit.
3. Exit access stairways serving and contained within a Group R-3 congregate residence or a Group R-4 facility are not required to be enclosed.
4. Exit access stairways and ramps in buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, where the area of the vertical opening between stories does not exceed twice the horizontal projected area of the stairway or ramp and the opening is protected by a draft curtain and closely spaced sprinklers in accordance with NFPA 13. In other than Group B and M occupancies, this provision is limited to openings that do not connect more than four stories.
5. Exit access stairways and ramps within an atrium complying with the provisions of Section 404.
6. Exit access stairways and ramps in open parking garages that serve only the parking garage.
7. Exit access stairways and ramps serving open-air seating complying with the exit access travel distance requirements of Section 1029.7.
8. Exit access stairways and ramps serving the balcony, gallery or press box and the main assembly floor in occupancies such as theaters, places of religious worship, auditoriums and sports facilities.
2. In Group R-1, R-2 or R-3 occupancies, exit access stairways and ramps connecting four stories or less serving and contained within an individual dwelling unit or sleeping unit or live/work unit.
3. Exit access stairways serving and contained within a Group R-3 congregate residence or a Group R-4 facility are not required to be enclosed.
4. Exit access stairways and ramps in buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, where the area of the vertical opening between stories does not exceed twice the horizontal projected area of the stairway or ramp and the opening is protected by a draft curtain and closely spaced sprinklers in accordance with NFPA 13. In other than Group B and M occupancies, this provision is limited to openings that do not connect more than four stories.
5. Exit access stairways and ramps within an atrium complying with the provisions of Section 404.
6. Exit access stairways and ramps in open parking garages that serve only the parking garage.
7. Exit access stairways and ramps serving open-air seating complying with the exit access travel distance requirements of Section 1029.7.
8. Exit access stairways and ramps serving the balcony, gallery or press box and the main assembly floor in occupancies such as theaters, places of religious worship, auditoriums and sports facilities.