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is a walkin cooler occupiable space?

'Walkin cooler'? Where's it walkin to? (Sorry, couldn't resist...)

COMMON PATH OF EGRESS TRAVEL. That portion of exit access which the occupants are required to traverse before two separate and distinct paths of egress travel to two exits are available. Paths that merge are common paths of travel. Common paths of egress travel shall be included within the permitted travel distance.

I guess it depends on how you interpret 'common path of egress travel'... and how many people you expect to have in the cooler at any one time. They do make exterior doors for coolers though.
 
My point is, if there is only one person in the cooler, then CPET really begins at the cooler door... ?
 
CPET starts at the begining of the travel distance. Therefore, it starts at the far side of the cooler, through the cooler door to the exit if there is only one exit. If they reach the door and have two separate and distinct paths to two exits, then CPET stops, but travel distance continues to the nearest exit.
 
Agree on Common Path........

Regarding the OP question, here is another wrench. We are now seeing walk-in's that are being used as Beer/Soda Dens where the public is welcomed to enter and browse....... hence occupied.
 
CDA

The original post cited the 06 code

"The exit access arrangement shall comply with Sections 1014 through 1017 and the applicable provisions of Sections 1003 through 1013. Section 1014.1"
 
LMAO........no really, we are seeing speedy marts, beer depots & party stores converting upwards to 2500 s.f. to coolers for the public access. Reminds me of my old favorite Humidor.

Cda.... the man cave is nice but not that nice & Permit.....yea making less every day :(
 
The original post cited the 06 code

"The exit access arrangement shall comply with Sections 1014 through 1017 and the applicable provisions of Sections 1003 through 1013. Section 1014.1"

ok I just want to know what is wrong with

# 3 1015 in the 2006 IBC ????
 
IMO, ..I do not believe that the [ typical ] walk-in coolers are "occupiable space", but

if their size dictates another Exit, then that would need to be addressed [ i.e. - the

75 ft. travel distance limitation ].

The Mc-Large type of public accessed, walk-in cooler areas would fall in to an S-2

Occupancy Group, if they exceed the amount listed in Section 508.3.1 - Accessory

Occupancies, ...wouldn't they?

.
 
cda: Section 1015.3 would apply (I assume this is what you meant) if the cooler is 1,000sf or more. The OP didn't mention the size, so we can't determine if this section is applicable or not.

However, the OP states that the distance from the back of the cooler to the door is 36'. At this depth, the width of the cooler would have to be at least 27' (and the travel distance would even be much longer than the 86' that was mentioned), so I assume the cooler is less than 1,000sf.
 
rlga

sorry did not write it in code write

1015 # 3 2006 IBC which reads:

3. Single-level buildings with the occupied space at the

level of exit discharge provided that the story or space

complies with Section 1014.1 as a space with one means

of egress.
 
I think you're got the wrong Section for the 2006 IBC. What you've cited is in Section 1019.2 of the 2006 IBC.

This does not apply. The application of this item is to a single story building with a space (singular) that complies with spaces for one means of egress (Section 1015.1). So, if a one-room building complies with Section 1015.1, then it, too, can have one exit. The Code and Commentary also tends to consider that buildings with multiple spaces, where each space has a direct exit to the exterior (i.e. single-room tenant spaces within a strip mall), could also use this provision. Since the building in question has multiple spaces (at least two) and each space does not have a direct exit to the exterior, then only Table 1019.2 could apply, if travel distance and occupant load does not exceed the limitations in the Table.
 
rlga

talked about confused, been bouncing between sections and editions

yes as you sated:::

"""I think you're got the wrong Section for the 2006 IBC. What you've cited is in Section 1019.2 of the 2006 IBC."""

1019.2 # 3

3. Single-level buildings with the occupied space at the

level of exit discharge provided that the story or space

complies with Section 1014.1 as a space with one means

of egress.

and if I read what you think it means it appears it would only apply to one large open room

is this what you are saying???

I do not think the code when it says "space" means only one room
 
That's what I meant, but, then again, it's always a matter of interpretation.
 
no more occupible than a bathroom..

they need to provide winter coats to the employees who will "occupy" or it's an OSHA violation.
 
Space

Space, the Final Frontier

These are the voyages of the star ship Enterprise

It's four year mission to explore space

Seek out new life and new civilizations

To boldly go where no man has gone before!
 
RLGA said:
I would say it isn't according to the definition of occupiable space, specifically the phrase in bold below:"A room or enclosed space designed for human occupancy in which individuals congregate for amusement, educational or similar purposes or in which occupants are engaged in labor, and which is equipped with means of egress and light and ventilation facilities meeting the requirements of this code."
Click to expand...
In some circumstances (i.e., restaurant salad prep for large salad bars, inventory inspections, etc.) employees will be asked to perform job duties, or engage in labor, in the cooler, often spending 20-30 minutes at a time, if not more (a good way to tell is by looking at the equipment plan for the cooler and noting if there is a prep table listed, or just shelving). Obviously this may not be the case with this occupancy, however if it is to be occupied for labor activities it should comply with the definition quoted above and meet light and ventilation requirements, as well as travel distances.
 
Papio Bldg Dept said:
In some circumstances (i.e., restaurant salad prep for large salad bars, inventory inspections, etc.) employees will be asked to perform job duties, or engage in labor, in the cooler, often spending 20-30 minutes at a time, if not more (a good way to tell is by looking at the equipment plan for the cooler and noting if there is a prep table listed, or just shelving). Obviously this may not be the case with this occupancy, however if it is to be occupied for labor activities it should comply with the definition quoted above and meet light and ventilation requirements, as well as travel distances.
Click to expand...
I have been in designing restaurants and been in restaurant coolers during restaurant operations for thirty five years and never seen an employee do prep in the cooler. your restaurant's up there in Nebraska, must be slave operations to make them do prep in the coolers.

I.ve done meat packing operations and produce cold storage operations, but never a cooler in a restaurant.
 
RLGA said:
I would say it isn't according to the definition of occupiable space, specifically the phrase in bold below:"A room or enclosed space designed for human occupancy in which individuals congregate for amusement, educational or similar purposes or in which occupants are engaged in labor, and which is equipped with means of egress and light and ventilation facilities meeting the requirements of this code."
Click to expand...
2006 IBC

1204.1 Equipment and systems.

"Interior spaces intended for human occupancy shall be provided with active or passive space-heating systems capable of maintaining a minimum indoor temperature of 68°F (20°C) at a point 3 feet (914 mm) above the floor on the design heating day.

Exception: Interior spaces where the primary purpose is not associated with human comfort."

Coolers are not meant for human comfort.

As long as the cooling system is done per the requirements of the appropiate IMC, it meets that portion of the IBC definition of occupiable space.
 
mark h

worked at a a place six years and theyhad two people in a cooler making sandwiches for bag lunches, all the slicing equipment, meat, cheese, etc was in there

it was maybe 30 by 30 room at the most

never questioned why it was done in a cooler
 
I do not particularly like the idea of stating that a walk-in cooler is an occupiable space,

however, jhperez' listed code section kinda makes it plain to be listed that way. For me,

I have been getting hung up on the term "human occupancy." Whenever I think of "human

occupancy",...I am thinking a long term, having a consistent presence in a space or room.

One definition ( in a dictionary ) that I recently came across was occupancy = "use".

So I guess "occupiable space" means "use of space"! :o

Thanks for your input jhperez!

BTW, " BSSTG ", did you get your answer to this 3 page conundrum ?

.
 
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