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Lifeguard Station and Accessible Means of Egress

jar546

jar546

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Would an ocean life guard station be required to have an accessible means of egress?

I think not, as it is an employee area and the job itself requires complete mobility, and functional sight and hearing.
 
jar546 said:
I think not, as it is an employee area and the job itself requires complete mobility, and functional sight and hearing.
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I think you are correct for the reasons you stated. I looked online to see what the physical requirements for lifeguards should be, I found references to strong swimming skills, vision, and strength. Logically, if you can’t get up into the lifeguard stand in the first place, you can’t do the job in the water.

2021 IBC 1103.2.6 states that lifeguard stands are exempt from Chapter 11 because they are a “raised area used primarily for purposes of security, life safety or fire safety including…lifeguard stands”.
 
I would say not. An accessible means of egress is not required from areas that are not required to be accessible (2003 IBC, Section 1007.1, as referenced by the ADA Standards, Section 207.1). Two locations within the ADA Standards could be used to exempt lifeguard stations:
  • Exception 1, ADAS Section 206.2.3: A facility less than three stories and less than 3000 sq. ft. is not required to be accessible.
  • Exception 2, ADAS Section 206.2.3: The occupant load of a lifeguard station is less than 5 people and does not contain public use space is not required to be accessible.
 
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Stand yes, "station" I would have to look more thoroughly, and I hate the beach....If there are any "admin" functions that do not do rescue at any given time I would say accessibility would be required...Do they have light duty work? You have to be able bodied to be a firefighter, but fire stations are not exempt...
 
ADASAD 206.2.3 is for accessible routes connecting each story. I agree with Steveray that it depends what a station is. If it is basically an office then the ground floor would have to be accessible.

Lifeguard stands would be exempt under ADASAD 203.3 and IBC 1103.2.6.
 
Paul Sweet said:
ADASAD 206.2.3 is for accessible routes connecting each story. I agree with Steveray that it depends what a station is. If it is basically an office then the ground floor would have to be accessible.

Lifeguard stands would be exempt under ADASAD 203.3 and IBC 1103.2.6.
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Paul, you are correct--I missed that one.
 

203.3​

Areas raised primarily for purposes of security, life safety, or fire safety, including but not limited to, observation or lookout galleries, prison guard towers, fire towers, or life guard stands shall not be required to comply with these requirements or to be on an accessible route.
 
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