Locking 2nd exit door in office requiring only 1 exit?

[clubv]

Can I permanently lock 2nd exit door (located in new office) to exterior when occupancy (occupant load 8) only requires single exit? "Not an exit sign" required?

 

[walker.t]

Can I permanently lock 2nd exit door (located in new office) to exterior when occupancy (occupant load 8) only requires single exit? "Not an exit sign" required?

I am not familiar with a code provision to support what I’m about to say, IBC 1010.1 addresses doors required as part of the means of egress but you’re saying the door you want to lock is not required.

If the door looks like it could be an egress door but is not your building department may require a “Not an Exit” sign. Not sure what the door looks like or where it is located but here are a few things to consider:

1. If there’s an exit sign above the door or pointing towards the door location those exit signs should be removed.
2. If it is a storefront-style door I would suggest removing the closer and push/pull handles so it looks more like storefront glazing.
3. If it’s a regular door, I’d remove the handle and closer.

Considering that this is a small office my guess is the people working there will be familiar with the fact that the door is “permanently” locked and know to not use if for any purpose. Any customers will know the way they entered and the space sounds small enough they’re not going to get lost in the back of the space.

Not that it really matters, but do you really mean “permanently” locked - like welded shut or something?

 

[clubv]

Thanks for the suggestion walker.t , I was thinking of a keyed deadbolt might work.

 

[walker.t]

Thanks for the suggestion walker.t , I was thinking of a keyed deadbolt might work.

You’re welcome. A keyed deadbolt would let you put the door back in service relatively easily in the future if you wanted.

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

In addition to occupant load, you also need to address exit access travel distance and common path of travel distance. If all those are okay, then you can permanently lock the second door. If it were in my jurisdiction, I would require a "NOT AN EXIT" sign, and I'm certain my fire marshal would agree. If there is an exit sign over that door, it will have to be removed.

 

[walker.t]

In addition to occupant load, you also need to address exit access travel distance and common path of travel distance.

Good point, I erroneously focused only on occupant load without considering other requirements that could trigger the need a second exit.

 

[mark handler]

In addition to occupant load, you also need to address exit access travel distance and common path of travel distance. If all those are okay, then you can permanently lock the second door. If it were in my jurisdiction, I would require a "NOT AN EXIT" sign, and I'm certain my fire marshal would agree. If there is an exit sign over that door, it will have to be removed.

1013.1 Where Required
Exits and exit access doors...
Exceptions:
Exit signs are not required in rooms or areas that require only one exit or exit access.


Good Idea but that could extend to not an exit sign....

 

[mark handler]

Each doorway or passage along an exit access that could be mistaken for an exit must be marked "Not an Exit" or similar designation, or be identified by a sign indicating its actual use ... OSHA

https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.37#:~:text=Additionally%2C%20the%20line%2Dof%2D,be%20visible%20at%20all%20times.&text=Each%20doorway%20or%20passage%20along,use%20(e.g.%2C%20closet)

we do not enforce OSHA

 

[mark handler]

Not an Exit - I Dig Hardware - Answers to your door, hardware, and code questions from Allegion's Lori Greene.

I Dig Hardware - Answers to your door, hardware, and code questions from Allegion's Lori Greene. | Not an Exit | | This sign is on the OUTSIDE of a door on the gas station I frequent. I can't think of any reason it would be important to know that nobody will be exiting out of that door (UPDATE...

idighardware.com

 

[msjenkin]

I've got an issue similar to this. 2nd floor office space, occupant load of 15. One exit required, 2-hr interior exit stairway provided.

We have an additional unrated exit access stairway. We showed an exit sign in corridor leading to this unrated exit access stairway. Reviewers are requiring that exit sign to be removed. This door will be unlocked but it is not a "required exit" so they are telling us to remove sign.

I see the exception that says the exit sign is not "required" if only one exit is required, but is it prohibited? I understand the reasoning of directing occupants to the required rated exit stairway, but if we provide an additional unrated exit access stairway is it not safer to point occupants to that exit also?

 

[walker.t]

see the exception that says the exit sign is not "required" if only one exit is required, but is it prohibited?

You are asking if you can label an exit access stairway as an exit.

2018 IBC definition of “Exit Access Stairway”
A stairway within the exit access portion of the means of egress system.

Because the exit access stairway is not a component of the exit system it should not be labeled as an exit.

2018 IBC partial definition of “Exit”
That portion of a means of egress system between the exit access and exit discharge or public way. Exit components include…interior exit stairways…

Depending on the parameters of your building (such as size, whether it is sprinklered, and the location of other exits) you may not meet the exit access travel distance limitations (see IBC Table 1017.2) if you measure the path of travel down the exit access stairway. With that in mind, it may have been necessary to construct the exit stairway so people can reach a protected exit component within the exit access travel distance limitation.

A scenario I can imagine is that a fire breaks out in the building, the exit access stairway (which doesn’t have a rating) catches on fire, occupants follow the exit sign to the exit access stairway and when they open the door the stairway is filled with smoke from the fire on the first floor. Then they need to turn around and follow the exit signs to the “real” exit stairway with the rating. With no exit sign on the door to the exit access stairway they head in the right direction the first time.

is it not safer to point occupants to that exit also?

I think the code is saying it’s safer to go down the stairway with the 2-hour rating. You know it’s going to be connected to a protected path that leads to the exit discharge, that exit access stairway may open to a lobby or some other area where there’s a fire.

2018 IBC 1022.1 (partial quote)
Once a given level of exit protection is achieved, such level of protection shall not be reduced until arrival at the exit discharge. Exits shall be continuous from the point of entry into the exit to the exit discharge.

 

[msjenkin]

Thanks for the responses!

 

[walker.t]

Thanks for the responses!

You’re welcome!

 

[Mr. Inspector]

Each doorway or passage along an exit access that could be mistaken for an exit must be marked "Not an Exit" or similar designation, or be identified by a sign indicating its actual use ... OSHA

https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.37#:~:text=Additionally%2C%20the%20line%2Dof%2D,be%20visible%20at%20all%20times.&text=Each%20doorway%20or%20passage%20along,use%20(e.g.%2C%20closet)

we do not enforce OSHA

Do we now require all the closets, toilet rooms and doors to other rooms that do not have an exit in them to have a "Not an Exit sign" on the outside of them?

 

[steveray]

You are asking if you can label an exit access stairway as an exit.


Because the exit access stairway is not a component of the exit system it should not be labeled as an exit.


Depending on the parameters of your building (such as size, whether it is sprinklered, and the location of other exits) you may not meet the exit access travel distance limitations (see IBC Table 1017.2) if you measure the path of travel down the exit access stairway. With that in mind, it may have been necessary to construct the exit stairway so people can reach a protected exit component within the exit access travel distance limitation.

A scenario I can imagine is that a fire breaks out in the building, the exit access stairway (which doesn’t have a rating) catches on fire, occupants follow the exit sign to the exit access stairway and when they open the door the stairway is filled with smoke from the fire on the first floor. Then they need to turn around and follow the exit signs to the “real” exit stairway with the rating. With no exit sign on the door to the exit access stairway they head in the right direction the first time.


I think the code is saying it’s safer to go down the stairway with the 2-hour rating. You know it’s going to be connected to a protected path that leads to the exit discharge, that exit access stairway may open to a lobby or some other area where there’s a fire.

I'm going to say nay, nay to that as we put exit signs in corridors and general circulation paths (exit access) all the time....You put braille signs at the "entrance to an exit" (IBC 1013.4), you put exit signs along the path to an exit....

But that is a little OT....If it is not a required MOE door and not provided for egress, then you can kinda do what you want

 

[bill1952]

You are asking if you can label an exit access stairway as an exit.


Because the exit access stairway is not a component of the exit system it should not be labeled as an exit.


Depending on the parameters of your building (such as size, whether it is sprinklered, and the location of other exits) you may not meet the exit access travel distance limitations (see IBC Table 1017.2) if you measure the path of travel down the exit access stairway. With that in mind, it may have been necessary to construct the exit stairway so people can reach a protected exit component within the exit access travel distance limitation.

A scenario I can imagine is that a fire breaks out in the building, the exit access stairway (which doesn’t have a rating) catches on fire, occupants follow the exit sign to the exit access stairway and when they open the door the stairway is filled with smoke from the fire on the first floor. Then they need to turn around and follow the exit signs to the “real” exit stairway with the rating. With no exit sign on the door to the exit access stairway they head in the right direction the first time.


I think the code is saying it’s safer to go down the stairway with the 2-hour rating. You know it’s going to be connected to a protected path that leads to the exit discharge, that exit access stairway may open to a lobby or some other area where there’s a fire.

I don't agree. Exit signs are required (and should be permitted) at exit access components all the time. Lots of buildings where there is nothing but the exit discharge and plenty of exit signs required before you get there.

 

[walker.t]

you put exit signs along the path to an exit....

I think we’re in agreement. You put exit signs along the path to an exit - I said that I thought the sign should be removed because it was leading to an exit access component.

Lots of buildings where there is nothing but the exit discharge and plenty of exit signs required before you get there.

That’s not the scenario described in #10. Seemed to me that if there are two stairs, one an exit access stairway and the other an exit stairway, that only the exit stairway should be labeled as an exit because that’s the protected path of egress travel.

 

[walker.t]

I just noticed that #10 is a duplicate post, see this thread:

M

Thread 'Additional exit sign to non-required exit prohibited?'

Dec 31, 2024

2nd floor office space, occupant load of 15. One exit required, 2-hr interior exit stairway provided.

We have an additional unrated exit access stairway. We showed an exit sign in corridor leading to this unrated exit access stairway. Reviewers are requiring that exit sign to be removed. This door will be unlocked but it is not a "required exit" so they are telling us to remove sign.

I see the exception in 1013.1 that says the exit sign is not "required" if only one exit is required, but is it prohibited? I understand the reasoning of directing occupants to the required rated exit...

• msjenkin
• Replies: 28
• Forum: Commercial Building Codes

 

[bill1952]

I think we’re in agreement. You put exit signs along the path to an exit - I said that I thought the sign should be removed because it was leading to an exit access component.


That’s not the scenario described in #10. Seemed to me that if there are two stairs, one an exit access stairway and the other an exit stairway, that only the exit stairway should be labeled as an exit because that’s the protected path of egress travel.

I don't believe it's labeling it as a code compliant "exit", as if John W Public would know the difference anyways, but is just directional signage leading to a way out of the building. And in this example both paths do lead to an exit eventually.

What would be helpful is to know if the not-an-exit way out is reqularily used. Research shows in an emergency occupants will attempt to egress on the path they are familiar with.

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

Can I permanently lock 2nd exit door (located in new office) to exterior when occupancy (occupant load 8) only requires single exit? "Not an exit sign" required?

If it's locked, it isn't an exit door.

Yes, a "NOT AN EXIT" sign would be required, and there should NOT be any "EXIT" signs directing occupants to the not-an-exit.

 

[walker.t]

Yes, a "NOT AN EXIT" sign would be required, and there should NOT be any "EXIT" signs directing occupants to the not-an-exit.

Your comment made me think of how we can’t conceal exit doors:

Partial quote of 2018 IBC 1010.1
Means of egress doors shall not be concealed by curtains, drapes, decorations or similar materials.

We have to make the egress system readily apparent - can’t hide an exit door or present a not-an-exit door in a manner to make it look like an exit door.

 

[Mr. Inspector]

Yes, a "NOT AN EXIT" sign would be required

What section that requires this.

If the doors look all the same in a small office, one for the exit, one for a toilet room and one for a closet I don't believe the code requires any signs.

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

NFPA 101:7.10.8.3.1

7.10.8.3.1​

Any door, passage, or stairway that is neither an exit nor a way of exit access and that is located or arranged so that it is likely to be mistaken for an exit shall be identified by a sign that reads as follows:
NO

EXIT

 

[bill1952]

"likely to be mistaken"? I guess I'll know it when I see it.