maintaining a exit during construction?

[ccollings]

we are doing a small addition to a school. this addition extends an existing corridor and will temporarily block an exit during construction but a new exit will be part of the addition. what does the code say about temporarily blocking an exit? Do we need to provide a temporary exit?

 

[chris macko]

If the building is going to remain occupied during construction, you need to provide all the code required egress. Sometimes you can provide a path through the construction area as long as it's protected, but I'm not sure if that's allowed for a school.

 

[steveray]

Look at IBC Ch. 33 and speak to the local AHJ's

 

[RLGA]

If your jurisdiction has adopted the IEBC, look at Section 1505.2.

 

[Inspector Gadget]

Does NFPA 101 apply in your area?

 

[phillier937]

we are doing a small addition to a school. this addition extends an existing corridor and will temporarily block an exit during construction but a new exit will be part of the addition. what does the code say about temporarily blocking an exit? Do we need to provide a temporary exit?

I definitely do - I recently marked this on a recent school project. As noted by Steveray it is required in 3302.1 Alterations, Repairs and Additions in our code. Also our Fire Marshal has his own requirements.

In my previous life as an architect I almost always documented temporary walls and temporary routes for this reason. If only to make sure the project worked, the owner understood the impact, as well as contractors knew their in and out routes expected.

 

[ccollings]

I definitely do - I recently marked this on a recent school project. As noted by Steveray it is required in 3302.1 Alterations, Repairs and Additions in our code. Also our Fire Marshal has his own requirements.

In my previous life as an architect I almost always documented temporary walls and temporary routes for this reason. If only to make sure the project worked, the owner understood the impact, as well as contractors knew their in and out routes expected.

we've worked it out the schedule with the contractor so that the rework of the exit won't happen until summer when that part of the building is unoccupied.

 

[Genduct]

we are doing a small addition to a school. this addition extends an existing corridor and will temporarily block an exit during construction but a new exit will be part of the addition. what does the code say about temporarily blocking an exit? Do we need to provide a temporary exit?

Is the exit really blocked OR is the use of the exit DISCOURAGED
Seems if the Construction workers can use this exit AND they could act as a DeFacto FIRE WATCH and could react to an emergency situation Then, with the approval of the Fire People, this could be deemed a Doable and Safe situation.

It would take some reasonable people to access the situation aka Risk Analysis

 

[Msradell]

Is the exit really blocked OR is the use of the exit DISCOURAGED
Seems if the Construction workers can use this exit AND they could act as a DeFacto FIRE WATCH and could react to an emergency situation Then, with the approval of the Fire People, this could be deemed a Doable and Safe situation.

It would take some reasonable people to access the situation aka Risk Analysis

While I agree that the contractors may be using it as an entry/exit that doesn't mean it's usable by the people in the building. There could be multiple safety hazards encountered by using that exit and in many cases it isn't going to be accessible to those with disabilities.

 

[Genduct]

While I agree that the contractors may be using it as an entry/exit that doesn't mean it's usable by the people in the building. There could be multiple safety hazards encountered by using that exit and in many cases it isn't going to be accessible to those with disabilities.

I agree with you and hence the need for a Risk Assessment to determine if there is a way to limit the use of the exit while construction is on going without losing access to the exit in case of an emergency. So perhaps there continues to be one exit when you need two to conform
If the contractor maintained a clear path that could be used in case of a problem. then you have met the intent of the code