• Welcome to The Building Code Forum

    Your premier resource for building code knowledge.

    This forum remains free to the public thanks to the generous support of our Sawhorse Members and Corporate Sponsors. Their contributions help keep this community thriving and accessible.

    Want enhanced access to expert discussions and exclusive features? Learn more about the benefits here.

    Ready to upgrade? Log in and upgrade now.

Movie Theater handicapped exits

Y

YFD797

Member
Joined
Jun 20, 2011
Messages
27
Location
New York
A person told me she has a handicapped child and when she was in a movie the Fire alarm went off and she went out one of the exits and there was no way to get her wheelchair child down the stairs. I'm trying to look up the code in Chapter 10 for A-1 assembly but cannot find anything on handicapped ramps in any part of a movie theater?
 
Good question

Most theater showing rooms have the normal entrance you enter and exit

Than a second exit.

Do not know if the second exit has to be accessible ???
 
2012 IBC. I believe it came in with the 2006 edition

1007.1 Accessible means of egress required.

Accessible means of egress shall comply with this section. Accessible spaces shall be provided with not less than one accessible means of egress. Where more than one means of egress are required by Section 1015.1 or 1021.1 from any accessible space, each accessible portion of the space shall be served by not less than two accessible means of egress.

Exceptions:

1. Accessible means of egress are not required in alterations to existing buildings.

2. One accessible means of egress is required from an accessible mezzanine level in accordance with Section 1007.3, 1007.4 or 1007.5.

3. In assembly areas with sloped or stepped aisles, one accessible means of egress is permitted where the common path of travel is accessible and meets the requirements in Section 1028.8.
 
2012 IBC. I believe it came in with the 2006 edition1007.1 Accessible means of egress required.

Accessible means of egress shall comply with this section. Accessible spaces shall be provided with not less than one accessible means of egress. Where more than one means of egress are required by Section 1015.1 or 1021.1 from any accessible space, each accessible portion of the space shall be served by not less than two accessible means of egress.

Exceptions:

1. Accessible means of egress are not required in alterations to existing buildings.

2. One accessible means of egress is required from an accessible mezzanine level in accordance with Section 1007.3, 1007.4 or 1007.5.

3. In assembly areas with sloped or stepped aisles, one accessible means of egress is permitted where the common path of travel is accessible and meets the requirements in Section 1028.8.
Click to expand...
Seems like the normal theater set up

Handicap seats are in the middle seating area

And the second exit is handicap accessible ,,, till you open the exit door
 
Seems like the normal theater set up

Handicap seats are in the middle seating area

And the second exit is handicap accessible ,,, till you open the exit door
Click to expand...
Then the following code applies. Then again if the theater was built prior to the adoption of a second means of egress requirement then the building is code compliant.

1007.7 Exterior area for assisted rescue.

Exterior areas for assisted rescue shall be accessed by an accessible route from the area served. Exterior areas for assisted rescue shall be permitted in accordance with Section 1007.7.1 or 1007.7.2.

1007.7.1 Level of exit discharge.

Where the exit discharge does not include an accessible route from an exit located on a level of exit discharge to a public way, an exterior area of assisted rescue shall be provided on the exterior landing in accordance with Sections 1007.7.3 through 1007.7.6.

1007.7.2 Outdoor facilities.

Where exit access from the area serving outdoor facilities is essentially open to the outside, an exterior area of assisted rescue is permitted as an alternative to an area of refuge. Every required exterior area of assisted recue shall have direct access to an interior exit stairway, exterior stairway, or elevator serving as an accessible means of egress component. The exterior area of assisted rescue shall comply with Sections 1007.7.3 through 1007.7.6 and shall be provided with a two-way communication system complying with Sections 1007.8.1 and 1007.8.2.

1007.7.3 Size.

Each exterior area for assisted rescue shall be sized to accommodate wheelchair spaces in accordance with Section 1007.6.1.

1007.7.4 Separation.

Exterior walls separating the exterior area of assisted rescue from the interior of the building shall have a minimum fire-resistance rating of 1 hour, rated for exposure to fire from the inside. The fire-resistance-rated exterior wall construction shall extend horizontally 10 feet (3048 mm) beyond the landing on either side of the landing or equivalent fire-resistance-rated construction is permitted to extend out perpendicular to the exterior wall 4 feet (1219 mm) minimum on the side of the landing. The fire-resistance-rated construction shall extend vertically from the ground to a point 10 feet (3048 mm) above the floor level of the area for assisted rescue or to the roof line, whichever is lower. Openings within such fire-resistance-rated exterior walls shall be protected in accordance with Section 716.

1007.7.5 Openness.

The exterior area for assisted rescue shall be open to the outside air. The sides other than the separation walls shall be at least 50 percent open, and the open area shall be distributed so as to minimize the accumulation of smoke or toxic gases.

1007.7.6 Stairway.

Stairways that are part of the means of egress for the exterior area for assisted rescue shall provide a clear width of 48 inches (1219 mm) between handrails.

Exception: The clear width of 48 inches (1219 mm) between handrails is not required at stairways serving buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2.
 
Ouch (in what city?), then it is not ADA compliant vs local code. Accessible exits should be signed and where steps occur between the room and public way an area of refuge may be required.
 
Ouch (in what city?)' date=' then it is not ADA compliant vs local code. Accessible exits should be signed and where steps occur between the room and public way an area of refuge may be required.[/quote']But if the theater "room" you are in has access to one compliant exit, does the second required exit out of the "room"

Also has to be an accessible route ??
Click to expand...
 
Exception 3 is in consideration of the practical difficulties of providing accessible routes in assembly areas with sloped floors and stepped aisles. Rooms with more than 50 persons are required to have two means of egress; therefore, each accessible seating location is required to have access to two accessible means of egress. Depending on the slope of the seating arrangement, this can be difficult to achieve, especially in small theaters. A maximum travel distance of 30 feet (9144 mm) for ambulatory persons moving from the last seat in dead-end aisles or from box-type seating arrangements to where they have access to a choice of means of egress routes has been established in Section 1028.8. In accordance with Exception 3, persons using wheelchair seating spaces have the same maximum 30-foot (9144 mm) travel distance from the accessible seating locations to a cross aisle or out of the room to an adjacent corridor or space where two choices for accessible means of egress are provided. Note that there are increases in travel distance for smoke-protected seating and small spaces, such as boxes, galleries or balconies. For additional information, seeSection 1028.8.
 
But if the theater "room" you are in has access to one compliant exit, does the second required exit out of the "room"

Also has to be an accessible route ??
Click to expand...
ACCESSIBLE MEANS OF EGRESS. A continuous and unobstructed way of egress travel from any accessible point in a building or facility to a public way.

[TABLE=border: 1, cellpadding: 2, cellspacing: 0]

[TR]

[TD=bgcolor: #E9E9E9]

Accessible means of egress requirements are needed to provide those persons with physical disabilities or mobility impairments a means of egress to exit the building. Because of physical limitations, some occupants may need assistance to exit a building. See Section 1007 for requirements establishing areas where people can safely wait for assisted rescue. Chapter 4 of the IFC also includes requirements in the fire safety and evacuation plans for specific planning to address occupants who may need assistance in evacuation during emergencies. In addition, Chapter 9 of the code includes requirements for emergency evacuation notification for persons with hearing and vision disabilities.

The accessible means of egress requirements may not be the same route as that required for ingress into the building (see Sections 1104 and 1105). For example, a two-story building requires one accessible route to connect all accessible spaces within the building. The accessible route to the second level is typically by an elevator. During a fire emergency, persons with mobility impairments on the second level would be moving to the exit stairways for assisted rescue, not back the way they came in, via the elevator.[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]
 
We do not know what version and what code the design is base on. New York has it’s own version of the code.

There are exceptions to the two exits, including areas of rescue assistance.

We really do not know based on the info provided.
 
The key word is "required" exits must exit to public way without steps or provide an area of refuge or ?

If not required and not accessible then door must be signed as noted above.
 
From the OP :

"A person told me she has a handicapped child and when she was in a movie the Fire alarm went off and she went out one of the exits and there was no way to get her wheelchair child down the stairs."

If we knew the size of the landing, rating of the door assembly and wall, etc. we might determine that this was an exterior area of rescue.

If we knew whether or not signage directed occupants to an accessible exit and was not seen/heeded in the moment we might determine that there is no code violation.

If we knew the age of the building, dates of any alterations, topography in the vicinity of the stairs, etc. we might know where to start looking.
 
The movie theater is new
Click to expand...
I though he or she said it was new.................hence my reply on the compliant MOE the person traveled to get into the viewing area would be considered the "accessible" MOE and most likely compliant to meet code.
 
I though he or she said it was new.................hence my reply on the compliant MOE the person traveled to get into the viewing area would be considered the "accessible" MOE and most likely compliant to meet code.
Click to expand...
How about the second exit out of the viewing room???

Does that have to be accessable??
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top