Movie Theater handicapped exits

[Acina]

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.

I am having trouble finding what the laws/ codes are for Spokane Washington....I know in the theater I go to I can not get to the emergency exit because of stairs....I would have to go back through the theater, through the hallways then through the mall and out the mail exit.

 

[north star]

! ~ ! ~ !

Acina,

Welcome to The Building Codes Forum !
So that the Forum can attempt to answer your question(s),
...what Codes & edition are applicable in your location ?

! ~ ! ~ !

 

[steveray]

Part of the problem is that the building only has to be maintained to the code it was constructed to unless there is an ADA piece that regulates egress...So to properly assess an existing building, we would have to know when it was built and to what code.....

 

[Acina]

steveray, post: 182986, member: 262"]Part of the problem is that the building only has to be maintained to the code it was constructed to unless there is an ADA piece that regulates egress...So to properly assess an existing building, we would have to know when it was built and to what code.....

Thank you for replying --- NorthTown Mall (Spokane, Washington) NorthTown Mall is shopping mall located in Spokane, Washington. The shopping mall first opened in 1955 and has been expanded several times, with its biggest expansion occurring between 1989 and 1991. Since March 2002, the center has been owned by General Growth Properties.

 

[cda]

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.

FM

Where are you??

 

[cda]

steveray, post: 182986, member: 262"]Part of the problem is that the building only has to be maintained to the code it was constructed to unless there is an ADA piece that regulates egress...So to properly assess an existing building, we would have to know when it was built and to what code.....

Thank you for replying --- NorthTown Mall (Spokane, Washington) NorthTown Mall is shopping mall located in Spokane, Washington. The shopping mall first opened in 1955 and has been expanded several times, with its biggest expansion occurring between 1989 and 1991. Since March 2002, the center has been owned by General Growth Properties.

Have you talked to the actual theater manager, and ask where all the accessiable exits are???

 

[Acina]

FM

Where are you??

I'm in Spokane WA

 

[cda]

I'm in Spokane WA

I was looking for FM the poster,,


But suggest talk to the manager

 

[Acina]

I was looking for FM the poster,,


But suggest talk to the manager

Sorry I realized that after I hit reply lol We did talk to the manager......they quote us outdated regulations....they don't listen

 

[mtlogcabin]

The Building is compliant and only one accessible means of egress is required. The ADA standards refer to the 2003 IBC which only requires 2 accessible means of egress for NEW construction not existing buildings or when alteration or change of occupancy occur.

2010 ADA standards
207 Accessible Means of Egress
207.1 General. Means of egress shall comply with section 1003.2.13 of the International Building Code (2000 edition and 2001 Supplement) or section 1007 of the International Building Code (2003 edition) (incorporated by reference, see "Referenced Standards" in Chapter 1).

EXCEPTIONS:
1. Where means of egress are permitted by local building or life safety codes to share a common path of egress travel, accessible means of egress shall be permitted to share a common path of egress travel.

2. Areas of refuge shall not be required in detention and correctional facilities.

2003 IBC
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 is required by Section 1014.1 or 1018.1 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 or 1007.4.
3. In assembly spaces with sloped floors, one accessible means of egress is required from a space where the common path of travel of the accessible route for access to the wheelchair spaces meets the requirements in Section 1024.9.

3409.5 Alterations.
A building, facility or element that is altered shall comply with the applicable provisions in Chapter 11 and ICC A117.1, unless technically infeasible. Where compliance with this section is technically infeasible, the alteration shall provide access to the maximum extent technically feasible.
Exceptions:
1. The altered element or space is not required to be on an accessible route, unless required by Section 3409.6.
2. Accessible means of egress required by Chapter 10 are not required to be provided in existing buildings and facilities.

 

[cda]

Question would be

What year was the theater built

Which building code and year

 

[mtlogcabin]

Thank you for replying --- NorthTown Mall (Spokane, Washington) NorthTown Mall is shopping mall located in Spokane, Washington. The shopping mall first opened in 1955 and has been expanded several times, with its biggest expansion occurring between 1989 and 1991. Since March 2002, the center has been owned by General Growth Properties.

Before ADA or the IBC
Two accessible means of egress where never required in the Legacy codes unless locally ammended

 

[mark handler]

Spokane BUILDING CODE based on the International Building Code
MINIMUM OF TWO EXITS OTHER THAN ELEVATORS
SECTION 1105 ACCESSIBLE ENTRANCES 1105.1 Public entrances.
...
All exterior exits that are located adjacent to accessible areas and within 6 inches of grade shall be accessible.


Previously Seattle was under the UBC and exits were required to be accessible.

 

[mark handler]

Spokane prior to 2000 was under the UBC
This is from the 1982 UNIFORM BUILDING CODE:
3305(f) Changes in Elevation. When a corridor or exterior exit balcony is accessible
to the handicapped, changes in elevation of the floor shall be made by means
of a ramp, except as provided for doors by Section 3304 (h).

 

[mtlogcabin]

The theater is in Spokane not Seattle

 

[mark handler]

The theater is in Spokane not Seattle

Okay, Spokane is Currently under the 2015 Washington State Building Code.

Washington State Building Code prior to 2000 was under the UBC
This is from the 1982 UNIFORM BUILDING CODE:
3305(f) Changes in Elevation. When a corridor or exterior exit balcony is accessible
to the handicapped, changes in elevation of the floor shall be made by means
of a ramp, except as provided for doors by Section 3304 (h).