New Georgia Codes

[LGreene]

If there are any AHJs here from Georgia, I have a question about the newly-adopted codes. The Georgia building code amendments don't have a specific reference deleting Chapter 10, but the table on page 3 says that the Life Safety Code is used for Means of Egress. I just want to confirm that the egress requirements of the IBC do NOT apply and the egress requirements of NFPA 101 DO apply.

For example, the IBC requires panic hardware for certain use groups when the occupant load is 50 people or more. NFPA 101 requires panic hardware for certain occupancy classifications when the occupant load is 100 people or more. In Georgia, is it correct to say that panic hardware required for 100 people or more per NFPA 101 (in the applicable occupancy types), and the IBC requirement does not apply?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[georgia plans exam]

You are correct, Lori, in that the LSC takes precedence in the state of Georgia, as far as egress is concerned. In the Code Reference Guide on page 3 of the 2020 Georgia State Amendments to the 2018 IBC, you will see that the LSC is primary for the means of egress and the supplementary code is listed as "NONE". It is often misunderstood that none of IBC's Chapter 10 is enforceable, being titled as "means of egress". However, we still use certain requirements, such as guards, which are found in that chapter. That is why is was not deleted entirely, as was Chapter 11. We cannot override the requirements of the LSC with the egress requirements of the IBC.

GPE

 

[cda]

Now how does do you fit a 101 into a IBC, hopefully you have the three ring binder editions.

 

[georgia plans exam]

Our County Fire Marshal's office reviews the plans before they are even sent our way. On some projects it requires the State Fire Marshal's office.They also inspect projects in conjunction with our inspectors. It gets weird at times but, mostly works.

GPE