Tim Mailloux
REGISTERED
Working on a new school project in a jurisdiction that uses both the IBC and NFPA 101, and when ever the two codes conflict the stricter or the two prevails. We have many rooms that are over 1000 SF and are subject to NFPA 101 14.2.5.4 which requires two exit access doors. Here is my question; if a classroom requires two exit access doors per 14.2.5.4, can one of those exit access doors be into a common corridor and the second exit access door be into an adjoining room provided it meets 14.2.5.5?
Unfortunately, NFPA 101 does not seem to have a definition for an Exit Access Door like the IBC does. Under the IBC definition an exit access door can lead into an intervening / adjoining space and the condition described above would be fine. The NFPA 101 handbook doesn’t show any examples of one of the required exist access doors per 14.2.5.4 going thru an intervening / adjoining space.
14.2.5.4 Every room or space larger than 1000 ft2 (93 m2) or with an occupant load of more than 50 persons shall comply with the following:
(1) The room or space shall have a minimum of two exit access doors.
(2) The doors required by 14.2.5.4(1) shall provide access to separate exits.
(3) The doors required by 14.2.5.4(1) shall be permitted to open onto a common corridor, provided that such corridor leads to separate exits located in opposite directions.
14.2.5.5 Every room that is normally subject to student occupancy shall have an exit access door leading directly to an exit access corridor or exit, unless otherwise permitted by the following:
(1) This requirement shall not apply where an exit door opens directly to the outside or to an exterior balcony or corridor as described in 14.2.5.9.
(2) One room shall be permitted to intervene between a normally occupied student room and an exit access corridor, provided that all of the following criteria are met:
(a) The travel from a room served by an intervening room to the corridor door or exit shall not exceed 75 ft (23 m).
(b) Clothing, personal effects, or other materials deemed hazardous by the authority having jurisdiction shall be stored in metal lockers, provided that they do not obstruct the exit access, or the intervening room shall be sprinklered in accordance with Section 9.7.
Unfortunately, NFPA 101 does not seem to have a definition for an Exit Access Door like the IBC does. Under the IBC definition an exit access door can lead into an intervening / adjoining space and the condition described above would be fine. The NFPA 101 handbook doesn’t show any examples of one of the required exist access doors per 14.2.5.4 going thru an intervening / adjoining space.
14.2.5.4 Every room or space larger than 1000 ft2 (93 m2) or with an occupant load of more than 50 persons shall comply with the following:
(1) The room or space shall have a minimum of two exit access doors.
(2) The doors required by 14.2.5.4(1) shall provide access to separate exits.
(3) The doors required by 14.2.5.4(1) shall be permitted to open onto a common corridor, provided that such corridor leads to separate exits located in opposite directions.
14.2.5.5 Every room that is normally subject to student occupancy shall have an exit access door leading directly to an exit access corridor or exit, unless otherwise permitted by the following:
(1) This requirement shall not apply where an exit door opens directly to the outside or to an exterior balcony or corridor as described in 14.2.5.9.
(2) One room shall be permitted to intervene between a normally occupied student room and an exit access corridor, provided that all of the following criteria are met:
(a) The travel from a room served by an intervening room to the corridor door or exit shall not exceed 75 ft (23 m).
(b) Clothing, personal effects, or other materials deemed hazardous by the authority having jurisdiction shall be stored in metal lockers, provided that they do not obstruct the exit access, or the intervening room shall be sprinklered in accordance with Section 9.7.
