Occupancy classification and exiting

[Arcal]

Recently an architect submitted a tenant improvement proposing a dance studio at the back of a commercial building. Not wanting to put a lot of money into the project he proposed using the existing walls which made it difficult getting two legal exits out of the building. Knowing that an A occupancy would require two exits he proposed breaking the business up into several B occupancies. If you can see from the picture, Studio A (26 ol), Studio C (11 ol), Changing Boys (1 ol) and Changing Girls (3 ol) all exit into Reception (4 ol) which totals 45 occupant load. This then exits into a foyer and out. The problem is when he included Studio B (20 ol) he had a problem. So to resolve this problem he created another exit out of Studio B. Obviously this second exit will never be used because it does not go through the Reception room. My gut reaction is that the main exit out of Studio C still goes through the reception creating an occupant load of 65 making it an A occupancy requiring two exits.

View attachment 2027

Temp11810.PDF

Temp11810.PDF

 

[Codegeek]

I'm only seeing one exit from each studio, which all go through the reception area, which won't work.

 

[fatboy]

I agree, two exits out of the entire area for the occupant load. I would argue it is still a B, doesn't change the requirement for two exits..........

"Training and skill development not within a school or academic program."

 

[steveray]

If 2 exits are required and provided, what is the issue? As long as he has exit seperation, and there are no issues with door swing, and the intervening room works, he might be able to do it....I have had dance studios A or B depending, and you you need to be really clear on how they are being used....

 

[Arcal]

Codegeek, Studio B has an exit through the Reception room on the left, but the architect also put an exit out of the right end. All of the other rooms, except the office, exit through the Reception room.

 

[cda]

How many sq ft is the entire lease space? Dance, office , reception

 

[Arcal]

Steveray, there are two exits only out of Studio B. I guess the question arises, can you separate studios out and call all of them a B occupancy having only one exit out of each because the occupant load in each is less than 49 or do you included all of the room together as a whole and require two exits out of the business? In reality, all of the Studios go through the reception room.

 

[Arcal]

cda, there close to 3,571 sq. ft. and the building is sprinklered.

 

[steveray]

Tenant space >50 OL 2 exits from space.....any room >50 2 exits from room...A or B does not matter in this regard....Adult dancing ((ala Arthur Murray) get your minds out of the gutter now)...I have done B....groups of kids and parents watching definetly pushing the A

 

[cda]

I am thinking two exits are required.

i think the problem is that besides the B studio, it seems like the other studios do not know there is an exit out of B????

So do you put signage to indicate that they can go through B???????

 

[Arcal]

I am going to reject the plans as drawn and require two exits out of the reception room. They are just trying to make a space that had a low occupant load work for this dance studio and do it with little effort.

 

[cda]

I am going to reject the plans as drawn and require two exits out of the reception room. They are just trying to make a space that had a low occupant load work for this dance studio and do it with little effort.

Can they get the separation ??

And why isn't the B exit legal??

 

[Arcal]

They can get the separation, if they redesign the floor plan. As far as the Studio B exit, if the reception room exits into Studio B, the occupant load would be over 65 requiring two exits out of that room.

 

[cda]

They can get the separation, if they redesign the floor plan. As far as the Studio B exit, if the reception room exits into Studio B, the occupant load would be over 65 requiring two exits out of that room.

No do not think that is correct

 

[Arcal]

Please explain, if I am looking at something wrong, I would like to hear.

 

[cda]

I do not think you add the occupant load to a room just because you exit through it,

Yes you do need the required exit width, which the door out of studio B has.

My concern or question is do you need exit signs also directing you into studio B as the second exit, besides exit signs out of the recepionist area???

1014.2 Egress through intervening spaces. Egress through intervening spaces shall comply with this section.

1. Egress from a room or space shall not pass through adjoining or intervening rooms or areas, except where such adjoining rooms or areas and the area served are accessory to one or the other, are not a Group H occupancy and provide a discernible path of egress travel to an exit.

Exception: Means of egress are not prohibited through adjoining or intervening rooms or spaces in a Group H, S or F occupancy when the adjoining or intervening rooms or spaces are the same or a lesser hazard occupancy group.

2. An exit access shall not pass through a room that can be locked to prevent egress.

3. Means of egress from dwelling units or sleeping areas shall not lead through other sleeping areas, toilet rooms or bathrooms.

4. Egress shall not pass through kitchens, storage rooms, closets or spaces used for similar purposes.

Exceptions:

1. Means of egress are not prohibited through a kitchen area serving adjoining rooms constituting part of the same dwelling unit or sleeping unit.

2. Means of egress are not prohibited through stockrooms in Group M occupancies when all of the following are met:

2.1. The stock is of the same hazard classification as that found in the main retail area;

2.2. Not more than 50 percent of the exit access is through the stockroom;

2.3. The stockroom is not subject to locking from the egress side; and

2.4. There is a demarcated, minimum 44-inch-wide (1118 mm) aisle defined by full- or partial-height fixed walls or similar construction that will maintain the required width and lead directly from the retail area to the exit without obstructions.

 

[Arcal]

cda, Thanks for your response. Even though I don't agree with your assessment of not adding the occupant load of the room that you are exiting through (see below), I appreciate your input. I am looking at the plans in a different way. Considering he added the second exit to Studio B, I don't have to add it to the tenant space. Therefore, the occupant load would be less than 49. I am going to accept the plans.

1004.1 Design occupant load. In determining means of egress requirements, the number of occupants for whom means of egress facilities shall be provided shall be determined in accordance with this section. Where occupants from accessory areas egress through a primary space, the calculated occupant load for the primary space shall include the total occupant load of the primary space plus the number of occupants egressing through it from the accessory area.

The 2013 code makes it even clearer: 1004.1 "In determining means of egress requirements, the number of occupants for whom means of egress facilities shall be provided shall be determined in accordance with this section. Where the path of egress travel includes intervening rooms, areas or spaces, cumulative occupant loads shall be determined in accordance with this section. Where occupants egress from one or more rooms, areas or spaces through others, the design occupant load shall be the combined occupant load of interconnected accessory or intervening spaces. Design of egress path capacity shall be based on the cumulative portion of occupant loads of all rooms, areas or spaces to that point along the path of egress travel."

 

[cda]

I agree with that, but this is a second exit, so there is another exit available

If it was the only room where exits are available, than yes two exits once you dump 50 in it

I think that is what it is saying

 

[Builder Bob]

I guess they never have dance recitals...........