In an effort to ease gb's mind, here is an additional response from my earlier post
Just posting an occupant load is an excercise in futility and means nothing since people do not pay attention to it, or even understand the significance of it. - No code section to cite - this is just an observation from many years of experienc.
Figure the highest likely occupant load and go from there. Section 1004.1.1.
If they need to add exits, so be it. Number of exits is based primarily on travel distance and number of occupants in a space. Section 1014.3 and Tables 1015.1, 1021.1 and 1021.2.
Two exits are required when the occupant load exceeds 49. See Tables referenced above.
Panic hardware is required if the occupant load exceeds 49. Section 1008.1.10.
Exit signs are reqquired when two or more exits are required. Section 1011.1.
Means of egress lighting is required. Sections 1006.1 and 1006.2.
If the occupant load is such that two means of egreess are required, emergency lighting is required. Section 1006.3 and 1006.4.
The code does permit exiting through another room. Section 1014.2.
if the separation of exits is adequate. When two exits are required, they must be separated in accordance with Section 1015.2.1. a distance equal to 1/2 the overall diagonal distance if no sprinkler system, 1/3 the overall diagonal distance permitted if the building has a sprinkler system.
If both rooms have an occupant load in excess of 49 and if one of the two means of egress from each room is through the other, then two doors connecting the rooms is required and one must swing in each direction. The citations have already been made except for the fact that when serving an occupant load of 49 or more, doors are required to swing in the direction of exit travel. Section 1008.1.2.
Therefore, if the second required exit for each space is through the other, the exit door from each space still needs to qualify as a code compliant exit door as noted above satisfying the requirements for door swing, panic hardware, exit signs, etc. The only way for this to happen is with two doors, one serving as a code compliant exit door from each space. This configuration often takes place in a corridor situation where the occupant loads on each side are greater than 49.
gb - I sincerely hope this helps to relive your anxiety that these statements were not based on code.
Just posting an occupant load is an excercise in futility and means nothing since people do not pay attention to it, or even understand the significance of it. - No code section to cite - this is just an observation from many years of experienc.
Figure the highest likely occupant load and go from there. Section 1004.1.1.
If they need to add exits, so be it. Number of exits is based primarily on travel distance and number of occupants in a space. Section 1014.3 and Tables 1015.1, 1021.1 and 1021.2.
Two exits are required when the occupant load exceeds 49. See Tables referenced above.
Panic hardware is required if the occupant load exceeds 49. Section 1008.1.10.
Exit signs are reqquired when two or more exits are required. Section 1011.1.
Means of egress lighting is required. Sections 1006.1 and 1006.2.
If the occupant load is such that two means of egreess are required, emergency lighting is required. Section 1006.3 and 1006.4.
The code does permit exiting through another room. Section 1014.2.
if the separation of exits is adequate. When two exits are required, they must be separated in accordance with Section 1015.2.1. a distance equal to 1/2 the overall diagonal distance if no sprinkler system, 1/3 the overall diagonal distance permitted if the building has a sprinkler system.
If both rooms have an occupant load in excess of 49 and if one of the two means of egress from each room is through the other, then two doors connecting the rooms is required and one must swing in each direction. The citations have already been made except for the fact that when serving an occupant load of 49 or more, doors are required to swing in the direction of exit travel. Section 1008.1.2.
Therefore, if the second required exit for each space is through the other, the exit door from each space still needs to qualify as a code compliant exit door as noted above satisfying the requirements for door swing, panic hardware, exit signs, etc. The only way for this to happen is with two doors, one serving as a code compliant exit door from each space. This configuration often takes place in a corridor situation where the occupant loads on each side are greater than 49.
gb - I sincerely hope this helps to relive your anxiety that these statements were not based on code.
:cheers