Open Exit Stair

[Dominic]

I know this has been asked in the past but i am still confused.

I have a 2-stroy R-2 building. Double loaded 1 hour rated corridor, 10 units down and 10 units up. Code requries 2 exits stairs. I would like to have one of the exits open using exemption 1019.3.4. However 1023.2 states exit stairs need to be a min. 1 hour.

If the corridor has 1 hour rating and follow exemption 1019.3.4 does this meet code?

712.9.4 states R occupicancy can not have 2 story openings. How does this apply?

 

[RLGA]

What code edition are you using?

 

[cda]

Welcome

 

[steveray]

1019.3 Occupancies other than Groups I-2 and I-3. In other than Group I-2 and I-3 occupancies, floor openings containing exit access stairways or ramps that do not comply with one of the conditions listed in this section shall be enclosed with a shaft enclosure constructed in accordance with Section 713.
1. Exit access stairways and ramps that serve or atmospherically communicate between only two stories. Such interconnected stories shall not be open to other stories.

 

[Dominic]

I am unsing 2018 IBC.

I should also note the max travel distanve from the furthest point on the second floor to the main exit door is 170'. Below the 250' by code.

 

[Dominic]

1019.3 Occupancies other than Groups I-2 and I-3. In other than Group I-2 and I-3 occupancies, floor openings containing exit access stairways or ramps that do not comply with one of the conditions listed in this section shall be enclosed with a shaft enclosure constructed in accordance with Section 713.
1. Exit access stairways and ramps that serve or atmospherically communicate between only two stories. Such interconnected stories shall not be open to other stories.

Yes but 1019.3.4 Allows a draft curtain and closey spaced sprinkler heads at opening. I am sayting this would allow me to have an open stair if I meet these requiments.

 

[RLGA]

I am unsing 2018 IBC.

I should also note the max travel distanve from the furthest point on the second floor to the main exit door is 170'. Below the 250' by code.

I was looking for an exception to Section 1019.3.4. There is no Section 1019.3.4 and there are no exceptions--only "conditions." I suggest in the future referring to exceptions/conditions such as the following: "Section 1019.3 Condition 4." Also, there is no Section 712.9.4--I'm assuming you mean Section 719.1.9 and referring specifically to condition 4.

What steveray posted is the better of the exceptions in Section 1019.3. Since you only have a 2-story building, Exception 1 would allow both of your stairs to be open without any draft curtains or closely spaced sprinklers.

Section 719.1.9 refers to vertical opens. Section 1019.3 refers to exit access stairs. Section 1019.3 is more specific than Section 719.1.9; thus, per Section 102.1, the more specific requirement takes precedence over the more general requirement.

 

[classicT]

I was looking for an exception to Section 1019.3.4. There is no Section 1019.3.4 and there are no exceptions--only "conditions." I suggest in the future referring to exceptions/conditions such as the following: "Section 1019.3 Condition 4." Also, there is no Section 712.9.4--I'm assuming you mean Section 719.1.9 and referring specifically to condition 4.

What steveray posted is the better of the exceptions in Section 1019.3. Since you only have a 2-story building, Exception 1 would allow both of your stairs to be open without any draft curtains or closely spaced sprinklers.

Section 719.1.9 refers to vertical opens. Section 1019.3 refers to exit access stairs. Section 1019.3 is more specific than Section 719.1.9; thus, per Section 102.1, the more specific requirement takes precedence over the more general requirement.

Ron, it looks like he is from Albany, NY. Albany has adopted the New York Uniform Building & Fire Code.

I was trying to follow his code references as well, and hit a brick wall. While the answers that you provided are spot on, I lack any familiarity with the NY-UBFC and would speculate that this may be the source of some confusion.

 

[Dominic]

I was looking for an exception to Section 1019.3.4. There is no Section 1019.3.4 and there are no exceptions--only "conditions." I suggest in the future referring to exceptions/conditions such as the following: "Section 1019.3 Condition 4." Also, there is no Section 712.9.4--I'm assuming you mean Section 719.1.9 and referring specifically to condition 4.

What steveray posted is the better of the exceptions in Section 1019.3. Since you only have a 2-story building, Exception 1 would allow both of your stairs to be open without any draft curtains or closely spaced sprinklers.

Section 719.1.9 refers to vertical opens. Section 1019.3 refers to exit access stairs. Section 1019.3 is more specific than Section 719.1.9; thus, per Section 102.1, the more specific requirement takes precedence over the more general requirement.

Thank you! and will refer to conditons as noted.

 

[classicT]

From the NY-UBFC - -

712.1.9 Two-Story Openings
In other than Groups I-2 and I-3, a vertical opening that is not used as one of the applications listed in this section shall be permitted if the opening complies with all of the items below:

1. Does not connect more than two stories.
2. Does not penetrate a horizontal assembly that separates fire areas or smoke barriers that separate smoke compartments.
3. Is not concealed within the construction of a wall or a floor/ceiling assembly.
4. Is not open to a corridor in Group I and R occupancies.
5. Is not open to a corridor on nonsprinklered floors.
6. Is separated from floor openings and air transfer openings serving other floors by construction conforming to required shaft enclosures.

1019.3 Occupancies Other Than Groups I-2 and I-3
In other than Group I-2 and I-3 occupancies, floor openings containing exit access stairways or ramps that do not comply with one of the conditions listed in this section shall be enclosed with a shaft enclosure constructed in accordance with Section 713.

1. Exit access stairways and ramps that serve or atmospherically communicate between only two stories. Such interconnected stories shall not be open to other stories.
2. In Group R-1, R-2 or R-3 occupancies, exit access stairways and ramps connecting four stories or less serving and contained within an individual dwelling unit or sleeping unit or live/work unit.
3. Exit access stairways serving and contained within a Group R-3 congregate residence or a Group R-4 facility are not required to be enclosed.
4. Exit access stairways and ramps in buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, where the area of the vertical opening between stories does not exceed twice the horizontal projected area of the stairway or ramp and the opening is protected by a draft curtain and closely spaced sprinklers in accordance with NFPA 13. In other than Group B and M occupancies, this provision is limited to openings that do not connect more than four stories.
5. Exit access stairways and ramps within an atrium complying with the provisions of Section 404.
6. Exit access stairways and ramps in open parking garages that serve only the parking garage.
7. Exit access stairways and ramps serving open-air seating complying with the exit access travel distance requirements of Section 1029.7.
8. Exit access stairways and ramps serving the balcony, gallery or press box and the main assembly floor in occupancies such as theaters, places of religious worship, auditoriums and sports facilities.​