Open, unrated, stair condition?

[Ryan Schultz]

The following is a 2 story, non-sprinklered Type VB.
1st floor: total renovation
2nd floor: existing
Question: Per 1019.3 exception 1, can that stair, circled in blue below, be un-enclosed and unrated?

Thank you Kindly, Ryan

 

[RLGA]

Short answer, yes.

 

[steveray]

CT still caps the OL at 10 people, but I believe it works on the unmodified IBC...

 

[Ryan Schultz]

Could the counter argument be that the wall around the stair is actually a corridor wall, that might need to be rated per TABLE 1020.1--as the (65) occupant load is greater than 30 occupants?

 

[Paul Sweet]

The occupant load of the front hall & entrance is (20 + 45)/2) = 33, not 65.

 

[Ryan Schultz]

The occupant load of the front hall & entrance is (20 + 45)/2) = 33, not 65.

Oh, I thought you had to assume one exit was blocked, for the load.

I guess regardless, 33>30, so in that regard would that wall around the stair need to be rated per TABLE 1020.1?

 

[Tim Mailloux]

Is there a conference room on the 2nd floor? that could easily posh the occ load over 30 people

 

[steveray]

Is there a conference room on the 2nd floor? that could easily posh the occ load over 30 people

But it still doesn't resolve the enclosed (allowed to be unenclosed) exit enclosure vs. corridor debate.......

 

[Paul Sweet]

If the stair is allowed to be unenclosed then the wall shouldn't be necessary. However, if a wall is provided (maybe for separating downstairs & upstairs tenants) then it probably needs to be rated, since the exceptions of 1028.1 don't seem to apply.