Overhead door as egress component

[kurt999]

IBC 2024
IEBC 2024
Group B occupancy
Multistory office building with elevator
Building remodel project -- Level 3

Building has a partially exposed floor level that currently has only one existing egress path / door, plus the existing elevator.
We've proposed adding a new door in place of an existing window -- client doesn't like this idea due to some exterior grade issues, however this is actually feasible with a bit of extra work.
There is also a an existing commercial overhead door -- client wants to count this as an egress, and has suggested automatic opening upon fire alarm notification.

To my knowledge, this would not comply, and I'm not reading 1010.3.2 or 1010.3.3 as making this idea acceptable. Any thoughts?

Also, I'm aware of the commercial doors with an integrated person door -- never used them and am not sure of compliance as an egress component?

Thanks in advance.

 

[kurt999]

Apologies -- my post should be in the commercial codes forum.

 

[kurt999]

I reposted in the correct forum -- please respond there.

 

[arwat23]

It sounds like a typical overhead door wouldn't comply. Typically, the door needs to be usable without any special knowledge (overhead doors have a few different ways to operate them, so in an emergency some random person may not know how to operate it or it could be inoperable due to a power outage), probably needs to be accessible (operation included, so chains wouldn't work), and may have other issues (what if the overhead door is open but is blocked by a truck that was unloading/loading stuff?).

Not really sure how the overhead door with a person door would work (never used one or even seen one in person), but I would assume if it meets the requirements of Ch 10, it would be allowed as a second exit.

 

[steveray]

If it is "new" egress, it likely needs to be accessible and that is a real struggle with a lot of the special doors...Especially OH...