Pedestrian walkways

[Tim Mailloux]

I have a pedestrian walkway connecting the second floor levels of two buildings on the same site. Based on my reading of the code pedestrian walkways can be a means of egress from a building, but what type of exit are they? Horizontal exit, exit access corridor, other?

3104.7 Egress: Access shall be provided at all times to a pedestrian walkway that serves as a required exit

 

[classicT]

Without a floor plan, preferably a code analysis sheet showing the means of egress routes, we can't even really begin to discern what type of component it is. Who knows, it may even not be a part of the means of egress. Could just be a circulation path.

 

[JPohling]

pretty safe to say it is not a horizontal exit.

 

[classicT]

pretty safe to say it is not a horizontal exit.

I'd speculate to say it's a safe bet the walkway is not a component of an exit....

 

[Tim Mailloux]

I'd speculate to say it's a safe bet the walkway is not a component of an exit....

But 3104.7 indicated that is could be a required exit......just need to figure what options for exit type exist for the pedestrian walkway before I can design the egress.

3104.7 Egress: Access shall be provided at all times to a pedestrian walkway that serves as a required exit

 

[TheCommish]

it seems to me if the walkway is not considered part of either building and opening protectives and a rated wall at the connection point on each building, you could use it as an exit, at least as an access component


It seems to me you could you the walkway as an exit if both buildings have rated wall and opening protectives on them, at least it could be an exit access component.

I consider either side of a firewall a separate building and therefore the rated door assembly at the firewall an exit for either side.

 

[Bryant]

Treat it like a corridor for construction type, Horizontal exit, possibly? It would be an oddity in my opinion to have it designated as part of the exit without determining which way to go. I suppose someone could figure it out in the design criteria to have go both ways, but still seems strange when we think in terms of one linear direction and especially in an event, most people in a herd mentality will rush to one point, otherwise it becomes a standoff in the middle, not a good outcome in evacuation mode...

 

[Paul Sweet]

Would each building have adequate (capacity, separation distance, exit access distance, common path of travel, etc.)?

If so. then the pedestrian walkway would be considered as a space that you would need to provide egress from. If not, it would probably have to be considered as a horizontal exit.

 

[Bryant]

Would each building have adequate (capacity, separation distance, exit access distance, common path of travel, etc.)?

If so. then the pedestrian walkway would be considered as a space that you would need to provide egress from. If not, it would probably have to be considered as a horizontal exit.

Good point. really would be helpful to have conceptual plan. Though now that I'm thinking energy code these days, condition space comes to mind, but that doesn't necessarily affect the outcome of the egressing element here. If to assume equal separation distance on the walkway. start in the middle and go wither way?

 

[Haris]

Good ideas about pedestrian walkway. According to me exit access corridor you have to prefer.

 

[ADAguy]

Good ideas about pedestrian walkway. According to me exit access corridor you have to prefer.

Does not pedestrian "walkway" infer open air as in no ceiling?

 

[Paul Sweet]

Pedestrian walkways are grouped in with tunnels in IBC 3104, which implies covered or enclosed walkways on or above grade as well as elevated uncovered walkways.