Question re: storage under stair landing on lowest level

[palikona]

Can the space under the landing of a stair on lowest level be used for storing any items, in a commercial space? The stair is not enclosed and the space underneath doesn't get in the way of egress.
Thanks for the help.

 

[e hilton]

Can’t quote chapter & verse ... but my experience has been that we had to install a guard rail to prevent access to that space. Might be different if it has sprinkler coverage.

 

[Paul Sweet]

The space can only be used for storage if it is separated from the stair enclosure with construction of the same fire rating as the stair enclosure (at least 1 hour), and the door to the space can't into the stair enclosure. (IBC 1011.7.3)

 

[BN4537]

Can’t quote chapter & verse ... but my experience has been that we had to install a guard rail to prevent access to that space. Might be different if it has sprinkler coverage.

My only experience with a guardrail blocking that space was for ADA, if the ceiling slopes down below 80", then you need a rail (or something) for a blind person's cane to hit before they hit their head.

There also may be NFPA 101 requirements in play if this is a question brought on by a visit from the Fire Marshal.

 

[IJHumberson]

"The stair is not enclosed and the space underneath doesn't get in the way of egress." ... So, there are no walls around the stair? Is this a convenience stair, or perhaps a stair to a mezzanine? If so, what is the occupancy of the 'commercial space'? If the stair is not enclosed, storage may require separation from other areas, depending on the occupancy classification of the space.

 

[e hilton]

My only experience with a guardrail blocking that space was for ADA, if the ceiling slopes down below 80", then you need a rail (or something) for a blind person's cane to hit before they hit their head.

Effectively prevents storing stuff too. :}

 

[Yikes]

The space can only be used for storage if it is separated from the stair enclosure with construction of the same fire rating as the stair enclosure (at least 1 hour), and the door to the space can't into the stair enclosure. (IBC 1011.7.3)

It appears that since the commercial space's stair is not enclosed, IBC 1011.7.3 has no applicability, because it only addresses interior stairs that have enclosures.

But that's if the stair in question is an interior stair. If it's an exterior stair that is open, then no use is allowed underneath.

 

[palikona]

Thanks for the replies. Currently the stsir comes down from level 2 of a two story building that the client owns. It’s not enclosed but does act as egress (one of two stairs) down from above, to the nearby exterior door.

This space would be accessed from the space adjacent to the landing, where the client is looking to store some xray equipment (this is a vet clinic). The building is non-sprinklered.

It sounds like we can build a small room under the landing with 1 hour rated construction and a rated door?

Should we discuss with the fire dept sooner than later?

Thank you all!!

 

[Paul Sweet]

I missed the "not enclosed" in your original post.

A rated room & door sounds like it should meet code, but it would be best to confirm it with the building & fire officials sooner rather than later.

 

[BGraves]

Newbie here, opening an old thread...

I have a large E-occupancy (new construction) under IBC 2018. Type IIB, sprinklered construction. My issue is this, we have (3) three identical classroom pod areas, two stories each, classrooms in a perimeter configuration, with an open egress stair, and upper floor feeding half of its occupant load to the lower level. This second floor is an "open to below," two-story space at the stair, in the center of the pod. At the lower level (exiting, ground level), we have a small bench area built into the under side of the stair with a finished soffit and no walls on three sides. When I initially viewed the plan upon hire at my current firm a few months ago, there WERE walls enclosing this area into a small, definable room. It was a bit...odd, that upon questioning, the design team did not know of the requirements in Section 1011.7.3, which I informed them of. The room was promptly replaced with the "open," arrangement described; built-in bench and no walls. This begs the question, how does the verbiage of said section apply to this? How does one rate an area such as this that is unenclosed, other than applying, say, shaftwall, to the underside of the stair, between/beneath the stringers, up to and including the deck area at the top of the landing...and where would that construction reasonably stop?

I'm not some newbie at building codes, and I've had to rate enclosed areas under stairs previously, however, this one is a bit strange, as I think the language is more than ambiguous, though the local AHJ has yet to pick any nits about this specific issue.

Any thoughts or direction would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Yikes]

Newbie here, opening an old thread...

I have a large E-occupancy (new construction) under IBC 2018. Type IIB, sprinklered construction. My issue is this, we have (3) three identical classroom pod areas, two stories each, classrooms in a perimeter configuration, with an open egress stair, and upper floor feeding half of its occupant load to the lower level. This second floor is an "open to below," two-story space at the stair, in the center of the pod. At the lower level (exiting, ground level), we have a small bench area built into the under side of the stair with a finished soffit and no walls on three sides. When I initially viewed the plan upon hire at my current firm a few months ago, there WERE walls enclosing this area into a small, definable room. It was a bit...odd, that upon questioning, the design team did not know of the requirements in Section 1011.7.3, which I informed them of. The room was promptly replaced with the "open," arrangement described; built-in bench and no walls. This begs the question, how does the verbiage of said section apply to this? How does one rate an area such as this that is unenclosed, other than applying, say, shaftwall, to the underside of the stair, between/beneath the stringers, up to and including the deck area at the top of the landing...and where would that construction reasonably stop?

I'm not some newbie at building codes, and I've had to rate enclosed areas under stairs previously, however, this one is a bit strange, as I think the language is more than ambiguous, though the local AHJ has yet to pick any nits about this specific issue.

Any thoughts or direction would be greatly appreciated.

1011.7.3 does not apply, because the space below the stairs is not enclosed.
Because it is not enclosed, it will not accumulate smoke or heat.
Also, many intentional fires are started in hidden, enclosed places. The lack of enclosure makes it less likely that nefarious activities will occur here.

 

[ICE]

What code will require and what is prudent can obviously be different. I’ve never heard of a situation that was too safe.