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Section 1019 in the IBC

globe trekker

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Oct 19, 2009
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Good afternoon to ya'll!

I have an existing 2 story building that was a restaraunt ( an A-2 ) in the past,

...upstairs & downstairs dining areas.

A new owner wants to convert this building in to a Type "B" - ( Offices only )

upstairs, ...a Type "M" for part of the downstairs ( selling tennis related gear ),

and a Type "A-3" for the rest of the area downstairs.

The OL for the Type "B" area is 13 occupants.

From the most remote point in the upstairs area, the travel distance down a

set of enclosed stairs ( no elevator ), to the actual exit ( door ) is approx. 85 ft.

The entire building wil be fully sprinkled.

Table 1016.1 allows up to 300 ft. travel distance when sprinkled, for the

Type "B" upstairs.

Table 1019.1 requires 2 exits per story.

QUESTION # 1: Would the existing stairs AND a compliant EERO window meet

the requirements of the 2 exits per story, or does it have to be 2 separate doors?

QUESTION # 2: Would the travel distance in Table 1019.2, for a 2 story, Type

"B" apply ( travel distance = 75 ft. )?

Thanks for your input! :)

As always, please cite the various code sections. We are on the 2006 I-codes.

.
 
Could the upper floor be a mezzanine to the lower flow with an occupant load of less than 50 so only one exit is required. the mezz is not required to be "open" to the floor below if it has a separate exit.
 
What about Table 1015.1? Wouldn't that allow you to only require 1 exit? Above grade plane? Exterior stairs?? Maybe??

What about if it was legal at the time of construction? Is B less of a hazard than Mercantile?

Just throwing out stuff here.....
 
Last edited by a moderator:
QUESTION # 1: Would the existing stairs AND a compliant EERO window meet

the requirements of the 2 exits per story, NO

QUESTION # 2: Would the travel distance in Table 1019.2, for a 2 story, Type

"B" apply ( travel distance = 75 ft. )? YES



"the travel distance down a set of enclosed stairs" Is the stair or can it be made a vertical exit enclosure that leads directly outside? If so the 75 ft travel distance would be measuredto the point where you enter the vertical exit enclosure.

 
Per 1019.2, only one exit is required from the upstairs B, assuming you can meet travel distance of 75 feet.

You generally stop measuring travel distance at the point of entry into an exit enclosure. The exit enclosure is an exit by definition; you don't have to measure all the way to the exterior door. If your enclosed stairwell is an exit enclosure, you're good to go.
 
Coug Dad,

Not sure that I can justify identifying the upstairs area as a mezzanine. Section 505.4, Exception #1

limits the OL to " 10 ". Also, wouldn't Section 505.1 contribute to the building area by having a

separate Occupancy Group [ the "B" ], ...just asking. The area upstairs does have 2 separate

office spaces with doors, plus one open office area with a counter. Only one stairway leading

up to & down from the upstairs. Your thoughts!

Mule,

Section 1014.3, Exception #1 & #2 allow a 100 ft. travel distance when sprinkled. Not sure

anything was "legal" when it was constructed. Too much has slipped through the cracks

so-to-speak ( i.e. - no code enforcement or adherence ). Your thoughts!

mtlogcabin,

I am leaning towards agreeing with yours & permitguy' interpretations,

...hence that is why I am asking the questions. When entering the stairwell

upstairs, there is no door, ...fully open. Only at the bottom of the stairway

is it enclosed and has a door. Another [ approx. 15 ft. ] to the exterior door

leading directly to the exterior of the bldg.

My thought is to have the contractor install another exterior type door that

leads directly to the exterior of the bldg. within the 75 ft.travel distance

limitation, but I DID want to get ya'lls input first. I am thinking of citing

Section 1019.2.

Now what say ye? :)

.
 
Big John,

Sorry for the late input on your question. Section 3403.1 would require the

areas altered / "added on to" to comply with new construction.

3403.1 Existing buildings or structures.

Additions or alterations to any building or structure shall comply with the

requirements of the code for new construction. Additions or alterations

shall not be made to an existing building or structure that will cause the

existing building or structure to be in violation of any provisions of this

code. An existing building plus additions shall comply with the height

and area provisions of Chapter 5. Portions of the structure not altered

and not affected by the alteration are not required to comply with the

code requirements for a new structure.

All areas of this bldg. have been altered because they have changed

the intended "Use of the Space(s)", ...yes? From a whole A-2, ...to

a "B, M, & A-3".

.
 
globe trekker said:
Coug Dad,Not sure that I can justify identifying the upstairs area as a mezzanine. Section 505.4, Exception #1

limits the OL to " 10 ". Also, wouldn't Section 505.1 contribute to the building area by having a

separate Occupancy Group [ the "B" ], ...just asking. The area upstairs does have 2 separate

office spaces with doors, plus one open office area with a counter. Only one stairway leading

up to & down from the upstairs. Your thoughts!

Mule,

Section 1014.3, Exception #1 & #2 allow a 100 ft. travel distance when sprinkled. Not sure

anything was "legal" when it was constructed. Too much has slipped through the cracks

so-to-speak ( i.e. - no code enforcement or adherence ). Your thoughts!

mtlogcabin,

I am leaning towards agreeing with yours & permitguy' interpretations,

...hence that is why I am asking the questions. When entering the stairwell

upstairs, there is no door, ...fully open. Only at the bottom of the stairway

is it enclosed and has a door. Another [ approx. 15 ft. ] to the exterior door

leading directly to the exterior of the bldg.

My thought is to have the contractor install another exterior type door that

leads directly to the exterior of the bldg. within the 75 ft.travel distance

limitation, but I DID want to get ya'lls input first. I am thinking of citing

Section 1019.2.

Now what say ye? :)

.
I think permitguy is right.
 
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