Tim Mailloux
Registered User
I routinely see high and mid rise construction with (2) interior exit stair towers, and both of these interior exit stairs discharge into a central core and then to the exterior of the building through a rated corridor or a lobby. These building do not have any of the interior exit stairs discharging directly to the exterior and I am trying to figure out how this is achieved with in the frame work of the code. Section 1028 exit discharge is very clear that exits shall discharge directly to the exterior of the building unless you meet one of the 3 listed exceptions, and that the combined use of exceptions #1 & #2 cannot be used for more than 50% of the exits. Exception #3 is with regards to horizontal exits which is not in play here.
Using either exception #1 or #2 I see how it would be possible for one stair to discharge directly to the exterior and the other stair discharge through the lobby or a rated corridor, but not both. Do these high and mid-rise building being type IA construction make this stair configuration possible?
Using either exception #1 or #2 I see how it would be possible for one stair to discharge directly to the exterior and the other stair discharge through the lobby or a rated corridor, but not both. Do these high and mid-rise building being type IA construction make this stair configuration possible?