Single Exits - 2020 BCNYS Sec. 1006.3

[Kroner19]

Hello All,

Long time reader, first time posting.

I am currently reviewing a proposed house of worship (A-3) under the 2020 Building Code of New York State. This is in reference to the second story of the assembly space - see below. The occupant load of the second story is 46 and the common path of egress travel is 73’-10”. Per Section 1006.3.3 Single Exits. A single exit or access to a single exit shall be permitted from any story or occupied roof where one of the following conditions exists: condition #2 -Rooms, areas and spaces complying with Section 1006.2.1 with exits that discharge directly to the exterior at the level of exit discharge, are permitted to have one exit or access to a single exit. The occupant load and common path of egress travel are less than required in Table 1006.2.1 and the exit discharges directly to the exterior so only one exit is required.

Now here is where I get confused....
In order to comply with Section 1006.2.1 one of the requirements is that the Common Path of Egress Travel cannot be greater than 75ft (for an A occupancy). However, the definition of COMMON PATH OF EGRESS TRAVEL [is] That portion of exit access travel distance measured from the most remote point of each room, area or space to that point where the occupants have separate and distinct access to two exits or exit access doorways.

That being said, the definition of common path of egress travel directly contradicts allowing a single exit from any story or occupied roof.

Am I reading this wrong?

Shouldn't this section refer to exit access travel distance instead of CPET as the intent of this section is to eliminate the need to two exits?

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Kroner19]

The door at the top right leads to the residence of the Rabbi and is NOT an exit.

 

[Kroner19]

Correction - door at top left leads to the residence

 

[Paul Sweet]

The CPET doesn't come into play since the design occupant load is less than the table value, unless NY modified the IBC.

TABLE 1006.3.4(2) is the problem, since this is not the "First story above or below grade plane."

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

The CPET doesn't come into play since the design occupant load is less than the table value, unless NY modified the IBC.

TABLE 1006.3.4(2) is the problem, since this is not the "First story above or below grade plane."

Agreed. From the UpCodes version of the NYSBC:


Second story above the grade plane is limited to an occupant load of 29 and does not allow Assembly occupancies.

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

You have other issues, as well. Your occupant load is calculated at 15 square feet per person. It is declared as a prayer room. Do they sit at tables to pray in this synagogue?

I was going to also comment that the door to the exit stair opens into the space. Doors into exit enclosures must swing in the direction of egress travel. [IBC 1010.1.2.1] Hoewever, I see that New York has edited that section, so your door does not appear to be a violation even though it swings against the direction of travel.

 

[Tim Mailloux]

Not code related, but your walls are poched with a cross hatch, which is industry standards would mean its CMU construction. But your dimensions are not laid out on masonry coursing and you are indicating LVL headers.


Re-rerading your post, it appears you are an AHJ reviewing the drawings, not a design professional asking a question. Disregard my comment above.

 

[Kroner19]

The occupant load is correct. Yes, they do sit and pray at tables....sometime for hours.

Door swing OK (Sec. 1010.1.2.1) - Occupant load less than 50 occ.

1006.3.3 - A single exit or access to a single exit shall be permitted from ANY story or occupied roof where one of the following conditions exists: condition #2 Rooms, areas or spaces complying with section 1006.2.1 with exits that discharge directly to the exterior at the level of exit discharge, are permitted to have one exit or access to a single exit.

1006.2.1 - Two exits or exit access doorways from any space shall be provided where the design occupant load or common path of egress travel distance exceeds the values listed in Table 1006.2.1 - Max occ. load = 49>46 occ. proposed = OK - CPET = 75>73'-10" proposed = OK = COMPLIES with 1006.2.1 and exit discharges directly to exterior at level of exit discharge.

Tab. 1006.3.3(2) does not come into play because the space complies with Sec. 1006.2.1 for both occupant load and CPET. If it did not comply, Tab. 1006.3.3(2) would be the next table it would have to comply with.

My real issue is that the definition of CPET relates directly to a point where an occupant can choose between TWO exits. To use CPET in a code/table to establish the minimums for a single exit doesn't make sense as the "choice" has been removed.

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

What's the closet at the lower right corner -- in the stair enclosure?

NYSBC:

1023.4 Openings. Interior exit stairway and ramp opening protectives shall be in accordance with the requirements of Section 716.

Openings in interior exit stairways and ramps other than unprotected exterior openings shall be limited to those required for exit access to the enclosure from normally occupied spaces and for egress from the enclosure.

That little closet isn't a normally occupied space. It can't open into the exit stair enclosure.

 

[Kroner19]

That would be something to consider if this was an interior exit stairway.

An interior exit stairway is NOT required as this particular scenario meets the requirements to only need an exit access stairway per sec. 1019.3 condition #1 - exit access stairways and ramps that serve or atmospherically communicate between only two stories. The fact that it is fire rated and enclosed is a benefit.

Remember, the code is bare minimum. Should I punish the design professional for going above what the code requires? This stair could be completely open on all sides and still meet code.

You should see the gasoline/firework storage closet under the stair on the first floor.......

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

That would be something to consider if this was an interior exit stairway.

An interior exit stairway is NOT required as this particular scenario meets the requirements to only need an exit access stairway per sec. 1019.3 condition #1 - exit access stairways and ramps that serve or atmospherically communicate between only two stories. The fact that it is fire rated and enclosed is a benefit.

Remember, the code is bare minimum. Should I punish the design professional for going above what the code requires? This stair could be completely open on all sides and still meet code.

You should see the gasoline/firework storage closet under the stair on the first floor.......

I don't think the stair can be an exit access stair. To qualify as such, the exit access travel distance has to include travel down the stair to the exit door at the level of exit discharge. Looking at the dimensions on the plan, I estimate that this distance is going to be approximately 85 to 90 feet. That's more than the 75 feet allowed.

 

[Kroner19]

Geez. Can we not just stick to the question at hand? All I wanted to do was discuss the wording of the code and how it doesn't make sense with regards to single exits and the definition of CPET. If I knew I would have to re-review my plan review to open up a matter for discussion I would have kept to myself. But, in the interest of proving Yankee Chronicler wrong again, please see below plan showing exit access travel distance of 73'-10" ALL THE WAY DOWN THE STAIRS TO THE EXIT DOOR (this is prior to the final revision enclosing the exit access stair).



And please, Yankee, make note of the tables and chairs. Next time keep the ignorant assumptions about how people might worship to yourself instead of sarcastically saying "Do they sit at tables to pray in this synagogue?" Yes, see, they actually do sit and pray. We can keep going if you'd like. I mean, you've only been wrong about the occupant load (1004), egress door swing (1010.1.2.1), interior exit stairs (1023), exit access stairs (1019), and single exits (1006.3.3) so far. Maybe Chapter 10 just isn't your thing but I'm sure, with time, you WILL get it. We were all there once. Keep reading and re-reading. Ask questions. Hopefully someone will answer your question instead of throwing out a random "you missed this" or "what about that closet?".

All I wanted from this post was to discuss was the wording of single exits and CPET. Seems that time has passed and the question is now lost to a random hijacker. Good day, all.

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

I started looking at the single exit question, which then lead to other questions. My comments were offered in the furtherance of code compliance. As an architect and a building official, asking questions to promote the proper application of the code is what I do. I won't apologize for asking questions. If the answers show code compliance, then all is well.

I did not "assume" anything about the way members of the congregation pray. I asked because I don't know, and my question was not sarcastic. It was a query. If they sit at tables to pray, then the ratio of 15 s.f per person is correct. If they didn't sit at tables, then that ratio would be incorrect, and occupant load is one of the factors affecting single means of egress from stories above grade.

As to the exit access travel distance, as a code official I would not accept your number of 73'10". First, your travel doesn't begin at the most remote corner (1 foot off the wall). It's also not clear whether you accounted for measuring along the incline of the stair. Using the dimensions on the original plan you posted, I come up with a travel distance of 82 feet. For a 7:11 stair, the dimension along the incline is 1.18xx times the horizontal (plan) dimension. For simplicity, I use a multiplier of 1.2 unless it becomes super-critical.

This dimension is, in fact, the common path of exit access travel you asked about, so it is pertinent to the question.

 

[steveray]

If you EXCEED it...You do have a CPET issue and 2 exits required....And that is what it is trying to do....I think this got messed up a little in the 2012ish rewrite, but I know how to enforce it so I don't really care...

1006.2.1​

Two exits or exit access doorways from any space shall be provided where the design occupant load or the common path of egress travel distance exceeds the values listed

 

[Tim Mailloux]

As to the exit access travel distance, as a code official I would not accept your number of 73'10". First, your travel doesn't begin at the most remote corner (1 foot off the wall). It's also not clear whether you accounted for measuring along the incline of the stair. Using the dimensions on the original plan you posted, I come up with a travel distance of 82 feet. For a 7:11 stair, the dimension along the incline is 1.18xx times the horizontal (plan) dimension. For simplicity, I use a multiplier of 1.2 unless it becomes super-critical.
.

When factoring in the travel distance measured along the incline of the stair I also come up with a number around 80 to 82 feet which exceeds the travel distance.

 

[Tim Mailloux]

I would also have an issue with the wall mounted handrail extension in the stair wrapping the corner as its currently shown. Per 1014.6 The handrail extension is required to extend in the same direction as the travel along the stairway. This is going to require the length of the stair to grow about 12" adding another couple of feet to your travel distance problem.