Spiral staircase with single handrail for commercial space

[BayPointArchitect]

Given:
A set of plans for a commercial space proposes a spiral staircase. 2018 IBC 1011.1 requires a handrail on both sides of every flight of stairs. Exception #1 allows for a handrail on one side only for spiral stairways. And NFPA 101 Life Safety Code section 7.2.2.2.3 requires handrails on both sides of spiral stairs. Can anyone tell me if there is an exception granted by the Life Safety Code that would allow the inside handrail to be eliminated? Again I say that this is a commercial space.

As always, thanks in advance.

ICC Certified Plan Reviewer
NFPA Certified Fire Plan Examiner

 

[fatboy]

Has the AHJ adopted the NFPA 101 for enforcement?

 

[BayPointArchitect]

Yes. Both the IBC and NFPA are enforced here.

 

[fatboy]

I would say the most restrictive applies then.

 

[TheCommish]

What is the space the the spiral stair will serve? are they permitted to serve that space?

2015 IBC

1011.10 Spiral Stairways​

Spiral stairways are permitted to be used as a component in the means of egress only within dwelling units or from a space not more than 250 square feet (23 m2) in area and serving not more than five occupants, or from technical production areas in accordance with Section 410.6.

 

[BayPointArchitect]

The space being served is not a dwelling unit.
The space being served is not a technical production area.
Commercial space.

 

[bill1952]

The space being served is not a dwelling unit.
The space being served is not a technical production area.
Commercial space.

I am guessing that without the spiral stair, the building has all required egress? This is an extra, so to speak?
My experience says a slight majority of building officials will say not permitted. If something is not required, does it still have to meet the requirements as if it were.

 

[TheCommish]

The space being served is not a dwelling unit.
The space being served is not a technical production area.
Commercial space.

if it is over 250 sf does not see to be permissible

 

[bill1952]

if it is over 250 sf does not see to be permissible

Even if the space served has compliant m.o.e. apart from the spiral?

 

[TheCommish]

Even if the space served has compliant m.o.e. apart from the spiral?

in that case no the spiral is allowed as an alternate, unless the space requires 2 MOE

 

[bill1952]

Even if the space served has compliant m.o.e. apart from the spiral?

in that case no the spiral is allowed as an alternate, unless the space requires 2 MOE

Always interesting. In my experience your interp is in the minority, however I do think it is reasonable and makes sense.

 

[steveray]

1011.1 General​

Stairways serving occupied portions of a building shall comply with the requirements of Sections 1011.2 through 1011.13.

Spiral stairs are in 1011.10 and HR are 1011.11.....Landing squarely in the scope of requirements for "serving occupied portions"

But I am a minority too....Sounds like a code change proposal...