• Welcome to The Building Code Forum

    Your premier resource for building code knowledge.

    This forum remains free to the public thanks to the generous support of our Sawhorse Members and Corporate Sponsors. Their contributions help keep this community thriving and accessible.

    Want enhanced access to expert discussions and exclusive features? Learn more about the benefits here.

    Ready to upgrade? Log in and upgrade now.

Stair Gate

LGreene

LGreene

REGISTERED
Joined
Oct 20, 2009
Messages
1,165
Location
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
I received the attached photo from a university medical center. The question was whether there was any reason that a swinging gate couldn't be installed in place of the railing, to allow access from this floor down to the lower level. Apparently the staff is jumping over the railing because the elevators are slow. I haven't seen a set-up like this before, where the egress from the lower level is separated from the egress from the other levels, so I couldn't think of a reason why they couldn't remove the railing and add the swinging gate, but I thought y'all might know. I have attached a floor plan which shows 2 of these divided-stair situations. It is a 6-story building built in 1979. If there is other information you need, I know you will tell me.

View attachment 1667

View attachment 1668

View attachment 1667

View attachment 1668

/monthly_2012_03/572953e5916bb_DividedEgress.jpg.73fbecc6cb3a5d45c232ec154e189f6b.jpg

/monthly_2012_03/572953e594cbb_HospitalFloorPlan.jpg.51071882458624baf6c41883d1dee364.jpg
 
A swinging gate when open will block one exit or the other by more than 1/2 the exit width. Also certainly could not swing toward the landing at the top of the stairway going to the floor below.
 
I'm on the Canadian codes, so this may not be of any help but, is there any reason they could not just remove the railing completely?
 
In past code there was a requirement that stated, "Enclosed exit stairs that continue beyond the level of exit discharge shall be inturrupted at the floor of discharge by partitions, doors or other effective means." The barrier prevented someone in a panic situation from passing the exit door in their hurry to get down the stair.

I looked but couldn't find this requirement in the 06 IBC.

Does anyone know if it is still there and if so where?
 
Lynn said:
In past code there was a requirement that stated, "Enclosed exit stairs that continue beyond the level of exit discharge shall be inturrupted at the floor of discharge by partitions, doors or other effective means." The barrier prevented someone in a panic situation from passing the exit door in their hurry to get down the stair.I looked but couldn't find this requirement in the 06 IBC.

Does anyone know if it is still there and if so where?
Click to expand...
look under "discahrge Identification"

it is 1022.7 in the 09, and does not look like a change from the 06

that is what it looks like to me, to keep someone from going down, and the left side is up from the lower floor

agree if they can put something in that does not mess with exit width required
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I wonder if they open it say 3 -4 feet and put a half gate across that opening, that would only swing into the 1st level landing???

if they could make it so that it does not decress the allowable width going out the door, put gives the required width coming up the stairs from below??

http://amezz.com/selfclosingsafetygate.html
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Put a small gate 30 or 32 inches, (it is not a means of egress), hold it open with a mag holder that will release during an alarm. Occupants will have free access at al times. The gate will close and provide the barrier when needed.
 
mtlogcabin said:
Put a small gate 30 or 32 inches, (it is not a means of egress), hold it open with a mag holder that will release during an alarm. Occupants will have free access at al times. The gate will close and provide the barrier when needed.
Click to expand...
two problems??

1. it a ppears you need a barrier to keep people from going down the stairs.

2. and if there is a non fire emergency the gate is going to stay open
 
two problems??

1. it a ppears you need a barrier to keep people from going down the stairs. Only during an emergency

2. and if there is a non fire emergency the gate is going to stay open Good point but how do you notify occupants to vacate a building with out a notification system being activated?
 
mtlogcabin said:
two problems??1. it a ppears you need a barrier to keep people from going down the stairs. Only during an emergency

2. and if there is a non fire emergency the gate is going to stay open Good point but how do you notify occupants to vacate a building with out a notification system being activated?
Click to expand...
Have to check back in office

1022.7 in the 09, do not remember seeing only on emergency

"""Good point but how do you notify occupants to vacate a building with out a notification system being activated?""

When the guy is chasing me with a gun will notify people by yelling like a banchii
 
Last edited by a moderator:
1022.7 Discharge identification. A stairway in an exit enclosure shall not continue below its level of exit discharge unless an approved barrier is provided at the level of exit discharge to prevent persons from unintentionally continuing into levels below. Directional exit signs shall be provided as specified in Section 1011.
 
mark handler said:
Two problems??I see no problems... Would you have a problem if it were a wall?
Click to expand...
I say the setup as is meets code and a barrier is required
 
I checked with the hospital and they want to keep the gate closed to deter most people from going down the stairs. So if the gate was self-closing, swung toward the right side of the photo (away from the basement stairs), and did not obstruct more than half the required clear width when open to 90 degrees (I don't know if that's possible), would that be considered an "approved barrier"?
 
I would think you could left hand swing it up against the existing stair rail and be fine....right side seems to be more of a problem with encroachment of egress width....
 
LGreene said:
I checked with the hospital and they want to keep the gate closed to deter most people from going down the stairs. So if the gate was self-closing, swung toward the right side of the photo (away from the basement stairs), and did not obstruct more than half the required clear width when open to 90 degrees (I don't know if that's possible), would that be considered an "approved barrier"?
Click to expand...
By George I think you've got it.

The code (2009 IBC 1022.7) demands that the approved barrier be installed to deter occupants from continuing to travel below the level of exit discharge. It is required to be self closing. If a single leaf gate presents an issue with encroaching into the clear width then a bi-parting swing gate might be considered. From the photos it appears that a 36" gate might extend a foot beyond the strike jamb of the right hand exit door.
 
LG

Also tell them to take the sign in the right side door down

"fire exit only"

Guess it can only be used if there is a fire!!!!!!
 
Francis Vineyard said:
We had an instance where vehicle type bollards where installed but one could walk sideways between the vertical pipes. Francis
Click to expand...
Does not meet access codes
 
mark handler said:
Does not meet access codes
Click to expand...
That would not be the accessible egress path or circulation route I imagine...egress would go out the right hand door and circulation path is most likely addressed by elevators....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top