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Stair Signage

LGreene

LGreene

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Joined
Oct 20, 2009
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San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
I was asked today what would be appropriate signage for a stair that is only intended to be used as an emergency exit. This is outside my focus area (doors) so after briefly checking the IFC I thought you all would be able to help me. I've seen everything from "Emergency Exit Only" to "Fire Exit Only" and beyond. I saw one last night that said, "Emergency Exit Only - Pick up phone for emergency exit." I KNOW that one can't be right!

So, for a door/stairwell that provides free egress but which is only meant for emergency use, what's the preferred signage? Is this a code requirement or a fire marshal preference?

Thanks in advance!!
 
emergency exit would be my comment, emergencys cover more than fire exit, code citation I dont have one without looking. you would knon if it has special latching hardware ther is very specific sinage and time to release

see that you are in Mass like me, good to se someone for the right coast
 
TheCommish said:
emergency exit would be my comment, emergencys cover more than fire exit, code citation I dont have one without looking. you would knon if it has special latching hardware ther is very specific sinage and time to releasesee that you are in Mass like me, good to se someone for the right coast
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The door doesn't have delayed egress hardware which would require the special signage per the IBC.

(Commish: I am in Framingham and I spend summer weekends in Holland MA so we're practically neighbors.)
 
inlaws had summer camp in holland on hammalton north side, used to have boat there, got rid of them all (boat and camp) still have inlaws and wife
 
Are you talking about attaching something to the door?

My first thought is an exit sign only above the door

I hate the other signage people put on the doors

Is this so someone knows they cannot come back in??

How many stories or just general question??
 
cda said:
Are you talking about attaching something to the door?My first thought is an exit sign only above the door

I hate the other signage people put on the doors

Is this so someone knows they cannot come back in??

How many stories or just general question??
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It's not just a general question but it's not my project so I don't know the details. Yes, I think they want to attach a sign to the door. I'm assuming it's because they don't want people to use the door...there are lots of reasons that could be - not sure of the specifics. Would you object to "Emergency Exit Only"?
 
I would discourage it, because human nature is strange, and some humans might not use the door even in an emergency
 
FM William Burns said:
Emergency Exit Only with the EEO Symbol Signage from NFPA 101 [7.2.2.5.5.8] where applicable.
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This is what 7.2.2.5.5.8 (2009) says:

7.2.2.5.5.8 Emergency Exit Symbol. An emergency exit symbol with a luminescent background shall be applied on all doors serving the exit enclosure that swing out from the

enclosure in the direction of egress travel. The emergency exit symbol shall also meet the following requirements:

(1) The emergency exit symbol shall meet the requirements of NFPA 170, Standard for Fire Safety and Emergency Symbols.

(2) The emergency exit symbol applied on the door shall be not higher than 18 in. (455 mm) above the finished floor.

This looks like it's related to luminous egress path marking on the stair discharge door. I looked at NFPA 170 but I didn't see anything that showed "Emergency Exit Only." Would that terminology be acceptable in your opinion? I believe these doors are leading from the tenant floors into the stairs.
 
One thing to remember is that signage is required to desinate an accessible route..... Are any of the stairs/landings designed as an area of refuge? The signage may be required to be different if a stairway contains an area of refuge vs. a stairway without an area of refuge. (Note - Not all stairwells in a single building may contain an area of refuge.)
 
Nothing prohibits signage that says "emergency exit only", or something to that effect. This is extremely common, especially in large retail stores who have installed audible alarms on doors to keep shoplifters from stealing them blind. If the exit sign is in place, I have no problem with it. The point could be further reinforced by having and practicing a fire safety and evacuation plan (see 2009 IFC Ch. 4).
 
Lori,

Got ya on the retail tenant doors now......thought they were doors into a stair with not re-entry and the doors to discharge needed the sign as applicable. I would accept:

"EMERGENCY EXIT ONLY" and if the stairwell is in an existing building >4 stories or new 3 or more stories I wouldn't have a problem with it being above the required stair signage in accordance with the adopted code of that jurisdiction.



(see 2009 IFC Ch. 4)
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or [10.6 and 10.9 of NFPA 1] :)
 
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