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stairway a required means of egress

Add a rated exit passageway at the exit door for a few feet more than you need. It can act as a vestibule. Though enclosing the stairs might be easier and cheaper...
 
Did anyone bother to look at Exception 8 to Section 1019.1? I don't think the stairway needs to be enclosed, thus allowing it to be one of two means of egress, which solves the common path of egress travel issue.
 
Yes I did but I was hung up on the 50% thinking it only applied if there where 2 or more stairs. In this case with a direct exit out of the basement and one interior stair I agree exception 8 would be applicable. Now if the local AHJ agrees then the original design works. If they disagree then the exit passageway is an option.
 
Mtlogcabin: I see what you're getting at. The IBC has evolved significantly since the 2003 edition. I think the intent of Exception 8 is that two means of egress be available and that one need not be enclosed. Thus, the exit directly to the exterior is actually better than an enclosed stairway to the upper level.
 
RLGA said:
Mtlogcabin: I see what you're getting at. The IBC has evolved significantly since the 2003 edition. I think the intent of Exception 8 is that two means of egress be available and that one need not be enclosed. Thus, the exit directly to the exterior is actually better than an enclosed stairway to the upper level.
We are a little slow here in CT....But I do agree with Ron and MT ,it should be compliant "as is" barring what we can't see..
 
I think I will have to go with the exit passageway and 1 exit, the remote distance I need between exits is 41' and I don't have it between the door and stair. I will try to post the drawing of this basement.
 
I think this is a problem.....If anyone gets to use the interior stairs as a route....

1104.5 Location.

Accessible routes shall coincide with or be located in the same area as a general circulation path. Where the circulation path is interior, the accessible route shall also be interior.

24" on the pull side of the break room looks close too...
 
I'm sorry, I don't understand where the issue is here, could you elaborate on it? I have read it several times and can't figure it out, I would appreciate knowing what I am missing.
 
Existing building

Relatively small occupant load

Is the space going to be subdivided into something more complex?

Close enough to the 75' common path of travel

Looks good
 
It's a new building. Entire Main floor is a dental office. Basement will just be storage other than the rooms you see.
 
fcllc said:
It's a new building. Entire Main floor is a dental office. Basement will just be storage other than the rooms you see.
Is it a required accessible break room and bathroom? You don't typically get to say "You crippled people go outside and around to the back basement door when you want to use the breakroom, we are taking the stairs".....
 
Basement level may be exempt; verify with AHJ

1104.4 Multilevel buildings and facilities. At least one accessible

route shall connect each accessible level, including mezzanines,

in multilevel buildings and facilities.

Exceptions:

1. An accessible route is not required to stories and

mezzanines above and below accessible levels that

have an aggregate area of not more than 3,000

square feet (278.7 m2). This exception shall not

apply to:

1.1. Multiple tenant facilities of GroupMoccupancies

containing five or more tenant

spaces;

1.2. Levels containing offices of health care

providers (Group B or I); or

1.3. Passenger transportation facilities and airports

(Group A-3 or B).

However there is this:

1104.3.1 Employee work areas. Common use circulation

paths within employee work areas shall be accessible

routes.
 
1104.4 exception 1 works for for this. The definition of EMPLOYEE WORK AREA. All or any portion of a space used only by employees and only for work. Corridors, toilet rooms, kitchenettes and break rooms are not employee work areas. So I think I am OK on 1104.3.1
 
"OUR" 1103.2.15 #2 may get you out of the level needing to be accessible...But they would be opening themselves up for ADA issues I imagine if the make that new employee go outside to get to the breakroom....
 
fcllc; there better be a separate public restroom, separate employee restroom, and separate employee break room on the main (first) floor or you do not have equivalence nor fully meet exceptions, see 1.2 in post #37 where floor level exception does not apply. Even though the level may be exempt, there is a general ADA requirement to provide access for the public accommodation be it for clients or employees.

Check with your AHJ for sure. Also the Owner is responsible for ADA compliance via your design, that is why I brought up the public accommodation concept.
 
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