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Window allowed in vertical exit enclosure ?

tom

Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2009
Messages
18
2006 IBC: Imagine a 4 story bld with a 5 story exit enclosure in the center of the bld. The enclosure extends like a small penthouse one story above the roof. Can a window be installed in this wall above the roof? Is this wall section an exterior wall allowing an unprotected exterior opening per 1020.1.1? Thanks and a Merry Christmas to all!
 
I'm still on 2003, but these look like the applicable sections from 2006....

1020.1.1 Openings and penetrations.

Exit enclosure opening protectives shall be in accordance with the requirements of Section 715.

Except as permitted in Section 402.4.6, openings in exit enclosures other than unprotected exterior openings shall be limited to those necessary for exit access to the enclosure from normally occupied spaces and for egress from the enclosure.

Where interior exit enclosures are extended to the exterior of a building by an exit passageway, the door assembly from the exit enclosure to the exit passageway shall be protected by a fire door assembly conforming to the requirements in Section 715.4. Fire door assemblies in exit enclosures shall comply with Section 715.4.4.

Elevators shall not open into an exit enclosure.

1020.1.4 Exit enclosure exterior walls.

Exterior walls of an exit enclosure shall comply with the requirements of Section 704 for exterior walls. Where nonrated walls or unprotected openings enclose the exterior of the stairway and the walls or openings are exposed by other parts of the building at an angle of less than 180 degrees (3.14 rad), the building exterior walls within 10 feet (3048 mm) horizontally of a nonrated wall or unprotected opening shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 hour. Openings within such exterior walls shall be protected by opening protectives having a fire protection rating of not less than 3/4 hour. This construction shall extend vertically from the ground to a point 10 feet (3048 mm) above the topmost landing of the stairway or to the roof line, whichever is lower.
 
Can a window be installed in this wall above the roof? See Table 715.4 footnote a

Is this wall section an exterior wall allowing an unprotected exterior opening per 1020.1.1? No
 
No.

However, you can use a rated glazed wall as part of the exit enclosure.

Until the owner sees the price tag.
 
The architect was trying to wiggle out of not removing the windows in the “exterior” walls that went above the roof near the center of the building with Table 602. What the architect was trying to argue that the fire barrier became an exterior wall once it went above the roof.

The top landing is at the floor level below the roof having no access to the roof from the stair shaft.

Tom was looking for specific language to show that even though it’s an exterior wall it’s still a rated enclosure above the roof.

It is my opinion to look at 1020.1.4 where the condition that the exterior wall has to originate from the ground. This is the intent that the exterior wall is the building perimeter walls.

It’s not very clear using the exterior wall definition.
 
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There can be openings so long as the exterior walls meet the 180 degree rule, then ...of course that will be hard to do in the middle of the building.
 
excuse me.. I'm not opening a code book today.. but shooting from the hip.. IF it's a required exit, and it's 4 stories, it needs to be a rated enclosure.. even if the top of the "shaft" is ornamental.
 
peach said:
excuse me.. I'm not opening a code book today.. but shooting from the hip.. IF it's a required exit, and it's 4 stories, it needs to be a rated enclosure.. even if the top of the "shaft" is ornamental.
If you had opened it, you would find that using a stable for transient lodging is prohibited.
 
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