Appeal 16667

1014.3 Common Path of Egress Travel

The common path of egress travel shall not exceed the common path of egress travel distances in Table 1014.3. Occupancy: B (occupant load greater than 30) – 75’ maximum.

The permit application is for a tenant improvement to an existing 1-story 30,200 SF, F-2, B and S-2 occupancy, construction Type 2-B building. No occupancy change. The occupancy of the building currently is F-2, B and S-2. The proposed scope of work includes new office spaces, kitchen interior partitions and lighting. Upgrades to the existing restroom & kitchen for accessibility. There are 2 exits on the ground level that serve the Group B area of alteration.

In the prior configuration, the first floor common path of egress travel was 105’-0” from the back of breakroom/kitchen to the primary exit at the north end of the building. This exceeds the limits of Table 1014.3. The area of alteration is office use Group B occupancy. Actual employees occupying subject area totals 6 occupants. The applicant proposes posting sign in subject area stating maximum occupant load of 30 occupants to increase the allowable common path of egress travel in a non-sprinkled building to be 100 ft per 1014.3. In the newly proposed configuration, the first floor common path of egress travel is now 85’-0” from the back of kitchen to the point where 2 exits become available.
Occupants will be on-site employees only. On-site employees will be very familiar with the building. There will be no attendance of the general public or off-site employees unfamiliar with the building.

The posting of maximun occupant load to be 30 occupants or less in the group B area of alteration will increase the common path of egress travel to 100ft per Table 1014.3. Inclusion of the posted occupant load will bring the first floor in full compliance with the egress requirements of this code, except for provisions of 1015.2.1 Two exits or exit access doorways(exit remoteness)(see appeal #2).

1015.2.1 Two exits or exit access doorways

Per section 1015.2.1 Where two exits or exit access doorways are required from any portion of the exit access, the exit doors or exit access doorways shall be placed a distance apart equal to not less than one-half of the length of the maximum overall diagonal dimension of the building or area being served measured in a straighnt line between exit doors or exit access doorways

The permit application is for a tenant improvement to an existing 1-story 30,200 SF, F-2, B and S-2 occupancy, construction Type 2-B building. No occupancy change. The occupancy of the building currently is F-2, B and S-2. The proposed scope of work includes new office spaces, kitchen interior partitions and lighting. Upgrades to the existing restroom & kitchen for accessibility. There are 2 exits on the ground level that serve the Group B area of alteration.

Except as provided by Section 3401.4, or this section, alterations to any building or structure shall comply with the requirements of the code for new construction. Alterations shall be such that the existing building or structure is no less complying with the provisions of this code than the existing building or structure was prior to the alteration. No change of occupancy is proposed to the first floor Group B area of alteration, and acceptance of the existing egress conditions does not reduce the life safety of the building beyond the current configuration. The overall diagonal dimension of the space being served is 97 ft. The separation distance between the 2 ground level exits should be minimum 48.5 ft apart. The existing exits are actually 43.5 ft apart, which is 5ft closer together than allowed. Proposed reduction of 5ft regarding exit separation distance.

Section 3404.1 Alterations, General in the 2014 OSSC allows for alterations to buildings or structures which do not result in a building or structure which is less complaint with the provisions of the code than the existing building was prior to the proposed alteration. The area of alteration is not in compliance with section 1015.2.1 since the distance between exits(43.5 ft) is slightly less than the one-half(48.5 ft) the overall diagonal dimension(97 ft) of the area being served. Given that this condition is existing and no changes of occupancy are proposed, there is no reduction in compliance with the requirements of the code.