Appeal 33650

1028.2 Exit Discharge

Exits shall discharge directly to the exterior of the building. The exit discharge shall be at grade or shall provide a direct path of egress travel to grade. The exit discharge shall not reenter a building. The combined use of Exceptions 1 and 2 shall not exceed 50 percent of the number and minimum width or required capacity of the required exits.

Exceptions:

1. Not more than 50 percent of the number and minimum width or required capacity of interior exit stairways and ramps is permitted to egress through areas, including atriums, on the level of discharge provided that all of the following conditions are met:

1.1 Discharge of interior exit stairways and ramps shall be provided with a free and unobstructed path of travel to an exterior exit door and such exit is readily visible and identifiable from the point of termination of the enclosure.
1.2 The entire area of the level of exit discharge is separated from areas below by construction conforming to the fire-resistance rating for the enclosure.
1.3 The egress path from the interior exit stairway and ramp on the level of exit discharge is protected throughout by an approved automatic sprinkler system. Portions of the level of exit discharge with access to the egress path shall be either equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2, or separated from the egress path in accordance with the requirements for the enclosure of interior exit stairways or ramps.
1.4 Where a required interior exit stairway or ramp and an exit access stairway or ramp serve the same floor level and terminate at the same level of exit discharge, the termination of the exit access stairway or ramp and the exit discharge door of the interior exit stairway or ramp shall be separated by a distance of not less than 30 feet (9144 mm) or not less than one-fourth the length of the maximum overall diagonal dimension of the building, whichever is less. The distance shall be measured in a straight line between the exit discharge door from the interior exit stairway or ramp and the last tread of the exit access stairway or termination of slope of the exit access ramp.

Provide an enclosed lobby between an existing interior exit stair, the North Stair, and existing exterior exit door on the level of discharge to provide security from persons entering the building.

The project is an existing 4-story office building (B-Occupancy) with basement parking garage (S-2 Occupancy) of type III-B construction with an existing automatic sprinkler system throughout to remain. The building has two existing enclosed interior exit stairs: the South Stair that goes down to the basement level and exits directly to the exterior; and the North Stair that goes to the first floor, which is separated from the basement level below by a 2-hour rated floor assembly, and provides egress through an open lobby on the level of exit discharge to an existing exterior exit door, currently meeting the requirements of 1028.2, exception 1. The proposed design is to add a new wall and door within the existing lobby in-between the existing door of the North Stair and the existing exterior door. This new wall and door are to enclose the lobby space to make it more secure from people off the street entering the building. The new wall has glazing that extends from the floor to 7’-0” above finish floor, and the door has a full-glazed lite, allowing for unobstructed views to the existing exterior exit door from occupants discharging from the North Stair. The full-glazed lite door is equipped with panic hardware, always allowing free egress on the push side of the door. Emergency egress lighting from the stair discharge to the exterior exit door will remain in place.

Currently, the office building main entry exterior doors are unlocked during business hours for workers and visitors. There are no secure barriers between those exterior doors and the North Stair and elevator, which allows free access to anyone entering the building to all four upper floors and the lower basement level. This has allowed dangerous individuals to gain complete access to the building, providing unsafe conditions for workers and visitors with legitimate business. The new secure lobby controls access into the building, while still allowing for occupants on the upper and lower levels free access to egress from the North Stair discharge to the exterior of the building. The existing exterior exit door is still clearly visible and identifiable immediately through the glazed door and glazed portion of the wall when occupants discharge from the interior exit stair.