Appeal 34972

1020.3

Group E occupancy with an occupant load of 100 or more requires a 72-inch corridor width

Reduction in corridor width for a small portion of the corridor.

• Our existing corridors exceed 72 inches, except for a specific section where an existing staircase descends into the basement and an existing brick flue reduces the width.
• As part of the overall design, we are adding two additional exits by providing direct exit access from two of the four designated daycare rooms. The proposed design will result in a total of five exits from this story.
• The area where the corridor width is less than 72" provides circulation to one daycare room.

• Due to financial constraints, we propose to leave the existing stairs and flue in place. These stairs are critical for staff use and impact the day-to-day health and safety operations of the daycare.
• During an event requiring egress, occupants have other exit options that do not necessitate circulation through this reduced-width section.
• The daycare room near this reduced area may egress using the one exit in direct sight of the room or the operable windows within the room, without passing through the reduced space prior to utilizing any of the other exits if needed.
• There are no proposed lockers or boundary attractions in this area that would create an edge effect, limiting this section of the corridor to circulation only.
• The majority of occupants are under the age of five, and their smaller size should not pose an issue for the reduced width.

903.2

Group A-3 and Group E occupancies require a sprinkler system when the fire area is located on a floor other than a level of exit discharge serving such occupancies.

Request to not install a sprinkler system.

The existing structure has a basement level and a first floor level. As per permit #234466 and actual field conditions, the first floor is located approximately 5'0" above grade plane, and the basement is located approximately 5'6" below the grade plane. The proposed design for the first floor level is to utilize the existing three exits and add two additional exits, all of which use exterior stairs and/or an exterior ramp to access the public right-of-way. The proposed exit design for the basement level will not change from the previously approved permit #456377, with 2 exits on this level that use exterior stairs to access the public right-of-way.

• We believe that both the basement and the first floor serve as levels of exit discharge.
• Both levels utilize their own independent exits and exit discharge paths.
• Occupants of each level are not required to access any other level to gain access to the exit discharge.
• The OSSC does not explicitly state that a building is limited to only one level of exit discharge.

903.2.3

An automatic sprinkler system is required when a fire area is located on a floor other than a level of exit discharge.

Request to not install a sprinkler system.

A proposed mezzanine that conforms with 505.2 is located within one of the classrooms.

Per 505.2, a mezzanine is not considered an additional story and is considered a portion of the story below. According to the IBC code commentary, these types of mezzanines do not contribute significantly to a building's inherent fire hazard, which is why they are considered part of the story below. As it relates to 903.2.3, the mezzanine should contribute to the overall maximum square footage of the fire area and maximum occupant load, but should be considered as part of the first floor as defined under 505.2