(7-1-03)

e. The second story/floor of a facility, building, or structure shall be provided with exits as required by the occupancy type and allowed distance to an exit. (7-1-03)

f. Occupants on floors above the second story/floor shall have access to not less than two (2) separate exits from the story/floor. (See Sub-section 040.08.r. of this standard for exceptions.) (7-1-03)

g.  The basement of a facility, building, or structure shall be provided with exits as required by the occupancy type and allowed distance to an exit.  (7-1-03)

g. In every facility, building, or structure, exits shall be so arranged and maintained as to provide free and unobstructed egress from all parts of the facility, building, or structure at all times when it is occupied. No lock or fastening device to prevent free evacuation from the inside of any room, space, facility, building, structure or portion thereof, shall be installed except in mental, penal, or corrective institutions where supervisory personnel are continually on duty and effective provisions are made to remove occupants in case of fire or other emergency. (7-1-97)

h. Every required exit shall be clearly visible and the route to reach it shall be conspicuously marked. Any doorway or passageway not constituting an exit shall be marked "NOT AN EXIT" as to minimize its possible confusion with an exit and the resultant danger of persons endeavoring to escape from fire finding themselves trapped in a dead-end space, such as a cellar or storeroom, from which there is no other way out. (7-1-97)

i. In every facility, building, or structure equipped for artificial illumination, adequate and reliable illumination shall be provided at all times for all exit systems. (7-1-97)

j. Where required or provided, fire alarm systems shall be audible and visible in all parts of the facility, building, or structure. (7-1-97)

k. Cold storage rooms, vaults, safes, storage rooms and other rooms shall have an opening device on all doors that, when locked from the outside, can be opened from the inside without the need for special tools, devices or keys. (7-1-97)

l. Where a building is made accessible, at least one (1) route of exiting from facilities, buildings, and structures shall be maintained in conformity with the provisions of this standard and the Americans With Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines. Exiting routes for persons with disabilities shall connect to an outside area or an area of refuge.  An area of refuge shall be one of the following: a portion of a stairway landing within a smoke proof enclosure; a portion of an exterior balcony located immediately adjacent to an exit stairway when the balcony complies with the requirements for exterior exit balconies. (Openings to the interior of the facility, building, or structure located within twenty (20)feet of the area of refuge shall be protected with fire assemblies having a three-fourths (3/4) hour fire protection rating.); a portion of a one (1) hour fire-resistive corridor located immediately adjacent to an exit enclosure; a vestibule located immediately adjacent to an exit enclosure and constructed to the same fire-resistive standards as required for corridors and openings; a portion of a stairway landing within an exit enclosure which is vented to the exterior and is separated from the interior of the building with not less than a one-hour fire-resistive door; an area or room which is separated from other portions of the building by a smoke barrier (Smoke barriers shall have a fire- resistive rating of not less than one (1) hour and shall completely enclose the area or room. Doors in the smoke barrier shall be tight fitting smoke and draft control assemblies having a fire protection rating of not less than twenty (20) minutes and shall be self closing or automatic closing. The area or room shall be provided with an exit directly to an exit enclosure. Where the room or area exits into an exit enclosure which is required to be of more than one (1) hour fire resistive construction, the room or area shall have the same fire resistive construction, including the same opening protection as required for the adjacent exit enclosure.); an elevator lobby, when elevator shafts and adjacent lobbies are pressurized (Such pressurization system shall be activated by smoke detectors on each floor). Each area of refuge shall provide at least two (2) accessible areas each being not less than thirty (30) inches by forty-eight (48) inches. the area of rescue assistance shall not encroach on any required exit width. A method of two (2) way communication, with both visible and audible signals, shall be provided between each area of refuge and the primary entry, (The fire official or appropriate local authority may approve a location other than the primary entry. Each area of refuge shall be identified by a sign which states "AREA OF REFUGE" and displays the international symbol of accessibility. The sign shall be illuminated when exit signs are also required to be illuminated. Signage shall also be installed at all inaccessible exits and where otherwise necessary to clearly indicate the direction to areas of refuge. In each area of refuge, instructions on the use of the area under emergency conditions shall be posted adjoining the two (2) way communication system. (7-1-97)

m. Compliance with sub-section 040.01 through 040.03 of this section shall not be construed as eliminating or reducing the necessity for other provisions for safety of persons using a facility, building, or structure under normal occupancy conditions, nor shall any provisions of this section be construed as requiring or permitting any condition that may be hazardous under normal occupancy conditions. (7-1-97)

04. Protection of Employees Exposed by Construction and Repair Operations: (7-1-97)

a. No facility, building, or structure under construction shall be occupied in total or in part until all exit systems and fire protection required for the part occupied are completed and ready for use. (7-1-97)

b. No existing facility, building, or structure shall be occupied during repairs or alterations unless all existing exits and any existing fire protection are continuously maintained, or, in lieu thereof, other measures are taken which provide equivalent safety. (7-1-97)

c. No flammable or explosive substances or equipment for repairs or alterations shall be introduced in a facility, building, or structure of normally low or ordinary hazard classification while the facility, building, or structure is occupied, unless the condition of use and safeguards provided are such as not to create any additional danger or handicap to egress beyond the normally permissible conditions in the facility, building, or structure. (7-1-97)

d. Job and construction sites shall have physical barriers to prevent inadvertent site access by non-authorized employees, inmates, students, or the public. Every other action necessary for the safety of employees, inmates, students, and the public shall be taken. (7-1-97)

e. The owner shall be responsible for compliance with the provisions of this subsection. (7-1-03)

05. Maintenance: (7-1-97)

a. Every required exit and way of travel from the exit into the street or open space, shall be continuously maintained free of all obstructions or impediments to allow full and instant use in the case of fire or other emergency. (7-1-97)

b. Every automatic sprinkler system, fire detection and alarm system, emergency and exit lighting fixture, fire door, and other item of equipment, where provided, shall be continuously maintained in proper operating condition. (While inoperable, an alternate route must be established to maintain the same level of safety.) (7-1-97)

06. Permissible Exit Components: (7-1-97)

a. An exit shall consist only of the approved components. Exit components shall be constructed as an integral part of the facility, building, or structure and shall be permanently affixed thereto. (7-1-97)

07. Stairway, Ramp, and Escalator Enclosures: (7-1-97)

a. Interior stairways, ramps, or escalators shall be enclosed as specified in this subsection. EXCEPTIONS: In occupancies other than Hazardous Occupancies and Institutional Occupancies, an enclosure need not be provided for a stairway, ramp, or escalator serving only one (1) adjacent floor. Any two (2) such interconnected floors shall not be open to other floors. Stairs in dwellings and lodging houses and stairs within individual dwelling units need not be enclosed. Stairs in open parking garages need not be enclosed. (7-1-97)

b. Enclosure wall shall not be of less than two (2) hour fire resistive construction in buildings four (4) or more stories in height or type I or II fire-resistive construction and shall not be of less than one (1) hour fire-resistive construction elsewhere. EXCEPTION: In sprinkler protected parking garages restricted to the storage of private or pleasure type motor vehicles, stairway enclosures may be enclosed with glazing meeting the requirements of UBC or IBC depending on the building code in effect at the time of construction. (7-1-03)

c. Openings into exit enclosures, other than permitted exterior openings, shall be limited to those necessary for exiting from a normally occupied space into the enclosure and exiting from the enclosure. Other penetrations into and opening through the exit enclosure are prohibited except for duct work and equipment necessary for independent stair pressurization, sprinkler piping, standpipes, and electrical conduit serving the stairway and terminating in a listed box not exceeding sixteen (16) square inches in area. Penetrations and communicating openings between adjacent exit enclosures are not permitted regardless of whether the opening is protected. (7-1-97)

d. All exit doors in an exit enclosure shall be protected by a fire assembly having a fire rating of not less than one (1) hour where one-hour shaft construction is permitted and one and one-half (1 1/2) hours where two (2) hour shaft construction is required. Doors shall be maintained self-closing or shall be automatic closing by actuation of an approved smoke detector or smoke detection system. (7-1-97)

e. Stairway and ramp enclosures shall include landings and parts of floors connecting stairway flights and shall also include a corridor on the ground floor leading from the stairway to the exterior of the facility, building, or structure. Enclosed corridors or passageways are not required from unenclosed stairways. Every opening into the corridor shall comply with sub-section 040.07.c & .d of this section. EXCEPTION: In office buildings, a maximum of fifty percent (50%) of the exits may discharge through a street floor lobby, provided the required exit width is free and unobstructed and the entire street floor is protected with an automatic fire sprinkler system. (7-1-97)

f. A stairway in an exit enclosure shall not continue below the grade level exit unless an approved barrier is provided at the ground floor level to prevent persons from accidentally continuing into the basement. (7-1-97)

g. There shall be no enclosed usable space under stairways or ramps in an exit enclosure nor shall the open space under such stairways or ramps be used for any purpose. (7-1-97)

08. Width and Capacity of Means of Egress: (7-1-97)

a. The total width of exits, in inches, shall not be less than the total occupant load served by an exit multiplied by zero point three (0.3) for stairways and zero point two (0.2) for other exits nor less than specified elsewhere in this standard. Such widths of exits shall be divided approximately equally among the separate exits. (7-1-97)

b. The maximum exit width from any story/floor of a facility, building, or structure shall be maintained. (7-1-97)

c. Every required exit doorway shall be of a size as to permit the installation of a door not less than thirty-two (32) inches in width and not less than six (6) feet eight (8) inches in height. When installed, exit doors shall be capable of opening nightly (90) degrees ensuring that the clear width of the exit is not less than thirty two (32) inches. (7-1-03)

d. A single leaf of an exit door shall not exceed four (4) feet in width. (7-1-97)

e. The minimum corridor width shall be not less than forty four (44) inches except as specified elsewhere in this standard. When serving an occupant load of fifty (50) or less, the corridor width may be reduced to thirty six (36) inches. Partitions, rails, counters, and similar space dividers not over five (5) feet nine (9) inches in height above the floor shall not be construed to form corridors. (7-1-03)

f. Intervening aisles, horizontal exits, smoke proof enclosures, exit passageways, corridors and exterior exit balconies shall have a clear height of not less than seven (7) feet measured to the lowest projection from the ceiling. (7-1-00)

g. The required width of corridors shall be unobstructed. Handrails and doors, when fully opened, shall not reduce the required width by more than seven (7) inches. Doors in any position shall not reduce the required width of any corridor or landing by more than one-half (1/2). Other non-structural projections such as trim and similar decorative features may project into the required width one and one-half (1 1/2) inches on each side. In corridors, aisle ways, passageways used by persons with disabilities with objects projecting from walls with their leading edges between twenty seven (27) inches and eighty (80) inches above the finished floor or walkways shall protrude no more than four (4) inches, see Figure 040.08-A. (7-1-97)

FIGURE 040.08-A

PROJECTIONS FROM A WALL (7-1-97)

h. The minimum clear width for a wheelchair accessible route shall be thirty-six (36) inches, except at doors, see Figures 040.08-B and 040.08-C. If a person in a wheelchair must make a turn around an obstruction, the minimum clear width of the accessible route shall be as shown in Figures 040.08-D and 040.08-E (7-1-97)

FIGURE 040.08-B

MINIMUM CLEAR WIDTH FOR A SINGLE WHEELCHAIR (7-1-97)

FIGURE 040.08-C

MINIMUM CLEAR WIDTH AT A POINT FOR A SINGLE WHEELCHAIR (7-1-97)

FIGURE 040.08-D

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE ROUTE,

90-DEGREE TURN MINIMUM CLEAR WIDTH (7-1-97)

FIGURE 040.08-E

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE ROUTE, TURNS AROUND AN OBSTRUCTION MINIMUM CLEAR WIDTH (7-1-97)

i. The minimum width for two (2) wheelchairs to pass is sixty (60) inches, see Figure 040.08-F. If an accessible route has less than a sixty (60) inch clear width, then passing spaces at least sixty (60) inches by sixty (60) inches shall be located at reasonable intervals not to exceed two-hundred (200) feet. The T-intersections of two corridors or walks is also an acceptable passing place. (7-1-97)

FIGURE 040.08-F

MINIMUM CLEAR WIDTH FOR TWO WHEELCHAIRS (7-1-97)

j. The required space for a wheelchair to make a one-hundred-eighty (180) degree turn is a clear space of sixty (60) inches in diameter or a T-shaped space, see Figure 040.08-G. (7-1-97)

FIGURE 040.08-G

WHEELCHAIR TURNING SPACE (7-1-97)

k. The minimum clear floor or ground space required to accommodate a single wheelchair and occupant is thirty (30) inches by forty-eight (48) inches, see Figure 040.08-H. The minimum clear floor or ground space for wheelchairs may be positioned for forward or parallel approach to an object, see Figure 040.08-I and 040.08-J. The clear floor or ground space for wheel chairs may be part of the knee space required under some objects. (7-1-97)

FIGURE 040.08-H

CLEAR FLOOR SPACE FOR WHEELCHAIRS (7-1-97)

FIGURE 040.08-I

CLEAR FLOOR SPACE FOR WHEELCHAIRS, FORWARD APPROACH (7-1-97)

FIGURE 040.08-J

CLEAR FLOOR SPACE FOR WHEELCHAIRS, PARALLEL APPROACH (7-1-97)

l. Relationship of maneuvering clearance to wheelchair spaces. One (1) full unobstructed side of the clear floor or ground space for a wheelchair shall adjoin or overlap an accessible route or adjoin another wheelchair clear floor space. If clear floor space is located in an alcove or otherwise confined on all or part of three (3) sides, additional maneuvering clearances shall be provided as shown in Figures 040.08-K and 040.08-L. (7-1-97)

FIGURE 040.08-K

CLEAR FLOOR SPACE FOR WHEELCHAIRS IN ALCOVES (7-1-97)

FIGURE 040.08-L

ADDITIONAL MANEUVERING CLEARANCES FOR WHEELCHAIRS IN ALCOVES (7-1-97)

m. The minimum stairway width shall not be less than forty-four (44) inches except as specified elsewhere in this standard. Stairways serving an occupant load of forty-nine (49) or less, the stairway width may be reduced to thirty-six (36) inches. Handrails may project into the required width a distance of three and one-half (3 1/2) inches from each side of a stairway. Stringers and other projections such as trim and similar decorative features may project into the required width one and one-half (1 1/2) inches on each side. (7-1-97)

n. The minimum ramp width shall not be less than forty-four (44) inches except as specified elsewhere in this standard. For ramps serving an occupant load of forty-nine (49) or less, the ramp may be reduced to thirty-six (36) inches in width. Handrails may project into the required width a distance of three and one-half (3 1/2) inches from each side of a ramp. Other projections, such as trim and similar decorative features, may project into the required width one and one-half (1 1/2) inches on each side. (7-1-97)

o. The slope of ramps which are located within an accessible route of travel shall not be steeper than one (1) vertical to twelve (12) horizontal except as specified elsewhere in this standard. Ramps not located within an exit route and not serving as access for the handicapped shall not be steeper than one (1) vertical to eight (8) horizontal. (7-1-97)

p. The capacity of means of egress for any floor, balcony, tier, mezzanine, or other occupied space shall be sufficient for the occupant load thereof. The occupant load shall be the maximum number of persons that may be in the space at any time. The maximum occupant load other than assembly use shall not exceed the capacity of the exits. The occupant load for an assembly building or portion thereof may be increased when approved by building official and the appropriate requirements are met. (7-1-97)

q. Any room having an occupant load of fifty (50) or more which is used for classroom, assembly, or similar purpose, shall not have less than two (2) exits. The capacity of the room posted in a conspicuous place near the main exit from the room. The occupant load shall be consistent with the capacity of the exiting system. (7-1-97)

r. The second story of a facility, building, or structure shall be provided with not less than two (2) exits when the occupancy load is fifty (50) or more. Occupants on floors above the second story and in basements shall have access to not less than two (2) separate exits from the floor or basement. EXCEPTIONS: Floors and basements used exclusively for service of the building may have one (1) exit. For the purpose of this exception, storage rooms, maintenance offices, laundry rooms, and similar use shall not be considered as providing service to the building. Storage rooms, maintenance offices, and laundry rooms not exceeding three-hundred (300) square feet in floor area may be provided with only one (1) exit. Except as provided in Table 040.03-A, only one (1) exit need be provided from the second floor or a basement of a congregate residence accommodating ten (10) or less persons and having a total area of three-thousand (3,000) square feet or less for the entire residence. When the third floor within a congregate residence accommodating ten (10) or less persons and having a total area of three-thousand (3,000) square feet or less for the entire residence and the third floor does not exceed five-hundred (500) square feet, only one (1) exit need be provided from that floor. (7-1-03)

s. Every story or portion thereof having an occupant load of five-hundred and one (501) to one-thousand (1,000) shall not have less than three (3) exits. (7-1-97)

t. Every story or portion thereof having an occupant load of one-thousand and one (1,001) or more shall not have less than four (4) exits. (7-1-97)

u. The maximum number of exits required for any story shall be maintained until egress is provided from the facility, building, or structure. (7-1-97)

v. If only two (2) exits are required, they shall be placed a distance apart equal to not less than one-half (1/2) of the length of the maximum overall diagonal dimension of the facility, building, structure, or area to be served measured in a straight line between exits see Figure 040.08-M. EXCEPTION: Exit separations may be measured along a direct line of travel within the exit corridor when exit enclosures are provided as a portion of the required exit and are interconnected by a one (1) hour fire-resistive corridor conforming to the requirements of the Uniform Building Code Section 1005. Enclosure walls shall not be less than thirty (30) feet apart at any point in a direct line of measurement. (7-1-97)

FIGURE 040.08-M

ONE-HALF DIAGONAL RULE (7-1-97)

w. Where three (3) or more exits are required, at least two(2) exits shall be placed a distance apart equal to not less than one-half (1/2) of the length of the maximum overall diagonal dimension of the facility, building, structure, or area to be served measured in a straight line between exits, and arranged a reasonable distance apart so that if one becomes blocked the others will be available. (7-1-97)

09. Access to Exits: (7-1-97)

a. Exits shall be so located and exit access shall be so arranged that exits are readily accessible at all times. Where exits are not immediately accessible from an open floor area, safe and continuous passageways, aisles or corridors leading directly to every exit and so arranged as to provide convenient access for each occupant to at least two (2) exits by separate ways of travel, except as a single exit or limited dead ends are permitted by other provisions of these standards shall be maintained. (7-1-97)

b. Doors shall be of the side-hinged, swinging type.  Doors shall swing in the direction of exit travel when the room is occupied by more than fifty (50) persons or when serving any hazardous area. (7-1-03)

c. Rooms may have one (1) exit through an adjoining or intervening room, where such adjoining rooms or areas are accessory to the area served, which provides a direct, obvious, and unobstructed means of travel to an exit corridor, exit enclosure, or until egress is provided from the facility, building, or structure provided the total distance of travel does not exceed that permitted by other provisions of this standard. In other than dwelling units, exits shall not pass through kitchens, rest rooms, closets, or spaces used for similar purposes. EXCEPTIONS: Rooms with a cumulative occupant load of ten (10) or less may exit through more than one (1) intervening room. Rooms within dwelling units may exit through more than one (1) intervening room. (7-1-03)

d. Ways of exit access and the doors leading to exits shall be so designed and arranged as to be clearly recognizable as such. Hangings or draperies shall not be located to conceal or obscure any exit. Mirrors shall not be placed adjacent to or on any exit door in such a manner as to confuse the direction of exit. (7-1-97)

e. Exit access shall be so arranged that it will not be necessary to travel toward any area of high hazard occupancy in order to reach the nearest exit, unless the path of travel is effectively shielded from the high hazard location by suitable partitions or other suitable physical barriers of not less than a one (1) hour fire resistive separation. Except in dwellings and lodging houses, any room containing a boiler, furnace, incinerator, or other fuel-fired equipment must be provided with two (2) means of egress when both of the following conditions exist: The area of the room exceeds five-hundred (500) square feet; and the largest piece of fuel-fired equipment exceeds four-hundred-thousand (400,000) BTU per hour input capacity. If two (2) exits are required, one (1) may be a fixed ladder, remote from the other exit. (7-1-97)

f. Exits from a room may open into an adjoining or intervening room or area, provided such adjoining room is accessory to the area served and provides a direct means of egress to an exit corridor, exit stairway, exterior exit, horizontal exit, exterior exit balcony or exit passageway. (7-1-97)

g. Foyers, lobbies and reception rooms constructed as required for corridors shall not be construed as intervening rooms. (7-1-97)

h. Mezzanines shall be provided two (2) exits when required by Table 040.03-A. (7-1-97)

i. When corridor walls are required to be one (1) hour fire-resistive construction: Door openings shall be protected by a tight-fitting smoke and draft-control door assembly having a fire protection rating of twenty (20) minutes and be so labeled. Said doors shall not have louvers. Doors shall be maintained self-closing or shall be automatic closing by actuation of an approved smoke detector. Smoke and draft control door assemblies shall be provided with a gasket so installed as to provide a seal where the door meets the frame on both sides and across the top. Interior openings for other than doors or ducts shall as a minimum be protected by fixed, approved one-forth (1/4) inch thick wired glass installed in steel frames not to exceed twenty-five (25) percent of the area of the corridor wall of the room which it is separating from the corridor. Preferred window opening protection shall have a fire protection rating of three-fourths (3/4) hours. (7-1-97)

j. The minimum width of any way of exit access shall in no case be less than twenty-eight (28) inches. Where a single way of exit access leads to an exit, its capacity in terms of width shall be at least equal to the required capacity of the exit to which it leads. Where more than one (1) way of exit access leads to an exit, each shall have a width adequate for the number of persons it must accommodate. In areas serving employees only, the minimum aisle width shall not be less than twenty-eight (28) inches. In public areas, the minimum clear aisle width shall be not less than thirty-six (36) inches where obstructions are placed on one (1) side and not less than forty-four (44) inches wide when obstructions are placed on both sides of the aisle. A way of exit access serving disabled persons shall be a minimum of thirty-six (36) inches wide. (7-1-97)

k. No furnishings, decorations, or other objects shall be placed as to obstruct exits, access thereto, egress there from, or visibility thereof. (7-1-97)

l. No furnishings or decorations of an explosive or flammable character shall be used in any facility, building, or structure. (7-1-97)

10. Exit Doors: (7-1-97)

a. Exit doors shall meet the requirements of this subsection and sub-section 040.08.of this standard (7-1-97)

b. Double acting doors shall not be used as exits when serving an occupant load of one-hundred (100) or more, nor shall they be used as part of a fire assembly, nor equipped with panic hardware, nor be part of a smoke and draft control assembly. A double-acting door shall be provided with a view panel of not less than two-hundred (200) square inches. (7-1-97)

c. No screen door or storm door, in connection with any required exit, shall swing against the direction of exit travel in any case where doors are required to swing with the exit travel. (7-1-97)

d. Exit doors shall be operable from the inside without the use of a key or any special knowledge or effort. Manually operated edge or surface mounted flush bolts and surface bolts are prohibited. (7-1-97)

11. Panic Hardware: (7-1-97)

a. When a door is required to be equipped with panic hardware by some other provision of this Code, the panic hardware shall cause the door latch to release when a force of not to exceed fifteen (15) pounds is applied to the releasing mechanism in the direction of exit travel. (7-1-97)

b. Such releasing mechanisms shall be bars or panels, the actuating portion of which shall be not less than one-half (1/2) of the width of the door leaf, and placed at heights suitable for the service required, not less than thirty (30) nor more than forty-four (44) inches above the floor. (7-1-97)

c. Only approved panic hardware shall be used. Panic hardware shall be maintained in operable condition at all times. (7-1-97)

d. Doors with required panic hardware shall not be equipped with any locking or dogging device, set screw or other arrangement which can be used to prevent the release of the latch when pressure is applied to the bar or to prevent the door from opening. (7-1-97)

12. Special Egress Control Devices: (7-1-97)

a. When approved by the building official, exit doors in drinking and dining establishments having a occupant load of less than fifty (50), wholesale and retail stores, office buildings, printing plants, police and fire stations, and factories and workshops using materials not highly flammable or combustible, storage and sales rooms for combustible goods, paint stores without bulk handling, and facilities, buildings, structures, or portions thereof having rooms used for educational purposes beyond grade twelve (12) with less than fifty (50) occupants in any room may be equipped with listed special egress control devices of the time delay type, provided the facility, building, or structure is protected throughout by an approved automatic fire sprinkler system and an approved smoke detection system. Such devices shall conform to all of the following: (7-1-97)

i. Automatically deactivate the egress control device upon activation of either the sprinkler system or the smoke detection system; (7-1-97)

ii. Automatically deactivate the egress control device upon the loss of electrical power to the egress control device, the smoke detection system or exit illumination; (7-1-97)

iii. Be capable of being deactivated by a signal from a switch located in an approved location; (7-1-97)

iv. Initiate an irreversible process which will deactivate the egress control device whenever a manual force of not more than fifteen (15) pounds is applied for two (2) seconds to the panic bar or other door-latching hardware. The egress control device shall deactivate within an approved time period not to exceed a total of fifteen (15) seconds. The time delay established for each egress control device shall not be field adjustable. Actuation of the panic bar or other door-latching hardware shall activate an audible signal at the door. The unlatching shall not require more than one (1) operation. (7-1-97)

b. A sign shall be provided on the door located above and within twelve (12) inches of the panic bar or other door-latching hardware reading: "KEEP PUSHING, THIS DOOR WILL OPEN IN SECONDS, ALARM WILL SOUND." (7-1-97)

c. Regardless of means of deactivation, relaxing of the egress control device shall be by manual means only at the door. (7-1-97)

13. Dead End Corridors and Pockets: Corridors serving an occupant load of 10 or more shall be so arranged that there are no dead ends whose depth exceeds twenty (20) feet in length. (7-1-97)

14. Distance to Exits: (7-1-97)

a. The maximum distance of travel from any point to an exterior exit door, horizontal exit, exit passageway or an enclosed stairway in assembly, educational, residential, mercantile, institutional, factories, and storage occupancies, not equipped with an automatic fire sprinkler system throughout shall not exceed two-hundred (200) feet or two-hundred-fifty (250) feet in a facility, building, or structure equipped with an automatic fire sprinkler system throughout.  (7-1-03)

b. The maximum distance of travel from any point to an exterior exit door, horizontal exit, exit passageway or an enclosed stairway in a business occupancy the exit travel distance is two-hundred (200) feet and three (300) feet, if the building is equipped with an automatic fire sprinkler system throughout.  (7-1-03)

c. The maximum distance of travel from any point to an exterior exit door, horizontal exit, exit passageway or an enclosed stairway in an open parking garage not equipped with an automatic fire sprinkler system throughout shall not exceed Three-hundred (300) feet and four (400) feet, if the building is equipped with an automatic fire sprinkler system throughout.  (7-1-03)

d. In high hazard areas, the distance of travel to an exterior exit door, exit corridor, enclosed stairway, or other approved exit shall not exceed: for H-1 occupancies posing a mass detonation hazard, seventy-five (75) feet; for H-2 occupancies posing an accelerated burning hazard, one-hundred (100) feet; for H-3 occupancies posing a combustion or physical hazard, one-hundred-fifty (150) feet; for H-4 occupancies posing a health hazard, one hundred-seventy-five (175) feet; and for H-5 occupancies posing a production hazard, two-hundred (200) feet.  (7-1-03)

15. Exterior Ways of Exit Access: (7-1-97)

a. Access to any exit may be by means of any exterior balcony, porch, gallery, or roof that conforms to the requirements of this section. (7-1-97)

b. Exterior ways of exit access shall have smooth, solid floors, substantially level, and shall have standard guardrails on the unenclosed sides when required by sub-section 071.04. of this standard. (7-1-97)

c. Where accumulation of snow or ice is likely, because of the climate, the exterior way or exit access shall be protected by a roof. (7-1-97)

d. All ways of egress shall be kept clear and free of obstructions. (7-1-97)

e. Any gallery, balcony, bridge, porch, or other exterior exit access that projects beyond the outside wall of the facility, building, or structure shall comply with the requirements of this subsection as to width and arrangement. (7-1-97)

16. Discharge From Exits: (7-1-97)

a. All exits shall discharge directly to the street, yard, court, or other open space that gives safe access to a public way. The streets to which the exits discharge shall be of width adequate to accommodate all persons leaving the facility, building, or structure. Yards, courts, or other open spaces to which exits discharge shall also be of adequate width and size to provide all persons leaving the facility, building, or structure with ready access to the street. (7-1-97)

b. Stairs and other exits shall be so arranged as to make clear the direction of egress to the street. Exit stairs that continue beyond the floor of discharge shall be interrupted at the floor of discharge by partitions, gates, doors, or other effective means. (7-1-97)

c. When a doorway of a facility, building, or structure is located near a roadway, alley, railroad, trolley track, etc., so that the occupants are likely to walk upon the roadway or track in front of an approaching vehicle, engine, or trolley car, a standard safeguard such as standard guardrails shall be installed with a warning sign. (7-1-97)

17. Changes in Elevation: (7-1-97)

a. Sub-sections 040.17.b, 040.17.c, and 040.17.d of this standard will apply only to areas where there is a change in elevation in corridors or walkways. (7-1-97)

b. Within a facility, building, or structure, changes in elevation of less than twelve (12) inches along any route shall be by ramps. EXCEPTIONS: Dwellings and lodging houses and along aisles adjoining seating areas. (7-1-03)

c. Changes in elevation of twelve (12) or more inches shall be by stairs or ramps. (7-1-97)

d. When a corridor or walkway is accessible to the handicapped, changes in elevation shall be by means of a ramp, except as provided for doors by sub-section 040.18.c. of this standard. (7-1-97)

18. Changes in Floor Level at Doors: (7-1-97)

a. Regardless of the occupant load, there shall be a floor or landing on each side of a door. (7-1-97)

b. EXCEPTIONS: Doors serving building equipment rooms which are not normally occupied. Doors serving dwellings, lodging houses, and garages, carports, sheds, and within individual units of hotels and apartment houses may; open at the top step of an interior flight of stairs provided the door does not swing over the top step.; open at a landing that is not more than eight (8) inches (four ((4)) inches after July 1, 2002) lower than the floor level provided the door does not swing over the landing; screen doors and storm doors may swing over stairs, steps, or landings. (7-1-03)

c. When access for persons with disabilities is required, the floor or landing shall not be more than one-half (1/2) inch lower than the threshold of the doorway. When such access is not required such dimension shall not exceed one (1) inch. (7-1-97)

d. Landings shall be level except exterior landings may have a slope not to exceed one-forth (1/4) inch per foot. (7-1-97)

e. Landings at doors shall have a width not less than the width of the stairway or the width of the door whichever is the greater. (7-1-97)

f. Doors in the fully open position shall not reduce a required dimension by more than seven (7) inches. When a landing serves a occupant load of fifty (50) or more persons, doors in any position shall not reduce the landing dimension to less than one-half (1/2) the required width (7-1-97)

g. Landings shall have a length measured in the direction of travel of not less than forty-four (44) inches. EXCEPTION: Landings serving dwellings, lodging houses, garages, sheds, and within individual units of hotels and apartment houses may have a length of not less than thirty-six (36) inches. (7-1-97)

h. Landings without adjoining doors shall have a dimension measured in the direction of travel not less than the width of the stairway. Such dimension need not exceed forty-four (44) inches when the stair has a straight run. There shall be not more than twelve (12) feet vertically between landings. EXCEPTION: Stairs serving an unoccupied roof. (7-1-97)

19. Maintenance and Workmanship: (7-1-97)

a. Doors, stairs, ramps, passages, signs, and all other components of exiting systems shall be of substantial, reliable construction, and shall be built or installed in a workmanlike manner. (7-1-97)

b. Means of egress shall be continuously maintained free from all obstructions or impediments to allow full and instant use in the case of fire or other emergency. (7-1-97)

c. Any device or alarm installed to restrict the improper use of an exit shall be so designed and installed that it cannot, even in cases of failure, impede or prevent emergency use of such exit. (7-1-97)

20. Glazing: (7-1-97)

a. Glazing subject to human impact (to include mirrors) shall be approved safety glazing and shall comply with this subsection. (7-1-03)

b. Each unit of safety glazing material installed in hazardous locations as defined in sub-section 040.21.c. of this standard shall be permanently identified by a label stating that safety glazing material has been utilized in such installation and shall be visible when the glass is installed. (7-1-97)

c. The following shall be considered specific hazardous locations for the purpose of glazing: Glazing in ingress and egress doors except jalousies (shutter or french doors). Glazing in fixed and sliding panels of sliding door assemblies and panels in swinging doors except wardrobe doors. Glazing in storm doors. Glazing in all unframed swinging doors. Glazing in doors and enclosures for hot tubs, whirlpools, saunas, steam rooms, bathtubs, and showers. (Glazing in any portion of a facility, building, or structure wall enclosing these compartments where the bottom exposed edge of the glazing is less than sixty (60) inches above a standing surface and drain inlet.) Glazing in fixed or operable panels adjacent to a door. (Glazing any portion of a facility, building, or structure wall where the bottom exposed edge is less than sixty (60) inches above the floor or walking surface.) Glazing in a fixed or operable panel other then previously described that meets the following conditions; the exposed area of an individual pane is greater than nine (9) square feet, the exposed top edge is more than eighteen (18) inches above the floor or walking surface, and where the walking surface is less than thirty six (36) inches from glazing. Glazing in railings, regardless of height above a walking surface (Included are structural baluster panels and non-structural in-fill panels). EXCEPTION: Glass block panels. (7-1-97)

d. Hinged shower doors shall open outward. (7-1-97)

e. Glazing, including mirrors, attached to walls or other surfaces where the glazing may be subject to impact, shall be safety glazing or attached so that the broken pieces remain affixed to the mounting surface. (7-1-97)

f. Regular float, wired, and patterned glass in jalousies and louvered windows shall be no thinner than nominal three-sixteenths (3/16) inch and no longer than forty-eight (48) inches. Exposed glass edges shall be smooth. Wired glass with wire exposed on longitudinal edges shall not be used in jalousies or louvered windows. (7-1-97)

g. All assemblies where glass and glazing materials are used shall be maintained in a serviceable condition. Broken shards of glass shall be immediately removed from glass assemblies. (7-1-97)

h. Sloped glazing installed at a slope of fifteen (15) degrees or more from the vertical plane shall be of any of the following materials: For single layer glazing systems, the glazing material shall be laminated glass with a minimum thirty (30) mil polyvinyl butyryl or equivalent inter-layer, wired glass, approved plastic materials, heat strengthen glass, or fully tempered glass. For multiple layer glazing systems, each outer layer shall consist of any of the glazing materials specified in this subsection. Annealed glass may be used as specified in sub-section 040.21.h. of this standard. (7-1-97)

i. Heat strengthened glass and fully tempered glass when, used in single layer glazing systems, shall have screens installed below the glazing and over the walking surface which shall comply with the requirements for monolithic glazing systems. The screens shall be capable of supporting the weight of the glass and shall be substantially supported below and installed within four (4) inches of the glass. They shall be constructed of a noncombustible material not thinner than zero point zero-eight (0.08) inch with a mesh opening not larger than one (1) x one (1) inch. In a corrosive atmosphere, structurally no corrosive screening materials shall be used. Heat strengthened glass, fully tempered glass, and wire glass when used in multiple layer glazing systems as the bottom glass layer over the walking surface shall be equipped with screening which complies with the requirements for monolithic glazing systems. EXCEPTIONS: Fully tempered glass may be installed without required protective screens when located between intervening floors at a slope of thirty (30) degrees or less above the working surface. Allowable glazing material, including annealed glass, may be installed without required screens if the walking surface or any other accessible area below the glazing material is permanently protected from falling glass for a minimum horizontal distance equal to twice the height. Allowable glazing material, including annealed glass, may be installed without screens in sloped glazing systems of green houses used exclusively for growing plants and not used by the public, provided the height of the greenhouse at the ridge does not exceed twenty (20) feet above grade. (7-1-97)

21. Furnishings and Decorations. (7-1-97)

a. No furnishings, decorations or other objects shall be so placed as to obstruct exits, access thereto, egress there from or visibility thereof. (7-1-97)

b. No furnishings or decorations of an explosive or highly flammable character shall be used in any occupancy. (7-1-97)

22. Fire Escapes: (7-1-97)

a. Existing fire escapes and ladders shall be maintained in accordance with the provisions of this standard. (7-1-97)

b. Existing metallic, iron, or fireproof ladders or stairs, when used, must be well fastened, secured, and of sufficient strength to handle the intended occupant load. (7-1-97)

c. Fire escape ladders or stairs shall not constitute any of the required means of egress from a facility, building, or structure. (7-1-97)

d. Fire escape ladders or stairs shall provide a continuous, unobstructed, safe path of travel to a safe area of refuge. (7-1-97)

e. Access to a fire escape ladder or stair shall be directly to a balcony, landing, or platform. These shall be no higher than the floor or window-sill level and no lower than eight (8) inches below the floor level or eighteen (18) inches below the window-sill. (7-1-97)

f. All fire escape stairs shall have standard height guardrails and handrails. (7-1-97)

g. Noncombustible materials shall be used for the construction of all components of fire escape ladders and stairs. (7-1-97)

h. A single swinging section shall be permitted to terminate fire escape stairs over sidewalks, alleys, or driveways. (7-1-97)

i. Swinging stair sections shall not be located over doors, over the path of travel from any other exit, or in any locations where there are likely to be obstructions. (7-1-97)

j. The width of swinging stair sections shall be no less than that of the fire escape stairs. (7-1-97)

k. The pivot for swinging stairs shall be of a corrosion resistant assembly or have clearances to prevent sticking due to corrosion. (7-1-97)

l. Swinging stairs shall be counterbalanced so that a weight of one-hundred-fifty (150) pounds located one-quarter (1/4) of the length from the pivot will positively cause the stairs to swing down. (7-1-97)

m. No device to lock a swinging stair section in the up position shall be installed. (7-1-97)

n. Existing fire escape ladders shall be permitted to be used only under the following conditions: To provide access to roof spaces not normally occupied. To provide a means of egress from towers and elevated platforms around machinery or similar spaces subject to occupancy only by three (3) or less able-bodied adults. To provide emergency egress in existing buildings in instances where they were permitted by building codes in effect at the time of construction and for which no other approved egress system has since been put in.  (7-1-03)

23. Exit Marking: (7-1-97)

a. Exits shall be marked by a readily visible sign. Access to exits shall be marked by readily visible direction signs in all cases where the way is not immediately visible to the occupants. (7-1-97)

b. When two or more exits from a story are required by sub-section 040.03 and Table 040.03-A of this section, exit signs shall be installed at stair enclosure doors, horizontal exits, and other required exits from the story. When two (2) or more exits are required from a room or area, exit signs shall be installed. EXCEPTIONS: Main entry exit doors which are obviously and clearly are identifiable as exits need no sign posted. Dwellings, lodging houses, congregate residences accommodating ten (10) persons or less, and individual units of hotels and apartment houses. Exits from rooms or areas with an occupant load of less than fifty (50) when located within a nursery for the full-time care of children under the age of six (6) years, sanitariums, nursing homes with non-ambulatory patients, health care centers for ambulatory patients receiving outpatient medical care which may render the patient incapable of unassisted self-preservation, nursing homes for ambulatory patients, homes for children six (6) years of age or older, day care centers, and similar facilities, buildings, and structures each accommodating more than five (5) persons. (7-1-97)

c. Any door, passage or stairway which is neither an exit nor a way of exit access and which is so located or arranged as to be mistaken for an exit shall be identified by a sign reading, "NOT AN EXIT" or similar designation, or shall be identified by a sign indicating its actual character, such as, "TO BASEMENT", "STOREROOM", "LINEN CLOSET" or the like. A door designed to be kept normally closed shall bear a sign reading substantially as follows: " FIRE EXIT, Please Keep Door Closed". (7-1-97)

d. Every required sign designating an exit or way of exit access shall be so located and of such size and color and design as to be readily visible. No decorations, furnishings, protrusions, or equipment which impairs visibility of an exit sign shall be permitted, nor shall there be any brightly illuminated non-exit sign, display, or object in or near the line of vision to the required exit sign of such a character as to so detract attention from the exit sign that it may not be noticed. (7-1-97)

e. Every exit sign shall have the word "EXIT" in plainly legible letters not less than six (6) inches high, with the principal strokes of the letter not less than three-fourths (3/4) inch wide. (7-1-97)

f. Every exit sign shall be distinctive in color and shall provide contrast with decorations, interior finish, or other signs. (7-1-97)