It came to my befuddlement when I saw a 100’ high building with staircase of 3’2” and not area for rescue assistance, as defined under accessible means of egress. This made me look in detail in the code and this is what I have found.
I knew that a high rise building has to have a means of egress as accessible means of egress and an elevator as means of egress. Whereas section 1007.2.1 (High-rise buildings) exception 3 stipulates, group R-2 are not subject to this requirement, without citing requirement of automatic sprinkler (Which is strange for a new building).
As we know accessible means of egress has two main features.
- Area of rescue assistance, and
- 48” clear width of staircase case, between the handrails.
Section 1007.3 (Exit stairways) Exception #1, excludes requirement of area of rescue assistance provided building meets exit access travel distance requirement and is enclosed as per section 1022.
Section 1007.3 (Exit stairways) Exception #2, excludes 48” width requirement and area of rescue assistance, provided building is equipped with automatic sprinklers.
Section 1007.3 (Exit stairways) Exception #7, excludes requirement of area of rescue assistance in R-2 occupancy.
If we have only one means of egress shall that be an accessible means of egress?
ArchitectNYC 