Codes Test 2
There are three specifics that ADA uses for signage, what are they?
Lettering height, can't be anything blocking it from a certain distance, mounting locations, lettering contrast
ADA Signage Specifications
Lettering heights, mounting locations, lettering contrast; mounted 48-60" AFF; be mounted on the latch side of the door; if double door, mounted to the right of the door
Exit access doors typically have a _____ rating than exit doors.
Lower
What is the portion of the means of egress between the termination of an exit and the public way?
Exist discharge
What are the three Means of Egress categories?
Exit access, exit, exit discharge
What part of an exit is used to extend an exit or bring an exit to the occupants?
Exit passageway
What is the minimum number of exits if a building has a minimum number of 1,000 people? What's important to use in calculation if you have more?
Four; occupancy load
50% rule
In certain occupancies, the expected loss of any one exit location cannot reduce the total capacity of the exit width by more than 50%
Solutions if a project requires the for to swing out toward the path of travel
Increase the swing of the door; create alcove, enlarge landing; use a sliding door
IFC
International Fire Code; includes maintenance requirements so that the means of egress remains usable
Why is a handrail important during a fire?
It guides you to the door because you can't see through the smoke; handrails are continuous.
Which code document includes performance codes in each chapter?
NFPA
Signage-Others
"No exit" signage required if a regular doorway or stairway can be mistake for an exit; exiting signage can include signs that orient occupants to where they are in the building-floor levels, stair numbers; locating areas of refuge, labeling entrance and exit doors, indicating locked doors, etc...
Number of Exit Door requirements
1-500...2 exits; 500-1000...3 exits; over 1000...4 exits; Assembly, Institutional, and Residential occupancies have most exceptions/special requirements
What is the minimum depth required for a space to be considered a public way?
10 feet wide by 10 feet tall
The most common tread depth for stairs (exit access) is how many inches?
11 inches (height is 4-7 inches)
How many feet can a single flight of stairs rise before a landing is required?
12 feet
When designing a ramp that meets codes, what is the ratio to be used?
1:12
What is the minimum number of exits required by most codes?
2
How long is the maximum a dead end corridor can be?
20 feet
Guards or guard rails are typically necessary whenever there is a drop of how many inches?
30 inches
Doors (exit accesses)
32" clear width must be provided when door is open; most of time required to swing in direction of travel; door at least 36" wide; cannot be less than 80" high; side-hinged and swinging
What are thee typical hand rail heights?
34-48 inches
Ramps have to be how man inches wide? Why?
36 inches, minimum; wheelchairs
In inches, what is the farthest a door handle can protrude from an exit door?
4 inches
When designing guard rails, what is typically the size of the object that cannot pass between the rails?
4 inches
What is the most common height of an exit access stair rise?
4-7 inches
In codes, what is the typical corridor width?
44 inches
ADA typically requires a sign to be hung how many inches from finished floor?
48-60 inches
What is the rule that states that in certain occupancies the expected loss of one exit location cannot reduce the total capacity of exit width by 50%?
50% rule
What is required by the codes if a regular door or stairway can be mistaken for an exit?
A sign stating "not an exit"
Area of Refuge definition
A space to provide temporary refuge for those unable to leave the building
In areas of refuge, means of egress are necessary to follow, but what standards must also be met?
ADA and ICC/ANSI (accessibility)
What does AFF stand for?
Above finished floor
What is calculated similar to a corridor but is defined using equipment and furniture?
Aisle
Minimum horizontal exit sizes
Allowed only if the area of refuge created is large enough to accommodate its own occupants; typically 3 square feet per occupant
Public Way
Always the final destination of means of egress; outside could be an exit discharge, or a public way
Goal of exit requirements
Balance the flow of occupants during an emergency
Signage Codes
Building codes an LSC specify placement, graphics, and illumination of exit signs; ADA and ICC/ANSI might require directional arrows
NFPA-NFPA 101B
Code for the Means of Egress for buildings and structures (new construction)
Arrangement of exits
Codes and LSC require exits to be located as remotely from each other as possible; half-diagonal rule
Exterior exit doors
Consists of doorway; may be exterior doors on each floor that leads to fire escape in older buildings
Dead-end corridors
Corridor with only one direction of exit; 20 feet is most common distance for dead end corridor-still have time to realize dead end and safely exit
There are four solutions if a project requires a door to swing out into the path of travel. What are they?
Create an alcove, increase the degree of the door swing, pocket/sliding door, enlarge the landing
Exit Widths
Determined by occupant load of each floor; floor with largest will set the rest of the exit widths in building; must be determined separately for every enclosed area; cannot be reduced as it moves towards the exit discharge; min. door width of 32 inches, standard is 36"
Horizontal exits
Does not lead person to exterior or building; "defend in place" strategy; provides a protected exit to a safe are of refuge; no change in level
Platforms
Each run of stairs must have a landing at the top and bottom
What part of a building has been typically not used as a means of egress but are after 9/11?
Elevators
Two main means of egress strategies
Evacuation-direct path out. Defend in place-go to specific areas and wait for assistance or alternative exit.
In terms of signage, what might be required of you if there is a really long hallway?
Every so many feet you have to thane an exit sign
3 main types of exits
Exterior exit doors; Exit stairs; Area of refuge
What three things must be enclosed for a space to be considered a corridor?
Floors, walls, ceilings
Area of Refuge
Generally, accessibility is required; to be clearly identified with visual and tactile signage and have two-way emergency communication system; most common req. is 1 wheelchair space for every 200 occupants; currently not required by IBC in sprinklered buildings
What is the term used to describe the level of the group that ban be reached by a fire truck?
Ground level
What are railings that are required by codes to keep people from falling off when there are changes in elevation?
Guard rails
What type of exit protects people from going from a dangerous space into an exit space on one level?
Horizontal exit
What is an example of a facility that may have a larger than moral minimum standard corridor width?
Hospital; room for gurneys
ICCPC
ICC Performance Codes; requires that a building and its design allows occupants sufficient time to evacuate or relocate
Chapter dedicated to means of egress (performance codes)
ICCPC
What codes document has an entire chapter dedicated only performance codes for means of egress?
ICCPC
What is a continuous and unobstructed path of travel from any point in a building to the exit?
Means of egress
Travel distance
Measurement of an exit access; not measure in straight line; on the floor along the centerline of the most natural path of travel
Number of Exits
Most codes req. min. of 2; number is based on the occupant load; each floor is considered separately; when determining the number, only calculate the occupant load for that area; cannot decease as one proceeds along the egress path-floor with largest occupants determines number of exits req. for lower floors; affected by occupant load and travel distance
Handrails (exit access)
Most codes require on both sides of stairs; 34-38 inches is typical height; required to be continuous; usually on both sides; type 1-typical circular handrails, type 2-residential, additional shapes)
Corridors (exit access)
Must be enclosed by surrounding walls, floor below, and ceiling above; 44 inches wide; hospitals require wider; non rated or have 1-hour fire rating; 1 60" turning space required if corridor is not 32" wide
Each code includes a performance chapter
NFPA
Is travel distance measure in a straight line?
No; measured from the farthest distance of a building, through whatever obstacles in egress path, to public way.
What is the lip on the stair called?
Nosing
When operating door handles, what is the requirement for accessibility?
One hand, little effort
Which floor of the building determines the number of required exits for the lower floors?
One with the greatest occupancy load. If there is a basement, the first floor and basement are added together.
What are the things installed on basement gates to allow people to go up them but down them in case of an emergency?
Panic Bars
Door hardware (exit access)
Panic hardware; door pulls must be certain shape and be installed at specific height, not projecting more that 4 inches into clear width; lever, push-type, and u-shaped; cannot delay in evacuating
Exit Discharge
Part of means of egress that connects the exit with the public way; types-main lobby, foyer/vestibule, discharge corridor, egress court, alley or sidewalk; can be described as fire escape; exists if it occurs after a protected exit
Exits
Portion in means of egress separated from all other spaces in a building; must be fully enclosed and rated; 3 main types; has to be fire rated; codes assume relatively safe once exit is reached
Exit Stairs
Protected enclosure; most common type of exit; door swings out to exit; stairs and landings inside enclosure; has to be constructed of rated assemblies; panic door for basements; 36-56" wide
What is the area outside of a building between the exit discharge and a public street?
Public way
Guards (exit access)
Railings to keep people from falling off when there are changes in elevation; necessary when there is a drop over 30 inches where occupants are walking and there is no adjacent wall; glass must pass safety glass requirements; 42" high
Means of egress capacity
Reflects the number of people that can safely exit a building in an emergency; factors include number of exits, exit width, arrangement of exits, allowable travel distance
Exit Signs
Req. whenever floor has two or more exits; must be installed at doors of all stair enclosures, exit passageways, and horizontal exits on every floor; must be installed at exterior exit doors and any other door exiting a space or area where direction of egress is unclear; no point within exit access can be more than 100 feet from the nearest visible sing
Emergency lighting
Req. whenever two or more exits are present, must be contacted to backup system, codes require that emergency lighting provided at all exits, aisles, etc.. that lead to an exit
Performance codes use general statements like ____.
Safe place, adequate lighting, appropriate travel distance
What even radically changed the way means of egress codes were written?
September 11th
Aisle access way (exit access)
Short portion of an isle that leads to another side; assume travel in only one direction, towards the isle
Aisle (exit access)
Similar to exit access corridors but not enclosed; pathway created by furniture and equipment; important for working with existing space; can be created by fixed seats, tables, etc..;assume travel in two directions
In order to be a public way,
Space must be at least 10 feet wide and 10 feet high, and be considered a public space
Common path of travel
Specified length depends on the occupancy type; measure starting 1' from wall at the most remote location to the first corridor or isle that provides choice of two party of travel to remote exits; can also be exit access where two party merge and become one, as merged path becomes means of egress
Nosing
The lip of the stair
Exit Access
The portion of means of egress that leads to the entrance of an exit; any room or space occupied by a person; any doorway, aisle, corridor, stair, or ramp traveled not he way to the exit
Exit Discharge definition
The portion of the means of egress between the termination of an exit and the public way; lobby or courtyard (inside or outside)
Exit
The portion of the means of egress that is protected and fully enclosed; between the exit access and the exit discharge or public way
Flight of Stairs (exit access)
The run of stairs from one floor or landing to another and there must be a landing at the top and bottom of stairs; single flight typically cannot rise more that 12 feet; if an area of refuge is required, landing size may increase; opened risers allowed for stairs that aren't required to be accessible (4" pass thru rule)
What type of handrail is commonly seen in most commercial occupancies?
Type 1
What type of handrail can be used in residential occupancies and is more decorative than its commercial counterparts?
Type 2
Exit Passageway
Type of horizontal passage or corridor that provides same level of protection as an exit stair; used to extend exit or being exit closer to occupants; provides the same level of protection as an exit stair
Elevators (exit access)
Typically not part of means of egress; finding ways to incorporate after 9/11
Ramps (exit access)
Used anywhere there is a change in elevation and accessibility is required; 1:12 is ratio; at least 36 inches wide; 30' is max without landing; must be provided if stairs are provided; landing 60' min; landing required every 30 feet to limit length
Signage
Various signs required by codes-exit signs, exit related signs, location related signs; some required by codes, others required by clients
Half diagonal rule
When two or more exits are required at least two of the exits must be certain distance apart; make exits as far apart as possible in attempt to allow every occupant the choice of two exit paths not matter where located in the space
Performance codes require designers to consider
the characteristics of occupants, the characteristics of the design, hazards that may exist to determine the specific challenges in evacuating
