Page 228 - 2018_IFC

MEANS OF EGRESS

plies with the graspability requirements of handrails perimeter guards where the seating is located
in accordance with Section 1014.3. adjacent to a wall and the space between the wall
3. Handrail extensions are not required at the top and and the seating is less than 4 inches (102 mm).
bottom of stepped aisles and ramped aisles to permit [BE] 1029.17.2 Cross aisles. Cross aisles located more
crossovers within the aisles. than 30 inches (762 mm) above the floor or grade below
[BE] 1029.16.1 Discontinuous handrails. Where there is shall have guards in accordance with Section 1015.
seating on both sides of the aisle, the mid-aisle handrails Where an elevation change of 30 inches (762 mm) or
shall be discontinuous with gaps or breaks at intervals not less occurs between a cross aisle and the adjacent floor or
exceeding five rows to facilitate access to seating and to grade below, guards not less than 26 inches (660 mm)
permit crossing from one side of the aisle to the other. above the aisle floor shall be provided.
These gaps or breaks shall have a clear width of not less Exception: Where the backs of seats on the front of the
than 22 inches (559 mm) and not greater than 36 inches cross aisle project 24 inches (610 mm) or more above
(914 mm), measured horizontally, and the mid-aisle hand- the adjacent floor of the aisle, a guard need not be pro-
rail shall have rounded terminations or bends. vided.
[BE] 1029.16.2 Handrail termination. Handrails located [BE] 1029.17.3 Sightline-constrained guard heights.
on the side of stepped aisles shall return to a wall, guard or Unless subject to the requirements of Section 1029.17.4, a
the walking surfaces or shall be continuous to the handrail fascia or railing system in accordance with the guard
of an adjacent stepped aisle flight. requirements of Section 1015 and having a minimum
[BE] 1029.16.3 Mid-aisle termination. Mid-aisle hand- height of 26 inches (660 mm) shall be provided where the
rails shall not extend beyond the lowest riser and shall ter- floor or footboard elevation is more than 30 inches (762
minate within 18 inches (381 mm), measured horizontally, mm) above the floor or grade below and the fascia or rail-
from the lowest riser. Handrail extensions are not ing would otherwise interfere with the sightlines of imme-
required. diately adjacent seating.
Exception: Mid-aisle handrails shall be permitted to [BE] 1029.17.4 Guards at the end of aisles. A fascia or
extend beyond the lowest riser where the handrail railing system complying with the guard requirements of
extensions do not obstruct the width of the cross aisle. Section 1015 shall be provided for the full width of the
[BE] 1029.16.4 Rails. Where mid-aisle handrails are pro- aisle where the foot of the aisle is more than 30 inches
vided in stepped aisles, there shall be an additional rail (762 mm) above the floor or grade below. The fascia or
located approximately 12 inches (305 mm) below the railing shall be not less than 36 inches (914 mm) high and
handrail. The rail shall be adequate in strength and attach- shall provide not less than 42 inches (1067 mm) measured
ment in accordance with Section 1607.8.1.2 of the Inter- diagonally between the top of the rail and the nosing of the
national Building Code. nearest tread.
[BE] 1029.17 Assembly guards. Guards adjacent to seating
in a building, room or space used for assembly purposes shall SECTION 1030
be provided where required by Section 1015 and shall be con- EMERGENCY ESCAPE AND RESCUE
structed in accordance with Section 1015 except where pro-
vided in accordance with Sections 1029.17.1 through [BE] 1030.1 General. In addition to the means of egress
1029.17.4. At bleachers, grandstands and folding and tele- required by this chapter, emergency escape and rescue open-
scopic seating, guards must be provided where required by ings shall be provided in the following occupancies:
ICC 300 and Section 1029.17.1. 1. Group R-2 occupancies located in stories with only one
exit or access to only one exit as permitted by Tables
[BE] 1029.17.1 Perimeter guards. Perimeter guards shall
be provided where the footboards or walking surface of 1006.3.3(1) and 1006.3.3(2).
seating facilities are more than 30 inches (762 mm) above 2. Group R-3 and R-4 occupancies.
the floor or grade below. Where the seatboards are adja- Basements and sleeping rooms below the fourth story
cent to the perimeter, guard height shall be 42 inches above grade plane shall have not fewer than one exterior
(1067 mm) high minimum, measured from the seatboard. emergency escape and rescue opening in accordance with
Where the seats are self-rising, guard height shall be 42 this section. Where basements contain one or more sleeping
inches (1067 mm) high minimum, measured from the rooms, emergency escape and rescue openings shall be
floor surface. Where there is an aisle between the seating required in each sleeping room, but shall not be required in
and the perimeter, the guard height shall be measured in adjoining areas of the basement. Such openings shall open
accordance with Section 1015.3. directly into a public way or to a yard or court that opens to a
Exceptions: public way.
1. Guards that impact sightlines shall be permitted Exceptions:
to comply with Section 1029.17.3. 1. Basements with a ceiling height of less than 80
2. Bleachers, grandstands and folding and tele- inches (2032 mm) shall not be required to have
scopic seating shall not be required to have emergency escape and rescue openings.

2018 INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE ® 195
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