Page 229 - 2018_IFC

MEANS OF EGRESS

2. Emergency escape and rescue openings are not inches (76 mm) from the wall and shall be spaced not
required from basements or sleeping rooms that more than 18 inches (457 mm) on center (o.c.) vertically
have an exit door or exit access door that opens for the full height of the window well. The ladder or steps
directly into a public way or to a yard, court or exte- shall not encroach into the required dimensions of the win-
rior exit balcony that opens to a public way. dow well by more than 6 inches (152 mm). The ladder or
3. Basements without habitable spaces and having not steps shall not be obstructed by the emergency escape and
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more than 200 square feet (18.6 m ) in floor area rescue opening. Ladders or steps required by this section
shall not be required to have emergency escape and are exempt from the stairway requirements of Section
rescue openings. 1011.
4. Within individual dwelling and sleeping units in [BE] 1030.5 Bars, grilles, covers and screens. Bars, grilles,
Groups R-2 and R-3, where the building is equipped covers, screens or similar devices are permitted to be placed
throughout with an automatic sprinkler system over emergency escape and rescue openings, bulkhead enclo-
installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, sures, or window wells that serve such openings, provided
903.3.1.2 or 903.3.1.3, sleeping rooms in basements that the minimum net clear opening size complies with Sec-
shall not be required to have emergency escape and tions 1030.1.1 through 1030.4.2 and such devices shall be
rescue openings provided that the basement has one releasable or removable from the inside without the use of a
of the following: key, tool or force greater than that which is required for nor-
mal operation of the escape and rescue opening. Where such
4.1. One means of egress and one emergency bars, grilles, covers, screens or similar devices are installed in
escape and rescue opening.
existing buildings, they shall not reduce the net clear opening
4.2. Two means of egress. of the emergency escape and rescue opening and smoke
[BE] 1030.1.1 Operational constraints and opening alarms shall be installed in accordance with Section 907.2.10
control devices. Emergency escape and rescue openings regardless of the valuation of the alteration.
shall be operational from inside the room without the use
of keys or tools. Window-opening control devices com-
plying with ASTM F2090 shall be permitted for use on SECTION 1031
windows serving as a required emergency escape and res- MAINTENANCE OF THE MEANS OF EGRESS
cue opening. 1031.1 General. The means of egress for buildings or por-
[BE] 1030.2 Minimum size. Emergency escape and rescue tions thereof shall be maintained in accordance with this sec-
openings shall have a minimum net clear opening of 5.7 tion.
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square feet (0.53 m ). 1031.2 Reliability. Required exit accesses, exits and exit dis-
Exception: The minimum net clear opening for grade- charges shall be continuously maintained free from obstruc-
floor emergency escape and rescue openings shall be 5 tions or impediments to full instant use in the case of fire or
2
square feet (0.46 m ). other emergency where the building area served by the means
of egress is occupied. An exit or exit passageway shall not be
[BE] 1030.2.1 Minimum dimensions. The minimum net used for any purpose that interferes with a means of egress.
clear opening height dimension shall be 24 inches (610
mm). The minimum net clear opening width dimension 1031.2.1 Security devices and egress locks. Security
shall be 20 inches (508 mm). The net clear opening dimen- devices affecting means of egress shall be subject to
sions shall be the result of normal operation of the open- approval of the fire code official. Security devices and
ing. locking arrangements in the means of egress that restrict,
control, or delay egress shall be installed and maintained
[BE] 1030.3 Maximum height from floor. Emergency as required by this chapter.
escape and rescue openings shall have the bottom of the clear
opening not greater than 44 inches (1118 mm) measured from [BE] 1031.2.2 Locking arrangements in educational
the floor. occupancies. In Group E occupancies, Group B educa-
tional occupancies and Group I-4 occupancies, egress
[BE] 1030.4 Window wells. An emergency escape and res- doors from classrooms, offices and other occupied rooms
cue opening with a finished sill height below the adjacent
ground level shall be provided with a window well in accor- shall be permitted to be provided with locking arrange-
ments designed to keep intruders from entering the room
dance with Sections 1030.4.1 and 1030.4.2.
where all of the following conditions are met:
[BE] 1030.4.1 Minimum size. The minimum horizontal
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area of the window well shall be 9 square feet (0.84 m ), 1. The door shall be capable of being unlocked from
outside the room with a key or other approved
with a minimum dimension of 36 inches (914 mm). The means.
area of the window well shall allow the emergency escape
and rescue opening to be fully opened. 2. The door shall be openable from within the room in
accordance with Section 1010.1.9.
[BE] 1030.4.2 Ladders or steps. Window wells with a
vertical depth of more than 44 inches (1118 mm) shall be 3. Modifications shall not be made to existing listed
equipped with an approved permanently affixed ladder or panic hardware, fire door hardware or door closers.
steps. Ladders or rungs shall have an inside width of not 4. Modifications to fire door assemblies shall be in
less than 12 inches (305 mm), shall project not less than 3 accordance with NFPA 80.

196 2018 INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE ®
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