Section 245. Chapter 10 Means of egress

A. Delete Section 1001.4 of the IBC.

B. Change Section 1004.3 of the IBC to read:

1004.3 Posting of occupant load. Every room or space that is an assembly occupancy and where the occupant load of that room or space is 50 or more shall have the occupant load of the room or space posted in a conspicuous place, near the main exit or exit access doorway from the room or space. Posted signs shall be of an approved legible permanent design and shall be maintained by the owner or authorized agent.

C. Change the exception to Section 1005.3.1 of the IBC to read:

Exception:

For other than Groups H and I-2 occupancies, the capacity, in inches (mm), of means of egress stairways shall be calculated by multiplying the occupant load served by such stairway by a means of egress capacity factor of 0.2 inch (5.1 mm) per occupant in buildings equipped with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2.

D. Change the exception to Section 1005.3.2 of the IBC to read:

Exception: For other than Groups H and I-2 occupancies, the capacity, in inches (mm), of means of egress components other than stairways shall be calculated by multiplying the occupant load served by such component by a means of egress capacity factor of 0.15 inch (3.8 mm) per occupant in buildings equipped with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2.

E. Change Section 1007.6.2 of the IBC to read:

1007.6.2 Separation. Each area of refuge shall be separated from the remainder of the story by a smoke barrier complying with Section 709 or a horizontal exit complying with Section 1025. Each area of refuge shall be designed to minimize the intrusion of smoke.

Exceptions:

1. Areas of refuge located within an exit enclosure.

2. Areas of refuge where the area of refuge and areas served by the area of refuge are equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2.

F. Change Item 2 of Section 1008.1.9.3 of the IBC to read:

2. In buildings in occupancy Groups B, F, M and S, the main exterior door or doors are permitted to be equipped with key-operated locking devices from the egress side provided:

2.1. The locking device is readily distinguishable as locked.

2.2. A readily visible durable sign is posted on the egress side on or adjacent to the door stating: THIS DOOR TO REMAIN UNLOCKED WHEN BUILDING IS OCCUPIED. The sign shall be in letters one inch (25 mm) high on a contrasting background.

2.3. The use of the key-operated locking device is revokable by the building official for due cause.

G. Delete Section 1008.1.9.6 of the IBC.

H. Change Sections 1008.1.9.7 and 1008.1.9.8 of the IBC to read:

1008.1.9.7 Delayed egress locks. In other than Groups A, E, and H, approved, listed, delayed egress locks shall be permitted to be installed on doors in buildings which are equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or an approved automatic smoke or heat detection system installed in accordance with Section 907, provided that the doors unlock in accordance with Items 1 through 6 below. A building occupant shall not be required to pass through more than one door equipped with a delayed egress lock before entering an exit.

1. The doors unlock upon actuation of the automatic sprinkler system or automatic fire detection system.

2. The doors unlock upon loss of power controlling the lock or lock mechanism.

3. The door locks shall have the capability of being unlocked by a signal from the fire command center.

4. The initiation of an irreversible process which will release the latch in not more than 15 seconds when a force of not more than 15 pounds (67 N) is applied for 1 second to the release device. Initiation of the irreversible process shall activate an audible signal in the vicinity of the door. Once the door lock has been released by the application of force to the releasing device, relocking shall be by manual means only.

Exception: Where approved, a delay of not more than 30 seconds is permitted.

5. A sign shall be provided on the door located above and within 12 inches (305 mm) of the release device reading: PUSH UNTIL ALARM SOUNDS. DOOR CAN BE OPENED IN 15 SECONDS.

Exception: Where approved, such sign shall read: PUSH UNTIL ALARM SOUNDS. DOOR CAN BE OPENED IN 30 SECONDS.

6. Emergency lighting shall be provided at the door.

Exception: Approved, listed, delayed egress locks shall be permitted to be installed on doors serving Group A-3 airport facilities, provided they are installed in accordance with this section.

1008.1.9.8 Sensor release of electronically locked egress doors. The electric locks on sensor released doors located in a means of egress in buildings with an occupancy in Group A, B, E, I-1, I-2, I-4, M, R-1, or R-2 and entrance doors to tenant spaces in occupancies in Group A, B, E, I-1, I-2, I-4, M, R-1, or R-2 are permitted where installed and operated in accordance with all of the following criteria:

1. The sensor shall be installed on the egress side arranged to detect an occupant approaching the doors. The doors shall be arranged to unlock by a signal from or loss of power to the sensor.

2. Loss of power to the lock or locking system shall automatically unlock the doors.

3. The doors shall be arranged to unlock from a manual unlocking device located 40 inches to 48 inches (1016 mm to 1219 mm) vertically above the floor and within five feet (1524 mm) of the secured doors. Ready access shall be provided to the manual unlocking device and the device shall be clearly identified by a sign that reads "PUSH TO EXIT." When operated, the manual unlocking device shall result in direct interruption of power to the lock–independent of locking system electronics–and the doors shall remain unlocked for not less than 30 seconds.

4. Activation of the building fire alarm system, if provided, shall automatically unlock the doors, and the doors shall remain unlocked until the fire alarm system has been reset.

5. Activation of the building automatic sprinkler or fire detection system, if provided, shall automatically unlock the doors. The doors shall remain unlocked until the fire alarm system has been reset.

6. The door locking system units shall be listed in accordance with UL 294.

I. Delete the exception in Section 1008.1.10 of the IBC.

J. Add Section 1008.1.11 to the IBC to read:

1008.1.11 Locking certain residential sliding doors. In dwelling units of Group R-2 buildings, exterior sliding doors which are one story or less above grade, or shared by two dwelling units, or are otherwise accessible from the outside, shall be equipped with locks. The mounting screws for the lock case shall be inaccessible from the outside. The lock bolt shall engage the strike in a manner that will prevent it from being disengaged by movement of the door.

Exception: Exterior sliding doors which are equipped with removable metal pins or charlie bars.

K. Add Section 1008.1.12 to the IBC to read:

1008.1.12 Door viewers in certain residential buildings. Entrance doors to dwelling units of Group R-2 buildings shall be equipped with door viewers with a field of vision of not less than 180 degrees.

Exception: Entrance doors having a vision panel or side vision panels.

L. Change Exception 5 of Section 1009.7.2 of the IBC to read:

5. In Group R-3 occupancies; within dwelling units in Group R-2 occupancies; and in Group U occupancies that are accessory to a Group R-3 occupancy or accessory to individual dwelling units in Group R-2 occupancies; the maximum riser height shall be 8.25 inches (210 mm); the minimum tread depth shall be 9 inches (229 mm); the minimum winder tread depth at the walk line shall be 10 inches (254 mm); and the minimum winder tread depth shall be 6 inches (152 mm). A nosing not less than 0.75 inch (19.1 mm) but not more than 1.25 inches (32 mm) shall be provided on stairways with solid risers where the tread depth is less than 11 inches (279 mm).

M. Change Section 1013.8 of the IBC to read:

1013.8 Window sills. In Occupancy Groups R-2 and R-3, one-family and two-family and multiple-family dwellings, where the opening of the sill portion of an operable window is located more than 72 inches (1829 mm) above the finished grade or other surface below, the lowest part of the clear opening of the window shall be at a height not less than 18 inches (457 mm) above the finished floor surface of the room in which the window is located. Operable sections of windows shall not permit openings that allow passage of a 4-inch-diameter (102 mm) sphere where such openings are located within 18 inches (457 mm) of the finished floor.

Exceptions:

1. Operable windows where the sill portion of the opening is located more than 75 feet (22 860 mm) above the finished grade or other surface below and that are provided with window fall prevention devices that comply with ASTM F 2006.

2. Windows whose openings will not allow a 4-inch diameter (102 mm) sphere to pass through the opening when the window is in its largest opened position.

3. Openings that are provided with window fall prevention devices that comply with ASTM F 2090.

4. Windows that are provided with window opening control devices that comply with Section 1013.8.1.

N. Add Exception 3 to Item 4 of Section 1014.2 of the IBC to read:

3. A maximum of one exit access is permitted to pass through kitchens, store rooms, closets or spaces used for similar purposes provided such a space is not the only means of exit access.

O. Change Exception 1 in Item 1 of Section 1015.1 of the IBC to read:

1. In Groups R-2 and R-3 occupancies, one means of egress is permitted within and from individual dwelling units with a maximum occupant load of 20 where the dwelling unit is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2. This exception shall also apply to Group R-2 occupancies where Section 903.2.8, Exception 1 or 2 is applicable.

P. Change Table 1015.1 of the IBC to read:

	Table 1015.1 Spaces With One Exit or Exit Access Doorway
	Occupancy	Maximum Occupant Load
	A, B, E, F, M, U	50
	H-1, H-2, H-3	3
	H-4, H-5, I-1, I-3, I-4, R	10
	S	29

Q. Change Exception 2 of Section 1015.2.1 of the IBC to read:

2. Where a building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2, the separation distance of the exit doors or exit access doorways shall not be less than one-fourth of the length of the maximum overall diagonal dimension of the area served.

R. Add Section 1016.2.2 to the IBC to read:

1016.2.2 Group F-1 and S-1 increase. The maximum exit access travel distance shall be 400 feet (122 m) in Group F-1 or S-1 occupancies where all of the following are met:

1. The portion of the building classified as Group F-1 or S-1 is limited to one story in height;

2. The minimum height from the finished floor to the bottom of the ceiling or roof slab or deck is 24 feet (7315 mm); and

3. The building is equipped throughout with an automatic fire sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.

S. Add the following text to footnote "a" of Table 1016.2 of the IBC to read:

Section 1016.2.2: For increase distance limitation in Group F-1 and Group S-1.

T. Change Exception 2 of Section 1018.1 of the IBC to read:

2. A fire-resistance rating is not required for corridors contained within a dwelling or sleeping unit in an occupancy in Group I-1 and Group R.

U. Change Table 1018.1 of the IBC to read:

	Table 1018.1 Corridor Fire-Resistance Rating
	Occupancy	Occupant Load Served By Corridor	Required Fire-Resistance Rating (hours)
			Without sprinkler system	With sprinkler systemb
	H-1, H-2, H-3	All	Not Permitted	1
	H-4, H-5	Greater than 30	Not Permitted	1
	A, B, E, F, M, S, U	Greater than 30	1	0
	R	Greater than 10	1	0.5
	I-2a, I-4	All	Not Permitted	0
	I-1, I-3	All	Not Permitted	0
	a. For requirements for occupancies in Group I-2, see Sections 407.2 and 407.3. b. Buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2 where allowed.

V. Add an additional row to Table 1018.2 of the IBC to read:

	Occupancy	Width (minimum)
	In corridors of Group I-2 assisted living facilities licensed by the Virginia Department of Social Services serving areas with wheelchair, walker, and gurney traffic where residents are capable of self-preservation or where resident rooms have a means of egress door leading directly to the outside.	44 inches

W. Change the first row in Table 1021.2(2) to read:

	Story	Occupancy	Maximum Occupants per Story	Maximum Exit Access Travel Distance
	First story or basement	A, Bb, E, Fb, M, U, Sb	50 occupants	75 feet

X. Change Section 1022.9 of the IBC to read:

1022.9 Floor identification signs. A sign shall be provided at each floor landing in exit enclosures connecting more than three stories designating the floor level, the terminus of the top and bottom of the exit enclosure and the identification of the stair or ramp by designation with a letter of the alphabet. The signage shall also state the story of, and the direction to, the exit discharge and the availability of roof access from the enclosure for the fire department. The sign shall be located five feet (1524 mm) above the floor landing in a position that is readily visible when the doors are in the open and closed positions. Floor level identification signs in tactile characters complying with ICC A117.1 shall be located at each floor level landing adjacent to the door leading from the enclosure into the corridor to identify the floor level.

Y. Change Section 1024.1 of the IBC to read:

1024.1 General. Approved luminous egress path markings delineating the exit path shall be provided in buildings of Groups A, B, E, I, M and R-1 having occupied floors located more than 420 feet (128 016 mm) above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access in accordance with Sections 1024.1 through 1024.5.

Exception: Luminous egress path markings shall not be required on the level of exit discharge in lobbies that serve as part of the exit path in accordance with Section 1027.1, Exception 1.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 22, Issue 03, eff. November 16, 2005; amended, Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 14, eff. May 1, 2008; Volume 27, Issue 02, eff. March 1, 2011; Change in Effective Date, 27:5 VA.R. 534 November 8, 2010; amended, Virginia Register Volume 27, Issue 12, eff. March 1, 2011; Volume 30, Issue 16, eff. July 14, 2014.

Statutory Authority

§ 36-98 of the Code of Virginia.