WAC 51-54-1000   Chapter 10 -- Means of egress.  


SECTION 1005 EGRESS WIDTH


1005.1 Minimum required egress width. The means of egress width shall not be less than required by this section. The total width of means of egress in inches (mm) shall not be less than the total occupant load served by the means of egress multiplied by 0.3 inches (7.62 mm) per occupant for stairways and by 0.2 inches (5.08 mm) per occupant for other egress components. The width shall not be less than specified elsewhere in this code. Multiple means of egress shall be sized such that the loss of any one means of egress shall not reduce the available capacity to less than 50 percent of the required capacity. The maximum capacity required from any story of a building shall be maintained to the termination of the means of egress.


EXCEPTIONS: 1. Means of egress complying with Section 1028.
2. For other than H and I-2 occupancies, the total width of means of egress in inches (mm) shall not be less than the total occupant load served by the means of egress multiplied by 0.2 inches (5.1 mm) per occupant for stairways and by 0.15 inches (3.8 mm) per occupant for other egress components in buildings that are provided with sprinkler protection in accordance with 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2 and an emergency voice/alarm communication system in accordance with 907.5.2.2.

SECTION 1007 ACCESSIBLE MEANS OF EGRESS


1007.1 Accessible means of egress required. Accessible means of egress shall comply with this section. Accessible spaces shall be provided with not less than one accessible means of egress. Where more than one means of egress are required by Section 1015.1 or 1021.1 from any accessible space, each accessible portion of the space shall be served by not less than two accessible means of egress.


EXCEPTIONS: 1. Accessible means of egress are not required in alterations to existing buildings.
2. One accessible means of egress is required from an accessible mezzanine level in accordance with Section 1007.3, 1007.4 or 1007.5.
3. In assembly areas with sloped or stepped aisles, one accessible means of egress is permitted where the common path of travel is accessible and meets the requirements in Section 1028.8.
4. In parking garages, accessible means of egress are not required to serve parking areas that do not contain accessible parking spaces.

1007.8 Two-way communication. A two-way communication system shall be provided at the elevator landing on each accessible floor that is one or more stories above or below the story of exit discharge complying with Sections 1007.8.1 and 1007.8.2.


EXCEPTIONS: 1. Two-way communication systems are not required at the elevator landing where two-way communication is provided within the areas of refuge in accordance with Section 1007.6.3.
2. Two-way communication systems are not required on floors provided with exit ramps conforming to provisions of Section 1010.

1007.8.1 System requirements. Two-way communication systems shall provide communication between each required location and the fire command center or a central control point location approved by the fire department. Where the central control point is not constantly attended, a two-way communication system shall have a timed automatic telephone dial-out capability to a monitoring location. The two-way communication system shall include both audible and visible signals. The two-way communication system shall have a battery backup or an approved alternate source of power that is capable of 90 minutes use upon failure of the normal power source.


SECTION 1008 DOORS, GATES AND TURNSTILES


1008.1.9.3 Locks and latches. Locks and latches shall be permitted to prevent operation of doors where any of the following exists:

     1. Places of detention or restraint.

     2. In buildings in occupancy Group A having an occupant load of 300 or less, Groups B, F, M and S, and in places of religious worship, 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 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 1 inch (25 mm) high on a contrasting background; and

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

     3. Where egress doors are used in pairs, approved automatic flush bolts shall be permitted to be used, provided that the door leaf having the automatic flush bolts has no doorknob or surface-mounted hardware.

     4. Doors from individual dwelling or sleeping units of Group R occupancies having an occupant load of 10 or less are permitted to be equipped with a night latch, dead bolt, or security chain, provided such devices are openable from the inside without the use of a key or a tool.

     5. Fire doors after the minimum elevated temperature has disabled the unlatching mechanism in accordance with listed fire door test procedures.

     6. Approved, listed locks without delayed egress shall be permitted in Group R-2 boarding homes licensed by Washington state, provided that:

     6.1. The clinical needs of one or more patients require specialized security measures for their safety.

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

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

     6.4. The lock shall be capable of being deactivated by a signal from a switch located in an approved location.

     6.5. There is a system, such as a keypad and code, in place that allows visitors, staff persons and appropriate residents to exit. Instructions for exiting shall be posted within six feet of the door.


1008.1.9.6 Special locking arrangements in Group I-2. Approved locks shall be permitted in a Group I-2 Occupancy where the clinical needs of persons receiving care require such locking. Locks shall be permitted in such occupancies where the building is 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.

     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, a nursing station or other approved location.

     4. The procedures for the operation(s) of the unlocking system shall be described and approved as part of the emergency planning and preparedness required by Chapter 4 of the International Fire Code.

     5. There is a system, such as a keypad and code, in place that allows visitors, staff persons and appropriate residents to exit. Instructions for exiting shall be posted within six feet of the door.

     6. Emergency lighting shall be provided at the door.


EXCEPTION: Items 1, 2, 3, and 5 shall not apply to doors to areas where persons which because of clinical needs require restraint or containment as part of the function of a Group I-2 mental hospital provided that all clinical staff shall have the keys, codes or other means necessary to operate the locking devices.

SECTION 1009 STAIRWAYS


1009.15 Stairways in individual dwelling units. Stairs or ladders within an individual dwelling unit used for access to areas of 200 square feet (18.6 m2) or less, and not containing the primary bathroom or kitchen, are exempt from the requirements of Section 1009.


SECTION 1010 RAMPS


1010.1 Scope. The provisions of this section shall apply to ramps used as a component of a means of egress.


EXCEPTIONS: 1. Other than ramps that are part of the accessible routes providing access in accordance with Sections 1108.2 through1108.2.4 and 1108.2.6, ramped aisles within assembly rooms or spaces shall conform with the provisions in Section 1028.11.
2. Curb ramps shall comply with ICC A117.1.
3. Vehicle ramps in parking garages for pedestrian exit access shall not be required to comply with Sections 1010.3 through 1010.9 when they are not an accessible route serving accessible parking spaces or other required accessible elements.
4. In a parking garage where one accessible means of egress serving accessible parking spaces or other accessible elements is provided, a second accessible means of egress serving that area may include a vehicle ramp that does not comply with Sections 1010.4 through 1010.8.

SECTION 1014 EXIT ACCESS


1014.2.2 Group I-2. General. Habitable spaces and suites in Group I-2 Occupancies are permitted to comply with this Section 1014.2.2.


1014.2.2.1 Exit access doors. Habitable spaces and suites in Group I-2 Occupancies shall have an exit access door leading directly to a corridor.


EXCEPTION: Rooms with exit doors opening directly to the outside at ground level.

1014.2.2.2 Exit access through suites. Exit access from areas not classified as a Group I-2 Occupancy suite shall not pass through a suite. In a suite required to have more than one exit, one exit access may pass through an adjacent suite if all other requirements of Section 1014.2 are satisfied.


1014.2.2.3 Separation. Suites in Group I-2 Occupancies shall be separated from other portions of the building by a smoke partition complying with Section 711. Partitions within suites are not required to be smoke-resistant or fire-resistance-rated unless required by another section of this Code.


1014.2.2.4 Suites containing patient sleeping areas. Patient sleeping areas in Group I-2 Occupancies shall be permitted to be divided into suites with one intervening room if one of the following conditions is met:

     1. The intervening room within the suite is not used as an exit access for more than eight patient beds.

     2. The arrangement of the suite allows for direct and constant visual supervision by nursing personnel.


1014.2.2.4.1 Area. Suites of sleeping rooms shall not exceed 5,000 square feet (465 m2).


1014.2.2.4.2 Exit access. Any patient sleeping room, or any suite that includes patient sleeping rooms, of more than 1,000 square feet (93 m2) shall have at least two exit access doors located in accordance with Section 1015.2.


1014.2.2.4.3 Travel distance. The travel distance between any point in a suite of sleeping rooms and an exit access door of that suite shall not exceed 100 feet (30,480 mm). The travel distance between any point in a Group I-2 Occupancy patient sleeping room and an exit access door in that room shall not exceed 50 feet (15,240 mm).


1014.2.2.5 Suites not containing patient sleeping areas. Areas other than patient sleeping areas in Group I-2 Occupancies shall be permitted to be divided into suites that comply with Sections 1014.2.2.5.1 through 1014.2.2.5.4.


1014.2.2.5.1 Area. Suites of rooms, other than patient sleeping rooms, shall not exceed 10,000 square feet (929 m2).


1014.2.2.5.2 Exit access. Any room or suite of rooms, other than patient sleeping rooms, of more than 2,500 square feet (232 m2) shall have at least two exit access doors located in accordance with Section 1015.2.


1014.2.2.5.3 One intervening room. For rooms other than patient sleeping rooms, suites of rooms are permitted to have one intervening room if the travel distance within the suite to the exit access door is not greater than 100 feet (30,480 mm).


1014.2.2.5.4 Two intervening rooms. For rooms other than patient sleeping rooms located within a suite, exit access travel from within the suite shall be permitted through two intervening rooms where the travel distance to the exit access door is not greater than 50 feet (15,240 mm).


SECTION 1018 CORRIDORS


1018.5 Air movement in corridors. Corridors shall not serve as supply, return, exhaust, relief or ventilation air ducts.


EXCEPTIONS: 1. Use of a corridor as a source of makeup air for exhaust systems in rooms that open directly onto such corridors, including toilet rooms, bathrooms, dressing rooms, smoking lounges and janitor closets, shall be permitted, provided that each such corridor is directly supplied with outdoor air at a rate greater than the rate of makeup air taken from the corridor.
2. Where located within a dwelling unit, the use of corridors for conveying return air shall not be prohibited.
3. Where located within tenant spaces of one thousand square feet (93 m2) or less in area, utilization of corridors for conveying return air is permitted.
4. Incidental air movement from pressurized rooms within health care facilities, provided that a corridor is not the primary source of supply or return to the room.
5. Where such air is part of an engineered smoke control system.
6. Air supplied to corridors serving residential occupancies shall not be considered as providing ventilation air to the dwelling units subject to the following:
6.1 The air supplied to the corridor is one hundred percent outside air; and
6.2 The units served by the corridor have conforming ventilation air independent of the air supplied to the corridor; and
6.3 For other than high-rise buildings, the supply fan will automatically shut off upon activation of corridor smoke detectors which shall be spaced at no more than thirty feet (9,144 mm) on center along the corridor; or
6.4 For high-rise buildings, corridor smoke detector activation will close required smoke/fire dampers at the supply inlet to the corridor at the floor receiving the alarm.

1018.6 Corridor continuity. Fire-resistance-rated corridors shall be continuous from the point of entry to an exit, and shall not be interrupted by intervening rooms.


EXCEPTIONS: 1. Foyers, lobbies or reception rooms constructed as required for corridors shall not be construed as intervening rooms.
2. In Group R-2 boarding homes and residential treatment facilities licensed by Washington state, seating areas shall be allowed to be open to the corridor provided:
2.1 The seating area is constructed as required for the corridor;
2.2 The floor is separated into at least two compartments complying with Section 407.4;
2.3 Each individual seating area does not exceed 150 square feet, excluding the corridor width;
2.4 The combined total space of seating areas per compartment does not exceed 300 square feet, excluding the corridor width;
2.5 Combustible furnishings located within the seating area shall be in accordance with the International Fire Code Section 805; and
2.6 Emergency means of egress lighting is provided as required by Section 1006 to illuminate the area.




[Statutory Authority: Chapter 19.27 RCW. 10-24-059 and 11-01-001, § 51-54-1000, filed 11/29/10 and 12/1/10, effective 7/1/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.190, 19.27.020, and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. 09-04-027, § 51-54-1000, filed 1/28/09, effective 7/1/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031, 19.27.074, and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. 07-01-093, § 51-54-1000, filed 12/19/06, effective 7/1/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. 04-01-105, § 51-54-1000, filed 12/17/03, effective 7/1/04.]