1. The Essentials of Egress
Presented by

2. Schirmer Engineering Corporation
Seminar Scope
Code fundamentals for drawing reviews
Terms and definitions
Fire and life safety drawing review for conditions of egress
Handouts for comparison of 2006 IBC and NFPA 101, Life Safety Code
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

3. Schirmer Engineering Corporation
So Far…
The fundamental program for the project is set.
The schematic design has been accepted.
Next step:
Develop the preliminary design.
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

4. Schirmer Engineering Corporation
Preliminary Design
Already determined are:
The State/Local Codes
If there is a Zoning/Planning Code
If the project is in a Historic District
If accessibility must be met (ADAAG – ANSI A117.1)
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

5. Preliminary Design - Model Building Codes
ICC International Building Code (IBC)
BOCA BOCA National Building Code (BNBC)
ICBO Uniform Building Code (UBC)
NFPA Building Construction and Safety Code (NFPA 5000)
Life Safety Code (NFPA 101)
SBCCI Standard Building Code (UBC)
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

6. Preliminary Design - Model Building Codes - ICC
ICC International Family of Codes
IBC, IRC, IMC, IPC, IFC, etc.
47 states & Dept. of Defense use IBC
42 states & DC use IFC
45 states & DC use IRC
Website –
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

7. Preliminary Design - Model Building Codes - ICC
Website –
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

8. Preliminary Design - Design Items to Check
Already checked are:
Site restrictions, e.g. easements?
Construction Type?
Occupancy Classification?
Maximum building area limits?
Maximum building height limits?
Sprinkler systems requirements?
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

9. Preliminary Design - Design Items to Check
But…what about the Means of Egress?
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

10. Terms & Definitions - Means of Egress
A continuous and unobstructed path of vertical and horizontal egress travel from any occupied portion of a building or structure to a public way. A means of egress consists of three separate and distinct parts: the exit access, the exit and the exit discharge.
(2006 IBC)
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

11. Schirmer Engineering Corporation
Public Way
A street, alley or other parcel of land open to the outside air leading to a street, that has been deeded, dedicated or otherwise permanently appropriated to the public for public use and which has a clear width and height of not less than 10 feet.
(2006 IBC)
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

12. Schirmer Engineering Corporation
Exit Access
That portion of a means of egress system that leads from any occupied portion of a building or structure to an exit.
(2006 IBC)
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

13. Schirmer Engineering Corporation
Exit Access and Exits
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

14. Schirmer Engineering Corporation
Exit
That portion of a means of egress system which is separated from other interior spaces of a building or structure by fire-resistance-rated construction and opening protectives as required to provide a protected path of egress travel between the exit access and the exit discharge.
(2006 IBC)
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

15. Schirmer Engineering Corporation
Types of Exits
Exits include exterior exit doors at ground level, exit enclosures, exit passageways, exterior exit stairs, exterior exit ramps and horizontal exits.
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

16. Schirmer Engineering Corporation

17. Schirmer Engineering Corporation
Exit Discharge
That portion of a means of egress system between the termination of an exit and a public way.
(2006 IBC)
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

18. Exits and Exit Discharge.
(2006 IBC)
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

19. More Terms & Definitions - Exit Passageway
An exit component that is separated from other interior spaces of a building or structure by fire-resistance-rated construction and opening protectives, and provides for a protected path of egress travel in a vertical or horizontal direction to the exit discharge or public way.
(2006 IBC)
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

20. Accessible Means of Egress
A continuous and unobstructed way of egress travel from any accessible point in a building or facility to a public way.
(2006 IBC)
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

21. Schirmer Engineering Corporation
Area of Refuge
An area where persons unable to use stairways can remain temporarily to await instructions or assistance during emergency evacuation.
(2006 IBC)
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

22. Schirmer Engineering Corporation
Plan Review for Egress
Code Matrix
Occupant Content (OLF’s)
Number of Exits
Exit Capacity (min. stair widths, door widths, etc.)
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

23. Schirmer Engineering Corporation
Plan Review for Egress
Travel Distance
Common Path of Travel
Dead End Distance
Swing of Doors (in direction of exit, …)
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

24. Schirmer Engineering Corporation
Egress – Occupant Load
The number of persons for which the means of egress of a building or portion thereof is designed.
(2006 IBC)
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

25. Use and Occupancy Classification
Mercantile Group M
Residential Group R
Storage Group S
Utility & Miscellaneous Group U
Assembly Group A
Business Group B
Educational Group E
Factory Group F
High-Hazard Group H
Institutional Group I
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

26. Schirmer Engineering Corporation
Occupant Load Factors
Use/Function of Space
NFPA
ICC
2006 LSC
IBC 2006
Table T
ft2 /occupant
Assembly – Gaming floors (keno, slots, etc.)
11 gross
Assembly with fixes seats
See Slide
Assembly without fixed seats
Concentrated (chairs only – not fixed)
7 net
Standing space
3 net
5 net
Unconcentrated (tables and chairs)
15 net
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

27. Schirmer Engineering Corporation
Gross Floor Area
The floor area within the inside perimeter of the exterior walls of the building exclusive of vents shafts and interior courts . . .
(2006 IBC)
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

28. Schirmer Engineering Corporation
Net Floor Area
The actual occupied area not including unoccupied accessory areas such as corridors, stairways, toilet rooms, mechanical rooms and closets.
(2006 IBC)
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

29. Schirmer Engineering Corporation
Occupant Load Factors
Use/Function of Space
NFPA
ICC
2006 LSC
IBC 2006
Table T
ft2 /occupant
Bowling centers, 5 persons/lane including 15 feet of runway
7 net
Business (e.g., offices)
100 gross
Courtrooms – other than fixed seating areas NR
40 net
Dormitories
200 gross
50 gross
Educational
Classroom area
20 net
Shop and other vocational room areas (e.g., dormitories)
50 net
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

30. Schirmer Engineering Corporation

31. Schirmer Engineering Corporation

32. Schirmer Engineering Corporation

33. Egress – Minimum Number of Exits
Occupant Load
per Story
LSC
ICC
NFPA
IBC 2006
Section
Table
500 or less 2
501 – 1,000 3
Over 1,000 4
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

34. Effect of Partitions on Exit Count
Fig again to explain number of exits if partitioned. .
(2006 IBC)
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

35. Schirmer Engineering Corporation

36. Schirmer Engineering Corporation
Minimum Exit Widths
Stairs & Corridors – 44 inches
Doors – Clear width of 32 inches
There are exceptions for each.
(2006 IBC)
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

37. Minimum Exit Width for Stair
Fig (1) – min. exit width of stair
.START……………
(2006 IBC)
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

38. Measuring Door Clear Width
Fig (2) – min. exit width of door and clear width
Start…..
(2006 IBC)
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

39. Minimum Corridor Width
Fig regarding corridor widths .
(2006 IBC)
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

40. Determining Exit Capacity
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

41. Schirmer Engineering Corporation
Vertical Exits
Capacity is based on largest occupant count on one floor served by the stair; not cumulative.
Exception: when 2 or more floors converge into the stairwell.
Width cannot decrease in the direction of exit.
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

42. Convergent Occupants in Stairwell
Fig (2) To illustrate previous text slide. .
(2006 IBC)
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

43. Egress – Exit Access Travel Distance
Exits shall be so located that the maximum length of exit access travel, measured from the most remote point to the entrance to an exit along the natural and unobstructed path of egress travel . . .
(2006 IBC)
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

44. Egress – Exit Access Travel Distances
Use Group
LSC
ICC
NFPA
IBC 2006
Table A.7.6.1
Table
Without sprinkler
With sprinkler
feet A
150
200
250 B
300 E
F-1
F-2
400
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

45. Egress – Buildings with One Exit (1 story)
Use Group
Maximum
number of stories above grade
NFPA
NFPA
ICC
IBC 2006
Section and occupancy chapters
Section
occupants / feet of travel A
1 Story
Two exits required
49 / 75 B
100 / 100 E F
NR / 50
H-2
3 / 25
H-3
H-4
10 / 75 I
10 /75 M
NR / 75 R
NR / NR S
See occupancy Chpt
30 / 75
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

46. Egress – Buildings with One Exit (2 story)
Use Group
Maximum
number of stories above grade
NFPA
NFPA
ICC
IBC 2006
Section and occupancy chapters
Section
occupants / feet of travel B
2 Stories
Two exits required
49 / 75 F M
NR / 50 S
See occupancy Chpt
29 / 100 U
R-2
4 dwelling units
50 feet
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

47. Schirmer Engineering Corporation

48. Egress – Common Path of Travel
The distance measured from the most remote point in a space to the point in the exit path where the occupant has access to two required exits in separate directions.
(2006 IBC Commentary)
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

49. Egress – Common Path of Egress Travel
Use Group
LSC
ICC
NFPA
IBC 2006
Table A.7.6
Section
W/out sprinkler
With sprinkler
feet
Feet A
20/75 75 B
100 E F 50
I-1
I-2 NR
I-3 M
R-1/R-2 35
75/125
S-1
S-2
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

50. Schirmer Engineering Corporation

51. Schirmer Engineering Corporation
Dead End Distance
Where more than one exit or exit access doorway is required, the exit access shall be arranged such that there are no dead end corridors greater than 20 feet in length.
(2006 IBC)
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

52. Schirmer Engineering Corporation

53. Egress – Dead End Corridors/Passageways
Use Group
LSC
ICC
NFPA (Table A.7.6)
IBC 2006 (Section )
Without sprinkler
With sprinkler
feet
Feet A 20 B 50 E F H
I-1
I-2 30
I-3 M
R-1/R-2 35
S-1
100
S-2 NR
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

54. Other Items for Egress Review
Fire Resistance of Egress Components (exit access corridors, passageways, etc.)
Opening Protectives (doors, through-penetrations, fire and smoke dampers, etc.)
Signage and Emergency Lighting
Accessibility (areas of refuge, ramps, etc.)
Remoteness of Exits
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

55. Egress – Corridor Fire Resistance Ratings
Use Group
LSC
ICC
NFPA
IBC 2006
Section & occupancy Chapters
Section
W/out sprinkler
With sprinkler
hours
A, B, E & F 1 H
N/P
I-1 NP
I-2
I-3 M R
1/2
S & U
Schirmer Engineering Corporation

56. Additional Comparison of Egress – IBC and NFPA 101, LSC
Handout material
Thank You
Schirmer Engineering Corporation