Convenience Stair Separated from Corridor?

8/26/2019

Our project has a proposed layout includes convenience stairs next to a corridor that serves restrooms, utility spaces, and doors to large open office areas. It's a B-occupancy subject to NFPA 101 requirements.

As a side note, the International Building Code (2018) makes it clear that two-story openings are permitted in occupancies other than I-2 and I-3 when they meet certain limitations, per section 712.1.9. One of the limitations it that is it not open to a corridor, but that's in Group I or R occupancies only. Group I and R occupancies require special treatment for corridors.

NFPA 101 has similar provisions for Convenience Openings (Section 8.6.9). One of the requirements is that "such openings shall be separated from corridors", per section 8.6.9.1(3). If corridors in a building are not required to be separated (such as for an open-office B occupancy), does this requirement still apply, or is this section saying that we have to have rated corridors whenever we have convenience stair openings?

8.6.9 Convenience Openings.
8.6.9.1 Where permitted by Chapters 11 through 43, unenclosed vertical openings not concealed within the building construction shall be permitted as follows:
(1) Such openings shall connect not more than two adjacent stories (one floor pierced only).
(2) Such openings shall be separated from unprotected vertical openings serving other floors by a barrier complying
with 8.6.5.
(3)* Such openings shall be separated from corridors.
(4)* In other than approved, existing convenience openings, such openings shall be separated from other fire or smoke compartments on the same floor.
(5) In new construction, the convenience opening shall be separated from the corridor referenced in 8.6.9.1(3) by a smoke partition, unless Chapters 11 through 43 require the corridor to have a fire resistance rating.
(6)* Such openings shall not serve as a required means of egress.

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2 Comments

Mark

8/26/2019 08:20:38 am

The annex material for this item states -

A.8.6.9.1(3) The intent of this requirement is to provide the same separation as required for corridor walls of the applicable occupancy chapter. For example, a convenience opening on one floor in a health care occupancy would be required to be separated from the corridor and areas open to the corridor on the adjacent floor by a barrier that limits the transfer of smoke in accordance with 18.3.6.2.3, not a 1-hour rated wall with opening protectives.

I think that may answer your question - if the B occupancy does not require a corridor separation, then this section shouldn't cue a new requirement.

James

8/26/2019 08:25:35 am

Mark,

See item (5) on this list too, though. If it's new construction then this section is requiring that the convenience stair be separated from a corridor by at least a smoke partition (unless Chapters 11-43 require a fire resistance rating). So at least for new construction this will trigger a requirement.

Convenience Stair Separated from Corridor?

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