Does Rooftop Access Stair Trigger Highrise?

11/10/2022

A high-rise is considered a building with an occupied floor located more than 75-ft above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.

Would a rooftop access stair with floor level located at 76' warrant the requirements of a high-rise building?

IBC 2015 Section 1011.12.2 states that where a stairway is provided for roof access shall be provided through a penthouse complying with 1510.2. Section 1510.2 states penthouse complying with 1510.2.1-5 shall be considered part of the story below.

The roof is not occupied and is only provided for egress for equipment access for equipment located on the roof.

Technically a portion of the occupied story is located above 75-ft.

Do I need to meet highrise requirements?

Thanks in advance.

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7 Comments

Darin

11/10/2022 08:35:41 am

No

The highest occupied floor is the story below the roof level. Occupied roofs and stairway penthouses are considered part of the story below.

Jesse

11/10/2022 08:37:09 am

It would not be considered an occucpiable floor.

Todd E Wyatt

11/10/2022 09:30:00 am

Short Answer
No, the landing of the stairway to the penthouse on an unoccupied roof is not considered a “story”. This building does not meet the definition of a High-Rise Building (HRB).

Explanation
Per 2021, this how it defines the components you inquired about :

HIGH-RISE BUILDING. A building with an occupied floor located more than 75 feet (22 860 mm) above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.

STORY. That portion of a building included between the upper surface of a floor and the upper surface of the floor or roof next above (see "Basement," "Building height," "Grade plane" and "Mezzanine"). A story is measured as the vertical distance from top to top of two successive tiers of beams or finished floor surfaces and, for the topmost story, from the top of the floor finish to the top of the ceiling joists or, where there is not a ceiling, to the top of the roof rafters.

PENTHOUSE. An enclosed, unoccupied rooftop structure used for sheltering mechanical and electrical equipment, tanks, elevators and related machinery, stairways, and vertical shaft openings.

STAIR. A change in elevation, consisting of one or more risers.

STAIRWAY. One or more flights of stairs, either exterior or interior, with the necessary landings and platforms connecting them, to form a continuous and uninterrupted passage from one level to another.

FLIGHT. A continuous run of rectangular treads, winders or combination thereof from one landing to another.

If the “lowest level of fire department vehicle access” was Story 01 @ 100.0’ and Story 07 (the highest story) was @ 175.0’, this building would NOT be defined as a HRB.

Landings in stairways are not “floors.”
The floor of a penthouse (PH) does not meet the HRB definition since a PH is considered “unoccupied.”

If this building included an occupied roof (floor), an AHJ could make the argument that the building DOES meet the HRB definition since an “occupied floor” is not defined (and could be applied to the occupied roof). A “floor” can be interpreted differently than a “story”.

Todd E Wyatt

11/10/2022 09:34:48 am

... per 2021 IBC ...

Danefre

11/10/2022 09:52:16 am

Agreed with the above but also check state amendments. For example Massachusetts is 70ft to top of occupiable floor.

Bill

11/10/2022 01:26:35 pm

Check the municipality, in Chicago a high-rise is 80' to the roof regardless of the number of floors. mechanical penthouse roofs may add to that height depending on their square footage.

Alex

11/10/2022 05:03:31 pm

Agree with all other comments above - this would not tip you over.

Thanks

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Does Rooftop Access Stair Trigger Highrise?

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