805.3.1.2.1 Fire Escape Access and Details

Fire escapes shall comply with all of the following requirements:

1. Occupants shall have unobstructed access to the fire escape without having to pass through a room subject to locking.

2. Access to a new fire escape shall be through a door, except that windows shall be permitted to provide access from single dwelling units or sleeping units in Group R-1, R-2 and I-1 occupancies or to provide access from spaces having a maximum occupant load of 10 in other occupancy classifications.

   1. 2.1. The window shall have a minimum net clear opening of 5.7 square feet (0.53 m²) or 5 square feet (0.46 m²) where located at grade.
   2. 2.2. The minimum net clear opening height shall be 24 inches (610 mm) and net clear opening width shall be 20 inches (508 mm).
   3. 2.3. The bottom of the clear opening shall not be greater than 44 inches (1118 mm) above the floor.
   4. 2.4. The operation of the window shall comply with the operational constraints of the International Building Code.
3. Newly constructed fire escapes shall be permitted only where exterior stairways cannot be utilized because of lot lines limiting the stairway size or because of the sidewalks, alleys, or roads at grade level.

4. Openings within 10 feet (3048 mm) of fire escape stairways shall be protected by fire assemblies having minimum ³/₄-hour fire-resistance ratings.

   Exception: Opening protection shall not be required in buildings equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system.

5. In all buildings of Group E occupancy, up to and including the 12th grade, buildings of Group I occupancy, rooming houses and childcare centers, ladders of any type are prohibited on fire escapes used as a required means of egress.