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805.3.1.2 Fire Escapes Required
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For other than Group I-2, where more than one exit is required, an existing or newly constructed fire escape complying with Section 805.3.1.2.1 shall be accepted as providing one of the required means of egress.
Fire escapes shall comply with all of the following requirements:
- Occupants shall have unobstructed access to the fire escape without having to pass through a room subject to locking.
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.
- 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. The minimum net clear opening height shall be 24 inches (610 mm) and net clear opening width shall be 20 inches (508 mm).
- 2.3. The bottom of the clear opening shall not be greater than 44 inches (1118 mm) above the floor.
- 2.4. The operation of the window shall comply with the operational constraints of the International Building Code.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
The fire escape shall be designed to support a live load of 100 pounds per square foot (4788 Pa) and shall be constructed of steel or other approved noncombustible materials. Fire escapes constructed of wood not less than nominal 2 inches (51 mm) thick are permitted on buildings of Type V construction. Walkways and railings located over or supported by combustible roofs in buildings of Types III and IV construction are permitted to be of wood not less than nominal 2 inches (51 mm) thick.
Stairways shall be not less than 22 inches (559 mm) wide with risers not more than, and treads not less than, 8 inches (203 mm). Landings at the foot of stairways shall be not less than 40 inches (1016 mm) wide by 36 inches (914 mm) long and located not more than 8 inches (203 mm) below the door.
Related Code Sections
805.3.1.2 Alterations—Level 2, Fire Escapes Required
For other than Group I-2, where more than one exit is required, an existing or newly constructed fire escape complying with Section 805.3.1.2.1 shall ...
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, an existing or newly constructed fire escape complying with Section 805.3.1.2.1 shall be accepted as providing one of the required means of egress ...
Existing Building Code 2018 of Illinois > 8 Alterations—Level 2 > 805 Means of Egress > 805.3 Number of Exits