• Codes
  • Features

    Features Overview

    Go to features
    Reference

    Reference.

    A reliable and up-to-date source of codes.
    Research

    Research.

    Rapidly and efficiently calculate project parameters.
    Collaboration

    Collaboration.

    Get everyone on the same page and streamline code research.
    Workflows
    Architects
    Architects
    General Contractors
    General Contractors
    Building Official & Plans Examiners
    Building Official & Plans Examiners
    Inspectors
    Inspectors
    Owners
    Owners
    Subcontractors
    Subcontractors
    Code Consultants
    Code Consultants
  • Pricing
  • Login
  • Sign Up
Sign Up
Login
  • Code Library
  • Features
  • Pricing
  • About
  • Careers
  • Help
  • Contact
  • Terms
  • Privacy
Sign Up
Upgrade to Premium
Code calculators: Code Calculators automatically generates a detailed list of requirements.
REFERENCE
Amendment Styling
Industry-leading search
Code diagrams
RESEARCH
Code calculators
Filter by topic
Code compare
Code sheet exports
COLLABORATION
Team projects
Bookmarks
Comments
START 2 WEEK FREE TRIAL
Have an account? Sign in
// CODE SNIPPET

Section 1003 General Means of Egress

Building Code 2021 of Illinois > 10 Means of Egress > 1003 General Means of Egress
JUMP TO FULL CODE CHAPTER

1003.1 Applicability

The general requirements specified in Sections 1003 through 1015 shall apply to all three elements of the means of egress system, in addition to those specific requirements for the exit access, the exit and the exit discharge detailed elsewhere in this chapter.

1003.2 Ceiling Height

ILLUSTRATION
The means of egress shall have a ceiling height of not less than 7 feet 6 inches (2286 mm) above the finished floor.
Exceptions:
  1. Sloped ceilings in accordance with Section 1208.2.
  2. Ceilings of dwelling units and sleeping units within residential occupancies in accordance with Section 1208.2.
  3. Allowable projections in accordance with Section 1003.3.
  4. Stair headroom in accordance with Section 1011.3.
  5. Door height in accordance with Section 1010.1.1.
  6. Ramp headroom in accordance with Section 1012.5.2.
  7. The clear height of floor levels in vehicular and pedestrian traffic areas of public and private parking garages in accordance with Section 406.2.2.
  8. Areas above and below mezzanine floors in accordance with Section 505.2.

1003.3 Protruding Objects

ILLUSTRATION
Protruding objects on circulation paths shall comply with the requirements of Sections 1003.3.1 through 1003.3.4.

1003.3.1 Headroom

Protruding objects are permitted to extend below the minimum ceiling height required by Section 1003.2 where a minimum headroom of 80 inches (2032 mm) is provided over any circulation paths, including walks, corridors, aisles and passageways. Not more than 50 percent of the ceiling area of a means of egress shall be reduced in height by protruding objects.
Exception: Door closers and stops shall not reduce headroom to less than 78 inches (1981 mm).
A barrier shall be provided where the vertical clearance above a circulation path is less than 80 inches (2032 mm) high above the finished floor. The leading edge of such a barrier shall be located 27 inches (686 mm) maximum above the finished floor.

1003.3.2 Post-Mounted Objects

ILLUSTRATION
A free-standing object mounted on a post or pylon shall not overhang that post or pylon more than 4 inches (102 mm) where the lowest point of the leading edge is more than 27 inches (686 mm) and less than 80 inches (2032 mm) above the finished floor. Where a sign or other obstruction is mounted between posts or pylons and the clear distance between the posts or pylons is greater than 12 inches (305 mm), the lowest edge of such sign or obstruction shall be 27 inches (686 mm) maximum or 80 inches (2032 mm) minimum above the finished floor or ground.
Exception: These requirements shall not apply to sloping portions of handrails between the top and bottom riser of stairs and above the ramp run.

1003.3.3 Horizontal Projections

ILLUSTRATION
Objects with leading edges more than 27 inches (685 mm) and not more than 80 inches (2030 mm) above the finished floor shall not project horizontally more than 4 inches (102 mm) into the circulation path.
Exception: Handrails are permitted to protrude 41/2 inches (114 mm) from the wall or guard.

1003.3.4 Clear Width

ILLUSTRATION
Protruding objects shall not reduce the minimum clear width of accessible routes.

1003.4 Slip-Resistant Surface

Circulation paths of the means of egress shall have a slip-resistant surface and be securely attached.

1003.5 Elevation Change

Where changes in elevation of less than 12 inches (305 mm) exist in the means of egress, sloped surfaces shall be used. Where the slope is greater than one unit vertical in 20 units horizontal (5-percent slope), ramps complying with Section 1012 shall be used. Where the difference in elevation is 6 inches (152 mm) or less, the ramp shall be equipped with either handrails or floor finish materials that contrast with adjacent floor finish materials.
Exceptions:
  1. Steps at exterior doors complying with Section 1010.1.4.
  2. A stair with a single riser or with two risers and a tread is permitted at locations not required to be accessible by Chapter 11 where the risers and treads comply with Section 1011.5, the minimum depth of the tread is 13 inches (330 mm) and not less than one handrail complying with Section 1014 is provided within 30 inches (762 mm) of the centerline of the normal path of egress travel on the stair.
  3. A step is permitted in aisles serving seating that has a difference in elevation less than 12 inches (305 mm) at locations not required to be accessible by Chapter 11, provided that the risers and treads comply with Section 1030.14 and the aisle is provided with a handrail complying with Section 1030.16.
Throughout a story in a Group I-2 occupancy, any change in elevation in portions of the means of egress that serve nonambulatory persons shall be by means of a ramp or sloped walkway.

1003.6 Means of Egress Continuity

The path of egress travel along a means of egress shall not be interrupted by a building element other than a means of egress component as specified in this chapter. Obstructions shall not be placed in the minimum width or required capacity of a means of egress component except projections permitted by this chapter. The minimum width or required capacity of a means of egress system shall not be diminished along the path of egress travel.

1003.7 Elevators, Escalators and Moving Walks

Elevators, escalators and moving walks shall not be used as a component of a required means of egress from any other part of the building.
Exception: Elevators used as an accessible means of egress in accordance with Section 1009.4.

Related Code Sections


Section 1003 Means of Egress, General Means of Egress
The general requirements specified in Sections 1003 through 1015 shall apply to all three elements of the means of egress system, in addition ...
Building Code 2018 of Illinois > 10 Means of Egress > 1003 General Means of Egress
Section 1003 Means of Egress, General Means of Egress
The general requirements specified in Sections 1003 through 1015 shall apply to all three elements of the means of egress system, in addition ...
Building Code 2021 of Illinois > 10 Means of Egress > 1003 General Means of Egress
1003.3 Means of Egress, Protruding Objects
and passageways. Not more than 50 percent of the ceiling area of a means of egress shall be reduced in height by protruding objects. Exception: Door closers ...
Building Code 2021 of Illinois > 10 Means of Egress > 1003 General Means of Egress > 1003.3 Protruding Objects
1003.4 Means of Egress, Slip-Resistant Surface
Circulation paths of the means of egress shall have a slip-resistant surface and be securely attached ...
Building Code 2018 of Illinois > 10 Means of Egress > 1003 General Means of Egress > 1003.4 Slip-Resistant Surface
1003.4 Means of Egress, Slip-Resistant Surface
Circulation paths of the means of egress shall have a slip-resistant surface and be securely attached ...
Building Code 2021 of Illinois > 10 Means of Egress > 1003 General Means of Egress > 1003.4 Slip-Resistant Surface
Help Contact Us Privacy Terms
Search
Search
Don't miss relevant code. Quickly locate sections across your jurisdiction.
Code Compare
Code Compare
Highlight differences between any two building codes.
Shared projects
Shared projects
Projects provide a dedicated space to collaborate on code research.
Code sheet exports
Code sheet exports
Generate a code sheet that integrates with your drawing set.
Code diagrams
Code diagrams
Unpack the code through illustrations and descriptions.
Code Calculators
Code Calculators
Code calculators automatically generate a detailed list of requirements.
UpCodes Premium
Leverage the most sophisticated code compliance platform.
TRY FREE FOR TWO WEEKS VISIT PRICING
UpCodes Premium
Leverage the full code compliance platform.
START 2 WEEK FREE TRIAL PRICING