Can An Elevator Open Into An Exit Stair?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,


Elevators shall not open into interior exit stairways and ramps

.

Can an elevator be used as a means of egress?

Elevators, escalators and moving walks

Can you exit through an elevator lobby?

Access to an exit on any story through an elevator lobby

shall be permitted provided

that access to at least one other required exit does not require passing through the elevator lobby.

Is an elevator an exit?

Because

elevators do

not usually qualify as a means of egress, there must be an egress path leading from the elevator lobby to an exit enclosure – typically a stairwell enclosed with fire-resistant walls and opening protectives (fire door assemblies).

How many exits do you need to access an elevator lobby?

The California Building Code provides that the lobby may have a minimum of

one exit

.

Can you exit through another room?

1. Egress from a room or space

shall not pass through adjoining or intervening rooms or

areas, except where such adjoining rooms or areas and the area served are accessory to one or the other, are not a Group H occupancy and provide a discernible path of egress travel to an exit.

What is a zero clearance elevator door?

INTRODUCTION. The RMEP Zero Clearance door frame

allows installation of a hoistway door with minimal intrusion into the hoistway for maximum clearance from car sill to hoistway sill

. This will allow the hoistway door and the cab gate to comply with the new 0.75” rule under section 5.3. 1.7.

Does NFPA 101 require elevator lobbies?

between the International Building Code (IBC) and NFPA 101, The Life Safety Code, or NFPA 5000, Building Construction and Safety Code. The IBC simply states that

elevator lobbies must have at least one means of egress complying with Chapter 10 and other provisions within the code

.

What is considered an elevator lobby?

1 Elevator Lobby. An enclosed elevator lobby shall be provided at

each floor where an elevator shaft enclosure connects more than three stories

. The lobby enclosure shall separate the elevator shaft enclosure doors from each floor by fire partitions.

Where is elevator lobby required?

An enclosed elevator lobby shall be provided

at each floor where an elevator shaft enclosure connects more than three stories

. The lobby shall separate the elevator shaft enclosure doors from each floor by fire partitions equal to the fire-resistance rating of the corridor and the required opening protection.

Does an elevator lobby need to be fire rated?

Simply put: the enclosed elevator lobby must be constructed with walls that have a

one hour fire rating and doors that have a 20 minute fire rating

, as a minimum. Beyond the requisite fire rating, it is also mandated in the IBC that the corridor walls and doors in them shall resist the passage of smoke.

What is an accessory occupancy?

Accessory occupancies are those

occupancies that are ancillary to the main occupancy of the building or portion thereof

.

What is the common path of egress travel?

The “common path of egress travel” is defined as “

that portion of the exit access travel distance measured from the most remote point within a story to the point where the occupants have separate and distinct access to two exits or exit access doorways

”.

Are elevator doors fire rated?

Elevator car doors are

typically fire-rated but cannot comply with smoke and draft requirements

. Smoke & draft rated assemblies eliminate the passage of smoke and are usually located at the point of access to an elevator car as an alternative to the elevator lobby.

What is elevator door?

Elevator doors are

set of doors that prevent passenger from falling onto the hoistway

.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.