Existing building code essentials: Fire escapes

The 2018 Code Essentials series are available as valuable companions to the 2018 International Building, Residential, Fire, Energy Conservation, Existing Building and Plumbing Codes. Aimed at all user levels — including first-time users, veteran code users and other professionals such as architects, designers and contractors — these guides use a straight-forward, focused approach to explore code requirements with non-code language, allowing readers to gain confidence in their understanding of the material and build a solid foundation for learning and applying the code’s requirements.

2018 Existing Building Code Essentials

For other than health care occupancies, existing or newly constructed fire escapes are permitted as a means of egress component. It should be noted that fire escapes are not a permitted means of egress for new construction and have not been in the International Building Code since its creation.

Newly constructed fire escapes, when allowed by the local code official, are only permitted where the construction of an exterior stair is not possible because of existing alleys, sidewalks or property lines.

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