Existing building code essentials: Means of egress

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

Level 2 Alterations must maintain the level of means of egress protection provided in the building. Means of egress are driven by the type of occupancy. The requirements of this section are limited to Level 2 Alterations work areas that include exits or corridors shared by more than one tenant in the work area, but may also apply beyond the work area where specified.

The International Existing Building Code (IEBC) allows means of egress in accordance with NFPA 101, The Life Safety Code, published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), as a prescriptively allowed alternative to the IEBC. In addition, where permitted by the local code official, means of egress complying with the requirements of the building code under which the building was constructed are also permitted when they do not create a distinct risk to life.

Every normally occupied story of a building containing a Level 2 Alterations work area must comply with the minimum number of exits required by the International Building Code for new construction based on the occupancy(s) involved and the occupant load of that story. Those stories of a building without a Level 2 Alterations work area can remain as is, so long as they are an existing approved condition.

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