April 29th, 2019
by Chris Reeves

Want to know more about roof truss failures? Have a question about fire-rated assemblies? Confused about safety glazing on windows and door? In our new monthly column — Talking in Code — International Code Council code experts will address some of the typical questions asked of our technical services team regarding current code issues. This feature is not an ICC code opinion, nor is it a committee interpretation, but it is intended to provide clarification of code text for adopting jurisdictions, design professionals and members of the construction industry.

 

International Code: 2015 International Building Code
Sections: 1006.3.2 and 1030.1

Question: Are emergency escape and rescue openings required in a fully sprinklered Group R-2 apartment building with two approved exits?

Answer: Tables 1006.3.2(1) and 1006.3.2(2) refer to footnotes which require emergency escape and rescue openings in Group R-2 occupancies even though they are sprinklered in accordance with NFPA 13 or NFPA 13R. These tables are only intended to address potential building design parameters for Group R-2 occupancies which are provided with only one normal exit.

Therefore, a fully sprinklered Group R-2 occupancy with only a permissible single exit would still be required to have emergency escape and rescue openings as required by Section 1030. As such, a fully sprinklered Group R-2 occupancy with two separate independent exits would not have to comply with either Table 1006.3.2(1) or Table 1006.3.2(2) and would consequently not require emergency escape and rescue openings.

 

As always, code opinions issued by International Code Council staff are based on published Code Council codes and do not include local, state or federal codes; policies; or amendments. This opinion does not imply approval of an equivalency, specific product, specific design or specific installation and cannot be published in any form implying such approval by the International Code Council. As this opinion is only advisory, the final decision is the responsibility of the designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of this code. All code citations reference the 2015 and 2018 International Codes unless otherwise specified.

About the Author
Christopher R. Reeves, P.E., is the director of Architectural & Engineering Services for the International Code Council. He is responsible for the administration of plan review services in all three regional offices: Chicago, Birmingham and Los Angeles. He is also responsible for monitoring the code interpretation service for the Code Council as well as conducting building and sprinkler system plan reviews. In additional to conducting building and fire code related seminars, Reeves also served as the staff liaison for an Ad Hoc Committee on hazardous materials. Reeves is a graduate of Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis., with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering.