In Compliance column in the May/June issue of NFPA Journal, Ron Coté, Principal Life Safety Engineer at the National Fire Protection Agency, debunks two myths regarding NFPA 101, Life Safety Code.
The first myth is that all assembly occupancy rooms with an occupancy load more than 50 must have a second egress door. This is not true, although many do have second exit access doors “in order not to violate the common path of travel limitation,” Coté writes.
For most room locations and arrangements, a second exit access door from the room can be positioned to provide occupants with a second travel path. The presence of the second exit access door can reduce what would otherwise be an excessive common path of travel to one that is within the permitted distance.
Coté also debunks the myth that exit signs are required at exits only. The signs are actually required in three locations: at exits, in the exit access, and in exit access corridors of new construction. They are required in the exit access when the exit or way to reach the exit is not readily apparent, as might be the case where additional turns in the egress path are needed to reach an exit.
They may also be needed when in exit access corridors of new construction no point is in excess of the particular sign’s rated viewing distance or the 100-foot (30-meter) default value, whichever is less, from the nearest sign.
Related Stories
| Oct 20, 2011
Process leads to new design values for southern pine and other visually graded dimension lumber
A summary of the process used to develop new design values will clarify many of the questions received by the SFPA.
| Oct 19, 2011
Another drop for Architecture Billings Index
Positive conditions seen last month were more of an aberration.
| Oct 18, 2011
Dow Building Solutions invests in two research facilities to deliver data to building and construction industry
State-of-the-art monitoring system allows researchers to collect, analyze and process the performance of wall systems.
| Oct 14, 2011
ACI partners with CRSI to launch new adhesive anchor certification program
Adhesive anchor installer certification required in new ACI 318-11.
| Oct 13, 2011
New Building Materials Label Focuses On Sustainability
Architectural products company Construction Specialities and design firm Perkins + Will have created a label for building materials to shed light on product content.
| Oct 13, 2011
New Law: California Building Standards Commission Must Include Green Expert
A new California law, AB 930, requires that one member of the California Building Standards Commission be “experienced and knowledgeable in sustainable building, design, construction, and operation.”
| Oct 13, 2011
AGC Urges Repeal of 3% Withholding On Government Contracts
The U.S. House of Representatives is planning a vote in October on a bill to repeal the 3% withholding requirement on all federal and state contracts for goods and services.
| Oct 13, 2011
House Bill Would Block New OSHA Regulations
Proposed riders in a U.S. House of Representatives spending bill would block the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) from issuing controversial workplace safety and health regulations.
| Oct 11, 2011
AIA introduces five new documents for use on sustainable projects
These new documents will be available in the first quarter of 2012 as part of the new AIA Contract Documents service and AIA Documents on Demand.
| Oct 7, 2011
GREENBUILD 2011: UL Environment releases industry-wide sustainability requirements for doors
ASSA ABLOY Trio-E door is the first to be certified to these sustainability requirements.
