Section 12-J704. MEANS OF EGRESS

 

Insert new Sections 704.2 and 704.3 to the Existing Building Code to read as follows:

704.2 Use of Exit and Exit Access Enclosures.  Exits and exit access corridors shall comply with Section 1018.5 of the Building Code, 12 DCMR A.

 

Exception: 

 

Existing exit access corridors that serve areas undergoing Level 1 alterations shall be allowed to be used as air return plenums where the following four conditions are verified:

 

1.The existing HVAC system already uses the corridor as a return plenum.

 

2.The HVAC system remains as existing, except for rearrangement of terminal branches, relocation of supply diffusers or replacement in kind of equipment.

 

3.The transfers from the altered space, to the corridor, shall be equipped with an approved smoke damper arranged to close upon detection of smoke on either side of the transfer.

 

4.The corridor is not an exit discharge.

 

704.3 Allowance for Fire Resistance Upgrading:  When improving the fire resistance rating of the enclosure of stairways, exit access corridors or exit passageways complying with Section 1005 of the Building Code, 12 DCMR A, a tolerance of up to 1-1/2 inches (38 mm) shall be allowed in the minimum width of those elements of egress.  When improving the fire resistance rating of a wall assembly on one side of stairways, exit access corridors or exit passageways, a tolerance of up to 3/4 inches (19 mm) shall be allowed in the minimum width of those elements of egress.

 

 

authority

Section 10 of the Construction Codes Approval and Amendments Act of 1986 (Act), effective March 21, 1987 (D.C. Law 6-216; D.C. Official Code § 6-1409 (2012 Repl.)) and Mayor’s Order 2009-22, dated February 25, 2009, as amended.

source

Final Rulemaking published at 61 DCR 3336 (March 28, 2014 – Part 2).

EditorNote

The District of Columbia Existing Building Code (2013), referred to as the “Existing Building Code,” consists of the 2012 edition of the International Existing Building Code as amended by the District of Columbia Existing Building Code Supplement (2013)(12 DCMR J)). The International Existing Building Code is copyrighted by the International Code Council and therefore is not republished here. However, a copy of the text may be obtained at: http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icod/iebc/2012/index.htm?bu=IC-P-2012-000006&bu2=IC-P-2012-000019.