Fire Escapes

skylands

Can someone point me to the section of the new codes that deal with fire escapes?

I am adding rooms to the top floor of an old carrage house. I believe that exterior fire escapes need to be closed in but I would like to read it. Also, can all the rooms lead to one fire escape or does each room have to be independent of each other.

This is over the top of commerical offices and the use is going to be for a B&B. Since the building is 155 years old, I want to take every precaution possible for the customer safety.

One last thing. I am a firm believer of Pex and I was going to use pex for the sprinklers. Then I thought "why would I want plastic waterlines feeding sprinklers in a burning building in the first place?" Think about that one.

Second Look

Fire codes can vary by city/town, so I would definitely take this up with the building dept. Unless it's a very large unit, it's not likely you'll need more than one fire escape.

Good observation on the Pex. I don't think soldered pipes are allowed either for sprinklers. It always seems to be threaded pipe.

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Second Look home improvement www.SecondLookHome.com
Handyman and Home Repair Specialist in Rhode Island
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Tom M

Look in the IBC in "special requirements section" 404 I believe , or means of egress section. It sounds like you have a group R-4 occupancy of type v construction so look for criteria that matches your needs. A 13R sprinkler may be mandatory and 2 accessable route of exit with-in 75' of travel. Path of stairs or halls is included fo the length of travel. I hope I didnt put you in the wrong direction I didnt check but this is where I would look.

mdshunk

I think your fire towers are going to require an engineer's seal anyhow.

skylands

Thank you.

You're right about the engineers seal on the sprinklers and I don't think I would attempt to engineer it myself anyhow. I have to replace the line from the street since it's only 3/4 " now and I need 1 1/4 to start with.

My problem is that the building inspector is new and a bit shakey about the interpretation of the codes. So I want to study the code myself.