A safe, continuous and unobstructed path of travel shall be
provided from any point in a building or structure to the public way. Means of egress shall comply
with the International Fire Code.
702.1.1
Means of egress lighting. All means of egress in
existing commercial buildings shall be equipped with artificial and
emergency lighting and exit signs in accordance with the requirements
for new buildings per the International Building Code.
The required width of aisles in accordance with the International Fire Code shall be unobstructed.
Means of egress doors shall be readily openable from the side
from which egress is to be made without the need for keys, special
knowledge or effort, except where the door hardware conforms to that
permitted by the International Building Code.
Required emergency escape and rescue openings shall be maintained
in accordance with the code in effect at the time of construction,
and both of the following:
1.
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Required emergency escape and rescue openings shall be operational
from the inside of the room without the use of keys or tools.
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2.
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Bars, grilles, grates or similar devices are permitted to be
placed over emergency escape and rescue openings provided that the
minimum net clear opening size complies with the code that was in
effect at the time of construction and the unit is equipped with smoke
alarms installed in accordance with Section 907.2.10 of the International Building Code. Such devices shall be releasable
or removable from the inside without the use of a key, tool or force
greater than that which is required for normal operation of the escape
and rescue opening.
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702.4.1
Emergency escape requirements. No sleeping rooms
are allowed in basements unless the sleeping room contains at least
one operable approved window for emergency egress
or rescue. The basement shall have access to not less than 2 approved independent exits. Each emergency escape and rescue
window shall have a minimum net clear opening of 5.7 square feet (0.53
m2). The net clear opening shall be at least 24 inches (610 mm) in
height and at least 20 inches (508 mm) in width. The net clear opening
dimensions shall be obtained by the normal operation of the window
from the inside. The bottom of the net clear opening shall not be
more than 44 inches (1118 mm) above the floor. The minimum net clear
opening for grade floor windows shall be 5 square feet (0.47 m2).
In commercial buildings, every housing unit
exceeding 2 stories above grade shall be provided with not less than
2 independent exits.
Exception: A single exit is acceptable under any
one of the following conditions:
1. Where the building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler
system and an automatic fire detection system with smoke detectors
located in all corridors, lobbies and common areas.
2. Where the building is equipped throughout with an automatic fire
detection system and the exit is an approved smoke-proof enclosure
or pressurized stairway.
3. Where an existing fire escape conforming to the International Building
Code, 2015 edition, is provided in addition to the single exit.
4. Where permitted by the International Building Code, 2015 edition.
5. As allowed by under the Uniform Construction Code of Pennsylvania