Indiana Administrative Code
Title 675 - FIRE PREVENTION AND BUILDING SAFETY COMMISSION
Article 22 - FIRE PREVENTION CODES
Rule 2.5 - 2014 Indiana Fire Code
Section 2.5-11 - Chapter 10; means of egress

Universal Citation: 675 IN Admin Code 2.5-11

Current through September 18, 2024

Authority: IC 22-13-2-2

Affected: IC 22-11-17-2.5; IC 22-12-7; IC 22-13; IC 22-14; IC 36-8-17

Sec. 11.

Chapter 10 is amended as follows:

(a) Amend Section 1001.2 to delete the text and insert the following: See the General Administrative Rules ( 675 IAC 12-4-12) .

(b) Amend Section 1002 to insert the following definition after "Handrail": ICC A117.1. See Chapter 11 of the Indiana Building Code (675 IAC 13).

(c) Amend Section 1004.1.2 to delete the exception without substitution.

(d) Amend Table 1004.1.2, Maximum Floor Area Allowances Per Occupant as follows:

(1) Insert a separate box for "Industrial areas" under the "function of Space" category and add "100 gross" in the "Occupant Load Factor" category.

(2) Insert "Institutional areas" above "Inpatient treatment areas" under the "Function of Space" category.

(3) In the column entitled "Function of Space", insert a separate box for "Gymnasium" above "Group H-5 Fabrication and manufacturing areas" and add the following three sub-categories under "Gymnasium":

Gymnasium floor used exclusively for sports activities Gymnasium floor used for sports activities and other assembly use Spectator seating areas

(4) In the column entitled "Occupant Load Factor", add the following factors for the three specified subcategories under "Gymnasium":

Gymnasium floor used exclusively for sports activities 50 grossb
Gymnasium floor used for sports activities and other assembly use See Section 1004.4 for seating occupant load factorc
Spectator seating areas See Section 1004.4d

(5) Add the following footnotes:

b Used for sporting activities only with no spectator seating or assembly use of the floor.

c Gymnasium floor shall be calculated at 7 s.f. net per person for assembly uses with chairs only, and 15 s.f net per person for assembly use limited to tables and chairs. For gymnasium floor areas used in multiple assembly configurations, a seating and fixed equipment diagram shall be submitted to the Code Official, or the occupant load shall be calculated at 7 s.f. net per person.

d Where spectator seating includes, portable, folding, or retractable systems, the occupant load shall be the greater of the calculated number in all use configurations.

(e) Amend Section 1004.2 to delete the text and insert the following: The occupant load permitted in any building, or portion thereof, is permitted to be increased from that number established for the occupancies in Table 1004.1.2, provided that all other requirements of the code are also met based on such modified number and the occupant load does not exceed one occupant per 7 square feet (0.65m2) of occupiable floor space. For Assembly occupancies with an occupant load of 100 or more without fixed seating, an aisle, seating or fixed equipment diagram substantiating any increase in occupant load shall be submitted to the code official.

(f) Amend Section 1005.3.1, Stairways, by deleting, in the exception, "and an emergency voice/alarm communication system in accordance with Section 907.5.2.2", without substitution.

(g) Amend Section 1005.3.2, Other egress components, by deleting in the exception, "and an emergency voice/alarm communication system in accordance with Section 907.5.2.2", without substitution.

(h) Amend Section 1007.2 to delete "one or more" and insert "at least one".

(i) Amend Section 1007.3, Stairways as follows:

(1) In the last sentence after "part" insert "of".

(2) Add exception 7 to read as follows: 7. Areas of refuge are not required in jails, prisons, or other I-3 occupancies.

(j) Amend Section 1007.5 to delete "1109.7" and insert "1109.8".

(k) Amend Section 1008.1.8, Exception 3, to delete the text and insert the following: 3. Doors within individual dwelling units in Groups R-2 and R-3 occupancies as applicable in Section 1001.1.

(l) Amend Section 1008.1.9.3, Locks and latches, as follows:

(1) Delete Exception 2.3.

(2) Add Exception 6 to read as follows: 6. Licensed Health Care Facilities that comply with IC 22-11-17-2.5.

(m) Amend Section 1008.1.9.7 to delete the exception to item 4 without substitution.

(n) Amend Section 1008.1.9.11, Stairway doors, as follows:

(1) Amend Exception 3 by deleting "serving not more than four stories" without substitution.

(2) Add Exception 6 to read as follows: Stair doors in buildings up to seven (7) stories, not classified as a high-rise building that are sprinklered per Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2 are permitted to lock opposite the egress side.

(o) Amend Section 1009.7.2 as follows:

(1) Amend Exception 5 to delete the text and insert the following: 5. Within dwelling units in occupancies in Group R-3, as applicable in the Indiana Building Code (675 IAC 13), and within dwelling units in occupancies in Group R-2, as applicable in the Indiana Building Code (675 IAC 13), the maximum riser height shall be eight and one-fourth (8 1/4) inches (two hundred ten (210) mm), the minimum tread depth shall be nine (9) inches (two hundred twenty-nine (229) mm). A nosing not less than seventy-five hundredths (0.75) inch (nineteen and one-tenth (19.1) mm) but not more than one and twenty-five hundredths (1.25) inches (thirty-two (32) mm) shall be provided on stairways with solid risers where the tread is less than eleven (11) inches. In occupancies in Group U, which are accessory to an occupancy in Group R-3, as applicable in the Indiana Building Code (675 IAC 13), the maximum riser height shall be seven and seventy-five hundredths (7.75) inches (one hundred ninety-seven (197) mm) and the minimum tread depth shall be ten (10) inches (two hundred fifty-four (254) mm) and the nosing requirements shall remain the same as above.

(2) Amend Exception 6 to delete the text and insert the following: The replacement of existing stairways shall be in accordance with the General Administrative Rules ( 675 IAC 12-4-9) .

(3) Add Exception 8 to read as follows: Stairs or ladders accessing an area with a maximum of 4 occupants on the roof of a press box are exempt from the requirements of this section. A sign shall be posted indicating the maximum occupant load.

(p) Amend Section 1009.7.3, Winder treads, by adding a second sentence to read as follows: The minimum winder tread depth at the walk line shall be 10 inches (254 mm), and the minimum winder tread depth shall be at least six inches (152 mm).

(q) Amend Section 1009.9.4, Enclosures under exterior stairways, in the last sentence, by deleting "exterior" and inserting "exit".

(r) Add Section 1009.18 to read as follows: 1009.18 Fire escapes. A fire escape that is used as an exit shall comply with the provisions of this section as follows:

(1) The fire escape shall not be the primary or the only exit.

(2) The fire escape shall not take the place of stairways required by the applicable rules of the commission or its predecessors in effect at the time the building was built.

(3) Access to a fire escape from a corridor shall not be through an intervening room.

Exception: Access through an intervening room may be permitted if the intervening door is not lockable and an exit sign is installed above the door directing occupants to the fire escape.

(4) No encumbrances or obstacles of any kind shall be placed on or in front of any fire escape.

(5) Fire escapes shall be kept clear and unobstructed and shall be maintained in a fully operational working condition at all times.

(6) Exit signs shall be maintained in accordance with the Indiana Fire Code (675 IAC 22) or the code in effect at the time of construction. All doors and windows providing access to a fire escape shall be provided with signs stating "FIRE ESCAPE" in letters at least as large as those required for exit signs under the current rules of the Commission.

(7) Fire escape stairways and their balconies shall support their dead load plus a live load of not less than one hundred (100) pounds per square foot (four hundred thirty-six (136 kilograms) placed anywhere on the balcony or stairway so as to produce the maximum stress condition.

(8) Fire escape stairways and balconies shall support a horizontal force of not less than fifty (50) pounds per linear foot (seventy-four and four-tenths (74.4) kilograms per meter) applied to the top handrail.

(9) Documentation evidencing compliance with subsections (7) through (9) shall be maintained on site for review by the code official.

(10) Tubular fire escapes shall comply with subsections (1) through (9) and shall be kept rust free.

(s) Delete Section 1011.2 without substitution.

(t) Amend Section 1013.4 to delete the text of Exception 3. and insert the following: 3. At elevated walking surfaces for access to and use of electrical, mechanical or plumbing systems, fire department access doors required by the Indiana Fire Code (675 IAC 22) that are not a required exit, or equipment, guards shall have balusters or be of solid materials such that a sphere with a diameter of 21 inches (533 mm) cannot pass through any opening.

(u) Amend Table 1014.3, in the row entitled "All others", as follows:

COMMON PATH OF EGRESS TRAVEL

Occupancy Without Sprinkler System (feet) With Sprinkler System (feet)
Occupant Load
<= 30 > 30
All others c, f 75 75 75 a, b

(v) Amend Table 1016.2, in the row entitled "I-1", as follows:

EXIT ACCESS TRAVEL DISTANCEa

Occupancy Without Sprinkler System (feet) With Sprinkler System (feet)
I-1 Not Permitted 250b

(w) Add a new Section 1016.2.2, after Section 1016.2.1, to read as follows: 1016.2.2 ESFR Sprinklers. Buildings or areas protected by ESFR sprinkler system are permitted to have 400 feet exit travel distance.

(x) Amend Section 1018.1, Construction, Exception 2, after "dwelling", by inserting "unit" and, after "Group R", by inserting "having an occupant load of 16 or less".

(y) Delete Section 1024 in its entirety without substitution.

(z) Amend Section 1025.2 to delete "with no unprotected openings" in the first last sentence of the paragraph without exception.

(aa) Amend Section 1028.12, Seat stability, as follows:

(1) Delete the text of Exception 1 and insert to read as follows: In places of assembly or portions thereof without ramped or tiered floors for seating, portable and folding type seats of any quantity, or permanent seats of 200 or fewer, shall not be required to be fastened to the floor.

(2) Amend Exception 2, by inserting "with seating at tables and" after "thereof".

(3) Delete the text of Exception 3 and insert to read as follows: "In places of assembly or portions thereof with ramped or tiered floors for seating, and where the seats include more than 200 permanent, portable or folding chairs in any combination on each individual ramped or tiered area, all seats on the ramped or tiered area shall be fastened together in groups of not fewer than three (3) or all seats shall be fastened to the floor".

(4) Delete the last sentence of Exception 4 without substitution.

(bb) Add Section 1029.6 as follows:

(1) 1029.6. Exterior Rescue Access. Exterior access for fire department use in performing rescue operations when emergency escape and rescue openings are required shall comply with Sections 1029.6.1 and 1029.6.2.

(2) 1029.6.1. The exterior grade adjacent to emergency escape and rescue openings shall not have a slope of more than two

(2) inches in twelve (12) inches. The grade requirement shall extend from the structure to a point which will allow the placement of a fire department ground ladder to the sill of the emergency escape and rescue opening when such ladder is placed at a seventy-five (75) degree angle maximum from the horizontal plane. In no circumstances shall the required grade extend less than forty-four (44) inches from the structure.

(3) 1029.6.2. No obstructions such as wire, trees, shrubs, signs, cornices, overhangs, awnings, canopies, parking, or other features shall be permitted.

Exception: Canopies and similar types of building features may be used as a portion of the rescue access system, if the slope of the canopy does not exceed two (2) inches in twelve (12) inches, and access as required in Section 1029 is provided from the ground to the top edge of the canopy.

(cc) Amend Section 1030.2.1 to delete "subject to approval of" and insert "approved by".

(dd) Amend Section 1030.8 to delete "required" in the last sentence and insert "necessary".

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