Code of Massachusetts Regulations
521 CMR - Architectural Access Board
Title 521 CMR 20 - Accessible Route
Section 20.12 - AREAS OF RESCUE ASSISTANCE

a. A portion of a stairway landing within a smokeproof enclosure (complying with applicable requirements of 780 CMR (The Massachusetts State Building Code). See Fig. 20i.

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b. A portion of an exterior exit balcony located immediately adjacent to an exit stairway when the balcony complies with applicable requirements of 780 CMR (The Massachusetts State Building Code) for exterior exit balconies. Openings to the interior of the building located within 20 feet (20' = 6m) of the area of rescue assistance shall be protected with fire assemblies having a 3/4 hour fire protection rating.

c. A portion of a one hour fire-resistive corridor (complying with applicable requirements of 780 CMR: the State Building Code for fire-resistive construction and for openings) located immediately adjacent to an exit enclosure. (See Fig. 20j)

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d. A vestibule located immediately adjacent to an exit enclosure and constructed to the same fire-resistive standards controlling corridors and openings.

e. A portion of a stairway landing within an exit enclosure which is vented to the exterior and is separated from the interior of the building with not less than one hour fire-resistive doors.

f. When approved by the appropriate applicable building official, an area or a room that is separated from other portions of the building by a smoke barrier. Smoke barriers shall have a fire-resistive rating of not less than one hour and shall completely enclose the area or room. Doors in the smoke barrier shall be tight-fitting smoke- and draft-control assemblies having a fire-protection rating of not less than 20 minutes and shall be self-closing or automatic closing. The area or room shall be provided with an exit directly to an exit enclosure. Where the room or area exits into an exit enclosure which is required to be of more than one hour fire-resistive construction, the room or area shall have the same fire-resistive construction, including the same opening protection, as required for the adjacent exit enclosure.

g. An elevator lobby where elevator shafts and adjacent lobbies are pressurized as required for smokeproof enclosures by 780 CMR: the State Building Code or 524 CMR: the State Board of Elevator Regulations, and when complying with requirements herein for size, communication, and signage. Such pressurization system shall be activated by smoke detectors on each floor located in a manner approved by the appropriate local authority. Pressurization equipment and its duct work within the building shall be separated from other portions of the building by a minimum two-hour fire restrictive construction.

h. A flat level area that is stable, firm and slip resistant adjacent to the exit discharge in locations where the public way is further than 100 feet from the building.

a. The area of rescue assistance shall not encroach on any required exit width.

b. The total number of such 30 inch by 48 inch (30" x 48" = 762mm by 1219mm) areas per story shall be not less than one for every 200 persons of calculated occupant load served by the area of rescue assistance.