Code of Massachusetts Regulations
780 CMR - STATE BOARD OF BUILDING REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS
Chapter 10 - Means of Egress
Section 1025 - HORIZONTAL EXITS
Subsection 1025.4 - Capacity of refuge area
Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024
The refuge area of a horizontal exit shall be a space occupied by the same tenant or a public area and each such refuge area shall be adequate to accommodate the original occupant load of the refuge area plus the occupant load anticipated from the adjoining compartment. The anticipated occupant load from the adjoining compartment shall be based on the capacity of the horizontal exit doors entering the refuge area. The capacity of the refuge area shall be computed based on a net floor area allowance of 3 square feet (0.2787 m2) for each occupant to be accommodated therein.
Exception: The net floor area allowable per occupant shall be as follows for the indicated occupancies:
1. Six square feet (0.6 m2) per occupant for occupancies in Group I-3.
2. Fifteen square feet (1.4 m2) per occupant for ambulatory occupancies in Group I-2.
3. Thirty square feet (2.8 m2) per occupant for nonambulatory occupancies in Group I-2.
The refuge area into which a horizontal exit leads shall be provided with exits adequate to meet the occupant requirements of this chapter, but not including the added occupant load imposed by persons entering it through horizontal exits from other areas. At least one refuge area exit shall lead directly to the exterior or to an exit enclosure.
Exception: The adjoining compartment shall not be required to have a stairway or door leading directly outside, provided the refuge area into which a horizontal exit leads has stairways or doors leading directly outside and are so arranged that egress shall not require the occupants to return through the compartment from which egress originates.
