09/29/2016
Stairwell Requirements per 2012 LSC
7.2.2.5.4.1 New enclosed stairs serving three or more stories
and existing enclosed stairs serving five or more stories
shall comply with 7.2.2.5.4.1(A) through 7.2.2.5.4.1(M).
(A) The stairs shall be provided with special signage within
the enclosure at each floor landing.
(B) The signage shall indicate the floor level.
(C) The signage shall indicate the terminus of the top and
bottom of the stair enclosure.
(D) The signage shall indicate the identification of the stair
enclosure.
(E) The signage shall indicate the floor level of, and the
direction to, exit discharge.
(F) The signage shall be located inside the enclosure approximately
60 in. (1525 mm) above the floor landing in a
position that is visible when the door is in the open or closed
position.
(G) The signage shall comply with 7.10.8.1 and 7.10.8.2 of
this Code.
(H) The floor level designation shall also be tactile in accordance
with ICC/ANSI A117.1, American National Standard
for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities.
(I) The signage shall be painted or stenciled on the wall or
on a separate sign securely attached to the wall.
(J) The stairway identification letter shall be located at the
top of the sign in minimum 1 in. (25 mm) high lettering and
shall be in accordance with 7.10.8.2.
(K)* Signage that reads NO ROOF ACCESS and is located
under the stairway identification letter shall designate stairways
that do not provide roof access. Lettering shall be a
minimum of 1 in. (25 mm) high and shall be in accordance
with 7.10.8.2.
A.7.2.2.5.4.1(K) It is not the intent to require a sign that
reads ROOF ACCESS, as such message might be misinterpreted
by building occupants as an alternative egress route.
However signs that read ROOF ACCESS are not prohibited,
as many such signs have been installed in existing buildings
so as to make a requirement for removal impractical. Historically,
the ROOF ACCESS sign has provided information
for the fire department. Where there is no roof access, such
information will be posted via a NO ROOF ACCESS sign.
The absence of the NO ROOF ACCESS sign should be understood
by the fire department to mean that roof access is
possible.
(L) The floor level number shall be located in the middle of
the sign in minimum 5 in. (125 mm) high numbers and shall
be in accordance with 7.10.8.2. Mezzanine levels shall have
the letter “M” or other appropriate identification letter
preceding the floor number, while basement levels shall
have the letter “B” or other appropriate identification letter
preceding the floor level number.
(M) Identification of the lower and upper terminus of the
stairway shall be located at the bottom of the sign in minimum
1 in. (25 mm) high letters or numbers and shall be in
accordance with 7.10.8.2.
