SECTION 1023 EXTERIOR EXIT
RAMPS AND STAIRWAYS
1023.1 Exterior exit ramps and stairways. Exterior
exit ramps and stairways serving as an element of a required
means of egress shall comply with this section.
Exception:
Exterior exit ramps and stairways for outdoor stadiums complying
with Section 1019.1, Exception
2.
1023.2
Use in a means of egress. Exterior exit ramps and stairways
shall not be used as an element of a required means of egress
for Group 1-2 occupancies. For occupancies in other than
Group 1-2, exterior exit ramps and stairways shall be permitted
as an element of a required means of egress for buildings
not exceeding six stories above grade plane or having occupied
I floors more than 75 feet (22 860 mm) above the lowest
level of fire department vehicle access.
1023.3
Open side. Exterior exit ramps and stairways serving
as an element of a required means of egress shall be open
on at least one side. An open side shall have a minimum
of 35 square feet (3.3 m2) of aggregate open
area adjacent to each floor level and the level of each
intermediate landing. The required open area shall be located
not less than 42 inches (1067 mm) above the adjacent floor
or landing level.
1023.4
Side yards. The open areas adjoining exterior exit ramps
or stairways shall be either yards, courts or public ways;
the remaining sides are permitted to be enclosed by the
exterior walls of the building.
1023.5
Location. Exterior exit ramps and stairways shall be
located in accordance with Section 1023.3.
1023.6
Exterior ramps and stairway protection. Exterior exit
ramps and stairways shall be separated from the interior
of the building as required in Section
1020.1. Openings shall be limited to those necessary
for egress from normally occupied spaces.
Exceptions:
1.
Separation from the interior of the building is not required
for occupancies, other than those in Group R-1 or R-2,
in buildings that are no more than two stories above grade
plane where the level of exit discharge is the first story
above grade plane.
2. Separation
from the interior of the building is not required where
the exterior ramp or stairway is served by an exterior
ramp and/or balcony that connects two remote exterior
stairways or other approved exits with a perimeter that
is not less than 50 percent open. To be considered open,
the opening shall be a minimum of 50 percent of the height
of the enclosing wall, with the top of the openings no
less than 7 feet (2134 mm) above the top of the balcony.
3. Separation
from the interior of the building is not required for
an exterior ramp or stairway located in a building or
structure that is permitted to have unenclosed interior
stairways in accordance with Section
1020.1.
4. Separation
from the interior of the building is not required for
exterior ramps or stairways connected to open-ended corridors,
provided that Items 4.1 through 4.4 are met:
4.1.
The building, including corridors and ramps and/or stairs,
shall be equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler
system in accordance with Section
903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2.
4.2.
The open-ended corridors comply with Section
1017.
4.3.
The open-ended corridors are connected on each end to
an exterior exit ramp or stairway complying with Section
1023.
4.4.
At any location in an open-ended corridor where a change
of direction exceeding 45 degrees (0.79 rad) occurs,
a clear opening of not less than 35 square feet (3.3
m2) or an exterior ramp or stairway shall
be provided. Where clear openings are provided, they
shall be located so as to minimize the accumulation
of smoke or toxic gases.