The original approved plans showed a stair going back, but the value of the second off-street parking stall increased since then. I wanted to propose replacing that stair with a retractable fire-escape ladder, thinking it would be acceptable as a secondary egress. But if we cannot use the...
We can't go sideways as we're an historic row of 1800's buildings in a tourist town. Think of Bourbon Street New Orleans.
Dedicating a hall either way would remove too much needed space for either the retail or the shop.
Yep, all of that was covered with the city inspector when we bought the building. We weren't required to have a sprinkler added because we built up the floor between the commercial (1st floor) and residential (2nd floor) to a minimum 2-hour fire barrier, which included double walling the stair...
Illinois. No one has lived above the retail space since the early 70's. When we started the renovation we cut a large floor section out to make for an open 2-story loft, which got us around the need for a 3rd floor fire escape. The second floor has a stair to the gallery and a door to the roof...
Currently the only stairs to the second floor are located toward the back of the gallery. Original to the building (1852) and walled off with a fire door and 2-hour ratings.
Hi All,
Two years ago we purchased a 150 year old three story 'brownstone' in a popular tourist town. The front half of the shotgun lot (16' x 120') contains the 3-story brownstone with our retail art gallery on the main floor. On the back half of the lot, and attached to the 3-story building...
