Building Egress with a Mezzanine

[peinapod]

I have a restaurant with a mezzanine. The mezzanine has an at-grade exit off of the back of the building and an interior open curving stair down to the first floor. The first floor has two at-grade exits that are too close to be considered remote. Can I consider the exit off the mezzanine a second means of egress for the first floor? The occupants would have to travel up the stairs. The travel distance is not a problem. Thoughts?

 

[Ron]

Do the stairs comply with NFPA 101, Life Safety Code? If so, you might be able to consider that exit.

 

[peinapod]

The stairs meet NFPA 101 and IBC requirements for Winder stairs.

 

[Ron]

peinapod....this would be similar to an exit from a basement. Should be fine since it complies with life safety code.

 

[peinapod]

Except that a basement isn't accessible so you don't need to provide accessible exits. The first floor of this building is readily accessible. So, I think that means I need two accessible exits?

 

[Ron]

Basements in commercial buildings may be accessible or not. This condition would be similar to an accessible basement.

Submit it to the building department and see what they say....the worst case is they deny it and you have to provide the other exit.