Egress concerns

[hellostuman]

I am designing a picking module for a warehouse where I had hoped to use lift gates throughout the layout to act as egress points for personal. The village (located in Illinois) has dictated the max distance to exits, which would be met, but is uncertain if having to walk through the lift gates is an acceptable means of escape.

In the past, I’ve never been questioned on this, it’s always been a non issue, however, this is the first for this town and they need to see something in writing before they sign off on my layout. So far, I am unable to find a specific code from a any agency that helps me out. I have found a write up from the BMEC for a Toronto, Ontario building where it states that gates can be incorporated along egress routes if a) there are a max of 2 per route, b) they are equipped with a positive lock when open, c) when the lift is open the conveyor feeding the gate auto stops and d) it is marked such that they are readily identifiable as part of the route.

I was hoping to find a US code that is similar in nature to present to the village. Any advice where to find it?

 

[cdafd]

1st the city should be under some adopted building code, and not sure if in the stae of ILL. if it is a state building code or if each city adopts thier own.

so with that that dictates exiting

2nd not sure what you mean by lift gates, can you post a web site that shows what it looks like.


I think what you are trying to do is egress over convyer system.

is there not enough exit doors that can be reached with out haveing to go over the conveyer system???

 

[stookeyfpe]

What your proposing is not recognized by the International Building Code means of egress requirements in Chapter 10. You could propose such a design to the community's building official as an alternative means and method. However, if its not approved, you will be required to comply the requirements of IBC Chapter 10.

Myself, I'm not a big supporter of what you are proposing. Your design in my mind constitutes special knowledge, and a means of egress system should not be based on such a design. The goal is to get everyone out of the building before the fire grows beyond the incipient stage.

 

[hellostuman]

http://www.conveyor-center.com/hytrol/gates.htm

Here is a site that shows typical gates. All personal working in this area (the 2nd and 3rd level of a mezzanine picking module) would be familiar with the gates. Most likely using them tens of times a day to perform their daily tasks.

 

[DRWeig]

My local building authority required us to have little bridges over the conveyor to meet egress requirements.

We have lift gates too, for convenience, but weren't allowed to count them for egress...

Let's see what the others say.

Good on ya,

Goober Dave

 

[hellostuman]

Thanks Dave.

If I had the head room, I would go with the cross overs.

doug

 

[cdafd]

"""""'in the past, I've never been questioned on this, it's always been a non issue, however, this is the first for this town and they need to see something in writing before they sign off on my layout""""


not sure what they want to see in writing, if they have a building code they go by??

And you have given them a layout?? no way to egress mezzanine without going throught he gates???


How many people would be working on the 2nd and 3rd level???

 

[stookeyfpe]

If you don't have the headroom, you don't have a compliant egress design under the IBC. Section 1003.2 requires the means of egress to have a minimum height of 7 feet, 6 inches. Exceptions exist for projections, sloped ceilings and other similar concerns.

 

[hellostuman]

I don't have the head room to climb up on a three rung ladder cross over a conveyor at a 30" elevation and climb down the other side.

 

[stookeyfpe]

I understand we don't have the luxury of looking at plans. Don't take my comment wrong, but it sounds like you want the building code means of egress provisions to fit your design. We both know it doesn't work that way.

You are seeking an alternative design to the provisions in the jurisdiction's building code. I suggest you retain a qualified fire protection engineer to prepare an alternative means and methods in accordance with Section 104.11 of the 2006 IBC. The FPE can evaluate the building and your picking system and hopefully propose design options that may allow the use of lift gates.