Emergency exits when there are contiguous buildings all around

[jejaram]

I'm aware of the distances for emegency exits required by NFPA 101, but what if a large warehouse (295 ft -90 m- long) has other warehouses (of different applications and owners) on all its sides except for the front? How can you comply with emergency exit distances when they can only be located at the front wall, 295 ft away from the other end of the warehouse? Or is there another alternative?

Thanks in advance

Jorge Jaramillo

 

[stookeyfpe]

You make openings in the side of the building of the required width and height, install the correct type of doors, and illuminate their location. The location of your exit openings are placed so the travel distance to the exit discharge is not exceeded.

 

[msquared48]

stookeyfpe:

If there are occupied spaces owned by others on three of the four sides, this may not be possible withput a variaqnce from the local jurisdiction and/or easement from the adjacent owner(s.

jejaram:

Have you run this problem by the local zoning official to see if they have encountered a similar problem in the past and how they may have dealt with it? Dealing with security and panic doors building to building would be an issue. Obviously, normal panic doors open only one direction, and you could conceivably have an emergency in either building. Maybe a "special" panic door would work? Maybe even a "safe room" within the structure near where the exit should be?

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

http://mmcengineering.tripod.com

 

[cdafd]

Not sure if 101 uses exit passage way to extend the travel distance

Would have to check

 

[stookeyfpe]

MSquared:

If this condition arises, one would employ a horizontal exit and exit corridors. I am not designing a building where I can't accomodate the required occupant load and provide the required width and travel distances. That's how it works at least on all my projects.

 

[cdafd]

so is you allowable travel distance 400 feet?????

 

[DRWeig]

4-hour separations between the buildings?

Best to you,

Goober Dave

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[jejaram]

As explained in the original post, openings on the sides are not possible. The 4 hour rate might be a solution.

There are no local authorities in this matter around here, I'm just trying for a customer to have a safe warehouse.

Thanks for the input.