Hospital Roof Exiting 1

[Pappy18]

Can a hospital NICU recovery room have an exit which leads across a roof deck, where HVAC equipment is located, to an adjacent new hospital building into an enclosed exit stairwell. This stairwell leads to the ground floor to the exterior of the building.

 

[cdafd]

What building code is it designed under or is it just nfpa 101???

 

[stookeyfpe]

As long as exit width, the travel distance, and the surface complies with the applicable code, I don't see it as a problem.

 

[Pappy18]

This is built using the 2001 CBC (California Building Code), (ICBO Model Code). Building is nonsprinklered I-1.1 occupancy, built in 1953. Exiting was to an exterior stairs across roof. Stairs will be demolished for a remodel project with new exiting to the new sprinklered I1.1 building stairwell. Travel distance from patient room to stairwell is 207 feet, exit width on roof is 36"-44" in most areas in the direction of exit travel one way only. No weather protection but there is minimum exit lighting and exit signs posted to new stairwell. NFPA 101 does not apply.

 

[stookeyfpe]

As long as OSHPD is happy you're golden.

 

[chicopee]

just a thought--how would you handle patients particularly those who have mobility issues? For people with no mobility issues, I agree with stookeyfpe as long as the pathways are protected with fire resistive construction, nearby glass panes are wire reinforced, adequate exit width,etc.. Also consult with your liability insurance carrier.

 

[b1ueshift]

I think there is reason for the AHJ to object to an adjacent building being used as an excape route.

As a general principle, buildings need to work independantly of other buildings such that if one building is demolished or closed for renovations, then the life saftey of an adjacent building is not compromised. Exceptions to this generally require AHJ approval.

NFPA 101 generally requires exits to lead to a public way. I think you would need to be prepared to offer justification to the AHJ that the proposed escape route through the adjacent building is guaranteed to work for the life of the building and that this adjacent building isn't going to be sold off to another operator or closed down during the life of the building unless the egress is modified first.

 

[Pappy18]

Thanks for your opinions. I was a little concerned as patients in the NICU could be critical care infant patients, in incubaters on life support,then is the nonprotected roof be a risk in bad weather conditions. In addition relocation would be in the adjacent building (as is practiced in hospitals/not evact usually)Once exiting into an exit discharge on the roof deck the code requires exiting to a public way and does not permit re-entering another exit accessway. The second building in this case is a new hospital addition.