Section 1104 — MEANS OF EGRESS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS

Means of egress in existing buildings shall comply with the minimum egress requirements where specified in Table 1103.1 as further enumerated in Sections 1104.2 through 1104.25, and the building code that applied at the time of construction. Where the provisions of this chapter conflict with the building code that applied at the time of construction, the most restrictive provision shall apply. Existing buildings that were not required to comply with a building code at the time of construction shall comply with the minimum egress requirements where specified in Table 1103.1 as further enumerated in Sections 1104.2 through 1104.25.

Elevators, escalators and moving walks shall not be used as a component of a required means of egress.

Exceptions:

1. Elevators used as an accessible means of egress where allowed by Section 1009.4.
2. Previously approved elevators, escalators and moving walks in existing buildings.

Exit signs shall be internally or externally illuminated. The face of an exit sign illuminated from an external source shall have an intensity of not less than 5 footcandles (54 lux). Internally illuminated signs shall provide equivalent luminance and be listed for the purpose.

Exception: Approved self-luminous signs that provide evenly illuminated letters shall have a minimum luminance of 0.06 footlamberts (0.21 cd/m [2] ).

Where emergency illumination is required in Section 1104.5, exit signs shall be visible under emergency illumination conditions.

Exception: Approved signs that provide continuous illumination independent of external power sources are not required to be connected to an emergency electrical system.

Where means of egress illumination is provided, the power supply for means of egress illumination shall normally be provided by the premises’ electrical supply. In the event of power supply failure, illumination shall be automatically provided from an emergency system for the following occupancies where such occupancies require two or more means of egress:

1. Group A having 50 or more occupants.

Exception: Assembly occupancies used exclusively as a place of worship and having an occupant load of less than 300.

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CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS

2. Group B buildings three or more stories in height, buildings with 100 or more occupants above or below a level of exit discharge serving the occupants or buildings with 1,000 or more total occupants.

3. Group E in interior exit access and exit stairways and ramps, corridors, windowless areas with student occupancy, shops and laboratories.

4. Group F having more than 100 occupants.

Exception: Buildings used only during daylight hours and that are provided with windows for natural light in accordance with the California Building Code .

5. Group I.

6. Group M. Exception: Buildings less than 3,000 square feet (279 m [2] ) in gross sales area on one story only, excluding mezzanines.

7. Groups R-1 and R-2.

Exception: Where each dwelling unit or sleeping unit has direct access to the outside of the building at grade.

1104.5.1 Emergency power duration and installation. Emergency power for means of egress illumination shall be provided in accordance with Section 1203. In other than Group I-2, emergency power shall be provided for not less than 60 minutes for systems requiring emergency power.

Guards complying with this section shall be provided at the open sides of means of egress that are more than 30 inches (762 mm) above the floor or grade below.

1104.6.1 Height of guards. Guards shall form a protective barrier not less than 42 inches (1067 mm) high.

Exceptions:

1. Existing guards on the open side of exit access and exit stairways and ramps shall be not less than 30 inches (760 mm) high.
2. Existing guards within dwelling units shall be not less than 36 inches (910 mm) high.
3. Existing guards in assembly seating areas.

1104.6.2 Opening limitations. Open guards shall have balusters or ornamental patterns such that a 6-inch-diameter (152 mm) sphere cannot pass through any opening up to a height of 34 inches (864 mm).

Exceptions:

1. At elevated walking surfaces for access to, and use of, electrical, mechanical or plumbing systems or equipment, guards shall have balusters or be of solid materials such that a sphere with a diameter of 21 inches (533 mm) cannot pass through any opening.

2. In occupancies in Group I-3, F, H or S, the clear distance between intermediate rails measured at right angles to the rails shall not exceed 21 inches (533 mm).

3. Approved existing open guards.

The required capacity of each door opening shall be sufficient for the occupant load thereof and shall provide a minimum clear opening width of 28 inches (711 mm). Where this section requires a minimum clear opening width of 28 inches (711 mm) and a door opening includes two door leaves without a mullion, one leaf shall provide a clear opening width of 28 inches (711 mm). The minimum clear opening height of doorways shall be 80 inches (2032 mm).

Exceptions:

1. The minimum and maximum width shall not apply to door openings that are not part of the required means of egress in occupancies in Group R-2 and R-3 units that are not required to be an Accessible unit, Type A unit or Type B unit.
2. Door openings to storage closets less than 10 square feet (0.93 m [2] ) in area shall not be limited by the minimum clear opening width.
3. The width of door leaves in revolving doors that comply with Section 1010.3.1 shall not be limited.
4. The maximum width of door leaves in power-operated doors that comply with Section 1010.3.2 shall not be limited.
5. Door openings within a dwelling unit shall have a minimum clear opening height of 78 inches (1981 mm).
6. In dwelling and sleeping units that are not required to be Accessible units, Type A units or Type B units, exterior door openings, other than the required exit door, shall have a minimum clear opening height of 76 inches (1930 mm).
7. Exit access doors serving a room not larger than 70 square feet (6.5 m [2] ) shall have a minimum door leaf width of 24 inches (610 mm).
8. The minimum clear opening width shall not apply to doors for nonaccessible showers or sauna compartments.
9. The minimum clear opening width shall not apply to the doors for nonaccessible toilet stalls.
10. Door closers, overhead door stops, frame stops, power door operators and electromagnetic door locks shall be permitted to project into the door opening height not lower than 78 inches (1980 mm) above the floor.

1104.7.1 Group I-2. In Group I-2 occupancies, means of egress doors where used for the movement of beds shall provide a minimum clear opening width of 41 [1] / 2 inches (1054 mm).

Doors serving as means of egress doors and not used for movement of beds shall provide a minimum clear opening width of 32 inches (813 mm).

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1104.7.2 Ambulatory care. In ambulatory care facilities, doors serving as means of egress from patient treatment rooms shall provide a minimum clear opening width of 32 inches (813 mm).

Forces shall be applied to the latch side. Forces required to unlatch and open doors shall be in accordance with Sections 1104.8.1 and 1104.8.2.

1104.8.1 Unlatching doors. The forces to unlatch doors shall comply with the following:

1. Where door hardware operates by push or pull, the operational force to unlatch the door shall not exceed 15 pounds (67 N).
2. Where door hardware operates by rotation, the operational force to unlatch the door shall not exceed 28 inch-pounds (3.164 N-m).

1104.8.2 Opening doors. The forces to open doors shall comply with the following:

1. For interior swinging egress doors that are manually operated, other than doors required to be fire rated, the force for pushing or pulling open the door shall not exceed 5 pounds (22 N).
2. For other swinging doors, sliding doors or folding doors and doors required to be fire-rated, the door shall require not more than a 30-pound (133 N) force to be set in motion and shall move to a full-open position when subjected to not more than a 15-pound (67 N) force.

1. A revolving door shall not be located within 10 feet (3048 mm) of the foot or top of stairways or escalators. A dispersal area shall be provided between the stairways or escalators and the revolving doors.
2. The revolutions per minute for a revolving door shall not exceed those shown in Table 1104.9.
3. Each revolving door shall have a conforming side-hinged swinging door in the same wall as the revolving door and within 10 feet (3048 mm).

Exceptions:

1. A revolving door is permitted to be used without an adjacent swinging door for street-floor elevator lobbies provided that a stairway, escalator or door from other parts of the building does not discharge through the lobby and the lobby does not have any occupancy or use other than as a means of travel between elevators and a street.
2. Existing revolving doors where the number of revolving doors does not exceed the number of swinging doors within 20 feet (6096 mm).

TABLE 1104.9—REVOLVING DOOR SPEEDS

1104.9.1 Egress component. A revolving door used as a component of a means of egress shall comply with Section 1104.9 and all of the following conditions:

1. Revolving doors shall not be given credit for more than 50 percent of the required egress capacity.
2. Each revolving door shall be credited with not more than a 50-person capacity.
3. Revolving doors shall be capable of being collapsed when a force of not more than 130 pounds (578 N) is applied within 3 inches (76 mm) of the outer edge of a wing.

Existing stairways in buildings shall be permitted to remain if the rise does not exceed 8 [1] / 4 inches (210 mm) and the run is not less than 9 inches (229 mm). Existing stairways can be rebuilt.

Exception: Other stairways approved by the fire code official.

1104.10.1 Dimensions for replacement stairways. The replacement of an existing stairway in a structure shall not be required to comply with the new stairway requirements of Section 1011 where the existing space and construction will not allow a reduction in pitch or slope.

Existing winders shall be allowed to remain in use if they have a minimum tread depth of 6 inches (152 mm) and a minimum tread depth of 9 inches (229 mm) at a point 12 inches (305 mm) from the narrowest edge.

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CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS

Existing curved stairways shall be allowed to continue in use, provided that the minimum depth of tread is 10 inches (254 mm) and the smallest radius shall be not less than twice the width of the stairway.

Stairways shall have handrails on at least one side. Handrails shall be located so that all portions of the stairway width required for egress capacity are within 44 inches (1118 mm) of a handrail.

Exception: Aisle stairs provided with a center handrail are not required to have additional handrails.

1104.13.1 Height. Handrail height, measured above stair tread nosings, shall be uniform, not less than 30 inches (762 mm) and not more than 42 inches (1067 mm).

Ramp runs utilized as part of a means of egress shall have a running slope not steeper than 1 unit vertical in 10 units horizontal (10-percent slope). The slope of other ramps shall not be steeper than 1 unit vertical in 8 units horizontal (12.5percent slope).

Existing ramps are permitted to have a minimum width of 30 inches (762 mm) but not less than the width required for the number of occupants served as determined by Section 1005.1. In Group I-2, ramps serving as a means of egress and used for the movement of patients in beds shall comply with Section 1105.6.4.

[BE] 1104.16 Fire escape stairways. Fire escape stairways shall comply with Sections 1104.16.1 through 1104.16.6.

[BE] 1104.16.1 Existing means of egress. Fire escape stairways shall be permitted in existing buildings but shall not constitute more than 50 percent of the required exit capacity.

[BE] 1104.16.2 Opening protectives. Doors and windows within 10 feet (3048 mm) of fire escape stairways shall be protected with [3] / 4 -hour opening protectives.

Exception: Opening protectives shall not be required in buildings equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system.

[BE] 1104.16.3 Dimensions. Fire escape stairways shall meet the minimum width, capacity, riser height and tread depth as specified in Section 1104.10.

[BE] 1104.16.4 Access. Access to a fire escape stairway from a corridor shall not be through an intervening room. Access to a fire escape stairway shall be from a door or window meeting the criteria of Section 1005.1. Access to a fire escape stairway shall be directly to a balcony, landing or platform. These shall not be higher than the floor or windowsill level and not lower than 8 inches (203 mm) below the floor level or 18 inches (457 mm) below the windowsill.

[BE] 1104.16.5 Materials and strength. Components of fire escape stairways shall be constructed of noncombustible materials. Fire escape stairways and balconies shall support the dead load plus a live load of not less than 100 pounds per square foot (4.78 kN/m [2] ). Fire escape stairways and balconies shall be provided with a top and intermediate handrail on each side.

[BE] 1104.16.6 Termination. The lowest balcony shall not be more than 18 feet (5486 mm) from the ground. Fire escape stairways shall extend to the ground or be provided with counterbalanced stairs reaching the ground.

Exception: For fire escape stairways serving 10 or fewer occupants, an approved fire escape ladder is allowed to serve as the termination.

Corridors serving an occupant load greater than 30 and the openings therein shall provide an effective barrier to resist the movement of smoke. Transoms, louvers, doors and other openings shall be kept closed or be self-closing. In Group I-2, corridors in areas housing patient sleeping or care rooms shall comply with Section 1105.5.

Exceptions:

1. Corridors in occupancies other than in Group H, that are equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system.
2. Corridors in occupancies in Group E where each room utilized for instruction or assembly has not less than one-half of the required means of egress doors opening directly to the exterior of the building at ground level.
3. Corridors that are in accordance with the California Building Code .

1104.17.1 Corridor openings. Openings in corridor walls shall comply with the requirements of the California Building Code .

Exceptions:

1. Where 20-minute fire door assemblies are required, solid wood doors not less than 1.75 inches (44 mm) thick or insulated steel doors are allowed.

2. Openings protected with fixed wire glass set in steel frames.

3. Openings covered with 0.5-inch (12.7 mm) gypsum wallboard or 0.75-inch (19.1 mm) plywood on the room side.

4. Opening protection is not required where the building is equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system.

Where more than one exit or exit access doorway is required, the exit access shall be arranged such that dead ends do not exceed the limits specified in Table 1104.18.

Exceptions:

1. A dead-end corridor shall not be limited in length where the length of the dead-end corridor is less than 2.5 times the least width of the dead-end corridor.

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2. In existing buildings, existing dead-end corridors shall be permitted to comply with lengths established in Section 804.8 of the California Existing Building Code . Any newly constructed dead-end corridors within an existing building shall be limited to the lengths allowed by the California Building Code .

TABLE 1104.18—COMMON PATH, DEAD-END AND TRAVEL DISTANCE LIMITS (by occupancy)

NR = No Requirements.
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 square foot = 0.0929 m2.
a. See Section 1030.9.5 for dead-end aisles in Group A occupancies.
b. This dimension is for the total travel distance, assuming incremental portions have fully utilized their allowable maximums. For travel distance within the room, and from the
room exit access door to the exit, see the appropriate occupancy chapter.
c. See Section 412 of the_California Building Code_ for special requirements on spacing of doors in aircraft hangars.
d. Separation of exit access doors within a care recipient sleeping room, or any suite that includes care recipient sleeping rooms, shall comply with Section 1105.5.6.
e. In smoke compartments containing care recipient sleeping rooms and treatment rooms, dead-end_corridors_ shall comply with Section 1105.6.5.
f. In Group I-2, Condition 2, care recipient sleeping rooms or any suite that includes care recipient sleeping rooms shall comply with Section 1105.7.
g. Where a tenant space in Group B, S and U occupancies has an occupant load of not more than 30, the length of a common path of egress travel shall be not more than 100
feet.
h. Where the building, or portion of the building, is limited to one story and the height from the finished floor to the bottom of the ceiling or roof slab or deck is 24 feet or more,
the exit access travel distance is increased to 400 feet.
i.
For covered and open malls, the exit access travel distance is increased to 400 feet.
j.
Buildings equipped with an_approved_ automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.
k. Buildings equipped with an_approved_ automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.2.
l.
Group H occupancies equipped with an_approved_ automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.2.5.

Exits shall be located so that the maximum length of exit access travel, measured from the most remote point to an approved exit along the natural and unobstructed path of egress travel, does not exceed the distances given in Table 1104.18.

The common path of egress travel shall not exceed the distances given in Table 1104.18.

An interior exit stairway or ramp that continues below its level of exit discharge shall be arranged and marked to make the direction of egress to a public way readily identifiable.

Exception: Stairways that continue one-half story beyond their levels of exit discharge need not be provided with barriers where the exit discharge is obvious.

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Exterior exit stairways shall be separated from the interior of the building as required in Section 1027.6. Openings shall be limited to those necessary for egress from normally occupied spaces.

Exceptions:

1. Separation from the interior of the building is not required for buildings that are two stories or less above grade where the level of exit discharge serving such occupancies is the first story above grade.
2. Separation from the interior of the building is not required where the exterior stairway is served by an exterior balcony that connects two remote exterior stairways or other approved exits with a perimeter that is not less than 50 percent open. To be considered open, the opening shall be not less than 50 percent of the height of the enclosing wall, with the top of the opening not less than 7 feet (2134 mm) above the top of the balcony.
3. Separation from the interior of the building is not required for an exterior stairway located in a building or structure that is permitted to have unenclosed interior stairways in accordance with Section 1023.
4. Separation from the open-ended corridors of the building is not required for exterior stairways provided that: 4.1. The open-ended corridors comply with Section 1020. 4.2. The open-ended corridors are connected on each end to an exterior exit stairway complying with Section 1027. 4.3. At any location in an open-ended corridor where a change of direction exceeding 45 degrees (0.79 rad) occurs, a clear opening of not less than 35 square feet (3 m [2] ) or an exterior stairway shall be provided. Where clear openings are provided, they shall be located so as to minimize the accumulation of smoke or toxic gases.

The minimum clear width of aisles shall comply with the following:

1. Forty-two inches (1067 mm) for stepped aisles having seating on each side.

Exception: Thirty-six inches (914 mm) where the stepped aisle serves fewer than 50 seats. 2. Thirty-six inches (914 mm) for stepped aisles having seating on only one side.

Exceptions:

1. Thirty inches (760 mm) for catchment areas serving not more than 60 seats.

2. Twenty-three inches (584 mm) between a stepped aisle handrail and seating where a stepped aisle does not serve more than five rows on one side.

3. Twenty inches (508 mm) between a stepped aisle handrail or guard and seating where the aisle is subdivided by a mid-aisle handrail.

4. Forty-two inches (1067 mm) for level or ramped aisles having seating on both sides.

Exceptions:

1. Thirty-six inches (914 mm) where the aisle serves fewer than 50 seats.
2. Thirty inches (760 mm) where the aisle serves fewer than 15 seats and does not serve as part of an accessible route.
3. Thirty-six inches (914 mm) for level or ramped aisles having seating on only one side.

Exception: Thirty inches (760 mm) for catchment areas serving not more than 60 seats and not serving as part of an accessible route.

6. In Group I-2, where aisles are used for movement of patients in beds, aisles shall comply with Section 1105.6.8.

Existing stairways shall be marked in accordance with Section 1023.9.

Existing high-rise buildings of Group A, B, E, I, M and R-1 occupancies shall be provided with luminous egress path markings in accordance with Section 1025.

Exception: Open, unenclosed stairwells in historic buildings designated as historic under a state or local historic preservation

program.