The photos show the area at the exit discharge from our manufacturing building. In the event of an evacuation, I believe that the existing stairs would create a potential hazard for employees, both from having to negotiate the stairs quickly and if stepping off the stairs to the side lawn given the elevation changes. However, I have not been able to locate anything more specific under OSHA regulations or IBC standards that speaks to the condition of the discharge area. Any guidance would be appreciated.
Non Sequitur
Aug 11, 23 7:21 pm
hire and pay for a professional review of the conditions. You’ll get your answer that way, not by crowd sourcing for free online.
citizen
Aug 11, 23 9:03 pm
Agree with Non Sequitur above. In the meantime, install a handrail on each side of the stair as a temporary measure.
poop876
Aug 14, 23 3:19 pm
I'd look at that lockset first though, then if you are still confused hire a professional! I can send you an hourly contract for code review if you'd like!
bennyc
Aug 14, 23 9:58 pm
You need to look at definition of exit discharge for your project. Exit discharge could be just the door, once you are outside and into a public way, the stair is irrelevant, at least from an exit discharge point of view. Someone can just open the door and walk of the landing in the grass.
On the other hand, you need to check osha requirements for handrail on those steps, I believe osha mandates a handrail required on 4 or more risers, which yours are 4 at least, thus missing a handrail. But that issue has nothing to do with exit discharge
Chad Miller
Aug 15, 23 2:48 pm
That is not correct.
First off the exit discharge is the portion of the means of egress between the termination of an exit and the public way. This includes the landing, walking surface, stair, ect. The public way is a sidewalk, street, or an area at least 50'-0" from the building envelope .
Second - the exit discharge is dictated by building codes, not OSHA.
.
poop876
Aug 15, 23 2:57 pm
Not necessarily true Chad, per 1028.5.
poop876
Aug 15, 23 3:01 pm
Okay, you edited the comment to be a little clear. Thanks Chad
bennyc
Aug 15, 23 4:51 pm
For folks that think posting questions on here is not the way to go you sure have opinions on this. Its an architectural forum, nothing wrong with posting questions and let folks comment.
Chad Miller
Aug 15, 23 5:41 pm
bennyc - I don't have opinions on this. I'm reading this directly from the IBC. Your comment is incorrect and should be called out as much.
Now I could be wrong. Please provide the sections of the IBC that support your interpretation of this matter.
bennyc
Aug 15, 23 6:30 pm
IBC 1028.2 Exit discharge definition - Exits shall discharge directly to the exterior of the building. the exit discharge shall be at grade or shall provide a direct path of egress travel to grade. the exit discharge shall not reenter a building.
1028.5 Access to a public way - The exit discharge shall provide a direct and unobstructed access to a public way.
What I am saying is, once you are outside the door, the public way can be accessed through that concrete stair, or someone can walk on the grass from first landing, 2nd landing, 3rd or 4th. In other words, I don't think the concrete stair is an exit discharge component, but its more of an osha / code issue for handrail requirement.
b3tadine[sutures]
Aug 15, 23 6:41 pm
I'm not sure how OSHA is involved, so I looked. It seems clear, as they make a clear distinction between "exit routes" and "exit discharge". The former require handrails.
Chad Miller
Aug 15, 23 6:41 pm
bennyc -
The section you quoted contradicts what you said in your first post.
You need to read the rest of section 1028.2. The Exit Discharge is considered part of the means of egress and must extend to a public way or a clear area (sec 1028.5).
Since the Exit Discharge is part of the means of egress you need to follow the applicable requirements in the IBC. This includes things like stairs, guards, handrails, slope of walking surfaces, and if it’s on an accessible route ICC A117.1
Until you get to a public way you're still considered to be within a means of egress and the IBC has say in what is done. AKA - the concrete stair is part of the Exit Discharge.
bennyc
Aug 15, 23 9:04 pm
I step out of the door to concrete pad and make a left or right to a clear area. The stair is irrelevant. The only issue in the question posted is if the stair is a hazard and I dont think even discussing exit discharge matters, its an osha and code thing as far as railing and riser heights.
Chad Miller
Aug 16, 23 10:24 am
Incorrect.
You need to get to a public way or an area at least 50' from the building. The path to get to either of those areas has to follow the requirements for an egress path in the IBC in terms of slope, stairs, handrails, and guardrails.
You are also incorrect that OSHA dictates any of the above items in an exit discharge. I think you're confusing exit routes and exit discharge in OSHA.
The photos show the area at the exit discharge from our manufacturing building. In the event of an evacuation, I believe that the existing stairs would create a potential hazard for employees, both from having to negotiate the stairs quickly and if stepping off the stairs to the side lawn given the elevation changes. However, I have not been able to locate anything more specific under OSHA regulations or IBC standards that speaks to the condition of the discharge area. Any guidance would be appreciated.
hire and pay for a professional review of the conditions. You’ll get your answer that way, not by crowd sourcing for free online.
Agree with Non Sequitur above. In the meantime, install a handrail on each side of the stair as a temporary measure.
I'd look at that lockset first though, then if you are still confused hire a professional! I can send you an hourly contract for code review if you'd like!
You need to look at definition of exit discharge for your project. Exit discharge could be just the door, once you are outside and into a public way, the stair is irrelevant, at least from an exit discharge point of view. Someone can just open the door and walk of the landing in the grass.
On the other hand, you need to check osha requirements for handrail on those steps, I believe osha mandates a handrail required on 4 or more risers, which yours are 4 at least, thus missing a handrail. But that issue has nothing to do with exit discharge
That is not correct.
First off the exit discharge is the portion of the means of egress between the termination of an exit and the public way. This includes the landing, walking surface, stair, ect. The public way is a sidewalk, street, or an area at least 50'-0" from the building envelope .
Second - the exit discharge is dictated by building codes, not OSHA.
.
Not necessarily true Chad, per 1028.5.
Okay, you edited the comment to be a little clear. Thanks Chad
For folks that think posting questions on here is not the way to go you sure have opinions on this. Its an architectural forum, nothing wrong with posting questions and let folks comment.
bennyc - I don't have opinions on this. I'm reading this directly from the IBC. Your comment is incorrect and should be called out as much.
Now I could be wrong. Please provide the sections of the IBC that support your interpretation of this matter.
IBC 1028.2 Exit discharge definition - Exits shall discharge directly to the exterior of the building. the exit discharge shall be at grade or shall provide a direct path of egress travel to grade. the exit discharge shall not reenter a building.
1028.5 Access to a public way - The exit discharge shall provide a direct and unobstructed access to a public way.
What I am saying is, once you are outside the door, the public way can be accessed through that concrete stair, or someone can walk on the grass from first landing, 2nd landing, 3rd or 4th. In other words, I don't think the concrete stair is an exit discharge component, but its more of an osha / code issue for handrail requirement.
I'm not sure how OSHA is involved, so I looked. It seems clear, as they make a clear distinction between "exit routes" and "exit discharge". The former require handrails.
bennyc -
The section you quoted contradicts what you said in your first post. You need to read the rest of section 1028.2. The Exit Discharge is considered part of the means of egress and must extend to a public way or a clear area (sec 1028.5).
Since the Exit Discharge is part of the means of egress you need to follow the applicable requirements in the IBC. This includes things like stairs, guards, handrails, slope of walking surfaces, and if it’s on an accessible route ICC A117.1
Until you get to a public way you're still considered to be within a means of egress and the IBC has say in what is done. AKA - the concrete stair is part of the Exit Discharge.
I step out of the door to concrete pad and make a left or right to a clear area. The stair is irrelevant. The only issue in the question posted is if the stair is a hazard and I dont think even discussing exit discharge matters, its an osha and code thing as far as railing and riser heights.
Incorrect.
You need to get to a public way or an area at least 50' from the building. The path to get to either of those areas has to follow the requirements for an egress path in the IBC in terms of slope, stairs, handrails, and guardrails.
You are also incorrect that OSHA dictates any of the above items in an exit discharge. I think you're confusing exit routes and exit discharge in OSHA.
https://www.osha.gov/sites/def...
https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs...
Remember kids, if your discharge looks wrong you should have it looked at by a licensed professional.
Meh, I just post up some pics online and ask random strangers to diagnose things for me.
If you have problematic discharge, see a doctor.
I am.thanks.
You need to define 'problematic discharge' because once it leaves the body the fluid is irrelevant. ;)
Not irrelevant to whomever it lands on =O\