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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6606 Avondale Rd - Correspondence/Other - 10/26/1998t Fire Prevention Bureau 102 Remington Street Fort Collins, CO 80524 970-221-6570 970-221-6635 (Fax Number) October 26, 1998 Ridgewood Day Schoo Ali Rusnell 6606 Avondale Road Fort Collins, CO 80525 Dear Ali: Again, I am sorry for the delay and confusion in completing my inspection of the door installation at your business. Thank you for meeting with me regarding this issue. As we discussed this door does not meet any existing code. Therefore, the device to release the door from inside must be removed. The use of the release button constitutes "special knowledge" which could create a dangerous situation. The Uniform Building Code and the Uniform Fire Code state: "regardless of the occupant load served, exit doors shall be openable from the inside without the use of a key or any special knowledge or effort." I understand that your concern is to keep the children from dashing out the front door into the front parking lot. I believe there are a couple of ways to accomplish this. After the button release is removed, you could install an alarm on the panic bar that sounds when it is activated. This would alert staff that someone was leaving, giving him or her a heads up to round up any stray kids. The alarm would not prevent any movement in and out of the door. The alarm could be disabled by any means to prevent constant alarming every time the door opened The next option would be to install what the code terms a "special egress device." This device would allow the door to have a panic bar that allows up to a 15-second delay while pushing it to open the door. When the push bar is activated, an alarm would sound indicating that someone was trying to use the door. Additionally, when the fire alarm system sounds, the door must release immediately. This 15 second delay could be turned on and off by a button or switch as long as one could always exit through the door. Also a sign must be posted on the door PROTECTING LIVES & PROPERTY within 12 inches of the panic bar reading: "KEEP PUSHING. THIS DOOR WILL OPEN IN SECONDS. ALARM WILL SOUND." These letters must be at least one inch in height and shall have a stroke of not less than 1/8 inch. Enclosed you will find a copy of the Uniform Building Code, Section 1003.1.10. To make this door comply, this section and its subsections must be strictly followed. I have spoken with Mike Gebo of the City of Fort Collins Building Department and will be sending a copy of this letter to him. He agrees that to alarm the door with a simple alarm would be best but will allow the special egress device. Most importantly, the button device that is in place now must be removed within ten days of the receipt of this letter. Thank you for your concern for the children's' and staff safety. If you have any further questions or concerns, please call. Sincerely, Tom DeMint Assistant Fire Marshal Inspection Services cc: Master File Joe Jaramillo Mike Gebo Ridgewood school.letter 1003.ga.1.3 1003.3.1.10 1997 UNIFORM BUILDING CODE 1003.3.1.3 Width and height. Every required exit doorway serv- ing an occupant load of 10 or more shall be of a size to permit the installation of a door not less than 3 feet (914 mm) in nominal width and not less than 6 feet 8 inches (2032 mm) in nominal height. Where installed, exit doors shall be capable of opening such that the clear width of the exit is not less than 32 inches (813 mm). In computing the exit width as required by Section 1003.2.3, the net dimension of the doorway shall be used. 1003.3.1.4 Door leaf width. A single leaf of an exit door serving an occupant load of 10 or more shall not exceed 4 feet (1219 mm) in width. 10033.1.5 Swing and opening force. Exit doors serving an occupant load of 10 or more shall be of the pivoted, balanced or side -hinged swinging type. Exit doors shall swing in the direction of the path of exit travel where the area served has an occupant load of 50 or more. The door shall swing to the fully open position when an opening force not to exceed 30 pounds (133.45 N) is applied to the latch side. For other door opening forces, see Sec- tion 905.3 and Chapter 11. See Section 3207 for doors swinging over public property. EXCEPTIONS: 1. Group 1, Division 3 Occupancy used as a place of detention. 2. Doors within or serving an individual dwelling unit. 3. Special doors conforming to Section 1003.3.1.2. Double-acting doors shall not be used as exits where any of the following conditions exist: 1. The occupant load served by the door is 100 or more. 2. The door is part of a fire assembly. 3. The door is part of a smoke- and draft -control assembly. 4. Panic hardware is required or provided on the door. A double-acting door shall be provided with a view panel of not less than 200 square inches (0.129 m2). 1003.3.1.6 Floor level at doors. Regardless of the occupant load served, there shall be a floor or a landing on each side of a door. Where access for persons with disabilities is required by Chapter 11, the floor or landing shall not be more than 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) lower than the threshold of the doorway. Where such access is not required, the threshold shall not exceed 1 inch (25 mm). Landings shall be level except that exterior landings may have a slope not to exceed 1/4 unit vertical in 12 units horizontal (2% slope). EXCEPTIONS: 1. In Group R, Division 3, and Group U Occupan- cies and within individual units of Group R, Division 1 Occupancies: 11 A door may open at the top step of an interior flight of stairs, provided the door does not swing over the top step. 1.2 A door may open at a landing that is not more than 8 inches (203 mm) lower than the floor level, provided the door does not swing over the landing. 1.3 Screen doors and storm doors may swing over stairs, steps or landings. 2. Doors serving building equipment rooms that are not normally occupied. 1003.3.1.7 Landings at doors. Regardless of the occupant load served, landings shall have a width not less than the width of the door or the width of the stairway served, whichever is greater. Doors in the fully open position shall not reduce a required dimen- sion by more than 7 inches (178 mm). Where a landing serves an occupant load of 50 or more, doors in any position shall not reduce the landing dimension to less than one half its required width. Landings shall have a length measured in the direction of travel of not less than 44 inches (1118 mm). EXCEPTION: In Group R, Division 3, and Group U Occupancies and within individual units of Group R, Division 1 Occupancies, such length need not exceed 36 inches (914 man). A landing that has no adjoining door shall comply with the requirements of Section 1003.3.3.5. 10033.1.8 Type of lock or latch. Regardless of the occupant load served, exit doors shall be operable from the inside without the use of a key or any special knowledge or effort. EXCEPTIONS: 1. In Groups A, Division 3; B; F; M and S Occu- pancies and in all churches, key -locking hardware may be used on the main exit where the main exit consists of a single door or pair of doors where there is a readily visible, durable sign on or adjacent to the door stating, "THIS DOOR MUST REMAIN UNLOCKED DURING BUSINESS HOURS." The sign shall be in letters not less than 1 inch (25 mm) high on a contrasting background. When unlocked, the single door or both leaves of a pair of doors must be free to swing without operation of any latching device. The use of this exception may be revoked by the building official for due cause. 2. Exit doors from individual dwelling units; Group R, Division 3 congregate residences; and guest rooms of Group R Occupancies hav- ing an occupant load of 10 or less may be provided with a night latch, dead bolt or security chain, provided such devices are operable from the inside without the use of a key or toot and mounted at a height not to exceed 48 inches (1219 mm) above the finished floor. Manually operated edge- or surface -mounted flush bolts and surface bolts or any other type of device that may be used to close or restrain the door other than by operation of the locking device shall not be used. Where exit doors are used in pairs and approved automatic flush bolts are used, the door leaf having the automatic flush bolts shall have no doorknob or surface -mounted hardware. The unlatching of any leaf shall not require more than one opera- tion. EXCEPTIONS: 1. Group R, Division 3 Occupancies. 2. Where a pair of doors serving a room not normally occupied is needed for the movement of equipment, manually operated edge- or surface -mounted bolt% may be used. 1003.3.1.9 Panic hardware. Panic hardware, where installed, shall comply with the requirements of UBC Standard 10-4. The activating member shall be mounted at a height of not less than 30 inches (762 mm) nor more than 44 inches (1118 mm) above the floor. The unlatching force shall not exceed 15 pounds (66.72 N) when applied in the direction of travel. Where pivoted or balanced doors are used and panic hardware is required, panic hardware shall be of the push -pad type and the pad shall not extend across more than one half of the width of the door measured from the latch side. 10033.1.10 Special egress -control devices. When approved by the building official, exit doors in Group B; Group F; Group I, Di- vision 2; Group R, Division 1 congregate residences serving as group -care facilities and Group S Occupancies may be equipped with approved listed special egress -control devices of the time - delay type, provided the building is protected throughout by an approved automatic sprinkler system and an approved automatic smoke -detection system. Such devices shall conform to all the fol- lowing: I. The egress -control device shall automatically deactivate upon activation of either the sprinkler system or the smoke -detec- tion system. 2. The egress -control device shall automatically deactivate upon loss of electrical power to any one of the following: 2.1 The egress -control device itself. 2.2 The smoke -detection system. 2.3 Means of egress illumination as required by Section 1003.2.9. 1-108 1997 UNIFORM BUILDING CODE 1003.3.1.10 1003.3.3.6 3. The egress -control device shall be capable of being deacti- vated by a signal from a switch located in an approved location. 4. An irreversible process that will deactivate the egress -con- trol device shall be initiated whenever a manual force of not more than 15 pounds (66.72 N) is applied for two seconds to the panic bar or other door -latching hardware. The egress -control device shall deactivate within an approved time period not to exceed a total of 15 seconds. The time delay established for each egress - control device shall not be field adjustable. 5. Actuation of the panic bar or other door -latching hardware shall activate an audible signal at the door. 6. The unlatching shall not require more than one operation. A sign shall be provided on the door located above and within 12 inches (305 mm) of the panic bar or other door -latching hard- ware reading: KEEP PUSHING. THIS DOOR WILL OPEN IN SECONDS. ALARM WILL SOUND. Sign lettering shall be at least 1 inch (25 mm) in height and shall have a stroke of not less than 1/8 inch (3.2 turn). Regardless of the means of deactivation, relocking of the egress -control device shall be by manual means only at the door. 1003.3.1.11 Safety glazing identification. Regardless of the occupant load served, glass doors shall conform to the require- ments specified in Section 2406. 10033.2 Gates. 1003.3.2.1 General. Gates serving a means of egress system shall comply with the requirements of Section 1003.3.2. 1003.3.2.2 Detailed requirements. Gates used as a component in a means of egress system shall conform to the applicable requirements of Section 1003.3.1. EXCEPTION: Gates surrounding stadiums may be of the horizon- tal sliding or swinging type and may exceed the 4-foot (1219 mm) max- imum leaf width limitation. 1003.3.3 Stairways. 100333.1 General. Every stairway having two or more risers serving any building or portion thereof shall comply with the requirements of Section 1003.3.3. For the purposes of Section 1003.3.3, the term "stairway' shall include stairs, landings, hand- rails and guardrails as applicable. Where aisles in assembly rooms have steps, they shall comply with the requirements in Section 1004.3.2. EXCEPTION: Stairs or ladders used only to attend equipment or window wells are exempt from the requirements of this section. For the purpose of this chapter, the term "step" shall mean those portions of the means of egress achieving a change in elevation by means of a single riser. Individual steps shall comply with the detailed requirements of this chapter that specify applicability to steps. 1003.33.2 Width. The width of stairways shall be determined as specified in Section 1003.2.3, but such width shall not be less than 44 inches (1118 mm), except as specified herein and in Chapter 11. Stairways serving an occupant load less than 50 shall not be less than 36 inches (914 mm) in width. Handrails may project into the required width a distance of 31/2 inches (89 mm) from each side of a stairway. Stringers and other projections such as trim and similar decorative features may project into the required width 11/2 inches (38 mm) from each side. 1003.3.3.3 Rise and run. The rise of steps and stairs shall not be less than 4 inches (102 mm) nor more than 7 inches (178 mm). The greatest riser height within any flight of stairs shall not exceed the smallest by more than 3/8 inch (9.5 mm). Except as permitted in Sections 1003.3.3.8.1, 1003.3.3.8.2 and 1003.3.3.8.3, the run shall not be less than 11 inches (279 mm) as measured horizontally - between the vertical planes of the furthermost projection of adja- cent treads or nosings. Stair treads shall be of uniform size and shape, except the largest tread run within any flight of stairs shall not exceed the smallest by more than 3/8 inch (9.5 mm). EXCEPTIONS: 1. Private steps and stairways serving an occupant load of less than 10 and stairways to unoccupied roofs may be constructed with an 8-inch-maximum (203 mm) rise and a 9-inch- minimum (229 man) run. 2. Where the bottom or top riser adjoins a sloping public way, walk or driveway having an established grade (other than natural earth) and serving as a landing, the bottom or top riser may be reduced along the slope to less than 4 inches (102 mm) in height with the variation in height of the bottom or top riser not to exceed 1 unit vertical in 12 units horizontal (8.3% slope) of stairway width. 1003.3.3.4 Headroom. Every stairway shall have a headroom clearance of not less than 6 feet 8 inches (2032 mm). Such clear- ances shall be measured vertically from a plane parallel and tan- gent to the stairway tread nosings to the soffit or other construction above at all points. 1003.3.3.5 Landings. There shall be a floor or a landing at the top and bottom of each stairway or stair run. Every landing shall have a dimension measured in the direction of travel not less than the width of the stairway. Such dimension need not exceed 44 inches (1118 mm) where the stair has a straight run. At least one inter- mediate landing shall be provided for each 12 feet (3658 mm) of vertical stairway rise measured between the horizontal planes of adjacent landings. Landings shall be level except that exterior landings may have a slope not to exceed 1/4 unit vertical in 12 units horizontal (2% slope). For landings with adjoining doors, see Sec- tion 1003.3.1.7. EXCEPTIONS: 1. In Group R, Division 3, and Group U Occupan- cies and within individual units of Group R, Division 1 Occupancies, such length need not exceed 36 inches (914 man) where the stair has a straight tun. 2. Stairs serving an unoccupied roof are exempt from these require- ments. 1003.3.3.6 Handrails. Stairways shall have handrails on each side, and every stairway required to be more than 88 inches (2235 mm) in width shall be provided with not less than one intermediate handrail for each 88 inches (2235 mm) of required width. Inter- mediate handrails shall be spaced approximately equally across with the entire width of the stairway. EXCEPTIONS: 1. Stairways less than 44 inches (1118 m n) in width or stairways serving one individual dwelling unit in Group R, Division 1 or 3 Occupancy or a Group R, Division 3 congregate resi- dence may have one handrail. 2. Private stairways 30 inches (762 mm) or less in height may have a handrail on one side only. 3. Stairways having less than four risers and serving one individual dwelling unit in Group R, Division 1 or 3, or a Group R, Division 3 con- gregate residence or Group U Occupancies need not have handrails. The top of handrails and handrail extensions shall not be placed less than 34 inches (864 mm) nor more than 38 inches (965 mm) above landings and the nosing of treads. Handrails shall be contin- uous the full length of the stairs and, except for private stairways, at least one handrail shall extend in the direction of the stair run not less than 12 inches (305 rum) beyond the top riser nor less than 12 inches (305 rum) beyond the bottom riser. Ends shall be returned or shall have rounded terminations or bends. EXCEPTIONS: 1. Private stairways do not require handrail exten- sions. 1-109