Section 400.4540. Stairways, halls, and corridors.

(1) In existing and small facilities, all stairways and other vertical openings shall be enclosed with materials equal in fire resistance to the standard partition

construction of the building, if such partition construction is at least standard lath and plaster. There shall be at least 1 3/4-inch solid core wood door with self-closing and latching hardware installed so that there is effective fire and smoke separation between floors or each sleeping room on the second floor shall be equipped with at least 1 1¾- inch solid core wood door with latching hardware.

(2)   In all new and converted large and/or secure facilities, stairways and floor- to- floor openings shall be enclosed with materials having at least the fire-resistance rating specified by the national fire protection association standard No. 220, “Standard on Types of Building Construction”, 2015, for the type of construction. All other vertical openings through floors shall be fire-stopped with like materials.

(3)   Where a facility has 2 or fewer levels, where both levels exit at grade, and where elevations between levels do not exceed 4 feet, the building shall be considered to be 1 story and enclosures shall not be required between levels.

(4)   In all new and converted facilities, stairs shall have treads and risers of uniform width and height, with treads not less than 11 inches deep, exclusive of nosing, and risers not more than 7 inches in height.

(5)   Stairs in new, remodeled, and converted facilities shall change direction by use of an intermediate landing and not by a variance in the width of treads. A sturdy and securely fastened handrail located between 34 and 38 inches, measured vertically, above the nose of the treads shall be provided.

(6)   Stairs in existing facilities approved before these rules take effect shall continue to be approved until the portion of the building encompassing the stairs is remodeled.

(7)   An outside stairway or fire escape used as part of an approved means of egress shall be protected against fire in the building by blank or closed walls directly under such stairway and for a distance of 6 feet in all directions. Windows may be allowed within this area if they are stationary wire glass windows.

(8)    In newly constructed small facilities, halls, corridors, aisles, and stairs used as part of a means of egress shall be not less than 44 inches wide and not less than 36 inches wide in converted small facilities, except as required by R 400.4538(10).

(9)   In newly constructed and converted large and secure facilities, halls, corridors, and aisles used as part of an exit way shall be not less than 5 feet wide and 90 inches high, and stairs shall be not less than 4 feet wide.

History: 1983 AACS; 2015 AACS.