Life Safety and Universal Design

What is an exit passageway?

Horizontal, fully enclosed, fire resistance rated portion of an exit that is used only as a means of egress to an exit discharge or a public way

When a door is approached perpendicularly to its opening, what is the minimum maneuvering clearance for wheelchair access at the strike side of the door opening on the pull side of the door?

18”

Where can information be found regarding the code permitting process, the required fees for filing, the types of inspections required, and the powers of the building official?

The chapter on administrative requirements in a building code

Minimum clear floor space required to accomodate one stationary wheelchair

30” x 48”

What is fire resistance rated glazing?

Glass or other glazing material tested according to ASTM E119 as part of a fire resistance rated wall assembly

What percentage of the seating provided in restaurants, nightclubs, and churches must be accessible?

At least 5%

For an occupant load greater than 50, what is the absolute minimum corridor width?

44”

In a building equipped with sprinklers, when two exits are required in a space, what is the minimum separation required?

One third the diagonal distance of the space

What is an exit access travel distance?

Distance an occupant must travel from the most remote point within a building to the entrance of a nearest entrance

What is a common path of egress travel?

The portion of an exit access that occupants are required to traverse before two separate and distinct paths of egress travel to two exits become available

What are the three parts of a means of egress?

• exit access

• exit

• exit discharge

Under what conditions would a wood veneer not have to adhere to flame spread requirements?

Less than 0.036” thick and applied to noncombustible material

Minimum diameter of a circle in which a wheelchair can turn?

60”

Maximum allowable projection of a door into a corridor when fully opened?

7”

How is minimum exit width calculated?

Multiplying the occupant load of a space by the appropriate factor given in the building code

On a commercial project, which professional on the design team must the interior designer coordinate with in regard to the location of audio and visual alarms?

Mechanical engineer

How is the occupant load of a space calculated?

Total area in square feet is divided by the occupant load factor

if an object is between 27” and 80” above the floor, what is the maximum allowable protrusion of that object from the wall?

4”

How high above the floor must a grab bar be mounted?

Between 33” - 36”

What is maximum allowable slope for an accessible ramp?

1 vertical unit for every 12 horizontal units, or 8.33%

Two main factors in determining if a space requires two exits rather than just one?

Space’s occupancy and occupant load

Within a means of egress system, what are the exit access areas?

Areas that do not provide a protected path of travel and which leads to the entrance of an exit

Minimum percentage of wall or ceiling area that combustible trim can occupy in a room?

No more than 10%

Generic name for fire rated gypsum wallboard

Type X

In accessibility regualtions, what type of provisions might require that a certain percentage of seating in an area be accessible?

Scoping provisions

What two situations require the construction of a fire barrier?

• a separation where there are different occupancies

• an enclosure where there are vertical exits

What is an intumescent material?

Material that, when exposed to heat, expands rapidly and insulates or fills spaces to prevent the passage of fire and smoke

What type of gypsum wallboard must be used for fire rated partitions

Type X

Minimum clear width of an accessible toilet staff?

60”

To be classified as accessible, what is the maximum allowable vertical change in floor level?

Must not have a vertical change exceeding 1/4”

When a zoning ordinance does not allow a particular use for a building, what can the designer suggest to the client as a course of action?

Client apply to the zoning board for a variance to allow a nonconforming use

What is compartmentation in interior design?

Practice of separating areas of a building with fire rated construction in order to contain a fire to one area and limit its spread

Minimum dimension for the space labeled A

32”

What is occupant load factor?

Amount of floor space that a building code presumes is occupied by one person in a particular occupancy

Where are detectable warnings required?

Walking surfaces in front of hazardous vehicular areas

What is an area of refuge?

Area of a building where persons unable to use stairways can safely await instructions or assistance during an emergency evacuation

In addition to a specific diameter and mounting height, what other handrail feature is required on an accessible stairway?

Must extend beyond the upper and lower risers

Minimum clear width of an exit door

32”

What is a public way?

Any street, alley, or similar parcel land unobstructed from ground to sky at least 10 feet wide and permanently appropriated to the public

According to the IBC. what is a fire partition and where is it used?

Wall assembly have a fire resistance rating of one hour, used in:

• walls separating dwelling units

• walls separating guest rooms in Group R-1, R-2, I-I occupancies

• walls separating tenant spaces in covered malls

• corridor walls

For an accessible ramp, what is the maximum rise allowed between landings?

No more than 30”

What are two things a designer must know about a space before the necessary number of exits can be determined?

Floor area and the occupancy group