flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Two myths regarding NFPA 101 Life Safety Code debunked

Codes and Standards

Two myths regarding NFPA 101 Life Safety Code debunked

NFPA life safety engineer Ron Coté settles the debate over second egress doors and exit signs.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | June 18, 2015
Two myths regarding NFPA 101 Life Safety Code debunked

Image: Pixabay

In Compliance column in the May/June issue of NFPA Journal, Ron Coté, Principal Life Safety Engineer at the National Fire Protection Agency, debunks two myths regarding NFPA 101, Life Safety Code.

The first myth is that all assembly occupancy rooms with an occupancy load more than 50 must have a second egress door. This is not true, although many do have second exit access doors “in order not to violate the common path of travel limitation,” Coté writes.

For most room locations and arrangements, a second exit access door from the room can be positioned to provide occupants with a second travel path. The presence of the second exit access door can reduce what would otherwise be an excessive common path of travel to one that is within the permitted distance.

Coté also debunks the myth that exit signs are required at exits only. The signs are actually required in three locations: at exits, in the exit access, and in exit access corridors of new construction. They are required in the exit access when the exit or way to reach the exit is not readily apparent, as might be the case where additional turns in the egress path are needed to reach an exit.

They may also be needed when in exit access corridors of new construction no point is in excess of the particular sign’s rated viewing distance or the 100-foot (30-meter) default value, whichever is less, from the nearest sign.

Related Stories

| Sep 7, 2012

Business, labor groups push for easing of California’s Environmental Quality Act

Business and labor groups have combined forces to push for a change to California's Environmental Quality Act, specifically its complex review process for building and construction projects.

| Sep 7, 2012

Twenty years later, Florida contractors cite Hurricane Andrew as construction game-changer

Remarking on the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Andrew, which devastated south Florida; contractors are noting the storm’s impact on their industry—including the state’s adoption of tougher building codes.

| Sep 7, 2012

At risk for nine types of natural disasters, Texas trails most coastal states on building codes

Texas has the most diverse weather risk in the country, with exposure to nine different types of natural disasters.

| Aug 30, 2012

OSHA plans new crane-safety standards for demolition and underground work

The new rule will streamline OSHA’s standards by eliminating the separate cranes and derricks standard currently used for underground and demolition work.

| Aug 30, 2012

Federal government cancels defense contracts worth $2.15 billion

This action may foreshadow federal spending cuts scheduled for year's end if Congress takes no action on the federal budget.

| Aug 30, 2012

Public comment period is open for CRRC-1 standard

The CRRC-1 standard covers specimen preparation and test methods for measuring the initial and aged solar reflectance and thermal emittance of roofing products.

| Aug 30, 2012

LEED system's footprint reaches 2 billion sf, with 7 billion sf in the pipeline

About 7 billion more sf of commercial space is expected in the pipeline.

| Aug 30, 2012

Georgia drops LEED wood source standard on state projects

Currently, LEED green building standards only accept timber products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

| Aug 21, 2012

AGC offers second edition of the Federal Government Contractor: Ethics & Compliance Programs manual

This publication helps contractors appreciate the grounds for an alleged violation of the expected standards of business conduct and ethics, and to develop, implement, and document an effective ethics and compliance program.

| Aug 21, 2012

Federal Safe Building Code Incentive Act’s bipartisan support, no notable objection, bodes well for passage

The Safe Building Code Incentive Act would give states a little extra post-disaster federal funding if they enacted and enforced nationally recognized building codes for businesses and residences before disaster strikes.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021