D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 12, r. 12-A1023
Extension. Where interior exit stairways and ramps are extended to an exit discharge or a public way by an exit passageway, the interior exit stairway and ramp shall be separated from the exit passageway by a fire barrier constructed in accordance with Section 707 or a horizontal assembly constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both. The fire-resistance rating shall be not less than that required for the interior exit stairway and ramp. A fire door assembly complying with Section 716.5 shall be installed in the fire barrier to provide a means of egress from the interior exit stairway and ramp to the exit passageway. Openings in the fire barrier other than the fire door assembly are prohibited. Penetrations of the fire barrier are prohibited.
Exceptions:
Strike Section 1023.9 of the International Building Code in its entirety and insert new Section 1023.9 in the Building Code in its place to read as follows:
Stairway signage. Signs shall be provided for all interior exit stairways and ramps connecting more than three stories, and for all interior exit stairways and ramps in buildings with three or more interior exit stairways or ramps.
Signs outside stairway. A sign shall be provided at each entrance to the exit stairway and ramp, identifying the stair or ramp with the same designations used for the stairway identification signs in Section 1023.9.2.1. The sign also shall state "EXIT" in accordance with Section 1013.4 of the Building Code. The sign shall state the required text in visual characters, in raised characters, and in braille complying with ICC A117.1.
Signs inside stairway.Stairway identification signs, floor- level signs, and exit discharge signs shall comply with the following requirements:
Stairway identification signs. A stairway identification sign shall be provided at each floor landing in the interior exit stairway and ramp designating the floor level, the terminus of the top and bottom of the interior exit stairway or ramp and the identification of the stair or ramp. The signage shall also identify the story of, and the direction to, the exit discharge and the availability of roof access from the interior exit stairway and ramp for the fire department. The sign shall be located entirely between 5 feet (1524 mm) and 8 feet (2438 mm) above the floor landing in a position that is readily visible when the doors are in the open and closed positions and located so that occupants egressing from floors that are more remote from the exit discharge will face the sign frontally at some point in their path of egress.
Exception: Stairway identification signs are not required to identify the story of, and direction to the exit discharge in interior exit stairways and ramps that connect less than three stories.
Signage requirements.Stairway identification signs shall comply with all of the following requirements:
Floor-level signs. In addition to the stairway identification sign, a floor- level sign in visual characters, raised characters and braille complying with ICC A117.1 shall be located at each floor- level landing adjacent to the door leading from the interior exit stairway and ramp into the corridor or other building space to identify the floor level.
Exit discharge signs. A sign stating "EXIT" in visual characters, raised characters and braille shall be located adjacent to the door to the exit discharge in accordance with Section 1013.4 of the Building Code.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 12, r. 12-A1023