Statutes, codes, and regulations
District Of Columbia Administrative Code
Title 12 - CONSTRUCTION CODES SUPPLEMENT OF 2017Subtitle 12-H - FIRE CODE SUPPLEMENT OF 2017
Chapter 12-H10 - MEANS OF EGRESS
Rule 12-H1023 - EXIT PASSAGEWAYS

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 12, r. 12-H1023

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Current through Register Vol. 71, No. 49, December 6, 2024
Rule 12-H1023 - EXIT PASSAGEWAYS

Insert a new Exception 3 to Section 1023.3.1 to read as follows:

3.

Separation between an interior exit stairway or ramp and the exit passageway extension shall not be required when the interior exit stair and the exit passageway extension are pressurized in accordance with Section 909.20.5.

Strike Section 1023.9 of the International Fire Code in its entirety and insert a new Section 1023.9 into the Fire Code in its place to read as follows:

1023.9

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.

1023.9.1

Signs outside stairway.A sign shall be provided at each entrance to the exitstairway 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 Fire Code. The sign shall state the required text in visual characters, in raised characters, and in braille complying with ICC A117.1.

1023.9.2

Signs inside stairway.Stairway identification signs, floor-level signs, and exit discharge signs shall comply with the following requirements:

1023.9.2.1

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.

1023.9.2.1.1

Signage requirements.Stairway identification signs shall comply with all of the following requirements:

1. The signs shall be a minimum size of 18 inches (457 mm) by 12 inches (305 mm).
2. The word "STAIR" and the stair designation or "RAMP" and the ramp designation shall consist of numerals and/or capital letters designating the identification of the interior exit stairway and ramp. The characters shall be a minimum of 1 1/2 inches (38 mm) in height but not greater than one-third (1/3) the height of the floor level identification characters.
3. The numerals or capital letters designating the floor level shall be a minimum of 5 inches (127 mm) in height and located in the center of the sign.
4. All other lettering and numbers shall be a minimum of 1 inch (25 mm) in height but not greater than the stair or ramp identification characters.
5. The directional arrow shall be a minimum of 4 inches (102 mm) in length.
6. If the interior exit stairway or ramp provides access to the roof, the words "FIRE DEPT. ROOF ACCESS" shall be displayed immediately after the stair or ramp identification.
7. The signs shall identify floor levels, stairs and ramps by one or more characters, using a designation that is consistent with the floor level, stair and ramp designations used throughout the building.
8. Characters and their background shall have a non-glare finish. Characters shall contrast with their background, with either light characters on a dark background or dark characters on a light background.
9. The sign shall be of an approved design, and shall be durable and of a material that complies with other sections of the Construction Codes. Unless painted on the wall, the sign shall be securely fastened to the structure.
1023.9.2.2

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.

1023.9.2.3

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 Fire Code.

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 12, r. 12-H1023

Final Rulemaking published at 67 DCR 5679 (5/29/2020)