Statutes, codes, and regulations
District Of Columbia Administrative Code
Title 12 - CONSTRUCTION CODES SUPPLEMENT OF 2013Subtitle 12-H - FIRE CODE SUPPLEMENT OF 2013
Chapter 12-H10 - MEANS OF EGRESS
Rule 12-H1022 - INTERIOR EXIT STAIRWAYS AND RAMPS

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 12, r. 12-H1022

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Current through Register Vol. 72, No. 2, January 10, 2025
Rule 12-H1022 - INTERIOR EXIT STAIRWAYS AND RAMPS

Strike Section 1022.9 of the International Fire Code in its entirety and insert new Section 1022.9 in the Fire Code in its place to read as follows:

1022.9

Stairway signage. Signs shall be provided in 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.

1022.9.1

Signs outside stairway. A sign complying with ICC A117.1 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 1022.9.2.1.

The sign also shall state "EXIT" in raised characters and Braille in accordance with Section 1011.4 of the Fire Code.

1022.9.2

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

1022.9.2.1

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 and 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. 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.

1022.9.2.1.1

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 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 ConstructionCodes. Unless painted on the wall, the sign shall be securely fastened to the structure.
1022.9.2.2

Floor-level signs. In addition to the stairway identification sign, a floor-level sign in 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 to identify the floor level.

1022.9.2.3

Exit discharge signs. A sign stating "EXIT" in raised characters and Braille shall be located adjacent to the door to the exit discharge in accordance with Section 1011.4.

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 12, r. 12-H1022

Final Rulemaking published at 61 DCR 3251 (March 28, 2014 - Part 2); as corrected by Errata Notice published at 61 DCR 5246 (May 23, 2014)
The District of Columbia Fire Code (2013), referred to as the "Fire Code," consists of the 2012 edition of the International Fire Code as amended by the District of Columbia Fire Code Supplement (2013) (12 DCMR H). The International Fire Code is copyrighted by the International Code Council and therefore is not republished here. However, a copy of the text may be obtained at: http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icod/ifc/2012/index.htm?bu=IC-P-2012-000003&bu2=IC-P-2012-000019.
Authority: Section 10 of the Construction Codes Approval and Amendments Act of 1986 (Act), effective March 21, 1987 (D.C. Law 6-216; D.C. Official Code § 6-1409 (2012 Repl.)) and Mayor's Order 2009-22, dated February 25, 2009, as amended.