Okla. Admin. Code § 748:20-4-15

Current through Vol. 42, No. 3, October 15, 2024

Section 748:20-4-15 - IFC[®] 2018 Chapter 10 Means of Egress

Chapter 10 of the Oklahoma adopted IFC® 2018 is adopted with the following modifications:

(1) Section 1003.4 Floor surface. This section has been modified to change the heading name from "Slip resistance surface" to "Floor surface" and to prohibit openings in the horizontal floor plane. This section has been modified to read: 1003.4 Floor surface. Circulation paths of the means of egress shall have a slip-resistant surface and be securely attached. Floor surfaces that are a part of a means of egress shall have a solid surface. A floor for this purpose is also defined as the space between a floor surface and a guard if it projects beyond the edge of a floor. Exceptions:

(A) Where approved by the Building Official, openings in floor surfaces shall be a size that does not permit the passage of 1/2-inch-diameter (12.7 mm) sphere. Elongated openings shall be placed so that the long dimension is perpendicular to the direction of travel.

(B) Where approved by the Building Official in Group F, H and S occupancies, other than areas of parking structures accessible to the public, openings in the floor surface shall not be prohibited provided a sphere with a diameter of 1 1/8 inches (29 mm) cannot pass through the opening.

(2) Section 1008.2.3 Exit discharge. This section has been modified to allow required exit discharge lighting to be provided by the building lighting or other site lighting such as street lighting and adds a second exception to the requirement, for buildings that comply for a single exit in accordance with Table 1006.2.1. This section has been modified to read: 1008.2.3 Exit discharge. Illumination shall be provided along the path of travel for the exit discharge from each exit to the public way. Illumination may be provided by the building or other site lighting such as street lighting. Exceptions:

(A) Illumination shall not be required where the path of exit discharge meets both of the following requirements:

(i) The path of exit discharge is illuminated from the exit to a safe dispersal area complying with Section 1028.5.

(ii) A dispersal area shall be illuminated to a level not less than 1 foot-candle (11 lux) at the walking surface.

(B) Buildings that comply for a single exit in accordance with Table 1006.2.1.

(3) Section 1010.1.10 Panic and fire exit hardware. This section has been modified to add a third paragraph to require personnel doors in rooms or spaces that contain electrical equipment rated 800 amperes or more that contain overcurrent devices, switching devices, or control devices where the personnel door intended for entrance to and egress from the working space is less than 25 feet from the nearest edge of the working space, to be equipped with panic hardware or fire exit hardware. This section has been modified to read: 1010.1.10 Panic and fire exit hardware. Swinging doors serving a Group H occupancy and swinging doors serving rooms or spaces with an occupant load of 50 or more in a group A or E occupancy shall not be provided with a latch or lock other than panic hardware or fire exit hardware. Exceptions:

(A) A main exit of a Group A occupancy shall be permitted to have locking hardware in accordance with Section 1010.1.9.4, Item 2.

(B) Doors provided with panic hardware or fire exit hardware and serving a Group A or E occupancy shall be permitted to be electromagnetically locked in accordance with Section 1010.1.9.9 or 1010.1.9.10.

(4) Electrical rooms with equipment rated 1200 amperes or more and over 6 feet (1829 mm) wide, and that contain overcurrent devices, switching devices or control devices with exit or exit access doors, shall be equipped with panic hardware or fire exit hardware. The doors shall swing in the direction of egress travel.

(5) Where electrical equipment rated 800 amperes or more that contains overcurrent devices, switching devices, or control devices is installed and there is a personnel door(s) intended for entrance to and egress from the working space less than 25 feet (7.6 m) from the nearest edge of the working space, the personnel door shall be equipped with panic hardware or fire exit hardware. The door(s) shall open in the direction of egress.

(6) Section 1015.4 Opening limitations. This section has been modified to prohibit an opening in the horizontal plane of the floor walking surface. This section has been modified to read: 1015.4 Opening limitations. Required guards shall not have openings that allow passage of a sphere 4 inches (102 mm) in diameter from the walking surface to the required guard height. The 4 inch sphere allowable opening permitted by this section only applies to openings in a vertical plane not openings in floors or similar horizontal surfaces. Exceptions:

(A) From a height of 36 inches (914 mm) to 42 inches (1067 mm), guards shall not have openings that allow passages of a sphere 4 3/8 inches (111 mm) in diameter.

(B) The triangular openings at the open sides of a stair, formed by the riser, tread and bottom rail shall not allow the passage of a sphere 6 inches (152 mm) in diameter.

(C) At elevated walking surfaces for access to and use of electrical, mechanical or plumbing systems or equipment, guards shall not have openings that allow passage of a sphere 21 inches (533 mm) in diameter.

(D) In areas that are not open to the public within occupancies in Group I-3, F, H or S, and for alternating tread devices and ship's ladders, guards shall not have openings that allow passage of a sphere 21 inches (533 mm) in diameter.

(E) In assembly seating areas, guards required at the end of aisles in accordance with Section 1029.17.4 shall not have openings that allow passage of a sphere 4 inches (102 mm) in diameter up to a height of 26 inches (660 mm). From a height of 26 inches (660 mm) to 42 inches (1067 mm) above the adjacent walking surfaces, guards shall not have openings that allow passage of a sphere 8 inches (203 mm) in diameter.

(F) Within individual dwelling units and sleeping units in Group R-2 and R-3 occupancies, guards on open sides of stairs shall not have openings that allow passage of a sphere 4 3/8 inches (111 mm) in diameter.

(7) Section 1015.6 Mechanical equipment, systems and devices. This section has been modified to clarify the circumstances under which guards shall be provided and to modify the exception to allow the authority having jurisdiction to approve the use of a fall/restraint system instead of guards. This section has been modified to read: 1015.6 Mechanical equipment, systems and devices. Guards shall be provided where various components that require services are located on a roof or elevated structure and have a condition as set forth in Sections 1015.6.1 through 1015.6.3. The guard shall be constructed so as to prevent the passage of a sphere 21 inches (533 mm) in diameter. Exception: When approved by the authority having jurisdiction, guards are not required where permanent fall arrest/restraint anchorage connector devices that comply with ANSI/ASSE Z 359.1 are affixed for use during the entire roof covering lifetime. The devices shall be reevaluated for possible replacement when the entire roof covering is replaced. The devices shall be placed not more than 10 feet (3048 mm) on center along hip and ridge lines and placed not less than 10 feet (3048 mm) from roof edges and the open sides of walking surfaces.

(8) Section 1015.6.1 Roof edge. This section has been added to clarify the circumstances required to exist for the installation of guards at the roof edge when the components needing service are within a specific distance of the roof edge. This section has been added to read: 1015.6.1 Roof edge. Guards shall be provided when components are located within 10 feet (3048 mm) of a roof edge or open side of a walking surface or elevated structure and such edge or open side is located more than 30 inches (762 mm) above the floor, roof, or grade below. The guard shall extend not less than 30 inches (762 mm) beyond each end of the component that requires service.

(9) Section 1015.6.2 Skylights. This section has been added to clarify the circumstances for the installation of guards around components near skylights and to provide exceptions to the requirement. This section has been added to read: 1015.6.2 Skylights. Guards shall be provided when a skylight is within 10 feet (3048 mm) of the component that requires service. The guard shall extend 30 inches (762 mm) beyond the edge of the skylight. Exceptions:

(A) Guards are not required when the skylight is located at least 42 inches (1067 mm) above the highest point of the walking surface adjacent to the skylight or component.

(B) Guards are not required if some other provision for skylight fall through protection is provided and approved by the authority having jurisdiction.

(10) Section 1015.6.3 Roof hatch. This section has been added to clarify the circumstances for the installation of guards around components installed within a specific distance from the roof hatch. This section has been added to read: 1015.6.3 Roof hatch. Guards shall be provided when a roof hatch is within 10 feet (3048 mm) of the component that requires service. The guard shall extend 30 inches (762 mm) beyond the edge of the roof hatch. If the component is within 10 feet (3048 mm) of the ladder access side of the roof hatch, the guard shall incorporate a self-closing, self-latching gate. The gate shall have a top edge of not less than 42 inches (1067 mm) above the elevated surface adjacent to the gate and shall not allow the passage of a 21 inch (533 mm) sphere.

(11) Section 1015.7 Roof access. This section has been modified to allow the authority having jurisdiction to approve the use of a fall-restraint system instead of a guard in the exception and provide criteria for installation of the fall-restraint system. This section has been modified to read: 1015.7 Roof access. Guards shall be provided where the roof hatch opening is located within 10 feet (3048 mm) of a roof edge or open side of a walking surface and such edge or open side is located more than 30 inches (762 mm) above the floor, roof or grade below. The guard shall be constructed so as to prevent the passage of a sphere 21 inches (533 mm) in diameter. Exception: When approved by the authority having jurisdiction, guards are not required where permanent fall arrest/restraint anchorage connector devices that comply with ANSI/ASSE Z 359.1 are affixed for use during the entire roof covering lifetime. The devices shall be reevaluated for possible replacement when the entire roof covering is replaced. The devices shall be placed not more than 10 feet (3048 mm) on center along hip and ridge lines and placed not less than 10 feet (3048 mm) from roof edges and the open sides of the walking surfaces.

Okla. Admin. Code § 748:20-4-15

Renumbered from 748:20-3-12 Oklahoma Register, Volume 37, Issue 24, September 1, 2020, eff. 8/3/2020

Adopted by Oklahoma Register, Volume 38, Issue 24, September 1, 2021, eff. 9/14/2021