Wis. Admin. Code Department of Safety and Professional Services SPS 376.04

Current through September 30, 2024

Section SPS 376.04 - Total width of stairways

(1) In a building not provided with horizontal exits, the total width of stairways (if enclosed) and stairway fire escapes shall not be less than the following:

(2) In ordinary or frame buildings:

Sprinklered . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 in. per 100 persons

Not Sprinklered . . . . . . . . . 60 in. per 100 persons

In fire-resistive or mill buildings:

Fire-Resistive Sprinklered	Fire-Resistive Not Sprinklered	Mill Sprinklered	Mill Not Sprinklered
--------------	30	50	40	60	in. per 100 persons on 2nd floor
plus---	15	25	20	30	in. per 100 persons on 3rd floor
plus---	12	20	16	24	in. per 100 persons on 4th floor
plus---	9	15	12	18	in. per 100 persons on 5th floor
plus---	6	10	8	12	in. per 100 persons on 6th floor
plus---	3	5	4	6	in. per 100 persons on 7th floor
plus---	0	0	0	0	in. per 100 persons on 8th floor and above
but in no case shall such total width be less than
30	50	40	60	in. per 100 persons on any one floor

(3) This table is based on the assumption that in buildings over 3 stories in height the inside stairways will be enclosed with not less than one-hour fire-resistive partitions and fire-resistive doors (ss. SPS 375.08 to 375.09) and that the fire escapes are located as required by s. SPS 375.13.

(4) If horizontal exits are provided for any floor, the number of persons accommodated on such floor may be increased at the rate of 100 persons for each 40 inches width of such exits, provided such increase shall not exceed 100% of the number of persons accommodated by the stairways and fire escapes.

Note: To facilitate calculations under this order in buildings where the same number of persons are to be accommodated on each floor, the following table shows the number of persons who may be accommodated for each foot in width of enclosed stairways and protected fire escapes, or for each 2 feet in width of unenclosed stairways and unprotected fire escapes:

Frame and ordinary buildings, 20 persons total, above first story, if not sprinklered; 30 if sprinklered.

(5) Fire-resistive and mill buildings:

Height of Building	Fire-Resistive Sprinklered	Fire-Resistive Not Sprinklered	Mill Sprinklered	Mill Not Sprinklered
2 stories---	40	24	30	20	Persons on each floor
3 stories---	27	16	20	13	Persons on each floor
4 stories---	21	13	16	11	Persons on each floor
5 stories---	18	11	14	9	Persons on each floor
6 stories---	17	10	13	8	Persons on each floor
More than 6 stories	16	10	12	8	Persons on each floor

Wis. Admin. Code Department of Safety and Professional Services SPS 376.04

1-2-56; renum. and am., Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74; corrections made under s. 13.93(2m) (b) 7, Stats., Register, June, 1995, No. 474; correction in (3) made under s. 13.92(4) (b) 7, Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672.